<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.001.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18173 size-full" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.001.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a><!--nextpage--></p> With so much going on in the thriving<a href="http://54.183.167.120/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> LA tech and startup</a> ecosystem, it is easy to miss some of the news in the space. We keep you abreast of a few of things that you may have missed in LA Tech news for the week of ending 11/24 including the <a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/category/funding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LA startup fundings</a>, exits, and events including news for PlayVS, Genies, Italic, and much, much more… <h2 style="text-align: center;">USE THE ARROWS BELOW TO NAVIGATE THE REPORT</h2> <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.002.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18174" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.002.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>PlayVS</strong>, the e-Sports league focused on high school students, has raised $30.5M in Series B funding from investors that include <strong>New Enterprise Associates</strong>, <strong>Samsung NEXT</strong>, <strong>Crosscut Ventures</strong>, <strong>Coatue Management</strong>, <strong>Science Inc.</strong>, <strong>WndrCo LLC</strong>, <strong>Elysian Park Ventures</strong>, <strong>Rahul Mehta</strong>, <strong>Michael Dubin</strong>, <strong>Adidas</strong>, <strong>David Drummond</strong>, <strong>Plexo Capital</strong>, and <strong>Sean Combs</strong>. Founded by <strong>Delane Parnell</strong> in 2017, PlayVS has now raised a total of $46M over two funding rounds. <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.003.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18175" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.003.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>Italic</strong>, the marketplace that allows consumers to buy luxury products directly from manufacturers, has raised $13M in Series A funding from investors that include <strong>Index Ventures</strong>, <strong>Comcast Ventures</strong>, <strong>Global Founders Capital</strong>, <strong>iNovia Capital</strong>, <strong>Ludlow Ventures</strong>, <strong>Charlie Songhurst</strong>, <strong>Scott Belsky</strong>, <strong>Fred Ehrsam</strong>, and <strong>0 Ventures</strong>. Italic was founded by <strong>Jeremy Cai</strong> in the spring of 2018. <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.004.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18176" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.004.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> Bitmoji competitor <strong>Genies</strong>, with allows users to clone themselves digitally has raised an additional $10M. Founded by <strong>Akash Nigam</strong>, <strong>Evan Rosenbaum</strong>, and <strong>Matt Geiger</strong>, it raised $10M and there were 13 participants in this round: <strong>New Enterprise Associates</strong>, <strong>Foundation Capital</strong>, <strong>Lerer Hippeau</strong>, <strong>Trinity Ventures</strong>, <strong>BoxGroup</strong>, <strong>CAA Ventures</strong>, <strong>Joe Montana</strong>, <strong>Carmelo Anthony</strong>, <strong>Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson</strong>, <strong>Russell Westbrook</strong>, <strong>Shawn Mendes</strong>, <strong>The Chainsmokers</strong>, and <strong>ASAP Rocky</strong>. Genies has now raised a total of $23.8M across eight rounds. <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.005.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18177" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.005.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> According to a recent SEC filing, online dance instruction platform STEEZY has raised $3M in funding. <strong>STEEZY</strong> was founded in 2014 by <strong>Conner Lim</strong> and <strong>Evan Zhou</strong>. <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.006.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18178" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.006.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>BELLAMI Hair </strong>designs hair products with top beauty influencers, and this LA startup raised a $20M Venture round led by <strong>Cathexis</strong>. <!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.008.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18180" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.008.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>Mitu</strong>, the Latino-focused content platform, has secured an additional $10M in funding from investors that include <strong>Upfront Ventures</strong>, <strong>Verizon Ventures</strong>, <strong>WPP</strong>, and <strong>LEAP Global Partners</strong>. Founded by <strong>Beatriz Acevedo</strong>, <strong>Doug Greiff</strong>, and <strong>Roy Burstin</strong> in 2014, Mitu has now raised a total of $52M over five rounds.<!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.009.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18181" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.009.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>Lumi</strong>, the provider of packaging for e-commerce retailers, has raised $6.5M in Series A funding from investors that include <strong>Follow[the]Seed</strong> and <strong>Josh Liberman Investment Group</strong>. Founded by <strong>Jesse Genet</strong> and <strong>Stephan Ango</strong> in 2009, Lumi has now raised a total of$15.9M in total equity funding over five rounds. In conjunction with this funding, the company also announced an additional $25M in debt financing<!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.010.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18182" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.010.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> According to a recent SEC filing, Santa Monica-based HR management platform <strong>Varius Solutions</strong>, has raised $5M in funding. The filing indicates that this round came from a sole party. The filing also lists <strong>Gary Budzinski</strong> as an Executive and Director and <strong>Sam Englebardt</strong> as a Director.<!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.011.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18183" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.011.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> <strong>WeRecover</strong>, the online matching platform that connects patients with addiction recovery centers, has raised $2M in additional funding from investors that include <strong>Crosslink Capital</strong>, <strong>BoxGroup</strong>, <strong>Social Starts</strong>, <strong>Arab Angel Fund</strong>, <strong>Struck Capital</strong>, and <strong>Wonder Ventures</strong>. Founded by <strong>Maximillian Jaffe</strong> and <strong>Stephen Estes</strong> in 2016, WeRecover has now raised a total of $5.3M in funding over four rounds.<!--nextpage--> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.012.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-18184" src="https://www.latechwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/11_24_LA-tech-news.012.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="537" /></a></p> According to a recent SEC filing, <strong>SyncOnSet</strong>, the software platform for TV and film management operations, has raised an additional $1.25M in funding. The filing indicates that there were five participants in the round. SyncOnSet was founded by <strong>Alexander LoVerde</strong>, <strong>Brett Beaulieu-Jones</strong>, <strong>Dan Stefanis</strong>, and <strong>Jeff Impey</strong> in 2012 and has now raised a total of $7.55M in funding over five rounds. Investors in previous rounds include Techstars<strong> Right Side Capital Management CVP</strong>, <strong>Techstars Boston Accelerator</strong>, <strong>Rose Park Advisors</strong>,<a href="https://www.alleywatch.com/2017/06/inside-mind-new-york-vc-laconia-capital-group/"><strong> Laconia Ventures</strong></a>,<strong> Hub Angels Investment Group</strong>, and <a href="https://www.alleywatch.com/2017/06/inside-mind-new-york-vc-laconia-capital-group/"><strong>David Arcara</strong></a>.
