I would guess that there was about 100 people - on a Saturday in Pasadena. Last Saturday, I was a panelist at the CalTech - Social Networks event. It was a really good event with lots of interesting folks in attendance. That shows some interest in the topic.

The firm is angel backed by the Tech Coast Angels and the Pasadena Angels. San Diego-based BrightQube, an angel-backed stock photo search site, has updated its web services to make it easier for photo buyers to find images. BrightQube rolled out its new web site earlier this week, adding such features as pop-up search tips, new navigation options, filtering, and other features.

December 11th 2008 Pasadena Jazz Institute Howdy Campers! Digital Family Reunion is bringing all of the LA Tech/Business/Media scene together next month, for a nice holiday party at the Skirball Center! It should be a blast having so many great LA communities together, sharing their thoughts and having some great holiday fun!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 -- Funding Early Stage Tech Companies. Pasadena Angels. How will the stock market and possible recession impact early-stage company financing? What are the metrics investors look for today? What companies and deals are most attractive to investors?

Pasadena-based LeisureLink has signed on a loyalty and incentive company, Destination Rewards, as part of its travel services, the firm said earlier this week. The company is venture backed by Clearstone Venture Partners, Mission Ventures, the Pasadena Angels, the Tech Coast Angels, and others. LeisureLink, which provides online distribution and marketing of vacation lodging, said that it will offer consumer rewards and loyalty programs that can be used for vacation travel and merchandise. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A few days ago, we learned that Nami Media had been selected as a Finalist for the PricewaterhouseCoopers Entretech Entrepreneursip Award 2008. PricewaterhouseCoopers and Entretech Announce Finalists for 5th Annual Entrepreneurship Awards 2008 Also, SoCalTech published an interview where Gary Mittman, CEO / Co-founder of Nami Media, and I offered our views on Nami Media’s progress, direction and benefits of being funded Only three finalists made our category of emerging companies with annual revenues of $1-$8 million, and after attending the presentations, I can say that Nami is definitely the company which has come the farthest with the least external funding.

Pasadena-based MyShape has raised $12M in a round of venture capital, the company's CEO, Louise Wannier, confirmed Monday after reports that the firm had closed a round of funding, but said the round was still in progress. The funding came from Lehman Brothers Venture Partners and also included prior lead Draper Fisher Jurvetson, along with local angel groups the Pasadena Angels and the Tech Coast Angels. MyShape runs an online apparel store which is targeted on matching women with clothing that best fits them. Wannier said the round remains open, as the firm is still in active

EI Solutions, the solar integration startup backed by Pasadena-based Idealab, has scored a win in the City of Santa Barbara. EI Solutions is based in the Bay Area with sales offices in Pasadena, and is one of a number of energy related companies out of Idealab. According to Tioga Energy, a renewable energy services provider, and EI Solutions, the two are building and funding a 384 kW DC solar electric system for Santa Barbara. The firms said the system will be installed on roof space on the City of Santa Barbara's corporation yard at Garden and Laguna streets.

Pasadena-based Guidance Software, which makes software used for digital forensics, has signed on the Securies and Exchange Comission (SEC) for a renewal, the firm announced Monday. Guidance said that the SEC is using the firm's EnCase Enterprise and Encase Forensic software. Both software packages are used for searching and indexing digital information on computers and file servers, without affecting the contents of those servers.

Irvine-based WebVisible announced today that it has acquired Pasadena-based Adapt Technologies, a developer of search engine marketing tools. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. WebVisible is a provider of local online advertising services, which helps small and midsize businesses place search engine marketing. Adapt Technologies was venture backed by Concept2company,