Have you noticed how some entrepreneurs look at getting funding as the ultimate sign of success? Not only is funding not the finish line, but the mistakes you make when you get investors can cost you when you finally do get to the finish line and are ready to sell your company. Brandon has done stints as an operator at all stages of the funding cycle, and at Soros Private Equity, investing over $70M in technology deals. Brandon Watson came to Mixergy to talk about how he raised money for his startup, how he grew it, and why he had to sell it. The two most powerful points

One reason is that these individuals frequently appear as the missing link--a shortcut to the expertise, or funding or connections we need. Another reason is that we question "who would be brazen enough to take my $3,500 to prepare paperwork that would virtually insure my funding?" Before entering into agreements with individuals who want to take your money or partner with you or become your next C-level executive, do some homework. The recent economic turmoil has witnessed the destruction of many businesses and jobs. At the same time, new opportunities are cropping up everywhere.

San Diego-based Verimatrix is announcing today that it has now raised more than $20M in funding in its Series C funding round. According to the firm, the additional funding in its Series C funding came from JK&B Capital. The firm had previously announced that Goldman Sachs, and SunAmerica Ventures had invested in the firm's Series C round. Verimatrix said that the funding will go towards business expansion and accelerated deployment of the firm's products. Verimatrix is a developer of encryption, DRM, watermarking, and other technology for

in a Series C funding round. According to Enclarity, the funding will go towards further research and development. The new round of funding brings the company's total raised to around $21.8M. Aliso Viejo-based Enclarity is announcing today that it has raised $5.5M The round came from Bain Capital Ventures and Ignition Partners.

San Diego-based E-Band Communications , a developer of millimeter-wave wireless transmission systems, said Wednesday that the firm has raised a Series C financing round. Amount of the funding was not disclosed by the firm. Band said the funding will go towards accelerating its business operations expansion. ...Tags: According to E-Band, the round was led by Hercules Technology Growth Capital, and also included Avalon Ventures. E-Band

Camarillo-based Transonic Combustion , which is developing fuel injection systems for the automotive industry, said Wednesday that the firm has raised a Series C round of funding. The funding came from Venrock, Khosla Ventures, Rustic Canyon Partnres, and Saints Capital. Amount of the investment was not disclosed. According to the firm, it will use the capital to advance its technology, expand its technical team and facilities, and collaborate with automotive manufacturers.

Santa Monica-based Total Beauty Media , which operates a user-generated beauty product reviews web site, said today that it has acquired competitor BeautyRiot , and scored a Series C funding round. The financial details behind the acquisition and funding were not disclosed. According to Total Beauty, the Series C funding round was led by US Venture Partners, BeautyRiot is a beauty website focused on women under 35, and also provides user-generated beauty advice and reviews. READ MORE>> ...Tags:

Santa Barbara-based Sonos , which develops multi-room, digital music systems, confirmed today that it has raised $25M in a Series C round of funding. The funding came from Index Ventures, with Mike Volpi of Index joining the company's board of directors as part of the funding. Sonos makes an easy-to-use digital music system which plays music throughout multiple rooms in a home. READ MORE>> ...Tags:

Irvine-based WebVisible officially announced this morning that it has raised $20M in a Series C funding round. According to the firm, the round was led by Focus Ventures and Adams Street Partners, with existing investors Redpoint Ventures and Sutter Hill Ventures also participating in the funding. According to WebVisible, the funding will go to aggressively expand R&D on its platform, which is used by place local online advertising for small and WebVisible is headed by Kirsten Mangers. As part of the announcement, WebVisible said it saw a 113 percent, year-over-year

Santa Monica-based ThisNext announced this morning that it has acquired fashion and beauty site Stylehive , and raised a Series C round of funding. The firm did not disclose amount of the funding, however, a regulatory filing by the firm last week indicated the funding round was worth $1.2M. ThisNext said the Series C funding round came from Clearstone Venture Partners, Anthem Venture Partners, and Lightspeed As part of the acquisition and funding, ThisNext said it has created a new parent company, Curatemedia , to operate both Thisnext and Stylehive.