Los Angles-based Cognition Technologies , the developer of semantic, natural language processing technology focused on the Internet search area, is reporting a win with Microsoft's Bing search engine today. The firm--which is headed by Scott Jarus--said it has licensed some of its proprietary semantic technologies to Microsoft Corp. Cognition said the non-exclusive Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Cognition is venture backed by Draper Associates, Tim Draper, Fingerhut Ventures, and the Tech Coast Angels.

Los Angeles-based Cognition Technologies, a provider of search engine technology, claimed Tuesday that it has created the "world's largest semantic map of the English language." The firm said that the information is being used as part of its technology for helping to improve search results and to personalize and filter content. Cognition -- which is backed by Tim Draper, Draper Associates, According to the firm, the firm's semantic map will "significantly reduce" the amount of irrelevant information presented in information searches. The firm said the company's

Arcadia-based Siimpel Corporation, a developer of micro-electrical-mechanical optical technology, announced today that it has scored another round of funding. Siimpel said the new round of funding was led by DOCOMO Capital, and also included Qualcomm, Motorola, Micron Technology, and its existing venture investors, which includes Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Portage Venture Partners, Zone Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, and SunAmerica. Amount of the funding was not disclosed. Siimpel is developing MEMs-based optical systems which are being used to develop mobile cameras; the

Arcadia-based Siimpel , a developer of micro-electro-mechanical optical technology, hauled in $8.78M in its November funding, according to figures released in this week's PricewaterhouseCoopers/NVCA MoneyTree report. The firm is backed by DOCOMO Capital, Qualcomm, Motorola, Micron Technology, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Portage Venture Partners, Zone Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, and SunAmerica. The firm--which disclosed the funding in November, but did not released financial terms of the round--is developing MEM-based optical systems which are targeted at enabling digital cameras in mobile phones and other mobile hardware.

Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), the commercial rocket firm headed by Elon Musk, announced today that it has inked an agreement with Space Systems/Loral to launch a satellite for the firm. SpaceX is backed by the Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Elon Musk himself. SpaceX said that the deal calls for launch of a manufactured satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as early as 2012. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies , the commercial rocket firm headed by Elon Musk, said late Wednesday that it has signed a deal with Israeli satellite firm Space Communications Ltd. , SpaceX is venture backed by Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, as well as Musk's own personal fortune. to launch a communications satellite aboard its Falcon 9 rocket as early as December of 2012. SpaceX said the launch will insert the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

SpaceX said that the launch will occur on its Falcon 1e launch vehicle, with the satellite payload coming from either Astrium or subsidiary Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL). SpaceX is funded by the Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Musks's personal fortune. Hawthorne-based SpaceX , the space rocket venture headed by Elon Musk, reported Tuesday afternoon that it has gained a contract to launch an Earth observation satellite from Astrium. Financial details of the contract were not announced.

El Segundo-based ZADSPACE , a stealth mode firm developing advertising related products or technology, has raised an additional $500,000 in funding, according to a regulatory filing from the firm, bringing its total fundraising to $1.91M. According to the filing, Frank Foster of Draper Fisher Jurvetson has joined the board, which also included direct marketing advertising's Lester Wunderman, as well as Rick Smith of Crosscut Ventures. Details on the funding have not been released by the firm. DFJ Frontier, Crosscut Ventures and Gideon Hixon Fund are all prior investors in ZADSPACE.

MyShape is venture backed by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Lehman Brothers Venture Partners, the Pasadena Angels and the Tech Coast Angels, and offers an online site and technology where women can personalize and find clothing that matches their body type and shape. Pasadena-based myShape , a venture-funded e-commerce site focused on personalized fashions for women, said this week that it has promoted Louise Tobia to Senior Vice President, Merchandising. The firm said that Tobia previously served at Robinson-May/Meier & Frank, and has over 25 years of experience.

A study of the venture capital deal flow in Southern California conducted by socalTECH shows that venture capital deals dropped for Q3, to around $720M in deals, in a market dominated by clean technology firms. The numbers were driven by large dollar fundings in the clean technology sector, including large rounds to PowerGenix, Aptera Motors, and Pentadyne. The The numbers, which were drawn from venture deals tracked and reported in socalTECH's proprietary venture capital database, found that there was $719.7M in venture capital deals in the third quarter, down dramatically from