LAUNCH
Edyza, an Internet of Things technology provider for farmers, has shifted to a “hardware as a service” business model, offering its tech to companies on a monthly subscription basis.
The Irvine-based startup uses wireless sensors and high-density IoT technology to provide actionable and real-time data on crops. Data collection includes temperature, humidity, air pressure and flow, so that owners and operators can identify the hearth of their crops.
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Rana Basheer, a former chief engineer and scientist at Broadcom Inc., is working on incorporating AI and predictive analytics in the platform to help operators take precautions and avoid repetitive issues such as severe light exposure.
Edyza is currently focused on commercializing its technology in the agricultural sector, but the company continues to find new use-cases, according to co-founder and Chief Executive Atul Patel, who also runs Irvine-based Orbee Auto.
In addition to its agricultural clients, Cresco Labs, Cronos Group, and Shenandoah Growers Inc., the company has partnered with a hospital to manage conditions for blood storage.
Edyza’s technology can also be used to monitor carbon dioxide levels in schools and business offices, Patel said.
The Alchemist Accelerator alum has raised about $1.5 million in funding thus far and is seeking additional funds. The company has an office space at UCI Research Park, and about 18 employees with plans to grow.
Laguna Beach-based Hindsyght has developed a platform that connects businesses with professional IT services in the area. The site will later include advertising, marketing and other consulting services.
The platform includes a directory and a review forum that allows businesses to rate the caliber of the services provided.
Founder and Chief Executive Paul Tran said that Hindsyght gives firms greater visibility, and reviews will push businesses to strengthen their services. “The end goal is to help the industry do better,” he told the Business Journal last week.
Tran began his career at Allergan PLC (NYSE: AGN) before founding SAP consulting firm Aptelis Inc., which sold to Contax Inc. in 2015.
Tran served as director of Contax for several years before departing to lead Hindsyght last year.
Hindsyght’s team includes VP Greg Meyer, a former director at semiconductor maker Conexant Systems Inc.; VP of Technology Tuan Le, a former executive director at Sony Corp.; VP of Product Jamie Lohrungruang; and VP of Marketing Lynn Tran. The company is currently seeking marketers.
The company has been self-funded thus far, with friends and family contributions totaling $200,000.
The company’s seed round is currently open.
At-home auto service RepairSmith has entered Orange County two months after its initial launch in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
RepairSmith sends qualified mechanics to its customers’ driveways or parking lots to assess, diagnose and fix mechanical issues. The company said that about 85% of its repairs are taken care of at home. The remaining vehicles, which may require more sophisticated tools or machinery to fix, are taken to certified RepairSmith shops and returned upon restoration.
The Los Angeles-based company is backed by Daimler AG.
“Daimler is committed to delivering innovative mobility services and leading the technology transformation of our industry,” Andreas Joerg, director of remanufacturing and value parts and service Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars said in a statement.
“The team at RepairSmith is taking a long view of the changing customer expectations and technology requirements in the car repair industry and designing solutions to improve the car ownership experience.”
Daimler is also the lead investor in Irvine’s AutoGravity Corp., profiled in the Oct. 21 edition of the Business Journal. AutoGravity launched a driveway-delivery, short-term car subscription service in Orange County last month.
FINANCING
Irvine-based AgTools took home $60,000 from the John G. Watson Quick Pitch Competition. The company also received $40,000 in grant funding from Parallel 18, an accelerator that helps startups grow their business and use Puerto Rico as a launching point to scale globally.
AgTools provides farming-related data, information and market insights to farmers. The software is currently focused on data related to specialty crops such as fruits and vegetables, but has the capability to expand to other commodities.
The platform also alerts farmers to changes in the supply chain process so that untimely deliveries can be tracked and prevented in the future.
Chief Executive Martha Montoya said that the business continues to add to its customers in the U.S. and overseas. The company has more than 350 clients to date.
Montoya leads the business, while her brothers Gustavo and Oscar helm technology and software development at the 2-year-old company.
AgTools launched in 2017 with $700,000 from two private investors and joined the UCI Wayfinder incubator last year.
PARTNERSHIPS
Irvine-based Brevvie is launching a program in the apartment complex Avalon Studio City, which could lead to a nationwide rollout, according to Chief Executive Kristine Everly.
The “briefly rent everything” company supplies well-maintained equipment and products through a locker system and mobile app, which allows users to pick up their rental gear at any time. Brevvie provides a vacuum cleaner for $6.99 a day and a karaoke machine for $12.99 a day among its offerings.
Its system for AvalonBay (NYSE: AVB)—one of the country’s larger multifamily owners, with a $30 billion market value—will be installed by year’s end, across from the complex’s Amazon lockers.
It’s the third program of its type for the company, which already has lockers installed in The George apartments in Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle and the Runway Apartments in Playa Vista.
The company said it is currently working with other apartment developers who are designing specific spaces in new buildings for the Brevvie platform.
In addition to targeting high-density housing, in which residents don’t have enough space to store large appliances or camping equipment, Brevvie is considering placing lockers in community recreation centers and public spaces.
Irvine Co. alum Everly has a background in marketing and real estate.
Brevvie got started at the UCI Beall Applied Innovation Wayfinder incubator in 2017 and is a member of OCTANe. The company is currently in talks with investors and looking to raise funds.
Laguna Beach-based Wavve, which creates environmentally sustainable products made largely with plastic waste, has partnered with technology provider RecycleGo to manage and track its materials during the manufacturing process to increase transparency, and so consumers can see where the products came from.
Wavve products will include shoes, bags and other consumer products; its Pacific Tote, which is made from 100% recycled materials, had more than 1,000 sales in the six weeks following its launch.
In keeping with its ocean theme, the company plans to launch a beach collection including boardshorts, beach towels and chairs and backpacks next summer, according to co-founder George Karalexis.
He added that Wavve makes money through its “merchandise collabs” with designer brands, including sunglass maker Garrett Leight and an unnamed luggage manufacturer, both in Los Angeles.
Karalexis founded the company with his family in 2017, following a career in the music industry. He continues to run Mouvement, an entertainment studio in LA. He said that his connections have helped him launch a brand that prioritizes “impact over the bottom line.”
The company has removed more than 3,000 pounds of trash to date, which is used in manufacturing.
Wavve has been self-funded thus far, with five employees and a fulfillment facility in Brea. The company plans to ramp up its offerings next year.
