LAUNCH
Irvine-based telecommunications firm Shoelace Wireless is working with Facebook Connectivity and others to improve cellular network capacity and coverage as part of the Wi-Fi group of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP).
TIP is starting market trials in several European countries, in which it will set up neutral host shared infrastructure networks on behalf of a city.
The program uses Shoelace Wireless’ connectivity technology and Facebook’s Magma open-source core platform to provide faster and more reliable internet service at a lower cost, the companies said.
Shah Rahman, Magma engineering lead at Facebook Connectivity—an umbrella platform for Facebook’s global internet connectivity initiative—said that Shoelace Wireless’ “intelligent data traffic steering” technology “is an innovative approach to solve the complex Cellular and Wi-Fi data interplay.”
TIP’s efforts are designed to create better wireless coverage across cities, allowing mobile operators to save money in dense urban areas and invest in rural, underserved areas that are often lacking in coverage, according to Jim Mains, chief executive of Shoelace Wireless.
Mains started his career in mobile telecommunications at Openwave and served as chief strategy officer of Smith Micro Software Inc. in Irvine before joining Shoelace Wireless, which is currently based at the EvoNexus incubator in Irvine.
Shoelace Wireless began as a video streaming technology for consumers and has since shifted its focus to mobile operator and edge optimization markets.
The company has four employees and its board members include Greg Haller, the former west area vice president of Verizon Wireless, venture capitalist Randy Lunn, and Nambi Seshadri, the former chief technology officer of broadband and connectivity at Broadcom.
Shoelace Wireless is currently raising a seed round.
PARTNERSHIPS
Global Telecom Engineering Corp. in Irvine has received certification for one of its Internet of Things modules on Sprint’s Curiosity IoT network, which means that Sprint customers and developers can use the module to implement IoT strategies with various devices on Sprint and T-Mobile networks.
Global Telecom’s modules—in the form of chip sets or series of small components—are expected to be embedded inside of connectivity devices ranging from cellphones to cars.
Global Telecom has developed several modules, including its GTC-7243A, which features 4G capabilities, built-in router software and management support.
The module is built on blockchain technology, adding extra layers of security to the device, according to Ahmad Malkawi, the company’s founder and chief executive.
Malkawi added the company expects to receive certification for its 5G module, which will be one of the first in the industry, in the next three months.
Global Telecom launched in 2011 and began earning revenue, now in the high seven figures, in 2016. The company has raised about $2 million for its approximately $6 million Series A round, with participation from a publicly traded company in California. The round will contribute to software development for additional products.
Global Telecom has four local employees and expects to outgrow its headquarters at the Oracle Tower in Irvine soon.
Eyedaptic Inc. in Laguna Beach announced a partnership with Vispero to introduce its augmented reality wearable device to more patients.
Vispero is the largest assistive technology provider in the world with operations in 90 countries. The partnership gives Eyedaptic immediate access to a dealer network of 40 to 50, said Chief Executive Jay Cormier.
Eyedaptic is developing wearables to help patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal issues. Its first product offers what official say is the widest field of view with augmented reality. It hit the market at the end of 2019.
“We’re focused on AMD because it’s a large, unmet need,” Cormier said. “We wanted to have a device that helps these people and serves a variety of retinal diseases.”
AMD impacts about 15 million people in the U.S.
Cormier is a seasoned entrepreneur “fabulously bad at retirement,” involved in three exits including the $315 million sale of Teridian Semiconductor Inc. to Maxim Integrated Products Inc. in 2010.
He leads the company with co-founders Chief Technology Officer Dave Watola and medical advisers Dr. Mitul Mehta and Dr. Brian Kim. Dr. Barry Kuppermann, the director of the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute serves on its board.
Last month, the company closed a seed round co-led by Tech Coast Angels in OC and San Diego, and Band of Angels in Silicon Valley.
Seal Beach-based Cuddly Inc., a technology platform that helps animal organizations raise funds, is raising awareness through a new partnership with Brittney Zamora Racing.
Zamora is a 20-year-old rising star on the NASCAR circuit.
She is also the founder of Pit Road Pals, an app that facilitates the pet adoption process and connects consumers with shelters. Cuddly will coordinate and provide products for Pit Road Pals shelter visits and proceeds will go back to the selected shelters.
In addition to its fundraising platform, Cuddly is focused on technology products for pets and their parents. The company launched a matchmaking product to pair animals with potential owners in mid-2019. It’s currently working on a virtual home inspection feature to add to the platform.
Chief Executive John Hussey founded Cuddly in 2014. He is also a referee for the National Football League.
Cuddly has raised $2.1 million to date and plans a Series A round of funding this year.
NEW HIRES
Business and life sciences accelerator Octane recently added Managing Director Carol DiStanislao to Octane Enterprise Solutions, a new division of the organization that focuses on providing companies with growth resources and connections to capital.Â
DiStanislao has spent more than two decades in senior business development roles and has experience creating partnerships to help early and mid-stage companies grow. She is a longtime OC resident and a graduate of University of Southern California.Â
Aliso Viejo-based Octane plans to relocate its headquarters to the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine this year. The organization has also disclosed plans to launch a business incubator, start its own investment fund and contribute to the Visionary Ventures Fund II for ophthalmology and medical aesthetics in 2020.
Irvine-based Cie, a venture studio and startup accelerator, brought on
Yasuto Suga as an entrepreneur in residence.
He will be working on a digital technology startup for public safety called Performa, according to company executives.
Suga’s career in the technology space spans about 20 years, and he will continue to serve as co-founder and chief executive of Irvine-based Kadho Sports, a sports training platform, with clients including Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and multiple Olympic teams.
His roots to Cie trace back to its founding: he was one of the first 10 employees at the studio and went on to launch Cie Games Japan, which sold to gaming developer Glu Mobile Inc. (Nasdaq: GLUU) for about $100 million in 2014.
Suga is one of three EIRs, working on stealth startups, added in the last year.
