Los Angeles-based regional air company Surf Air Mobility said it has swapped its CEO, saying that current CEO Stan Little will become a "Special Advisor" and "Founder" to the company. Deanna White, the company's CFO, will become Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO of the company. It's unclear what drove the company's CEO switchup. White was previously CEO of Bombadier Flexjet, and also served as COO of Kitty Hawk (sold to Boeing, now known as Wisk Aero). In addition to the CEO swap, Surf Air Mobility said that it is "undertaking a strategic review" which it says will "ultimately result in cost reduction and other expense control measures aimed at returning airline operations to profitability." The company also said it is "actively pursuing other strategic initiatives" and has "retained a leading investment bank" in its efforts.

Irvine-based enterprise analytics software developer Alteryx announced today that it has launched a new, AI assistant, built on Google Cloud's Gemini AI model. According to the company, its new AI tool will make it easier to "onboard" new users and build analytical workflows. Alteryx develops analytics software used for managing revenues and costs, as well as for risk mitigation.

San Diego-based Classy said today that it has launched a new set of tools that help nonprofits with fundraising and marketing. The company--which is owned by GoFundMe--says the tools include features like "Intelligent Ask Amounts" which uses machine learning to suggest an "ask amount" for donations that are personalized to a person's giving history; better integration with other tools; embedded donation tools, and more.

Long Beach-based space startup SpinLaunch has shuffled its CEO, saying recently that it has named David Wrenn as its new CEO. Wrenn was serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer. The appointment of a new CEO comes after the company's former CEO and founder, Jonathan Yaney, has "completed his transition from the company". Details on the departure were not given. The company said Wrenn has been at the company since early 2015, when he joined as a mechanical engineer.

Los Angeles-based EVgo said today that it will begin deployment of the standard North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors for electric vehicles later this year. The company said the addition of those connectors will allow it to serve both CCS and NACS vehicles. NACS is the standard used by Tesla Motors, whereas CCS is used by most other motor vehicle manufacturers. EVgo said it had an overall utilization rate of its network of approximately 19 percent in the first quarter of 2024, which is up from 9 percent in its first quarter of 2023.

Los Angeles-based EV maker Fisker Inc. is trying to drum up more sales, saying today that it is waiving its $2,438 Destination and Handling charge for its 2023 Fisker Ocean Extremes and Ultras. The company also said it has added two new dealer partners in California, with one in Orange County (Newport Fisker) and one in San Jose (Fisker of San Jose). Fisker says it now has fifteen dealer partner locations and distributorships in the US and territories. Fisker has been facing some severe headwinds, with major layoffs and talk of possible bankruptcy.

Los Angeles-based Gnomi said it is looking to pay journalists for articles, based on a "per article" negotiated article, as part of its machine learning/AI technology which translates and aggregates news. The company did not say how much it will pay journalists for their content, or if that content will be used to train its own machine learning software. The company said it is looking for "established independent writers, journalists and thought leaders to share and monetize original content on the platform." The company said the content will complement its existing news product, which utilizes machine learning technology to translate news from 22 counries into more than 11 languages. CEO and founder Eva Cincinyte cited the "unprecedented crisis" hitting the media industry, which has been hit by a widespread layoffs.

City of Industry-based Newegg said last week it has received a warning from The Nasdaq Capital Market, saying that the company is "currently not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement" for the Nasdaq, as its closing bid price has been below $1.00 per share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Newegg currently trades on the Nasdaq as NEGG. The company said it has until November 4, 2024, to regain compliance. Newegg is an online retailer of computer hardware, electronics, and more.

Los Angeles-based Sensible Weather, which provides weather-based insurance coverage to travelers, says it has linked up with digital insurance platform Roamly. According to the company, it will offer "Weather Guarantees" for travelers booking a trip on the RV rental platform Outdoorsy. The company said will issue customers who purchase their insurance "proactive reimbursements when their experiences are affected by undesirable weather". The company's platform automatically prices insurance based on parameters for rain or heat.

Los Angeles-based EV maker Fisker Automotive is facing more headwinds, as it apparently is facing investigation over inadvertant activation of its automatic emergency braking system. According to the NHTSA report, there have been multiple reports of "sudden vehicle deceleration" in the Fisker Ocean. So far, 8 reports have been submitted on model year 2023 Fisker Ocean vehicles.

Los Angeles-based Komo Tech said this week it has partnered with Fanatics. Financial details of the partnership were not announced. According to Komo Tech, it will help Fanatics Events with "new levels of fan engagement". The company said it provides a "next-gen customer engagement platform" which includes things like immersive games, polls, competitions, and more. Joel Steel is CEO and Co-founder of Komo Tech.

A new report says that used Pelotons are flooding the Los Angeles market as a result of the company's financial issues. According to the report, users seem to be tiring of the recurring subscriptions. Peloton is reportedly seeking a private equity buyer.

San Diego-based Aardvark Therapeutics announced today that it has raised $85M in a Series C funding round. The funding was led by Decheng Capital and also included Cormorant Asset Management, Surveyor Capital, SymBiosis, Tetragon Financial Group, Walleye Capital, Laurion Capital Management, LG Technology Ventures, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co, Silver Arc Private Capital, The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association – USA, Vickers Venture Partners and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. The company said that Decheng Capital's Victor Tong, Jr. will join the board as part of the funding round. Aarvark's lead compound is ARD-101, for the treatment of hyperphagia in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Aardvark Therapeutics is led by CEO Tien Lee, M.D.

Toyota has set up its fuel cell technology headquarters in Gardena, as part of the company's efforts to research, develop, commercialize, and sell fuel cell and hydrogen-related products, according to the company. Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) said last week that it is renaming its R&D office in Gardena as its "North American Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ)" and will focus on commercialization planning and sales of hydrogen-related products and technologies.

Los Angeles-based Elementary, a developer of AI-powered machine vision software, says it has received a round of strategic investment from Rockwell Automation. Size of that funding was not disclosed. The company says it is developing AI-powered vision inspection software for manufacturing automation. Elementary's CEO and founder is Arye Barnehama. The company said its other investors include Toyota Ventures.

NASA says it has selected four groups working on missions to help study the climate and climate change, including three companies based in Southern California. According to NASA, the proposals for concept studies of missions to help the agency better understand Earth science in such areas as greenhouse gases, the ozone layer, ocean surface currents, and changes in ice and glaciers around the world. The studies include The Ocean Dynamics and Surface Exchange with the Atmosphere (ODYSEA) -- studying ocean surface currents and winds -- led by Sarah Gille at the University of California in San Diego; Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE) -- studying the three dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems -- and is led by Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California in San Diego; and the third is The Carbon Investigation (Carbon-I)--studying greenhouse gass--led by Christian Frankenberg at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. NASA did not say how much it is providing to those groups for their research efforts

The State of Illinois is hoping to attract more work in the state from Irvine-based EV maker Rivian, by offering up the auto maker $827M worth of incentives. Rivian currently builds its R1S and R1T vehicles there, in a plant it acquired from Mitsubishi.

Long Beach-based Rocket Lab said this week that it is planning two, back-to-back missions for NASA, to deploy satellites for NASA. According to the company, it has two back-to-back Electronic launches to deploy the NASA PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission. The company said the first will launch no earlier than May 22, 2024, and the second within three weeks of the first mission. The company said the launches will be its 48th and 49th missions, and the sixth and seventh launches this year. Rocket Lab focuses on launching small satellites (cubesats) into space. Rocket Lab said the NASA satellites will systematically measure the heat, in the form of infrared and far-infrared wavelengths, lost from Earth's polar regions for the first time, explaining that extreme storms, flooding, and coastal erosion are examples of weather outcomes that are influenced by climate conditions in the Arctic and Antarctica.

La Jolla-based Enlaza Therapeutics, which is working on protein drugs, says it has raised $100M in a Series A financing round. The funding was led by Life Sciences Group of J.P. Morgan Private Capital, and also included existing investors Frazier Life Sciences, Avalon Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Samsara BioCapital along with new investorsAmgen Ventures, Regeneron Ventures, Bregua Corporation, Pappas Capital, and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Los Angeles-based school ride provider HopSkipDrive, which provides rides to and from school to kids as a way for school districts to reduce school busing costs, says its "SmartPooling" service has saved 160,000 pounds of CO2 for school districts, as a result of reducing single occupancy rides and matching students together for transportation. The company says it is now providing information to school districts on their "sustainability impact", giving insights into the number, and percentage, of HopSkipDrive rides and miles completed in hybrid or electric vehicles.

Los Angeles-based consumer electronics manufacturer Belkin says it is now aiming to be entirely, 100 percent carbon neutral across its business by 2030. The company said it is on the way to 100 percent carbon neutral in its global offices and operations by 2025. The company did not say how it is meeting those goals, but did cite usage of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) capabilities to more accurately measure its product level emissions, and enforcing accountability in its supply chain.

Santa Barbara-based RentCafe, a provider of digital marketing services, says it is rolling out a new set of AI-powered tools. The company did not detail the new tools, saying it plans to launch them at an upcoming conference in Huntington Beach. The company said the tools include a "new content engine" and "AI-powered marketing tools" which include a "generative content engine" that creates copy for websites, blogs and Google Business Profile posts. RentCafe is part of Santa Barbara-based property management software developer Yardi.

Los Angeles-based Rently said today that it has launched a new, Bluetooth lock, called the Smart Bolt, which it says includes an extended batter life, stronger motor, and easy-to-install design. The company's products are used y property managers to allow for "self-guided touring" of properties. The company said the lock's extended battery life provides "reliable property access" for the duration of "most residential leases". The company said it is providing hardware and software to allow real estate operators a way to "automate every step of the leasing lifecycle."

Monrovia-based LiNova Energy said this morning that it has raised $15.8M in a Series A financing round. The funding was led by Catalus Capital, and also include Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, Chevron Technology Ventures and a syndicate of other, un-named investors. LiNova says it is working on polymer cathode batteries for the energy storage market. Michael Nagus is CEO of LiNova Energy.

Culver City-based Iconic Hearts says that it is shifting how its Noteit social media app works, and rather than being limited to just a romantic partner, will allow you to connect with up to five friends on the app. The company's app originally allowed users to only exchange real-time photos, videos, and drawings with one partner, with an idea to bolster romantic relationships.

Carson, California-based Velotric says it has launched several models of electric bicycles, aimed at the mountain bike market. According to the company, its Summit 1 and Fold 1 bicycles are electric mountain bikes, and start at $999. The company said the bicycles meet either Class 1, 2, or 3 ebike classifications and also include an app with smartphone integration and Apple's Find My integration. Velotric is led by co-founder and CEO Adam Zhang.

Carlsbad-based Rater--which claims to run an "anti-catfishing social app"--says it has expanded its platform beyond California. According to the dating app, it is now officially launching nationwide. The company said its single social app was "created in response to pervasive catfishing and romance scams rampant across all dating apps". The company's founder and CEO is Nicole Drew. The company said it uses "AI powered ID and photo verification" among other techniques to vet its users.

San Diego-based biotechnology company Endeavor BioMedicine said this morning that it has raised $132.5M in the company's Series C financing. The company said the funding was led by AyurMaya, an affiliate of Matrix Capital Management, plus new investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company, Invus, SymBiosis, Velosity Capital, and Woodline Partners along with existing investors including funds managed by abrdn Inc. (formerly Tekla Capital Management LLC), Ally Bridge Group, Avidity Partners, Eckuity Capital, Longitude Capital, Omega Funds, Perceptive Advisors, Piper Heartland Healthcare Capital, Silver Arch Bio, and T. Rowe Price Associates. The company said the funding will go twards clinical development of its lead candidates, ENV-101 for fibrotic lung diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and ENV-501, a next-generation HER3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, for solid tumors.

Troubled Los Angeles-based automotive company Fisker Automotive indicated in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it is in a liquidity crunch, which "raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern", and indicated that it could file for bankruptcy within the next 30 days. The company also indicated in the filing that it intends to "further reduce" its workforce and "streaming its operations", including "reducing its physical footprint" in an effort to control costs.

Burbank-based multi-channel streaming platform Loop Media reports that it has received a warning from the NYSE American. According to the company, it was advised the company is "not in compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards" citing "reported stockholder's deficit and "losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2023." The company said it is required to submit a "plan of compliance" by May 23, 2024.

A new startup, Easel, alucnhed today, saying that it has developed a generative AI app which lets you create images of yourself and friends "doing cool things", from Apple's iMessage. The company's founders are CEO Rajan Vaish and Sven Kratz, both former employees at Los Angeles-based Snap. Both apparently were at Snap until 2022, when they were laid off from the company after working in Snap's research division.

Los Angeles-based Elf Labs said this morning that it has launched a new company, which is combining hundreds of trademarked, iconic fairytale characters with "AI-powered production and distribution technology". According to the company, it has acquired 400 copyrights and over 140 trademarks for "Classic and reimagined renditions of Snow White, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Pinocchio" and more, which it acquired by buying the Junior Elf book catalog, which was originally published by Rand McNally. Elf Labs is led by CEO David Phillips.

Santa Barbara-based High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), which is developing high-temperature superconducting tape says it has received $5M from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), via the DOE's Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). According to the company, the $5M award will go towards the development of "transformational energy technology applications for fusion power reactors, power transmission cables, and electric aircraft." HTSI is led by CEO Ray Karam.

Santa Monica-based Headspace is aiming at the consumer market with a new mental health coaching service, the company said this morning. According to the company, it will start allowing U.S. consumers to access one-to-one support from a Headspace mental health coach. The company said those coaches are aimed at helping consumer "tackle a wide range of life challenges that may not require a therapist." The company said the service will cost $99.99 per month for three, 30-minute mental health coaching sessions per month.