Rapid Growth in LA Tech: What's Next?

Description

LA’s tech industry is changing, fast. Even faster than you most likely realize. 2012 was a record-setting year for tech in LA, with BuiltInLA’s 2012 Digital Startup Report reporting more startups were both launched and acquired than in any previous year. What does this rapidly evolving environment mean for the future of technology entrepreneurs, engineers, and everybody involved in the industry?

Alex Ross (CTO, Enplug) will discuss the realities of this exciting growth in LA’s tech industry, including the impact it has on companies currently working in the trenches. He’ll share the experiences of his team as they grew Enplug, one of LA’s rare hardware technology companies, into a young star among the latest generation of companies to launch. How did they successfully navigate from idea inception through a tech company’s life cycle - fundraising, product development, growing the team, product launch, and dealing with rapid growth? Some parts of this process were made easier by the recent ecosystem changes, others more challenging, and all are still rapidly evolving at a breakneck pace as LA continues its march toward being a world-class tech community.

Bio

Alex is a co-founder and CTO of Enplug, who has overseen the technical and engineering design of both its network infrastructure and interactive screen software, while leading one of LA’s strongest teams of seasoned engineers. He’s a UCLA Bruin, speaks/reads Mandarin Chinese, and is a self-trained engineer passionate about constant learning and challenging oneself with new frontiers.

Enplug has built a network of next-generation interactive billboards featured in high-end restaurants, bars, and clubs. It has been featured in Forbes and on the front page of Fast Company, among others. Over 10,000+ locations nationwide have signed up to feature Enplug’s technology which allow end-users to engage and control the screen using their mobile devices. Patrons can play games, redeem offers, and post content via their social media accounts, all in real-time. Brands leverage Enplug’s powerful ad-campaign portal for unparalleled hyper targeting utilizing detailed demographic data.

Schedule:

7:00-7:30 Networking & Food Time!

7:30-8:00 Talk & Questions

8:00-8:30 More Networking & Career Counseling Available

PARKING INFO - PLEASE READ

If you are driving, use ParkMe’s parking maps to help you find parking.
http://www.parkme.com/map/?lat=34.0623431&lng=-118.34663690000002&zoom=16
Or you can download their free mobile app for iPhone (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pim/id417605484?mt=8) or Android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parkme.consumer) find parking on-the-go

There are public parking lots on S. Detroit St. and Wilshire and S. Cochran Ave. Look at the map for more details. You can also go here to get a closer look of the map and parking. There is also street parking available. DO NOT park in the Staples or Wilshire Beauty lot behind the Blankspaces Building. Thanks!

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/8/0/event_211009792.jpeg