Business & Tech

Tech Roundup: Netflix To Better Predict User Preferences, E-Fuel Raises $2.6M

A look at how Los Gatos technology companies have made the news this week.

Everyone in Los Gatos knows Netflix is our neighbor. But we aren’t all aware of the other companies and start-ups that call our town home. This new weekly column will round up all the bits -- and bytes -- of local technology companies, big and small alike. 

As Netflix dips in subscribership, two of its top executives are working on a system to better predict individual viewing preferences so that “every recommendation is a hit with the subscriber.” If the system goes as planned, then Netflix can direct viewers to the TV shows and movies it already has rather than spending big bucks to obtain the rights to additional online videos.

Microchip Technology, provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, acquired Roving Networks this week. Roving Networks, a semi-conductor developer, will continue operating out of its Los Gatos office. What does this mean for Microcrip? Now they have greater wireless offerings with embedded Wi-Fi capabilities and new bluetooth capability options.

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Screaming Velocity unveiled a software recommendation technology that predicts what TV programs tie in with a user’s taste. The program, displayed this week at the National Association of Broadcasters Show, includes an “advanced social discovery recommendations engine” which makes predictions based on users preferences in Google, Facebook and Google+.

This week, E-Fuel announced that they raised $2.6 million in venture debt -- a type of financing available to companies to fund equipment and other operational expenses. Founded in 2007, the company has developed a “MicroFusion Reactor” capable of processing all forms of cellulosic waste into sugar water, the catalyst for ethanol.

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Digital signage advertising network AdSemble launched a web app this week Digital Out of Home (DOOH) members. Deemed DOOHFeed, the site is formatted similarly to Digg and Reddit, acting as a hub where industry members can discover what articles are receiving the most buzz.


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