Tracking liquid assets: Groundswell creates Web-based water maps
Santa Barbara-based Groundswell Technologies makes Web-based software that can integrate data from any source — whether it’s a cutting-edge sensor connected via satellites or historical records — and generate “heat maps” of water supply or contamination on demand. The key is leveraging powerful computers in the cloud to handle lots of data and generate reports that used to take weeks in a matter of seconds.
Energy efficiency firms snag $5M
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $5 million to semiconductor and lighting companies in the region.
UC Santa Barbara, Buellton-based SixPoint Materials and Soraa were the recipients of money from the department.
Mindbody breaks ground on $20M campus in SLO tech corridor
San Luis Obispo is set to get its flagship high-tech campus as software company MindBody CEO Rick Stollmeyer and local officials broke ground Oct. 29 on a $20 million project including a new office building, four-story parking structure and promenade that will link with an existing facility, eventually boosting employment to 1,300 people.
Ryland’s Q3 profits jump 415% on higher home sales
Westlake Village-based Ryland Group made a roaring comeback in the third quarter, with profits up 415 percent to $53.6 million. The parent company of national homebuilder Ryland Homes said revenue rose 60.7 percent to $576.4 million on higher sales as the housing market continued to rebound.
Special comment: Ventura County’s energy landscape
Ventura County has an diverse array of energy assets, but the rules are going to have to change if innovation is going to flourish in the region.
That was my takeaway after moderating two panels on the future of energy at the Ventura County Economic Development Association’s annual business outlook conference on Oct. 25.
Deckers steps up sales
Shares of Goleta-based Deckers Outdoor Corp. jumped 14 percent in after-hours trading as the owner of Ugg, Teva and other casual footwear brands beat Wall Street expectations and said the rest of the year is on track.
Deckers said its acquisition of Hoka One One helped boost third-quarter sales 3 percent to $386.7 million; sales of its flagship Ugg brand gained 1.3 percent. The company, which is building a new headquarters on Hollister Avenue, said a new web site and more retail stores also helped.
