
Software, squared: ProductPlan makes tools for software product managers
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, January 17th, 2014 / Features, Small Business, Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Software, squared: ProductPlan makes tools for software product managers
It’s a low-cost, simple-to-use Web application for making and sharing product road maps, keeping everyone on the same page.

Round 2: Atara raises $13.5M as T.O. biotech boom takes hold
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, January 17th, 2014 / Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Round 2: Atara raises $13.5M as T.O. biotech boom takes hold
Thousand Oaks-based Atara Biotherapeutics has brought on more investors to its second financing round, bringing the total raised to $52 million.

Invoca calls up $20M: Fast-growing tech firm to double work force
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, January 17th, 2014 / Features, Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Invoca calls up $20M: Fast-growing tech firm to double work force
Santa Barbara-based inbound call technology firm Invoca has raised $20 million from Accel Partners, bringing the company’s funds raised to date to $30.8 million.

Dry farming in Paso Robles: vintners’ tough love for the vines
By Tom Bronzini / Friday, January 17th, 2014 / Columns, Top Stories, Tourism, Wine & Viticulture / Comments Off on Dry farming in Paso Robles: vintners’ tough love for the vines
With so much attention focused lately on water issues in Paso Robles, I was curious about the vintners who direct a kind of tough love to their vines known as dry farming.
Ty Warner avoids prison time for tax evasion
By Staff Report / Tuesday, January 14th, 2014 / Latest news, Law & Goverment, South Coast, Top Stories, Tourism / Comments Off on Ty Warner avoids prison time for tax evasion
Toy magnate and Santa Barbara hotelier Ty Warner has avoided prison time, instead landing probation and community service at a Jan. 14 court hearing in Chicago.
Heritage Oaks CFO resigns
By Staff Report / Tuesday, January 14th, 2014 / Banking & Finance, Banking Industry, Central Coast, Top Stories / Comments Off on Heritage Oaks CFO resigns
Mark Olson has resigned from his position as chief financial officer and executive vice president at Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bancorp, tied as the largest bank based in the region with about $1.2 billion in assets.
Invoca funding hits $30.8M
By Stephen Nellis / Tuesday, January 14th, 2014 / Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Invoca funding hits $30.8M
Santa Barbara-based inbound call technology firm Invoca has raised $20 million from Accel Partners, bringing the company’s funds raised to date to $30.8 million. Invoca’s technology lets companies generate unique phone numbers to insert into marketing campaigns, filter calls as they come in, and track and attribute any sales that result.







