Shares of Boot Barn Holdings Inc. went on a wild ride on Wall Street this month where they started around $104 a share. By press time, shares had climbed to $160.94 and a $4.9 billion market cap, making it a 55% rise in less than three weeks. The Irvine-based Western Read More
Girl World Girls Inc. of Orange County held its annual gala, Celebrating the Girls Inc. Experience, on April 26 at Fête the Venue in Costa Mesa. The celebration brought together community leaders, partners and supporters to raise more than $400,000 in support of Girls Inc.’s research-based programs in STEM, financial Read More
A local developer is turning a former restaurant site into a luxury residential community in the coastal San Diego community of La Jolla. WJK Development acquired earlier this month the half-acre property at 6738 La Jolla Blvd., formerly home to Su Casa Mexican and Seafood Restaurant, which operated for 52 Read More
Editor’s Note: The Business Journal’s issue this week highlights 50 rising entrepreneurs who have successfully raised funds and/or started companies. We asked three OC-based investors what they seek in entrepreneurs. The Buffalo ChargeBy Chris Van DusenCows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it— and gets through Read More
Ike Kavas IKE KAVAS FOUNDER / CEO TIME MACHINE WHY: Grew up in small town in Turkey then left for America with $100 in his pocket saying, “Turkey was too small for me.” In 2010, founded Ephesoft, pioneering new ways to track documents using AI. Won 2022 Business Journal Innovator Read More
Anthony Katz ANTHONY KATZ FOUNDER, PRESIDENT HYPERICE WHY: Founded sports recovery technology company that’s been used by some of the top athletes in the world, including the late Kobe Bryant who helped test the product. Other users include Lebron James and Blake Griffin. Designed an air-release valve to compress ice Read More
Kyle Kamrooz KYLE KAMROOZ CO-FOUNDER / CEO BONUS HOMES WHY: By age 25, had built one of the largest direct-to-consumer lending companies in Orange County. Developed the Intelligent Mortgage Platform that would become Cloudvirga, where he raised more than $77M; acquired by Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE:STC). Has been involved Read More
Jason Huang JASON HUANG FOUNDER / CEO TS CONDUCTOR CORP. WHY: Leads Huntington Beach-based company TS Conductor, seeking role in huge electric grid. Says its high-capacity power lines with a carbon fiber core “can carry up to triple the electricity” compared to the older technology. IN THE NEWS: Holds a Read More
Chris Harrison CHRIS HARRISON CO-FOUNDER / MANAGING PARTNER DAUNTLESS CAPITAL PARTNERS WHY: Grandson of Bill Marriott, who became known for building the Marriott brand. In 2020, left a 15-year hospitality career at Marriott International as an operator and executive to co-found Dauntless, which focuses on acquiring and managing primarily premium Read More
John Harris JOHN HARRIS CO-FOUNDER / CEO HARBINGER MOTORS INC. WHY: In 2021, co-founded maker of custom-outfitted stripped chassis—a vehicle’s supporting frame and motor—for delivery vans, other medium-duty electric trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs). Says Harbinger Motors is building the first medium-duty chassis designed from the ground up. Moved the manufacturer Read More
