LA Tech Updates: Techstars Music Accelerator Seeks Startups; Wrapbook Gets $3.6M in Seed Funding; PatientPop Raises $50M

Ben Bergman

Ben Bergman is the newsroom's senior finance reporter. Previously he was a senior business reporter and host at KPCC, a senior producer at Gimlet Media, a producer at NPR's Morning Edition, and produced two investigative documentaries for KCET. He has been a frequent on-air contributor to business coverage on NPR and Marketplace and has written for The New York Times and Columbia Journalism Review. Ben was a 2017-2018 Knight-Bagehot Fellow in Economic and Business Journalism at Columbia Business School. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing poker, and cheering on The Seattle Seahawks.

LA Tech Updates: Techstars Music Accelerator Seeks Startups; Wrapbook Gets $3.6M in Seed Funding; PatientPop Raises $50M
Wrapbook is seeking to be the leading payroll processing platform for the entertainment industry.

Here are the latest updates on news affecting Los Angeles' startup and tech communities. Sign up for our newsletter and follow dot.LA on Twitter for more.

Today:

  • Applications Are Open for Techstars Music Accelerator Program
  • Wrapbook, Provider of Payroll for Productions, Unwraps $3.6 million in Seed Funding
  • PatientPop, a Digital Health Marketing Firm, Raises $50 million

    PatientPop Raises $50M as Demand for Online Healthcare Rises   

    As doctors and hospitals are scrambling to get their services online, PatientPop, a company that does just that has raised $50 million as investors bet heavily on new forms of delivering healthcare.

    The Series C funding is led by HLM Venture Partners with participation from previous investors Toba Capital, Transformation Capital and Silicon Valley Bank. And it includes new investors like Commonfund and Vivo Capital.

    "This is more important than ever as providers quickly adapt their digital strategy and presence to attract and retain patients, and seek the technology and tools they need to successfully operate their practice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," said co-founder and co-CEO of the Santa Monica-based company, Luke Kervin.

    PatientPop works with the patient's electronic medical record and electronic health record to connect them to doctors that best fit their needs. It also allows patients to track and book their appointments.

    According to FairHealth's monthly telehealth tracker in May calls went up 9.19% compared to last year.

    The platform also works with doctors to use SEO in order to have them grow their online presence and increase bookings. It also offers PatientPop Pro to make it easier for doctors to manage their marketing efforts.

    "PatientPop will no doubt continue to help doctors adopt new technologies that are critical to practice success," said principal of Vivo Capital, Nathan Dau in announcing the raise.

    Techstars Music Accelerator Aims for Diversity in 2021

    By Nadya C/ Shutterstock

    Applications for the 2021 Techstars Music Accelerator open today.

    The L.A.-based program will begin on February 16th, 2021 and culminate in a demo day in mid-May. It will accept applications until November 13th.

    "Now, more than ever, we need to do our part to support incredible entrepreneurs, regardless of their cultural background, economic status or physical location," wrote program director Bob Moczydlowsky in a blog post.

    Techstars Music 2021 will be virtual, meaning participating startups don't have to relocate to L.A. The entire selection process will be conducted by video conference.

    "As investors," Moczydlowsky's post continues, "we think this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a gigantic business in music and live events. We also think it is the perfect opportunity to build a more equitable and diverse music business."

    To that end, the program is committing to having 50% of its CEOs be "diverse," with a focus on Black, LGBTQ+ and female founders. This benchmark will remain in place for future cohorts as well.

    The Techstars Music program is a collaboration between Techstars and several groups in the music business. This year, partner companies include Warner Music Group, Sony, Peloton and Amazon Music. Such members provide capital to the program and also help run it. Participants also get access to many other mentors from the music, tech and venture capital worlds.

    Prior program participants have collectively raised over $90 million after the program, Moczydlowsky wrote.

    The application portal can be found here.

    Wrapbook, Provider of Payroll for Productions, Unwraps $3.6 million in Seed Funding 

    Wrapbook is seeking to be the leading payroll processing platform for the entertainment industry.

    Wrapbook, which is seeking to be the leading payroll processing platform for the entertainment industry, announced Tuesday it has raised $3.6 million in seed funding. Equal Ventures led the round with participation from Uncork Capital and 4S Bay Partners.

    "Wrapbook is the easiest way for employers to compliantly pay employees for a week of work," Wrapbook co-founder and CEO Ali Javid said in a written statement. "We are here to help employers and employees be paperless to assist with COVID-19 and be compliant [with] AB5 in entertainment and across project based industries."

    The company previously raised from One Planet Ops and NYU Innovation Venture Fund in March on a SAFE (simple agreement for future equity) at a $5.5 million valuation that converted during this seed round, according to Pitchbook.

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    How to Navigate LA Tech Week 2026

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Friday, Los Angeles.

    Next week, hundreds of tech events will take over the city, bringing founders, investors, engineers and creators together from October 12 through 18.

    Calling LA Tech Week a conference does not quite capture the experience.

    Presented by Andreessen Horowitz, Tech Week is a decentralized collection of panels, workshops, demonstrations and gatherings hosted independently by startups, venture firms and technology companies. There is no convention center or central stage. The programming stretches from Santa Monica and Venice to Culver City, Downtown, El Segundo and beyond.

    In other words, the city is the venue.

    AI remains the dominant theme for 2026, appearing across enterprise software, healthcare, finance, media and the creator economy. The schedule also reflects industries where Los Angeles has built a particular advantage, including aerospace, defense, robotics, advanced manufacturing, entertainment and consumer technology.

    That range is what makes LA Tech Week distinct. It brings together the software companies shaping what comes next with the industries that already define Southern California.

    The challenge is deciding where to show up.

    Our advice: apply early and organize your schedule by neighborhood. Crossing from Santa Monica to Downtown may look manageable on a calendar created by someone who has never driven in Los Angeles.

    To help you spend more time meeting people and less time crossing the city, we have organized each day’s events by location:

    You can also browse the complete official LA Tech Week calendar.

    Plan carefully, but do not fill every minute. The best conversation of the week may be the one that was never on your calendar.

    More from this week’s LA startup and venture scene below.

    🤝 Venture Deals

      LA Companies

      • El Segundo-based Gallatin AI raised a $50M Series A from new and existing investors including 8VC and Silent Ventures, bringing its total funding to $70M. The defense technology startup will expand its engineering team and advance Navigator, an AI platform that helps U.S. military units coordinate vehicle readiness, supplies, medical logistics and other mission-support operations. - learn more
      • Pasadena-based quantum computing startup Oratomic raised a $475M Series B at a $5.4B valuation, just three months after its Series A. ARCH Venture Partners, Spark Capital, Khosla Ventures, Index Ventures, General Catalyst and Bezos Expeditions co-led the round, bringing Oratomic’s total funding to $775M as it works toward a commercially viable, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2030. - learn more
      • Torrance-based Fortastra raised a $30M Series A led by First In, with participation from Upfront Ventures, Space Capital, Rsquared, Side Door Ventures, ATX Ventures and existing investors. The company will use the capital to develop its next-generation maneuverable spacecraft, expand its engineering and operations teams and scale production of systems designed to protect critical assets in orbit. - learn more
      • Parallel Systems raised a $100M Series C led by AVP, with participation from Hillspire, Agility Global, Cobalt Capital, Anthos Capital, Congruent Ventures, Riot Ventures and Collaborative Fund. Founded by former SpaceX engineers, the company will use the funding to scale production and commercial deployment of its autonomous, battery-electric Panther rail vehicles, which are designed to make short-haul freight more competitive with trucking. - learn more
      • Gaming studio Gardens Interactive secured more than $35M in a Series B led by Lightspeed, with participation from Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures, Accel, Innovation Endeavors, Zenith Capital and other investors. The company will use the funding to launch and operate its debut social role-playing “strandbox” game, an evolving multiplayer world shaped by players’ actions and interactions. - learn more
      • Outer Spaces raised an $8M pre-seed round led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Unlock Venture Partners, Mucker Capital and Genius Ventures. The startup is developing outdoor furnishings with integrated solar panels and batteries, turning backyards into sources of clean energy and backup power. - learn more
      • Furientis raised a $25M seed round led by Benchmark at a reported $125M valuation, following a $5M pre-seed announced in May. The defense startup will use the capital to scale production of lower-cost missile interceptors designed to be assembled quickly with readily available components, with a long-term goal of producing 1,000 systems annually at each factory. - learn more
      • Hiyo raised a $20.8M Series B led by Constellation Brands, with returning investor Live Nation also participating. The nonalcoholic beverage company will use the funding to expand its adaptogen- and nootropic-infused social tonics across more than 13,000 retail locations while growing its presence at hospitality venues and live events. - learn more
      LA Venture Funds
      • Navitas Capital participated in Vesta’s $30M Series B, which was led by Conversion Capital and included backing from several major mortgage lenders and financial institutions. The company will use the funding to scale its AI agents across mortgage origination, automating tasks such as application reviews, underwriting decisions and closing-document checks. - learn more
      • MTech Capital led Nettle’s oversubscribed $4.8M seed round, with participation from Project A Ventures, Sure Valley Ventures, Portfolio Ventures and Ventures Together. The insurtech startup will use the funding to expand across the U.S. and Europe while growing its AI platform, which helps commercial insurers identify property risks, accelerate inspections and generate reports. - learn more
      • Bonfire Ventures doubled down on Santé by participating in the company’s $15M Series A, which was led by FINTOP and included other returning investors. The New York startup will use the funding to expand its AI-powered operating system for independent wine and liquor stores, which combines point-of-sale, e-commerce, payments, inventory and marketing tools in one platform. - learn more

      LA Exits

      • Winnow Solutions was acquired by Marina del Rey-based Spring Labs, with financial terms undisclosed. Winnow’s attorney-built library of more than 100,000 state and federal regulatory requirements will become a core part of SpringGRC, helping financial institutions connect changing laws directly to their compliance policies, controls and workflows. - learn more

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        LA Tech Week 2026: Sunday’s Event Lineup

        🔦 Spotlight

        LA Tech Week 2026 closes Sunday with one final day of events across Los Angeles. We have organized the remaining lineup by neighborhood so you can finish the week with a few last conversations before everyone returns to their regularly scheduled inboxes.

        ARTS DISTRICT

        12:00 PM

        CARSON

        12:00 PM

        CULVER CITY

        9:00 AM

        • Women in Cleantech & Sustainability Hike and Network: See Details Here
          Women in Cleantech & Sustainability

        6:00 PM

        • Founders pitch competition: See Details Here
          Biomorphix solutions, Nightingale regenerative

        HOLLYWOOD

        10:00 AM

        4:00 PM

        • AI International: Film, Music Video & Micro-Drama: See Details Here
          AI International Film Festivals

        MID CITY

        1:00 PM

        OTHER

        12:00 PM

        • ORGANIC LIFE LABS™ PRESENTS THE ALIGNMENT LAB: The Science of human performance: See Details Here
          The Blue Room Collective

        SANTA MONICA

        8:00 AM

        1:00 PM

        6:00 PM

        SOUTH LA

        2:00 PM

        • Future Builders : Family STEM Day: See Details Here
          Black L.A. Tech Week (Community Collective)

        VENICE

        10:00 AM

        12:00 PM

        • How to Raise Funds to Fund Any Business Using Digital Products.: See Details Here
          DN Events

        VIRTUAL

        5:00 PM

        WEST HOLLYWOOD

        3:00 PM

        Each session provides unique opportunities to gain insights, network, and explore various fields of tech innovation. For updates or more event information, visit the official Tech Week calendar.

        Download the dot.LA App

        LA Tech Week 2026: Saturday’s Event Lineup

        🔦 Spotlight

        LA Tech Week 2026 heads into the weekend Saturday with more opportunities to learn, meet fellow builders and explore what is being created across the region. Browse the day’s events by neighborhood below and find the gatherings worth leaving the house for.

        ARTS DISTRICT

        5:30 PM

        BEL AIR

        5:00 PM

        CULVER CITY

        10:00 AM

        1:00 PM

        4:00 PM

        DOWNTOWN

        11:00 AM

        2:00 PM

        • South Asians in Space, Physical AI: See Details Here
          american south asian network

        5:00 PM

        7:00 PM

        HOLLYWOOD

        8:00 PM

        INGLEWOOD

        10:00 PM

        LONG BEACH

        10:00 AM

        12:00 PM

        LOS FELIZ

        8:30 AM

        • Griffith Observatory Hike with Longevity Cities & Don't Die LA: See Details Here
          Longevity Cities

        MALIBU

        5:00 PM

        MARINA DEL RAY

        9:30 AM

        • The Brazen Capital Walk: Connecting Women, Capital & Opportunity: See Details Here
          BrazenEra

        6:00 PM

        • Build an AI workflow editor, natively in Angular: See Details Here
          Workflow Builder

        SANTA MONICA

        7:00 AM

        • Founders Running Club Run in Santa Monica: See Details Here
          Founders Running Club, MongoDb

        9:00 AM

        • MOLTEN - Spatial hackathon (ElevenLabs, AssemblyAI, Rokoko, Datafeel...): See Details Here
          Field Lab

        2:00 PM

        3:30 PM

        6:00 PM

        7:00 PM

        SOUTH LA

        7:00 PM

        THE VALLEY

        7:30 PM

        UCLA

        11:00 AM

        USC

        9:00 AM

        10:00 AM

        10:30 AM

        VENICE

        8:00 AM

        • Open Air Health Tech: See Details Here
          Open Air Health Tech, Bowshock, Govitamins App

        10:00 AM

        10:30 AM

        11:00 AM

        12:00 PM

        6:00 PM

        • Bots, Bytes & Bubbles Benefit: See Details Here
          Distinguished Minds Institute dba thinqueBytes®

        VIRTUAL

        9:00 AM

        • Ask a VP of Sales: Live GTM Office Hours for Early-Stage B2B Founders: See Details Here
          Kat Rucker Consulting Group

        11:00 AM

        WEST HOLLYWOOD

        11:00 AM

        • The 10x Engineer Showed Up. The 10x Organization Didn't.: See Details Here
          Workflow Builder, Tentaro

        3:00 PM

        WESTSIDE

        11:00 AM

        2:00 PM

        • Graphic Design & Digital Printing Meetup: See Details Here
          Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of West LA

        7:00 PM

        WESTWOOD

        12:00 PM

        Each session provides unique opportunities to gain insights, network, and explore various fields of tech innovation. For updates or more event information, visit the official Tech Week calendar.

        Download the dot.LA App

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