TechCrunch is reporting that local startup NearVerse has raised $1 million for mobile proximity technology that power things like their own mobile social network LoKast, which they launched last month at SXSW.

From the NearVerse site:

With its use of short-range wireless networks within its system, NearVerse’s platform is also inherently proximity-powered, and supports a range of rich, real-time, proximity-based services and applications, including LoKast

LoKast users broadcast and share their content and information about themselves to those other users in close proximity to them.  It is currently available for the iPhone with an Android version in the works.

Congratulations to Venmo on getting their first round of funding, for what seems to be a killer idea. For all the skeptics out there, let’s remember that feeling of being broke and having no immediate resolution. Now, we can all have our rich friends front us the money!

We originally covered them last month and still love the concept.

One quick point regarding Venmo running into problems with “Trust”. The trust factor will be more prominent in lending your friend the money, rather than what company you are going through.

I think these guys just hit a home run and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

I’m always happy to read about local companies growing and expanding…even if they’re not a startup anymore.  According to Mashable, “myYearbook Revenue at $20 Million Annually and Growing“.  Certainly fantastic news for CEO Geoff Cook, First Round Capital and New Hope, PA.

Some highlights from the Mashable post:

• 20 million members
• one of the top 30 most trafficked websites in the U.S.
• the company ended 2009 with an annual revenue run rate of $20 million (meaning its revenue for the most recent 12 months) — up 70% from 2008
• in the works is deeper Facebook Connect integration, as well as mobile applications that extend some of the site’s social networking and gaming aspects to iPhone and Android

I heard Geoff speak at the most recent PSL Founder Factory event and remember when they were just starting up.  I’m excited about the company’s growth and thrilled that they’re located in our own back yard.

TicketLeap, an online ticketing platform enabling people to sell, market and manage their events, launched a redesigned version of their site last night.

Chris Stanchak, President & CEO writes,

The homepage is now designed to help patrons find events they are interested in quickly.  We accomplish this through geo ip that automatically detects where you are located and displays popular events near you – as well as cities nearby.

We have also completely rebuilt the way our search works to enable you to quickly find events that are upcoming in your area with the ability to drill down by time and location.

Finally, we have updated all of our marketing content and it is hosted on a customized WordPress instance so we can make quick updates easily without messing with our app.

The site looks great and in fact, going to the site I am instantly provided a list of events going on right here in Philadelphia and was able to  narrow down my results to a few events that were most interesting, local to me, and going on today.  Very cool guys, keep up the great work.

Kevin Romano wrote to tell us about his upcoming local co-working space:

Co-working space for freelancers and small businesses in Manayunk is in the works.  The 4,000 ft. building is designed specifically for small and creative businesses and people to work and network.  It will feature shared conference rooms, mail, printers, and all utilities, desks, etc. There will also be event space for networking.  Rates will be very affordable and flexible – members may be full time or just a few days per week – and you can scale up or down with ease.  Great location next to the train, highway, and Main Street.  Mostly we are working to create a community of like-minded entrepreneurs whose synergies will benefit one another in ways both professional and social.  Membership is forming now.  To learn more please go to: www.greenkindling.com.

Sounds like a great place to go if you’re starting up something of your own but can’t justify an entire office or just want to be around more like minded entrepreneurs.  We’ll be sure to follow up on them as this project progresses.

As always, if you have a local Philadelphia area project or startup you think we should know about, please contact us.

By now, most have heard about the entrepreneurial success of Omar Hamoui through the recent Google acquisition of AdMob.

Knowledge@Wharton provided an early insightful interview of Omar and his startup path to success.

Nearly cornered by incredible obstacles and challenges of the mobile environment, Omar carefully and continuously experimented then recognized and pursued opportunity.

Omar reminds us that as an entrepreneur all learnings, especially failures, are a critical part of the preparation for when you do find yourself on that path to success.

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council released their small business survival index for 2009.  Coming in at 27th was Pennsylvania.

According to the SBE Council’s chief economist Raymond Keating, “The ‘Small Business Survival Index’ helps business owners and investors understand the public policy burdens placed on entrepreneurship and small business, with the states ranked accordingly.”

Factors considered included various taxes (everything from income, gas, internet, through death taxes), health care costs, crime, utility costs, and various workers’ rights.  Clearly hurting Pennsylvania’s score were corporate taxes.

The top ten friendly states were:

1. South Dakota
2. Nevada
3. Texas
4. Wyoming
5. Washington
6. Florida
7. South Carolina
8. Colorado
9. Alabama
10. Virginia

The least friendly was the District of Columbia followed closely by New Jersey.