There’s something in the air, and it smells like wireless. Two local mobile-software startups, both very mysterious, both still in stealth mode, have received financing in the same week. On the heels of recent activity involving Red Bend, Skyhook Wireless, and iPhone parties, it seems like the local mobility scene is heating up.
OK, here’s what’s new. Azuki Systems, based in Acton, MA, has changed its name from Peermeta, and has just raised $6.1 million in Series A funding, according to a regulatory filing and Private Equity Hub. The company was founded in January 2007 and is backed by local venture firms Kepha Partners and Sigma Partners. According to Azuki’s website, it is “a pioneer in Web 2.0 enabled software platforms for intelligent end points utilizing mobile broadband infrastructure.” Got that?
Not to be outdone, Waltham, MA-based EnvIO Networks has raised $10 million in Series B funding, led by Matrix Partners and North Bridge Venture Partners. According to its website, the company is “delivering a product that defines a new category of mobile application, bringing content to subscribers in new and innovative ways.” Hmm, even more vague. We’ll beam you more info when we get it.
Author: Gregory T. Huang
Greg is a veteran journalist who has covered a wide range of science, technology, and business. As former editor in chief, he overaw daily news, features, and events across Xconomy's national network. Before joining Xconomy, he was a features editor at New Scientist magazine, where he edited and wrote articles on physics, technology, and neuroscience. Previously he was senior writer at Technology Review, where he reported on emerging technologies, R&D, and advances in computing, robotics, and applied physics. His writing has also appeared in Wired, Nature, and The Atlantic Monthly’s website. He was named a New York Times professional fellow in 2003.
Greg is the co-author of Guanxi (Simon & Schuster, 2006), about Microsoft in China and the global competition for talent and technology. Before becoming a journalist, he did research at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Lab. He has published 20 papers in scientific journals and conferences and spoken on innovation at Adobe, Amazon, eBay, Google, HP, Microsoft, Yahoo, and other organizations. He has a Master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
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