Though there were only a handful of actual financing deals and partnerships for Northwest companies over the last week, the technology sector definitely made some strides toward laying the groundwork for future investment. Take a look at the highlights:
—Seattle-based online marketplace for rare and out of the ordinary items, Bonanzle, changed its name to Bonanza, and acquired local marketplace community for niche products and artisan crafts, 1000Markets. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
—Verizon Wireless amped up its mobile presence with a number of company partnerships, including two with Northwest mobile startups—Seattle-based Ground Truth, and Portland, OR-based Urban Airship. Both companies will be providing tools for the Verizon Developer Community. Financial details of the partnerships were not given.
—Ashland, OR-based electric motorcycle company Brammo raised $12.5 million out of a Series B financing round potentially worth as much as $30 million, and attracted a new investor, Oklahoma-based oil and gas company Alpine. The raised an initial $10 million venture round from ongoing investors Chrysalix Energy Venture and Best Buy Capital in 2008. Brammo currently has two electric motorcycles on the market.
—Two weeks ago the Zino Society held its annual Zino Zillionaire Investment Forum, and last week we got a peak at the six startup finalists contending for two $50,000 investment prizes. The six companies vary from consumer products, to technology, health IT, and cleantech. Zino investors are expected to make their final decision in coming weeks.
—This isn’t a deal, but was one of our most popular stories of the last week. With all the media hoopla over the forthcoming film on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook phenomenon, “The Social Network,” our national IT editor Greg Huang decided to scour Hollywood’s best and brightest for the perfect cast for “TechStars: The Movie,” if there were to be one (are you listening movie studios?) And if I may say so myself, it looks like an incredible lineup!
—This isn’t a deal either, but knowing Margo Shiroyama could help you find one. I sat down with Shiroyama, the executive director of the Northwest Energy Angels, to talk about her first six months on the job, and what she envisions for the future of the NW cleantech industry.
