Updated 4:50 pm
Startup partnerships, acquisition deals, fundraising, and little bit of innovation-sector politics to catch up on:
—RunKeeper is popping up on another smartwatch. The Boston-based fitness-tracking app, which has built its brand primarily on smartphones, is one of the first apps being made available on Samsung’s new Galaxy Gear device. The smartwatch communicates with the company’s Note 3 smartphone, meaning RunKeeper users can keep track of their progress without pulling out their phone during a run (or hike or bike ride). RunKeeper also was one of the first independent apps available on the Pebble smartwatch.
—Network security firm Arbor Networks has acquired Packetloop, a Sydney, Australia-based security analytics company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Arbor said it plans to expand the Packetloop operations in Sydney. Arbor is a Burlington, MA-based unit of Danaher, the technology conglomerate that purchased the company in 2010. Arbor specializes in helping big businesses thwart DDoS attacks on their IT networks.
—Norwalk, CT-based data backup company Datto has raised a $25 million growth equity round led by General Catalyst Partners, the company’s first venture funding since its founding in 2007. Datto reported 2012 revenue of about $25 million, which it said marked four straight years of 300 percent annual sales growth. The General Catalyst investment is the first for former VMWare CTO Steve Herrod since he joined the firm early this year.
—Charlie Baker, most recently an entrepreneur-in-residence at General Catalyst Partners, is planning another run for Massachusetts governor. Baker, a Republican, came in second in a crowded 2010 race against Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, who is not seeking another term. Baker announced his candidacy Wednesday. He was previously CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and also served in the administrations of Govs. Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci. [Added this item.]
