Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas.
—Datical, an Austin, TX-based startup that says it makes updating apps easier, has raised $8 million in a Series B round from investors such as S3 Ventures, Austin Ventures and Houston-based Mercury Fund. The company’s customers include GE Transportation and Fidelity Investments.
—A University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center oncologist has been named the new chief scientific officer at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. James Willson succeeds Margaret Kripke at the agency, which awards hundreds of millions in grants to recruit cancer researchers, support scientific projects, and turn research into therapies.
—Austin’s Pivot3, a data storage company, has purchased NexGen Storage, based in Louisville, CO. Terms were not disclosed but the Austin company said it is acquiring NexGen to provide additional services for its enterprise and mid-size customers.
—Medical device company SonarMed, based in the Houston area, has won regulatory clearance from the FDA for its endotracheal tube that uses sonar signals to alert healthcare providers when the tube has moved or become clogged with mucus or moisture from a newborn’s throat.
—UnLtd USA in Austin has announced its third class of social enterprise startups. The ventures include projects related to boosting retail from indigenous Mexican communities, music therapy for foster children, and a reading app for parents and children to read together.
—TMCx, the Texas Medical Center’s accelerator, has announced its second class of startups. The cohort is the first of two classes TMCx plans to host this year. The first group of 13 startups are focused on digital health. Later this year, TMCx will host a second cohort of entrepreneurs whose projects will be related to medical devices.
—The ease of digital photography has meant taking troves of life’s memories happens with little thought. Austin’s Waldo Photos has developed a tool to help customers, such as professional photographers and other organizations that take events photos, use facial recognition software to identify people in photos.
—In our ever-connected world, it takes an effort to find time to think. Here are a few of our Xconomists’ thoughts on how they find the time for a brain recharge.
—The Dallas Mavericks have donated 1,000 CareAline sleeves and wraps to area pediatric hospitals. The team’s involvement with the Boston medical device company came together at last year’s South By Southwest festival when Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he would place orders for the device, following a pediatric pitch event in which he was a judge.
