Dallas—OncoNano Medicine, which is developing an imaging agent to help surgeons better remove tumors, has raised $11.7 million in Series A funding. OncoNano’s lead product, ONM-100, is an injectable imaging agent that targets the acidic pH within tumors to better distinguish cancer cells from healthy ones during surgery. OncoNano said the new funding was arranged … Continue reading “OncoNano, Maker of Tumor Imaging Technology, Raises $11.7 Million”
Author: Angela Shah
Angela Shah was formerly the editor of Xconomy Texas. She has written about startups along a wide entrepreneurial spectrum, from Silicon Valley transplants to Austin transforming a once-sleepy university town in the '90s tech boom to 20-something women defying cultural norms as they seek to build vital IT infrastructure in a war-torn Afghanistan. As a foreign correspondent based in Dubai, her work appeared in The New York Times, TIME, Newsweek/Daily Beast and Forbes Asia.
Before moving overseas, Shah was a staff writer and columnist with The Dallas Morning News and the Austin American-Statesman. She has a Bachelor's of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and she is a 2007 Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan. With the launch of Xconomy Texas, she's returned to her hometown of Houston.
New Startup Group Aims to Encourage Women Founders to Be Brazen
Dallas—Jasmin Brand says organizations geared to support women founders tend to focus on personal rather than professional development. “It always seemed they were focused on soft skills,” she says. “It’s OK to do social events, but that’s not how you learn to scale and grow revenue.” Brand, who is CEO of Launch DFW, a media … Continue reading “New Startup Group Aims to Encourage Women Founders to Be Brazen”
Care2Rock, Moneta, Yoshi, CipherLoc, Charles Schwab, & More TX Tech
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Many businesses have used the Internet to pair buyers and sellers. Austin’s Care2Rock is doing that for music lessons. The social entrepreneurship startup uses WebRTC technology, which is open-source software that enables video chatting without having to download software like Skype, according to a … Continue reading “Care2Rock, Moneta, Yoshi, CipherLoc, Charles Schwab, & More TX Tech”
Softeq, LiveOak Launch New Programs, As Houston Ups Startup Support
Houston—In the past year, political and technology leaders in Houston have sought to catalyze innovation in the city by ramping up its anemic startup ecosystem. Most notably, that action has come in the form of Houston Exponential, a new civic organization that sprang from analysis of Houston’s early stage business climate and why its startup … Continue reading “Softeq, LiveOak Launch New Programs, As Houston Ups Startup Support”
“Unseen Is Unsold:” VR & Analytics Study What and Why Shoppers Buy
Humans are great about saying a lot of things. We’re not that good about actually following through. See: New Year’s diet resolutions or election polls. That tendency affects retailers as well. Big stores and brands spend millions in market research to figure out what shoppers want and then model production and creative teams to create those … Continue reading ““Unseen Is Unsold:” VR & Analytics Study What and Why Shoppers Buy”
Steve Case: Focus on Dallas Startups that “Might Be the Next Amazon”
Dallas—Steve Case brought his Rise of the Rest tour to Dallas Monday, mingling with business and political leaders and offering advice to entrepreneurs who hope to join their ranks. “Dallas is clearly on the rise,” Case told an assembled group of entrepreneurs at Dallas brewery and taproom Community Beer Co. Still, that progress is endangered … Continue reading “Steve Case: Focus on Dallas Startups that “Might Be the Next Amazon””
Drive.AI Launches Pilot Program of Self-Driving Vehicles in Texas
Frisco, TX—Self-driving vehicles are coming to car-crazy Texas. San Francisco-based drive.AI announced on Monday a partnership with the city of Frisco, TX, and private developer Hall Group, which plans to start a driverless car service in July. Four bright-orange vans—the same vehicles that serve as New York taxis—will be part of a six-month pilot project … Continue reading “Drive.AI Launches Pilot Program of Self-Driving Vehicles in Texas”
Venture Firms to New York Wedding Startup Zola: ‘I Do’ to $100M
Most wedding registries are focused on the lead-up to the day of the ceremony. New York startup Zola also sees opportunity in connecting with—and making a sales pitch to—married couples years after they’ve tied the knot. Zola is an “e-commerce business disguised as a wedding company,” said Shan-lyn Ma, the startup’s founder and CEO, in … Continue reading “Venture Firms to New York Wedding Startup Zola: ‘I Do’ to $100M”
TX Tech: Tyler’s Buying Spree, Trust Ventures, TheWaveVR, & More
Let’s catch up with innovation news from around the state. —Plano, TX-based Tyler Technologies (NYSE: [[ticker:TYL]]) has purchased Sage Data Security, a Portland, ME-based cybersecurity firm, according to a press release. Tyler makes public sector-related information management software, and the company says it has more than 15,000 local governments as customers. A few weeks ago, … Continue reading “TX Tech: Tyler’s Buying Spree, Trust Ventures, TheWaveVR, & More”
What’s For Lunch? ZeroCater Nabs $12M to Meet Corporate Catering Needs
Many employees at young startups end up with multiple roles. Arram Sabeti says “ordering lunches was by far the most painful hat I was wearing.” Finding a restaurant that everyone agreed on took more time than placing a lunch order should, he says. That experience led him to found ZeroCater, which uses software and analytics … Continue reading “What’s For Lunch? ZeroCater Nabs $12M to Meet Corporate Catering Needs”
Texas Cancer Agency Launches Programs to Bridge Biotech Funding Gap
[Updated, 4/30/18, 10:26 am. See below.] Austin—The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has created two new funding programs aimed at supporting the earliest-stage biotech companies. The first program, called the “Seed Award,” is designed to help companies that would not qualify for existing CPRIT programs targeting technology commercialization. The second program is called … Continue reading “Texas Cancer Agency Launches Programs to Bridge Biotech Funding Gap”
Moving On: Dallas Entrepreneur Center Founder Trey Bowles Steps Down
Dallas—Five years after founding the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, Trey Bowles is stepping down as its chief executive officer. “What I love to do is starting, building, and growing things,” Bowles said in an interview. “The DEC is doing what I wanted it to do—and it is not done by any means—but there is value in … Continue reading “Moving On: Dallas Entrepreneur Center Founder Trey Bowles Steps Down”
Next Stop, IPO? Austin’s BigCommerce Nabs $64M for Global Expansion
Austin—BigCommerce, which sells software to allow businesses to build and run online stores, announced Wednesday that it has raised $64 million in new funding. The investment round was led by Goldman Sachs with participation from current investors General Catalyst, GGV Capital, and Tenaya Capital. With the latest funding, BigCommerce has raised more than $200 million. … Continue reading “Next Stop, IPO? Austin’s BigCommerce Nabs $64M for Global Expansion”
With TMC3, Texas Leaders Aim to Launch Houston as Top Biotech Hub
Houston—Texas political leaders, along with heads of the Texas Medical Center and its institutions, announced on Monday plans for a biotech-focused hub that could place Houston on the map of life sciences innovation centers. The TMC Translational Research campus, or TMC3, is a planned $250 million research center in the shape of a double helix … Continue reading “With TMC3, Texas Leaders Aim to Launch Houston as Top Biotech Hub”
Techstars Alexa Firms Address Settings Where Voice Is ‘Most Natural’
Smart speakers are becoming increasingly common in our homes. Users can instruct these devices to order takeout, give the weather forecast, or turn on or off various Internet-connected devices. The Consumer Technology Association estimates that nearly 44 million voice-enabled assistants will be sold this year in the United States. Unit sales rose 279 percent from … Continue reading “Techstars Alexa Firms Address Settings Where Voice Is ‘Most Natural’”
Using Analytics, Fitcode Aims to Connect Shoppers to Jeans That Fit
There are few things more universal in wardrobes the world over than blue jeans. But they are also the number one item that is returned by online shoppers, says Rian Buckley, founder and CEO of Fitcode. “Fit is the number one purchase driver and reason to return,” she says. For many of us, the idea … Continue reading “Using Analytics, Fitcode Aims to Connect Shoppers to Jeans That Fit”
Money, Money, Money: Funds for AI, Cryptocurrency & Other TX Startups
Welcome to part two of our roundup of innovation news from Xconomy Texas, featuring new investments in Lone Star State startups. (Click here for part one.) —PullRequest, an Austin, TX, startup that uses artificial intelligence technologies to help coders find bugs in software before its launch, has raised $8 million in funding. The Series A … Continue reading “Money, Money, Money: Funds for AI, Cryptocurrency & Other TX Startups”
Nike Buys Invertex, Mark Cuban Backs Billshark, & More TX Tech News
I was out last week, exploring the rocky terrain of Big Bend National Park out in West Texas. Let’s catch up on the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas, part 1. (Part 2, chock full of startup funding news, is next.) —The first-ever Austin Cannabis Entrepreneur (or, ACE) conference is being held this Thursday and … Continue reading “Nike Buys Invertex, Mark Cuban Backs Billshark, & More TX Tech News”
Seeking to Join Top Tech Hubs, Houston Plans an Innovation District
Houston—Houston’s tech renaissance could spring from the former location of one of the country’s top business innovators. A shuttered Sears store, located in the city’s Midtown area, has been designated as ground zero of a new tech-focused innovation district, a project that officials hope will help place Houston among the nation’s top tech hubs. “We … Continue reading “Seeking to Join Top Tech Hubs, Houston Plans an Innovation District”
No “Pink Tax”: Billie, a Shave Club for Women, Raises $6M
[Corrected, 4/11/18, 4:48 p.m. ET. See below.] Billie, a direct-to-consumer seller of monthly shaving and body care products subscriptions, has raised $6 million in new funding. The New York-based startup, which launched in November, previously raised $2.5 million. This latest round of funding was led by Silverton Partners in Austin and included existing investors Female … Continue reading “No “Pink Tax”: Billie, a Shave Club for Women, Raises $6M”
E-Commerce Startups Open Door to Endless Virtual Closet
The sharing economy is moving into our bedroom closets. We already apply this idea to transportation (Uber vs. taxi) and vacation accommodations (Airbnb vs. hotel). Now, thanks to a growing number of e-commerce companies, the ability to share goods and services is being applied to our wardrobes through programs that offer clothing rentals for a … Continue reading “E-Commerce Startups Open Door to Endless Virtual Closet”
Pulmotect & SpyCloud Fundraise, Rice’s Big Contest, & More TX Tech
Happy Friday. Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Pulmotect, a Houston biotech, said Wednesday that it has raised $4 million of a planned $12 million round of Series B funding. The investment was co-led led by Aquinas Companies, the parent company of Fannin Innovation Studio in Houston. (Pulmotect is one … Continue reading “Pulmotect & SpyCloud Fundraise, Rice’s Big Contest, & More TX Tech”
Boulder Startup Veteran Tapped as New Chief at San Antonio’s RealCo
San Antonio—Richard Grote wants to bring a little bit of the Rocky Mountain High to San Antonio. No, not that high—we’re referring to the buzz that comes from a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Grote, who founded several companies in Boulder, CO, and most recently led the Travelport Labs accelerator there, has become the managing director of … Continue reading “Boulder Startup Veteran Tapped as New Chief at San Antonio’s RealCo”
Golden Seeds Seeks to Plant Angel Funds For Women Founders in Houston
Houston—Golden Seeds, an angel investing community that focuses on funding women entrepreneurs, has opened a chapter in Houston. The New York-based group now has six chapters around the country who have invested $150 million in 105 companies since it was founded in 2005. Loretta McCarthy, Golden Seeds’ managing partner, says the need for the organization … Continue reading “Golden Seeds Seeks to Plant Angel Funds For Women Founders in Houston”
Getting Personal: Retailers Use New Tech to Court Individual Shoppers
“Personalized shopping” has long been the guiding light for retailers. But in the age of Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]), traditional stores have been searching for the best way to digitize what was once a person-to-person process. “Internet shopping is now across mobile and Web, and now, the [question] is, ‘How do we create great experiences for … Continue reading “Getting Personal: Retailers Use New Tech to Court Individual Shoppers”
Going Downhill: Roam Robotics’ Exoskeleton Supports Aging Skiers
Robotics has found its way to the ski slopes. San Francisco-based Roam Robotics has developed an exoskeleton, worn on the legs, that the company says will improve skiers’ endurance and safety while they blaze down trails. For skiers 45 or older, Roam says, the exoskeleton can provide vital support for aging knees that might be … Continue reading “Going Downhill: Roam Robotics’ Exoskeleton Supports Aging Skiers”
Delta Hires AT&T’s Morris, Pivotal IPO, New Fundings & More TX Tech
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Pivotal Software, a cloud computing company majority-owned by Dell Computer, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday to go public. The company set $100 million as a placeholder target for the IPO. According to a document filed with federal securities regulators, Pivotal … Continue reading “Delta Hires AT&T’s Morris, Pivotal IPO, New Fundings & More TX Tech “
Ada-AI Seeks to Build a Diverse Artificial Intelligence Community
Artificial intelligence innovation has become part of our everyday lives—retailers use it to tailor the product recommendations they make; biotech companies hope it can create customized medicine. But its shortcomings, born of human biases, are becoming apparent as well. Take, for example, facial recognition technologies that work best on white people and make the most … Continue reading “Ada-AI Seeks to Build a Diverse Artificial Intelligence Community”
Hungry for Innovation, Big Food Firms Seek Alliances With Startups
Big Food is getting serious about innovation. Many top food companies are increasingly pumping money into supporting young, innovative startups, according to a recent analysis by CB Insights. The firms include stalwarts like Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KHC]]), which has an incubator and accelerator program called Springboard, and relative newcomers like the Greek-style yogurt maker Chobani, … Continue reading “Hungry for Innovation, Big Food Firms Seek Alliances With Startups”
SKU, Austin Consumer Goods Accelerator, Kicks Off Sixth Class
[Updated 3/21/18 11:05 am. See below.] Austin—SKU, a retail and consumer packaged goods-focused accelerator, launched its latest class of startups on Tuesday. SKU was founded as Incubation Station in 2012 by Austin entrepreneur Shari Wynne. SKU invests $10,000 in each company and takes an equity stake of 5 percent. [Updated with new figures on the investment … Continue reading “SKU, Austin Consumer Goods Accelerator, Kicks Off Sixth Class”
Bitcoin at Rodeo Houston, TurnKey Gets $31M, SXSW & More TX Tech
Here are some innovation tidbits from around the state: —Cryptocurrency seems to be everywhere, so maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised to see a “Bitcoin Accepted” sign at a food concession at Rodeo Houston this week (picture to the right.) Mark Zable, owner of Finer Diner, says he’s been into bitcoin the last couple of … Continue reading “Bitcoin at Rodeo Houston, TurnKey Gets $31M, SXSW & More TX Tech”
Walmart Expands Same-Day Delivery, Looks to Match Amazon
At the National Retail Federation’s annual conference in January, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon called the Arkansas-based, big-box retailer a technology company. On Wednesday, Walmart (NYSE: [[ticker:WMT]]) moved to make that assertion more of a reality: upping the number of cities where it provides same-day delivery to 100 cities from six—serving about 40 percent of American households … Continue reading “Walmart Expands Same-Day Delivery, Looks to Match Amazon”
Proxima Aims to Fill CRO Gap for Houston’s Growing Biotech Community
Houston—Medical research is big business in Houston, but life science companies sometimes find they’re missing out on the clinical trial services typically provided by contract research organizations (CROs). Proxima Clinical Research wants to fill that gap, and the new company plans a more customer-focused approach to do it. “We plan to implement ‘agile development’ into … Continue reading “Proxima Aims to Fill CRO Gap for Houston’s Growing Biotech Community”
NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW
Houston—Artificial intelligence is being used to attempt to disrupt industries across the economy, but can the technology innovate how innovation itself is discovered and promoted? That’s the premise of CHIP, the Collaborative Health Innovation Platform, unveiled Sunday at South By Southwest in Austin, TX. By combining data about startups, the technologies they are working on, and … Continue reading “NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW”
Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon
[Updated 3/13/18 1:07 pm. See below.] If a shopper interacts with technology in a typical grocery store, it’s usually at the very end—as they are paying for their items. That could be about to change, though. “Scanning loyalty cards at checkout is a lost opportunity,” says Eliahu Sussman, marketing manager at Aila Technologies, a Boston-area maker … Continue reading “Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon”
Five Questions For: Melinda Richter, Global Head at JLabs
Healthcare innovation is very personal for Melinda Richter. She was an ambitious 26-year-old, posted by a global telecom company to Beijing as part of its fast-track leadership program. “I had the express intent of being president one day,” she says. “I thought I had the world by the tail.” But during a walk in the … Continue reading “Five Questions For: Melinda Richter, Global Head at JLabs”
TX Tech: Phunware Goes Public, Biden at SXSW, BioHouston, & More
Let’s start off the week with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Phunware, an Austin, TX-based software maker, plans to go public following a merger with Stellar Acquisition III, based in Athens, Greece. The deal, which the company said is structured as a reverse merger, is expected to close by the end of June. … Continue reading “TX Tech: Phunware Goes Public, Biden at SXSW, BioHouston, & More”
Walmart Unveils “Intelligent Food” System to Keep Produce Fresh
Food spoilage can cost big retailers like Walmart billions in losses. Now, the Arkansas-based giant says it has filed two patents on technology that can digitize the current inspection process for perishable goods. Called Eden, the initiative is in its early stages, but the idea is to use artificial intelligence and cameras to create a … Continue reading “Walmart Unveils “Intelligent Food” System to Keep Produce Fresh”
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall: How Does This Dress Look in Green?
These days, it’s not just Snow White’s stepmother who has a mirror that talks back. Thanks to augmented reality, Internet of Things, and data analytics technologies, more of us might be confronted with so-called “smart mirrors” the next time we try on clothes or accessories in a store. While mirrors are typically static pieces of … Continue reading “Mirror, Mirror On the Wall: How Does This Dress Look in Green?”
Securing the Door: Amazon Buys Connected Doorbell Maker Ring
Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) has acquired smart-doorbell security system maker Ring as the company seeks to expand its home-security business. The purchase was first reported by Geekwire, which cited a separate report from Reuters that the deal is valued at about $1 billion. That would make Amazon’s purchase of Ring the third largest in the Seattle e-commerce … Continue reading “Securing the Door: Amazon Buys Connected Doorbell Maker Ring”
Houston Tech’s Relief Efforts For Harvey Morph Into Ongoing Support
Houston—Six months ago, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, flooding much of the city and forcing the sudden evacuation of tens of thousands from their homes. To help with recovery and relief, the city’s tech community came together to create websites and apps to help rescue people and connect them to relief efforts. Tech groups also set … Continue reading “Houston Tech’s Relief Efforts For Harvey Morph Into Ongoing Support”
TX Tech: Luxe Co-Working, Mass Challenge, RVshare, Hypergiant & More
As you get ready for the weekend, let’s take a moment to run down the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Since we spend so much of our time working, Work Well Win believes we might as well do it in a healthier fashion. The self-described “wellness” co-working space is based in Greenwich, CT, and … Continue reading “TX Tech: Luxe Co-Working, Mass Challenge, RVshare, Hypergiant & More”
Forget Perfume Counters: Phlur’s A.I. Is E-Commerce’s Scent Sherpa
Austin—It stands to reason that if any industry could resist the tidal wave of e-commerce, it would be the fragrance business. After all, how can you smell a perfume or cologne online to decide if you like the scent? But Eric Korman, founder and CEO of Phlur, says the startup can make it easier for … Continue reading “Forget Perfume Counters: Phlur’s A.I. Is E-Commerce’s Scent Sherpa”
XRC Labs Chief Anthos: Retailers Must Adopt “Test and Learn” Culture
As college undergraduates, my roommate and I had what we called a “monowardrobe.” That’s how we described the contents of the closet that lined a wall in our dorm room. We each organized our own clothing on either side, but since we both wore the same size in clothing and shoes, we “shopped” for outfits … Continue reading “XRC Labs Chief Anthos: Retailers Must Adopt “Test and Learn” Culture”
TX Tech: Funds for True Wealth & Phunware, Rackspace Layoffs, & More
Happy Friday! Before we get started on the weekend, let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —A group of companies that use blockchain technology are forming an organization to advocate for issues related to the technology. Called the Austin Blockchain Collective, the group wants to “advance blockchain-based education to the local community … Continue reading “TX Tech: Funds for True Wealth & Phunware, Rackspace Layoffs, & More”
Shipping Wars: Walmart Launches Free Delivery for Sam’s Club Members
In order to better position itself against competitors like Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: [[ticker:COST]]) and Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]), Sam’s Club, the bulk retailer owned by Walmart (NYSE: [[ticker:WMT]]), is now offering free shipping for many items as part of a revamping of its membership programs. With a $100 annual fee—just one dollar more than the cost … Continue reading “Shipping Wars: Walmart Launches Free Delivery for Sam’s Club Members”
Startups Peddle Innovative Tools to Fight Tech’s #MeToo Problem
As the last year has shown, the tech industry has a significant problem with sexual harassment and ensuring that women are treated equitably in the workplace. Now, some founders are seeking to use tech tools such as chatbots, artificial intelligence, analytics, and mobile to help clients remedy those deficiencies. One of those founders is Heather … Continue reading “Startups Peddle Innovative Tools to Fight Tech’s #MeToo Problem”
Buying Shoes? Digital Stylists Use A.I. to Suggest Clothing to Match
The black skirt had multiple personas. The fact that it was made of leather gave it an edgy vibe, but its A-line fit-and-flair cut was more flirty and feminine. “I fell in love with it,” says Michelle Bacharach, co-founder of FindMine. “But as soon as I brought it home, I wondered, ‘how do I wear … Continue reading “Buying Shoes? Digital Stylists Use A.I. to Suggest Clothing to Match”
Think3 Launches $1B Fund to Help Founders “Take More Shots on Goal”
Austin—Serial entrepreneur Andy Tryba has launched a $1 billion private equity fund in Austin aimed to help “modestly growing” software companies find exits. “We developed this fund to enable founders to take more shots on goal,” Tryba, Think3’s founder and CEO, said in a press release. “Founders should think of ‘time’ as their portfolio—making the call … Continue reading “Think3 Launches $1B Fund to Help Founders “Take More Shots on Goal””
Instant Gratification: Whole Foods, Target Offer Same-Day Delivery
[Updated 2/8/18, 1:39 pm.] The race is on to sign up consumers seeking same-day delivery of groceries, household items, and personal goods. Late on Wednesday, Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) announced it has started free two-hour delivery of products from Whole Foods Market, the most significant example of the e-commerce giant using technology at the Austin, TX-based … Continue reading “Instant Gratification: Whole Foods, Target Offer Same-Day Delivery”