San Diego Startups Raise $287M in Third Quarter, and Top 10 Deals

Venture Capital investments in San Diego startups fell by roughly a third during the three months that ended September 30, according to data released recently by Seattle-based PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association. VC firms invested $280.6 million in 49 startups in San Diego County during the third quarter, according to a breakout of … Continue reading “San Diego Startups Raise $287M in Third Quarter, and Top 10 Deals”

Echo Labs Wins “Quick Pitch” Contest with Digital Hybrid Microscope

By popular acclaim, San Diego-based Echo Laboratories founder Eugene Cho claimed top honors, and a $15,000 check, for his two-minute presentation last week in the 10th annual “Quick Pitch” competition, hosted by San Diego’s Tech Coast Angels. Cho made his case for Revolve, a digital instrument created for biology labs that combines the features of … Continue reading “Echo Labs Wins “Quick Pitch” Contest with Digital Hybrid Microscope”

Brain Corp.’s First Product Is a Brain for Floor-Scrubbing Machines

San Diego’s Brain Corp. has a vision for developing the kind of technology that could some day be used to operate self-driving cars. Before getting out on the open road, however, the company wants to show its self-driving system can clean up a mess in aisle 3 at Jimbo’s. As an independent startup backed by … Continue reading “Brain Corp.’s First Product Is a Brain for Floor-Scrubbing Machines”

Third-Quarter Report Shows Slowdown in VC Activity, & Top 10 Deals

Venture capital activity is gradually easing from last year’s peak, according to a new quarterly report put together by Seattle-based PitchBook and the National Venture Capital Association. VC firms invested $14.99 billion in 1,810 U.S. deals (1,796 companies) during the third quarter that ended September 30, according to the inaugural “Venture Monitor” report released today. … Continue reading “Third-Quarter Report Shows Slowdown in VC Activity, & Top 10 Deals”

Organovo to Test “Patches” for Patients Awaiting Liver Transplants

San Diego-based Organovo (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ONVO]]) said today it plans to use its 3D bio-printing technology to produce living human liver tissue “patches” that can be transplanted in patients with fatal liver disease. The idea is to help improve the function of failing livers, a stopgap measure that could extend the lives of patients on the … Continue reading “Organovo to Test “Patches” for Patients Awaiting Liver Transplants”

Gates Grant Helps Sirenas Extend Hunt for Drugs From Sea Organisms

San Diego-based Sirenas, which has developed technology to rapidly isolate and synthesize potential drug compounds from marine organisms, said it has received a $775,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding is intended to generate new leads for treating neglected diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, and cryptosporidium, according to Sirenas co-founder and CEO … Continue reading “Gates Grant Helps Sirenas Extend Hunt for Drugs From Sea Organisms”

Avalon Leads $18M in Early Funding for Cancer Immunotherapy Startup

[Note: The headline has been corrected to better describe the company’s type of funding. 9/27/16, 2:09 p.m.] Fortis Therapeutics, a new San Diego biotech, has raised $18 million in initial funding to develop drugs for hard-to-treat prostate and bone marrow cancers. San Diego’s Avalon Ventures led the Series A round, and has established Fortis at … Continue reading “Avalon Leads $18M in Early Funding for Cancer Immunotherapy Startup”

Tealium Adds $35M to Expand Technology, Sharpen Customer Focus

Tealium, a San-Diego startup that provides online advertising tag management and marketing services for enterprise customers, has raised $35 million in a growth financing deal intended to expand its technology and market reach. Georgian Partners and Bain Capital Ventures, the investment firms that anchored Tealium’s $30.7 million Series D round in early 2015, re-upped in … Continue reading “Tealium Adds $35M to Expand Technology, Sharpen Customer Focus”

In Turnaround Saga, Ignyta Nears Crucial Phase in Cancer Drug Trial

Biotech CEO Jonathan Lim co-founded Ignyta in 2011 to commercialize a new approach to diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis, based on discoveries that showed how changes in methyl group molecules associated with the human genome could change the way genes function. Instead, Lim may end up showing how to breathe new life into a life … Continue reading “In Turnaround Saga, Ignyta Nears Crucial Phase in Cancer Drug Trial”

CyberTech Opens New “Entrepreneur in Residence” Program to 8 Teams

Darin Andersen, the busy-bee creator of San Diego’s Cyberhive, iHive, and xHive startup programs, says eight early stage tech companies have joined the co-working space he has been building out in Bankers Hill under a new “Entrepreneur in Residence” program. Andersen created the program under the auspices of CyberTech, a membership organization he created to … Continue reading “CyberTech Opens New “Entrepreneur in Residence” Program to 8 Teams”

Colorado’s Webroot Buys CyberFlow Analytics, Expands in San Diego

Not long after ViaSat (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VSAT]]) acquired San Diego-based LonoCloud in 2013, former LonoCloud executives Tom Caldwell and Hossein Eslambolchi met for coffee at the Specialty’s Café and Bakery in University City. Eslambolchi, who had served as a LonoCloud advisor and CEO, told Caldwell he had an idea for a cybersecurity startup that would use … Continue reading “Colorado’s Webroot Buys CyberFlow Analytics, Expands in San Diego”

San Diego Innovation Economy Extended Gains in 2015: Connect Report

San Diego’s innovation clusters continued to grow in 2015, as local startups, funding deals, and job growth extended an economic growth spurt that began in 2013. That’s according to a report being released today by Connect, the local nonprofit group focused on technology and entrepreneurship. The Connect Innovation Report found that 405 software, technology, and … Continue reading “San Diego Innovation Economy Extended Gains in 2015: Connect Report”

Cybersecurity Startup MedCrypt Gets $750K to Defend Health Devices

MedCrypt, a healthtech cybersecurity startup founded near San Diego, has raised $750,000 in a seed financing round led by Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE: [[ticker:SFE]]), a private equity fund in suburban Philadelphia that invests in healthcare, fintech, and digital media. (Safeguard Scientifics also is an investor in Sotera Wireless, the San Diego-based maker of wireless devices for … Continue reading “Cybersecurity Startup MedCrypt Gets $750K to Defend Health Devices”

NuVasive Promotes Jason Hannon to Chief Operating Officer

San Diego-based NuVasive (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NUVA]]), which provides medical devices, tools, and other technology for spinal surgery, today named Jason Hannon as president and COO. He succeeds Patrick Miles, who has been appointed vice chairman, and will continue to serve as a member of NuVasive’s board. Hannon was previously NuVasive’s executive vice president for international business. Greg … Continue reading “NuVasive Promotes Jason Hannon to Chief Operating Officer”

Organovo to Test Pre-Clinical Drugs on Bio-Printed Kidney Tissue

It’s been almost two years since Organovo (NYSE: [[ticker:ONVO]]) created a new business—using its bio-printing technology to create 3-D samples of living human liver tissue for use in testing the toxicity of pre-clinical drug candidates. Since then, the San Diego company has built a thriving business as a contract research organization (CRO) that tests experimental … Continue reading “Organovo to Test Pre-Clinical Drugs on Bio-Printed Kidney Tissue”

Everyone Counts Voting System Accredited for Federal Elections, But…

When the San Diego voting technology company Everyone Counts closed on a $20 million financing deal a year ago, executive chairman Tom Tullie said the company needed funding in “a pretty big way” to get ready for the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Among other things, Everyone Counts needed to get its eLect Quad Audit voting … Continue reading “Everyone Counts Voting System Accredited for Federal Elections, But…”

Qualcomm and AT&T Partner to Use Wireless Network for Drone Flights

After signaling that it plans to operate drones via cellular technologies, San Diego-based Qualcomm says today it is working with AT&T to use commercial wireless networks for test flights beyond an operator’s visual line of sight. Qualcomm said in April it had received FAA authorization to operate drones in restricted airspace around its San Diego … Continue reading “Qualcomm and AT&T Partner to Use Wireless Network for Drone Flights”

UC San Diego Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies at 64

Roger Tsien, a UC San Diego scientist who shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry for research that led to the development of fluorescent proteins used to illuminate tissue and track biological processes, has died, according to a statement from the university. Tsien died on August 24 while bike-riding in Eugene, Oregon, a UCSD Health … Continue reading “UC San Diego Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies at 64”

Under New Owners, Petco’s Digital Strategy Emerges in Petnet Deal

Petco, the privately held pet supplies company based in San Diego, said today it led a $10 million Series A financing in Los Angeles-based Petnet, a three-year-old startup developing technology-enabled pet feeders and pet food delivery service. The new funding will enable Petnet to expand its product line and sales and marketing capabilities. An existing … Continue reading “Under New Owners, Petco’s Digital Strategy Emerges in Petnet Deal”

Todd Hylton Adds Neural Tech Expertise to UCSD Robotics Institute

UC San Diego has named Todd Hylton, a veteran tech industry manager and expert in neural-based processing technology, as executive director of its new Contextual Robotics Institute. Hylton was previously the executive vice president of strategy and research at Brain Corp., a Qualcomm-backed startup founded in 2009 to develop computer systems and software based on … Continue reading “Todd Hylton Adds Neural Tech Expertise to UCSD Robotics Institute”

Synthetic Genomics Creates Host Organism Optimized for Bio Industry

Scientists from Synthetic Genomics, the San Diego-based industrial biotech, have re-engineered a fast-growing microorganism found in salt marsh mud to maximize its production of proteins and to optimize other common bio-based processes. The enhanced version of Vibrio natriegens, a marine bacterium of a type known as Gram-negative, could potentially replace Escherichia coli as the workhorse … Continue reading “Synthetic Genomics Creates Host Organism Optimized for Bio Industry”

At “The Vine,” Developer Builds a Vertical Campus for Tech Startups

In downtown San Diego, a private real estate company best known for its master-planned communities in suburban Southern California has posed some existential questions for regional tech hubs looking to build their own startup ecosystems. For example: Can a 20-story office tower serve as a “vertical campus” and innovation hub for local tech companies? Such … Continue reading “At “The Vine,” Developer Builds a Vertical Campus for Tech Startups”

Avelas Bio Raises $20M to Push Cancer-Illuminating Biologic Agent

San Diego’s Avelas Biosciences, founded in 2009 to advance a fluorescing biologic agent intended to help surgeons differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue, has completed a $20 million Series C round of venture funding. Pharmstandard International, the Luxembourg-based investment arm of the Russian pharmaceutical giant Pharmstandard (and a first-time investor in Avelas), led the round. … Continue reading “Avelas Bio Raises $20M to Push Cancer-Illuminating Biologic Agent”

With $6M Investment, Histogen Aims to Grow Hair Business in China

Histogen, a San Diego-based regenerative medicine company with technology for growing skin cells and related products, said it has raised $6 million from an affiliate of Huapont Life Sciences, a healthcare products company based in Chongqing, China. The $6 million anchors Histogen’s plans to raise as much as $18 million in a Series D financing … Continue reading “With $6M Investment, Histogen Aims to Grow Hair Business in China”

Nervana’s $400M+ Buyout Reflects Key Tech Trend in Machine Learning

On the day after Intel announced its acquisition of San Diego machine learning startup Nervana Systems, investor Steve Jurvetson told me he was feeling a sense of satisfaction about a call he made three years ago, and how it has been playing out. In a 2013 panel discussion at Silicon Valley’s Churchill Club, the DFJ … Continue reading “Nervana’s $400M+ Buyout Reflects Key Tech Trend in Machine Learning”

Gary Hayslip on the City of San Diego as Cybersecurity Test Bed

When Xconomy convened a dinner discussion earlier this year that included prominent San Diego cybersecurity innovators, startup founders, and system administrators, I was stunned to learn that Gary Hayslip oversees an IT network that blocks an average of 800,000 cyber attacks a day. Hayslip is deputy director and chief information security officer (CISO) for the … Continue reading “Gary Hayslip on the City of San Diego as Cybersecurity Test Bed”

Xconomy Q&A: Vuforia, Pokémon Go, and Augmented Reality

Talk about auspicious timing. It’s been less than a year since Needham, MA-based PTC (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTC]]) shelled out $65 million to acquire Vuforia, the augmented reality technology created by San Diego-based Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]). Qualcomm had worked to develop its Vuforia technology for at least five years before a maturing smartphone market and new economic … Continue reading “Xconomy Q&A: Vuforia, Pokémon Go, and Augmented Reality”

MEI Pharma Partners with Helsinn on Drug with Potential $464M Payoff

After reporting encouraging news last week from a mid-stage trial of its lead anti-cancer drug, San Diego’s MEI Pharma (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MEIP]]) said it has signed a drug development deal with the Swiss pharmaceutical group Helsinn that could eventually be worth over $464 million. Under terms of their agreement announced today, Helsinn will pay MEI $15 … Continue reading “MEI Pharma Partners with Helsinn on Drug with Potential $464M Payoff”

Qualcomm Making Inroads with Wireless EV Charging Technology

If there’s one thing that’s become clear in the five years since Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]) acquired its Halo wireless automotive charging technology, it’s that building a new business—and a new industry—takes time. As the global market for mobile phones has matured, Qualcomm has been seeking new opportunities in the wireless technology business. The San Diego … Continue reading “Qualcomm Making Inroads with Wireless EV Charging Technology”

PacketSled Raises $5M for Automated Cybersecurity Monitoring System

PacketSled, a cybersecurity startup based in suburban San Diego, has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Keshif Ventures, a local angel investment fund that has put money into dozens of tech startups in the San Diego area. Two other small funds, Blu Ventures and JHS Ventures joined in the round. … Continue reading “PacketSled Raises $5M for Automated Cybersecurity Monitoring System”

Ostendo Raising Funds to Advance Virtual Reality Display Technology

Ostendo Technologies, a Carlsbad, CA-based company founded in 2005 to advance curved screens and other innovative display technologies, has raised $41.8 million of a new financing round intended to bring in $62.8 million, according to a recent regulatory filing. The financing includes both new investment funding and a conversion of debt to equity, according to … Continue reading “Ostendo Raising Funds to Advance Virtual Reality Display Technology”

Profitability Helps San Diego Lender Step Out from Industry Cloud

With a cloud lingering over the peer-to-peer lending industry, privately held National Funding is disclosing new details today about its operations, in a bid to step into the light and differentiate itself as a fintech company and alternative lender. In contrast to some alternative lenders, the San Diego firm said it is growing fast and … Continue reading “Profitability Helps San Diego Lender Step Out from Industry Cloud”

Zingle Raises $3M to Expand and Improve Messaging App Technology

Zingle, a Carlsbad, CA-based tech startup targeting the service industry and consumer-facing businesses with its messaging app technology, has raised $3 million in venture capital, according to a regulatory filing earlier this month. The funding, provided by Santa Barbara, CA-based Rincon Venture Partners and Venice, CA-based CrossCut Ventures, represents the first institutional investment for Zingle. … Continue reading “Zingle Raises $3M to Expand and Improve Messaging App Technology”

Dauntless Takes Flight with New Business Model for Starting Biotechs

First came Inception Sciences, a holding company for spinning out biotech startups established by Versant Ventures and Peppi Prasit, the veteran San Diego drug developer. Then came COI Pharmaceuticals, the shared “community of innovation” for startup biotechs established by San Diego’s Avalon Ventures as part of its partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. And now there is Dauntless … Continue reading “Dauntless Takes Flight with New Business Model for Starting Biotechs”

Synthorx Raises $10M to Expand Use of Synthetic DNA in Biologics

Synthorx, the San Diego synthetic biology startup that expanded the number of DNA base pairs with two synthetic nucleotides, said today it has raised $10 million in a Series B financing round led by RA Capital Management, the Boston life sciences hedge fund. Existing investors Avalon Ventures and Correlation Ventures joined in the round. The … Continue reading “Synthorx Raises $10M to Expand Use of Synthetic DNA in Biologics”

Q2 VC Funding Soars in San Diego (After Revisions), and Top 10 Deals

What a difference a megadeal (or two) can make. After the national MoneyTree Report was released last week, PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Ryan Spencer said he spent time on a call with Thomson Reuters, which provides the raw data, trying to figure out a change in the numbers for venture capital activity in San Diego. PricewaterhouseCoopers and … Continue reading “Q2 VC Funding Soars in San Diego (After Revisions), and Top 10 Deals”

‘Megadeals’ Dominate Q2 as VCs Invest $15.3B, and Top 10 Deals

Showing little concern for stock-market volatility or worries over the Brexit, venture capital firms pumped $15.3 billion into 961 deals across the United States during the three months that ended June 30, according to the MoneyTree Report on venture capital activity. It was the 10th consecutive quarter that venture firms put at least $10 billion … Continue reading “‘Megadeals’ Dominate Q2 as VCs Invest $15.3B, and Top 10 Deals”

As Drone Navigation Advances, SlantRange Focuses on Farm Analytics

As the Federal Aviation Administration sets new rules for commercial operations of unmanned aircraft, legions of new startups are using drones to perform all kinds of tasks—from aerial inspections to mapping, imaging, and analysis. Whether these new businesses can succeed will depend on a variety of factors, including restrictions on autonomous flight that government regulators … Continue reading “As Drone Navigation Advances, SlantRange Focuses on Farm Analytics”

An Homage to Larry Bock, Who Had God’s Hand on His Shoulder

When I told Larry Bock in an e-mail about four months ago that I had been diagnosed with cancer, the renowned San Diego life sciences investor asked if he might see me at UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center. “Maybe we can share an infusion room,” he replied. “I will be sending good thoughts your … Continue reading “An Homage to Larry Bock, Who Had God’s Hand on His Shoulder”

New Bootstrap Fund Pulls Itself Up in World of Health IT Deals

Healthtech entrepreneur Parker Hinshaw and his wife Jean Balgrosky said they intended to take a step back when they founded Bootstrap Incubation near San Diego in the fall of 2012. They wanted to combine Hinshaw’s experience in starting and growing health IT startups with Balgrosky’s expertise in strategic IT planning and overhauling healthcare IT networks—but … Continue reading “New Bootstrap Fund Pulls Itself Up in World of Health IT Deals”

With $18M, Reflexion Health Expands Physical Therapy Technology

Reflexion Health, a San Diego startup founded in 2012 at the nonprofit West Health Institute, is moving to commercialize Vera, its physical rehabilitation system based on Microsoft Kinect’s motion tracking technology. After recently raising $18 million in Series B funding, the healthtech company also plans to add new products as it expands nationally among U.S. … Continue reading “With $18M, Reflexion Health Expands Physical Therapy Technology”

San Diego Sees Strong Cybersecurity Growth As Firms Seek Talent

San Diego’s cybersecurity workforce has grown by nearly 15 percent over the past two years, according to a study released today by the Cyber Center of Excellence, a nonprofit industry group created to boost cybersecurity jobs and technologies in the region. The center commissioned the report to help quantify the economic impact of the cybersecurity … Continue reading “San Diego Sees Strong Cybersecurity Growth As Firms Seek Talent”

EY Names 6 Startup Leaders as San Diego Entrepreneurs of the Year

Six San Diego business risk-takers have been inducted into the pantheon of EY Entrepreneurs of the Year, joining over 10,000 people around the world who have been honored over the last 30 years by the multinational professional services firm. An independent panel of judges selected the six winners at a Monday evening gala attended by … Continue reading “EY Names 6 Startup Leaders as San Diego Entrepreneurs of the Year”

“Stay Lean as Long as You Can,” and Other VC Wisdom from Mark Suster

What does it take to build a startup in today’s market? Put a half-dozen entry-level tech entrepreneurs together anywhere outside of the Bay Area, and it won’t take long before they start listing the local market deficiencies. In San Diego, the complaints often focus on the relative scarcity of venture capital and hometown VC firms. … Continue reading ““Stay Lean as Long as You Can,” and Other VC Wisdom from Mark Suster”

Xconomy Guide to Best Sessions at Startup Week San Diego

Startup Week San Diego, like a lot of other places that host similar events, has been billed as a weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship. Seattle’s UP Global, now part of Techstars, oversees the operation of Startup Week and other programs for tech entrepreneurs across the U.S. and abroad. But while Startup Week San Diego has always … Continue reading “Xconomy Guide to Best Sessions at Startup Week San Diego”

San Diego’s KnuEdge, Stealthy Since 2005, Unveils Neural Tech

After operating in the shadows for the past 11 years, a San Diego neural technology company founded by former NASA administrator Dan Goldin is stepping into the light to introduce two commercial products intended to advance the frontier of human-machine interaction. In a statement released yesterday, Goldin said the company founded in 2005 as Intellisis … Continue reading “San Diego’s KnuEdge, Stealthy Since 2005, Unveils Neural Tech”

Drone On: 3D Robotics Filing Reveals $45M Financing Plan

After a painful restructuring earlier this year, Berkeley, CA-based 3D Robotics appears to be raising additional capital. The high-profile drone startup, which raised $50 million in venture funding early last year in a Series C funding round led by San Diego-based Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]), has raised almost $26.7 million in a combination of securities, convertible … Continue reading “Drone On: 3D Robotics Filing Reveals $45M Financing Plan”

San Diego Uses Hackathon to Generate Ideas for Climate Action Plan

“Can government really help drive innovation?” That might not be the sort of question you’d want to ask the crowd at a Donald Trump rally. But it was received with more optimism than sneers when a City of San Diego official posed the question Wednesday evening at the outset of an awards dinner for the … Continue reading “San Diego Uses Hackathon to Generate Ideas for Climate Action Plan”

Seismic Raises $40M to Expand Web-based Software for Big Customers

Seismic is making some waves today. The suburban San Diego software company, which specializes in “sales enablement” and content management software for big companies and organizations, says it has raised $40 million in a Series C funding round led by General Atlantic. JMI Equity, an existing investor, also participated in the round. Gary Reiner, a … Continue reading “Seismic Raises $40M to Expand Web-based Software for Big Customers”

Sophiris Streamlines Operations, Weighs Options on Prostate Drug

[Updated 5/25/16 2:35 pm with analyst comments. See below.] After advancing its experimental prostate drug to late-stage clinical trials, San Diego-based Sophiris Bio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SPHS]]) has been assessing its strategic options before choosing the best way to continue the clinical trials and seek FDA approval. In the past few weeks, Sophiris has raised additional capital … Continue reading “Sophiris Streamlines Operations, Weighs Options on Prostate Drug”