Legendary rock musician and longtime internet evangelist Peter Gabriel has joined the all-star cast of speakers for Net@50, a historic event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first net message—while also looking ahead to the internet’s next 50 years. The event, put on by the non-profit World Frontiers Forum in association with Xconomy, takes place … Continue reading “Peter Gabriel Joins Net@50 Lineup; Tix Going Fast for July 16 Event”
Author: Robert Buderi
Bob is Xconomy's founder and chairman. He is one of the country's foremost journalists covering business and technology. As a noted author and magazine editor, he is a sought-after commentator on innovation and global competitiveness. Before taking his most recent position as a research fellow in MIT's Center for International Studies, Bob served as Editor in Chief of MIT's Technology Review, then a 10-times-a-year publication with a circulation of 315,000. Bob led the magazine to numerous editorial and design awards and oversaw its expansion into three foreign editions, electronic newsletters, and highly successful conferences. As BusinessWeek's technology editor, he shared in the 1992 National Magazine Award for The Quality Imperative.
Bob is the author of four books about technology and innovation. Naval Innovation for the 21st Century (2013) is a post-Cold War account of the Office of Naval Research. Guanxi (2006) focuses on Microsoft's Beijing research lab as a metaphor for global competitiveness. Engines of Tomorrow (2000) describes the evolution of corporate research. The Invention That Changed the World (1996) covered a secret lab at MIT during WWII. Bob served on the Council on Competitiveness-sponsored National Innovation Initiative and is an advisor to the Draper Prize Nominating Committee. He has been a regular guest of CNBC's Strategy Session and has spoken about innovation at many venues, including the Business Council, Amazon, eBay, Google, IBM, and Microsoft.
Cerf, Kahn, Perlman, Hillis & More at Net@50: Get Tix to Historic Event
How did the internet arise to change the world—and where is it heading? Given the state of technology and society, what are the best ways to curtail the spread of misinformation (among other challenges) and the harm it can bring? At the World Frontiers Forum and Xconomy, we can’t promise to cover everything, but we … Continue reading “Cerf, Kahn, Perlman, Hillis & More at Net@50: Get Tix to Historic Event”
Announcing Net@50: The Roots and Future of the Internet
The first short message went out over Arpanet, the precursor to the internet, 50 years ago this year—and it changed everything. Much of the change has been wonderful—as the internet has revolutionized communication, commerce, and access to information, in the process transforming and improving the lives of billions of people. But as we are ever … Continue reading “Announcing Net@50: The Roots and Future of the Internet”
In Celebration of Bruce Bigelow: Our Memories, His Playlist
[Updated, 7/5/18. See below] Bruce Victor Bigelow, editor of Xconomy San Diego, passed away Friday afternoon, June 29, at the age of 63. He had suddenly fallen ill less than a week earlier, after he returned to San Diego from a hiking trip in Utah. Our initial post about Bruce’s death is here. And the … Continue reading “In Celebration of Bruce Bigelow: Our Memories, His Playlist”
Xconomy Mourns the Loss of San Diego Editor Bruce Bigelow
[Updated, 7/5/18. See below] It is with profound sadness that we at Xconomy say goodbye to our longtime friend and editor of Xconomy San Diego, Bruce Bigelow. An outstanding journalist, colleague, and friend, and a fixture of the San Diego innovation scene, Bruce passed away today at age 63 after a brief illness. We are … Continue reading “Xconomy Mourns the Loss of San Diego Editor Bruce Bigelow”
Xconomy’s Napa Summit Is June 14-15: Last Call for Invites
Just 10 days to go—but it’s not too late to request your invitation to Xconomy’s most unique and thought-provoking event of the year: our annual Napa Summit: The Xconomy Retreat on Technology, Jobs, and Growth. We only have a few spots left open, so get your wine on and request your invitation today. You will … Continue reading “Xconomy’s Napa Summit Is June 14-15: Last Call for Invites”
Arch’s Bob Nelsen on Big Biotech and Why Pharma Should Be Very Afraid
Arch Venture Partners co-founder and managing director Bob Nelsen is widely regarded as one of the most astute and successful life science investors and company builders in the game. The list of his portfolio company wins (if you think of raising money, going public, or being acquired as a win, which he doesn’t necessarily, read … Continue reading “Arch’s Bob Nelsen on Big Biotech and Why Pharma Should Be Very Afraid”
Aspect Venture’s Jennifer Fonstad on Hot Areas of Tech, Diversity, & More
Jennifer Fonstad and Theresia Gouw launched Aspect Ventures with their own money in February 2014—and have hardly looked back. “We closed our first investment that first week,” Fonstad says. The pair went on to make a number of investments that first year before deciding to raise funds more formally from outsiders, like a conventional venture … Continue reading “Aspect Venture’s Jennifer Fonstad on Hot Areas of Tech, Diversity, & More”
IRobot’s Colin Angle on the Home Run of Robotics (It’s Not A.I.)
When it comes to consumer robotics, iRobot has to be the poster child. It was born 27 years ago out of MIT, founded by legendary roboticist Rodney Brooks, now professor emeritus, and two of his students, Helen Greiner and Colin Angle. Over the years, the company has made many forays into various products—including the My … Continue reading “IRobot’s Colin Angle on the Home Run of Robotics (It’s Not A.I.)”
Vinod Khosla on A.I., Health, and the Future of Working (or Not)
Entrepreneur-turned-venture capitalist Vinod Khosla made big headlines almost six years ago when he wrote a blog post called “Do We Need Doctors or Algorithms?” In it, he said medicine needed to be reinvented and he predicted a new era in which artificial intelligence might replace most of the functions that doctors do now—and do it … Continue reading “Vinod Khosla on A.I., Health, and the Future of Working (or Not)”
Envision the Future: Request Your Invite to Our Napa Summit June 8-9
We are getting down to the wire—just two and a half weeks until Xconomy’s most unique, up close and personal event of the year: our sixth annual Napa Summit: The Xconomy Retreat on Technology, Jobs, and Growth. We have only about 20 spots left open, and a number of those will likely go fast. So … Continue reading “Envision the Future: Request Your Invite to Our Napa Summit June 8-9”
Request Your Invitation to Xconomy’s Elite Napa Summit June 8-9
Nobel Laureate David Baltimore. Microbiome AND supercomputer pioneer Larry Smarr. Intellectual Ventures’ Nathan Myhrvold. Nicole Glaros of Techstars. These are just a few of the visionary speakers who will be headlining Xconomy’s sixth annual Napa Summit. And if you act fast to request your invitation to this special event, you can join them and … Continue reading “Request Your Invitation to Xconomy’s Elite Napa Summit June 8-9”
Are You A Great Marketing Specialist? Xconomy is Hiring
In the past 10 years, Xconomy has grown from a single bureau in Boston to having an editorial presence in 11 innovation clusters across the country. We now hold around 60 events each year, from intimate private dinners to full-day conferences. And we are expanding into podcasting, webinars, special reports, and a host of other … Continue reading “Are You A Great Marketing Specialist? Xconomy is Hiring”
Xconomy Is Growing: We Need Great Salespeople in SF, Texas, and NY
Since Xconomy’s founding nearly a decade ago, we have grown from a single bureau in Boston to having editors covering 11 innovation clusters around the United States. And over this time, we have cultivated a reputation for outstanding news coverage and events across high-tech business sectors—from information technology to life sciences and beyond. In the … Continue reading “Xconomy Is Growing: We Need Great Salespeople in SF, Texas, and NY”
Ex-Xerox CTO Vandebroek Named Chief Operating Officer of IBM Research
When I last spoke to Sophie Vandebroek in December, it was for a kind of exit interview as she prepared to leave her longtime job as Xerox’s CTO and head of its worldwide research organization. We went over highlights of her Xerox tenure, her outlook on key technology trends for 2017 and beyond—the Internet of … Continue reading “Ex-Xerox CTO Vandebroek Named Chief Operating Officer of IBM Research”
Xerox CTO Sophie Vandebroek Steps Down, With Eyes on Boston
An era is coming to an end at Xerox. On New Year’s Eve, Xerox will separate into two independent public companies. Its famous printing and management services side will continue to be called Xerox Corporation. Its lesser-known but large business process outsourcing operation, which handles things like healthcare claims, E-ZPass transactions, and customer care, will … Continue reading “Xerox CTO Sophie Vandebroek Steps Down, With Eyes on Boston”
Machine Learning, Precision Medicine: What’s Hot in Healthtech 11/17
With the election in our wake (was there a spike in anxiety and sleep meds?), we can turn our full attention to our What’s Hot in Boston Healthtech event, which will take place next Thursday (Nov. 17) at the Broad Institute in Kendall Square. You can find more details about the event and get your … Continue reading “Machine Learning, Precision Medicine: What’s Hot in Healthtech 11/17”
Xconomy Announces Channel Focused on the Future of Education
Since its inception more than nine years ago, Xconomy has focused its coverage on the business of high technology—across information technology, life sciences, healthcare, energy, robotics, and much more. But underlying all that, in a sense, is education. We have long run stories about STEM education, educational technology, and more—and even put out a special … Continue reading “Xconomy Announces Channel Focused on the Future of Education”
Announcing Xconomy’s Agtech and Food Channel
A core tenet of Xconomy—and the reason behind our broad coverage across information technology, life sciences, energy, and more—is that the most interesting and important innovations often arise from the intersection of different disciplines. One of the most important intersections today is between agriculture, the life sciences, and information technology—as evidenced by the growing field … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy’s Agtech and Food Channel”
Workforce Trends, Economy, & More: Q&A With Alexandria’s Joel Marcus
Think “innovation” and you might picture some scrappy entrepreneurs toiling away in a kitchen or garage, hoping the landlord doesn’t notice what they’re up to. But the reality is that turning science into big business often requires far more sophisticated infrastructure—and the landlord who provides that infrastructure sometimes has one of the best windows into … Continue reading “Workforce Trends, Economy, & More: Q&A With Alexandria’s Joel Marcus”
See Boston’s Newest Innovators & Influencers this Wed. at INFLUX
It is just two days to Influx, our big multidisciplinary event showcasing set for the afternoon of June 22 at the Science Museum. There is still time to grab your tickets at our Procrastinator’s Special rate, which ends tomorrow. So get them now and save $80. We have an incredible lineup—covering everything from the future … Continue reading “See Boston’s Newest Innovators & Influencers this Wed. at INFLUX”
Startups: Get Free Tickets to Influx on June 22, Thanks to NEVCA
Our big June conference Influx is just three weeks away. The event was inspired by the influx of newcomers to the Boston innovation community—and we have an amazing array of fresh faces and new companies taking part. But we’d also love to have an influx of startup companies in attendance—and now, courtesy of the New … Continue reading “Startups: Get Free Tickets to Influx on June 22, Thanks to NEVCA”
Agenda Live For Influx—Event Welcomes Boston’s Innovation Newcomers
Every June, Xconomy holds a big Boston event looking at the region’s innovation future. This year is no different, but some big changes are in the air for the Boston tech and life sciences communities—and we retooled our event to explore them. This year’s event is called Influx. It takes place on the afternoon of … Continue reading “Agenda Live For Influx—Event Welcomes Boston’s Innovation Newcomers”
Danny Hillis on Boston vs. CA, Last Days With Minsky, and His New Co
Danny Hillis co-founded the famous parallel computing company Thinking Machines in 1983, while doing his doctoral work at MIT under artificial intelligence pioneer Marvin Minsky. The company boasted one of the great corporate slogans of all time: “We’re building a machine that will be proud of us.” Thinking Machines might not have worked out (its … Continue reading “Danny Hillis on Boston vs. CA, Last Days With Minsky, and His New Co”
Mary Lou Jepsen on Life Post-Facebook and New Startup, “Open Water”
I had long planned a phone call with Mary Lou Jepsen for this afternoon—a prep session for a chat I will be doing with her a week from Monday night at Xconomy’s Napa Summit, where she is the featured dinner speaker. It was to be a normal prep chat until I got to work this morning … Continue reading “Mary Lou Jepsen on Life Post-Facebook and New Startup, “Open Water””
Xconomy Launches Robotics and A.I. Channel
At the end of March, Xconomy held a jam-packed event called Robo Madness: The A.I. Explosion. If you were among the roughly 250 people who descended on the Googleplex in the heart of Cambridge’s Kendall Square for the event, you may have heard me note that robotics and artificial intelligence were clearly growing in importance … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches Robotics and A.I. Channel”
Join Maeda, Hillis, Jepsen, & More in Napa May 16-17—Get Your Invite
Carving out time to really ponder the future of our technology landscape can be touch, but it can also be incredibly valuable. And if that time is spent with some of the world’s great innovators, technologists, and investors, all the better. That’s just the opportunity you’ll have at Xconomy’s invitation-only Napa Summit on May 16-17. … Continue reading “Join Maeda, Hillis, Jepsen, & More in Napa May 16-17—Get Your Invite”
Announcing Xconomy Cybersecurity Channel
It doesn’t seem to matter where you live, what you do, or what industry your company is in—the likelihood of a cyber attack is growing, and protecting yourself is ever more front of mind. Xconomy’s editors around the United States have certainly encountered that reality, as they are increasingly covering more and more cybersecurity issues. … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy Cybersecurity Channel”
Agenda Posted For Napa Summit: Request Invite to Star-Studded Event
It’s four weeks until Napa Summit 2016: The Xconomy Retreat on the Economy, Jobs, and Growth. We have now posted the agenda, and we’d love to see you there. So request your invitation today to Xconomy’s most prestigious event. The dates are May 16 and 17, starting with a wine reception and dinner at Silver … Continue reading “Agenda Posted For Napa Summit: Request Invite to Star-Studded Event”
Announcing Xconomy Indiana—11th Region in Our Network
Just over two years ago, when we launched Xconomy Wisconsin as the ninth region in our network, I wrote: “There are no flyover zones in the United States. That’s the way Xconomy views the map, anyway, because we see innovation happening all over America.” Since that time, we expanded again, to Raleigh-Durham. And I am … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy Indiana—11th Region in Our Network”
Napa Summit 2016: Request Your Invite to Our Most Special Event
There are all sorts of reasons for requesting an invitation to Xconomy’s Napa Summit, which will take place in just six weeks—on May 16-17. One is the fantastic array of speakers: John Maeda, design partner at Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers; virtual reality virtuoso Mary Lou Jepsen of Facebook/Oculus; tech investor Esther Dyson; computing visionary … Continue reading “Napa Summit 2016: Request Your Invite to Our Most Special Event”
What’s Ahead for Biotech in 2016: Q&A With BIO Chair Ron Cohen
Biotechnology is a tricky business. We all know the trials and tribulations—and costs—of bringing novel drugs to market. In the past six months or so, a new round of drug pricing upheaval (think Martin Shkreli) and corporate tax “inversions” (think Pfizer-Allergan merger with new headquarters in Ireland) have ignited public debate. Ron Cohen has been … Continue reading “What’s Ahead for Biotech in 2016: Q&A With BIO Chair Ron Cohen”
Dyson, Maeda, Jepsen, & More at Our Napa Summit–Request Your Invite
Forget for a moment our truly mind-blowing presidential possibilities. Consider instead the wellspring of innovators and innovation out there, and you’ll feel better about the future, no matter where your political anxieties lie. And then imagine coming to Napa in mid-May to join Xconomy at our most special event—where you will enjoy first-hand interaction with … Continue reading “Dyson, Maeda, Jepsen, & More at Our Napa Summit–Request Your Invite”
Investor Survey, Part 2: A Pair of Seattle VCs on 2016 Themes
Will a new crop of Seattle startups rise to world domination? Will virtual or augmented reality applications create the next powerhouse tech company? Those are two of the overriding hopes and ambitions emerging from the Seattle segment of my informal cross-country survey of leading investors as I seek to unearth core investment themes and premises … Continue reading “Investor Survey, Part 2: A Pair of Seattle VCs on 2016 Themes”
3 Boston VCs Share Investment Themes for 2016
The early results are in: 2016 will be a year of conversational interfaces (think actually having a back and forth with Siri), on-demand services, new tools for sticking to your healthcare goals (and meds)—and of bringing innovation to the underserved. And yes, there will still be a place for the “weird and wonderful.” Those, anyway, … Continue reading “3 Boston VCs Share Investment Themes for 2016”
Introducing Xconomy’s New Fintech Channel
Whether you think Apple Pay or bitcoins, lending or mobile banking, not to mention new ways to protect our financial information, a revolution is underway when it comes to the technology behind finance. What’s more, this revolution is playing out all over the country—not just in the financial hubs of New York or Silicon Valley … Continue reading “Introducing Xconomy’s New Fintech Channel”
Doug Williams, Codiak at Today’s Health Summit: Last Chance for Tix
Last week, we announced that a stealth company would make its public debut at this afternoon’s (Tuesday, November 17) Healthcare Summit at the Broad Institute in Kendall Square. Now we can tell you that the company is Codiak BioSciences and the speaker, former Biogen research head Doug Williams, is its new CEO. (Williams has also … Continue reading “Doug Williams, Codiak at Today’s Health Summit: Last Chance for Tix”
Stealth Co Unveiling, New Speakers Added to Nov. 17 Healthcare Event
Two great new speakers—one of whom will bring a major new company out of stealth mode—have just joined the lineup for Tuesday’s Healthcare Summit 2015. If you were on the fence before, you should get off it fast. If you are interested in the future of healthcare, you will not want to miss these new elements. The summit … Continue reading “Stealth Co Unveiling, New Speakers Added to Nov. 17 Healthcare Event”
Veterans Day Special Ending For Our Nov. 17 Health Summit: Save $75
We are getting down to the wire for the third annual Xconomy Healthcare Summit. This unique event, offering a comprehensive view across the healthcare spectrum from some of the country’s leading innovators and healthcare companies, takes place a week from tomorrow, on Tuesday, November 17, at the renowned Broad Institute in Kendall Square. And we’re … Continue reading “Veterans Day Special Ending For Our Nov. 17 Health Summit: Save $75”
McGuire, Bosley, Watson, & More at Our Health Summit—Register Today
We have just over three weeks to go before our third annual Healthcare Summit here in Boston. And if you act quickly, you can take advantage of our Procrastinator’s Special and save $100 off regular registration…if you don’t put it off, that is. The agenda is live—and you can see for yourself the fantastic afternoon … Continue reading “McGuire, Bosley, Watson, & More at Our Health Summit—Register Today”
Agenda Live for Our Healthcare Summit Nov. 17 at the Broad Institute
It’s fall, and when it comes to healthcare, you may be thinking it’s flu shot season. But here at Xconomy, besides getting our shots, we are excited that it’s almost time for our annual Healthcare Summit in Boston. The third iteration of this great event is coming up on November 17 at the Broad Institute … Continue reading “Agenda Live for Our Healthcare Summit Nov. 17 at the Broad Institute”
Announcing Xconomy Healthcare Summit—Nov. 17 at Broad Institute
It’s an old adage that there’s nothing more important than our health. Yet there’s hardly been a more contentious and complex issue in America in recent years than healthcare. For the past two years, Xconomy has held a special, invitation-only Healthcare Summit each fall in Boston to try to cut through the haze and rhetoric … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy Healthcare Summit—Nov. 17 at Broad Institute”
Techstars’ David Cohen at Boston 2035 Wednesday: Less Chat, More Q&A
It’s all about the audience and the entrepreneurs. That’s the message from David Cohen, co-founder and managing partner of Techstars. Cohen is based in Boulder, CO, but will be in town Wednesday in part to deliver the closing keynote chat at Xconomy’s Boston 2035 event, our full-day conference at Babson College. I connected with Cohen … Continue reading “Techstars’ David Cohen at Boston 2035 Wednesday: Less Chat, More Q&A”
Copenhagen Wheel Rides and Hands-On Drones at Boston 2035 on June 17
Experience the future first hand. We are less than a week away from Xconomy’s full day innovation extravaganza, Boston 2035, which will take place at Babson College next Wednesday, June 17. The speaker lineup for this event exploring the Boston region’s long-term future is already off the charts—with legendary entrepreneur Desh Deshpande, David Cohen from Techstars, … Continue reading “Copenhagen Wheel Rides and Hands-On Drones at Boston 2035 on June 17”
Boston 2035: Exploring the Future of New England
The Long Term Future of Boston. It’s a concept we don’t think about enough. On a daily basis, most of us are mired in the mundane details of life, too busy to ponder the issues that will affect us more than a few months down the road. And yet, at least part of our effort … Continue reading “Boston 2035: Exploring the Future of New England”
Still Room For Great Guests at Napa Summit 2015—Request An Invite
“It’s like a mini-Davos.” That’s the way one leading venture capitalist describes Xconomy’s Napa Summit. And while he is perhaps a bit effusive, we do believe our annual retreat in wine country is something special. Maybe you can judge for yourself. We are just two weeks away from Napa Summit 2015, which will take place … Continue reading “Still Room For Great Guests at Napa Summit 2015—Request An Invite”
Agenda Posted For Xconomy Napa Summit on June 2—Request Your Invite
We are just three weeks away from the Napa Summit 2015: The Xconomy Retreat on the Economy, Jobs, and Growth. Quite simply, it is my favorite event of the year. Beyond the incredible setting, this exclusive, invitation-only conference features some of the world’s leading innovators and investors in a uniquely intimate format—offering an unprecedented view … Continue reading “Agenda Posted For Xconomy Napa Summit on June 2—Request Your Invite”
Napa Summit 2015: Request Your Invite to Xconomy’s Most Elite Event
What are the forces shaping our innovation future—and who are the leaders who will build it? We can’t promise all the answers, but we can promise an unusually intimate and inspiring discussion of such questions at Xconomy’s most unique and exclusive event. It’s called the Napa Summit: The Xconomy Retreat on Technology, Jobs, and Growth—and … Continue reading “Napa Summit 2015: Request Your Invite to Xconomy’s Most Elite Event”
MIT Media Lab’s Joi Ito on the Future of Design, Learning & Science
Joi Ito was named director of the famous MIT Media Lab in 2011. He was not your run of the mill choice. Largely self-taught computer scientist. Former chairman of Creative Commons and a strong open source advocate. Disc jockey, nightclub entrepreneur, tech investor (Kickstarter and Twitter are among the deals he took part in). Two-time … Continue reading “MIT Media Lab’s Joi Ito on the Future of Design, Learning & Science”
Joi Ito Wants MIT to Be Neutral Place to Help Develop Bitcoin Standards
Bitcoins have an uncertain path forward with the seeming implosion of the Bitcoin Foundation last weekend. But PayPal merchants and even presidential candidate Rand Paul have started accepting them as payment. That means the race is on to establish technical standards for the virtual currency—and it looks like MIT could end up playing a role. … Continue reading “Joi Ito Wants MIT to Be Neutral Place to Help Develop Bitcoin Standards”