Cloud-computing startup Xeround, which previously focused on helping telecom companies manage big databases, has raised a $9 million Series C round from its existing investors to bankroll an entirely new mission: database services on public cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services or Rackspace. Xeround also has a new headquarters, in Mountain View, CA. The … Continue reading “Xeround Gets $9M for New Cloud Mission, at New HQ”
Author: Curt Woodward
Curt covered technology and innovation in the Boston area for Xconomy. He previously worked in Xconomy’s Seattle bureau and continued some coverage of Seattle-area tech companies, including Amazon and Microsoft.
Curt joined Xconomy in February 2011 after nearly nine years with The Associated Press, the world's largest news organization. He worked in three states and covered a wide variety of beats for the AP, including business, law, politics, government, and general mayhem.
A native Washingtonian, Curt earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. As a past president of the state's Capitol Correspondents Association, he led efforts to expand statehouse press credentialing to online news outlets for the first time.
Zillow Shows Why Microsoft Might Love the Kindle Fire: No Google Maps
From its very early days, one of the core appeals of online real-estate marketplace Zillow has been looking up your house (or your neighbor’s, or anyone else’s) on a digital map to see how much it might be worth. “For us, really more than any other app in the category, we start with a map. … Continue reading “Zillow Shows Why Microsoft Might Love the Kindle Fire: No Google Maps”
Sold! Clearwire Raises $715M from Stock Sale to Bankroll New Network
Struggling wireless provider Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) has raised cash to beef up its network with new, faster technology. Bellevue, WA-based Clearwire says it netted $715.5 million in stock sales Tuesday—$384.1 million in public share sales and another $331.4 million in a separate, private transaction with Sprint, its majority shareholder and customer. It’s another big step … Continue reading “Sold! Clearwire Raises $715M from Stock Sale to Bankroll New Network”
Charles Simonyi on Paul Allen’s Spaceship: I’ll Go, if the Price is Right
When Paul Allen and company discussed their vision for a new kind of private space launch on Tuesday, they made a few nods to an audience member who knows something about the subject: Former Microsoft chief software architect Charles Simonyi, the only private citizen to fly in space twice. While Allen said that he’s planning … Continue reading “Charles Simonyi on Paul Allen’s Spaceship: I’ll Go, if the Price is Right”
Paul Allen Heads Back to Space with Stratolaunch
Noted billionaire space-geek Paul Allen is pushing for the stars again. Allen, the Microsoft co-founder, announced Tuesday that he’s teaming up with aerospace guru Burt Rutan and PayPal co-founder Elon Musk to develop a new private space flight venture called Stratolaunch Systems, which plans to send private crafts into space by launching them from the … Continue reading “Paul Allen Heads Back to Space with Stratolaunch”
Cloud-Device Startup Nebula Takes Aim at Seattle Engineers
It’s not just the Silicon Valley giants of technology who are moving into the Seattle area to raid technical talent from Microsoft, Amazon, and others. These days, you’re just as likely to see some well-financed startups wooing the big-company guys with promises of changing the world. A prime example is Nebula, a cloud computing startup … Continue reading “Cloud-Device Startup Nebula Takes Aim at Seattle Engineers”
AT&T, T-Mobile Postpone Lawsuit to Rework Deal
AT&T’s $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile is on hold in the federal courts as the parties look for a new way to structure a deal that could get approval from regulators. The merger is currently tied to a federal antitrust lawsuit, which was postponed today. AT&T and Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of Bellevue, WA-based T-Mobile … Continue reading “AT&T, T-Mobile Postpone Lawsuit to Rework Deal”
KinectStars: Why Microsoft Drafted TechStars to Target Startups
The offices have been laid out. The applications are flowing in. And come next spring, 10 proto-companies will meet in Seattle for a three-month bootcamp focused on new uses for the Kinect, Microsoft’s breakthrough motion- and sound-sensing system. For Redmond-watchers, that may not seem like such a big deal. Microsoft already cultivates startups through its … Continue reading “KinectStars: Why Microsoft Drafted TechStars to Target Startups”
Amazon’s New Billing Partner Points to Kindle Fire In-App Payments
As company “announcements” go, this one barely qualifies. Bango, a UK-based provider of mobile billing services, says it has “signed an agreement to provide services to Amazon.” And that’s that. But it actually says a whole lot. It’s pretty easy to guess what Bango’s providing here—most likely, it’s in-app payments for the Kindle Fire, Amazon’s … Continue reading “Amazon’s New Billing Partner Points to Kindle Fire In-App Payments”
Point Inside Faces a Big Competitor as Google Starts Mapping Indoors
When you run a startup that focuses on mapping the floor plans of retail stores, there’s this inevitable question: What happens when Google, the company that has already mapped the entire world, decides to do the same thing as you? Josh Marti, the CEO of Seattle-based Point Inside, has heard it plenty of times. “And … Continue reading “Point Inside Faces a Big Competitor as Google Starts Mapping Indoors”
Zipline’s Wolf Toss Game Goes for Hat Trick Debut on iOS, Android, Chrome
Rolling out a game on two platforms at once is so passé. Why not three at once? That’s the target for Seattle game startup Zipline Games, which is showing off its new game today on iOS, Android, and Google’s Chrome Web browser. “No one’s been crazy enough to hit three platforms, so we thought we’d … Continue reading “Zipline’s Wolf Toss Game Goes for Hat Trick Debut on iOS, Android, Chrome”
Mobile Madness NW: Photos from Our Standing-Room-Only Event
Mobile Madness Northwest was a pretty action-packed affair all the way through—from the scramble to get more chairs for our standing-room-only crowd to the networking and conversations that were still going on as the caterers were packing up and going home. It was our first time bringing this specific event to the Seattle area, and … Continue reading “Mobile Madness NW: Photos from Our Standing-Room-Only Event”
What’s Ahead for Groupon, LivingSocial? Seattle’s Tippr Has Some Ideas
LivingSocial will skip the IPO and get acquired. Hundreds of smaller daily deals startups will shut their doors. Groupon’s special product offerings will crash and burn. Those are among predictions for 2012 from Seattle’s Tippr, a daily deals startup that focuses mainly on offering white-label services to publishers that want their own discount brands. Headed by … Continue reading “What’s Ahead for Groupon, LivingSocial? Seattle’s Tippr Has Some Ideas”
EquaShip Fills Out Fundraising Round, Now at $1.5M
EquaShip, the Seattle startup that’s aiming to wrangle dramatically cheaper shipping costs for small and medium-sized businesses, has added another $600,000 in financing from undisclosed investors. That pushes the startup’s total funding to $1.5 million, following the announcement of a $900,000 investment in June. EquaShip rolled out its service in October, targeting the small sellers—many … Continue reading “EquaShip Fills Out Fundraising Round, Now at $1.5M”
Clearwire Plans to Sell up to $345M in Stock Following Deal with Sprint
Remember when Sprint (NYSE: [[ticker:S]]) said it would buy more stock if Clearwire made an offering sometime in the future? Well, the bill’s about to come due: Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) says it plans to sell $300 million in Class A common shares. The sale’s underwriters also will get a 30-day option to buy up to $45 … Continue reading “Clearwire Plans to Sell up to $345M in Stock Following Deal with Sprint”
Mobile Madness NW: Free Windows, Android Phones from AT&T
We’re gearing up for Mobile Madness Northwest, Xconomy’s half-day forum focusing on how Northwest innovators are tackling the mobile computing revolution. And if you’re a last-minute shopper, here’s a couple of things that might pique your interest: Registering now saves you $30 over the walk-up price, and our event sponsors at AT&T are giving away … Continue reading “Mobile Madness NW: Free Windows, Android Phones from AT&T”
TappIn Acquired for $9M, Price Could Grow
Seattle file-sharing startup TappIn, formerly known as Homepipe Networks, has been acquired by San Antonio, TX-based GlobalSCAPE (AMEX: [[ticker:GSB]]), a company that provides file transfer software. GlobalSCAPE is paying $9 million up front for TappIn, with another $8 million in possible payments over the next three years if the new property hits revenue and development … Continue reading “TappIn Acquired for $9M, Price Could Grow”
Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh’s Amazing Story of Survival
If you just read the headlines and watch the reality shows, the life of a tech entrepreneur probably sounds something like this: Work hard, play hard, raise tons of money, change the world, retire early. It’s a swashbuckling, mile-a-minute joyride filled with the best and the brightest. Except when it’s not. The flip side of … Continue reading “Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh’s Amazing Story of Survival”
Clearwire Gets $1.6B from Sprint, Makes Debt Payment
Financially troubled wireless provider Clearwire and majority shareholder Sprint are keeping their seemingly reluctant partnership alive today, announcing a new injection of up to $1.6 billion from Sprint for current and future network capacity, along with possible equity sales. The move allows Kirkland, WA-based Clearwire to make a $237 million debt payment due today—a bill … Continue reading “Clearwire Gets $1.6B from Sprint, Makes Debt Payment”
So That’s What Wavii is Up To: “Making Facebook out of Google”
Seattle startup Wavii, previously seen taking the concept of “stealth mode” to extreme lengths, is letting slip more details about the product it’s been building for these many quiet months. In a pair of blog posts today, the startup says it’s using machine learning to sort content from across the Web into feeds—as they say … Continue reading “So That’s What Wavii is Up To: “Making Facebook out of Google””
Amazon Admits it: Collecting Sales Taxes Not So Hard Anymore
In the long-running debate over online sales tax laws, one of the most laughable ideas has been that calculating sales tax rates all over the country is somehow a difficult job for big e-commerce companies like Amazon.com. You know, the same company that adds enough servers every single weekday to run a circa-2000 version of … Continue reading “Amazon Admits it: Collecting Sales Taxes Not So Hard Anymore”
Rhapsody at 10 Years: Surviving Long Enough to Face a Herd of New Competitors
Being too early with a concept is one of the more frustrating ways that an entrepreneur can wind up going bust. But a decade after emerging as one of the original subscription music services in the U.S., Seattle’s Rhapsody is still around. That survivor story includes a pretty twisted ownership history, as Rhapsody evolved from … Continue reading “Rhapsody at 10 Years: Surviving Long Enough to Face a Herd of New Competitors”
FCC Report on AT&T + T-Mo Deal: Sorry, We’re Not Buying It
The Federal Communications Commission gave AT&T and T-Mobile USA a little kick on the way out the door today, releasing its staff report on the companies’ proposed $39 billion merger. AT&T and T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom pulled their merger application last week (on Thanksgiving!), choosing instead to focus their regulatory fight where it really matters—the … Continue reading “FCC Report on AT&T + T-Mo Deal: Sorry, We’re Not Buying It”
Mobile Madness NW: the Big Agenda and Your Last Chance to Save on Tickets
From innovative games and e-commerce platforms to operating systems and cloud infrastructure—not to mention the networks that keep all that data flowing—innovators in the Pacific Northwest stand at the intersection of nearly every powerful force in mobile computing. That’s why we’re so excited for our next big Seattle tech event, Mobile Madness Northwest, coming up … Continue reading “Mobile Madness NW: the Big Agenda and Your Last Chance to Save on Tickets”
After Thanksgiving Flareup, AT&T and T-Mobile Endgame Unchanged
While most of us were sleeping off the effects off too much turkey and pumpkin pie, AT&T and federal regulators were engaging in a very public spat over Ma Bell’s $39 billion bid for T-Mobile USA. But now that things have simmered down a bit, it actually looks like the prospects for this deal haven’t changed … Continue reading “After Thanksgiving Flareup, AT&T and T-Mobile Endgame Unchanged”
Media Roundtable: Xconomy on GeekWire Radio
I had a great time on the latest edition of the GeekWire podcast and radio show, the regular program produced by KIRO-FM featuring longtime Seattle technology journalists Todd Bishop and John Cook. We talked about the local tech beat, and what I’ve noticed as a reporter making the transition from my previous gig covering politics … Continue reading “Media Roundtable: Xconomy on GeekWire Radio”
Decide, Avalara, Brad Feld: Pre-Turkey Gems from the Seattle Tech Scene
In a remarkable test of will, I’m going to avoid any Thanksgiving-related puns and just dive straight into this wrapup of the past week in Xconomy Seattle’s tech headlines, covering everything from Black Friday shopping apps to the latest rumblings of possible doom from a local wireless company. —The crew at Seattle startup Decide made … Continue reading “Decide, Avalara, Brad Feld: Pre-Turkey Gems from the Seattle Tech Scene”
Cloud Vets Start PaperShare, Giving IT Pros a Better Place to Geek Out
What do you do with stuff that’s just too nerdy to discuss on Facebook? For some technical professionals, the answer still lies in sites that are very Web 1.0—long lists of links, few sharing functions, very basic design. Doug Brown knows this well. Since 1999 he’s been running the site DABCC, which focuses on a … Continue reading “Cloud Vets Start PaperShare, Giving IT Pros a Better Place to Geek Out”
Avalara Rockets Ahead with Sales Tax Software while Amazon, Big Retailers Battle
After a year of epic battles with politicians and brick-and-mortar competitors, Amazon.com has made sales-tax policy a relatively sexy topic in the business world. But another Seattle-area technology company has been working for years to navigate complex sales tax systems—and it’s growing like a weed. That company is Avalara. Started by an accountant/developer and based … Continue reading “Avalara Rockets Ahead with Sales Tax Software while Amazon, Big Retailers Battle”
Clearwire Debt, Artale’s Latest, Zoomingo Raises: Week-Ending Seattle News Tidbits
Three quick items from around the Seattle-area tech scene this week: —Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) shares have fallen sharply again on word from new CEO Erik Prusch that the Kirkland, WA-based wireless provider could skip an upcoming debt payment. Prusch discussed that possible step in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. The Associated Press and … Continue reading “Clearwire Debt, Artale’s Latest, Zoomingo Raises: Week-Ending Seattle News Tidbits”
How MiNeeds, a Local-Services Startup Run by Software Guys, Softened Up for Weddings
When the ex-Microsofties behind local services site MiNeeds thought about expanding their business, they got what seemed like weird advice. They had built their company as a resource to help people connect with service providers like plumbers, painters, accountants, and more. But when they looked to expand into wedding services, they found a niche that … Continue reading “How MiNeeds, a Local-Services Startup Run by Software Guys, Softened Up for Weddings”
Decide Debuts Price-Predicting iPhone App for Holiday Gadget Shoppers
You’ve really got to feel for people working in the retail trenches this time of year. Not only are they getting ready to deal with a blitz of savings-crazed shoppers, they now have to contend with smarty-pants consumers who can aim their smartphone at any piece of merchandise to see if that holiday deal really … Continue reading “Decide Debuts Price-Predicting iPhone App for Holiday Gadget Shoppers”
Mobile Madness, Windows Phone, Clarisonic: Wrapping up Seattle Tech Headlines
This week’s wrapup of Xconomy Seattle tech headlines features two great entrepreneur/investors who will be featured at Mobile Madness Northwest, our action-packed half-day forum Dec. 6 at F5 Networks. We’re pairing up two people whose experiences span big-company products and proto-company startups: Wesley Chan of Google Ventures, and Charlie Kindel, formerly with Windows Phone (and a … Continue reading “Mobile Madness, Windows Phone, Clarisonic: Wrapping up Seattle Tech Headlines”
Intel Invests in Urban Airship, Inks Deal for Portable PC Apps
Those guys in Portland are pretty busy these days. Urban Airship, the Oregon-based supplier of push notifications and other services for mobile app developers, is being named today as one of the first two investments from a new $100 million mobile application-focused investment fund from the venture arm of tech giant Intel (NASDAQ: [[ticker:INTC]]). The … Continue reading “Intel Invests in Urban Airship, Inks Deal for Portable PC Apps”
Windows Phone’s Good-Karma Strategy for Courting Developers
When it decided to attack the smartphone market with a new version of its mobile operating system, Microsoft did something that might sound a bit counterintuitive: Starting in last place, it dug the hole a little deeper. By tossing out the old version of Windows Mobile and starting anew, the company knew it would piss … Continue reading “Windows Phone’s Good-Karma Strategy for Courting Developers”
Google Ventures’ Wesley Chan: From Voice to VC, Speaking at Mobile Madness NW
As Wesley Chan puts it, he was working at Google when there were still doors for desks, dogs running wild, and tarps covering the computers to ward off leaks from the roof. These days, he’s working on scrappy startups again—but this time, it’s as a partner at Google Ventures, based at the company’s Seattle campus. … Continue reading “Google Ventures’ Wesley Chan: From Voice to VC, Speaking at Mobile Madness NW”
PopCap Survey: Social Gamers Warming Up to Digital Goods
As more people turn to social networks for a video game fix, they’re also getting friendlier with the idea of forking over real cash for in-game virtual currency and items, according to a study commissioned by Seattle’s PopCap Games—the recent Electronic Arts acquisition that’s providing a lot of fuel for EA’s transition into more online … Continue reading “PopCap Survey: Social Gamers Warming Up to Digital Goods”
Startup Behind the Clarisonic Skin-Cleansing Brush Acquired by L’Oreal
The folks who put sonic wave technology in the Sonicare toothbrush have hit another homerun, and a major consumer brand couldn’t sit by and watch any longer. Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, the unassumingly named makers of the Clarisonic skin-cleansing brush, is being acquired by cosmetics powerhouse L’Oreal USA, the companies announced today. Terms were not disclosed, … Continue reading “Startup Behind the Clarisonic Skin-Cleansing Brush Acquired by L’Oreal”
Google Backs Startup Weekend, Tapping Nonprofit’s Global Network of Entrepreneurs
It’s already been a big year for Startup Weekend. Google wants to make sure the next two years are even more action-packed. The Seattle-based nonprofit, which helps entrepreneurs create prototype products through intense 54-hour hackathons, is announcing a new two-year sponsorship deal with Google today. The amount isn’t being disclosed, but Startup Weekend CEO Marc … Continue reading “Google Backs Startup Weekend, Tapping Nonprofit’s Global Network of Entrepreneurs”
Former Microsoftie Charlie Kindel Joins Mobile Madness NW—And Says Apps Are Dead
The first thing Charlie Kindel wants you to know about the buzzworthy mobile sector is that it’s actually “old, dead, and boring.” OK, so that’s kind of for shock value—Kindel, who recently left Microsoft after 21 years, will admit as much. After all, this comes from a guy whose last job was serving as a … Continue reading “Former Microsoftie Charlie Kindel Joins Mobile Madness NW—And Says Apps Are Dead”
Amazon Pushing National Sales-Tax Bill, a Victory for its All-or-Nothing Stance
Looks like Amazon’s pugnacious bet on national sales tax reform is paying off. The Seattle company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) says it is strongly supporting a proposed national law that would force online retailers to collect local taxes on more of their sales, ending a longtime loophole originally meant to help catalog businesses. The National Retail Federation, which has … Continue reading “Amazon Pushing National Sales-Tax Bill, a Victory for its All-or-Nothing Stance”
Stockbox Grocers: the Food Store That’s Kind of a Tech Startup (Inside a Shipping Container)
You might not think of a grocery store inside a recycled shipping container as a technology-centric startup. But without some cheap, powerful devices and software, Web-enabled crowdfunding, and tech startup methods, Stockbox Grocers probably wouldn’t be where it is today. The Stockbox team, which recently wrapped up the run of its first prototype store, is … Continue reading “Stockbox Grocers: the Food Store That’s Kind of a Tech Startup (Inside a Shipping Container)”
TechStars Demos, Real CEO, Zillow Earnings: Wrapping Up a Week in Seattle Tech Headlines
The biggest story of the past week on the Seattle tech innovation beat was surely the Demo Day for TechStars Seattle, the second-ever class of entrepreneurs to graduate from the bootcamp program in the Emerald City. Hundreds packed the venue to see the pitches, and were treated to some really solid and exciting pitches from … Continue reading “TechStars Demos, Real CEO, Zillow Earnings: Wrapping Up a Week in Seattle Tech Headlines”
Dismal Markets Mean Inrix, nLight Aren’t Rushing to IPO
Ah, the good old days of April. Spring was in the air, and bankers were running the numbers on IPOs for Northwest technology companies. It was fun while it lasted. Here’s the flashback: Real-estate website Zillow filed its paperwork on April 18, and RFID maker Impinj followed suit three days later. I even interviewed Seattle-area investors … Continue reading “Dismal Markets Mean Inrix, nLight Aren’t Rushing to IPO”
Hark Sounds Off: 1 Billion Listens, and a Quietly Profitable Company
Updated 11/11 with clarification What does 1 billion sound like? At Seattle startup Hark, it’s this clip of Harry Potter deploying the “expelliarmus” spell to disarm an enemy. Expelliarmus! That little incantation marked the 1 billionth play of a sound bite on Hark, which has amassed a huge catalog of snippets, speeches, and quotes on … Continue reading “Hark Sounds Off: 1 Billion Listens, and a Quietly Profitable Company”
TechStars Honchos David Cohen & Andy Sack: The Post-Demo Day Download
If you want a glimpse at the leading edge of tech startups, TechStars Demo Day is a fine place to go prospecting. In just 60 minutes of total pitch time, you’ve got a damn good idea of the industries, customers, ideas, and technologies that top entrepreneurs and investors think are ripe for innovation. And the … Continue reading “TechStars Honchos David Cohen & Andy Sack: The Post-Demo Day Download”
TechStars Seattle Demos: One Room, 10 Startups, Tons of Potential
David Cohen has seen this movie before. As the founder and CEO of TechStars, he knows that the first year in any city is about building community, making impressions, and proving the model. Then things get turned up a notch. “Year one is a lot of excitement, the town really supports it,” Cohen said. “People come … Continue reading “TechStars Seattle Demos: One Room, 10 Startups, Tons of Potential”
Facebook Grabs New Seattle Office, Doubling Space for More Hires
Facebook’s Seattle office, the social networking giant’s biggest engineering presence outside its Palo Alto, CA headquarters, is doubling its footprint to make room for more engineers. Facebook Seattle opened in August 2010 with three employees, and has grown to about 60 people in the year-plus since then, the company says. Some key early projects that … Continue reading “Facebook Grabs New Seattle Office, Doubling Space for More Hires”
Infographic: College or Incubator for Startup Founders?
[Updated 11/4 at 2:30 pm] Not everyone can be a Gates, Allen, Jobs, or Zuckerberg—founders who dropped out of college and went on to change the technology industry by starting landmark companies. But there are more options available for budding entrepreneurs these days, most notably the explosion of incubators, accelerators, and other startup nurseries that … Continue reading “Infographic: College or Incubator for Startup Founders?”
Bing Chief Stefan Weitz on Facebook in Search: Humans Crave Other Humans
Updated 11:30 am 11/3 with slides Sorry, experts: Information consumers don’t particularly care about all your highfalutin’ degrees and special titles. For a surprisingly large swath of online queries, friends and other real-world users are the key sources of opinions, says Stefan Weitz, Microsoft’s director of search. “People don’t know who to trust. They don’t … Continue reading “Bing Chief Stefan Weitz on Facebook in Search: Humans Crave Other Humans”