Author: Eric Hal Schwartz

A Comparison of E-Book Readers for the New Year

Before any big trip, I always make sure I have enough books to read. That used to mean weighing myself down with pounds and pounds of paper, but now I can carry a library in my pocket. The new question is not which books to take, but which e-book reader to choose. Seattle-based Amazon.com’s Kindle … Continue reading “A Comparison of E-Book Readers for the New Year”

Microsoft’s Summer of Love: A Roundup of the Company’s Hottest Deals and Other News

It’s been quite a summer here in Seattle, with record droughts and a heat wave that left us all panting in line for an iced coffee. But despite a cool economic climate, Microsoft managed to stay as hot as the temperature outside its Redmond, WA, headquarters, with a series of big deals and other announcements … Continue reading “Microsoft’s Summer of Love: A Roundup of the Company’s Hottest Deals and Other News”

May The Schwartz Be With You: Eric’s Top Stories of the Summer

Thirteen weeks, 123 stories, and about a million cups of Starbucks’ finest later, my internship at Xconomy in Seattle is over. But as a parting gift, I am going to share some of my favorite articles from the summer here. I hope you enjoy reading them (and my other articles) as much as I enjoyed … Continue reading “May The Schwartz Be With You: Eric’s Top Stories of the Summer”

Amazon, Microsoft Join Against Google Books Deal

Northwest tech giants Amazon and Microsoft have joined a coalition of companies, nonprofit groups, and individuals to work against a proposed settlement by Google regarding its thousands of scanned books according to an article in yesterday’s New York Times. The group, which includes new Microsoft ally Yahoo, will work to derail the settlement between Google … Continue reading “Amazon, Microsoft Join Against Google Books Deal”

Three Innovators with Seattle Roots Make Waves in Video, Internet, and Smart Sensors

This week, the Seattle area has lived up to its reputation as home to the future of technology, with three local (or formerly local) innovators making the national media rounds in Technology Review, the New York Times, and Time Magazine. And not in just one field or sector either—the three span academia (smart sensors), a … Continue reading “Three Innovators with Seattle Roots Make Waves in Video, Internet, and Smart Sensors”

MySpace Confirms Purchase of iLike

MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta confirmed in a press conference call today that the social networking website has purchased Seattle-based music service company iLike. Financial details were not disclosed, but the rumors surrounding the deal point to about $20 million being spent by MySpace for the Seattle startup. According to Van Natta, the company will … Continue reading “MySpace Confirms Purchase of iLike”

Navinet and Vitality use Internet for Health, Constellation Gets to Series A, and Other Boston-Area Life Sciences News

It was a mixed week of business and science, with a couple of stories on health IT companies to round things out. —Luke reported on Thursday that Cambridge, MA-based Alnylam (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALNY]]) is pushing forward with its Vancouver, BC-based partner Tekmira to create RNA interference drugs to treat cancer. The partnership is focusing on ways … Continue reading “Navinet and Vitality use Internet for Health, Constellation Gets to Series A, and Other Boston-Area Life Sciences News”

AISI Raises $11M in Series B

Advanced Inquiry Systems, Inc. (AISI) closed Series B financing with $11 million, according to a press release sent out today. The Hillsboro, OR-based company developed a data sensing system for semiconductor memory manufacturing, that allows memory devices to be tested for performance both earlier and for less cost than standard technology allows. Investors in the … Continue reading “AISI Raises $11M in Series B”

ClearAccess Raises $6M in Series B Financing

Vancouver, WA-based ClearAccess, a broadband device management and data services company, is announcing today that it has closed a Series B financing, raising a little over $6 million. The financing was led by Blade Ventures, Buerk Dale Victor, and DFJ Frontier. ClearAccess developed the ClearVision management system, allowing service providers to remotely manage residential and … Continue reading “ClearAccess Raises $6M in Series B Financing”

Unmanned Vehicles, a Silver Lining for Video Service, and Other SD BizTech News

Not many deals made news in San Diego last week, although we had a few national stories that were of local interest. —Bruce reported on some of the companies from Xconomy cities going to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference last week, including three from San Diego. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems gave a … Continue reading “Unmanned Vehicles, a Silver Lining for Video Service, and Other SD BizTech News”

Fluke to Acquire AirMagnet

Everett, WA-based Fluke Networks, a network service provider company, announced today in a press release that it will acquire Sunnyvale, CA-based AirMagnet a wireless LAN service provicer. Fluke provides for the installation, certification, testing, monitoring and analysis of networks including fiberoptic and wireless. According to the release, adding AirMagnet’s technology will improve the services provided … Continue reading “Fluke to Acquire AirMagnet”

12 Tech Firms in WA Make Inc. 500

Inc. magazine has released its annual list of the top 500 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. A dozen Washington state consulting or technology-related companies made the list, with the highest-ranked firm, Kirkland-based Revel Consulting, at number 34. The others are: Xtreme Consulting Group, Clarisonic, Sirsai, C&I Engineering, Remote Medical International, Visible Technologies, Audigy … Continue reading “12 Tech Firms in WA Make Inc. 500”

Microsoft, Nokia Announce Alliance on Smartphones

In a press conference in New York this morning, Microsoft Business Division president Stephen Elop and Nokia’s executive vice president for devices Kai Öistämö announced that Redmond, WA-based Microsoft and Finland-based Nokia have formed an alliance that will create adaptations of Microsoft programs for Nokia’s smartphones. Microsoft and Nokia will begin immediate development of Microsoft … Continue reading “Microsoft, Nokia Announce Alliance on Smartphones”

VirtenSys Raises $16M

Manchester, UK-based VirtenSys, which opened up U.S. headquarters in Beaverton, OR, in January, announced in a press release today that it has raised $16 million in a Series C funding round. Investors in the round included Scottish Equity Partners, Celtic House Venture Partners, and Gimv. Virtensys develops virtualization technology for servers in data centers. The … Continue reading “VirtenSys Raises $16M”

Razorfish Chief Strategy Officer Says Publicis Deal Will Expand Firm’s Global Reach

Yesterday was a busy day for Razorfish chief strategy officer Jeff Lanctot. With the official announcement that French advertising firm Publicis will acquire Microsoft-owned Razorfish, Lanctot had quite a lot on his plate. Despite his having to fly out from Seattle to another office, I managed to get a few answers from him about the … Continue reading “Razorfish Chief Strategy Officer Says Publicis Deal Will Expand Firm’s Global Reach”

Dendreon Will Build Manufacturing Plant in Georgia

Dendreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]), the Seattle-based developer of an immune-boosting drug for prostate cancer, announced today that it has leased property in Atlanta to build a second manufacturing plant for the drug. Rumors about the deal surfaced last month, but Dendreon would not comment before the official announcement. The factory will actually be built in Union … Continue reading “Dendreon Will Build Manufacturing Plant in Georgia”

Green Car Company Rides Wave of Plug-in Hybrids, Battery Technologies

A lot of people modify their cars, but the alterations to the hybrid Toyota Prius I was test-driving last week were more than just a fancy paint job or cool rims. In addition to the standard regenerative braking battery, I was packing an A123 Systems Hymotion L5 lithium ion battery that charged by plugging into … Continue reading “Green Car Company Rides Wave of Plug-in Hybrids, Battery Technologies”

Merge Acquires Confirma for $22M

Bellevue, WA-based medical imaging detection software company Confirma will be acquired by Milwaukee, WI-based health IT provider Merge Healthcare for approximately $22 million, according to a press release sent out today. The acquisition will allow Merge to incorporate Confirma’s technology into its IT offerings to doctors. Confirma’s main product, CADstream, is used for prostate and … Continue reading “Merge Acquires Confirma for $22M”

Cray, InfoSpace Exceed Analyst Expectations, and Other Second-Quarter Earnings Highlights

In the past week, companies have been releasing their financial results for the second quarter. There’s a mix of good and bad news from Seattle’s public tech companies weathering the economic storm, with surprisingly positive news from some quarters. —Bellevue, WA-based metasearch developer InfoSpace announced its revenue was $43.8 million for the quarter, up 14 … Continue reading “Cray, InfoSpace Exceed Analyst Expectations, and Other Second-Quarter Earnings Highlights”

Target Leaves Amazon

Target, the Minneapolis, MN-based chain retail store announced today in a press release that it plans to build its own online store platform, ending its deal with Seattle-based Amazon.com, which has managed Target’s online sales since 2001.  The current contract between the two companies extends until 2011. Target will launch its proprietary management system in … Continue reading “Target Leaves Amazon”

Report: Publicis Bids on Razorfish

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Publicis, a French advertising company, is at the top of the list of potential buyers for Redmond, WA-based Microsoft’s digital advertising group Razorfish in Seattle. According to the Journal’s sources, Publicis has bid between $500 million and $600 million for Razorfish, which Microsoft acquired in 2007 as part … Continue reading “Report: Publicis Bids on Razorfish”

Idenix to Raise $21.2 M in SPO

Idenix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:IDIX]]), a Cambridge, MA-based developer of anti-viral drugs, announced today in a press release that it has priced a secondary public offering of 7.25 million shares at $3.14 each. Idenix expects to raise $21.2 million from the offer, which is expected to close on August 10, after processing fees and other costs. The … Continue reading “Idenix to Raise $21.2 M in SPO”

Cardiorobotics, Developer of Snake Robot Technology, Aims to Alter Cardiac Surgery

The future of heart surgery is in something called a “snake robot,” at least according to the people at Newport, RI-based Cardiorobotics. We decided to check it out in more depth since Cardiorobotics just raised $11.6 million this week to see if it can demonstrate this is truly the next frontier in minimally invasive ways … Continue reading “Cardiorobotics, Developer of Snake Robot Technology, Aims to Alter Cardiac Surgery”

Solar Startup LivinGreen Looks to Power Even Rainy Cities

Rarely in Seattle is the power of the sun as remarked upon as in the past week, as temperatures soared into the triple digits. That’s some serious heat, especially for an area proverbial for its rainy, gray skies. Perhaps this makes it a good time to reflect on the fact that Seattle, despite what would … Continue reading “Solar Startup LivinGreen Looks to Power Even Rainy Cities”

WatchGuard Acquires BorderWare

WatchGuard Technologies, a Seattle-based network security company has acquired Toronto-based e-mail and Web security developer BorderWare Technologies, according to a press release sent out today. Financial details were not disclosed. WatchGuard, which has hundreds of thousands of businesses in every part of the world as clients, plans on using the technology gained from BorderWare to … Continue reading “WatchGuard Acquires BorderWare”

Amazon Adapts App for Android

Amazon.com, the Seattle-based colossus of online retail, announced in a press release today that it has launched an application for Android, Google’s mobile operating system. The application allows users to shop on their Android smartphone, as well as take pictures or scan barcodes of products and search for them on Amazon’s website. Taking a photo … Continue reading “Amazon Adapts App for Android”

iLike App Uses Music to Find Concerts

Seattle-based iLike, a popular music service company that helps people find new music, create playlists, and plan for concerts, has launched a new iPhone and iPod Touch application today that will scan music on the device and send a personalized local concert listing based on what it finds, according to an announcement today. iLike also … Continue reading “iLike App Uses Music to Find Concerts”

Private-Public Consortium Plans Biofuels Plant

Plankton Power, a Wellfleet, MA-based company developing ways to turn algae into renewable biofuel, announced in a press release today that it will plans on opening a manufacturing plant to produce biofuel from algae on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) in Bourne, MA. To build the factory, Plankton Power, along with the Regional Technology Development … Continue reading “Private-Public Consortium Plans Biofuels Plant”

Smith & Tinker Rolls Out Nanovor

Smith & Tinker, a Bellevue, WA-based game company launched a new, hybrid game combining online and offline play today, according to a press release by the company. Called Nanovor, the game has an online aspect where players can collect, modify, and train small Pokemon-esque monsters called nanovors. Later this year, the company will start selling handheld … Continue reading “Smith & Tinker Rolls Out Nanovor”

Concur Buys Etap-On-Line

Redmond, WA-based Concur, a business software development company, announced in a press release today that it has acquired European business software maker Etap-On-Line. Financial details were not released. Concur’s software processes company expenses, including travel and expense accounts.

Cardiorobotics Raises $11.6M

Cardiorobotics, a medical device startup company with offices in Newport, RI and Pittsburgh, PA, said today it has raised $11.6 million in a Series A financing.  Investors in the company include Eagle Ventures, the Slater Technology Fund, and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse.  Cardiorobotics is developing what it calls snake robot technology, a minimally invasive … Continue reading “Cardiorobotics Raises $11.6M”

Top 10 Lessons in Starting Companies and Commercializing Technologies, from UW Panel

A group of about 40 Taiwanese businessmen and scientists, who were in the U.S. to learn about how best to commercialize technologies from the lab, were treated last Thursday to a University of Washington panel of three veterans of the process, who shared their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned. The panel consisted of serial … Continue reading “Top 10 Lessons in Starting Companies and Commercializing Technologies, from UW Panel”

Webtrends Buys Widemile

Portland, OR-based Webtrends, a web analytics software developer, announced in a press release today that it has acquired Seattle-based multivariate testing and site optimization technology maker Widemile. Financial details of the deal were not released. Webtrends said that the deal is part of its plan to lead in enterprise customer intelligence by augmenting its analytics … Continue reading “Webtrends Buys Widemile”

Delve Partners With Akamai

Seattle-based video management and media platform company Delve Networks announced in a press release today that it is partnering with Cambridge, MA-based digital media content distributor Akamai to provide a new online video platform. Akamai, which also has an ofice in Bellevue, WA, will combine its media delivery service with Delve’s video platform, so customers … Continue reading “Delve Partners With Akamai”

Mentor Graphics Acquires Embedded Alley

Mentor Graphics, a Wilsonville, OR-based electronic design automation developer, announced today it has purchased Embedded Alley Solutions, based in San Jose, CA. Financial details were not released. Embedded Alley creates programs to develop software for mobile devices and has made systems for Linux and the Google Android. Mentor (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MENT]]) said it plans to augment … Continue reading “Mentor Graphics Acquires Embedded Alley”

$50M for Helicon, Cytori Bulks Up, Avanir Awaits Trial Results, & More San Diego Life Sciences News

Several of San Diego’s biotech and life sciences companies raised money this past week, while others await the result of studies to see if the money they’ve already invested will pay off. —Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CYTX]]), which is developing a device that can isolate and process regenerative cells from a patient’s fat tissue, has been … Continue reading “$50M for Helicon, Cytori Bulks Up, Avanir Awaits Trial Results, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”

Inside the Microsoft-Yahoo Deal, and the Future of the Search Competition with Google

Microsoft and Yahoo officially announced this morning that they had reached a search engine and advertising agreement. Amid intense speculation, and after more than a year of disagreements over minor and not-so-minor details, the two companies have signed a ten-year agreement that puts Redmond, WA-based Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) in control of both companies’ search engine … Continue reading “Inside the Microsoft-Yahoo Deal, and the Future of the Search Competition with Google”

Vela Systems Completes $10.5M Funding

Burlington, MA-based Vela Systems, which develops software for construction firms, has completed a $10.5 million equity funding, according to an amended SEC filing made today. The investors were not disclosed. In July 2007, Vela raised $6 million, which is included in the $10.5 million total. The company provides software to allow construction companies to access, … Continue reading “Vela Systems Completes $10.5M Funding”

aTyr Pharma Raises $12 Million in Venture Funding

aTyr Pharma, a San Diego-based developer of protein drugs, said today it has raised $12 million in additional venture capital to develop treatments for autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and blood conditions. The company raised the cash from Alta Partners, Cardinal Partners, and Polaris Venture Partners. It’s the second big round of financing for aTyr, which … Continue reading “aTyr Pharma Raises $12 Million in Venture Funding”

Extreme Reach Gets More Funding

Extreme Reach, a Needham, MA-based video advertising management startup, announced today it has received new money from three venture firms to expand upon its current operations. Village Ventures, Greycroft Partners, and Long River Ventures are funding the latest round of expansion for Extreme Reach, which says it already has more than 8,000 customers since launching … Continue reading “Extreme Reach Gets More Funding”

Amazon.com Owns Just About Everything Now

“Earth’s biggest bookstore,” boasted Amazon.com in the early days after its 1995 launch. Nearly 15 years later, Amazon seems more like Earth’s biggest store, period. Music and movies, videogames, clothing, toys, furniture, even food, it’s all just a few clicks away. And with last week’s acquisiton of online retailer Zappos.com (originally estimated at $850 million, … Continue reading “Amazon.com Owns Just About Everything Now”

Limeade Laps Up $2.4M

Limeade, a Bellevue, WA-based health IT company, raised $2.4 million of a $3 million equity offering, according to an SEC filing yesterday. The investors were not disclosed. Limeade provides software to companies that helps employees reach wellness goals like losing weight or quitting smoking, by helping them track their progress and providing employer-sponsored incentives. Some of … Continue reading “Limeade Laps Up $2.4M”

Dreambox Lands Distributor

Bellevue, WA-based Dreambox Learning, an education software startup, announced yesterday that Pearson Canada, the largest education publisher in Canada, will distribute its online math education system to schools and customers throughout Canada. Financial details were not released. Dreambox, started in 2006, launched its math learning program designed for students in kindergarten through second grade in … Continue reading “Dreambox Lands Distributor”

The Future of Gaming Is Purveying Sin, Says VC Tim Chang

“Gaming will save us all,” proclaimed Tim Chang this morning. A principal at Norwest Venture Partners, a venture capital firm out of Palo Alto, CA, Chang spoke at Casual Connect Seattle, the three-day casual video game conference that ends this evening. Chang’s topic was emerging trends in casual gaming, and as a proud gamer since … Continue reading “The Future of Gaming Is Purveying Sin, Says VC Tim Chang”