With Uber’s long-awaited IPO, Facebook’s mounting controversies, and ongoing debates over drug pricing and safety issues, come a great responsibility. A big story in the innovation community now is about the ethics and regulation of tech and life sciences. What are the right ways to safeguard the public, hold corporations accountable, and maintain economic growth? … Continue reading “Tech Ethics, Regulation & Strategy: Here’s the Napa Summit Agenda”
Author: Gregory T. Huang
Greg is a veteran journalist who has covered a wide range of science, technology, and business. As former editor in chief, he overaw daily news, features, and events across Xconomy's national network. Before joining Xconomy, he was a features editor at New Scientist magazine, where he edited and wrote articles on physics, technology, and neuroscience. Previously he was senior writer at Technology Review, where he reported on emerging technologies, R&D, and advances in computing, robotics, and applied physics. His writing has also appeared in Wired, Nature, and The Atlantic Monthly’s website. He was named a New York Times professional fellow in 2003.
Greg is the co-author of Guanxi (Simon & Schuster, 2006), about Microsoft in China and the global competition for talent and technology. Before becoming a journalist, he did research at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Lab. He has published 20 papers in scientific journals and conferences and spoken on innovation at Adobe, Amazon, eBay, Google, HP, Microsoft, Yahoo, and other organizations. He has a Master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Join Xconomy for Our 8th Annual Napa Summit, June 13-14
Google. Amazon. Genentech. Those are some of the companies you’ll hear from at this year’s Napa Summit, the Xconomy Retreat on Technology, Jobs, and Growth. This is our most special event of the year—the eighth year we’ve held it—and it’s limited to about 100 VIP guests. We’ll tackle big trends, challenges, and opportunities in areas … Continue reading “Join Xconomy for Our 8th Annual Napa Summit, June 13-14”
From Alnylam to Zayner: Xconomy’s Top Innovation Stories of 2018
2018 was a year of ups and downs for the business and technology community. It was a year of big exits—both IPOs and acquisitions—for tech and life sciences companies. Venture funding remained strong, but more money went to fewer (and later-stage) companies overall. As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on the big innovation trends … Continue reading “From Alnylam to Zayner: Xconomy’s Top Innovation Stories of 2018”
X·CON 2018: Photos From Three Innovation Days in November
On November 4-6, Xconomy organized a meeting of the minds—an elite gathering of leaders in technology, business, healthcare, education, and energy—to discuss and demonstrate the key trends in their fields, heading into next year. Our expert speakers and attendees at X·CON 2018 tackled everything from the impact of artificial intelligence on enterprises to the emerging … Continue reading “X·CON 2018: Photos From Three Innovation Days in November”
A.I., Cybersecurity & the Changing Face of VC at X·CON Next Week
Bob Brennan has some pretty interesting lessons from his time working with Veracode and CloudHealth Technologies. Those are two of the bigger Boston tech exits in the past few years—the companies were acquired by CA Technologies and VMware, respectively. Brennan, the former CEO of Veracode and Iron Mountain, and former board member of CloudHealth, will … Continue reading “A.I., Cybersecurity & the Changing Face of VC at X·CON Next Week”
Techstars, EdX, SoftBank Join X·CON 2018 Program, Nov. 4-6
Two weeks from today will mark a most special occasion. Xconomy is convening top business and tech leaders from Boston and beyond for a multi-day conference to tackle the most pressing questions in the innovation community. X·CON 2018 will feature talks and interactive discussions at the Institute of Contemporary Art; robotics demos and security and … Continue reading “Techstars, EdX, SoftBank Join X·CON 2018 Program, Nov. 4-6”
Elemental Partners With PerkinElmer, Lands $9M in VC Bucks
[Updated, 10/3/18, 1:35pm, to clarify the customer relationship] Elemental Machines is a startup making progress in a challenging field. That field would be sensors and systems that monitor and optimize physical processes in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. You can tell it’s challenging because there isn’t even a name for it. But it touches … Continue reading “Elemental Partners With PerkinElmer, Lands $9M in VC Bucks”
Here’s the Agenda for X·CON 2018 on Nov. 4-6 (and Why You Should Care)
There’s something special brewing in Boston. On November 4, 5, and 6, we are convening business leaders across tech, life science, and other innovation fields to showcase the big trends that will transform industry—and society. Our speakers include Esther Dyson, Sandy Pentland, Diane Hessan, Mohamad Ali, and executives from Google, IBM, Dell EMC, Philips, and … Continue reading “Here’s the Agenda for X·CON 2018 on Nov. 4-6 (and Why You Should Care)”
Human Augmentation, Throwable Robots & More at X·CON, Nov. 4-6
With fall officially here, it’s time to ask some big questions about the coming year—and decade. What will be the most transformative technology areas for society and business? What should students and innovators be doing to prepare for five to 10 years from now? Who are the leaders and companies that will shape this future? … Continue reading “Human Augmentation, Throwable Robots & More at X·CON, Nov. 4-6”
In Adobe’s $4.75B Acquisition of Marketo, a Signal for Marketing Tech
Tech giant Adobe announced Thursday it is buying marketing-software firm Marketo for $4.75 billion. The move may have a ripple effect on the realm of enterprise sales and marketing. Marketo, based in San Mateo, CA, was founded in 2006 and built its business on marketing automation—using software to track and manage potential customers’ interactions with … Continue reading “In Adobe’s $4.75B Acquisition of Marketo, a Signal for Marketing Tech”
Google, Dell EMC, Esther Dyson Join XCON 2018 Lineup
While the weather’s on the cool side, get ready for November. We at Xconomy are cooking up a special treat in Boston this fall: a three-day conference on technology and transformation called XCON 2018. It’s happening November 4, 5, and 6 at three different venues: Café ArtScience, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and Google’s Kendall … Continue reading “Google, Dell EMC, Esther Dyson Join XCON 2018 Lineup”
Boeing, Aurora to Move Into R&D Space in Kendall Square Via MIT Initiative
Aerospace giant Boeing has agreed to lease 100,000 square feet in an MIT-owned space in the heart of Kendall Square. The Boeing Aerospace & Autonomy Center, at 314 Main Street in Cambridge, MA, is slated to open by the end of 2020 and will focus on autonomous aircraft and related technologies. Financial terms of the … Continue reading “Boeing, Aurora to Move Into R&D Space in Kendall Square Via MIT Initiative”
With $112M Fund, Glasswing Looks to Drive East Coast A.I. Startups
In a sea of emerging tech venture funds, Glasswing Ventures is trying to stand out. The Boston firm announced today it has closed its debut investment fund at $112 million. That’s bigger than the “micro-VC” funds of the past decade, but much smaller than the mega-funds (often in the billion-dollar range) that have been raised … Continue reading “With $112M Fund, Glasswing Looks to Drive East Coast A.I. Startups”
Amazon Acquiring Online Pharmacy PillPack, Eyes Prescription Drug Market
It’s Amazon, not Walmart, that’s buying online pharmacy PillPack. The companies announced the deal Thursday morning but didn’t disclose any financial terms. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2018. Back in April, Walmart was in serious talks to acquire PillPack. Those talks apparently broke down, and it’s no surprise that … Continue reading “Amazon Acquiring Online Pharmacy PillPack, Eyes Prescription Drug Market”
Business Catering Firm ezCater Goes Big With $100M Round
Boston-based ezCater, which runs an online food-ordering service for businesses, said today it has $100 million in new money. The Series D financing round was led by Wellington Management Company, with previous investors including Iconiq Capital and Insight Venture Partners also participating. The new cash brings ezCater’s total venture haul to $170 million. The company … Continue reading “Business Catering Firm ezCater Goes Big With $100M Round”
Meet the Xconomists 2018 in Boston: The Photos
Earlier this month, we held our annual “Meet the Xconomists” reception in Boston. This event is where we invite a mix of business leaders across tech, life sciences, and other sectors to network and trade ideas with our informal editorial advisors (we call them the Xconomists). It’s always a great crowd, and this year’s was … Continue reading “Meet the Xconomists 2018 in Boston: The Photos”
Iora Health Goes Big With $100M to Advance Collaborative Care Model
Iora Health has become of the bigger players in digital healthcare and non-traditional health systems. The Boston company just announced a $100 million Series E funding round from investors including .406 Ventures, Devonshire Investors, F-Prime Capital, Flare Capital Partners, and GE Ventures. Most (if not all) of those are returning investors in Iora, which now … Continue reading “Iora Health Goes Big With $100M to Advance Collaborative Care Model”
InsightSquared Scores $23M to Advance Sales and Marketing Software
Here’s an update on a quintessential Boston tech startup. InsightSquared, which got started in 2011, said Wednesday it has pulled in $23 million in Series D funding. The round was led by Tola Capital, with previous investors Accomplice, DFJ, Two Sigma Ventures, and NextView Ventures also participating. The new money brings InsightSquared’s total funding to … Continue reading “InsightSquared Scores $23M to Advance Sales and Marketing Software”
Soft Robotics Scoops Up $20M in Latest Logistics Automation Deal
Venture investment in logistics robot companies keeps coming. Today, Cambridge, MA-based Soft Robotics said it has raised $20 million in a new funding round led by Hyperplane Venture Capital. The deal brought in a slew of new investors, including Scale Venture Partners, Calibrate Ventures, Honeywell Ventures, Tekfen Ventures, and Yamaha Motor Ventures. They’re all looking … Continue reading “Soft Robotics Scoops Up $20M in Latest Logistics Automation Deal”
VCs Back Jeremy Hitchcock’s New Security Startup, Minim, With $2.5M
Here’s what Jeremy Hitchcock is doing for an encore: trying to secure all your home and office devices and networks. Sounds like a nightmare. But if there’s anyone who should try, it’s Hitchcock (pictured). He is the co-founder and former CEO of Dyn, the longstanding New Hampshire-based Web infrastructure firm that was sold to Oracle … Continue reading “VCs Back Jeremy Hitchcock’s New Security Startup, Minim, With $2.5M”
Bill Gates on Saving Babies, Educating Kids, and Picking a Major
On a sunny spring afternoon, William Henry Gates III strolled into the Harvard University science center. Several hundred students and invited guests were waiting for him in the auditorium. Security was tight, but not overly so (he’s used to it). Gates was there Thursday for a conversation with Frank Doyle, Harvard’s dean of engineering and … Continue reading “Bill Gates on Saving Babies, Educating Kids, and Picking a Major”
5 Takeaways From Robo Madness 2018 at iRobot
A who’s who of robotics and artificial intelligence experts gathered at iRobot’s headquarters in Bedford, MA, last week. The occasion was Xconomy’s fourth annual Robo Madness conference, and you can check out photos from the event here. Here are five things we learned from the discussions: 1. Watch your interns and office cleaners—they’ll go on … Continue reading “5 Takeaways From Robo Madness 2018 at iRobot”
Robo Madness 2018: Homecoming—The Photos
We had a blast at our fourth annual Robo Madness conference in the Boston area, and we hope you did, too. The theme this year was homecoming—the idea that robotics and artificial intelligence have started to seep into our lives and homes, and are poised to have big, transformative effects on business and society wherever … Continue reading “Robo Madness 2018: Homecoming—The Photos”
Xconomy Roadmap 2018: Top 15 Innovation Areas to Watch
With the first quarter in the books, it’s time to step back and lay out Xconomy’s editorial map for the rest of the year. As readers know, we strive to cover a wide range of innovation sectors, from tech and life sciences to healthcare and education—all with a mix of on-the-ground reporting, daily news stories, … Continue reading “Xconomy Roadmap 2018: Top 15 Innovation Areas to Watch”
After Quiet Deal, Music Therapy Startup Sync Project Now Part of Bose
A quick update on an intriguing Boston startup: Sync Project, which said on its blog that it is “developing music as precision medicine,” has been acquired by audio giant Bose. The deal was quietly announced last month, and no terms were disclosed. Sync Project said its public services would remain open and free to use, … Continue reading “After Quiet Deal, Music Therapy Startup Sync Project Now Part of Bose”
Robo Madness 2018 on April 12: Here’s the Agenda
Are you ready for the storm? Not that storm, this storm: Robo Madness 2018 is just over a month away. It’s Xconomy’s annual gathering of robotics and artificial intelligence leaders from Boston and beyond, and it’s all happening on the afternoon of April 12 at iRobot headquarters in Bedford, MA. This year’s theme is homecoming—robotics … Continue reading “Robo Madness 2018 on April 12: Here’s the Agenda”
Google and Stackdriver Vets Get $10M for Software Testing Tool, Mabl
When we last caught up with Dan Belcher and Izzy Azeri, they were selling their cloud-management company, Stackdriver, to Google. That Boston startup was on a fast track to acquisition, getting scooped up in 2014 after just two years and about $15 million in venture capital raised. (The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.) Now, Belcher and … Continue reading “Google and Stackdriver Vets Get $10M for Software Testing Tool, Mabl”
ClearMotion, Ori, Owl Labs CEOs Join Robo Madness April 12 at iRobot
The program for our fourth annual Robo Madness conference in Boston is almost set. In case you’ve been hiding under a rock lately (understandable), it’s all happening on the afternoon of April 12 at iRobot headquarters in Bedford, MA. We’re pleased to announce some new speakers in the program: —ClearMotion CEO Shakeel Avadhany (ClearMotion raised … Continue reading “ClearMotion, Ori, Owl Labs CEOs Join Robo Madness April 12 at iRobot”
Immelt Named Athenahealth Chairman as Firm’s Transition Rolls On
Former GE chief executive Jeff Immelt is keeping busy. Healthcare IT firm Athenahealth said Wednesday that Immelt (pictured on the left) has been appointed chairman of its board of directors, effective immediately. Watertown, MA-based Athenahealth (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ATHN]]) said Immelt will make a financial investment in the company (an undisclosed amount) and “plans to purchase approximately … Continue reading “Immelt Named Athenahealth Chairman as Firm’s Transition Rolls On”
Out of MIT, a $21M Startup Battle Brews Over Next-Gen A.I. Chips
Here are the makings of an interesting tale. It involves two competing tech spinouts from MIT, and two rival CEOs who were co-authors on a key research paper. And now, each company has raised on the order of $10 million from venture capitalists to win what could become a major race. It’s Lightelligence versus Lightmatter, … Continue reading “Out of MIT, a $21M Startup Battle Brews Over Next-Gen A.I. Chips”
After Boom Years, Starburst and Podium May Signal Big Data’s Future
It seems like ancient history now, but “big data” was once a hot field with startups, investors, and big companies all buzzing with hype. Then the tech industry moved on, and marketers crowned data science and machine learning the Next Big Things (at least until blockchain takes over). Of course, big data never really went … Continue reading “After Boom Years, Starburst and Podium May Signal Big Data’s Future”
What’s Hot in Cybersecurity, 2017: Photos and Takeaways
Our annual cybersecurity conference at WGBH in Boston was a big hit last week. In times like these, security is on everyone’s mind—and it has become a critical issue in business and society. A few takeaways from the event (but you really had to be there): 1. Expect a lot more phishing-type attacks after the Equifax … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity, 2017: Photos and Takeaways”
Locus Robotics Gets $25M to Help Warehouse Owners Compete With Amazon
As we head into holiday shopping season, here’s some news on the e-commerce warehouse front. Locus Robotics, based in Wilmington, MA, says it has secured $25 million in Series B funding led by Scale Venture Partners. The new money brings Locus Robotics’ total venture haul to at least $33 million. Founded in 2015, Locus Robotics makes … Continue reading “Locus Robotics Gets $25M to Help Warehouse Owners Compete With Amazon”
Healthcare + A.I. in Boston: The Photos
Our first forum focused on the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence was a truly standout event. We struck a nerve with this topic and timing, as healthcare and pharma companies are all trying to figure out (and implement) their A.I. and machine learning strategies. And it’s not easy. There’s no way to summarize the … Continue reading “Healthcare + A.I. in Boston: The Photos”
What’s Hot in Cybersecurity: Here’s the Agenda for Dec. 5 at WGBH
It feels like December already in Boston. So, here’s an update on our annual cybersecurity conference at WGBH, which is happening on December 5. If you want to hear the latest information about threats and defenses for your company, network, or personal information, you won’t want to miss it. We still have a few pieces … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity: Here’s the Agenda for Dec. 5 at WGBH”
Recorded Future Nabs $25M to Advance Cyber Threat Intelligence
Boston-area cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said Tuesday it has raised $25 million in Series E venture financing. The round was led by Insight Venture Partners, a new investor. The new money brings Recorded Future’s total venture haul to about $55 million, by my count. The Somerville, MA-based company’s previous investors include Google Ventures (GV), In-Q-Tel, … Continue reading “Recorded Future Nabs $25M to Advance Cyber Threat Intelligence”
CyberArk, BitSight, Gigavation Join Cybersecurity Lineup on Dec. 5
In the post-Equifax world, companies and individuals are trying to figure out the best way to shore up their tech defenses and keep their data, networks, and devices as safe as possible. On December 5, Xconomy is gathering a who’s who of cybersecurity leaders from Boston and beyond to discuss emerging threats, new tactics in … Continue reading “CyberArk, BitSight, Gigavation Join Cybersecurity Lineup on Dec. 5”
Healthcare + A.I. at Pfizer on Nov. 2: Here’s the Agenda
Whether it’s drug companies trying to harness machine learning or doctors using software to make diagnoses, artificial intelligence is moving into healthcare—and moving fast. On November 2, Xconomy is gathering an elite group of technology and medical leaders to map out the future of healthcare and A.I.—for patients and doctors, startups and big organizations, and … Continue reading “Healthcare + A.I. at Pfizer on Nov. 2: Here’s the Agenda”
What’s Hot in Cybersecurity on Dec. 5: Threat Stack, Cybereason & More
[Updated 10/5/17, 8:08am, with new speakers.] Advances in cybersecurity continue to be top of mind for everyone from business and tech leaders to consumers. You don’t have to look further than Equifax or Yahoo to get the feeling that no data or network is safe from hackers. Companies and organizations of all sizes are adjusting … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity on Dec. 5: Threat Stack, Cybereason & More”
Pfizer, Veritas, MGH Join Xconomy’s Healthcare + A.I. Conference on Nov. 2
Like a lot of fields, healthcare is riding the A.I. wave. We’re hearing about machine learning and other artificial intelligence techniques being applied to genomic analysis, drug discovery, imaging and diagnostics, patient-doctor interactions, and other clinical tasks. But there’s a lot of hype and challenges to go along with it. On November 2, Xconomy is … Continue reading “Pfizer, Veritas, MGH Join Xconomy’s Healthcare + A.I. Conference on Nov. 2”
A Decade of Innovation: Photos From Xconomy’s 10th Anniversary Bash
This summer, Xconomy celebrated a big anniversary—our 10th as a company. We got started in the Boston area (Kendall Square) in 2007 and expanded the next year to Seattle and San Diego, with many more cities and regions to come. Our mission has always been to report on cutting-edge businesses and technologies from the front … Continue reading “A Decade of Innovation: Photos From Xconomy’s 10th Anniversary Bash”
Athenahealth Looks to Make Changes in Health IT Strategy, Leadership
Change is coming to one of the biggest companies in healthcare IT. Watertown, MA-based Athenahealth said today that its board and management team are reviewing its operations, strategy, and leadership in an effort to cut costs and boost profits, among other things. The news comes on the heels of the 20-year-old company’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ATHN]]) quarterly … Continue reading “Athenahealth Looks to Make Changes in Health IT Strategy, Leadership”
Redfin IPO Raises $138M, Stock to Begin Trading Friday
[Updated, 1:40pm PT. See below] Redfin, a real estate software firm based in Seattle, priced its initial public offering at $15 a share on Thursday, above the projected range of $12 to $14. The IPO raised $138 million, and the company’s stock is set to begin trading on the Nasdaq today under the symbol “RDFN.” … Continue reading “Redfin IPO Raises $138M, Stock to Begin Trading Friday”
SocMetrics Scooped Up by Grapevine in Social Marketing Deal
[Corrected, 2:25pm. See below] ‘Tis the season for Boston tech startups founded in 2010—and their products—to get acquired. Kinvey and Intrepid were bought last month, and now it’s SocMetrics’ turn. The Cambridge, MA-based social marketing company’s original product—called SocMetrics Influencer Platform—has been snapped up by Grapevine, a Boston marketing tech firm. Terms of the deal … Continue reading “SocMetrics Scooped Up by Grapevine in Social Marketing Deal”
Flying Car Company Terrafugia Sold to Chinese Automaker Geely
Terrafugia, a Boston-area company that has been working on flying cars since 2006, is being acquired by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, an automotive manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The news was first reported by the South China Morning Post, but Xconomy has independently been tracking rumors about … Continue reading “Flying Car Company Terrafugia Sold to Chinese Automaker Geely”
Cybereason Gets $100M to Fend Off Cyber Attacks—and Competitors
Lior Div just raised a $100 million funding round for his security-tech company, Cybereason. A daunting task, to be sure. “It’s very hard to raise money,” says Div, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “I see it all the time with colleagues of mine, founders. But if you really have a good, unique solution that’s proven, … Continue reading “Cybereason Gets $100M to Fend Off Cyber Attacks—and Competitors”
Talla Gets $8.3M, Led by Glasswing, to Build Chatbots for Enterprises
In a deal that signals where some artificial intelligence companies are heading, Boston-based Talla said today it has raised an $8.3 million Series A round led by Glasswing Ventures. PJC (formerly Point Judith Capital) also participated in the round, along with Talla’s previous investors Avalon Ventures, Pillar, and Jason Calacanis’s Launch fund. The new cash … Continue reading “Talla Gets $8.3M, Led by Glasswing, to Build Chatbots for Enterprises”
Xconomy Impact Tackles Big Questions in Tech and Society Next Thursday
Paul English, Katie Rae, Steve Papa, Sophie Vandebroek, Sandy Pentland, and Jodi Goldstein. Those are just a few of the technology leaders headlining our signature June event next Thursday. Collectively they represent some of the biggest names in innovation: MIT, Harvard, Kayak, Endeca, Xerox, IBM, and newer entrants like The Engine, Lola, and Parallel Wireless. … Continue reading “Xconomy Impact Tackles Big Questions in Tech and Society Next Thursday”
Robot Reshuffle: Alphabet Sells Boston Dynamics & Schaft to SoftBank
In a deal that was a long time coming, Google’s parent company Alphabet has sold robotics firms Boston Dynamics and Schaft to Japanese tech giant SoftBank. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Boston Dynamics was rumored to be on the market for the past year, with potential suitors including Toyota and Amazon. The robotics … Continue reading “Robot Reshuffle: Alphabet Sells Boston Dynamics & Schaft to SoftBank”
The Engine, Carbonite, Lola, and More: Here’s the Agenda for IMPACT
[Updated, 6/8/17 8:50am. See below] Hard to believe we are just over two weeks away from Xconomy’s big annual tech event in June. IMPACT will bring together leaders from New England’s technology and business community to discuss the future of their fields, but also issues of broader importance: things like influencing policy and making a … Continue reading “The Engine, Carbonite, Lola, and More: Here’s the Agenda for IMPACT”