It’s a huge pain for any startup: Big Company X, usually a competitor, sues you over intellectual property. Or conversely, you have to sue Big Company X over patent infringement, business practices, or some such. Either way, you can count on your top execs getting hauled off to court—sometimes over a period of years—to argue … Continue reading “New England Tech Lawsuit Update: Formlabs, Skyhook, VGo, & More”
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.
10 Takeaways from Our Health IT Forum: Big Data, Robots, & More
This much is clear: healthcare is changing, and technology is helping lead the charge. But there are big challenges everywhere you turn. And we heard about a lot of them—as well as a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors—at our “Healthcare in Transition” forum yesterday at the Microsoft NERD center in Kendall Square, Cambridge, … Continue reading “10 Takeaways from Our Health IT Forum: Big Data, Robots, & More”
Wayfair, Top-Funded Tech Firm in Boston, Brings In $36M More for Flash Sale Site
The rich are getting richer. But you already knew that. What you might not know is that Boston-based Wayfair, the closest thing we have to an “Amazon for the home,” has secured $36.3 million in new equity funding from existing investors to promote its private sale site for home furnishings, Joss & Main. Wayfair (formerly … Continue reading “Wayfair, Top-Funded Tech Firm in Boston, Brings In $36M More for Flash Sale Site”
New CEO Jeff Glass on Skyhook’s Future and Leaving Bain Capital Ventures
The saga of Skyhook is continuing under a new chief executive. Earlier this week, the Boston mobile software firm said it has appointed Jeff Glass as CEO, succeeding founder and longtime chief Ted Morgan. Skyhook started in 2003 and helped pioneer location-positioning technology for mobile phones using Wi-Fi signals, GPS, and cellular networks. Its software … Continue reading “New CEO Jeff Glass on Skyhook’s Future and Leaving Bain Capital Ventures”
Moderna, $40M in Tow, Hopes to Reinvent Biotech with “Make Your Own Drug”
Noubar Afeyan, Bob Langer, Tim Springer, and a host of other Boston biotech luminaries have been sitting on a big secret. Today we’re going to out them. Moderna Therapeutics, a stealthy startup in Cambridge, MA, is the subject of their considerable brainpower and experiments. The company is finally emerging from stealth, having raised $40 million … Continue reading “Moderna, $40M in Tow, Hopes to Reinvent Biotech with “Make Your Own Drug””
Massachusetts Water Mission to Israel Looks to “Win Inbound Innovation”
Consider, if you will, the future of water. Good old H2O gets a bum rap when it comes to hurricanes, floods, and tsunamis, but it sure comes in handy when you’re thirsty and trying to survive, irrigate crops, or flush a toilet. Over the past decade, an impending global water crisis has come to light. … Continue reading “Massachusetts Water Mission to Israel Looks to “Win Inbound Innovation””
LearnLaunch Looks to Spur Ed-Tech Startups in New England
The education tech scene is heating up in Boston. LearnLaunch, a new nonprofit focused on learning and education tech companies, is getting off the ground, led by co-founders Jean Hammond, Marissa Lowman, and Eileen Rudden. Its goal? To bring together a community of entrepreneurs, investors, teachers, educators, students, and buyers; and to offer classes, forums, … Continue reading “LearnLaunch Looks to Spur Ed-Tech Startups in New England”
Adelphic Adds $10M, Led by Google Ventures, to Merge Big Data & Mobile Ads
If the names m-Qube, Enpocket, Third Screen Media, Quattro Wireless, and Where mean anything to you, well, you are well-versed in the recent history of Boston mobile advertising companies. (All of the above were acquired in the past six years.) If Adelphic Mobile means anything to you, well, perhaps you know the future of the … Continue reading “Adelphic Adds $10M, Led by Google Ventures, to Merge Big Data & Mobile Ads”
SocMetrics Reveals “TrueLens” Marketing Tech and Google VC Round
It has been interesting to watch the world of social-media analytics evolve over the past few years. Roughly speaking, tech companies have moved from sentiment analysis—getting the gist of what people are saying online—to doing more sophisticated text and language processing, to pulling out insights from huge amounts of Web data to try to help … Continue reading “SocMetrics Reveals “TrueLens” Marketing Tech and Google VC Round”
Ginger.io Gets $6.5M, Led by Khosla, to “Open Up” Data-Driven Healthcare
Vinod Khosla has strong opinions on everything from education to energy storage. And he’ll speak his mind. On the topic of healthcare innovation, the bigwig entrepreneur and investor recently said that 80 percent of doctors could be replaced by machines. So perhaps it’s no surprise that Khosla Ventures has just backed MIT health-tech startup Ginger.io, … Continue reading “Ginger.io Gets $6.5M, Led by Khosla, to “Open Up” Data-Driven Healthcare”
Gemvara CEO Matt Lauzon Steps Down: Thoughts on Startup Legacy and Future
Mr. Lauzon, we hardly knew ye. To some in the entrepreneurial community, you are a startup god. To others, you are a young Boston tech CEO who tweets too much. To me, you are a great story—and ultimately, perhaps, a greater loss. Matt Lauzon, the founder and chief executive of Boston-based online jeweler Gemvara, is … Continue reading “Gemvara CEO Matt Lauzon Steps Down: Thoughts on Startup Legacy and Future”
PowerInbox Merges with ActivePath, Looks to Push Interactive E-mail
What happens in Boston doesn’t always stay in Boston. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg, who famously moved Facebook from Harvard to Silicon Valley in 2004. But Matt Thazhmon, who wouldn’t mind overthrowing Zuck as the king of social, is playing things a little differently. His Cambridge, MA-based social e-mail startup, PowerInbox, is merging with New York-based … Continue reading “PowerInbox Merges with ActivePath, Looks to Push Interactive E-mail”
Xconomist of the Week: Q&A with General Assembly’s Brad Hargreaves
I hate New York sports teams. But I don’t mind New York startup incubators. Especially when they have a growing presence in Boston and other cities. General Assembly is much more than that, of course. The company runs a network of startup schools dedicated to entrepreneurship and education, primarily in the fields of technology, business, … Continue reading “Xconomist of the Week: Q&A with General Assembly’s Brad Hargreaves”
Streetwise and BostInno Bought by American City Business Journals
Some big news in online journalism and local startups today. Streetwise Media, the Boston-based parent company of BostInno and InTheCapital, has been acquired by American City Business Journals, the publisher of weekly print business journals in 40 cities and 45 business-news websites. The deal price wasn’t announced. American City Business Journals, based in North Carolina, … Continue reading “Streetwise and BostInno Bought by American City Business Journals”
Hack/Reduce Gets Down to Big-Data Business with First Hackathon
In a very busy week for tech events, you should know that this one is BYOD. No, not “bring your own device.” Bring your own dataset. But don’t fret if you don’t have one; there’s also plenty of data available to work on. The inaugural big-data hackathon at Cambridge, MA-based hack/reduce is happening tomorrow, Nov. … Continue reading “Hack/Reduce Gets Down to Big-Data Business with First Hackathon”
Text Any Business: 5 Questions with TalkTo CEO Stuart Levinson
In case you’ve ever wondered why you can’t text stores and businesses the way you text your friends, well, you can. TalkTo, a Cambridge, MA-based startup, has been working on the problem for a couple of years now. And this week the company rolled out a Web app that works similarly to its mobile apps, … Continue reading “Text Any Business: 5 Questions with TalkTo CEO Stuart Levinson”
Inside Verizon’s Innovation Center: Home Health, Virtual Retail, & More
A wireless telecom giant with a strong local presence is working on some surprising projects. If they pan out, those projects—and the various products they’re spawning—could potentially change the balance of power in the tech ecosystem. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, employs 75,000 people and brought in $70 billion in revenue last year. … Continue reading “Inside Verizon’s Innovation Center: Home Health, Virtual Retail, & More”
Akamai Acquires Verivue in Content Delivery Consolidation
One down, many to go. Verivue, one of the Boston area’s biggest venture-backed technology bets, is being bought by Akamai (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKAM]]), a locally based Internet icon. Terms of the cash deal were not given, but it is expected to close by the end of the year. Verivue, based in Westford, MA, has been around … Continue reading “Akamai Acquires Verivue in Content Delivery Consolidation”
Big-Data Startup Hadapt Backed by $6.75M from Atlas
If you know Hadapt, Chris Lynch, and the world of big-data analytics, this is not a big surprise. Cambridge, MA-based Hadapt confirmed today that it has raised $6.75 million in additional funding from Atlas Venture. The deal was led by Lynch, a partner with Atlas who has been Hadapt’s chairman for six months or so. … Continue reading “Big-Data Startup Hadapt Backed by $6.75M from Atlas”
Tech Tidbits: Hadapt, Betaspring, Emo Labs, Shareaholic, Yottaa, & More
Here are a few items of note in the New England tech community, as we lament the start of winter weather: —Have you voted yet? I’m talking about Xconomy’s post-election innovation priorities poll (for President Obama and U.S. Congress). Make your voice heard as to whether our nation’s leaders should focus first on tax policy, … Continue reading “Tech Tidbits: Hadapt, Betaspring, Emo Labs, Shareaholic, Yottaa, & More”
Hack/Reduce to Open Thursday as Lynch Fires Back at Big Data “Knuckleheads”
If anyone likes a good fight, it’s Chris Lynch. The former CEO of Vertica Systems (now part of Hewlett-Packard) and current partner with Atlas Venture wears his emotions on his sleeve. And when it comes to big data, he’s dead serious. “I think this can be transformational for our community,” he says. “But we have … Continue reading “Hack/Reduce to Open Thursday as Lynch Fires Back at Big Data “Knuckleheads””
Acme Packet, the iPhone 5, and the End of Telecom
How much is the iPhone 5 affecting tech infrastructure businesses? Quite a bit, as it turns out. To see what the global impact of millions of new devices coming onto 4G LTE networks is, it’s useful to take a look at a company like Acme Packet. You know, just another Boston-area tech firm with a … Continue reading “Acme Packet, the iPhone 5, and the End of Telecom”
HubSpot Hits $100M Raised, Moves Closer to IPO (or Acquisition)
A well-known Boston tech startup has just joined the $100 million club. In total venture funding, that is. HubSpot, the Cambridge, MA-based Web marketing firm, has closed a $35 million growth round, with participation from new investors including Altimeter Capital, Cross Creek Capital, and a large undisclosed institutional investor, along with previous venture investors. HubSpot’s … Continue reading “HubSpot Hits $100M Raised, Moves Closer to IPO (or Acquisition)”
Zagster CEO Tim Ericson on Tapping Into the Sharing Economy
If you want to be the “Zipcar for bikes,” Boston is not a bad place to be—and Zagster isn’t a bad name. I first saw Zagster co-founder and CEO Tim Ericson speak at a TechStars Boston demo day in May. The Cambridge, MA-based bicycle-sharing startup has been around since late 2007 (fka CityRyde, based in … Continue reading “Zagster CEO Tim Ericson on Tapping Into the Sharing Economy”
Dayna Grayson Leaves North Bridge, Joins NEA as Partner in DC
[Updated 10:50 am. See below] There aren’t many prominent female VCs based in Boston. Now there are even fewer. Dayna Grayson, a former principal at North Bridge Venture Partners, has left the firm and joined New Enterprise Associates (NEA) as a partner. She will be based in the Washington, DC, area as part of NEA’s … Continue reading “Dayna Grayson Leaves North Bridge, Joins NEA as Partner in DC”
Privy Gets Global Experience at 500 Startups Accelerator
Plenty of Boston-area tech startups want to learn from West Coast mentors. Few actually go out there and do it. And most that do, don’t come back. Privy is an exception—for now. The Boston startup, which helps restaurants and local businesses manage online marketing and promotions, is taking part in the 500 Startups Accelerator in … Continue reading “Privy Gets Global Experience at 500 Startups Accelerator”
Nasuni Snags $20M More for “Storage as a Service”
Where else but the Boston area would you find a startup looking to disrupt traditional enterprise data-storage companies like IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, NetApp, and, yes, EMC? The company in question is making progress in a crowded field. Natick, MA-based Nasuni has raised a $20 million Series C financing round led by an undisclosed new investor … Continue reading “Nasuni Snags $20M More for “Storage as a Service””
Future of Big Data in Boston: The Photos
Not even Hurricane Sandy can wash away the fruits of the past week in Boston tech—quite a momentous week for events, by all accounts. One of the biggest was Xconomy’s “Future of Big Data” conference, held on Wednesday at the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology in Boston. A huge thanks to all of our speakers; … Continue reading “Future of Big Data in Boston: The Photos”
Buzzword Bashing & Database Narcs: The Future of Big Data in Boston
First of all, let’s get our terminology straight. Depending on whom you ask, “big data” is either: A. Bullshit (Brad Feld) B. No substitute for judgment (David Friend) C. The marriage of corporate data with external data (Chris Lynch) D. Data that’s growing faster than Moore’s law (Richard Dale) After this week, my answer would … Continue reading “Buzzword Bashing & Database Narcs: The Future of Big Data in Boston”
Tech Tidbits from Aaron Levie to Zmags: Crashlytics, Flashnotes, iRobot, & More
[Updated, 3:20 pm] Catching up on a bunch of news in the Boston tech scene during a frantic week of events (e.g., our Big Data conference yesterday; stay tuned for more on that). Here are some noteworthy items from around town, mostly about startups: —Cambridge, MA-based Crashlytics says Aaron Levie, the co-founder and CEO of … Continue reading “Tech Tidbits from Aaron Levie to Zmags: Crashlytics, Flashnotes, iRobot, & More”
As Zynga Boston Closes, Gaming Community Speaks Volumes
Social-gaming giant Zynga has laid off over 100 employees and has closed its Boston-area office, according to a report in TechCrunch and numerous tweets around town. The company is also laying off staff in Austin, TX, and possibly Chicago, according to an update. Zynga Boston was formed in the summer of 2010 when San Francisco-based … Continue reading “As Zynga Boston Closes, Gaming Community Speaks Volumes”
NuoDB, ParElastic Racing to Build Database Systems of the Future
It ain’t exactly Microsoft vs. Oracle circa 2000, but the Boston area has its own little database war going on. I’m talking about NuoDB vs. ParElastic. What, you haven’t heard of either one? Well, that’s because they’re working on the world’s next big database system. And you probably haven’t heard of that either, because it … Continue reading “NuoDB, ParElastic Racing to Build Database Systems of the Future”
5 Startups to Watch: RunKeeper, Paydiant, PeerTransfer, & More
If you’re looking to get your head into the Boston tech scene, this is a pretty good week to start. Today we’re watching a number of startups making noise and helping put Boston-area entrepreneurs, expertise, and issues on the map—these are local stories with global impact. The news cuts across mobile apps, advertising, payments, and … Continue reading “5 Startups to Watch: RunKeeper, Paydiant, PeerTransfer, & More”
Quant5 Rolls Out Marketing Analytics Software for Big Data Wannabes
The problem for Doug Levin is the noise. The noise is around “big data,” the increasingly nebulous field of technology that involves businesses managing huge amounts of information and trying to glean insights from things like customer transactions, browsing habits, and behavioral trends. For all of the companies calling themselves big data, Levin asks, are … Continue reading “Quant5 Rolls Out Marketing Analytics Software for Big Data Wannabes”
Onswipe’s Jason Baptiste on Ramping Up & Reinventing Tech for Touchscreens
[Corrected, Oct. 19. See below] Talking to Jason Baptiste always reminds me of why tech entrepreneurs are in the game. And, perhaps more importantly, how they go about playing that game. Baptiste is the co-founder and CEO of Onswipe, the New York startup that’s trying to reinvent digital content on touchscreen devices for media publishers … Continue reading “Onswipe’s Jason Baptiste on Ramping Up & Reinventing Tech for Touchscreens”
Carbonite Buys Backup Firm Zmanda as Big Data Spending Skyrockets
Boston-based Carbonite (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CARB]]), the online data backup company, says it is acquiring Zmanda, a Sunnyvale, CA-based open source and cloud backup company. The price tag is about $14.75 million, with some adjustments. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. “Zmanda is a great strategic fit for Carbonite,” says … Continue reading “Carbonite Buys Backup Firm Zmanda as Big Data Spending Skyrockets”
ScaleBase Adds $10.5M and New CEO in Database Wars
Another day, another database company on my radar. This one’s a little different, though. ScaleBase, a Newton, MA, startup that is trying to enhance the capabilities of existing databases, has raised a $10.5 million Series B funding round led by Bain Capital Ventures and Ascent Venture Partners. Previous investor Cedar Fund also participated in the … Continue reading “ScaleBase Adds $10.5M and New CEO in Database Wars”
A123 Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Off Auto Business
[Updated 4:20pm ET. See below] It’s a dark day for A123 Systems and U.S. cleantech. The struggling Waltham, MA, lithium-ion battery maker (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AONE]]) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is selling its automotive business to industrial tech company Johnson Controls (NYSE: [[ticker:JCI]]) for $125 million. That means A123’s plants in Livonia and Romulus, MI, … Continue reading “A123 Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Off Auto Business”
ByteLight Flips Switch, Raises Cash for Indoor Positioning Using LEDs
File this one under “game-changing, if it works.” And if it gets widely adopted. ByteLight, a stealthy startup in Cambridge, MA, has raised $1.25 million in seed funding led by VantagePoint Capital Partners to pursue its vision of an indoor positioning system based on LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Here’s the basic premise. Your GPS-enabled phone knows … Continue reading “ByteLight Flips Switch, Raises Cash for Indoor Positioning Using LEDs”
Amid Layoff Rumors, PayPal’s Mok Oh Out as Chief Scientist
[Updated 5:55pm ET] Since late last week, we’ve been hearing about impending layoffs at PayPal, the payments division of San Jose, CA-based eBay (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EBAY]]). But one high-level executive is already out—and he has strong ties to both the Bay Area and Boston. Mok Oh has left his post as chief scientist of PayPal as … Continue reading “Amid Layoff Rumors, PayPal’s Mok Oh Out as Chief Scientist”
GrabCAD Grabs $8M from Charles River Ventures, Yammer’s David Sacks
GrabCAD is looking more and more like the quintessential Boston tech company—and maybe, just maybe, a big part of the future of the whole tech ecosystem. First of all, the company has CAD (computer aided design) in its name; Boston, of course, is the cradle of CAD, with SolidWorks/Dassault, PTC, an Autodesk presence, and many … Continue reading “GrabCAD Grabs $8M from Charles River Ventures, Yammer’s David Sacks”
Boston Life Sciences 2032: The Photos
Four and a half years ago, we organized a special Xconomy biotech forum: an evening focused on what the Boston life sciences scene would look like 20 years down the road. Fast forward through a major recession, a new presidency, and further increases in healthcare costs, and the life sciences world looks much different already. So we … Continue reading “Boston Life Sciences 2032: The Photos”
Xconomist of the Week: Bill Warner’s Rules for Angel Investing
First, a word to the wise. These investment rules may work for Bill Warner, but they’re not for everyone. Because Warner is one of a kind. The renowned Boston-area techie founded Avid Technology (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AVID]]) in video production and Wildfire Communications in voice-based systems, back in the day. In recent years he has dedicated his … Continue reading “Xconomist of the Week: Bill Warner’s Rules for Angel Investing”
The Future of Big Data on Oct. 24: Here’s the Agenda
Two weeks to go. Then it’s Armageddon for Big Data. I’m talking about “The Future of Big Data,” Xconomy’s half-day conference on Oct. 24, at the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology in Boston. We are tackling the tough questions. We are pulling no punches. We are going to get to the bottom of what all … Continue reading “The Future of Big Data on Oct. 24: Here’s the Agenda”
Gazelle Leaps Past $35M in Revenue, Pushed by iPhone 5
Which local consumer-facing tech company is benefiting the most from the new iPhone release? It just might be Gazelle (fka Second Rotation). The six-year-old Boston startup, which has raised roughly $46 million in venture funding from Venrock, RockPort Capital Partners, and other investors, is starting to turn the corner on the “re-commerce” market—buying used smartphones … Continue reading “Gazelle Leaps Past $35M in Revenue, Pushed by iPhone 5”
Innovation’s New Wave: MassChallenge, Shark Tank, and HackReduce
October is when you can really feel the next wave of innovators emerging in Boston. Especially with all the structures now in place for early stage entrepreneurs. Consider: —MassChallenge, the accelerator program and startup competition now in its third year, announced its final 26 companies that are vying for $50K and $100K prizes. These are … Continue reading “Innovation’s New Wave: MassChallenge, Shark Tank, and HackReduce”
Veracode Buys Marvin Mobile Security, Moves Into App Intelligence
BYOD is starting to become a big business driver. I’m talking about “Bring Your Own Device,” the corporate practice of letting employees use their personal smartphones, tablets, and other computers for work purposes. As you can imagine, this is a major challenge for IT departments, which need to make sure the software and business data … Continue reading “Veracode Buys Marvin Mobile Security, Moves Into App Intelligence”
Bigger, Stronger, Faster: 5 Questions with Dyn CEO Jeremy Hitchcock
It’s a familiar scenario. Tech company toils away for 10 years, rides the ups and downs of its market, quietly bootstraps its way to profitability, lands some huge customers, and becomes an overnight success story. I’m talking about Dyn, the Manchester, NH-based Internet infrastructure company that just raised a $38 million first round of financing … Continue reading “Bigger, Stronger, Faster: 5 Questions with Dyn CEO Jeremy Hitchcock”
Bye Bye, Bootstrap: Dyn Digs Up $38M from North Bridge
If you’re bootstrapped and growing fast, there’s only so long you can fend off VCs with a stick. Dyn, the Web infrastructure company in Manchester, NH, said today it has raised a $38 million first round of venture financing from North Bridge Venture Partners. Ric Fulop and Russ Pyle from North Bridge are joining Dyn’s … Continue reading “Bye Bye, Bootstrap: Dyn Digs Up $38M from North Bridge”
World Energy CEO Talks Growth and Profitability Amid Cleantech Downturn
It’s not every day I make it out to Worcester. Especially not the nicest office space in Worcester. Well, at least I haven’t seen a better one. I made the trek out there to visit World Energy Solutions (NASDAQ: [[ticker:XWES]]), an energy management company that occupies the 20th floor of 100 Front Street in downtown, … Continue reading “World Energy CEO Talks Growth and Profitability Amid Cleantech Downturn”