Last month sure seemed like a busy one for Seattle-area startup financings, especially for summer. But the hard data paints a much more modest picture. Venture capitalists invested $25 million into four companies headquartered in Washington state last month, according to data provided to Xconomy by ChubbyBrain, a New York-based information services company that develops … Continue reading “Investment in Washington Startups Totaled $25M (or $51.4M, Depending on How You Count) in August”
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.
Smilebox Buys Preclick
Redmond, WA-based Smilebox, a photo services startup, said today it has acquired Preclick, a New Jersey maker (with Seattle developers) of photo organizing and printing software for retailers like WalMart, Costco, and Walgreens. Financial terms were not disclosed. Smilebox was founded in 2005 and launched its service, which lets people create electronic greeting cards, photo … Continue reading “Smilebox Buys Preclick”
Valu Valu Revamps Site for Businesses That Want to Monitor Prices
Seattle-area e-commerce startup Valu Valu has made a strategic shift in the past few months. Instead of continuing to pitch its service primarily to bargain-hunting consumers and resellers, Valu Valu relaunched two weeks ago as an online price monitoring site geared toward businesses. The idea is to give Internet retailers and small businesses an efficient … Continue reading “Valu Valu Revamps Site for Businesses That Want to Monitor Prices”
Marketfish Rolls Out New Web Platform, Resembles aQuantive, Says Clark Kokich
Last month, we broke the story of Marketfish, the Seattle-based online marketing startup that has raised an undisclosed sum of money from prominent local investors, including the Alliance of Angels. Today, Marketfish launched a beta version of its new online platform, which helps marketing agencies and businesses find and rent direct mail and e-mail lists … Continue reading “Marketfish Rolls Out New Web Platform, Resembles aQuantive, Says Clark Kokich”
Cray Inks $40M Korean Contract
Seattle-based Cray, the supercomputing company, announced today it has signed a multi-year contract with the Korea Meteorological Administration worth more than $40 million. Cray (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRAY]]) will deliver a next-generation supercomputer (capable of more than 600 trillion calculations per second), as well as service and support, to the Seoul-based weather forecasting and climate research organization. … Continue reading “Cray Inks $40M Korean Contract”
TriQuint Acquires TriAccess, Dashwire Gets Cash, VoiceBox Talks Funding, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was another quiet week for deals in the Northwest, as the holiday weekend brought summer to its unofficial close. We saw a little activity in software, mobile, and semiconductors, and heard from an old Seattle-area dealmaker (see below). —Kai-Fu Lee, the former Microsoft vice president and founding director of Microsoft Research Asia, has quit … Continue reading “TriQuint Acquires TriAccess, Dashwire Gets Cash, VoiceBox Talks Funding, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
A Slice of the Seattle Blogosphere: OVP, IPOs, and Small Businesses
Heading into the holiday weekend, I wanted to highlight a few interesting recent blog posts from around town. They cut across the topics of venture capital, IPOs, and small business owners. —OVP Venture Partners, based in Kirkland, WA, has a new blog as of this summer. In a recent post, managing director Gerry Langeler talks … Continue reading “A Slice of the Seattle Blogosphere: OVP, IPOs, and Small Businesses”
AltaRock Suspends DOE-Backed Project
AltaRock Energy, a geothermal startup based in Sausalito, CA, and Seattle, announced earlier this week it has suspended drilling of a deep well in Northern California because of “geologic anomalies.” The well is part of a Department of Energy-funded demonstration project for AltaRock’s engineered geothermal system, which would create reservoirs of hot, subterranean water artificially. … Continue reading “AltaRock Suspends DOE-Backed Project”
Gaming Away the Holiday: The Top 10 Sessions at PAX
The Labor Day holiday weekend is finally upon us. If you’re a video gamer or a game developer, this means only one thing: Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is happening in Seattle. PAX has become the biggest trade show in North America for computer and video games. It draws tens of thousands of people for a … Continue reading “Gaming Away the Holiday: The Top 10 Sessions at PAX”
TriQuint Buys TriAccess
Hillsboro, OR-based TriQuint Semiconductor (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TQNT]]) announced today it has acquired TriAccess Technologies, based in Santa Rosa, CA. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. TriAccess makes integrated-circuit amplifiers for audio, video, and HDTV applications. TriQuint Semiconductor, founded in 1985, makes wireless communication technologies for mobile manufacturers, cellular base stations, and defense and aerospace contractors.
Forget Typing: VoiceBox Technologies Raises Cash to Search for Info by Voice Alone
[Updated 9/3/09, 3:00 pm. See below.] Bellevue, WA-based VoiceBox Technologies, a developer of speech recognition systems for use in cars and mobile applications, has raised about $13 million from corporate investors in Asia over the past year. The investors include AutoNavi, Inventec, MiTAC, and the Morningside investment fund. [An earlier version of this story cited … Continue reading “Forget Typing: VoiceBox Technologies Raises Cash to Search for Info by Voice Alone”
Intel Capital’s Jeff Schrock on Trends in Video, Connected Consumers, and E-Commerce
What’s it like in the world of corporate venture capital these days? For Jeff Schrock, it’s pretty stable and good. Probably more stable than at many boutique venture firms, which are under increased pressure to raise funds and get quick returns. Schrock is a Seattle-based tech investor with Intel Capital. In a previous life, he … Continue reading “Intel Capital’s Jeff Schrock on Trends in Video, Connected Consumers, and E-Commerce”
Calling All Startups: nPost Rolls Out Metrics Program to Analyze Tech Industry Trends
Wondering how your startup stacks up with others in your sector? Or how consumer Internet companies, say, compare with mobile startups? Seattle-based nPost, a media and resource site for tech entrepreneurs, is preparing to launch a quarterly report on startups—that are based not just in Seattle, but everywhere—to help answer such questions. The program, called … Continue reading “Calling All Startups: nPost Rolls Out Metrics Program to Analyze Tech Industry Trends”
Dashwire Raises $1.1M More
Seattle-based Dashwire, which makes mobile-Web synchronization software, has raised about $1.1 million in new equity funding, according to founder and CEO Ford Davidson, who confirmed information from an SEC filing. Bellevue-based Trilogy Equity Partners is a new investor, with co-founder and partner Mikal Thomsen listed as a director. Back in May, Dashwire raised $1.6 million … Continue reading “Dashwire Raises $1.1M More”
Led by Ex-Microsofties, Raveable Makes Sense of User Reviews, Gives Hotel Ratings at a Glance
Raveable is a year-old Seattle-area startup that launched its hotel review summarization website in May. If there were a Raveable entry for Raveable itself, here’s what it might say: Ranked 116 out of 340 tech startup websites in Seattle. The good: Team is ambitious and knowledgeable; large market; useful technology; fun interface; customer focused; strong … Continue reading “Led by Ex-Microsofties, Raveable Makes Sense of User Reviews, Gives Hotel Ratings at a Glance”
Clearwire Does WiMax in Bellingham, Boise
Kirkland, WA-based Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) announced today it has rolled out its WiMax wireless broadband service in 10 new cities, including Bellingham, WA, and Boise, ID. Also on the list are eight cities in Texas, including Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Waco. The new markets join Las Vegas, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Portland, OR as WiMax … Continue reading “Clearwire Does WiMax in Bellingham, Boise”
Omeros Gets Ready for IPO, Cray Buys SiCortex Assets, ClearEdge Raises Cash, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a fairly quiet week for deals in the Northwest, with just a trickle of activity in software, computing, cleantech, and life sciences. But there was a hint that the IPO window may be about to open. —Seattle-based Cray (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRAY]]), the supercomputing company, acquired some assets from SiCortex, a Maynard, MA-based computing firm … Continue reading “Omeros Gets Ready for IPO, Cray Buys SiCortex Assets, ClearEdge Raises Cash, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Redfin Rolls Out iPhone App
Seattle-based Redfin announced today its iPhone app has been approved by Apple and is now available for download. The software lets you search for real estate information, driven by Google Maps. It also lets you take photos and notes if you’re on a house tour, and automatically uploads the data to your Redfin.com account to … Continue reading “Redfin Rolls Out iPhone App”
Cray Acquires SiCortex Assets
Seattle-based Cray (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRAY]]), the supercomputing company, announced late last week it has acquired the PathScale Compiler Suite assets from Maynard, MA-based SiCortex. Financial details were not released. SiCortex shut down in May. The purchase could help Cray improve its own compiler technology, as well as give PathScale customers a way to move forward on … Continue reading “Cray Acquires SiCortex Assets”
Startup Weekend’s Award Winners: Search Kick and Learn That Name
[Updated 8/31/09 11:15 am. See below.] Startup Weekend brought together about 180 people from 15 teams to compete for 54 hours at Microsoft’s Redmond campus, and in the end, two official winners emerged last night. A mobile software application called Learn That Name, for the iPhone and Palm Pre, won the audience favorite vote, while … Continue reading “Startup Weekend’s Award Winners: Search Kick and Learn That Name”
ClearEdge Power Raises $15M
Hillsboro, OR-based ClearEdge Power, a developer of fuel cell systems for homes, has raised $15 million in equity funding, according to PE Hub, Northwest Innovation, and others, which cite a regulatory filing. Investors in the current round were not disclosed, but ClearEdge was previously backed by the Kohlberg family, Big Basin Partners, and Applied Ventures.
Google Is Hiring Again, Makes Bid to Be More Transparent to Seattle-Area Engineers
Last night, Google hosted a series of technology talks at its Fremont office in Seattle. The goal was to give the tech community a look at the core technologies and problems Google is working on in the Northwest—the first time Google Seattle has spoken publicly in detail about a number of projects it’s pursuing. Between … Continue reading “Google Is Hiring Again, Makes Bid to Be More Transparent to Seattle-Area Engineers”
Myhrvold, Mundie, Simonyi to Speak at UW
The University of Washington’s department of computer science and engineering announced its Distinguished Lecturer Series for the fall. Highlights will include talks by spaceman Charles Simonyi of Intentional Software (Oct. 1), cooking science experts Nathan Myhrvold and Chris Young of Intellectual Ventures (Oct. 6), wireless wizard Irwin Jacobs of Qualcomm (Oct. 15), software strategist Craig … Continue reading “Myhrvold, Mundie, Simonyi to Speak at UW”
Pivotal Makes First Investment in Solar, Bets Small and Strategic on Northwest Cleantech
On Tuesday, we reported that Pivotal Investments has led a $2 million financing round for Tuusso Energy, a solar power developer based in Seattle. Tuusso is an intriguing startup focused on developing and operating solar plants to supply renewable energy to utility companies; its first plant is slated to be built in the California desert … Continue reading “Pivotal Makes First Investment in Solar, Bets Small and Strategic on Northwest Cleantech”
Amazon Rolls Out Private Clouds
Amazon Web Services announced it has launched Amazon Virtual Private Cloud, a Web service that helps big companies extend their IT infrastructure into the Internet cloud while addressing isolation and security concerns. Companies can use existing firewalls and security to create an isolated network, and then access the Amazon cloud within that network.
Marketfish Raises Cash from Alliance of Angels, Looks to Elbow List Brokers Out of Lead-Gen Space
[Updated Aug 27, 11pm PT, with clarification about the list marketing and lead-gen process (see below)] A stealthy Seattle startup in online marketing is starting to generate some buzz around town. Marketfish, which recently moved into new offices in Pioneer Square, has raised an undisclosed sum from private investors, led by Seattle-based Alliance of Angels … Continue reading “Marketfish Raises Cash from Alliance of Angels, Looks to Elbow List Brokers Out of Lead-Gen Space”
How a Nanotech Startup Could Change Your Life: The Modumetal Story
“What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?” “No, Neo. I’m trying to tell you that when you’re ready, you won’t have to.” It’s one of the many memorable exchanges from “The Matrix.” But next time, Keanu Reeves should just talk to Christina Lomasney about getting some Modumetal armor—so he truly … Continue reading “How a Nanotech Startup Could Change Your Life: The Modumetal Story”
Zooppa, Fisher Host Video Contest
Seattle-based Zooppa and Fisher Communications (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FSCI]]) announced today they have teamed up to host a user-generated video competition for Seattle-area neighborhoods. Community members will submit short videos to Zooppa.com, a user-generated advertising site, and Zooppa will post the videos on KOMO’s new network of 43 neighborhood websites.
Jeff Bezos Invests in Robots, MySpace Confirms iLike Purchase, Cell Therapeutics Sells Stock, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a bit of a quiet week for Northwest deals, with some local venture dollars going to other parts of the country. Nevertheless, there was activity in gaming, music, robotics, biotech, and cleantech. —Seattle-based Tuusso Energy completed a $2 million financing round led by Pivotal Investments, based in Portland, OR. The deal was made … Continue reading “Jeff Bezos Invests in Robots, MySpace Confirms iLike Purchase, Cell Therapeutics Sells Stock, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Tuusso Energy Raises $2M Led by Pivotal
Seattle-based Tuusso Energy, a developer of solar power plants, announced today it has completed a $2 million financing round led by Pivotal Investments, based in Portland, OR. The investment was made in partnership with Akula Energy Ventures, which will be co-investing in Tuusso’s utility-scale projects. The company’s first project is a solar plant, slated for … Continue reading “Tuusso Energy Raises $2M Led by Pivotal”
Smith & Tinker Raises Total of $29M, Looks to Merge Online Games with Collectible Toys
In one of the Seattle area’s biggest tech financings this year, Bellevue, WA-based Smith & Tinker has raised a total of $29 million in venture funding to deliver and market a hybrid game for kids that bridges the online and offline worlds. The latest funding round was led by new investor DCM, based in Silicon … Continue reading “Smith & Tinker Raises Total of $29M, Looks to Merge Online Games with Collectible Toys”
Three CEOs, Three More Words on Seattle Startup Cultures
On Friday, I wrote about the corporate culture of six Northwest tech startups, boiled down to one word each. From “paranoid” to “easy,” from “humble” to “obsessed,” these companies—which spanned business software, mobile, gaming, and other areas—clearly follow the lead of their CEOs and founders. Here are three more, from the tech worlds of Internet, … Continue reading “Three CEOs, Three More Words on Seattle Startup Cultures”
ProFibrix Closes $11M Series B
Netherlands-based ProFibrix, which has a Seattle subsidiary, announced today it has raised $11 million in Series B funding, led by new investor Gilde Healthcare Partners and including existing investor Index Ventures. ProFibrix was founded in 2004 and makes a dry powder topical tissue sealant that stops bleeding during or after surgery. The product, called Fibrocaps, … Continue reading “ProFibrix Closes $11M Series B”
Six Startup CEOs On Their Company Culture, Boiled Down to One Word
You can tell a lot about a company from its chief executive. They set the tone, the direction, the pace of operations. For a startup, it all starts with the CEO. A startup’s culture is what sets it apart from its peers. It is the essence of the operation. It directly affects the company’s strategy, … Continue reading “Six Startup CEOs On Their Company Culture, Boiled Down to One Word”
Five Unsung Heroes of the Seattle Tech Scene
The Seattle area is known for its technology giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and RealNetworks. It’s also known for its popular tech startups like Zillow, Wetpaint, Pet Holdings (I Can Has Cheezburger), iLike, and Big Fish Games. But there are dozens of other sizable tech companies operating behind the scenes, quietly executing on their vision … Continue reading “Five Unsung Heroes of the Seattle Tech Scene”
Brett Allsop, Co-Founder of Yapta, Dies at 38
Xconomy is saddened to note that Brett Allsop, the chairman and co-founder of Seattle-based Yapta, died last night in a car accident in Bellingham, WA. Allsop was 38. The news was reported by the Bellingham Herald. Allsop co-founded Yapta, an online travel site that tracks airfares and hotel prices, in 2006. The startup raised $2 … Continue reading “Brett Allsop, Co-Founder of Yapta, Dies at 38”
iLike Courts MySpace, Microsoft and Nokia Tie the Knot, Madrona Funds Three Startups, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a crazy busy week for deals in the Northwest. Just when we thought the flow might slow down before the end of summer, we saw tons of activity in software, Internet, mobile, gaming, and materials. —Bellevue, WA-based Apptio, the IT cost management startup led by CEO Sunny Gupta, raised $14 million in Series … Continue reading “iLike Courts MySpace, Microsoft and Nokia Tie the Knot, Madrona Funds Three Startups, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
The Qpass Mafia, Part Two: An Updated Family Tree of Digital Commerce Execs
I’ve gotten quite a few responses and additions to yesterday’s list of “Qpass mafia,” an influential group of former Qpass employees from the Seattle area. So far, nobody has sent me a Sicilian message (like a dead fish through my window), so I must be on the right track. But feel free to comment on … Continue reading “The Qpass Mafia, Part Two: An Updated Family Tree of Digital Commerce Execs”
Impinj Teams Up with Coca-Cola
Seattle-based Impinj, the radio frequency identification (RFID) company, said today it has formed a partnership with Coca-Cola to provide RFID tags and readers for Coke’s new Freestyle drink dispensers. This contraption will give customers a choice of more than 100 flavors of sodas and other drinks, and will track and monitor dispenser operations, as well … Continue reading “Impinj Teams Up with Coca-Cola”
Jambool Raises $5M Led by Madrona
Jambool, a micropayments and virtual currency startup founded in Seattle with offices in San Francisco, announced it has raised $5 million in venture funding led by Madrona Venture Group. The startup, led by Amazon veterans Vikas Gupta and Reza Hussein, raised $1 million last year from investors including Bay Partners, who also participated in the … Continue reading “Jambool Raises $5M Led by Madrona”
Apptio Raises $14M to Expand, “Crush the Competition” in IT Financial Management
Want to know how to raise a big round of venture funding in a recession? If you’re in the software business, talk to Sunny Gupta. Gupta’s company, Bellevue, WA-based Apptio, is announcing a $14 million Series B financing round today. The round includes existing investors Madrona Venture Group and Greylock Partners, and also new investors … Continue reading “Apptio Raises $14M to Expand, “Crush the Competition” in IT Financial Management”
The Qpass Mafia: Digital Commerce Execs Wield Influence at Firms from Amazon to Zipwhip
Here’s an interesting “people” trend to start out the week. I always like hearing about Seattle-area tech companies that spawn huge amounts of entrepreneurial activity. Besides the obvious giants—Microsoft, Amazon, RealNetworks—there are a few notable smaller companies whose employees go on to influence an inordinate number of other firms. These connections don’t get covered in … Continue reading “The Qpass Mafia: Digital Commerce Execs Wield Influence at Firms from Amazon to Zipwhip”
Verizon Tests 4G Network in Seattle, Boston
Verizon Wireless announced today it has successfully tested its fourth-generation wireless network in Boston and Seattle, by making “data calls” involving streaming video, Web browsing, and file uploads and downloads from mobile devices. Verizon’s technology, called Long Term Evolution, is supposed to be much faster than existing 3G wireless networks, and competes with Clearwire’s WiMax … Continue reading “Verizon Tests 4G Network in Seattle, Boston”
Ramen or Roast Beef? Jeff Schrock and Geoff Nuval on DevHub’s Rise to Profitability
Investor Jeff Schrock calls Seattle-based EVO Media a “ramen profitable” startup. Co-founder and CEO Geoff Nuval calls it “roast beef sandwich” profitable. Two guys, two spellings of the same first name, two different food analogies. But the message is clear: these guys are hungry. Call it what you want, EVO Media is turning a profit … Continue reading “Ramen or Roast Beef? Jeff Schrock and Geoff Nuval on DevHub’s Rise to Profitability”
Former aQuantive CEO Brian McAndrews Joins Madrona Venture Group, Brings Ad Expertise
Brian McAndrews, the former CEO of digital marketing technology firm aQuantive (formerly Avenue A), is joining the world of venture capital with Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group. Madrona is announcing today that McAndrews has joined the firm as a managing director. McAndrews was chief executive of aQuantive for eight years, and he oversaw the company through … Continue reading “Former aQuantive CEO Brian McAndrews Joins Madrona Venture Group, Brings Ad Expertise”
Report: Z2Live Raises $3M from Madrona
Seattle-based Z2Live, a mobile social gaming startup, has raised $3 million in new funding from Madrona Venture Group, also based in Seattle, according to TechCrunch. Z2Live has developed a free, multiplayer platform for social and casual games on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The company was founded by David Bluhm and Damon Danieli, and previously … Continue reading “Report: Z2Live Raises $3M from Madrona”
Razorfish Deal Could Be Great for Microsoft, Says Online Strategy Expert Warren Gouk
One of the biggest tech deals of the year came over this past weekend—the $530 million acquisition of Seattle-based Razorfish by French marketing firm Publicis Groupe. Most people I’ve talked to seem to think the deal makes good sense for all parties. (Razorfish became an online advertising subsidiary of Microsoft in 2007 when Microsoft bought … Continue reading “Razorfish Deal Could Be Great for Microsoft, Says Online Strategy Expert Warren Gouk”
MIT Sloan Prof, Richard Locke, Talks Sustainability at Amazon, Intel, Nike
One of MIT’s leading business professors, Richard Locke, came to Seattle yesterday to talk about the “S” word. Yes, we’ve been hearing a lot about sustainability lately, in the context of technology and business. Big companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing are talking seriously about the issue. Smaller Seattle-area companies like Verdiem, Powerit Solutions, and … Continue reading “MIT Sloan Prof, Richard Locke, Talks Sustainability at Amazon, Intel, Nike”
Microsoft Sells Razorfish, EnerG2 Scores Stimulus Funds, Tekmira Teams Up with Alnylam, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
The big news of the week was Microsoft’s sale of Razorfish to Publicis (see directly below), but there were a few other important deals in software, biotech, and energy. —Microsoft’s online advertising subsidiary, Seattle-based Razorfish, was bought by French marketing firm Publicis for approximately $530 million, as Bob reported. The payment is expected to include … Continue reading “Microsoft Sells Razorfish, EnerG2 Scores Stimulus Funds, Tekmira Teams Up with Alnylam, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
The Shoeshine Oracles: Tech-Business Lessons from the Street
If you really want to keep your finger on the pulse of the Seattle business scene, go get your shoes shined. That’s the advice Todd Dean gave me recently. Dean is president of Keiretsu Forum Seattle/Northwest, the local chapter of the world’s largest angel investor community. He took me to see a couple of the … Continue reading “The Shoeshine Oracles: Tech-Business Lessons from the Street”