Redmond, WA-based Prometheus Energy has closed a $10 million financing from Netherlands-based Kenda Capital, which manages the Shell Technology Ventures Fund that’s part of the Dutch oil giant. A second tranche of financing, worth an additional $10 million, will be part of the deal if Prometheus meets certain milestones. Chief executive Kirt Montague co-founded Prometheus … Continue reading “Prometheus Energy, Maker of Liquid Natural Gas from Waste, Raises $10M from Shell Oil”
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.
Microsoft to Sell Razorfish, Report Says
The Financial Times reported that Microsoft [[NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) is selling off Razorfish, its online advertising subsidiary based in Seattle, which it acquired as part of its purchase of aQuantive in 2007. The report says Morgan Stanley has been appointed to find a buyer, and that French marketing firm Publicis is a possible bidder. Razorfish went … Continue reading “Microsoft to Sell Razorfish, Report Says”
Yapta Closes Series B, PhysioSonics Scores $2M More, Powerit Talks Strategy, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a slow week for deals in the Northwest, with just a trickle of activity in software, Internet, and medical devices. We’ll see if things pick up after the holiday weekend. —Bellevue, WA-based PhysioSonics raised $2 million in equity funding from undisclosed investors, as Luke reported. The maker of ultrasound technology for monitoring blood … Continue reading “Yapta Closes Series B, PhysioSonics Scores $2M More, Powerit Talks Strategy, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Clean Tech Open Picks 12 Semifinalists
The Pacific Northwest chapter of the Clean Tech Open, a nonprofit organization, announced 12 semifinalists in its business plan competition at an event at Puget Sound Energy in Bellevue, WA, last week. The companies will compete for regional prizes of up to $50,000, and a national prize of up to $250,000. The semifinalists are Clarian … Continue reading “Clean Tech Open Picks 12 Semifinalists”
$2M More for Yapta from Voyager, Others
Seattle-based Yapta, an online travel site that tracks airfare and hotel prices, announced it has closed a $2 million Series B funding round led by Voyager Capital. The round also included Northwest investors Swiftsure Capital and W Media Ventures, and San Francisco-area firms Bay Partners and First Round Capital. Yapta was founded in 2006 and … Continue reading “$2M More for Yapta from Voyager, Others”
RealNetworks Rolls Out Novel Media Player, Moves Deeper into Mobile and Social Space
Seattle-based RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) announced today the first new version of its RealPlayer media software since May 2007. This beta version of RealPlayer SP lets you download video in any format and quickly put it on your mobile phone or portable media player—whether you have an iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry Storm, Palm Pre, or any of … Continue reading “RealNetworks Rolls Out Novel Media Player, Moves Deeper into Mobile and Social Space”
Amazon Buys SnapTell, Madrona Backs Animoto, MDRNA Works Out Tech License, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It has been a fairly busy start to the summer in the Northwest. In the past week, we’ve seen a number of deals in software, Internet, displays, biotech, and energy. —Portland, OR-based Reductive Labs raised a $2 million Series A round led by True Ventures in Palo Alto, CA. Reductive, whose founders are in Salt … Continue reading “Amazon Buys SnapTell, Madrona Backs Animoto, MDRNA Works Out Tech License, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Reductive Labs, Moving to Portland, Raises $2M for Open Source IT Automation
Portland, OR, is gaining an interesting new software company—and this one comes with its own venture funding. Reductive Labs, an open-source startup that helps companies automate their IT management, announced today it has raised $2 million in Series A financing led by True Ventures in Palo Alto, CA. True Ventures put in $1.75 million, and … Continue reading “Reductive Labs, Moving to Portland, Raises $2M for Open Source IT Automation”
Xiant, a New Paul Allen Startup, Rolls Out E-Mail Organizer Tool
Paul Allen has still got it. The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist announced today the launch of a new Seattle company, Xiant, and the public beta version of its software tools for organizing your e-mail inbox. Xiant (pronounced “Zi-ant,” which rhymes with “giant”) is being run in-house at Vulcan Technologies, the company that handles all of … Continue reading “Xiant, a New Paul Allen Startup, Rolls Out E-Mail Organizer Tool”
AdReady Powers Yahoo Display Ads
Seattle-based AdReady has teamed up with Yahoo (NASDAQ: [[ticker:YHOO]]) to deliver self-serve display advertising for the Sunnyvale, CA-based Internet giant. Financial terms of the partnership were not announced. The pilot program is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses reach their audiences on Yahoo (and its partner sites), which has 165 million users in the … Continue reading “AdReady Powers Yahoo Display Ads”
Microvision Gets $15M Investment
Redmond, WA-based Microvision (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MVIS]]), a display technology company, announced today it has received a $15 million investment from Taipei-based Walsin Lihwa, a wire and cable manufacturer. The deal comes in the form of a sale of common stock to Walsin Lihwa’s subsidiary, Max Display Enterprises Limited, as well as a warrant to purchase more … Continue reading “Microvision Gets $15M Investment”
$1M Angel Funding for LiquidPlanner
Bellevue, WA-based LiquidPlanner, a collaborative software and project management startup, has raised $1 million from angel investors. The money includes the first investment from Seattle-based Alliance of Angels’ new seed fund it announced last month. The news was first reported by TechFlash, and was confirmed by Greg Huey from Alliance of Angels and investor Geoff … Continue reading “$1M Angel Funding for LiquidPlanner”
Innovation Insights, and How Microsoft Enabled the Internet, From Technologist Dan Rosen
Ask Dan Rosen to define innovation, and he’ll say it’s “a breakthrough in technology that leads to a business breakthrough.” It’s a concept that Rosen is well acquainted with, having been a founding partner of Seattle-based Frazier Technology Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm, and the CEO and president of his own investment and advisory … Continue reading “Innovation Insights, and How Microsoft Enabled the Internet, From Technologist Dan Rosen”
Todd Dean of Keiretsu Forum on Northwest Angel Investing Strategy
The Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest angel community, with 750-plus accredited members across 18 chapters from Barcelona to Bellevue. Since 2000, its members have invested more than $180 million in 200 companies spanning technology, healthcare, consumer products, real estate, and other sectors. So it’s high time I caught up with Todd Dean, the president … Continue reading “Todd Dean of Keiretsu Forum on Northwest Angel Investing Strategy”
Madrona, Amazon Bet $4.4M on Animoto, a Startup With Roots at Bellevue High School
Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group has led a $4.4 million funding round for Animoto, a Web software startup based in New York that lets people automatically create professional-quality videos and slideshows from photos and music. Other investors in the round include Seattle-based Amazon, Palo Alto, CA-based SoftTech VC (run by Jeff Clavier), and Bruce Livingstone, the … Continue reading “Madrona, Amazon Bet $4.4M on Animoto, a Startup With Roots at Bellevue High School”
Optimum Energy Raises $4.5M, Eyes Expansion in Cleantech-IT for Commercial Buildings
Seattle cleantech company Optimum Energy has secured a commitment of up to $4.5 million in new equity funding, led by Columbia Pacific Advisors. The company has previously raised capital from private groups, and said it does not anticipate future funding rounds. Optimum Energy’s technology is being used by more than 50 large customers, including the … Continue reading “Optimum Energy Raises $4.5M, Eyes Expansion in Cleantech-IT for Commercial Buildings”
Gates, Allen Beat Deadline for Battle of the Tech Bands—Did You?
Alas, the deadline has come and gone. Finis. At the stroke of midnight on Friday night, the doors officially closed on any new band submissions for Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands. The big event is happening on July 30, at the WTIA Annual Summer Celebration at the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle. You can beg, … Continue reading “Gates, Allen Beat Deadline for Battle of the Tech Bands—Did You?”
$136K for Washington Technology Center
Seattle-based Washington Technology Center announced today it has been awarded $136,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve thin-film silicon solar cells. The project, done in partnership with Oregon State University and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, involves using nanotech methods to trap more light in the solar cell so as to … Continue reading “$136K for Washington Technology Center”
Poker, Children’s Books, & Going to California—A Seattle Entrepreneur Roundup
A few random rumblings from around the tech community today: —Some notables from the Seattle startup scene are heading to Las Vegas next week to compete in the World Series of Poker. Dave Schappell of TeachStreet, Andy Liu of BuddyTV, Davis Bae of the Bae Law Group, and a few others will be bringing it … Continue reading “Poker, Children’s Books, & Going to California—A Seattle Entrepreneur Roundup”
Talyst, With $8M in New Funding, Sets Sights on Its Next Healthcare-IT Business
It might be too early to call Bellevue, WA-based Talyst a success, but its story certainly makes for a compelling case study. The company closed $8 million last month from existing investors OVP Venture Partners, Ignition Partners, and AIG Global Investment Group, but didn’t make an announcement. Why? Things have been too busy. “We raised … Continue reading “Talyst, With $8M in New Funding, Sets Sights on Its Next Healthcare-IT Business”
Rogue Sheep Wins Apple Award
Seattle-based Rogue Sheep, a software development and consulting firm, has won an Apple Design Award for its iPhone App, Postage. The news was announced this week at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference, and reported by the Seattle Times. Postage lets you create customized electronic postcards.
Friday Is the Deadline to Enter Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands
Two more days… That’s all that stands between us and the start of the ultra-competitive judging process to determine the finalists for Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands. In case you haven’t heard, the big event is taking place on July 30, at the Washington Technology Industry Association’s annual summer celebration in Seattle (event details … Continue reading “Friday Is the Deadline to Enter Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands”
A Fresh Take on Websites and Wiki-Based Discovery, from Ray King of AboutUs
I dropped in on AboutUs for a mid-year checkup while I was in Portland, OR, last week. The company announced a $2.5 million Series A funding round from Voyager Capital in January, and has been transitioning from startup mode to strategic execution of its plans to reinvent how people discover and share information on the … Continue reading “A Fresh Take on Websites and Wiki-Based Discovery, from Ray King of AboutUs”
Zillow, Pet Holdings, BuddyTV Top Startup List
Seattle 2.0’s monthly startup index is out for May 2009, and Seattle-based Zillow, Pet Holdings, and BuddyTV top the list in terms of traffic estimates to their websites. Notable gains were made in the top 100 startup websites by Gist, LoudLaunch, and Zooppa.
Microsoft Spins Out Irish Firm InishTech
Microsoft’s IP Ventures program announced today it has launched a new startup called InishTech, based in Dublin, Ireland. The company will handle Microsoft’s Software Licensing and Protection Services, an existing business since 2007. Microsoft is providing an undisclosed amount of startup funding, as well as support through its BizSpark program. Its IP Ventures program has … Continue reading “Microsoft Spins Out Irish Firm InishTech”
Prepared Response Raises $6.3M, Cell Therapeutics Loses Debt, RealNetworks Gets Into Netbooks, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
Deals in the Northwest have slowed down a bit in the past week. But there were some new partnerships formed, as well as a trickle of funding deals, in software, entertainment, cleantech, and biotech (the biggest deal came this morning). —Seattle-based NanoString Technologies raised $30 million in a third-round venture financing led by new investor … Continue reading “Prepared Response Raises $6.3M, Cell Therapeutics Loses Debt, RealNetworks Gets Into Netbooks, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Verdiem Releases Energy-Saving Software Stats from Seattle, Chicago, Honolulu
Seattle-based Verdiem has some encouraging news today from around the country—and its own backyard. The maker of energy-saving software for personal computers is announcing results from trials performed by the city governments of Seattle, Chicago, and Honolulu. These customers have been using Verdiem’s product over a period of months to a year, in an effort … Continue reading “Verdiem Releases Energy-Saving Software Stats from Seattle, Chicago, Honolulu”
Coinstar Partners with Game Companies
Bellevue, WA-based Coinstar announced today it has formed a partnership with gaming companies including WildTangent, Spare Change, Rixty, and Aeria Games, to sell prepaid online gaming cards at some 500 Cumberland Farms retail locations this summer, and at more retailers later in the year. Financial terms were not given. Coinstar’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CSTR]]) new digital entertainment … Continue reading “Coinstar Partners with Game Companies”
SplashCast Focuses on Social TV, Looks To Get Acquired
Portland, OR-based SplashCast has been making news in the past day or so, after a report surfaced in TechCrunch that it has discontinued its original product—user-generated content software—and is looking for a buyer after failing to raise a Series B funding round. Rick Turoczy, of the Portland-based blog Silicon Florist, pointed out that when it … Continue reading “SplashCast Focuses on Social TV, Looks To Get Acquired”
Cozi Founder Talks About Dell Deal, a Great Mentor, and Why He Had to Start a Company
I recently had a good chat with Robbie Cape, the founder and CEO of Seattle-based Cozi. We talked about some key issues in tech startups and entrepreneurship, as well as the deal his company just landed in April with computer giant Dell—one that is helping drive some much-needed business to his consumer-focused startup. The basic … Continue reading “Cozi Founder Talks About Dell Deal, a Great Mentor, and Why He Had to Start a Company”
Eric Rosenfeld of Capybara Ventures on the Portland Technology and Innovation Scene
Any venture firm named after a rodent, especially the world’s biggest rodent (100 pounds), is OK in my book. But I did have to ask co-founder Eric Rosenfeld where the name Capybara Ventures comes from. Rosenfeld explained that the capybara is a “majestic, noble, inspiring rodent.” It’s also a “category leader,” he added, and “spends … Continue reading “Eric Rosenfeld of Capybara Ventures on the Portland Technology and Innovation Scene”
Gates, Allen Gear Up for Xconomy Battle of the Tech Bands
Here at Xconomy, preparations are in full swing for our Battle of the Tech Bands, which is happening at the WTIA Summer Celebration on Thursday, July 30, at the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle. If you or anyone you know plays in a band with at least one member from a Northwest tech, life sciences, or … Continue reading “Gates, Allen Gear Up for Xconomy Battle of the Tech Bands”
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot: A Portland Startup Preview
I spent yesterday pounding the pavement in Portland, OR, enjoying a burst of warm sunshine and a weird, creative vibe. It offered a great contrast from the last time I tried to travel there for work meetings, back in January when I-5 was underwater and Amtrak wasn’t running. This visit was enough to make me … Continue reading “Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot: A Portland Startup Preview”
RealNetworks Partners with Netbook OS Vendors
Seattle-based RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) announced today it has signed licensing agreements to power entertainment and digital media applications on netbooks and mobile devices. The digital entertainment giant has formed partnerships with operating system vendors including Canonical, Xandros, Phoenix, and DeviceVM, so now it targets both Windows and Linux-based devices. The move is being viewed as … Continue reading “RealNetworks Partners with Netbook OS Vendors”
Facebook Funds Seattle Startups, 1000 Markets Gets Seed Financing, Modumetal Closes Equity Round, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
Heading into the summer months, deals in the Northwest show no signs of slowing down. Neither does Xconomy, which debuted the reporting of our Seattle intern, Eric Hal Schwartz, last Tuesday. In the past week, Eric, Luke, and I have had our hands full with deals in biotech, materials, software, and energy. —Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) … Continue reading “Facebook Funds Seattle Startups, 1000 Markets Gets Seed Financing, Modumetal Closes Equity Round, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Tableau Rolls Out BI Software
Seattle-based Tableau Software, a company focused on data visualization and business intelligence, announced today the general release of its new product, Tableau 5.0. Elissa Fink, Tableau’s vice president of marketing, said the software package has more than 60 new features that make it more interactive, so more customers can dive deeper into charts and pull … Continue reading “Tableau Rolls Out BI Software”
The Future of Search and the Intelligent Web, From Vulcan Capital’s Steve Hall
Search is hot again. Just when you thought Google had everything figured out, along comes Microsoft with its new search engine, Bing. This upstart effort may not supplant the search king, or even compete with it all that seriously, but it will certainly make things interesting for a while. Even more interesting, though, is the … Continue reading “The Future of Search and the Intelligent Web, From Vulcan Capital’s Steve Hall”
Modumetal Raises $1.5M-Plus from Alliance of Angels, Second Avenue, WRF Capital
Seattle-based Modumetal, an advanced materials startup, is closing a new round of equity funding worth between $1.5 million and $2 million, according to co-founder and CEO Christina Lomasney. The round includes existing Seattle-area investors Alliance of Angels and Second Avenue Partners, as well as new investor WRF Capital. Modumetal “grows” what are called nanolaminated structures … Continue reading “Modumetal Raises $1.5M-Plus from Alliance of Angels, Second Avenue, WRF Capital”
Three Questions on Startup Culture and Investing Strategy with Greg Huey of Alliance of Angels
We may have similar names, but we come from different worlds. Greg Huey, the new program director of Seattle-based Alliance of Angels, has a business background and more than 10 years of investment and corporate development experience. He bears little resemblance to a certain Xconomy Seattle editor, besides having an avid interest in the local … Continue reading “Three Questions on Startup Culture and Investing Strategy with Greg Huey of Alliance of Angels”
AdReady, Swype, TeachStreet Win WTIA Awards
Seattle-area software startups AdReady, Swype, and TeachStreet won “best in show” at the Washington Technology Industry Association’s Fast Pitch Forum and Tech Showcase yesterday. The winners, selected from 23 presenting companies, were voted on by the audience. The prizes include tickets to Safeco Field.
Top 5 Takeaways on Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Tim Draper of DFJ
On a gloriously sunny Seattle afternoon, venture capitalist Tim Draper stopped by to impart some words of wisdom. The founder and managing director of Silicon Valley-based Draper Fisher Jurvetson gave the keynote today at the Washington Technology Industry Association’s Fast Pitch Forum & Technology Showcase down at the Bell Harbor conference center. He was hosted … Continue reading “Top 5 Takeaways on Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Tim Draper of DFJ”
$500K for 1000 Markets
Seattle-based 1000 Markets, an online community of marketplaces for niche products and artisan crafts, has raised $503,739 in new funding, according to a regulatory filing. The investors were not disclosed. 1000 Markets competes with Etsy and eBay, and plays in a similar e-commerce space as Kirkland, WA-based Bonanzle (profiled here last month).
TeachStreet Takes In $1.2M
Seattle-based TeachStreet, a software startup that helps students find local teachers and helps teachers manage their businesses, announced today it has raised $1.2 million in new funding from existing investors. TeachStreet also announced it has expanded to Chicago (its sixth U.S. metro area) and will be expanding to Philadelphia in the coming weeks. TeachStreet was … Continue reading “TeachStreet Takes In $1.2M”
OVP Re-ups with Tigo Energy
Kirkland, WA-based OVP Venture Partners has participated in a $10 million second round of financing for Los Gatos, CA-based Tigo Energy, a solar-power efficiency company. Israel Cleantech Ventures (ICV) led the round, and was joined by existing investors OVP, Matrix Partners, and Clal Energy. Founded in 2007, Tigo previously raised $6 million in first-round funding … Continue reading “OVP Re-ups with Tigo Energy”
Sen. Maria Cantwell and Nathan Myhrvold Talk Statewide Innovation at Intellectual Ventures Lab Ceremony
It’s not every day you get to watch a U.S. senator swallow a swirling ball of liquid nitrogen-cooled foam (yuzu-flavored, no less). Talk about a palate cleanser. That was just one stop along a rather surreal press tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at the Intellectual Ventures Laboratory in Bellevue, WA, as Sen. Maria Cantwell … Continue reading “Sen. Maria Cantwell and Nathan Myhrvold Talk Statewide Innovation at Intellectual Ventures Lab Ceremony”
Visible Raises $6M, Vulcan Goes Deep with BiPar, IdeaScale Serves White House, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a relatively light week for deals in the Northwest, perhaps owing to the holiday weekend. But there was still action in biotech, marketing software, and alternative energy. —Kennewick, WA-based Infinia raised $14.1 million in debt financing out of a $50 million offering. The company, which is backed by Vulcan Capital, Khosla Ventures, and … Continue reading “Visible Raises $6M, Vulcan Goes Deep with BiPar, IdeaScale Serves White House, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Infinia Raises $14.1M for Solar Power
Kennewick, WA-based Infinia, a maker of solar power generation technology which uses free-piston Stirling engines, has raised $14.1 million in debt financing, according to a regulatory filing. The financing looks to be part of a $50 million offering. Infinia is backed by Vulcan Capital, Khosla Ventures, and others.
The New Vulcan Capital: Steve Hall and Chris Temple on Working with Paul Allen, Investing with Partners, and Banking On Seattle Innovation
It feels like the dawn of a new era at Vulcan Capital. The private investment group, which manages billionaire Paul Allen’s personal and professional holdings, has been very private—until now, it seems. Coming off a series of high-profile successes (like BiPar Sciences, a $100 million-plus return on $13 million investment) and failures (like the Charter … Continue reading “The New Vulcan Capital: Steve Hall and Chris Temple on Working with Paul Allen, Investing with Partners, and Banking On Seattle Innovation”
UW Business Plan Competition Yields $25K Awardee, Nanocel, and Many Other Winners
From an initial field of 90 teams last month, down to 33 presenters, and the sweet 16 and finals yesterday, the business plan competition at the University of Washington has captivated us with the spirit and determination of these student innovators and their veteran advisors. Some 30 judges from the Seattle-area innovation community participated in … Continue reading “UW Business Plan Competition Yields $25K Awardee, Nanocel, and Many Other Winners”
Seattle Startup, Survey Analytics, Powers Obama’s Open Government Dialogue Site
It’s a good day for Vivek Bhaskaran. The co-founder of Seattle-based Survey Analytics, a marketing and customer relations startup that has been bootstrapped since 2004, has just scored a big win with the White House. The company’s software platform for hosting and managing feedback communities (engaging customers and gathering unsolicited feedback), called IdeaScale, is being … Continue reading “Seattle Startup, Survey Analytics, Powers Obama’s Open Government Dialogue Site”