Yesterday’s judging round yielded 16 finalists in the UW Business Plan Competition, organized by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The advancing teams, who will compete for prizes on May 21, are: 3 Phase Energy Systems, AuraViz, Big Canvas, Ecowell, Energizing Solutions, Green Windows, HydroSense, MicroDose, Myyeyou, Nanocel, Nanofacture, Nova Theranostics, Olive Only, Shockmetrics, Sisalwood, … Continue reading “UW Biz Contest Yields 16 Finalists”
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.
Urbanspoon Bought by IAC, Will Remain Independent Brand
It’s an acquisition that is truly surprising to no one, but now it’s official: Seattle-based Urbanspoon, the online restaurant guide, has been bought by New York-based IAC (NASDAQ GS: [[ticker:IACI]]) for an undisclosed amount. Urbanspoon will stay an independent brand based in Seattle, and will report to Jay Herratti, who heads up some of IAC’s … Continue reading “Urbanspoon Bought by IAC, Will Remain Independent Brand”
Seattle Innovators, It’s Time to Rock: WTIA and Xconomy Team Up for Battle of the Tech Bands
The Seattle music scene is one of those cliches that people around the country always ask me about, along with the coffee and the weather. But I don’t mind, not one bit. From Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana and Pearl Jam, from the Presidents of the USA to Death Cab for Cutie and Fleet Foxes, the … Continue reading “Seattle Innovators, It’s Time to Rock: WTIA and Xconomy Team Up for Battle of the Tech Bands”
Vigilos Raises $1.4M from NWVA
Seattle-based Vigilos, a security software firm, announced today it has closed $1.4 million in equity capital, led by Northwest Venture Associates, and is in the process of raising an additional $300,000. Vigilos makes software that helps organizations like the FBI, U.S. Navy, and Washington State Department of Transportation remotely monitor sites. The technology is also … Continue reading “Vigilos Raises $1.4M from NWVA”
NewPath Picks Up $30M, Asemblon Raises $2.9M, Amazon Buys Lexcycle, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was another busy week for deals in the Northwest, with lots of action in cloud computing software, mobile, and healthcare. Xconomy even got into the act, inking a partnership with The Seattle Times (see below). —Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) acquired Lexcycle, an e-book startup based in Portland, OR, and Austin, TX. No financial terms were … Continue reading “NewPath Picks Up $30M, Asemblon Raises $2.9M, Amazon Buys Lexcycle, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Lexcycle Bought by Amazon
Amazon has acquired Lexcycle, an e-reader startup based in Portland, OR, and Austin, TX. Financial terms were not given. Lexcycle makes Stanza, an online bookstore application for desktops and iPhones. The news was first reported by the New York Times, which says the move is part of Amazon’s effort to solidify its position on mobile … Continue reading “Lexcycle Bought by Amazon”
Amazon Startups Sink, Microsoft Profits Plummet, Sony Scraps with Xbox: Seattle Tech Highlights
There has been lots of activity in the Seattle tech blogosphere (gotta use that word once or twice a year) in the past few days. Some of the most compelling news is about the big local companies and how they’re dealing with major strategic challenges in this economic sandstorm. So far, they have avoided huge … Continue reading “Amazon Startups Sink, Microsoft Profits Plummet, Sony Scraps with Xbox: Seattle Tech Highlights”
Obama’s Science and Technology Advisory Council Includes Holdren, Molina, Mundie
President Obama announced today the members of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, in remarks made at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC. Some members were announced previously, but this is the first time the full council was presented publicly. Obama cited the distinguished council’s “diversity of experience and views,” … Continue reading “Obama’s Science and Technology Advisory Council Includes Holdren, Molina, Mundie”
OVP Invests $1.5M in Cloud Data Storage Startup, Symform
Seattle-based Symform, a small company that provides data storage and backup in the Internet cloud, is announcing today a $1.5 million Series A financing from OVP Venture Partners in Kirkland, WA. This is the first new investment OVP has announced this year; the firm made six follow-on investments last quarter. Managing directors Mark Ashida and … Continue reading “OVP Invests $1.5M in Cloud Data Storage Startup, Symform”
Oprah Grabs Some Bacon Salt; Seattle Startup Is Freaking Out
[Updated April 25 with this behind-the-scenes video clip of the Oprah interview] I just got off the phone with Justin Esch of South Seattle-based Bacon Salt. He and fellow founder Dave Lefkow went on The Oprah Winfrey Show this morning, and were in their office watching the 7-8 minute segment, which just aired on the … Continue reading “Oprah Grabs Some Bacon Salt; Seattle Startup Is Freaking Out”
Opscode Closes $2.5M from DFJ
Seattle-based Opscode announced it has raised $2.5 million in Series A funding led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Opscode isn’t talking about its new product just yet, but it looks to be helping businesses automate their cloud-computing infrastructure. The company, founded in 2008, will use the funds to hire engineers and other key staff as it … Continue reading “Opscode Closes $2.5M from DFJ”
How Not to Work for The Man: Jonathan Sposato on Life at Picnik, Microsoft, and Google
Every once in a while, you meet an entrepreneur who rocks your world. I mean, most of them are impressive, but as they say on ESPN, Jonathan Sposato is ridiculous. And so is the rest of his team at Picnik, an online photo-editing startup based near Pike Place Market in Seattle. A lot has been … Continue reading “How Not to Work for The Man: Jonathan Sposato on Life at Picnik, Microsoft, and Google”
Appature, SEOmoz on Top Techie List
BusinessWeek’s list of Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs 2009, announced today, includes Seattle-area startup whiz kids Rand Fishkin, 29, of SEOmoz and Kabir Shahani, 26, of Appature. SEOmoz, a search engine optimization startup, is backed by Ignition Partners and Curious Office Partners, while Appature, a health-care marketing firm, is self-funded.
LookStat Closes $500K from Founder’s Co-op, Other Investors
Seattle-based LookStat, which develops Web-based analytics, workflow automation, and earnings tracking software for the microstock photography industry, says it has closed a $500,000 Series A financing round from Founder’s Co-op and individual investors in the Seattle and San Francisco areas. Xconomy broke the preliminary news of the funding (but not the amount) last month, while … Continue reading “LookStat Closes $500K from Founder’s Co-op, Other Investors”
That Giant Sucking Sound? Talent Drain from the Northwest (and Rest of the Nation)
If you want to understand the important local and national trends in talent flow, you need to know Davis Bae. The founder and managing attorney of the Bae Law Group in Seattle, which specializes in immigration law, works with many local startups and employers in the tech community on their immigration and recruiting plans. I’ve … Continue reading “That Giant Sucking Sound? Talent Drain from the Northwest (and Rest of the Nation)”
Insitu Wins $30M Canadian Contract
Bingen, WA-based Insitu, a developer of unmanned aircraft systems, announced today it has received a one-year, $30 million contract from the Canadian government to provide technologies to support Canadian forces’ operations in Afghanistan. The contract, which includes two additional one-year options, specifically calls for small unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Insitu was … Continue reading “Insitu Wins $30M Canadian Contract”
Redfin Moves Into New Markets in NY, CA
Seattle-based Redfin, an online real estate brokerage, said today it has expanded into New York state (Suffolk County, partners in Westchester County, and search in other areas) and central California (El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties). The move is part of Redfin’s strategy to reach every major real-estate market in the United States.
Mpire Makes Strategic Shift, Unveils Ad-Optimizing Service
Seattle-based Mpire is rolling out a new online-ad optimizing service today, aimed at letting advertisers, marketers, and publishers more accurately assess how well their ads are working. Matt Hulett, Mpire’s CEO, is announcing the technology, called AdXpose (Xconomy loves names with “X” in them), at the AdTech San Francisco conference this morning. But this isn’t … Continue reading “Mpire Makes Strategic Shift, Unveils Ad-Optimizing Service”
Zango Shuts Down, Sells Assets
Bellevue, WA-based Zango, an adware maker that refocused its business on a toolbar gaming system last year, has officially closed down, says co-founder Ken Smith in his blog. San Francisco-based Blinkx, a video search firm, has acquired some of Zango’s assets, according to reports in ComputerWorld and TechFlash.
Kryptiq Sells Product Line to Portico
Hillsboro, OR-based Kryptiq announced today it has sold off its health plan network management software, called Choreo, to Blue Bell, PA-based Portico Systems. Financial terms were not released, but Kryptiq is using proceeds from the sale to expand its core services for healthcare providers. Kryptiq’s collaborative software lets providers share healthcare information with patients, labs, … Continue reading “Kryptiq Sells Product Line to Portico”
User Interfaces, Cloud Computing, and Ray Ozzie—A Guide to the Season’s Tech Events
It is high season for tech gatherings in Seattle. The next couple of weeks will feature a dizzying array of events chock-full of compelling computing content, not to mention top-tier networking. How is a busy entrepreneur, researcher, or investor to choose which ones to attend? Let Xconomy be your guide… —This Wednesday, April 22 (yes, … Continue reading “User Interfaces, Cloud Computing, and Ray Ozzie—A Guide to the Season’s Tech Events”
SignaCert Scores $8.8M, Naverus Nets $4M, Top 5 Q1 Venture Deals in Washington, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
After a flurry of Northwest deals the previous week, the past seven days have been fairly quiet, with some activity in security software, aviation, and biotech. —Kent, WA-based Naverus, a company that makes advanced navigation systems for airlines and air traffic managers, raised $4 million from existing investors Foundation Capital and East Peak Partners. I … Continue reading “SignaCert Scores $8.8M, Naverus Nets $4M, Top 5 Q1 Venture Deals in Washington, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Naverus, Extra $4M in Tow, Looks to Redesign Flight Paths, Saving Time, Fuel, and Emissions
There’s a saying in sports that if you don’t notice the referees, they’re doing a great job. The same goes for offensive linemen in football, tech support in big companies…and Kent, WA-based Naverus when you’re flying in an airplane. Sure, we in the media notice companies like Naverus when they raise $4 million in venture … Continue reading “Naverus, Extra $4M in Tow, Looks to Redesign Flight Paths, Saving Time, Fuel, and Emissions”
Seattle Software Update: AdReady, Azaleos, and Evri Roll Out New Releases
All around town, spring is in the air—and so is new software from some prominent local tech startups. In case you missed them while trying to make it through tax week, here are the most interesting software releases we learned about in the past seven days. —Seattle-based AdReady announced a new suite of services to … Continue reading “Seattle Software Update: AdReady, Azaleos, and Evri Roll Out New Releases”
Top 5 First-Quarter Venture Deals in Washington State; Local VCs Weigh In on Downturn
[Updated April 18 with correction to Madrona Venture Group’s new investment in Q1—Yieldex, not PetraVM (which was Q4)] OK, the venture capital stats are in for the first three months of 2009, and surprise—they’re not very pretty. In fact, venture capitalists and all of us who follow their activities should probably just retire now while … Continue reading “Top 5 First-Quarter Venture Deals in Washington State; Local VCs Weigh In on Downturn”
Haute Secure Bought by TRUSTe
Seattle startup Haute Secure, a maker of anti-malware security software, has been acquired by San Francisco-based TRUSTe, an online privacy firm. No terms were disclosed. Haute Secure was backed by Baseline Ventures and Sherpalo Ventures.
GridNetworks Merges with GMS
Global Media Services, based in New York City, has announced it is merging with Seattle-based GridNetworks, an online video startup. Financial terms were not disclosed. The combined company will provide streaming and media services for personal computers, mobile devices, and TV. GridNetworks, founded in 2005, was backed by Comcast, Cisco, and Panorama Capital. News of … Continue reading “GridNetworks Merges with GMS”
Naverus Nets $4M for Navigation Software
Kent, WA-based Naverus, a maker of novel navigation software for airlines, announced today it has raised $4 million in funding led by Foundation Capital and East Peak Partners. Naverus has developed a performance-based navigation system, which provides precise flight paths that are faster and more fuel-efficient and reduce carbon emissions. The company has airline customers … Continue reading “Naverus Nets $4M for Navigation Software”
How Seattle VCs Are Adapting to the UW TechTransfer Revolution (Part 2)
[This is the second part of a series on how the process of identifying venture-backed startups and commercialization opportunities at the University of Washington is evolving—Eds.] How does the University of Washington Tech Transfer office view its ongoing relationship with venture capitalists? On Wednesday, we reported on how venture firms around town are going about … Continue reading “How Seattle VCs Are Adapting to the UW TechTransfer Revolution (Part 2)”
A Tale of Two Startups: Picnik and Wetpaint, Like Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Earlier this week, we heard that two of Seattle’s most promising Internet startups have teamed up to deliver sophisticated photo editing services to a growing pool of social-network users. Picnik, which makes Web-based tools for creating collages and cool photo effects, is now available (with just a click) to users of Wetpaint, a “social publishing” … Continue reading “A Tale of Two Startups: Picnik and Wetpaint, Like Peanut Butter and Chocolate”
SignaCert Closes $8.8M Series B
Portland, OR-based SignaCert, a maker of IT security and management software, announced it has raised $8.8 million in Series B funding. The round was led by existing investors including DCM, Intel Capital, and SmartForest Ventures, with new participation from In-Q-Tel and other strategic investors. SignaCert was founded in 2004, and has customers in financial services, … Continue reading “SignaCert Closes $8.8M Series B”
How Seattle VCs Are Adapting to the UW TechTransfer Revolution
[This is Part 1 of a two-part series on how the process of identifying venture-backed startup opportunities at the University of Washington is evolving—Eds.] Back in February, we reported on the “VC revolution” happening on the campus of the University of Washington. Six months into her tenure as vice provost of UW TechTransfer, Linden Rhoads … Continue reading “How Seattle VCs Are Adapting to the UW TechTransfer Revolution”
Microsoft Sells Franchise for $20M, Cell Therapeutics Collects $15M, Adapx Raises $9M, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
Maybe everyone has finally done their taxes, so they can announce their funding deals. For whatever reason, it was a busy week for deals in the Northwest, with quite a bit of financing activity in software, biotech, and devices. —Seattle-based ExtraHop Networks announced it raised a $5.1 million Series A round led by Madrona Venture … Continue reading “Microsoft Sells Franchise for $20M, Cell Therapeutics Collects $15M, Adapx Raises $9M, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
ExtraHop Hauls In $5.1M to Help Companies Manage Their Networks Efficiently
And the hits keep coming. In a busy week for financing deals, Seattle-based ExtraHop Networks is announcing today it has raised a $5.1 million Series A round, led by Madrona Venture Group. Prominent angel investors Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz also participated in the funding round, which closed at the end of February. ExtraHop, which … Continue reading “ExtraHop Hauls In $5.1M to Help Companies Manage Their Networks Efficiently”
Microsoft Live Labs Reorganization, Questioned by Many, Is Great for Innovation, Says Lazowska
Much has been made of the fact that Microsoft is moving about half of its Live Labs applied research staff to other divisions, such as product groups and Microsoft Research. The news, announced within Microsoft a week ago, has been met with criticism from outside observers, who lament the reduction of one of the company’s … Continue reading “Microsoft Live Labs Reorganization, Questioned by Many, Is Great for Innovation, Says Lazowska”
Picnik, Wetpaint Team Up on Photos
Seattle-based Picnik, a maker of Web-based photo editing software, announced today it has teamed up with fellow Seattle startup Wetpaint, a social publishing site, to allow social network and fan site users to fine-tune their pictures. There is no financial or investment relationship between the companies, but now more than 8 million Wetpaint customers can … Continue reading “Picnik, Wetpaint Team Up on Photos”
Adapx Raises $9M to Bring Digital Pen Technology to Mobile Field Workers
A few local tech companies have still been able to raise significant new funding rounds in a very tough climate. The latest is Seattle-based Adapx, which is announcing today it has raised a $9 million Series B round, led by new investor UV Partners in Salt Lake City, UT. Existing investors OVP Venture Partners, based … Continue reading “Adapx Raises $9M to Bring Digital Pen Technology to Mobile Field Workers”
Seattle Layoff Update: Amgen, Isilon Cut Staff
The carnage continues at tech and life sciences companies in the Northwest. You can follow Xconomy Seattle’s updated layoff litany here—we’ve kept a running tally of job cuts since November. (If you’ve heard of other layoffs in the innovation community, please drop us a line at [email protected] or [email protected].) —Luke broke the news that Amgen … Continue reading “Seattle Layoff Update: Amgen, Isilon Cut Staff”
TalentSpring Scores $1.6M
Seattle-based TalentSpring, a developer of semantic-search software that helps recruiters better match job candidates to open positions, announced today it has closed a $1.6 million round of funding from Second Avenue Partners and private investors. TalentSpring, led by founder and CEO Bryan Starbuck, plans to release its product to the public next month.
CarDomain Scrapes for Survival in Struggling Auto Website Sector
Sitting in the cockpit of a brand new 2010 Chevy Camaro SS (red paint job with 6-speed manual transmission), Rob Einaudi probably has better things to do than talk to the media. But I reached Einaudi, the editor-in-chief of CarDomain.com, yesterday at the New York International Auto Show, where he was taking this particular sports … Continue reading “CarDomain Scrapes for Survival in Struggling Auto Website Sector”
Microsoft Downsizes Live Labs
Microsoft is cutting its three-year-old Live Labs applied research group in half and moving the rest of the staff to product groups and other divisions, as first reported by PaidContent.org. Microsoft cited economic conditions as part of the reason for the move. The remaining Live Labs staff will focus on Internet search technologies.
Big Fish to Open Ireland Office
Seattle-based Big Fish Games announced today it is setting up European headquarters in Cork, Ireland, and expects to create as many as 100 positions there over the next three years. The new office will focus on multilingual customer support, game testing, and product localization. Big Fish is a leading developer and distributor of casual games.
JanRain Offers Universal Logins, Puts Portland at Center of Internet Identity Movement
Are you tired of trying to remember 20 different passwords for all your online accounts? If so, Larry Drebes has a proposition for you. His Portland, OR-based company, JanRain, makes software that gives customers and employees secure, universal logins for the Web, and it enables companies’ websites to accept these logins. The software works via … Continue reading “JanRain Offers Universal Logins, Puts Portland at Center of Internet Identity Movement”
WRS Buys Isonics Semiconductor
San Jose, CA-based WRS Materials announced it has acquired Isonics Semiconductor Group, based in Vancouver, WA. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The semiconductor group, which includes silicon wafer manufacturing facilities, was a division of New York-based Isonics.
CarDomain Acquires StreetFire
Seattle-based CarDomain, a social site for auto enthusiasts, said today it is merging with its chief rival, Los Angeles-based StreetFire. Financial terms of the deal were not announced, but StreetFire CEO Glenn Rogers will head the merged company and CarDomain founder Alex Algard will be its chairman. The news was first reported by TechCrunch and … Continue reading “CarDomain Acquires StreetFire”
UW Business Plan Competition Draws 33 Teams With Ideas for Software, Energy, Healthcare
The ballots are in, and the University of Washington’s annual Business Plan Competition is officially under way. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Foster School of Business has run the event for the past 11 years, awarding some $757,000 in prize money to 71 student companies that have crafted the most compelling and … Continue reading “UW Business Plan Competition Draws 33 Teams With Ideas for Software, Energy, Healthcare”
MOD Systems Places Two Top Execs on Leave After Fraud Allegations
Seattle-based MOD Systems, a maker of music and video downloading technology for retail stores, placed its chief executive, Mark Phillips, and chief operating officer, Kenneth Gordon, on administrative leave Friday. I heard a rumor about this move over the weekend, and TechFlash confirmed the news yesterday, adding some important details. A phone message left with … Continue reading “MOD Systems Places Two Top Execs on Leave After Fraud Allegations”
Ambric Acquired by Nethra Imaging
Santa Clara, CA-based Nethra Imaging announced it has acquired the assets of Ambric, the Beaverton, OR, semiconductor company that ceased operations last November. Financial terms were not disclosed. Ambric developed software-programmable chips used in video coding, wireless base stations, and imaging. It was backed by OVP Venture Partners, Northwest Technology Ventures, and others.
Microsoft Sells Franchise Gator for $20M
Microsoft’s digital advertising division has sold off its subsidiary, Franchise Gator, to Landmark Interactive for about $20 million, as first reported by PaidContent.org. Microsoft has confirmed the sale but not the price, according to TechFlash. Franchise Gator, a lead-generation business based in Seattle and Roswell, GA, was acquired for $21.5 million in 2006 by aQuantive, … Continue reading “Microsoft Sells Franchise Gator for $20M”
Swype Scores $1.3M, Onehub Raises $600K, Genzyme Comes to Town, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a fairly quiet week for Northwest deals, with activity in biotech, software, and mobile. Let’s see if the sunny weather brings more action. —Seattle Genetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]), a Bothell, WA-based developer of cancer drugs, provided a worldwide license to use its technology to Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company in exchange for $4 million … Continue reading “Swype Scores $1.3M, Onehub Raises $600K, Genzyme Comes to Town, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”