It was a very quiet week for deals in the Northwest, with just a trickle of activity in software, security, and biotech. —Seattle-based Haute Secure, a software firm focused on computer security against malware, raised about $1.6 million in Series A funding. Investors in the round included Silicon Valley firms Baseline Ventures and Sherpalo Ventures. … Continue reading “Haute Secure Scores $1.6M, Second Ave Invests in Fanzter, LookStat Gets Funded, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
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.
Jive Rolls Out New Product, Takes on Microsoft and IBM in Social Business Software
In the burgeoning software hub of Portland, OR, one company is breaking new ground today. Jive Software, a maker of “social business software” that helps employees communicate with each other and manage their work information, is releasing a new product called SBS 3.0. The software is targeted to businesses, and its goal is to let … Continue reading “Jive Rolls Out New Product, Takes on Microsoft and IBM in Social Business Software”
Zillow, Pet Holdings Lead Startup List
Marcelo Calbucci’s Seattle 2.0 index of local startups’ websites is out for February, and shows little movement at the top. Zillow, Pet Holdings, iLike, BuddyTV, and Robot Co-op have the top five sites, based on traffic estimates. Calbucci points out a few sites in the top 20 that were not there a year ago: BigOven, … Continue reading “Zillow, Pet Holdings Lead Startup List”
Report: Haute Secure Raises $1.6M
Seattle-based Haute Secure, a maker of security software that protects computers against malware, has raised about $1.6 million in Series A funding, according to PE Hub, which cites a regulatory filing. Investors in the round include Silicon Valley VC firms Baseline Ventures and Sherpalo Ventures.
The Xconomy Guide to the Northwest’s Cleantech Clusters
Last week, we published a series of three stories documenting the companies and organizations in the Pacific Northwest that are focused on alternative energy and cleantech. We organized the lists by geography, breaking out separate lists for companies in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Now we can take a step back, analyze the trends in … Continue reading “The Xconomy Guide to the Northwest’s Cleantech Clusters”
Top 10 Startup Financing Takeaways from Investors Michelle Goldberg and Andy Sack
First of all, the terms “downturn” and “recession” don’t do justice to the current climate, says early-stage tech investor Andy Sack. As he puts it, “This is the seminal event of our lifetimes. This is our World War II. I guarantee I’ll be talking to my grandchildren about the Depression of 2009-10: ‘Make sure you … Continue reading “Top 10 Startup Financing Takeaways from Investors Michelle Goldberg and Andy Sack”
BuddyTV Upgrades, Adds Fantasy League
Seattle-based BuddyTV has rolled out a fantasy league where TV fans can bet on a roster of contestants from reality shows like American Idol, Survivor, and Dancing with the Stars. The move is an effort to make the site, which is attracting more than 6 million visitors a month, more sticky. BuddyTV was founded in … Continue reading “BuddyTV Upgrades, Adds Fantasy League”
Three Startups and a Social Technologist: How Ex-Microsofties Are Driving Seattle Innovation
Does Microsoft innovate? What impact is it having on the startup community these days? Say what you want about the company, but its ex-employees are on a tear. In the past few months, we’ve seen a spike in the number of startups formed by ex-Microsofties who have recently left the company. With the specter of … Continue reading “Three Startups and a Social Technologist: How Ex-Microsofties Are Driving Seattle Innovation”
Amazon Rolls Out Game Trade-In Service
Amazon announced today a new service whereby customers can trade in used video games for store credit on any eligible items—not just games. The move is seen as a challenge to retailers with existing trade-in programs like GameStop, Electronics Boutique, and Toys “R” Us. Last month, Amazon officially entered the downloadable casual games market, launching … Continue reading “Amazon Rolls Out Game Trade-In Service”
Vivek Kundra, the Nation’s New CIO, Is Supporter of Seattle Startup, Tableau Software
Today, President Obama appointed Vivek Kundra federal chief information officer, which is a new administrative position in the U.S. government. Kundra, currently the District of Columbia’s chief technology officer, will be in charge of policy and strategic planning of federal investments in information technology. Kundra, 34, has previous experience as an executive at the DC-area … Continue reading “Vivek Kundra, the Nation’s New CIO, Is Supporter of Seattle Startup, Tableau Software”
How to Turn Cloud Computing Into Big Business—A Peek Inside Amazon Web Services
On Tuesday night, I attended an intriguing event in the Washington Technology Industry Association’s cloud computing series, on “Scaling Into the Cloud with Amazon Web Services.” It was held at Amazon’s Beacon Hill headquarters in Seattle, in a room with gorgeous, sweeping views of the downtown skyline. The talks, given by Amazon and two prominent … Continue reading “How to Turn Cloud Computing Into Big Business—A Peek Inside Amazon Web Services”
Second Avenue Re-ups with Fanzter
Seattle-based Second Avenue Partners has invested in a $2 million Series B financing round in Fanzter, a Collinsville, CT-based new media development company. The round was led by Steamboat Ventures. Fanzter was founded in 2007 and was also backed by Seattle-area investors Rich Barton from Zillow and Expedia, and Curious Office Partners. The startup runs … Continue reading “Second Avenue Re-ups with Fanzter”
Geoff Entress Joins Voyager Capital, Looks to Strengthen the VC Firm’s Internet Plays
The newest face at Seattle-based Voyager Capital is a familiar one to Northwest techies. Voyager is announcing today that Geoff Entress, one of the region’s most active and prominent angel investors, has joined the firm as a venture partner. He will focus primarily on consumer Internet and digital media investments in Washington state. Entress was … Continue reading “Geoff Entress Joins Voyager Capital, Looks to Strengthen the VC Firm’s Internet Plays”
MOD to Present at Retail IT Show
Seattle-based MOD Systems, a maker of digital-media delivery technology, announced it is demonstrating its product at Retailtech Japan 2009 in Tokyo, the country’s largest retail IT event. Toshiba and NCR, which are investors in MOD, will jointly present MOD’s system for downloading videos from a touch-screen kiosk to SD memory cards.
TrafficGauge Bought by Networks In Motion
Seattle-based TrafficGauge, a provider of road traffic information in real time, has been acquired by Networks In Motion, a mobile navigation and search company in Aliso Viejo, CA. Financial terms were not disclosed. TrafficGauge first launched its mobile traffic map in Seattle in 2003.
Arzeda Scores VC, Intellectual Ventures Teams with Telcordia, Twilio Gets Founders Funding, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a relatively busy week for deals in the Northwest, with plenty of action in software, biotech, and alternative energy. —Seattle and San Francisco-based Twilio, a startup that provides cloud-based tools for building voice applications over the phone, raised its first institutional round of funding from Founders Fund and computing pioneer Mitchell Kapor. The … Continue reading “Arzeda Scores VC, Intellectual Ventures Teams with Telcordia, Twilio Gets Founders Funding, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Twilio Raises Venture Funding, Looks to Expand Cloud-Based Phone Services
Seattle and San Francisco-based Twilio, a software startup focused on telephone applications, closed its first institutional round of funding today, according to co-founder Jeff Lawson. The investment was led by San Francisco-based venture firm Founders Fund (which includes founders of PayPal, Facebook, and Napster) and computer industry pioneer Mitchell Kapor, the creator of Lotus 1-2-3 … Continue reading “Twilio Raises Venture Funding, Looks to Expand Cloud-Based Phone Services”
Ex-Microsoft Vets Gearing Up New Incubator, 8ninths, and New Social Startup, Lolligift
There’s a new tech-startup incubator in Seattle, and it’s called 8ninths. It doubles as an R&D lab, focused on social media and Web development software. The lab was established in September, and so far it’s still pretty stealthy. The principals aren’t talking to the press just yet, but their ideas and track record are intriguing … Continue reading “Ex-Microsoft Vets Gearing Up New Incubator, 8ninths, and New Social Startup, Lolligift”
Ignition Leads $10M Funding for Zenprise
Bellevue, WA-based Ignition Partners has led a $10 million funding round for Zenprise, a mobile-management software firm based in Fremont, CA. Existing investors Bay Partners, Mayfield, and Shasta Ventures also participated in the round. Zenprise makes automated software to help companies troubleshoot and fix IT problems with smartphones and mobile devices.
Principle Power Raising $20M to Build World’s First Floating Wind Farm
Seattle wind energy startup Principle Power is in the process of raising $20 million to develop wind farms in the deep waters off the coast of Oregon and other locations. The financing deal is expected to close in the second quarter of this year, according to Principle Power CEO Alla Weinstein. “We’re talking to a … Continue reading “Principle Power Raising $20M to Build World’s First Floating Wind Farm”
Evri, Ontier, Kutano to Present at DEMO
Northwest software startups Evri (Seattle), Ontier (Portland, OR), and Kutano (Burnaby, BC) will be presenting at the DEMO technology conference in Palm Desert, CA, March 1-3. They are among 39 companies that each will give six-minute stage demonstrations of their new products.
Alliance of Angels Releases 2008 Stats
Seattle-based Alliance of Angels, a network of individual investors focused on the Northwest, announced today it invested a total of $6.4 million in 36 companies in 2008—the second-highest amount in the organization’s 11-year history. Nineteen of the investments were new, in startups spanning Web 2.0, software and services, mobile, gaming, nanotech, and consumer/retail. Five portfolio … Continue reading “Alliance of Angels Releases 2008 Stats”
A Laser Focus: Three Questions With nLight CEO Scott Keeney
If anyone can ever build a real lightsaber like the ones from “Star Wars,” it will be Scott Keeney. The co-founder and CEO of Vancouver, WA-based nLight has expertise in high-powered semiconductor lasers, and he has shown some serious business chops by leading his company from early uncertainty to profitability in the past few years. … Continue reading “A Laser Focus: Three Questions With nLight CEO Scott Keeney”
Propel Fuels Gets New CEO and HQ
Propel Fuels, a clean fuel company with operations in Washington and California, announced today it has named Matt Horton chief executive officer. Horton, who has worked on cleantech with the venture funds @Venture and Garage Technology Ventures, succeeds Propel founder Rob Elam, who is staying on as president and director. The company recently moved its … Continue reading “Propel Fuels Gets New CEO and HQ”
VC Model Is Not Broken: Insights from Brad Feld of TechStars and Foundry Group
It’s always good to hear an outside perspective. Last night, Boulder, CO-based entrepreneur and investor Brad Feld, the co-founder of Foundry Group, Mobius Venture Capital, and TechStars, gave a talk at the Palace Ballroom in Seattle. The event was organized by Dave Schappell of TeachStreet and T.A. McCann of Gist. The crowd amounted to well … Continue reading “VC Model Is Not Broken: Insights from Brad Feld of TechStars and Foundry Group”
General Dynamics Cuts 353 Jobs in Spokane
General Dynamics Itronix, a manufacturer of laptops and mobile devices for field use, is closing its facility in Spokane Valley, WA, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. The closure, which is effective April 24, 2009, affects 353 people. General Dynamics Itronix is based in Spokane and has offices in Canada and Europe.
It’s a Good Time To Be at Microsoft—A Report from TechFest
[Updated Feb. 25 with photos from TechFest 2009:] Yesterday, I reported from Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA, on some high-level thoughts about the importance of corporate research from Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer, and Rick Rashid, senior vice president and head of research. It’s TechFest week, which means tons of demos and … Continue reading “It’s a Good Time To Be at Microsoft—A Report from TechFest”
Intellectual Ventures, Telcordia Team Up
Bellevue, WA-based Intellectual Ventures said today it has formed an alliance with Telcordia Technologies, a networking and telecommunications firm in Piscataway, NJ. Intellectual Ventures has acquired the rights to license about 500 of Telcordia’s patents, and in return, has also agreed to fund inventions from Telcordia’s R&D lab. Financial terms of the deal were not … Continue reading “Intellectual Ventures, Telcordia Team Up”
VMware Takes On Microsoft, Amazon in the Cloud
Palo Alto, CA-based software firm VMware (NYSE: [[ticker:VMW]]), a subsidiary of Hopkinton, MA-based EMC (NYSE: [[ticker:EMC]]), has rolled out an ambitious cloud-computing program that looks to challenge the big players in the space—Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and others. VMware makes virtualization software that helps companies run their information technology operations, like networking and desktop management, more … Continue reading “VMware Takes On Microsoft, Amazon in the Cloud”
Dotster Sells RevenueDirect, Buys Hosts
Dotster, an online domain hosting company in Vancouver, WA, announced it has sold its RevenueDirect monetization service to Cambridge, MA-based Sedo. Dotster also has acquired marketing and hosting services EmailBrain and FortuneCity. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Craig Mundie and Rick Rashid on Why Microsoft Research Matters (Even More than Usual)
Microsoft’s ninth annual TechFest is going on this week in Redmond, WA. This is the big demo event where researchers from all of Microsoft’s research labs around the world (based in Redmond, Silicon Valley, New England, UK, India, and China) get to show off their results to product groups, vice presidents, professors, and other guests. … Continue reading “Craig Mundie and Rick Rashid on Why Microsoft Research Matters (Even More than Usual)”
PopCap Buys Gastronaut Studios
Seattle-based PopCap Games announced today it has acquired game developer Gastronaut Studios, also based in Seattle. Financial terms were not disclosed, but PopCap gets Gastronaut’s assets and employees, as well as exclusive license to Gastronaut’s tools and technologies. Gastronaut, known for its Xbox titles like Small Arms, has been a partner of PopCap’s.
Impinj Navigates Nascent RFID Market with Unique Technology, Strategy—and Patience
What’s the most exciting company in Seattle? I recently put the question to Patrick Ennis, the global head of technology for Bellevue, WA-based Intellectual Ventures, and his answer surprised me: Impinj. The firm in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood has been around since 2000, and is well-known for its focus on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies—not exactly the … Continue reading “Impinj Navigates Nascent RFID Market with Unique Technology, Strategy—and Patience”
Amazon and Madrona Back Yieldex, UW Benefits from Merck Sales, Digini and Vyk Merge, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a quiet week for deals in the Northwest, with just a trickle in the biotech, business software, and gaming arenas. —Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTIC]]) sold its remaining 50 percent stake in its cancer drug Zevalin to its partner, Irvine, CA-based Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SPPI]]) for $18 million, Luke reported. The cash will … Continue reading “Amazon and Madrona Back Yieldex, UW Benefits from Merck Sales, Digini and Vyk Merge, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Jive Software Makes Top 100 List
Portland, OR-based Jive Software announced it has been named to KMWorld’s 2009 list of “100 companies that matter in knowledge management.” Jive makes social business and collaboration software.
MOD Fraud? Investor’s Lawsuit Alleges Blatant Misuse of Funds by CEO
Seattle-based MOD Systems and three of its top executives are being sued by investor Robert Arnold for fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation, and breach of fiduciary duty, among other complaints. That’s according to a lawsuit filed in King County superior court last Wednesday. Arnold’s investigation into the company was first reported by TechFlash. In the suit, MOD … Continue reading “MOD Fraud? Investor’s Lawsuit Alleges Blatant Misuse of Funds by CEO”
UW TechTransfer Announces Mentors
The University of Washington’s Tech Transfer department officially announced its first crop of entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) and LaunchPad advisors for startups. The EIRs (half-time to full-time) are gaming guru Alex St. John, biotechie Deborah Kessler, and finance and energy expert Jeff Canin. The startup advisors (1-2 days a month) include Joe Eichinger, Bill Gossman, … Continue reading “UW TechTransfer Announces Mentors”
Top 3 Marketing Lessons from Luis Salazar, Voyager Capital’s Entrepreneur in Residence
Have you ever talked to someone who really knows technology, and really knows how to sell it? It’s a potent combination. I got that feeling from Luis Salazar, the chief marketing officer of Bellevue, WA-based GMI, an international market research firm. Salazar moonlights as an entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) at Voyager Capital in Seattle, where he advises … Continue reading “Top 3 Marketing Lessons from Luis Salazar, Voyager Capital’s Entrepreneur in Residence”
Microsoft’s Mark Aggar on How IT Can Aid Energy Efficiency and the Environment
One of the distinguished panelists for our upcoming Xconomy Forum on March 26 (The Rise of Cleantech in the Northwest) is Mark Aggar, director of environmental technology strategy for Microsoft. Aggar has been at his current post for just about a year, having come over from the Windows Server product planning group to be part … Continue reading “Microsoft’s Mark Aggar on How IT Can Aid Energy Efficiency and the Environment”
Visualant Buys TransTech
Seattle-based Visualant (OTCBB: [[ticker:VSUL]]), a developer of light-based security and authentication technologies, announced today it is acquiring TransTech Systems, a Wilsonville, OR-based maker of identification and security products. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition is through a combination of cash and stock and is expected to close before the end of … Continue reading “Visualant Buys TransTech”
Wetpaint Reaches 8 Million Monthly Visitors
Seattle-based Wetpaint, a social publishing startup, announced it has surpassed 8 million monthly visitors to its websites. The company also released a new set of features, including a premium ad-free upgrade, enhanced discussion forums, video galleries, and embedded widgets that make your social site portable on the Web. Wetpaint is backed by Accel Partners, DAG … Continue reading “Wetpaint Reaches 8 Million Monthly Visitors”
Billionaire Lifestyles: Checking In With Paul Allen and Charles Simonyi
Here are a couple of compelling tidbits from around the horn about the exploits of some of our favorite Seattle-area billionaires. A strange window into an alternate reality, if you ask me. —Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and head of Seattle-based Vulcan, has his investment portfolio examined by CNET. The article kicks off by mentioning … Continue reading “Billionaire Lifestyles: Checking In With Paul Allen and Charles Simonyi”
Symform, Founded by Ex-Microsoft Pair, Offers Cheap, Efficient Data Storage in the Cloud
It could be the most exciting cloud-computing startup you’ve never heard of. It’s two guys in a room overlooking Lake Union, in a hard-to-spot building next to the Fremont Bridge. And it uses Amazon Web Services and other people’s computers to do data storage, backup, and retrieval in the Internet cloud. It’s called Symform—a stealthy … Continue reading “Symform, Founded by Ex-Microsoft Pair, Offers Cheap, Efficient Data Storage in the Cloud”
Digini Merges With Vyk Games
Issaquah, WA-based Digini announced it has merged with Shanghai, China-based Vyk Games to form a new company called Blade Games. The new firm will provide game development software and outsourcing services to game makers. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Blade Games will be headquartered in Bellevue, WA, and headed by Digini CEO Tony Garcia.
Concur Leads $4.6M Investment in RideCharge
Redmond, WA-based Concur, a corporate expense management firm, has led a $4.6 million Series B investment in RideCharge, a mobile taxi-booking service based in Alexandria, VA. RideCharge lets business travelers arrange ground transportation from their iPhone, BlackBerry, or other mobile device.
Evo Media Rolls Out DevHub Publishing Site
Seattle-based Evo Media Group unveiled DevHub.com, a free Web publishing platform and content editor, to the public today. DevHub helps people create, manage, and monetize niche websites. Evo Media is backed by some of the same angel investors behind Seattle startups BuddyTV and Pet Holdings.
Announcing Xconomy’s Forum on March 26: The Rise of Cleantech in the Northwest
[Updated Feb. 18 with newly confirmed panelist Linden Rhoads of UW TechTransfer:] Cleantech and renewable energy are rare examples of fast-growing areas of investment and entrepreneurial activity—but the Northwest is behind the curve in these emerging arenas compared to Silicon Valley, New England, and some other parts of the country. The Northwest, however, is developing … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy’s Forum on March 26: The Rise of Cleantech in the Northwest”
Madrona, Amazon Back Yieldex
Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group and Amazon.com have invested in an $8.5 million Series B financing round for Yieldex, an inventory management firm based in New York City (previously in Boulder, CO). Sequel Venture Partners and First Round Capital also participated in the round. Yieldex won the Amazon Web Services startup challenge in November for its … Continue reading “Madrona, Amazon Back Yieldex”
PivotLink Lands $10M, Founder’s Funds Frugal, Earth Class Mail Signs Swiss Post, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a relatively light week for deals in the Northwest, with modest activity in business software, Internet, and biotech. —PivotLink, a software firm specializing in business intelligence with offices in Bellevue, WA, and San Francisco, CA, closed a $10 million Series C round led by StarVest Partners. Other investors included Trident Capital and Emergence … Continue reading “PivotLink Lands $10M, Founder’s Funds Frugal, Earth Class Mail Signs Swiss Post, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Ontela Scores Funding, Partners
Seattle-based Ontela, a mobile software firm, announced today it has received new funding from Eastven Venture Partners, a VC firm that is the successor to Ericsson Venture Partners. The amount was not disclosed. In an interview, Ontela CEO Dan Shapiro said the company also has signed deals with four of the top five handset makers … Continue reading “Ontela Scores Funding, Partners”