Nearly $18 million was awarded to 25 Wisconsin companies during the 2015 fiscal year as part of a program designed to incentivize investment in early-stage tech startups, according to a draft of a report released Friday by the state’s job creation agency. In the report, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) said the 25 businesses … Continue reading “WEDC Early-Stage Investment Program Awarded $18M in Last Fiscal Year”
Author: Jeff Buchanan
Jeff formerly led Xconomy’s Seattle coverage since. Before that, he spent three years as editor of Xconomy Wisconsin, primarily covering software and biotech companies based in the Badger State. A graduate of Vanderbilt, he worked in health IT prior to being bit by the journalism bug.
AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016
AltusCampus aims to change how businesses manage the continuing medical education (CME) required of healthcare professionals and the Madison, WI-based software company will wrap up a $800,000 seed round to jumpstart its efforts Nov. 1. But CEO Daniel Guerra, Jr., has his sights set on bigger goals and as the company gains traction, he says a … Continue reading “AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016”
Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More
A busy week for Johnson Controls, plus more news from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —High-ranking employees at Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird and Co. plan to raise $50 million for a private equity fund, according to a Sept. 10 SEC filing. Seven executives, including CEO Paul Purcell, are named in the filing. The fund will … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More”
Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI
[Corrected 9/17/15 1:28 pm. See below.] In a panel discussion on growing the biosciences in Wisconsin, CEOs of four companies emphasized the importance of reeling in top-tier employees and called on institutions, including the state’s legislature and flagship university, to do more for the industry. The “CEOs Unplugged” panel was part of Wednesday’s Bioscience Summit, … Continue reading “Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI”
Fasetto Raises $5M, Will Start Selling 1TB Wearable In 2016
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking around wearing a terabyte of data storage—and being able to exchange data wirelessly, at breakneck speeds, to and from any Wi-Fi-enabled device, even with no Internet connection—you’ll only need to wait another six months. Superior, WI-based Fasetto has developed a solid state drive, called “Link,” that can be worn as … Continue reading “Fasetto Raises $5M, Will Start Selling 1TB Wearable In 2016”
Wisconsin Roundup: NorthStar, StartingBlock Madison, 5Nines & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes has partnered with Westinghouse Electric to explore producing medical radioisotopes in commercial nuclear reactors, according to a press release issued by Westinghouse. The two companies aim to address the global shortage of molybdenum-99—which is used to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: NorthStar, StartingBlock Madison, 5Nines & More”
Madison’s 5Nines Launches Free 4G Network for Businesses
Businesses, non-profits, and community centers in parts of Madison, WI, can now get free, high-speed wireless Internet access by tapping into a 4G network built by 5Nines, a local Internet service provider (ISP) and technology firm. An organization must pay $150 for a pre-configured router—non-profits get half off—but there is no cost for the service … Continue reading “Madison’s 5Nines Launches Free 4G Network for Businesses”
Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Epic, American Family & More
[Corrected 9/9/15, 10:16 am. See below.] Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Johnson Controls (NYSE: [[ticker:JCI]]) announced it sold one of its major divisions, Global Workforce Solutions, to the Los Angeles-based CBRE Group (NYSE: [[ticker:CBG]]) for $1.4 million. As part of the deal, Glendale-based JCI will provide … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Epic, American Family & More”
Intellivisit Lands New Customers, Expects New Financing in October
Intellivisit, the Milwaukee-area virtual health startup that seeks to be the “digital front door” for sick patients wanting to report their symptoms, has signed three Midwestern customers, all of whom will start using the software in October, said founder and CEO Jay Mason. The company, which changed its name from Elli Health in April, was … Continue reading “Intellivisit Lands New Customers, Expects New Financing in October”
Cellular Dynamics Launches ‘World’s Largest’ Public Stem Cell Bank
[Updated 9/2/15 8:54 am. See below.] In 2013, Cellular Dynamics vowed to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines from the cells of 3,000 donors—some healthy, some diseased—as part of a $32 million initiative funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Today, the Madison, WI-based biotech is starting to make good on its pledge. Cellular … Continue reading “Cellular Dynamics Launches ‘World’s Largest’ Public Stem Cell Bank”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, GE Healthcare, Tricast & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) announced in a press release that an advisory panel from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services unanimously voted to continue reimbursing the company’s non-invasive, stool-based DNA colorectal cancer screening test, known as Cologuard, at $492.72 … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, GE Healthcare, Tricast & More”
BluDiagnostics Wins Again As WI Pledges Cash For Women Entrepreneurs
[Updated 8/27/15 4:52 pm. See below.] BluDiagnostics, the Madison, WI, startup developing a saliva-based fertility test, continued its recent hot streak today when it took first place in the Doyenne Group’s 5x5x5 pitch competition that highlighted five local companies led by women. BluDiagnostics co-founder Katie Brenner said the $5,000 prize money will go toward hiring … Continue reading “BluDiagnostics Wins Again As WI Pledges Cash For Women Entrepreneurs”
Invenra Snags $2M, Expects to Raise $1M More in Next Month
Biotech startup Invenra has raised $2 million in new equity financing. The cash will be used as “operating capital” as the cell-free antibody maker continues to add employees and line up sales prospects, vice president of business development Mark Kubik said Wednesday. The company, based in Madison, WI, is one of a select few using … Continue reading “Invenra Snags $2M, Expects to Raise $1M More in Next Month”
FluGen Snags $9.4M for Phase I Trial of Universal Flu Vaccine
[Corrected 8/25/15, 2:14 pm. See below.] Madison, WI-based biotech startup FluGen has raised $9.4 million, which the company will use to start clinical trials on humans for its flagship vaccine candidate, designed to protect against multiple types of influenza, president and CEO Paul Radspinner said Monday. The new financing follows a $3.4 million bridge round that … Continue reading “FluGen Snags $9.4M for Phase I Trial of Universal Flu Vaccine”
Wisconsin Roundup: Shoutlet, Cellectar, Cellular Dynamics & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based Shoutlet was acquired by Austin, TX-based Spredfast, a fellow player in the social media management space, for an undisclosed sum. The Shoutlet brand will continue to exist and its headquarters will become the second largest development center for the … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Shoutlet, Cellectar, Cellular Dynamics & More”
Exact Sciences, BrightStar & More Win Wisconsin Innovation Awards
Long-range laser beams, an at-home colon cancer test, and two efforts to digitize the classroom garnered some of the 10 honors announced at the second annual Wisconsin Innovation Awards Tuesday night at Milwaukee’s Discovery World. The awards recognize cutting-edge companies, foundations, and programs in the Badger State across a range of industries. Judges narrowed 170 … Continue reading “Exact Sciences, BrightStar & More Win Wisconsin Innovation Awards”
Bright Cellars Snags $1.8M to Expand Wine Delivery Service
Bright Cellars, a subscription wine service that started in Boston and now calls Milwaukee home, has raised about $1.8 million in a funding round that could reach $2 million, according to a regulatory filing. CEO Richard Yau and CTO Joe Laurendi, who met while living in the same dorm at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, … Continue reading “Bright Cellars Snags $1.8M to Expand Wine Delivery Service”
After Six Weeks, WI Mini-Accelerator’s First Class Looks to Future
The first five early-stage startups selected for Wisconsin accelerator Gener8tor’s new, free program for entrepreneurs affiliated with the state’s colleges and universities pitched themselves Thursday evening before an audience of investors, local business leaders, and Gener8tor alumni. The five companies that took the stage were Cheddah, EnsoData, Tixora, WeightUp Solutions, and Wintermute, which showcased its … Continue reading “After Six Weeks, WI Mini-Accelerator’s First Class Looks to Future”
Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, BrightStar, Orbitec, & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —The BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation announced investments in five companies around the state. It invested $250,000 in MCT of Wisconsin, $150,000 apiece in Dock Technologies and Okanjo, and $50,000 apiece in AltusMedical Group and GrocerKey. BrightStar has made investments in 22 … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, BrightStar, Orbitec, & More”
Gener8tor’s Latest Milwaukee Accelerator Class Has Midwest Flavor
All but one of the five companies selected for Gener8tor’s 2015 Milwaukee class hail from the Midwest, and the lone exception—from Toronto—didn’t have to travel too far for the three-month startup accelerator program being held at Ward 4, a new downtown co-working space. It’s not the first time Gener8tor, which garnered national attention earlier this … Continue reading “Gener8tor’s Latest Milwaukee Accelerator Class Has Midwest Flavor”
Madison’s “Sand Hill Building”: Four Venture Funds Together Under One Roof
Going purely by the numbers, Wisconsin is hardly an ideal place for startups seeking investment. According to the 2015 National Venture Capital Association Yearbook, companies in the Badger State raised $86.8 million in venture capital investments in 2014. That was good for 26th in the U.S. and accounted for less than 0.2 percent of the … Continue reading “Madison’s “Sand Hill Building”: Four Venture Funds Together Under One Roof”