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.

Cellular Dynamics, Rockwell, WARF & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist

Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Madison-based Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics said it struck an agreement with the University of California, Irvine, under which the Wisconsin company will license technology from the school in order to develop stem cell-based therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative neurological conditions. The company, … Continue reading “Cellular Dynamics, Rockwell, WARF & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”

Exact Sciences Seeks Up to $190M in Latest Stock Offering

Exact Sciences said Friday that it plans to raise up to $190 million through the sale of notes that can be converted into cash or shares of the company’s stock, starting in 2025. Madison, WI-based Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) is developing several screening tests for cancer patients. Its flagship product is Cologuard, a non-invasive, stool-based DNA … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Seeks Up to $190M in Latest Stock Offering”

Solar Electricity Startup NovoMoto Wins WI Business Plan Contest

NovoMoto, a clean energy startup that sells packages of solar panels, lamps, batteries, and other equipment to rural households in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was crowned the top winner of the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest on Wednesday. One hundred households in the western provinces of Congo currently pay to use equipment provided … Continue reading “Solar Electricity Startup NovoMoto Wins WI Business Plan Contest”

Exact Sciences, Mayo Clinic Share Data on DNA-Based Liver Cancer Test

Researchers at Exact Sciences and Mayo Clinic said Tuesday they have made progress toward developing a panel of blood-based DNA biomarkers that could help detect the most common form of liver cancer when the disease is still in its early stages. The two organizations said that data from a recent 244-patient study of a blood … Continue reading “Exact Sciences, Mayo Clinic Share Data on DNA-Based Liver Cancer Test”

Motivo, Rockwell, Snippet & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist

Keep up with news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Motivo, a New Berlin-based company that sells wheeled, collapsible walkers for people who need help with mobility and balance, said it raised $950,000 from investors to ramp up sales of its Motivo Tour Walker product line. The walkers, which are currently available for … Continue reading “Motivo, Rockwell, Snippet & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”

Teladoc Buys Advance Medical for $352M to Expand Telehealth Services

Teladoc said Monday that it has bought Advance Medical, a fellow provider of telehealth software and services, in a $352 million cash and stock deal intended to add to its reach beyond U.S. borders. Purchase, NY-based Teladoc (NYSE: [[ticker:TDOC]]) said that following its acquisition of Westwood, MA-based Advance Medical, more people who are employed by … Continue reading “Teladoc Buys Advance Medical for $352M to Expand Telehealth Services”

Art of the Deo: American Provenance Raises $500K to Go National

American Provenance, a Blue Mounds, WI-based startup that sells handmade deodorants, after-shave, and other grooming products, has raised a $500,000 round of equity funding to help fuel its growth, says founder and CEO Kyle LaFond. The company will use some of the proceeds from the seed funding round to create digital marketing campaigns for its … Continue reading “Art of the Deo: American Provenance Raises $500K to Go National”

Ease Raises $500K to Connect Freelance Workers with Employers

Nate Harris had never worked at a tech startup prior to co-founding Ease, a Milwaukee-based technology and service provider that helps businesses find freelancers to help them in areas like website design and search engine optimization. Harris’s background is in digital marketing and restaurants; he’s a managing partner in Ugly’s, a tavern located in the … Continue reading “Ease Raises $500K to Connect Freelance Workers with Employers”

Exact Sciences Needs New Study to Fully Benefit From ACS Change

Exact Sciences has already set plans in place to try to benefit from new guidelines from the American Cancer Society, which is lowering the recommended age at which patients should first get screened for colorectal cancer from 50 to 45. Fully realizing that objective, however, is still going to take plenty of time and money, … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Needs New Study to Fully Benefit From ACS Change”

Propeller Health Raises $20M to Move Beyond Respiratory Disease

[Updated 5/30/18 7:53 a.m. See below.] Since launching in 2010, Propeller Health has kept its focus on developing connected devices and complementary software for patients with respiratory disease. But that could soon change, following Madison, WI-based Propeller’s announcement on Wednesday that it plans to work with Aptar Pharma to develop digital health products for treating … Continue reading “Propeller Health Raises $20M to Move Beyond Respiratory Disease”

Epic, Foxconn, Thermo Fisher & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist

Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Verona-based Epic Systems and two other corporations in a case that examined whether it’s legal for organizations to require their employees to sign arbitration agreements that keep them from pursuing group claims in court. Groups of … Continue reading “Epic, Foxconn, Thermo Fisher & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”

Q&A: Don Layden Talks VC Trends, Exits, Foxconn’s ‘Long Tail’ & More

Don Layden has lived and worked in greater Milwaukee long enough to feel like he’s got a pretty good grasp of the area’s strengths, weaknesses, and defining qualities. Layden graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1982, then worked his way up to partner at the law firm Quarles & Brady. He later served in … Continue reading “Q&A: Don Layden Talks VC Trends, Exits, Foxconn’s ‘Long Tail’ & More”

Fishidy, Developer of Tech That Aids Anglers, Sold to Flir Systems

Fishidy, a startup that has developed map-based tools to help fishing enthusiasts document and share information, was acquired in April by Flir Systems, a developer of thermal imaging cameras and sensors. That’s according to Don Layden, an operating partner at Baird Venture Partners who invested in Madison, WI-based Fishidy as an individual. None of the … Continue reading “Fishidy, Developer of Tech That Aids Anglers, Sold to Flir Systems”

Madrona Raises $300M Fund to Back Tech Startups in Seattle and Beyond

Madrona Venture Group, one of the most active venture capital firms based in the Seattle area, said Tuesday that it has raised a new, $300 million fund to support early stage technology businesses in the region and beyond. Madrona had previously raised two separate $300 million investment funds (in 2012 and 2015) as well as … Continue reading “Madrona Raises $300M Fund to Back Tech Startups in Seattle and Beyond”

Bloxvox’s Voice-Dampening Device Gives Users Privacy During Calls

Many people who spend a significant amount of time on the phone at work use headphones or a headset so they can go hands-free during calls and type as they talk. While they have yet to enter the mainstream, there are also devices that fit over the mouth and allow phone talkers to muffle their … Continue reading “Bloxvox’s Voice-Dampening Device Gives Users Privacy During Calls”

Bright Cellars, AmFam, Coinigy & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist

Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Bright Cellars, a monthly wine club that seeks to help its subscribers develop more sophisticated palates, said it raised a $2.8 million funding round. Participating investors included Chicago-based Cleveland Avenue, Northwestern Mutual’s Cream City Venture Capital fund, and return backer CSA Partners. Richard … Continue reading “Bright Cellars, AmFam, Coinigy & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”

Aided By Facebook Ads, Wantable Carves Out Niche in Online Fashion

When it comes to advertising on the Web, Google remains king. But second-place Facebook has rapidly been narrowing the gap. From 2012 to 2017, Facebook’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FB]]) ad revenues increased 833 percent, to $39.9 billion, according to Statista.com. That’s compared with a 118 percent growth rate in Google’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GOOGL]]) online ad sales over the … Continue reading “Aided By Facebook Ads, Wantable Carves Out Niche in Online Fashion”

Seattle Tech IPO Watch: Avalara, nLight, Smartsheet & More

In recent weeks, a business developing industrial laser technology and another that sells software to help corporate teams collaborate are among the Pacific Northwest companies that have held an initial public offering, or filed paperwork to do so. Let’s get caught up: —Bellevue, WA-based Smartsheet (NYSE: [[ticker:SMAR]]), which develops collaborative software allowing users to track … Continue reading “Seattle Tech IPO Watch: Avalara, nLight, Smartsheet & More”

Seattle Venture Capital Watch: Nohla, Auth0, Glowforge & More

A maker of a 3D laser printer and an A.I. algorithm startup are among the Seattle-area companies that have in recent weeks raised a notable funding round. Let’s catch up on some of the Emerald City deals action. —Glowforge, a Seattle-based startup that sells 3D laser printers for designers, artists, and other tinkerers, received a … Continue reading “Seattle Venture Capital Watch: Nohla, Auth0, Glowforge & More”

Venture Investors To Raise As Much As $100M To Fund Health Startups

Venture Investors plans to raise up to $100 million for a new, healthcare-focused venture capital fund, the Madison, WI-based firm said in a document recently filed with federal securities regulators. VI is the oldest and largest venture capital fund in Wisconsin. It created a new business entity, “Venture Investors Health Fund 6 Limited Partnership,” under … Continue reading “Venture Investors To Raise As Much As $100M To Fund Health Startups”

LearnVest, SmartUQ, gBETA & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist

Keep up with news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Northwestern Mutual said it has temporarily shut down LearnVest, a financial advisory service the Milwaukee-based life insurance giant acquired in 2015 for a reported $250 million-plus. Northwestern Mutual said LearnVest will cease providing financial planning services to consumers, and will also discontinue its … Continue reading “LearnVest, SmartUQ, gBETA & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”

Exact Sciences CEO Conroy Talks Growth, Foxconn, Startups & More

Kevin Conroy left a law firm job in his early 30s, right after he had just made partner, to work for a venture capital-backed startup in California called Outcomes. The outcome was not what Conroy had hoped. About a year later, the business ran out of money and went bust. Even so, Conroy, now the … Continue reading “Exact Sciences CEO Conroy Talks Growth, Foxconn, Startups & More”

Medical Engineering Innovations Raising $1.2M for Cancer Removal Tools

[Updated 5/16/18 8:14 a.m. See below.] Medical Engineering Innovations, a Madison, WI-based developer of medical devices that use radio frequency energy to remove cancer from the liver, is in the process of raising a $1.2 million Series A funding round, says Richard Schmidt, the startup’s president and CEO. Champaign, IL-based Serra Ventures is leading the equity funding round, … Continue reading “Medical Engineering Innovations Raising $1.2M for Cancer Removal Tools”

Buoy Health, CVS Partner on Chatbot That Helps Patients Find Care

Virtual assistants seem to be everywhere one turns today, both online and in the physical world. From voice-controlled gadgets like Google (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GOOGL]]) Home and Amazon’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) Echo to the virtual chatbots some organizations’ websites use to greet visitors, these tools are attempting to help people get their questions answered more quickly. But some … Continue reading “Buoy Health, CVS Partner on Chatbot That Helps Patients Find Care”

Renaissance Learning to Get New Private Equity Owner, Change CEOs

A California private equity firm that has previously bought and sold education software businesses has agreed to acquire Wisconsin Rapids, WI-based Renaissance Learning, the company said Thursday. Renaissance is being sold by one San Francisco-based private equity firm (Hellman & Friedman) to another (Francisco Partners), Renaissance said. The company did not include any specific financial … Continue reading “Renaissance Learning to Get New Private Equity Owner, Change CEOs”

Under New Leaders, Name, PegEx Raises $8M for Waste Removal Software

In recent decades, everything from business cards to monthly bills and bank statements to medical charts detailing patients’ health histories have gone paperless. But one industry that still relies heavily on paper documents is regulated waste remediation, which involves removing hazardous materials from factories and other sites. That’s according to Eric Apfelbach, president and CEO … Continue reading “Under New Leaders, Name, PegEx Raises $8M for Waste Removal Software”

Invenra Partners with Exelixis to Develop New Antibody Cancer Drugs

Invenra, a biotech startup that develops therapeutic antibodies for pharma companies, is joining forces with a Bay Area company to discover and develop new treatments for cancer. Madison, WI-based Invenra’s announcement late Wednesday that it will partner with South San Francisco, CA-based Exelixis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXEL]]) said that the companies will develop as many as seven … Continue reading “Invenra Partners with Exelixis to Develop New Antibody Cancer Drugs”

StartingBlock Madison Names New Tenants Ahead of June Opening

Startup companies developing products that range from a saliva-based fertility test to a smartphone app that lets you securely send photos to your doctor are getting set to bid farewell to their current office buildings and move into a new hub for entrepreneurs in Madison, WI. On Monday, StartingBlock Madison, a 50,000-square-foot center for startups, … Continue reading “StartingBlock Madison Names New Tenants Ahead of June Opening”

COO Maneesh Arora Leaving Exact Sciences; More Earnings Call Tidbits

Exact Sciences has made several additions to its leadership team in the past 18 months, but on Thursday the Madison, WI-based cancer test developer announced a key upcoming departure. Maneesh Arora, who has been Exact’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) chief operating officer since 2012, will leave the company at the end of the year, CEO and president … Continue reading “COO Maneesh Arora Leaving Exact Sciences; More Earnings Call Tidbits”

Exact Sciences Beats Quarterly Forecasts, Sending Its Stock Price Up

When leaders at Exact Sciences discussed dealing with the adversity of cold weather and a “historically severe” flu season in early 2018, some industry observers predicted a potential break in the long growth streak of the Madison, WI-based company’s flagship product, a stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer known as Cologuard. But on Thursday, Exact … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Beats Quarterly Forecasts, Sending Its Stock Price Up”

As Telemedicine Use Booms, Doctor On Demand Raises $74M to Scale Up

Doctor On Demand, a startup that provides telemedicine services to patients who are unable or unwilling to see a doctor in person, says it has raised a $74 million round of outside financing. The new cash comes as the San Francisco-based company seeks to increase its market share in the telemedicine industry, which is projected … Continue reading “As Telemedicine Use Booms, Doctor On Demand Raises $74M to Scale Up”

After Mishap in Fall, Madison Driverless Shuttle Demos Get Another Go

Five months after a mishap involving a delivery truck thousands of miles away prompted the cancellation of a scheduled driverless shuttle demonstration in Madison, WI, people living in and around the city have another chance to experience the potential future of transportation firsthand. On Tuesday and Wednesday, members of the public can ride in an … Continue reading “After Mishap in Fall, Madison Driverless Shuttle Demos Get Another Go”

Here Are the Companies in Gener8tor’s Madison 2018 Accelerator Class

Two companies headquartered in Florida and two others based in Gener8tor’s home state of Wisconsin are among the six startups participating in the organization’s latest for-equity accelerator program. Gener8tor, which invests in startups and coaches the entrepreneurs who run them, has graduated a dozen classes of early-stage companies from its core program since 2012. The … Continue reading “Here Are the Companies in Gener8tor’s Madison 2018 Accelerator Class”

Baird: Exact Sciences Should Rebound After First-Quarter ‘Headwinds’

Cancer screening test company Exact Sciences may not be anticipating the release of its first-quarter earnings report next week as eagerly as it has past quarters’ earnings announcements. The Madison, WI-based company in February signaled to investors that sales of its flagship product Cologuard, a stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer screening, hit a bit … Continue reading “Baird: Exact Sciences Should Rebound After First-Quarter ‘Headwinds’”

NorthStar, Fiserv, CUNA & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist

Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, which is seeking to become the first U.S. company in decades to domestically produce a widely used medical radioisotope, broke ground on a new 20,000-square-foot production facility at its Beloit headquarters, the Janesville Gazette reported. NorthStar plans to produce and … Continue reading “NorthStar, Fiserv, CUNA & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”

Healthfinch Seeks to Take Automation in Healthcare Up a Level

The late 19th century saw a number of advances in elevator equipment. For example, the first electric elevator was built in 1880, and manufacturers introduced safety bumpers and automatic stopping technology in subsequent decades. By 1900, many models of elevator had gone “driverless” and could be controlled by someone inside without any specialized knowledge. As … Continue reading “Healthfinch Seeks to Take Automation in Healthcare Up a Level”

Livongo Health Grows with Purchase of Weight Loss Startup Retrofit

Livongo Health, a Bay Area-based developer of devices and software for managing chronic health conditions, has acquired Retrofit, a Chicago startup that develops programs designed to help people lose weight and prevent disease. Mountain View, CA-based Livongo, which last week raised a $105 million round of outside investment, says that its purchase of Retrofit will … Continue reading “Livongo Health Grows with Purchase of Weight Loss Startup Retrofit”

Livongo, Led By Ex-Allscripts CEO, Gets $105M for Health Tech Tools

Livongo Health, a startup that develops connected devices and software for patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions, said earlier this week it had raised $105 million from investors to support further development of its technology. Livongo’s latest financing round was led by Kinnevik and General Catalyst Partners, which reportedly helped incubate the startup and … Continue reading “Livongo, Led By Ex-Allscripts CEO, Gets $105M for Health Tech Tools”

Research Shows How Inhaler Data Help Patients Breathe, Cities Plan

In 2014, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation committed to fund a first-of-its-kind study of asthma and air quality in Louisville, KY, in part because the organization wanted to see whether patient-generated data could influence public policy. The study, which was also funded by the American Lung Association and several local foundations, involved providing hundreds of … Continue reading “Research Shows How Inhaler Data Help Patients Breathe, Cities Plan”

GrocerKey Strengthens Ties to Woodman’s with New $2.5M Funding Round

GrocerKey, a startup that has developed white-label software to help grocery stores create an online presence, said it has raised $2.5 million in a funding round led by Woodman’s Market, an early GrocerKey customer. Other participants in the investment include Dunnhumby Ventures, the venture capital arm of Dunnhumby, a subsidiary of U.K. retail giant Tesco … Continue reading “GrocerKey Strengthens Ties to Woodman’s with New $2.5M Funding Round”

Healthfinch Raises $6M to Automate Routine Patient Care Tasks

[Updated 4/11/18 8:57 a.m. See below.] Healthfinch, a startup whose software automates routine tasks performed by physicians and others who care for patients in clinics, has raised $6 million from investors, says co-founder and CEO Jonathan Baran. Madison, WI-based Healthfinch has developed applications for tasks like fulfilling medication requests and planning visits to the doctor’s office. … Continue reading “Healthfinch Raises $6M to Automate Routine Patient Care Tasks”

Welltok Raises $75M to Develop Software That Promotes Healthy Habits

Welltok, a Denver-based company that works with healthcare providers, insurers, and other groups to create individualized programs that incentivize healthy behavior, said earlier this week that it had raised $75 million from investors. The “Series E2” funding round, Welltok’s largest to date, follows rounds of $33.7 million in 2016 and $45 million in 2015. The … Continue reading “Welltok Raises $75M to Develop Software That Promotes Healthy Habits”

Tax Credits, IVMD, BrightStar, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist

Whoever came up with the rhyme “April showers bring May flowers” probably wasn’t talking about snow showers. As people in Wisconsin hope for this week’s flurries to give way to a long-awaited thaw, consider taking a few minutes to catch up on recent fundings and other news from the state’s innovation community: —Integrated Vital Medical … Continue reading “Tax Credits, IVMD, BrightStar, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”

Nutrition-Focused GenoPalate Joins Crowd of DNA Test Kit Companies

Genetic testing services from companies such as Ancestry and 23andMe have risen in popularity in the past decade, attracting consumers who are eager to learn more about their lineage or risk of contracting certain types of disease. But there are plenty of smaller players trying to carve out a following in this industry. Milwaukee-based GenoPalate … Continue reading “Nutrition-Focused GenoPalate Joins Crowd of DNA Test Kit Companies”

Lumanu Raises $1M for Tools That Amplify Social Influencers’ Posts

As social networks like Facebook (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FB]]) and Instagram continue to add millions of new users each year, businesses are fighting to capture their attention by advertising across an array of digital platforms. One marketing technique that has become increasingly popular in the past decade involves paying social media “influencers”—users with lots of followers—to promote … Continue reading “Lumanu Raises $1M for Tools That Amplify Social Influencers’ Posts”

UW-Madison Taps Andy Richards to Lead Discovery to Product Program

After serving for seven months as interim director of Discovery to Product—a program that helps students, faculty, and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Madison turn ideas into companies—Andy Richards has dropped “interim” from his title. On Tuesday, UW-Madison said it had selected Richards to lead the program, which is abbreviated as D2P. He officially started … Continue reading “UW-Madison Taps Andy Richards to Lead Discovery to Product Program”

PerBlue Says It Plans to Launch ‘Disney Heroes’ Game By End of Year

Disney and PerBlue, a Madison, WI-based mobile games studio, said they plan to launch a new role-playing game later this year that features characters from numerous hit Disney films. According to a news release, the game, “Disney Heroes: Battle Mode,” became available for pre-registration on the Google Play store on Monday. There will be a version … Continue reading “PerBlue Says It Plans to Launch ‘Disney Heroes’ Game By End of Year”