A forthcoming center for entrepreneurs aims to help focus New York University’s efforts to help startups. There are lots of programs at NYU, including incubators and the last week’s entrepreneurial festival, designed to help founders build their ideas into businesses. But coordinating such resources when they’re spread across a large university can be a bit … Continue reading “NYU Setting Up Lab As a Hub for Entrepreneurs”
Author: João-Pierre S. Ruth
After more than thirteen years as a business reporter in New Jersey, João-Pierre S. Ruth joined the ranks of Xconomy serving first as a correspondent and then as editor for its New York City branch. Earlier in his career he covered telecom players such as Verizon Wireless, device makers such as Samsung, and developers of organic LED technology such as Universal Display Corp.
João-Pierre earned his bachelor’s in English from Rutgers University.
Accelerant Launches Micro-Fund to Help Israeli Startups Come to U.S.
[Corrected, 1:50 pm, 3/5/2014. See below.] New York is the gateway for many international founders who want to make a splash in the United States, but setting up shop here can be tough. Eyal Bino, founder of Worldwide Investor Network (WIN) in New York, has been an advocate for bringing startups from overseas to this … Continue reading “Accelerant Launches Micro-Fund to Help Israeli Startups Come to U.S.”
Varonis Goes Public, Seeks Better Ways to Understand Metadata
E-mails, spreadsheets, and text files can gang up on businesses if they are not careful. As more companies rely on digital information to get things done, the data their employees create may pile up into a foreboding mountain. New York-based Varonis Systems believes its software is the answer to sorting out how, and with whom, … Continue reading “Varonis Goes Public, Seeks Better Ways to Understand Metadata”
Looking for More Intelligence in Digital Publishing at Matter Demo Day
Bristling with new ideas to help publishers, writers, and other creative professionals reach out through the digital world, the crew from Matter in San Francisco held a demo day this week in New York. It is the second class to graduate from the media-focused accelerator, this time with seven startups promising to stir up different parts … Continue reading “Looking for More Intelligence in Digital Publishing at Matter Demo Day”
Radiator Labs Bets the ‘Cozy’ Will Make Old Steam Heaters Smart
[Updated 2/25/14 4:45 pm. See below.] Plenty of device makers are creating ways to remotely control gadgets in modern homes, but what about in older residences? Some hovels have antiquated appliances that lack digital devices that can be manipulated and linked to data networks. Marshall Cox, CEO and founder of Radiator Labs in New York, says … Continue reading “Radiator Labs Bets the ‘Cozy’ Will Make Old Steam Heaters Smart”
Fintech Startup Quovo, Led by Harvard Grads, Expands Into MA
Financial data can be downright awkward and wonky to deal with. The challenge is not just that there is a lot of information to work with, says Quovo CEO Lowell Putnam. Data taken from different sources might not even look similar. For example, he says, market data and transaction data are not always put together … Continue reading “Fintech Startup Quovo, Led by Harvard Grads, Expands Into MA”
Aereo & the Rebel Startup Myth: Some Say “Not Where You Want to Be”
There is a certain mystique to playing the radical in an old, traditional industry. However, stirring things up almost guarantees the incumbents will push back—and push back hard. If that tension leads to a legal spat, most startups do not have a war chest ready for a lengthy battle. Nor do they have the time. … Continue reading “Aereo & the Rebel Startup Myth: Some Say “Not Where You Want to Be””
Kapitall, With Fresh $13M in Hand, Aims to Simplify Online Investing
A New York-based developer of an online investing platform now has more money to dabble with. Kapitall announced Wednesday it raised $13 million in a round led by Linden Venture Fund, with Bendigo Partners and others participating. The company, founded in 2008, created a game-style interface to make it easier for the layperson to navigate … Continue reading “Kapitall, With Fresh $13M in Hand, Aims to Simplify Online Investing”
PlaceIQ Lands $15M Round, Will Scale Up Its Ad Intelligence Software
Knowing where consumers tend to roam can give marketers an edge. So it’s little surprise that New York-based PlaceIQ is growing fast and raising money. The startup’s software gives marketers insight on the places people tend to visit thanks to data gathered anonymously from mobile devices. Such information, says PlaceIQ CEO and co-founder Duncan McCall, … Continue reading “PlaceIQ Lands $15M Round, Will Scale Up Its Ad Intelligence Software”
MakerBot Opens Innovation Centers, Bringing 3D Printers to Academia
Bre Pettis is starting to see more of his master plan come together. MakerBot Industries in Brooklyn announced Thursday it will hold a grand opening next week for its first innovation center, which was set up at SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY. The company has outfitted the center with desktop 3D printers and … Continue reading “MakerBot Opens Innovation Centers, Bringing 3D Printers to Academia”
Bespoke and Digital: Arden Reed Tailors New Looks With 3D Scans
It is getting easier to turn the physical world into data. But what can you do with that data? Technology to capture three-dimensional visual information is finding its way into more industries—even tailor shops. The folks at Arden Reed in New York, for example, are making precisely fitting dress suits, thanks to 3D body scanners. … Continue reading “Bespoke and Digital: Arden Reed Tailors New Looks With 3D Scans”
Light Reading Co-Founder Stephen Saunders Gets Company Back from UBM
More than eight years after selling Light Reading in New York to UBM, co-founder Stephen Saunders has repurchased his company. Light Reading announced the deal Monday; terms were not disclosed. The company, founded in 2000, provides research and analysis on the telecommunications industry, publishing content across a network of websites. Saunders has said Light Reading … Continue reading “Light Reading Co-Founder Stephen Saunders Gets Company Back from UBM”
Enigma Raises $4.5M Series A Round Led by Comcast Ventures
Public records can be useful to various enterprises, but they’re not always easy to get ahold of. New York-based Enigma has developed software to dig up publicly available, yet hard-to-reach records and help users figure out how different pieces of information in those records are related. The startup also makes its API (application programming interface) available … Continue reading “Enigma Raises $4.5M Series A Round Led by Comcast Ventures”
Transit Wireless Brings Verizon Wireless Signal to NY Subway Stations
After months of talks and elbow grease, Transit Wireless has connected Verizon Wireless to some subways beneath New York’s streets. So far, some 35 stations, largely along Manhattan’s west side, are being lit up with the carrier’s voice and data network. This is one part of a big project that Transit Wireless, based in Long … Continue reading “Transit Wireless Brings Verizon Wireless Signal to NY Subway Stations”
From Foursquare to Shake: Furst Helps Legal Startup Drum Up Business
With a new hire that speaks to its lofty aspirations, New York startup Shake has nabbed an executive from Foursquare. This month Jake Furst became vice president of business development at Shake, the developer of a mobile app for creating concise legal documents. Drafting someone from a higher profile company to work at a fledgling startup … Continue reading “From Foursquare to Shake: Furst Helps Legal Startup Drum Up Business”
Rideshare App Bandwagon Gets Around Legally in the NYC Battleground
Getting a taxi in a busy city is a problem plenty of startups have been trying to solve. There are potholes, though, that developers of ridesharing and car-hailing apps may run into, trouble that has nothing to do with technology. So far, New York’s Bandwagon has avoided much of the courtroom drama that has plagued Uber, … Continue reading “Rideshare App Bandwagon Gets Around Legally in the NYC Battleground”
Thinkful Adds Offline Spin to Online Education for Career Advancement
Darrell Silver’s Thinkful is in the online education business, but it was a group of customers who taught the startup a new trick. The New York-based startup offers online courses and mentors for career advancement. Thinkful was founded in 2012, is backed by Peter Thiel’s FF Angel and others, and is finding ways to adapt … Continue reading “Thinkful Adds Offline Spin to Online Education for Career Advancement”
Tech Wants to Ride Along, from LG’s Lifeband to Ford’s C-Max Solar
Who doesn’t want to check their heart rate while listening to music? Invading more parts of people’s lives is an ongoing goal for gadget developers. And now, more than ever, they want to come along for the ride in devices you can wear or drive. Plenty of updates of existing devices were on display at … Continue reading “Tech Wants to Ride Along, from LG’s Lifeband to Ford’s C-Max Solar”
A Stroll through Eureka Park, a Wonderland for Startups at CES
It would not be a tech show without a peek at ideas still in the workshop. Flexible, printed circuitry, pet activity trackers, and magnetic data connections for smartphones turned Eureka Park into a gallery of emerging technology at last week’s International CES (see slideshow). The show space set aside for startups, and a few growth-stage … Continue reading “A Stroll through Eureka Park, a Wonderland for Startups at CES”
MakerBot Went Big (and Small) at CES with New Lines of 3D Printers
To hear Bre Pettis tell it at the press conference he held at International CES, new territory has opened up for MakerBot Industries. Last week, the CEO and co-founder of the Brooklyn-based company introduced three new desktop 3D printers at the tech tradeshow. Hardware may be what MakerBot is known for, but the company also … Continue reading “MakerBot Went Big (and Small) at CES with New Lines of 3D Printers”
What Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer Did and Did Not Say in Her CES Keynote
Where is Yahoo going? Does the company have a killer plan to hush its critics? Those were the main questions I wanted CEO Marissa Mayer to answer in her first-ever keynote address at International CES. She took the stage at this week’s big technology trade show in Las Vegas, giving a carefully planned talk on … Continue reading “What Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer Did and Did Not Say in Her CES Keynote”
Curves Are “In” with TV Makers: First Impressions from CES 2014
New devices often strive for slim and sleek looks. This year, some tech giants are flaunting curves. The exhibits opened today for this year’s International CES in Las Vegas but, as usual, journalists got an early look Monday at a few of the gadgets that will be on display. The weeklong event is a frenzy … Continue reading “Curves Are “In” with TV Makers: First Impressions from CES 2014”
Startups Poised to Make Their Mark Alongside the Big Guys at CES
Much of the technology world will descend this weekend on Las Vegas, bound for the annual spectacle of new gadgets known as the International CES. As soon as the Northeast digs its way out of the snow, I will be on my way for hands-on coverage of this carnival of consumer devices. Big companies such … Continue reading “Startups Poised to Make Their Mark Alongside the Big Guys at CES”
Tinypass Lets Web Publishers Put Different Paywall Options in Play
Figuring out how to make money from online content is still akin to trying to build the better mouse trap. Publishers try many different ways to sell access to articles, videos, and other media—and sometimes fall flat on their faces. But one New York-based startup hopes to make it easier for such sites to figure … Continue reading “Tinypass Lets Web Publishers Put Different Paywall Options in Play”
Women-led Startups Show New York’s Tech Scene Not Just a Boys’ Club
Though it might seem that way to some, technology never was strictly the domain of men. The programming languages of Rear Adm. Grace Hopper and the algorithms of Ada Lovelace run deeply in the digital DNA of computer science. Women do found and build startups, as we have seen in New York this past year. … Continue reading “Women-led Startups Show New York’s Tech Scene Not Just a Boys’ Club”
Priori Legal Pairs Data and the Web to Connect Lawyers with Small Biz
Searching for an attorney might not be fun. But many businesses, even tiny ones with tight budgets, wind up needing their services. A pair of Yale law school grads says their online marketplace, Priorilegal.com, makes it easier for small businesses to find lawyers who are willing to work on the cheap, matching attorneys to the … Continue reading “Priori Legal Pairs Data and the Web to Connect Lawyers with Small Biz”
DFJ Growth Backs Foursquare, Barry Schuler Sees an “Inflection Point”
Dennis Crowley seemed to be on a quest in 2013 to change minds about—and revive the prospects for—his company Foursquare. Earlier this year, Foursquare rolled out new versions of the check-in app, adding real-time recommendations and other features. But now, Crowley has the input of a former CEO of AOL. Last Thursday, word came that … Continue reading “DFJ Growth Backs Foursquare, Barry Schuler Sees an “Inflection Point””
Jack Dorsey & Harlem Small Business Owners Discuss Entrepreneurship
A different kind of show went on stage at the Apollo Theater in New York on Tuesday night. Square CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey kicked off a conversation with small business owners in Harlem about their goals and needs. It was the final “Let’s Talk” chat for the year, a series of panels sponsored … Continue reading “Jack Dorsey & Harlem Small Business Owners Discuss Entrepreneurship”
MdotLabs, Backed by Great Oaks & Others, Sifts Out Bogus Web Traffic
When is a page view not a real page view? That is one of the questions MdotLabs offers to help Web companies answer through its software. Much of the revenue in digital publishing and online ads rides on audience flow. So being able to verify the number of people who check out websites is crucial. … Continue reading “MdotLabs, Backed by Great Oaks & Others, Sifts Out Bogus Web Traffic”
TouchCast Opens Up Two-Way Interactive Window for Videos
Ever feel disconnected—figuratively—from videos online? Aside from clicking on ads or links that pop up during playback, there is not much for the audience to do but sit back and watch. Now a startup in New York thinks viewers want more. “Up until now, video has been this other [type of] media,” says Erick Schonfeld, … Continue reading “TouchCast Opens Up Two-Way Interactive Window for Videos”
Filip Technologies, eGifter, & Simulmedia Get Cash for the Holidays
Santa’s big red bag opened a little early for a few New York startups. Filip Technologies, maker of a smartwatch-style phone and GPS locator for kids, said Wednesday it raised $8 million from new investors including KEC Venture, Horizon Ventures, and The Social+Capital Partnership. London-based Filip has its U.S. headquarters in New York City and … Continue reading “Filip Technologies, eGifter, & Simulmedia Get Cash for the Holidays”
Mandy Ginsberg Teaches Tutor.com Lessons in Connecting with Consumers
It keeps getting easier to find help with schoolwork—some good, some less so—thanks to technology, and Mandy Ginsberg thinks tutoring is on the cusp of a transformation. Her bullishness is to be expected; she’s CEO of New York-based Tutor.com, after all. The company, owned by IAC, lets students connect with tutors in `round-the-clock online sessions. … Continue reading “Mandy Ginsberg Teaches Tutor.com Lessons in Connecting with Consumers”
Artiphon’s Music Maker Gives New Meaning to “One-Man Band”
Its shape and sound harken back to a lap steel guitar, but also a violin—unless it is held like a cello. Hang on to that confusion for a minute and gander at the Instrument 1 from Artiphon. With its hardwood construction, virtual strings, and a port for a mobile device, this odd-looking gadget can be … Continue reading “Artiphon’s Music Maker Gives New Meaning to “One-Man Band””
MSpy Casts a Watchful Eye on Mobile Devices, Plans Move to New York
Trust can be a fickle thing, especially when it comes to mobile communication. These personal gadgets let people capture and share information that, in the wrong hands, might do harm. They can also expose bad behavior in the making. The co-founders of mSpy say that’s what prompted them to build technology for keeping tabs on … Continue reading “MSpy Casts a Watchful Eye on Mobile Devices, Plans Move to New York”
The Campaign to Rebuild New York’s Data Infrastructure Comes to NYTM
New York’s innovation scene has a number of things going its way—from investors with deep pockets to mature industries ripe for disruption. Yet access to robust data connections, vital to the development of many startups, is catch-as-catch-can here. At last night’s New York Tech Meetup, a huge monthly gathering that features tech demos, the issue … Continue reading “The Campaign to Rebuild New York’s Data Infrastructure Comes to NYTM”
Startups in First Class of R/GA Connected Devices Accelerator Named
Things just got real for a new accelerator in New York. Ten startups were announced today, all working on ideas for networked electronics, for the inaugural R/GA Connected Device Accelerator class. The plan is to build companies to be part of the “Internet of Things” movement, which is all about technology that ties physical products … Continue reading “Startups in First Class of R/GA Connected Devices Accelerator Named”
NYU Alums Form Network to Help Each Other in Entrepreneurship
Landing the right introductions can change the fortunes of startups. That can mean getting a big-name customer or finding the perfect developer to join the team. But making that first, important contact is a challenge for many founders. To tackle this, and other matters that plague startups, Ricky Berrin, an MBA grad from New York … Continue reading “NYU Alums Form Network to Help Each Other in Entrepreneurship”
Tis the Season for 3D-Printed Tchotchkes and Stocking Stuffers?
With the gifting frenzy now underway, some companies in 3D printing want their goods on more consumers’ wish lists. Naturally grandma can knit scarves for everyone, but what if she busts out with custom-made jewelry or figurines this year? That is the gist of what 3D printers claim they can offer a public eager for … Continue reading “Tis the Season for 3D-Printed Tchotchkes and Stocking Stuffers?”
Vertical Search Works Reaches Across the Pond with London Office
British publishers and marketers are about to get more help from a U.S. player in search. New York-based Vertical Search Works, a developer of semantic search technology, announced Tuesday it opened a London office to lead its expansion in the European market. Semantic search, in short, is a way to give contextual meaning to the … Continue reading “Vertical Search Works Reaches Across the Pond with London Office”
Storytelling Gets Social, in Tweet-Driven Doses, with AuthorBee
Plenty of ways exist to collaborate on stories but AuthorBee has taken the task to tweets. The platform from the New York-based startup lets individuals and businesses interact with and crowdsource ideas from the public. Last week, AuthorBee introduced its @AuthorBee product, which brings the action to the Twitter audience. The basic idea is to … Continue reading “Storytelling Gets Social, in Tweet-Driven Doses, with AuthorBee”
TapCommerce Raises $10.5 M in Series A Round Led by Bain and RRE
Sometimes a second impression can win over fickle buyers online. At least that’s what developers of ad retargeting technology believe—and investors seem to agree. One startup in this space, TapCommerce in New York, now has more money show what its platform can do. On Friday, the company said it raised $10.5 million in a Series … Continue reading “TapCommerce Raises $10.5 M in Series A Round Led by Bain and RRE”
Shake, Signpost, and Apprenda Nab Series A, B, and C Rounds
Companies working on digital legal agreements, software platforms, and mobile marketing for local businesses have landed funding this week in New York. On Wednesday, Shake in New York City said it raised $3 million in a Series A round led by SoftBank Capital with participation from RRE Ventures, ENIAC Ventures, BoxGroup, WGI Group, Mesa+, and … Continue reading “Shake, Signpost, and Apprenda Nab Series A, B, and C Rounds”
Onswipe, with New CEO Onboard, Rolls Out New Platform for More Devices
Change has come fast and furious at Onswipe. The New York-based company unveiled the new version of its platform today, less than a week after hiring Jonty Kelt as its new CEO. Last Friday, Onswipe founder Jason Baptiste moved into the chief marketing officer position, clearing the way for the change. Kelt was CEO and … Continue reading “Onswipe, with New CEO Onboard, Rolls Out New Platform for More Devices”
Water-Resistant Tablets, Surgical Robots, and Curved TVs Come to NY
Tech shows at the tail end of the year always bring a flurry of slick devices. During the past few weeks, I have bounced from event to event in New York, snapping photos of the latest wares to hit the electronics scene. Some gadget makers hope these shows will boost their holiday sales. Others tease … Continue reading “Water-Resistant Tablets, Surgical Robots, and Curved TVs Come to NY”
After Starting Over from Scratch, Reece Pacheco Launches New Shelby.tv
Reece Pacheco finally took the lid off the new version of his video discovery platform. Back in 2012, New York’s Shelby.tv snuffed its old incarnation and then began to rebuild the technology. Now, with brand new code and a new direction, CEO and co-founder Pacheco will see if he’s got the right recipe. So what … Continue reading “After Starting Over from Scratch, Reece Pacheco Launches New Shelby.tv”
Qloo, Now Out of Beta, Wants to Learn Your Different Cultural Tastes
Lots of apps try to tell people where to find stuff they like. New York’s Qloo came out of private beta Thursday promising deeply personal recommendations for multiple interests. The company already has $3 million in seed funding in pocket from backers including Kindler Capital, as well as individual investors such as comedian Cedric the … Continue reading “Qloo, Now Out of Beta, Wants to Learn Your Different Cultural Tastes”
Canary’s Adam Sager Eager to Connect Home Security to Smartphones
Yesterday’s CES Unveiled New York show gave a glimpse of flashy gadgets, familiar and new, with local startup Canary chirping among them. I ran into Adam Sager, Canary’s CEO, at this preamble to January’s annual International CES. He said Canary is busy prepping for next spring’s release of its home-monitoring device. It can be hard … Continue reading “Canary’s Adam Sager Eager to Connect Home Security to Smartphones”
Ayah Bdeir of LittleBits to Bring Inventiveness to Hardtech Revolution
The thump and rhythm of music creation will soon be within reach for users of littleBits. At last Friday’s press preview for the Engadget Expand tech show, littleBits CEO Ayah Bdeir made a whole lot of noise. Actually, it was more like well-controlled electronic wave tones and dope beats. After her time on stage, Bdeir … Continue reading “Ayah Bdeir of LittleBits to Bring Inventiveness to Hardtech Revolution”
Mobile Marketing Tech Player Appboy, Kevin Ryan’s Zola Nab Funding
A pair of funding deals hit New York this week in mobile marketing technology and online wedding gifting. On Wednesday, mobile relationship manager Appboy said it raised $7.6 million in a Series A round led by Icon Venture Partners. Other investors in the round included IDG Ventures, Blumberg Capital, T5 Capital, Bullpen Capital, Accelerator Ventures, … Continue reading “Mobile Marketing Tech Player Appboy, Kevin Ryan’s Zola Nab Funding”
Zimmerman, Hippeau, Casalena Talk Avoiding Bad Hires at First Growth
Values, principles, and attitude can do a lot to shape a company’s image. For tiny startups, though, it can be easy to skip the process of developing a company culture—and that may hurt them later. A panel at Tuesday’s First Growth Venture Network forum discussed the ways companies, big and small, change when culture comes … Continue reading “Zimmerman, Hippeau, Casalena Talk Avoiding Bad Hires at First Growth”