Renaissance Learning today acquired UClass in a deal that expands the Wisconsin education software company’s capabilities and means a windfall for UClass’s Milwaukee-area investors. Wisconsin Rapids-based Renaissance provides K-12 assessment software and analytics tools to educators in 60 countries, including more than a third of U.S. schools, it says. Founded in 1986, it has grown … Continue reading “Renaissance Learning’s UClass Purchase Spells Golden Angels Windfall”
Author: Jeff Bauter Engel
Jeff, a former Xconomy editor, joined Xconomy from The Milwaukee Business Journal, where he covered manufacturing and technology and wrote about companies including Johnson Controls, Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. He previously worked as the business and healthcare reporter for the Marshfield News-Herald in central Wisconsin.
He graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor degree in journalism and Spanish. At Marquette he was an award-winning reporter and editor with The Marquette Tribune, the student newspaper. During college he also was a reporter intern for the Muskegon Chronicle and Grand Rapids Press in west Michigan.
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic Systems, WeMontage, Kiva, & More
Here are some of the latest headlines in Wisconsin technology: —Epic Systems plans to open an app store that would allow outside developers and healthtech companies to create apps that integrate with Epic’s health records software, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The move is notable both because Verona, WI-based Epic is the largest health records … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic Systems, WeMontage, Kiva, & More”
EatStreet Eyes Exit Amid More Online Food-Ordering Consolidation
The market for food-ordering and delivery apps has advanced this month, as big companies gobble up smaller players to grab a piece of the pie or grow their share of it. The latest examples come from GrubHub (NYSE: [[ticker:GRUB]]) and Yelp (NYSE: [[ticker:YELP]]). GrubHub, already a leader in online food-ordering, announced on Feb. 5 it’s … Continue reading “EatStreet Eyes Exit Amid More Online Food-Ordering Consolidation”
YWeb Career Academy Tackles Tech Diversity, Madison Racial Disparity
It’s one thing to lament the tech industry’s lack of diversity, as many have done in recent months. It’s another thing to actually go out and do something about it. One group attempting to do its part to boost the number of women and minorities in software companies, at least on a local level, is … Continue reading “YWeb Career Academy Tackles Tech Diversity, Madison Racial Disparity”
What’s On Tap? PerBlue
It’s time for the second installment of our ongoing series exploring the beers on tap at the headquarters of Wisconsin startups. Next up is Madison-based PerBlue, a mobile game developer that has 25 full-time employees. Chief operating officer Forrest Woolworth (pictured above, right, with MobCraft Beer’s Henry Schwartz and Andrew Gierczak) describes playtime at the … Continue reading “What’s On Tap? PerBlue”
Promentis Turns to Montana Researchers to Boost Neuro Drug Tech
When Promentis Pharmaceuticals recently sought to beef up its intellectual property portfolio, the Milwaukee startup didn’t turn to a coastal research university, as one might expect. It looked to Montana. Promentis, which is developing drugs that modify brain chemistry to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders, inked an exclusive licensing deal this month with the … Continue reading “Promentis Turns to Montana Researchers to Boost Neuro Drug Tech”
Align Snags $2M to Grow Senior Care Software Business in Central WI
Align, a healthcare software company based in Wausau, WI, has raised $2 million from investors, a new SEC filing shows. The news is significant because it’s a relatively large sum for a Wisconsin tech company to raise in its first major equity funding round, particularly one located in central Wisconsin, where there aren’t many software … Continue reading “Align Snags $2M to Grow Senior Care Software Business in Central WI”
Wisconsin Roundup: CDI, Exact, Centrose, ConjuGon, ConsortiEX, & More
Here are the latest headlines in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based Centrose raised $1 million in convertible debt that will help fund the salary of CEO James Prudent through 2019, according to a new SEC filing. The company is also raising equity investments through this funding round, which could eventually reach $21 million. Centrose … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: CDI, Exact, Centrose, ConjuGon, ConsortiEX, & More”
Wisconsin Far From the Crowd in Top-Funded Kickstarter Tech Projects
Wisconsin inventors, like many of their brethren around the country, have turned to crowdfunding site Kickstarter in recent years to help make their ideas a reality. Mixed among Wisconsin Kickstarter projects raising money for small-town theater renovations, board game creations, and indie films and music albums, are inventions ranging from advanced insulation materials for outdoor … Continue reading “Wisconsin Far From the Crowd in Top-Funded Kickstarter Tech Projects”
Wicab’s Wearable Vision Device Nears U.S. Market, Thanks to Google
[Updated 2/10/15, 8:07 a.m. See below.] Paul Bach-y-Rita believed technology could help blind people to, in a way, “see” the world around them by substituting touch for sight. After 17 years and nearly $26 million in total funding, the late scientist’s company, Wicab, is closer than ever to turning his idea into reality. Wicab has … Continue reading “Wicab’s Wearable Vision Device Nears U.S. Market, Thanks to Google”
Gener8tor’s Winter Program Draws Startups From Miami, Boston, Detroit
Gener8tor co-founder Troy Vosseller describes the Wisconsin startup accelerator’s latest group of companies as its most diverse class to date. When Gener8tor launched its program three years ago, the first couple of sessions featured only Wisconsin-based software and device companies. But its next few sessions attracted startups from around the Midwest and as far away … Continue reading “Gener8tor’s Winter Program Draws Startups From Miami, Boston, Detroit”
Milwaukee Institute Plugs Into National Supercomputer to Boost Resources
[Updated 2/5/15, 10:24 a.m., with additional comments.] The Milwaukee Institute, a nonprofit that offers high-performance computing services to Wisconsin academics and companies, has struck a partnership with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The move allows the Milwaukee Institute and its clients to tap into the resources … Continue reading “Milwaukee Institute Plugs Into National Supercomputer to Boost Resources”
Madison Startups Sound Off on Exposure, Integration, Diversity
The Madison Startup Fair on University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus brings together a cross-section of local startups each year, from software to 3D printing technology to alternative insulation material for outdoor gear. The event, now in its third year, aims to help university students connect with startups and learn more about possible careers, while companies get … Continue reading “Madison Startups Sound Off on Exposure, Integration, Diversity”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Walker Budget, WARF, & More
Here’s a recap of the latest headlines in Wisconsin technology and innovation: —Madison-based Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) has gone on a hiring spree in the wake of securing approval in the U.S. and Europe for Cologuard, its stool-based DNA test for detecting colorectal cancer. The company has grown from 110 employees a year ago to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Walker Budget, WARF, & More”
No Oil Change, No Problem For New Briggs & Stratton Lawnmower Engine
It’s a dirty task that most homeowners probably wish they could avoid (and some skip altogether): changing the oil in their lawnmower engine. Now they won’t have to, thanks to a new product from Briggs & Stratton (NYSE: [[ticker:BGG]]). The Wauwatosa, WI-based small engine and power equipment manufacturer says it has developed a new engine … Continue reading “No Oil Change, No Problem For New Briggs & Stratton Lawnmower Engine”
Capital Midwest Eyes $150M for 3rd WI VC Fund
Capital Midwest Fund is courting investors as it tries to raise between $100 million and $150 million for its third fund, the Wisconsin venture capital firm told Xconomy. Capital Midwest, based in Mequon, WI, is one of a handful of venture capital funds with offices in the state. It’s currently investing from its second fund, … Continue reading “Capital Midwest Eyes $150M for 3rd WI VC Fund”
Wisconsin Roundup: TermSync, Mpirik, Epic, Kiva, VictorySpark, & More
Here are a few of the latest headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation and technology community: —France-based Esker has acquired Fitchburg startup TermSync for an undisclosed amount. TermSync makes cloud-based accounts receivable software and previously raised $2.2 million from investors, SEC documents show. Esker’s U.S. headquarters are in Madison. —Milwaukee-based Mpirik snagged $1.75 million from investors to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: TermSync, Mpirik, Epic, Kiva, VictorySpark, & More”
Invenra Advancing Its Cell-Free Antibody Tech With $2M in New Cash
Invenra has raised just over $2 million from investors that it will use to further develop its cell-free protein expression technology, a new SEC filing shows. The Madison, WI-based biotech startup has now raised $6.2 million total from investors since 2012, according to SEC documents. Invenra plans to put the new money toward research and … Continue reading “Invenra Advancing Its Cell-Free Antibody Tech With $2M in New Cash”
Couleecap Continues Spread of Startup Accelerators to Small Towns
The startup accelerator programs that have become ubiquitous in big tech hubs around the country are beginning to spread to small cities. The latest example in Wisconsin is a newly announced program in La Crosse, a city of about 51,000 people that is located on the state’s western border. Organizers say the business accelerator, which … Continue reading “Couleecap Continues Spread of Startup Accelerators to Small Towns”
Xolve Adds $1.8M to Buttress Nanomaterials Business
Xolve, a Middleton, WI-based nanotechnology startup, has raised $1.8 million in an equity funding round that could reach nearly $2.8 million when it closes, according to a new SEC filing. Xolve CEO Joe Beatty didn’t respond to messages seeking comment today. At least some of the new money appears to come from returning investors, as … Continue reading “Xolve Adds $1.8M to Buttress Nanomaterials Business”
Genius@Work Joins Crowded Milwaukee Co-working Space Market
Add Genius@Work to the growing list of Milwaukee co-working offices. An increased focus on startup formation and the broader shift toward more mobile workforces has given rise to these open, often collaborative office environments in cities across the country. That’s been the case in Wisconsin, too, as Xconomy chronicled last year. In Milwaukee, the options … Continue reading “Genius@Work Joins Crowded Milwaukee Co-working Space Market”
$75M in Real Cash Helps Coinbase Launch First U.S. Bitcoin Exchange
Bitcoin took a potentially big step toward legitimacy in the U.S. today with the launch of the nation’s first licensed exchange for the virtual currency. Now, it’s up to San Francisco startup Coinbase to convince would-be traders that its platform is a safe and preferable place to put their money. Founded in 2012, Coinbase has … Continue reading “$75M in Real Cash Helps Coinbase Launch First U.S. Bitcoin Exchange”
Madworks Accelerator Out to Prove Value of Grants to Startups
The Madworks seed accelerator in Madison, WI, one of several grant-based startup accelerators launched in the state last year, is starting to show some early, but small, success. Now its leaders intend to continue building momentum and fine-tuning the program as it begins its third session next month. Last summer, Madworks used a $90,000 grant … Continue reading “Madworks Accelerator Out to Prove Value of Grants to Startups”
Wisconsin Roundup: Murfie, Kegonsa, Ward 5, Silicon Pastures, & More
Here are a few of the latest headlines in Wisconsin’s innovation and technology community: —Madison-based Murfie has raised $876,073 in a funding round that could total $1.25 million when it closes, according to a new SEC document. The money comes from angel investment groups, CEO Matt Younkle said. Murfie is an online marketplace for CD … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Murfie, Kegonsa, Ward 5, Silicon Pastures, & More”
Nonprofit Investor BrightStar Herds Startup Deals, Seeks More Donors
Some dealmakers weren’t sure what to expect from BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation when the nonprofit, which invests donations into Badger State startups, came onto the scene in late 2013. Turns out, the organization has proven itself not only as a valuable, albeit small, source of capital, but also as a shrewd negotiator that has pushed fellow … Continue reading “Nonprofit Investor BrightStar Herds Startup Deals, Seeks More Donors”
What’s On Tap? EatStreet
In my visits to Wisconsin startup headquarters, I’ve encountered all the stereotypical office perks that have come to be associated with tech startups, from the obligatory ping-pong or foosball table to bring-your-dog-to-work programs. But the constant seems to be a fridge stocked with beer. Which raises a critical question: What’s on tap? First up to … Continue reading “What’s On Tap? EatStreet”
Forward Health Stays Aggressive in Healthcare Analytics, Snags $5.7M
Michael Barbouche has been helping hospitals and clinics crunch patient data since before many had installed electronic health records systems, and well before “population health management” became a buzz phrase in the industry. In 2004, the statistician was tapped to help build a system to collect and analyze patient data for the Wisconsin Collaborative for … Continue reading “Forward Health Stays Aggressive in Healthcare Analytics, Snags $5.7M”
Lucigen Grabs $2M to Move Rapid Ebola, C. Diff Diagnostics to Market
Lucigen has raised nearly $2 million from angel investors to help fund tests needed to win regulatory approval for its rapid molecular diagnostic technology that will initially target Ebola and Clostridium difficile, or C. diff. Middleton, WI-based Lucigen, founded in 1998 as a supplier of life sciences research products, got into diagnostics several years ago … Continue reading “Lucigen Grabs $2M to Move Rapid Ebola, C. Diff Diagnostics to Market”
Wisconsin Roundup: Okanjo, Arrowhead, Cellular Dynamics, & More
Here’s a quick recap of recent announcements from Wisconsin’s startup and innovation community: —Okanjo, a Milwaukee-based e-commerce startup, raised $1.7 million from previous investors, primarily local angels, according to TechCrunch. The company has now snagged $3.2 million total in outside money. —On Monday, shares of Arrowhead Research (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) slid as much as 28 percent … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Okanjo, Arrowhead, Cellular Dynamics, & More”
Ebullient Heats Up With $1M For Computer Cooling Tech
Ebullient has raised nearly $1 million in seed funds meant to jolt commercialization of the Madison, WI-based startup’s liquid cooling technology for computer equipment. The company expects to close the $969,000 round of convertible debt by the end of the month, co-founder and CEO Tim Shedd says. Investors include the management team and wealthy individuals … Continue reading “Ebullient Heats Up With $1M For Computer Cooling Tech”
Titan Spine Eyes Bigger Slice of Tricky Spinal Fusion Market
[Corrected 1/13/15, 3:45 p.m. See below.] It’s hard enough for a small company to jostle for position in a crowded, but booming, industry. It can be even tougher when the sector’s growth slows down, and a company isn’t fighting just against competitors—but also to win over critics who are skeptical that anyone in the industry … Continue reading “Titan Spine Eyes Bigger Slice of Tricky Spinal Fusion Market”
Schuster: Milwaukee Has Good Startup Ideas, Still Lacks Capital
Milwaukee’s economy still relies heavily on legacy manufacturing companies, but there’s a growing recognition of the need to seed new businesses in sectors with prospects for growth. Efforts are afoot to foster more entrepreneurship in sectors like water technology, energy, and software, and to spin more startups out of the area’s universities. And while most … Continue reading “Schuster: Milwaukee Has Good Startup Ideas, Still Lacks Capital”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact Sciences, Semba, Wicab, & More
With the holidays behind us, it’s time to catch up on some recent news in the world of Wisconsin technology and innovation: —Madison-based Semba Biosciences raised $511,175 from investors, according to a new SEC document. Investors have put at least $2.4 million into the company since it was founded in 2005, SEC documents show. Semba … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact Sciences, Semba, Wicab, & More”
Wellbe Snags $2.4M For Software to Guide Patients Through Treatment
Wellbe, a Madison, WI-based provider of software that helps guide patients through medical treatments and surgeries, has raised $2.4 million from investors, the company announced today. Wellbe has now snagged about $4 million from investors since CEO James Dias co-founded the company in 2008. Investors in the latest round include Terrence Gibbons, former Pharmacy OneSource … Continue reading “Wellbe Snags $2.4M For Software to Guide Patients Through Treatment”
Wisconsin Roundup: Zeon, Exact Sciences, Swoop Search, Isomark, & More
As everyone gets ready to enjoy time with family and friends, let’s take a moment to recap some of the big Wisconsin tech announcements in the days leading up to the holidays: —Milwaukee-based software services company Zeon Solutions was acquired by St. Louis-based Perficient for $35.7 million, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported. Most of Zeon’s … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Zeon, Exact Sciences, Swoop Search, Isomark, & More”
Grading Gener8tor’s Startup Accelerator: Exits, Failures, & Progress
[Corrected 12/27/14, 2 p.m. See below.] For all the hype that Gener8tor has garnered in Wisconsin since it formed in summer 2012, the startup accelerator’s leaders acknowledge that they’ll ultimately be judged by the performance of their portfolio companies and the returns that the accelerator’s investors get. This month, Chicago-based Optyn became the first announced … Continue reading “Grading Gener8tor’s Startup Accelerator: Exits, Failures, & Progress”
Bakken Rounding Up Investors for Madison HealthX Ventures
[Corrected 12/22/14, 1:30 p.m. See below.] Early in his career, Mark Bakken never imagined himself as an investor in startups. But the serial entrepreneur has lately become one of the more active angel investors in Madison, WI. “The perception growing up was that venture capital is ‘vulture capital,’” Bakken says. “You don’t know anything about … Continue reading “Bakken Rounding Up Investors for Madison HealthX Ventures”
Arrowhead, Despite Ailing Stock, Reloads in RNAi Hepatitis B Fight
Arrowhead Research has had a rough couple of months, but that hasn’t put CEO Christopher Anzalone in panic mode—far from it. The Pasadena, CA-based biotech company’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) stock price has fallen off a cliff, largely a result of investors getting spooked by some early data in the company’s ongoing Phase 2a study of its … Continue reading “Arrowhead, Despite Ailing Stock, Reloads in RNAi Hepatitis B Fight”
YouTube Buys Vidmaker, a Collaborative Video Editing Tool
YouTube has acquired Vidmaker, a Madison, WI-based startup that makes online video-editing software. Vidmaker announced the deal on its website. No financial terms were disclosed, and Vidmaker CEO Dale Emmons said he can’t share any details. “We’re really excited to be joining YouTube,” Emmons said in an e-mail message. Vidmaker was co-founded in 2011 by Emmons, … Continue reading “YouTube Buys Vidmaker, a Collaborative Video Editing Tool”
SmartUQ Raises $1.8M For Simulation Analytics Software
SmartUQ, a Madison, WI-based startup that has developed software to speed up the design of a variety of products, has raised nearly $1.8 million in seed funding, according to a new filing with the SEC. The money comes from 21 Wisconsin investors, most of them individuals, according to the document and the company. SmartUQ, previously … Continue reading “SmartUQ Raises $1.8M For Simulation Analytics Software”
From Healthtech to Beer Tech, Xconomy Wisconsin’s 1st Year in Review
With 2014 coming to a close, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the past year. That’s especially true for me today, as Xconomy celebrates the one-year anniversary of our launch in Wisconsin. It’s been an eventful 12 months, with plenty of big news—both exciting and discouraging developments for advocates of Wisconsin’s innovation and startup … Continue reading “From Healthtech to Beer Tech, Xconomy Wisconsin’s 1st Year in Review”
CDS Snaps Up Gener8tor Grad Optyn to Expand its Software Services
Central Data Storage (CDS) has purchased Chicago online marketing startup Optyn, a 2013 graduate of Gener8tor’s accelerator program, for an undisclosed price, the companies announced today. The deal provides some early validation for Gener8tor, a Wisconsin accelerator that has invested in 28 companies since its 2012 founding and recently raised $2.1 million for its second … Continue reading “CDS Snaps Up Gener8tor Grad Optyn to Expand its Software Services”
StartingBlock Madison Gets Key Investment From American Family
The proposed StartingBlock Madison development project got an important boost today, with the announcement of “significant” financial support from American Family Insurance. The size of American Family’s investment wasn’t disclosed, as the details are still being finalized, according to a press release. StartingBlock is part of a high-profile development in downtown Madison, WI, that would … Continue reading “StartingBlock Madison Gets Key Investment From American Family”
Connecture Prices Well Below Projection in Nasdaq Debut
When healthcare software company Connecture filed plans with the SEC in October to go public, it was a significant announcement in Wisconsin. Relatively few tech companies here go that route, opting instead for mergers and acquisitions. The Brookfield, WI-based company followed through with those plans today, pricing 6.6 million shares at $8 apiece, which would … Continue reading “Connecture Prices Well Below Projection in Nasdaq Debut”
100health Scraps Incubator, Pursues Redox, a Tool to Build Health Apps
Less than a year after launching healthtech startup incubator 100health in Madison, WI, the three co-founders have abandoned that business in favor of trying to turn one of the incubator’s ideas into a successful company. Xconomy chronicled 100health’s inception in February. By August, co-founders Niko Skievaski, Luke Bonney, and James Lloyd had decided to stop … Continue reading “100health Scraps Incubator, Pursues Redox, a Tool to Build Health Apps”
Wisconsin Roundup: StudyBlue, Cellectar, 1 Million Cups, & More
Here are a few of the latest headlines in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based edtech startup StudyBlue tacked on about $438,000 to a funding round reported in June, bringing the total amount raised to more than $2.1 million, SEC filings show. The money came from previous investors, including Great Oaks Venture Capital, the Wisconsin … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: StudyBlue, Cellectar, 1 Million Cups, & More”
StartingBlock, Madison’s Answer to Chicago’s 1871, Hits Crucial Stage
A vacant 1.75-acre piece of land in downtown Madison, WI—once the site of a car dealership—could become one of the most important hubs for tech entrepreneurship in the state’s capital, if the backers of a proposed project called StartingBlock Madison make their vision a reality. StartingBlock would put startup accelerator Gener8tor and maker space Sector67 … Continue reading “StartingBlock, Madison’s Answer to Chicago’s 1871, Hits Crucial Stage”
Foley Ventures Raises $2.1M For Third Venture Fund
Foley Ventures, the investment arm of national law firm Foley & Lardner, has raised $2.1 million for its third fund, according to a new SEC filing. It’s a small amount of money, but it adds to the mix of funding options for startups in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Foley has 17 law offices in the U.S., … Continue reading “Foley Ventures Raises $2.1M For Third Venture Fund”
Milwaukee Energy Incubator Channels Manufacturing Past to Power Future
Milwaukee has made efforts over the past several years to establish itself as a global hub for water technology, a push that gained momentum last year with the opening of The Water Council’s Global Water Center and the launch of a water tech startup accelerator there. Now, a coalition of big companies, academic researchers, and … Continue reading “Milwaukee Energy Incubator Channels Manufacturing Past to Power Future”
Wisconsin Roundup: Gener8tor, Phoenix Nuclear Labs, Solaris, & More
The holiday season is upon us, but there’s been no shortage of news from Wisconsin’s technology and innovation sector. It’s time to catch up on the latest announcements: —Gener8tor, the startup accelerator that holds programs in Madison and Milwaukee, has raised more than $2.1 million for its second seed capital fund. Investors include Milwaukee-based CSA … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Gener8tor, Phoenix Nuclear Labs, Solaris, & More”