For better or worse, the millennial generation has come to expect instant gratification and the ability to complete almost any daily task with just the click of a button on a smartphone or personal computer. One activity that, for the most part, has not kept pace with rapid technological advancements is voting. That’s why a … Continue reading “Vote (Mostly) Online Feeds Millennials’ Need for One-Click Apps”
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.
Stealth Therapeutics Raises $450K to Study IV Device’s Effectiveness
Madison, WI-based Stealth Therapeutics recently raised more than $450,000 from investors, which will fund a study of the clinical performance of the startup’s lead medical device. Stealth was founded in 2006 by Bradley Glenn, an interventional radiologist who lived in Green Bay, WI, and has since moved to California, Stealth general manager Sam Adams says. … Continue reading “Stealth Therapeutics Raises $450K to Study IV Device’s Effectiveness”
BrightStar to Invest in Gener8tor Startups If They Create WI Jobs
Wisconsin startup accelerator program Gener8tor has received a new commitment from an angel investment fund, but the money comes with a catch for portfolio companies: To be eligible, they must create “high-quality” jobs in Wisconsin. BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation announced Wednesday it will invest $50,000 in each company that goes through Gener8tor’s bi-annual programs in Madison … Continue reading “BrightStar to Invest in Gener8tor Startups If They Create WI Jobs”
Propeller Health Raises $14.5M for Its Respiratory Disease Sensors
Propeller Health is already seen as one of the up-and-coming startups based in Madison, WI, having landed several million dollars from primarily West Coast investors and contracts with healthcare systems in major markets around the country. Now, the company—which makes data-collecting devices that snap on to inhalers used by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease … Continue reading “Propeller Health Raises $14.5M for Its Respiratory Disease Sensors”
Shine Medical Technologies Raises $2.4M to Make Medical Isotopes
[Updated 9/3/14, 2:22 p.m. See below.] Shine Medical Technologies, the Monona, WI-based startup racing to become the first domestic producer of medical isotopes, said today that it has raised $2.4 million from undisclosed investors. The company, founded in 2010, has raised more than $35 million to date through equity investments, debt financing, and other sources, … Continue reading “Shine Medical Technologies Raises $2.4M to Make Medical Isotopes”
Wisconsin Roundup: Steve Case’s ‘Rise of the Rest,’ CDI, ZBB, & More
Here are a few recent notable announcements from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Investor and AOL co-founder Steve Case will bring the “Rise of the Rest” bus tour to Madison on Oct. 6, part of a series of stops highlighting budding startup communities in America’s heartland. The first such road trip, held earlier this summer, … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Steve Case’s ‘Rise of the Rest,’ CDI, ZBB, & More”
From Atari to VC’s Future, Highlights From Madison’s Forward Festival
[Corrected 8/30/14, 1:51 p.m. See below.] It’s a “dangerous time” for the VC world because the majority of the industry’s money is concentrated in a relatively small number of firms, primarily in Silicon Valley. And that makes it tougher for startups in the Midwest to grow. That warning came from Chris Olsen, co-founder of Columbus, … Continue reading “From Atari to VC’s Future, Highlights From Madison’s Forward Festival”
Madison Vaccine to be Tested in Combination Prostate Cancer Treatment
[Corrected 8/29/14, 8:39 a.m. See below.] Madison Vaccines, a Madison, WI-based startup developing immunotherapies for prostate cancer, will get a chance to see how well its lead vaccine can shrink tumors when teamed up with another drug. The Phase I trial will be led by Madison Vaccines co-founder Doug McNeel, an oncologist and professor of … Continue reading “Madison Vaccine to be Tested in Combination Prostate Cancer Treatment”
Doyenne Group Raising $400K Angel Fund For WI Women Entrepreneurs
The Doyenne Group, a Madison, WI-based volunteer organization serving women entrepreneurs, is raising a $400,000 angel investment fund to help grow the number of women-led companies in Wisconsin. Doyenne leaders discussed the fund this week at Madison’s Forward Festival, an eight-day showcase of local technology and startups. During the tech festival, Doyenne organized several discussions … Continue reading “Doyenne Group Raising $400K Angel Fund For WI Women Entrepreneurs”
Drive Capital Didn’t Demand Aver Informatics Move, Investor Says
It was Aver Informatics’ idea to relocate the healthtech startup from Wisconsin to Ohio—not a demand by one of its lead investors. That’s according to Chris Olsen, co-founder of Columbus, OH-based Drive Capital, a $250 million, Midwest-focused venture capital fund that co-led an $8.5 million Series A investment in Aver in May. Three months later, … Continue reading “Drive Capital Didn’t Demand Aver Informatics Move, Investor Says”
Scanalytics, Stemina Among Wisconsin Innovation Awards Winners
Fast-growing vegetables that can be delivered by bicycle, a traveling truck providing free legal advice, and a breath-analyzing device for rapidly detecting infections were among the 10 winners of the inaugural Wisconsin Innovation Awards held Tuesday night in Madison. The winners were announced at a ceremony at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union as part … Continue reading “Scanalytics, Stemina Among Wisconsin Innovation Awards Winners”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, CSA Partners, 100state, & More
In this week’s installment of Wisconsin innovation headlines, startups are raising capital, co-working spaces are on the move, and a closely watched Madison life sciences company offers details about initial commercialization of its FDA-approved product: —Cellectar Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLRB]]) raised $13.5 million in its first public offering since moving to the Nasdaq stock exchange from … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, CSA Partners, 100state, & More”
Assurant Health Shutters In-House Startup Incubator Blue Bananas
Milwaukee-based insurer Assurant Health has shut down its in-house startup incubator, Blue Bananas, Xconomy has learned. Blue Bananas was launched in 2012 to come up with services that make healthcare more affordable, particularly for people with conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and arthritis. Assurant Health’s skunkworks crew produced at least a handful of concepts that … Continue reading “Assurant Health Shutters In-House Startup Incubator Blue Bananas”
VictorySpark, Revolution Labs in Holding Pattern, Seek Funding
As the leaders of Milwaukee’s Global Entrepreneurship Collective get ready to wrap up their summer accelerator for military veteran entrepreneurs this week, the program is entering a bit of a holding pattern. The Global Entrepreneurship Collective (GEC), run by entrepreneurs Greg Meier and Nick Wichert, operates two accelerators for early-stage startups: VictorySpark (formerly known as … Continue reading “VictorySpark, Revolution Labs in Holding Pattern, Seek Funding”
New Milwaukee Startup Accelerator to Unite Universities, Corporations
Two Milwaukee-area entrepreneur support groups are forming a seed accelerator for students from multiple local universities. Startup Milwaukee and Innovation in Milwaukee, or MiKE, today announced The Commons, a new nonprofit initiative that they’re branding as an “industry-academic collaborative to accelerate ideas.” The program is still largely in the idea phase, and organizers must still … Continue reading “New Milwaukee Startup Accelerator to Unite Universities, Corporations”
Wisconsin Roundup: Techstars, Silatronix, Virent, MyHealthDirect, & More
Two Wisconsin startups are in the midst of trying to raise more than $4 million each from investors, while two energy-related startups are making progress toward selling their products. Read on for details about these recent announcements, and more, from Wisconsin’s innovation community. —Silatronix has raised $2.8 million of a possible $4.2 million equity funding … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Techstars, Silatronix, Virent, MyHealthDirect, & More”
Madison Startup Rides Immunotherapy Wave With Prostate Drug
Most men suffering from prostate cancer can be essentially cured if their tumors are caught early enough and their prostate glands are surgically removed or destroyed by radiation therapy before the disease spreads. But for some men, removing the prostate gland isn’t enough. Months or years after surgery or treatment, levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) … Continue reading “Madison Startup Rides Immunotherapy Wave With Prostate Drug”
Cellectar Biosciences Makes Nasdaq Debut With $12.5M Stock Offering
Cellectar Biosciences, a Madison, WI-based startup developing cancer drugs and imaging tools, began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange today and is holding a public stock offering expected to raise $12.5 million in cash. The announcement is a key step for the company, whose stock was traded over the counter. Xconomy recently explored Cellectar’s prospects … Continue reading “Cellectar Biosciences Makes Nasdaq Debut With $12.5M Stock Offering”
For Exact Sciences, It’s Put Up or Shut Up Time For Colon Cancer Test
Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy typically chooses his words carefully in interviews and public statements to investors, but he isn’t shy about making bold statements when it comes to the potential impact of his company’s newly-approved diagnostic test for colon cancer. “Cologuard may represent one of the most significant advancements in cancer screening in the … Continue reading “For Exact Sciences, It’s Put Up or Shut Up Time For Colon Cancer Test”
The Fallout From Aver Informatics’ Reported Move from WI to OH
[Updated 8/13/14, 12:35 p.m.] Aver Informatics’ reported move from Green Bay, WI, to Columbus, OH, could have financial and reputational ramifications for the healthtech startup. Columbus Business First quoted CEO Kurt Brenkus saying that Aver had set up shop in late July in the office of its new high-profile investor, Columbus-based Drive Capital; hired five … Continue reading “The Fallout From Aver Informatics’ Reported Move from WI to OH”
Bay Area, Midwest Edtech Startups Pitch WI Investors, Target K-12
It’s rare to hear of Silicon Valley startups pitching their companies to angel investors in Wisconsin. Usually it’s the inverse, with Badger State entrepreneurs trying to score funds from California investors’ deep pockets. But on Tuesday, three San Francisco Bay Area startups—along with companies from Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis—presented to a room of more than … Continue reading “Bay Area, Midwest Edtech Startups Pitch WI Investors, Target K-12”
Wisconsin Roundup: Midwest Angel Investors, Epic, Cellectar, & More
Midwest investors flex their muscles, while Epic Systems faces stiffer competition in the electronic health records software space. Read on for details about these and other stories from the Wisconsin innovation scene. —The Great Lakes region accounted for 17.1 percent of angel investments in the first quarter, according to the latest Halo Report from Silicon … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Midwest Angel Investors, Epic, Cellectar, & More”
Exact Sciences’ Cologuard Approved Simultaneously by FDA, CMS
[Updated, 8/12/14, 8:13 a.m ET] The FDA approved Exact Sciences’ Cologuard test today, signing off on the first non-invasive, stool-based DNA screening test for colorectal cancer. The announcement isn’t a surprise, given the unanimous endorsement of the test in March by an FDA advisory panel that reviewed data from the company’s 10,000-patient clinical study. But … Continue reading “Exact Sciences’ Cologuard Approved Simultaneously by FDA, CMS”
3 Startup Myths Debunked by Recent Eau Claire Tech News
Wisconsin economic development officials and startup advocates like to say that innovation happens in all parts of the state, not just in its two biggest cities, Milwaukee and Madison. That mantra isn’t always evident, given the lower level of startup activity outside the state’s two hubs. But there certainly are pockets of innovation statewide. I’ll … Continue reading “3 Startup Myths Debunked by Recent Eau Claire Tech News”
Stealthy Device Startup Invisible Connect Gets $2.5M From WI Investor
Invisible Connect, a stealthy hardware startup based in Eau Claire, WI, has raised $2.5 million in seed money from an unnamed Wisconsin investor, according to the founder and an SEC document. Founder and president Scott Strangstalien is mum on details about what Invisible Connect is working on, but he says it’s developing a dozen devices … Continue reading “Stealthy Device Startup Invisible Connect Gets $2.5M From WI Investor”
From DDR to VC, First 1 Million Cups Milwaukee Event Sparks Fun Talk
Milwaukee is considered a mid-tier city with a relatively tiny tech startup scene that has started to pick up some momentum over the last three or four years. But despite the small scale, the local startup community still seems isolated at times. That’s something Brian Taffora would like to help turn around with the creation … Continue reading “From DDR to VC, First 1 Million Cups Milwaukee Event Sparks Fun Talk”
JAMF Software Exec Talks Apple’s Evolution, Investing With Bon Iver
Zach Halmstad can thank a shuttered sandwich shop for his tech career. While studying music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire around the turn of the millennium, Halmstad was helping to pay the bills by working at the sandwich place. When the business closed down, he took a job at the university providing tech support … Continue reading “JAMF Software Exec Talks Apple’s Evolution, Investing With Bon Iver”
Wisconsin Roundup: Uber, Lovell, BrightStar, Energy Incubator & More
Here are a few notable recent happenings in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Controversial startups Uber and Lyft have gone legit in Milwaukee, after Mayor Tom Barrett signed legislation last week that legalizes the on-demand transportation apps and lifts the cap on city taxi permits, the Milwaukee Business Journal reported. Uber and Lyft, which have … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Uber, Lovell, BrightStar, Energy Incubator & More”
ComScore Buys Software Startup MdotLabs, Keeps Madison Office
MdotLabs has been acquired by ComScore for an undisclosed price, just 14 months after the Madison, WI, startup was formed. MdotLabs created software, AdSecure, to help digital publishers and online advertisers verify Web traffic by sifting out bogus visits by click farms and other fraudsters. The company raised $1.25 million in November from Chicago Ventures, … Continue reading “ComScore Buys Software Startup MdotLabs, Keeps Madison Office”
Startups Still Abandon Wisconsin, But Growing Cluster Keeping More Here
SurveyMonkey has come a long way since Ryan Finley started the company in his Madison, WI, apartment. The online polling service, which counts Facebook and Harvard among its customers, began in 1999 after Finley earned his computer science degree from the state’s flagship university. It survived the dot-com era’s collapse, reportedly bootstrapping its way to … Continue reading “Startups Still Abandon Wisconsin, But Growing Cluster Keeping More Here”
Fashion Startup Wantable Raises $1.5M, Expands to Fitness Apparel
Wantable, the fast-growing Milwaukee e-commerce startup focused on young women’s fashion, said it has closed a $1.5 million Series A funding round that will help it grow the business and expand its product lines. The money comes from undisclosed Wisconsin and California investors. Wantable, founded in 2012 by Milwaukee serial entrepreneur Jalem Getz, previously raised … Continue reading “Fashion Startup Wantable Raises $1.5M, Expands to Fitness Apparel”
Apartment Website Abodo Snags 4490 Ventures’ First Investment
Abodo, the Madison, WI-based apartment rental website, has closed a $1.25 million Series A investment that’s significant not only for the company, but also because of the investors involved. The round was led by Madison-based American Family Ventures, the $50 million VC arm of American Family Insurance. The fund was formed in 2010 but only … Continue reading “Apartment Website Abodo Snags 4490 Ventures’ First Investment”
A Window Into the Mind of NC Serial Entrepreneur Aaron Houghton
Aaron Houghton likes to build things. Sure, it was exhilarating running his previous company, Morrisville, NC-based iContact, after the e-mail marketing firm had grown well past the point of an initially bootstrapped startup formed by a pair of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students in 2003. At the apex of Houghton’s and co-founder … Continue reading “A Window Into the Mind of NC Serial Entrepreneur Aaron Houghton”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Bioforward, MCW, & More
A former Wisconsin governor has joined the board of promising Madison biotech company Exact Sciences. Meanwhile, there’s turnover at the top of the state’s biotech trade group. Read on for details about these announcements (and others) in this week’s rundown of Wisconsin innovation and technology headlines. —Jim Doyle, the Democrat who served as Wisconsin’s governor … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Bioforward, MCW, & More”
Ability Network Exit a Win For WI Investors Outside Metro Hubs
When Boston-based Summit Partners acquired a majority stake in Minneapolis-based healthtech firm Ability Network in April for $550 million, the deal got no press in nearby Wisconsin. That wasn’t a surprise: Ability Network has no major presence in the Badger State. But the deal, which was among the largest healthtech transactions nationwide in the first … Continue reading “Ability Network Exit a Win For WI Investors Outside Metro Hubs”
Badger Fund of Funds to Pump $90M-plus Into Wisconsin Startup Scene
The plan for Wisconsin’s new fund-of-funds program is starting to come into focus. The headline: The Badger Fund of Funds could ultimately result in at least five new funds investing a minimum of $90 million in more than 100 Wisconsin startups over the next several years. That’s the biggest takeaway from a presentation Tuesday by … Continue reading “Badger Fund of Funds to Pump $90M-plus Into Wisconsin Startup Scene”
Cellectar, an OTC Stock, Eyes Nasdaq Jump to Boost Profile, Prospects
Cellectar Biosciences is trying to move from an over-the-counter (OTC) stock to trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange—and the stakes are high for the small Madison, WI-based biotech. Winning approval to join the Nasdaq stock exchange could give Cellectar a boost in bringing its cancer drugs and imaging products to market—assuming the company can capitalize … Continue reading “Cellectar, an OTC Stock, Eyes Nasdaq Jump to Boost Profile, Prospects”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exits, New Jobs, FDA Approval, & More
In this week’s roundup of Wisconsin innovation and technology news, we’re tracking a startup’s exit, ballooning staff at the state’s largest healthtech firm, FDA approval for a medical device, a groundbreaking for a medical isotopes factory, and the new leader of a key Madison business park. Read on for details. —Madison-based Idle Free Systems was … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exits, New Jobs, FDA Approval, & More”
From Fitness to Fashion, Gener8tor’s Summer Program a Diverse Mix
The latest class of startups accepted into Wisconsin-based Gener8tor’s accelerator features a strong Badger State flavor and a diverse mix of sectors—from fitness to fashion, big data to education. On Friday, Gener8tor announced the five companies participating in its three-month program in Milwaukee, which begins today and culminates with an October pitch event to investors … Continue reading “From Fitness to Fashion, Gener8tor’s Summer Program a Diverse Mix”
Wisconsin Roundup: ‘Shark Tank,’ 1 Million Cups, Promega, & More
To start off your week, here’s a few recent notable developments in Wisconsin’s technology and innovation community: —Promega continues to expand its Madison-area headquarters. The global manufacturer of biological research products, including enzymes and proteins, broke ground last week on a $30 million, 100,000-square-foot packaging and shipping facility expected to open next year, the Wisconsin … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: ‘Shark Tank,’ 1 Million Cups, Promega, & More”
Cellular Dynamics Claims Patents on Making Stem Cells from Blood
Cellular Dynamics International has already situated itself as an early leader—if not the leader—in large-scale manufacturing of human cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. Today the company says it has strengthened its market position with three new patents related to making stem cells from human blood samples. Madison, WI-based Cellular Dynamics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ICEL]]) says it … Continue reading “Cellular Dynamics Claims Patents on Making Stem Cells from Blood”
Drive Capital, Led By Sequoia Vets, Sees Midwest as Next Startup Hub
Chris Olsen thinks the Midwest is a better place to build a startup than either coast, and he intends to prove it. The Cincinnati native was a partner for six years at the well-known Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, before former Sequoia colleague Mark Kvamme recruited Olsen back to Ohio to start a … Continue reading “Drive Capital, Led By Sequoia Vets, Sees Midwest as Next Startup Hub”
11 Stories and 11 Deals: Xconomy Wisconsin Quarter in Review
As everyone gets ready to kick back for a long holiday weekend, I figured it’s a good time to reflect on the biggest stories in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community during the second quarter. The recurring theme: funding. By my count, 11 Wisconsin startups raised a combined $32.2 million between April and June. Those are … Continue reading “11 Stories and 11 Deals: Xconomy Wisconsin Quarter in Review”
Zurex Pharma Raises $4M to Battle Hospital-Acquired Infections
Zurex Pharma, a Middleton, WI-based startup developing antimicrobial products to prevent hospital-acquired infections, has raised $4.1 million from investors in a round that could top out at $5.1 million, according to a new SEC filing. There are 13 investors in the round, which appears to be the company’s Series B raise. Zurex officials couldn’t immediately … Continue reading “Zurex Pharma Raises $4M to Battle Hospital-Acquired Infections”
Chamber Hopes Pitches Could Boost Silicon Valley-Madison VC Deals
When Brian Jensen walked into the room filled with Silicon Valley venture capitalists, the co-founder and CEO of Madison, WI-based startup Fishidy thought there might be some eye-rolling. After all, “here’s some Wisconsin guy coming into Silicon Valley talking about fishing and his fishing app,” Jensen said. Instead, the entrepreneur felt like the VCs came … Continue reading “Chamber Hopes Pitches Could Boost Silicon Valley-Madison VC Deals”
Forward Technology Festival
From the event organizer: “Join fellow entrepreneurs, nerds, designers, geeks, hackers, foodies, and creative professionals from the Midwest in an 8-day celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. The 2014 Forward Technology Festival provides the rare opportunity to interact with professionals across a wide range of disciplines. Network at events like High Tech Happy Hour, interact at … Continue reading “Forward Technology Festival”
Steve Wozniak on Galaxy Gear, Google Glass, & Future of Wearables
There’s been much ado in the past year over wearable devices, as a proliferation of smartwatches and fitness trackers desperately try to win over consumers and prove they have staying power in the market. Yet even if most of them don’t last, these emerging technologies at least provide new gadgets for Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak … Continue reading “Steve Wozniak on Galaxy Gear, Google Glass, & Future of Wearables”
Wisconsin Roundup: EatStreet, CorvisaCloud, Aereo, Biotech, & More
Here are a few notable recent announcements in Wisconsin’s innovation and technology community: —EatStreet, the fast-growing Madison startup, signed an agreement with Yelp to integrate EatStreet’s online food-ordering service with the restaurant review website, allowing users to place orders directly from restaurants’ pages on Yelp. The news marks continued momentum for EatStreet, which is aiming … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: EatStreet, CorvisaCloud, Aereo, Biotech, & More”
Wisconsin Edtech Startup StudyBlue Raises $1.7M
[Updated 6/30/14, 3:53 pm. See below.] StudyBlue, a Madison, WI-based edtech startup, has raised $1.7 million from investors, a new SEC filing shows. StudyBlue said the money comes from return investors Great Oaks Venture Capital, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), and StudyBlue chairman Steve Wallman, a securities analyst with Wallman Investment Counsel in Middleton, … Continue reading “Wisconsin Edtech Startup StudyBlue Raises $1.7M”
Wellntel Aims to Sprout Groundwater Info Market With Sonar Device
Groundwater is a precious resource. It irrigates vast fields of vegetables in California and wheat in Kansas. It supplies water to a third of U.S. cities—and to 90 percent of people who aren’t on systems run by municipalities or private water companies. It’s also increasingly coming under threat. Worries are growing in some areas that … Continue reading “Wellntel Aims to Sprout Groundwater Info Market With Sonar Device”