The crew that turned Netezza into a $1.7 billion big data success story is back with Cazena, a Waltham, MA-based startup its founders say can bring big data to the cloud. Cazena announced Wednesday that it has raised a $20 million Series B round led by Formation 8, with prior investors Andreessen Horowitz and North … Continue reading “Netezza Vets Hope Big Data Startup Cazena Leads to Repeat Success”
Author: Michael Davidson
Michael Davidson is an award-winning journalist whose career as a business reporter has taken him from the garages of aspiring inventors to assembly centers for billion-dollar satellites. Most recently, Michael covered startups, venture capital, IT, cleantech, aerospace, and telecoms for Xconomy and, before that, for the Boulder County Business Report. Before switching to business journalism, Michael covered politics and the Colorado Legislature for the Colorado Springs Gazette and the government, police and crime beats for the Broomfield Enterprise, a paper in suburban Denver. He also worked for the Boulder Daily Camera, and his stories have appeared in the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. Career highlights include an award from the Colorado Press Association, doing barrel rolls in a vintage fighter jet and learning far more about public records than is healthy. Michael started his career as a copy editor for the Colorado Springs Gazette's sports desk. Michael has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Michigan.
Insight’s Big Bets Drive Colorado’s VC Haul to $330M in 2nd Quarter
Companies in Colorado raised nearly $330.3 million from venture capital investors in the second quarter, a 185 percent jump from what they raised in the prior quarter, and while that increase might have locals smiling, a New York City-based private equity and VC firm might have the most to gain. Insight Venture Partners made the … Continue reading “Insight’s Big Bets Drive Colorado’s VC Haul to $330M in 2nd Quarter”
PeerTransfer Opens Shanghai Office, Sets Sights on Next Markets
Paying for college is tough no matter what country you’re in. And it’s not just because of the ever-increasing tuition bills. Sometimes just making sure the checks get in on time is a challenge in itself—especially for foreign students. The headache of making sure the bill is paid on time is compounded by banks and … Continue reading “PeerTransfer Opens Shanghai Office, Sets Sights on Next Markets”
CounterTack Makes Play As Competition in Endpoint Security Heats Up
Major cybersecurity breaches are back in the news and so are the companies trying to protect against them. One of those companies is Waltham, MA-based CounterTack, which today announced it has acquired ManTech Cyber Solutions International, the software division of Virginia-based ManTech International (NASDAQ:[[ticker:MANT]]). Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it might not … Continue reading “CounterTack Makes Play As Competition in Endpoint Security Heats Up”
New Horizons’ Pluto Trip a Victory for Colorado Scientists, Firms
Sure, Pluto is 3 billion miles and nine years away, but the New Horizons spacecraft and the scientists behind the mission are actually quite close to home, if you live in Colorado. New Horizons flew to within 7,800 miles of the solar system’s quirky one-time planet early this morning. The fly-by was the culmination of … Continue reading “New Horizons’ Pluto Trip a Victory for Colorado Scientists, Firms”
Telluride Accelerator Launches Startups in Colorado’s Ski Country
A haven for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, mountain biking and bluegrass in the summer—that’s the perception of Telluride, a town in southwest Colorado that is one of the most exclusive (and expensive) resort areas in the Rockies. But some locals would like to add entrepreneurial to that list, and they might be making … Continue reading “Telluride Accelerator Launches Startups in Colorado’s Ski Country”
Foundry Group Looks to Raise New $225M Fund Following Fitbit IPO
The Foundry Group is raising another venture capital fund, according to SEC documents. The Boulder, CO-based VC firm is looking to raise $225 million. The fund, named Foundry Venture Capital 2016, is the firm’s fifth. The new fund would bring the total amount of money managed by the Foundry Group to $1.125 billion. All of … Continue reading “Foundry Group Looks to Raise New $225M Fund Following Fitbit IPO”
Accera Pivots From Medical Foods to Potential Drug for Alzheimer’s
The war against Alzheimer’s disease has been a brutal, losing fight. Those stricken with the disease, their loved ones, and their doctors are on the front lines every day, but the battles researchers and drug companies fight behind the scenes in labs also have led to virtually no victories. Accera, an early stage drug company … Continue reading “Accera Pivots From Medical Foods to Potential Drug for Alzheimer’s”
Cystic Fibrosis Drug Maker Nivalis Therapeutics Has $77M IPO
Nivalis Therapeutics, a Boulder, CO-based drug company developing a treatment for cystic fibrosis, made its debut on the Nasdaq on Wednesday with a $77 million public offering. Formerly N30 Pharmaceuticals, Nivalis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NVLS]]) sold 5.5 million shares, more than it had previously planned, at $14 each. Shares opened the day at $16.50 and climbed to … Continue reading “Cystic Fibrosis Drug Maker Nivalis Therapeutics Has $77M IPO”
McNealy Talks About Building Billion-Dollar Companies at VC Summit
When you get the CEOs of tech companies in a room with venture capitalists, there’s usually one thing on their mind—making money. A lot of it. Scott McNealy knows a few things about making a billion-dollar tech company. He founded and was CEO of Sun Microsystems, one of the most important and successful companies to … Continue reading “McNealy Talks About Building Billion-Dollar Companies at VC Summit”
Failed Trial for Hepatitis B Drug Leads to Layoffs at GlobeImmune
The bad news for GlobeImmune keeps coming. The Louisville, CO-based drug company announced today it is slashing the majority of its workforce and is evaluating its strategic options in the wake of a failed trial for the chronic hepatitis B drug it was developing. GlobeImmune (Nasdaq: [[ticker:GBIM]]) announced the negative results in late May, and … Continue reading “Failed Trial for Hepatitis B Drug Leads to Layoffs at GlobeImmune”
Galvanize Pairs Up With Google to Start Offering Classes in London
Galvanize is going global—and Google is giving it a hand. The Denver-based education startup/co-working chain/early stage venture fund announced this morning it will begin offering classes in London. Galvanize is working with Google on the project, and the classes will be offered at Google’s Campus London startup hub in East London. Galvanize was founded in … Continue reading “Galvanize Pairs Up With Google to Start Offering Classes in London”
VerbalizeIt Translates Blue Ocean Challenge Entry Into $250K
How do you say “big winner” in Portuguese? Or Mandarin? VerbalizeIt, a startup that connects businesses with translators from around the world, was the big winner at the Colorado State University Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge on Saturday. The Boulder, CO-based startup took home the top prize of $250,000, along with access to mentoring and other … Continue reading “VerbalizeIt Translates Blue Ocean Challenge Entry Into $250K”
Colorado Trendsetter Rally Software Takes CA’s $480M Takeover Offer
Rally Software, the Boulder, CO-based software company that led a new generation of technology startups in Colorado and became the first in years to reach an IPO, is going to be acquired by CA Technologies. CA (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CA]]) announced Wednesday that it had signed a definitive agreement with Rally (NYSE: [[ticker:RALY]]) to buy the company … Continue reading “Colorado Trendsetter Rally Software Takes CA’s $480M Takeover Offer”
Three Colorado Startups Win $25K Contracts From Statewide Challenge
The makers of apps that help college students find mentors, tourists find activities, and commuters find perks took home the $25,000 top prizes as the winners of the second Go Code Colorado challenge. The competition is sponsored by the state in an effort to help startups find ways to use and commercialize the publicly available … Continue reading “Three Colorado Startups Win $25K Contracts From Statewide Challenge”
Stealth Startup Liqid Announces $5.7M Seed Round, Not Much Else
It’s not much of a secret that data storage and networking are two areas where Colorado has created some very successful startups, such as SolidFire and, back in the day, Lefthand Networks and StorageTek. So it wouldn’t be unusual to see a new startup make its debut by announcing a large seed round. But for … Continue reading “Stealth Startup Liqid Announces $5.7M Seed Round, Not Much Else”
Welltok Buys Predilytics to Improve Health Optimization Software
A health IT startup that wants to use IBM’s Watson supercomputer to make personalized recommendations might be getting a bit smarter about which customers to seek out and how to motivate them, following a deal that was announced Tuesday. Welltok, a Denver-based company, has acquired Predilytics, a Burlington, MA-based company, for an undisclosed amount. Welltok … Continue reading “Welltok Buys Predilytics to Improve Health Optimization Software”
Scratch Wireless Unveils New “Wi-Fi First” Smartphone for $99
Scratch Wireless is trying to make bills from wireless companies a relic of the past. It’s an ambitious dream, and the Cambridge, MA, startup has taken a step forward by partnering with a Chinese manufacturer to release an inexpensive smartphone that could move it a little closer to its goal. The new Coolpad Arise is … Continue reading “Scratch Wireless Unveils New “Wi-Fi First” Smartphone for $99”
Trumpit Unlocks New Way to Share Photos on Mobile Phones
You might not think there’s room in the market—or on your smartphone—for another photo-sharing app, but Bill Gianoukos thinks you’re wrong. He also thinks he’s got the app that will trump them all—which is fittingly named Trumpit. Gianoukos is a Boston-area entrepreneur and former chief product officer of HeyWire, a messaging app. He is back … Continue reading “Trumpit Unlocks New Way to Share Photos on Mobile Phones”
Nivalis Bets on Potential Cystic Fibrosis Drug, Seeks $60M IPO
Nivalis Therapeutics, a Boulder, CO-based drug company working on a treatment for cystic fibrosis, will attempt to go public soon with a potential $60 million initial public offering. The filing on Wednesday came one day after Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]) cleared a significant FDA hurdle for its latest CF drug, which Nivalis’s drug candidate relies … Continue reading “Nivalis Bets on Potential Cystic Fibrosis Drug, Seeks $60M IPO”
Kapost, VictorOps Raise Rounds to Keep Up Growth
Two different Boulder, CO software startups, two different ways to finance growth. Kapost raised $10.25 million in an equity round it announced Tuesday. Its neighbor a few blocks away, VictorOps, also disclosed it raised a $2.575 million round through convertible debt. Kapost makes software that companies use to manage business-to-business content marketing campaigns. It includes … Continue reading “Kapost, VictorOps Raise Rounds to Keep Up Growth”
With $200M Raised, Joule Still Pushing Biofuels Production Facility
Surviving an industry crash is one thing. Scaling up and seizing a place in a global market—especially with a commercially unproven technology—is another thing entirely. That’s the position Joule Unlimited, the Bedford, MA-based biofuels company that uses genetically engineered microorganisms to create fuel such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol, finds itself in. But Joule weathered … Continue reading “With $200M Raised, Joule Still Pushing Biofuels Production Facility”
Boulder Rolls Out Welcome Mat as Startup Week Returns
Next week sees the return of Boulder Startup Week, bringing with it dozens of panels, hundreds of entrepreneurs, developers, and job seekers—and a seemingly endless supply of craft beer and free t-shirts. The event always has had a healthy dose of panels with a “news you can use” focus, as well as parties and other … Continue reading “Boulder Rolls Out Welcome Mat as Startup Week Returns”
SessionM Banks $12M to Expand in Enterprise Mobile Marketing
SessionM, a mobile marketing startup based in Boston, is on a hot streak. The latest win came Tuesday, when the company announced it has raised a $12 million funding round. The round brings the total SessionM has raised to $38.5 million since it was founded in 2011. Causeway Media Partners led the round. The firm … Continue reading “SessionM Banks $12M to Expand in Enterprise Mobile Marketing”
Nara Logics Gets New CEO, Recruits Renowned Neuroscientist
One of the leaders in computational neuroscience is taking a role with Nara Logics, a Cambridge, MA, spinout from MIT that marries advanced brain-science research with computer science to create enterprise software capable of making big data manageable. The company announced Tuesday that computational neuroscience researcher Sebastian Seung will join its board of advisers. Seung … Continue reading “Nara Logics Gets New CEO, Recruits Renowned Neuroscientist”
Denver “Smart Parking” Startup Parkifi Raises $2M, Readies Rollout
Anyone who has tried to park his or her car on a busy day has thought there must be a better way to find a spot. Parkifi, a Denver-based startup, thinks it has found a way, and a group of Colorado investors agree. Parkifi announced Monday it has raised a $2 million round that is … Continue reading “Denver “Smart Parking” Startup Parkifi Raises $2M, Readies Rollout”
CyPhy Promises “Better Way to Fly” With New Consumer Drone
CyPhy Works’ co-founder and CEO Helen Greiner knows what it takes to get robots into the hands of consumers. As a co-founder of iRobot, she helped create the Roomba vacuum, which brought affordable and user-friendly robots into the home. Now she and CyPhy Works are trying to repeat that accomplishment with drones, and they think … Continue reading “CyPhy Promises “Better Way to Fly” With New Consumer Drone”
Stealthy Data-Storage Unicorn Infinidat Breaks Out with $150M Round
Search for information about Infinidat, the latest data storage company founded by industry legend Moshe Yanai, and you’ll come up with surprisingly little. At least, you would until today. That’s likely to change after Infinidat announced Wednesday it has raised $150 million in a Series B round led by TPG Growth, the venture capital fund … Continue reading “Stealthy Data-Storage Unicorn Infinidat Breaks Out with $150M Round”
Indian Security Software Company Picks Boston to Start U.S. Move
What might be one of the biggest IT security companies you’ve never heard of is trying to make inroads in the U.S. market, and it’s making Boston its bridgehead. Quick Heal Technologies is an India-based software company that has grown to more than 10 million customers and more than 100 countries since it was founded … Continue reading “Indian Security Software Company Picks Boston to Start U.S. Move”
SnowShoe Raises $1M Round, Releases Kits to Public
SnowShoe, a startup founded in Wisconsin, continues trying to make its mark. This week, it announced the release of new software it says will let anyone “build digital experiences” out of real-world toys. It also announced investors have pumped $1 million into the business. SnowShoe makes what it calls “clever pieces of plastic” that interact … Continue reading “SnowShoe Raises $1M Round, Releases Kits to Public”
Mobile Marketer Swirl Networks Raises $18M as Ad Beacons Beckon
Hilmi Ozguc, founder and CEO of Swirl Networks, has thought for years that wireless devices that push ads to shoppers’ smartphones while they shopped are the future of marketing and retail. Now, some of the most influential names in digital marketing and media seem to agree—including Twitter. Swirl, which is based in Boston, announced Thursday it … Continue reading “Mobile Marketer Swirl Networks Raises $18M as Ad Beacons Beckon”
IBM Security Opens Up Library of Malware and Threat Intelligence
Despite a career spent trying to defeat increasingly skilled and sophisticated hackers, Marc van Zadelhoff remains an optimist—at least a cautious one. Van Zadelhoff, IBM Security’s vice president of strategy, isn’t ignorant of the risks his team is dealing with. He can rattle off the number of endpoints—270 million—and security events—more than 15 billion—IBM Security … Continue reading “IBM Security Opens Up Library of Malware and Threat Intelligence”
Harvard Startup Connects Picture Frames with Wi-Fi, Touchscreens
Let’s be honest—digital picture frames are pretty lame gifts, especially for mom and dad, let alone grandpa. But that could change if a Boston startup named Glimpse has its way. Glimpse makes Skylight, a new digital picture frame that takes advantage of touchscreens and Wi-Fi to make a frame its creators say is easy to … Continue reading “Harvard Startup Connects Picture Frames with Wi-Fi, Touchscreens”
Massachusetts Healthcare, Internet Companies Lead Pack in VC Chase
The Massachusetts tech and life sciences community might have reason to boast, following a second-straight quarter during which companies in the state raised more than $1.3 billion from venture investors. The amount was good enough to make the Commonwealth the second-highest ranking state, beating out New York for that honor. Companies in the Bay State … Continue reading “Massachusetts Healthcare, Internet Companies Lead Pack in VC Chase”
Localytics Acquires Splitforce to Personalize Mobile Marketing
Localytics continues its roll. The Boston-based mobile marketing and analytics company announced today it has snapped up Splitforce, a New York startup that Localytics CEO Raj Aggarwal said will help the company advance its vision of bringing a more sophisticated form of marketing to apps. Localytics did not say what it paid for Splitforce. The … Continue reading “Localytics Acquires Splitforce to Personalize Mobile Marketing”
1366 Technologies, Yeloha Making Progress in Solar Energy
The past week has been good for Boston-area solar energy startups—and not just because the sun is finally shining in New England. Silicon wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies announced it has raised an extra $5 million in an extension of its Series C financing. The extra money brings the amount the Bedford, MA, company raised in … Continue reading “1366 Technologies, Yeloha Making Progress in Solar Energy”
MassChallenge Takes Over Start Tank Incubator From PayPal
Two prominent names in Boston’s startup world are joining forces—and shacking up together. Startup accelerator MassChallenge has acquired Start Tank, a Boston-based incubator run by PayPal, which provided select startups with space at its downtown Boston office. MassChallenge and Start Tank announced the deal this week. They’ve called it an acquisition, but reportedly no cash … Continue reading “MassChallenge Takes Over Start Tank Incubator From PayPal”
Aircuity Sucks In $6.25M To Expand Air Quality Tracking Business
Our workplaces might be getting a little bit more energy efficient, not necessarily because of solar panels or new insulation, but because of the air we breathe inside them. At least, that’s what air quality monitoring company Aircuity and its investors believe. This week, Newton, MA-based Aircuity announced it raised $6.25 million in an expansion … Continue reading “Aircuity Sucks In $6.25M To Expand Air Quality Tracking Business”
Clypd Raises $19.4M, Gets Boost From European Broadcaster and TiVo
Clypd, a Boston-area startup that wants to make TV advertising more like its digital cousin by incorporating programmatic ad selling, has raised a $19.4 million Series B round, the company announced Thursday. Leading the round is the RTL Group, a European media and broadcasting company. TiVo, the pioneer in digital video recording, joined the round, … Continue reading “Clypd Raises $19.4M, Gets Boost From European Broadcaster and TiVo”
Denver Startup ProtectWise Uses Cloud to Create Safety in Numbers
It’s a truism in the computer security world that the bad guys have gained the upper hand. Just think about all the major security breaches over the past few years for evidence. The black hats’ victories have led doomsayers like FBI director James Comey’s to say that “There are two kinds of big companies in … Continue reading “Denver Startup ProtectWise Uses Cloud to Create Safety in Numbers”
FirstFuel Refuels with $23M to Develop Software for Utilities
Some people tend to think of smart meters, solar panels, and energy audits in the same way they think about home improvements. But the owners of commercial property such as office buildings, shopping centers, and warehouses are taking a growing interest in renewable technology as a way to cut their electric bills. Utilities know that, … Continue reading “FirstFuel Refuels with $23M to Develop Software for Utilities”
CU, Feld Create Residency to Lure Foreign Entrepreneurs to Boulder
Boulder is opening its arms to entrepreneurs from around the world with a new program created by venture capitalist Brad Feld and the University of Colorado’s Silicon Flatirons center for entrepreneurship. The university announced this week that it has launched a new entrepreneur in residence program that will give up to four entrepreneurs a year … Continue reading “CU, Feld Create Residency to Lure Foreign Entrepreneurs to Boulder”
Hawaii Project Taps Search to Suggest Right Books for the Beach
Finding the perfect book to take to the beach could be getting more scientific and serious, at least if Mark Watkins, founder of the Hawaii Project, is on to something. Watkins, a co-founder and former CEO of Goby, an MIT spinout that developed a search and recommendation engine for travelers, is trying to create the … Continue reading “Hawaii Project Taps Search to Suggest Right Books for the Beach”
Security Innovation Raises $4M to Connect Cars, Fight Hackers
Security Innovation, a Boston-area company that makes software that connects cars and programs that teach employees how to avoid security breaches, has raised $4 million in growth capital. Existing investor Brook Venture Partners led the round and was joined by Gordon M. Burns, a director of Compass Diversified Holdings. The funding brings the amount the … Continue reading “Security Innovation Raises $4M to Connect Cars, Fight Hackers”
Colorado Roundup: Schoolrunner, FullContact, Red Canary
Three bits of funding news from Colorado-based startups: Impact fund backs Schoolrunner: Schoolrunner, a three-year-old edtech startup in Denver that claims its software delivers “moneyball for schools,” closed a $1.5 million seed round with an investment from the Colorado Impact Fund this week. The reference to the book and movie “Moneyball” emphasizes Schoolrunner’s focus on … Continue reading “Colorado Roundup: Schoolrunner, FullContact, Red Canary”
Nanigans Nabs $24M to Expand Beyond Facebook, Into Asia
Investors like adtech. The latest example is Boston-based Nanigans, which announced Wednesday it has raised a $24 million Series B round. Cheetah Mobile (NYSE: [[ticker:CMCM]]), a Chinese Internet company, led the round, which included the Wellington Management Company as a new investor. Prior investor Avalon Ventures also participated. Nanigans makes digital advertising automation software for … Continue reading “Nanigans Nabs $24M to Expand Beyond Facebook, Into Asia”
LogMeIn’s New Rescue Lens App Opens the Eyes of Tech Support
Raise your hand if you’ve ever used FaceTime to help a friend or relative fix a computer, TV, or anything else. Now, have you ever completely ripped up your schedule so you could be there when a repair technician came to your home, only to find when the person showed up—late, of course—the problem was … Continue reading “LogMeIn’s New Rescue Lens App Opens the Eyes of Tech Support”
Mars Satellite Makes Unexpected Discoveries: Pretty Lights and Dust
A trip to Mars already is yielding surprises for NASA—no, not Martians, but two unexpected atmospheric phenomena that have been detected for the first time. The scientists running NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, spacecraft announced Wednesday they’ve spotted an aurora like Earth’s Northern Lights and a high-altitude dust cloud that reaches deep … Continue reading “Mars Satellite Makes Unexpected Discoveries: Pretty Lights and Dust”
Red Rock Biofuels Raises Cash, Gets Ready for First Refinery
If you’re a biofuels startup that has breakthrough technology and a business strategy that could succeed, you probably have faced a few skeptical questions. Promising startups have come and gone as their new processes have proven to be economically unviable or unable to scale from the lab to commercial production. Investors have lost money, work … Continue reading “Red Rock Biofuels Raises Cash, Gets Ready for First Refinery”
Colorado Roundup: Amazon, 2lemetry, Photobucket, and Fort Collins
Amazon comes to Denver for a shopping trip and leaves with a startup, Photobucket lassoes a familiar face (and one of its co-founders), and plans are coming together in Fort Collins. Amazon Buys 2lemetry: Amazon has purchased 2lemetry, a Denver startup that develops software for the “Internet of things.” The companies did not announce the … Continue reading “Colorado Roundup: Amazon, 2lemetry, Photobucket, and Fort Collins”