TapInfluence, a Boulder, CO-based marketing software startup, has hired a new chief executive from Silicon Valley. Promise Phelon, who previously worked at The Resumator and founded and was CEO of UpMo, is taking over the top spot, replacing co-founder and longtime CEO Rustin Banks. Banks will stay on as chief product officer and focus on … Continue reading “TapInfluence Taps Into Silicon Valley to Find a New CEO”
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.
Microsoft to Create Free Online Programming Courses for EdX
Microsoft is dipping its toe in the world of free online education, partnering with Cambridge, MA-based EdX to create courses for software developers. EdX announced Tuesday that the courses would be the latest addition to its curriculum of interactive and massive open online courses, or MOOCs. EdX is a nonprofit founded by the Massachusetts Institute … Continue reading “Microsoft to Create Free Online Programming Courses for EdX”
Feds to Back Wearable Tech Startups With New Accelerator Program
The latest entrant into the startup accelerator and wearable-technologies games? It’s the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS announced Tuesday that it will launch its two accelerator programs in a pilot program. The Emerge accelerators will work with startups to create wearable technology that could be used by first responders such as firefighters, police, and … Continue reading “Feds to Back Wearable Tech Startups With New Accelerator Program”
SimpliVity Becomes Rare $1B Unicorn Following $175M Round
It took SimpliVity, an IT infrastructure company based in Westborough, MA, a few years to get out of the gates. But now the company is off to the races, following a $175 million Series D round that gives the company a post-money valuation north of $1 billion, making it a rare “unicorn” for the New … Continue reading “SimpliVity Becomes Rare $1B Unicorn Following $175M Round”
Colorado Roundup: Curbstand App Hits Streets, Smarter LED Lights
Parking in Denver goes high-tech, provided you want to pay a valet, and a lighting company raises $11 million to make its energy-efficient LED systems smarter. Here are the details: —CurbStand Rolls Out: It’s not getting any easier to find parking in Denver, but it might be easier to find someone to park your car … Continue reading “Colorado Roundup: Curbstand App Hits Streets, Smarter LED Lights”
CIA-Backed VC Firm Invests in Voxel8’s 3D Printer for Electronics
Startups making 3D printers have electrified the tech industry. Just ask Voxel8, a Boston-based startup that makes what it says is the first 3D printer able to print electronic devices. Or ask In-Q-Tel, the venture capital firm with links to the Central Intelligence Agency. In-Q-Tel recently made a strategic equity investment in Voxel8 and also … Continue reading “CIA-Backed VC Firm Invests in Voxel8’s 3D Printer for Electronics”
IBM Acquires AI Startup AlchemyAPI to Strengthen Watson
IBM’s Watson, already one of the world’s smartest supercomputers, might be getting smarter following IBM’s purchase of AlchemyAPI, a Denver-based artificial intelligence startup that specializes in deep learning, an area of machine learning focused on making sense of data. AlchemyAPI and IBM announced the deal Wednesday. They did not disclose the purchase price. The acquisition … Continue reading “IBM Acquires AI Startup AlchemyAPI to Strengthen Watson”
Therapeutic Video Game Startup Akili Takes Aim at Autism
For decades, experts have debated whether video games positively or negatively affect your brain. Boston-based startup Akili Interactive thinks it’s a settled question, and that games on mobile devices can be beneficial both for players and doctors. Now it’s all about proving it. Akili announced Monday it has formed a clinical research collaboration agreement with … Continue reading “Therapeutic Video Game Startup Akili Takes Aim at Autism”
Quietyme Seeks Success with Sensors that Shush Sounds in Hospitals
Noisy neighbors can be a problem, whether you’re in an apartment building or a hotel room. But if you’re in a hospital, they’re more than a nuisance—they can be a health risk. Quietyme, a Madison, WI, startup, is looking to fix that. The startup makes sensors that can monitor noise levels, along with temperature, light, … Continue reading “Quietyme Seeks Success with Sensors that Shush Sounds in Hospitals”
Colorado Lawmakers Set Stage for Equity Crowdfunding
Colorado stands poised to become the latest state to allow residents who do not meet the stringent SEC standards for accredited investors to invest small amounts in companies located within its borders. State lawmakers on Tuesday introduced “the Colorado Crowdfunding Act.” The bill, officially HB15-1246, would allow businesses to use websites to attract investors and … Continue reading “Colorado Lawmakers Set Stage for Equity Crowdfunding”
Simple Energy Flips Switch on E-Commerce Site for Utility Customers
Explaining how you can save money, and maybe the planet, by cutting energy consumption is simple. Getting people to change their behavior is not. Simple Energy, a software company in Boulder, CO, has made solving that challenge its mission since it was founded in 2011, and now it has what it thinks is a powerful … Continue reading “Simple Energy Flips Switch on E-Commerce Site for Utility Customers”
Yottaa Grows By Helping Customers Boost Website, App Performance
Bad news, marketers and website designers—customers aren’t all that interested in the snazzy features on your websites and mobile apps, like widgets showcasing your clever social media campaign. They just want the page or app to load faster and be easy to navigate, whether they’re using a computer, tablet, or mobile device. That’s the idea … Continue reading “Yottaa Grows By Helping Customers Boost Website, App Performance”
WHO Approves 15-Minute Ebola Test Developed by Corgenix
Doctors who continue to battle the Ebola epidemic that rages on in Africa—even if it’s once again out of the headlines in the U.S.—might be getting a new tool thanks to Corgenix, a medical test maker based outside Denver. On Thursday, the World Health Organization approved Corgenix’s blood test that can diagnose Ebola victims within … Continue reading “WHO Approves 15-Minute Ebola Test Developed by Corgenix”
10.10.10 Debuts in Denver with Healthcare Startups in Mind
Ten entrepreneurs from around the country are getting the chance to use their ideas and skills to try to solve 10 “wicked problems” in health over the next 10 days—and create a successful startup in the process. 10.10.10 started Monday with an event in downtown Denver. Organizers estimate between 275 and 300 people attended. Together … Continue reading “10.10.10 Debuts in Denver with Healthcare Startups in Mind”
10.10.10, Entrepreneurs to Tackle “Wicked Problems” in Healthcare
If you’ve talked to Tom Higley lately, you know the Denver entrepreneur is passionate about his newest endeavor, 10.10.10. You know Higley has great hopes that the 10 entrepreneurs coming to Denver next week will, after 10 intense days studying 10 “wicked problems” related to health and healthcare, come up with ideas for companies that … Continue reading “10.10.10, Entrepreneurs to Tackle “Wicked Problems” in Healthcare”
Acquisition Extends Buildium’s Offerings for Real Estate Industry
Landlords, supers, and property managers might not seem like the most technologically savvy bunch, but Boston software company Buildium has carved out a niche catering to their needs. This week the company announced it acquired All Property Management, a Seattle-based tech company that also specializes in real estate. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. … Continue reading “Acquisition Extends Buildium’s Offerings for Real Estate Industry”
Colorado Stereo Gear Makers, Accelerator Grads Kickstart Growth
Colorado tech companies old and new have turned to Kickstarter to raise money, attract attention, and build their user base. But while hot startups might attract the most attention, it’s a pair of stereo equipment makers that perhaps unexpectedly made the most money in 2014. Xconomy is looking at Kickstarter funding trends across our 10-region network … Continue reading “Colorado Stereo Gear Makers, Accelerator Grads Kickstart Growth”
LearnLaunch Picks Six Edtech Startups for Upcoming Accelerator
The LearnLaunch edtech startup accelerator today named the six startups that will be part of its Winter 2015 program. The companies will receive a seed investment, mentoring, and workspace in LearnLaunch’s Boston headquarters during the four-month program. LearnLaunch Demo Day is scheduled for June 3. LearnLaunch combines an accelerator, formerly known as LearnLaunchX, co-working space, … Continue reading “LearnLaunch Picks Six Edtech Startups for Upcoming Accelerator”
Aventura Adds $14M to Help Doctors Navigate Electronic Records
Whether or not doctors, nurses, or patients like it, electronic health records are here to stay, and computers are becoming ubiquitous in exam rooms. While the healthcare world adjusts, some software companies are taking the next step—making applications that improve the performance and usability of the first wave of digital systems. One such company is … Continue reading “Aventura Adds $14M to Help Doctors Navigate Electronic Records”
Therapy Startup Tunes Into Music as Rehab for Brain Injuries
A stroke or traumatic brain injury starts a race against the clock. Neurosurgeons, emergency room doctors, and paramedics have to take action to limit the damage as quickly as possible before it spreads and devastates portions of the patient’s brain, taking functions such as speech, movement, and memory with it. After that desperate sprint comes … Continue reading “Therapy Startup Tunes Into Music as Rehab for Brain Injuries”
French Utility Giant Funds Tendril’s European Expansion With $7.2M
Tendril Networks, the Boulder, CO-based company that develops software for the utility industry, announced Tuesday it has received a $7.2 million investment from one of the largest utilities in the world, and that it will use the new money to expand into Europe. The investment comes from GDF Suez, an international energy provider based in … Continue reading “French Utility Giant Funds Tendril’s European Expansion With $7.2M”
ThinkingPhones Buys Contactive to Bring Better Caller ID to Business
It seems like decades since Caller ID—that humble but useful improvement to old-school landline telephones—felt high-tech and cutting-edge. But ThinkingPhones, a Cambridge, MA-based communications software company, thinks Caller ID has a future, and that new technology can give it new life. That’s why the company just bought Contactive, a New York City-based big data startup, … Continue reading “ThinkingPhones Buys Contactive to Bring Better Caller ID to Business”
Frustrations Turn Fiksu Into Potential Mobile Marketing Juggernaut
A few years ago, Micah Adler and his colleagues had a problem. His startup, Fluent Mobile, had developed a mobile app named Fluent News Reader that received rave reviews, but after the interest created by a successful launch the app had difficulty finding users. It turned out no matter how good the reviews, it was … Continue reading “Frustrations Turn Fiksu Into Potential Mobile Marketing Juggernaut”
Three Colorado Startups Get Chance to Make Pitch at Google Demo Day
Three Colorado startups are making plans for a possible trip to Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA, where they could meet Google personnel and make their pitches before Silicon Valley investors and a worldwide audience watching online. The three startups—Conspire, Native, and RxRevu—beat out 13 other startups last week for the chance to present at this … Continue reading “Three Colorado Startups Get Chance to Make Pitch at Google Demo Day”
Fiksu Makes Move to Expand in Mobile Marketing
For the past few years Fiksu has been one of Boston’s fastest growing startups by helping mobile app and game developers stand out and get downloaded. Now Fiksu is getting more aggressive and is making a big play in mobile marketing with new software that companies, agencies, and marketers can use to target mobile device … Continue reading “Fiksu Makes Move to Expand in Mobile Marketing”
MobCraft Sold on Virtues of Equity Crowdfunding Despite Missed Goal
The results are in for one of the first equity crowdfunding campaigns in Wisconsin—and likely the nation—and the entrepreneurs behind it are pretty happy with the results, despite coming up shy of their goal. MobCraft Beer, a craft beer startup based in Madison, WI, recently closed the fundraising campaign it was running through CraftFund. The … Continue reading “MobCraft Sold on Virtues of Equity Crowdfunding Despite Missed Goal”
FullContact Releases First iOS App, Raises $7M
FullContact announced today it has raised $7 million in a Series C round and is releasing new mobile apps it thinks will help everyone tame their address books and contact lists. The Denver-based company’s new app for iOS is available Thursday through the Apple App Store, and it plans to release apps for Android and … Continue reading “FullContact Releases First iOS App, Raises $7M”
Scott McNealy to Preach Virtues of Colorado at Showcase for VCs
The Colorado Venture Summit will return for a second year, and this time the headline speaker will be Scott McNealy, the co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems, who has become an outspoken advocate for Colorado despite being a Silicon Valley legend. The goal of the venture summit is to bring together the leaders of … Continue reading “Scott McNealy to Preach Virtues of Colorado at Showcase for VCs”
Techstars Closes $150M Seed and Early Stage Fund
Techstars has closed a $150 million third fund to make seed and early stage investments, the Boulder, CO-based startup accelerator announced Wednesday. Techstars co-founder and CEO David Cohen said the fund will be focused on investing on startups that have graduated from the accelerator or have other ties to the program. According to its website, … Continue reading “Techstars Closes $150M Seed and Early Stage Fund”
Alcohol, Grocery Deliveries Spike As Blizzard Batters Boston
Food, toilet paper … and booze? The list of essential items Bostonians and New Yorkers stocked up on in preparation for the first blizzard of 2015 has grown to include alcoholic beverages, at least according to Drizly, a Boston-based startup that enables users to order beer, wine, and liquor that is delivered to their doors. … Continue reading “Alcohol, Grocery Deliveries Spike As Blizzard Batters Boston”
Array Biopharma Gets Rights to Second Novartis Cancer Drug
The pending $16 billion deal that would see GlaxoSmithKline sell its cancer drugs to Novartis continues to pay dividends for an unlikely beneficiary—Boulder, CO-based Array BioPharma. Array (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARRY]]) announced Friday that it has reached a definitive agreement with Novartis to acquire worldwide rights to encorafenib, a drug candidate to treat melanoma and colorectal cancer. … Continue reading “Array Biopharma Gets Rights to Second Novartis Cancer Drug”
$68M Round Puts Kaminario Back in the Flash Data Storage Mix
It’s an exciting time to be in data storage, according to Kaminario founder and CEO Dani Golan. Flash memory is revolutionizing the industry, creating billion-dollar opportunities for companies like Kaminario, a Newton, MA-based company that builds all-solid-state data storage systems for enterprise customers. He also says it’s an exciting time to be at Kaminario, which … Continue reading “$68M Round Puts Kaminario Back in the Flash Data Storage Mix”
Adtech Startup Choozle Raises $4.1M to Simplify Digital Advertising
A lot has been said about adtech startups, programmatic advertising, and real-time bidding. But Denver startup Choozle might be saying something new—or at least saying it in a more clever way. Choozle’s mantra is “programmatic to the people,” and its goal is to make adtech software simple and inexpensive enough for small- and medium-sized businesses … Continue reading “Adtech Startup Choozle Raises $4.1M to Simplify Digital Advertising”
ViroCyt Raises $3.5M for Virus Quantification Technology
ViroCyt, a life sciences startup based in Boulder, CO, recently raised $3.5 million to continue marketing lab equipment that scientists can use to determine the amount of virus particles (such as Ebola) that is present in a blood or tissue sample. According to SEC filings, ViroCyt has raised $11.7 million since it was formed in … Continue reading “ViroCyt Raises $3.5M for Virus Quantification Technology “
Big Deals Drive Jump in 2014 VC Investment in Colorado
Venture capital investors pumped more cash into tech and life sciences companies across the country in 2014 than they have in years, with a handful of companies such as Uber and Snapchat leading the way by closing “megadeals.” In Colorado, the same trend held, albeit on a smaller scale. Tech companies in the state scored … Continue reading “Big Deals Drive Jump in 2014 VC Investment in Colorado”
Austin-Based Yard Care Startup LawnStarter Raises $1M Seed Round
Mowing the yard might get easier—or rather, finding the right person to mow the yard for you. At least that’s the ambition of LawnStarter, an Austin, TX-based startup that wants to become the tool homeowners turn to when they need to find a local company to take care of their lawns. LawnStarter this week raised … Continue reading “Austin-Based Yard Care Startup LawnStarter Raises $1M Seed Round”
Zayo to Buy Datacenter Operator Latisys in $675M Deal
Zayo Group is a public company now, and that hasn’t changed the Boulder, CO-based telecom provider’s acquisitive ways. Zayo announced Wednesday it has reached an agreement to buy Latisys, another Colorado company, for $675 million in what will be the second largest of Zayo’s 34 acquisitions. It’s a deal that marks Zayo’s (NYSE: [[ticker:ZAYO]]) expanding … Continue reading “Zayo to Buy Datacenter Operator Latisys in $675M Deal”
Blood Test Maker Biodesix Raises $12M, Readies for Product Launch
Boulder, CO-based medical diagnostic company Biodesix announced today it has raised $12 million to help launch a new, as yet unannounced product line and to continue promoting its blood test that oncologists can use to guide lung cancer treatment. The money comes from Biodesix’s existing investors and extends the Series E round the company opened … Continue reading “Blood Test Maker Biodesix Raises $12M, Readies for Product Launch”
Colorado Roundup: AntriaBio Raises $7M, VSCO Buys Artifact Uprising
A biotech startup chases the $10 billion market for diabetes treatments, and Artifact Uprising is snapped up by another photography startup. AntriaBio raises $7 million, clears hurdle. Biopharmaceutical company AntriaBio announced this week it has raised about $7 million in a private placement. The company develops extended release therapies, and currently is at work on a … Continue reading “Colorado Roundup: AntriaBio Raises $7M, VSCO Buys Artifact Uprising”
Austin Startup RoverPass Looks to Become Kayak for Camping Industry
“We’re not doing rocket science. We’re just trying to get people to go camping.” So says Ravi Parikh, co-founder and CEO of Austin, TX-based startup RoverPass. While his comment is a little self-deprecating, it certainly explains his company well. RoverPass helps campers and RV owners find and book places in campgrounds and RV parks while … Continue reading “Austin Startup RoverPass Looks to Become Kayak for Camping Industry”
Welltok Raises Additional $12M, Readies for Debut With IBM’s Watson
Welltok, a Denver-based health software startup, just closed the books on a very successful 2014, announcing today it raised $12 million from two new investors. Welltok also is already setting the stage for a big 2015, with plans to unveil a new app that relies on IBM’s Watson supercomputer next week. The investors are Hearst Health … Continue reading “Welltok Raises Additional $12M, Readies for Debut With IBM’s Watson”
Techstars Expands With New Accelerator in Berlin
How do you say “startup accelerator” in German? We might soon know, now that Techstars is opening a new program in Berlin. The first program is this summer, with applications being accepted through March 15. Techstars said the program will be run in English, and it expects to have more than 100 mentors. Techstars announced … Continue reading “Techstars Expands With New Accelerator in Berlin”
Four Colorado Storylines to Watch as 2015 Gets Underway
Whether on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange or in orbit around the Earth, Colorado entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors made a mark last year, and more big things are sure to come in the year ahead. Here’s a quick look at some of the top storylines from 2014 that will carry over into … Continue reading “Four Colorado Storylines to Watch as 2015 Gets Underway”
Wisconsin Startup Introduces Wallet Designed to Foil E-Pickpockets
Give pickpockets their due. It takes undeniable skill and dexterity to weave through a crowd and steal a wallet with the victim none the wiser—or to use a radio scanner to steal signals transmitted by the radio frequency identification (RFID) chips implanted on passports and an increasing number of “contactless” smart credit cards. But don’t … Continue reading “Wisconsin Startup Introduces Wallet Designed to Foil E-Pickpockets”
Zayo’s IPO, Datalogix, Orion Launch Highlight Last Quarter of ’14
Two of Colorado’s leading tech companies scored big exits during the fourth quarter, with Zayo going public and Datalogix being acquired by Oracle. But those were just two of the biggest stories as 2014 came to an end. Zayo’s IPO survives a rocky start. Telecom and broadband infrastructure provider Zayo Group (NYSE: [[ticker:ZAYO]]) has spent … Continue reading “Zayo’s IPO, Datalogix, Orion Launch Highlight Last Quarter of ’14”
Oracle to Buy Colorado-based Data Broker Datalogix
[Updated 12/22/14 10:25 a.m. See below.] Oracle announced Monday it will buy Datalogix, the Westminster, CO-based data broker used by companies such as Facebook and Twitter to understand the offline consumer activity of their users. The price of the acquisition was not disclosed, but one media report puts it at several hundred million dollars. Datalogix … Continue reading “Oracle to Buy Colorado-based Data Broker Datalogix”
Colorado Roundup: Missile Batteries, Blue Ocean, and Funding News
Here are a few bits of recent news from startups around Colorado: Solid Power goes ballistic: Solid Power, a Louisville, CO-based startup spun out of the University of Colorado-Boulder, announced a unique partnership earlier this month. It’s working with the Air Force to make batteries for the intercontinental ballistic missiles that carry nuclear warheads. The … Continue reading “Colorado Roundup: Missile Batteries, Blue Ocean, and Funding News”
Olympics, NFL Lessons Guide Integrate’s Bloom in First Year as CEO
A lot of entrepreneurs have circuitous career paths before becoming a first-time CEO. Few have the Olympics or the National Football League on their resumes. But that’s the case for Jeremy Bloom, co-founder and CEO of Integrate, a venture-backed marketing software company. Bloom has been in the top spot for about eight months as the … Continue reading “Olympics, NFL Lessons Guide Integrate’s Bloom in First Year as CEO”
Austin’s Wisegate Raises $4M to Further Develop IT Brain Trust
An Austin startup creating what it calls “a gated brain trust of the wisest in IT” has raised $4 million. Wisegate announced Tuesday it has closed a Series B round led by new investor Arcus Capital Partners. Prior investors the Central Texas Angel Network, Atlanta Technology Angels, Golden Seeds, and Cowtown Angels also participated. The … Continue reading “Austin’s Wisegate Raises $4M to Further Develop IT Brain Trust”
SunPower’s $20M Investment Latest Sign of Tendril’s Turnaround
Just two years ago, Tendril Networks was like many other formerly high-flying cleantech startups struggling to stay alive. But now Tendril is back, according to CEO Adrian Tuck—and one of the leading renewable energy companies in the world agrees. Solar panel manufacturer SunPower and Tendril announced Monday that SunPower (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SPWR]]) has invested $20 million … Continue reading “SunPower’s $20M Investment Latest Sign of Tendril’s Turnaround”