Oncothyreon and Array BioPharma announced today that they have updated their development agreement around a breast cancer drug invented by Array. Oncothyreon, based in Seattle, will pay Boulder, CO-based Array (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARRY]]) a $20 million upfront fee and take full responsibility for the development and commercialization of the drug, known as ONT-380. If it manages … Continue reading “Oncothyreon Pays $20M for Array BioPharma’s Breast Cancer Drug”
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.
Virtual Reality Startup Virtuix Raises $2.7M, Readies for CES Debut
A Houston startup’s dream of “taking virtual reality beyond the chair” is getting closer to reality. Virtuix announced today it has raised $2.7 million that it will use to fund its final push to manufacture a treadmill that, when paired with an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and currently available video game systems, will enable … Continue reading “Virtual Reality Startup Virtuix Raises $2.7M, Readies for CES Debut”
Techstars, Mayo Clinic Team Up to Launch Post-Accelerator Program
Add the Mayo Clinic to the list of companies, entrepreneurs, and investors that are in Techstars’s seemingly ever-growing network. The Boulder, CO-based startup accelerator announced today that it has a new relationship with the Rochester, MN-based nonprofit hospital and research institute that will enable healthcare-related Techstars startups to work with experts from the Mayo Clinic … Continue reading “Techstars, Mayo Clinic Team Up to Launch Post-Accelerator Program”
Web Startup Experiment Engine Turns to Crowd to Ease A/B Testing
Constantly testing and optimizing your website to turn more visitors into customers is one of those things everyone knows they should be doing. But companies often lack the time, expertise, and money for it. Experiment Engine, a startup in Austin, TX, would like to make it easier for companies to do A/B testing on design … Continue reading “Web Startup Experiment Engine Turns to Crowd to Ease A/B Testing”
UW Startup Spectrom Tries to Bring Color to Desktop 3D Printing
If you believe industry insiders—and a considerable amount of media hype—desktop 3D printers are about to become the proverbial next big thing, as companies like MakerBot, 3D Systems, and Solidoodle find ways to create more reliable, user-friendly printers that consumers and most professional designers can afford. But while those companies duke it out for market … Continue reading “UW Startup Spectrom Tries to Bring Color to Desktop 3D Printing”
Array and Novartis End Development Deal for Cancer Drug Binimetinib
Drug developer Array BioPharma and pharmaceutical giant Novartis are going separate ways, but that doesn’t seem to be bad news for Boulder, CO-based Array. The companies announced Wednesday they have terminated their agreement to jointly develop and market binimetinib, a drug candidate initially developed by Array to treat melanoma and ovarian cancer. While such a … Continue reading “Array and Novartis End Development Deal for Cancer Drug Binimetinib”
Boulder’s TeamSnap Acquires Mobile App, Keeps on Growing
TeamSnap has just snapped up another rival and is adding about 30,000 users to its roster. The Boulder, CO-based startup makes software that sports teams, recreational leagues, and activity groups can use to create and manage rosters, coordinate schedules, track stats, inform players of schedule changes, and now track their team’s live scores and chat … Continue reading “Boulder’s TeamSnap Acquires Mobile App, Keeps on Growing”
SendGrid Raises $20M, Plots New Strategy for New Markets
The past two months have been busy ones for SendGrid and its new CEO Sameer Dholakia, who joined the company in September. The Boulder-based company announced today it has raised a $20 million Series C round and landed Bain Capital Ventures as a new investor. SendGrid makes cloud-based software that customers use to deliver e-mail … Continue reading “SendGrid Raises $20M, Plots New Strategy for New Markets”
Denver E-Commerce Startup Active Junky Preps for Holidays, Big 2015
Whether on the ski slopes or outside shops, it’s going to be a busy next few days for a lot of people in Colorado. Shoppers will be lining up for Black Friday bargains or surfing for Cyber Monday steals. Up in the high country, skiers and snowboarders from around the world will be flocking to … Continue reading “Denver E-Commerce Startup Active Junky Preps for Holidays, Big 2015”
Spot On Sciences Aims to Take Pain, Hassle Out of Blood Tests
Take four years of work, some complicated scientific and medical research, and condense into 25-second nuggets that you will present before judges and a lively crowd as you “do battle” with nine other startups from around the world. That was the challenge Jeanette Hill, founder and CEO of Austin, TX-based Spot On Sciences, faced at … Continue reading “Spot On Sciences Aims to Take Pain, Hassle Out of Blood Tests”
Startups and 13 States Jumpstart Equity Crowdfunding Without SEC
Ever wanted to own your own little piece of a startup, but found you don’t quite have the money to do it? Well, now you can buy a stake in a local brewery, restaurant, or software company—at least if you live in Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, Colorado, or other states with new laws that let companies … Continue reading “Startups and 13 States Jumpstart Equity Crowdfunding Without SEC”
Obama’s Immigration Changes Hint at Revival of Startup Visa Idea
Could the federal government finally be creating something like the startup visa, the long-stalled immigration reform that would make it easier for entrepreneurs from foreign countries to start companies in the U.S.? The door to that possibility might have opened slightly on Thursday night, following President Barack Obama’s speech about immigration reform. Obama used the … Continue reading “Obama’s Immigration Changes Hint at Revival of Startup Visa Idea”
Cystic Fibrosis Drug Developer N30 Pharmaceuticals Raises $30M
N30 Pharmaceuticals, a Boulder-based pharmaceutical company developing drugs for cystic fibrosis, announced yesterday it has raised a $30 million mezzanine financing round. N30 Pharma will use the funds to continue clinical trials for N91115, for which it recently completed a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial. N30 Pharma’s new investors include Wellington Management, RA Capital Management, Rock … Continue reading “Cystic Fibrosis Drug Developer N30 Pharmaceuticals Raises $30M”
Clovis Shares Drop Following Release of Cancer-Drug Trial Data
Shares of Clovis Oncology dropped 10 percent this morning following the release of interim results for the ongoing trial of the company’s drug for lung cancer patients. Analysts said results failed to meet earlier estimates or show the drug is clearly better than a similar drug that pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]) is developing. Clovis’ … Continue reading “Clovis Shares Drop Following Release of Cancer-Drug Trial Data”
Analyst Shares Vision for How Digital Will Disrupt Healthcare
Well care vs. sick care. The “patient-to-consumer revolution.” Smart care. If you’re familiar with digital healthcare but aren’t an insider, you’ve probably heard these terms—quite possibly often enough to wonder if they’re buzzwords or actually represent concepts and trends worth learning more about. For someone like Tom Main, there’s no question the terms aren’t just … Continue reading “Analyst Shares Vision for How Digital Will Disrupt Healthcare”
Arts and Crafts-Focused Online Ed Site Craftsy Sews Up $50M Round
Craftsy continues its march to take over the e-learning world, one online instructional video—and megabucks funding round—at a time. The Denver-based company announced it has closed a $50 million Series D round led by the Stripes Group, a New York City-based growth equity firm. Prior investors Foundry Group, Tiger Global, Adams Street Partners, Access Venture … Continue reading “Arts and Crafts-Focused Online Ed Site Craftsy Sews Up $50M Round”
New Event Shines Light on Variety of Boulder’s Innovative Firms
It will still be chilly next week in Colorado, but a few dozen leading startups and tech companies in Boulder plan to give more than 700 people a warm welcome. On Tuesday, 42 companies including Google, Zayo Group, and Rally Software will host open houses as part of NewCo Boulder. Joining them will be startups … Continue reading “New Event Shines Light on Variety of Boulder’s Innovative Firms”
Boomtown Accelerator’s Second Batch of Startups Make Their Debuts
The latest startups to come out of the Boomtown accelerator want to help you find a parking spot, a good deal on an extended warranty for your iPad, or teach your kid to write code. The nine startups from the Boulder, CO-accelerator made their pitches to investors Wednesday. Boomtown is a startup accelerator launched earlier … Continue reading “Boomtown Accelerator’s Second Batch of Startups Make Their Debuts”
TeleTech, Humanify Hope to Bring Customer Service into Mobile Age
Think back to the last time you tried to fix something around the house that broke unexpectedly. What did you do? Maybe you searched Google and YouTube and found some articles or videos. One or two might have been helpful. You might have searched a manufacturer’s website for a product manual or FAQ, and if … Continue reading “TeleTech, Humanify Hope to Bring Customer Service into Mobile Age”
Smart Sprinkler Maker Rachio Working With Nest, Raising Seed Round
It’s not exactly the season for lawn watering in Denver, but that doesn’t mean Rachio, a local maker of smart sprinklers, is taking a rest. Far from it. Rachio recently released a new version of its app that allows users to control home irrigation systems with smartphones and tablets. The app is a key component … Continue reading “Smart Sprinkler Maker Rachio Working With Nest, Raising Seed Round”
Roundup: Tech Companies Take a Bow, Internet of Things Conference
It was red carpet week for Colorado tech and life sciences companies, as the leading industry and advocacy associations honored the state’s top companies and individuals. Next week in Boulder, the Internet of Things’ promise in helping to solve global problems will take center stage. Reaching the Apex: The Colorado Technology Association celebrated its annual … Continue reading “Roundup: Tech Companies Take a Bow, Internet of Things Conference”
Digital Health Accelerator Rock Health Raises Third Fund
Rock Health, the San Francisco-based seed fund and startup accelerator for digital healthcare companies, said today it has raised a new fund, its third and largest. In the three years since it launched, Rock Health has become a hub of the West Coast digital health scene, providing seed funding, sector data and analysis, events, and … Continue reading “Digital Health Accelerator Rock Health Raises Third Fund”
“Mad Geniuses” Take on Pandora in Quest to Create Online Radio Magic
Here’s a challenge: Turn off Spotify, Pandora, or iTunes for a minute, and try to remember the last time you really loved listening to the radio. What made it special? Was it the particular time in your life, or a crew of disc jockeys who had a sixth sense about introducing you to the perfect … Continue reading ““Mad Geniuses” Take on Pandora in Quest to Create Online Radio Magic”
Nest Buys “Smart Home” Startup Revolv, Discontinues Automation Hub
Revolv’s idea for a smart hub that could control lights, speakers, locks, and more won’t come to fruition. Nest, a division of Google that makes smart thermostats and home automation technology, has acquired Revolv, a startup based in Boulder, CO. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Nest was after the Revolv team, which will … Continue reading “Nest Buys “Smart Home” Startup Revolv, Discontinues Automation Hub”
Conspire Promises to Help You Make the Right Connections
Want to get your pitch deck in front of the right VC? Trying to find the right “in” to help you land your dream job? Or just trying to figure out which of your thousands of e-mail contacts are actually helpful? A startup called Conspire thinks it has a way to help you figure that … Continue reading “Conspire Promises to Help You Make the Right Connections”
Kindara Hopes Smart Thermometer for Women is Birth of Something Big
For women trying to conceive, getting pregnant might not get easier in the next few months—but tracking their fertility to find the likeliest time to conceive might. Kindara, a startup in Boulder, CO, recently announced the debut of Wink, a wireless smart thermometer the company has spent the past few years developing. Wink uses Bluetooth … Continue reading “Kindara Hopes Smart Thermometer for Women is Birth of Something Big”
Colorado’s Zayo Worth $5B Following $400M IPO
Colorado telecom Zayo Group Holdings is now a public, $5 billion company, thanks to a massive IPO the Boulder-based company pulled off on Friday morning. Zayo (NYSE: [[ticker:ZAYO]]) initially priced the deal below its expectations—it sold shares to investors at $19 apiece, well below the range of $21 to $24 the company projected last week. … Continue reading “Colorado’s Zayo Worth $5B Following $400M IPO”
A Chance to Celebrate With Xconomy and Meet the Xconomists
Xconomy is celebrating another great year for Colorado tech and life sciences companies with two special events next week that will bring together some of the leaders of Colorado’s software, IT, biotech, cleantech, and venture capital communities—and maybe you. The events, our annual “Meet the Xconomists” receptions, are a chance to network, share ideas, and … Continue reading “A Chance to Celebrate With Xconomy and Meet the Xconomists”
Welltok Raises $25M More, Takes Aim at $2.7T Healthcare Industry
You’ve got a fitness tracker on your wrist and a phone loaded with health apps in your pocket. You know all about the latest technology that can help you stay—or get—in shape, and you’re pretty sure you know all the names of the biggest startups (and giant companies like Nike) trying to sell you new … Continue reading “Welltok Raises $25M More, Takes Aim at $2.7T Healthcare Industry”
Roundup: Partners for Ping Identity, Datalogix; Craftsy’s Milestone
Three of Colorado’s biggest startups made notable moves this week. Ping Identity and Datalogix announced new partnerships with major companies that have the potential to greatly expand their reach into new markets. Meanwhile, Craftsy announced it hit a milestone. Ping Identity, Sprint join forces: Denver-based Ping Identity has a new partner as it continues its … Continue reading “Roundup: Partners for Ping Identity, Datalogix; Craftsy’s Milestone”
App That Helps Find Lost Children Highlights Techstars Demo Day
Techstars startups have been making their pitches to investors in Boulder for eight years now. It’s unlikely one has ever been introduced by a police officer. Then again, there hasn’t been a graduate like the Lassy Project, a startup inspired by a real-life child abduction and murder case that shocked Colorado almost exactly two years … Continue reading “App That Helps Find Lost Children Highlights Techstars Demo Day”
SolidFire Lands $82 Million to Expand Flash Memory in Data Centers
It’s not every day a four-year-old startup in Colorado—or anywhere, really—raises an $82 million funding round, but Boulder-based data storage startup SolidFire has done just that. SolidFire develops all-flash storage systems for enterprise customers and cloud-services providers. Clients include eBay, PayPal, and CenturyLink. The round, which is a Series D, brings the total raised by … Continue reading “SolidFire Lands $82 Million to Expand Flash Memory in Data Centers”
Zayo Group Sets IPO Range, Could Raise $232M
Zayo Group Holdings, a Boulder-based telecom infrastructure company, has set the price range for its upcoming initial public offering. The company and some of its previous investors are looking to sell a combined 28.9 million shares of stock, priced between $21 and $24 per share, according to a statement released this morning and its updated … Continue reading “Zayo Group Sets IPO Range, Could Raise $232M”
Big Sale, Equity Rounds, Surprises Make Headlines in 3rd Quarter
This summer was an eventful three months for Colorado’s technology industry. A major European media company bought a controlling stake of a leading adtech startup, two flagship tech companies raised late-stage equity rounds, and NASA might have dashed the state’s dream of becoming the hub for the next generation of space flight. Here’s a quick … Continue reading “Big Sale, Equity Rounds, Surprises Make Headlines in 3rd Quarter”
Colorado Tech Companies Rank High on Outside’s Best Workplace List
Thirteen Colorado-based tech companies can take a bow after earning a spot on Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work List. Of course, the celebration might have to wait until after their employees get back from mountain biking, rock climbing, or hiking. The tech companies are among the slew of Colorado firms that earned coveted spots … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Companies Rank High on Outside’s Best Workplace List”
Colorado Springs Entrepreneurs Trying to Restart Local Tech Industry
Something is happening down in Colorado Springs, a city of 440,000 that sprawls between Pikes Peak on the west and Air Force bases on the east. Entrepreneurs are trying to create an environment that will help startups grow, which could add a new element to the city’s economy and might even revive a once-flourishing tech … Continue reading “Colorado Springs Entrepreneurs Trying to Restart Local Tech Industry”
Franklin Out, VMLogix and Citrix Exec In as SendGrid Replaces CEO
SendGrid, the Colorado-based e-mail delivery company, has a new CEO. Sameer Dholakia will take the reins of the company, SendGrid announced Tuesday. Dholakia formerly was a vice president with Citrix (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTXS]]) and CEO of VMLogix. Dholakia replaces Jim Franklin, who led the company since 2011. During his tenure, SendGrid has grown into one of … Continue reading “Franklin Out, VMLogix and Citrix Exec In as SendGrid Replaces CEO”
Colorado Tech Roundup: Big Bucks for Biofuel and Mapquest’s New App
Here is a quick roundup of recent news from Colorado startups and tech companies, including a great week for a Fort Collins biofuels startup, smart sprinklers, and a new app from Mapquest. Biofuel startup’s big week: The past few years have been rough ones for cleantech startups, as the enthusiasm around the industry has waned … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: Big Bucks for Biofuel and Mapquest’s New App”
Ping Identity’s CEO Talks About $35M Round, What’s Next for Company
Andre Durand still keeps the original business plan he created for Ping Identity back in 2002 in his desk drawer. Sure, it’s mixed in with some other papers and under a Nerf dart gun, and sometime in the past 12 years someone spilled Sriracha on it, leaving dried hot sauce caked on the spiral binding … Continue reading “Ping Identity’s CEO Talks About $35M Round, What’s Next for Company”
Luxury Travel Startup Inspirato Closes $20M Growth Equity Round
Luxury vacation homes are proving to be a very promising business for Inspirato, a Denver travel startup that has caught the eye of some of Silicon Valley and New York’s biggest investors. Inspirato announced Wednesday that it has raised a $20 million growth equity round. W Capital Partners is a new investor in the round, … Continue reading “Luxury Travel Startup Inspirato Closes $20M Growth Equity Round”
Colorado Tech Roundup: Dream Chaser, Mars Mission, Web Security
There was some big news—and bad news—for Colorado’s startups and tech companies this week. The biggest was NASA’s decision to cut off funding for the Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Dream Chaser spacecraft, putting the future of the program in doubt. Meanwhile, a Colorado-built satellite is about to enter orbit around Mars, security experts gather in Denver, … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: Dream Chaser, Mars Mission, Web Security”
Brad Feld, Blackstone, & ViaWest: Denver Tech Leaders Talk Community
Along with the parties, networking, and workshops, Denver Startup Week is an opportunity to take a look at the city as a startup community, evaluate what it needs, and generate ideas about what should be done going forward. That was the topic Thursday, when influential leaders in the Colorado tech industry sat down to talk … Continue reading “Brad Feld, Blackstone, & ViaWest: Denver Tech Leaders Talk Community”
Ping Identity Raises $35M Round Led By Private Equity Giant KKR
Everyone in Colorado’s tech industry has been expecting Ping Identity to make a big news this year or next, and the Denver-based network security company has done just that by raising a $35 million growth equity round. KKR (NYSE: [[ticker:KKR]]), a major international private equity firm, led the financing, and Ten Eleven Ventures joined as a … Continue reading “Ping Identity Raises $35M Round Led By Private Equity Giant KKR”
McClure Delivers Harsh Truths, Advice to Begin Denver Startup Week
Dave McClure isn’t interested in being a cheerleader. If you were at his speech that kicked off Denver Startup Week on Monday, you didn’t get a pat on the back, but rather a kick in the ass—and maybe other parts of the anatomy. “There’s a lot of rainbows and unicorns bullshit that goes on, and … Continue reading “McClure Delivers Harsh Truths, Advice to Begin Denver Startup Week”
Colorado Tech Roundup: Ball’s Space Lasers, Zayo to Wire the NBA
Here is a quick roundup of recent news from Colorado startups and tech companies, including news about Ball Aerospace’s new laser-communications satellites, Zayo’s deal to wire the NBA, and the upcoming Apex Awards. Space lasers: Ball Aerospace & Technologies announced this week it will be building a constellation of communications satellites that will use lasers … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: Ball’s Space Lasers, Zayo to Wire the NBA”
Tech, Networking, and Beer: A Quick Guide for Denver Startup Week
Denver Startup Week is back, and organizers promise it will be bigger and better than ever. The annual event, now in its third year, is a chance for Denver’s tech companies and entrepreneurs to connect, learn, build a community, and party while drinking lots and lots of Colorado-brewed craft beer. Denver Startup Week starts Monday … Continue reading “Tech, Networking, and Beer: A Quick Guide for Denver Startup Week”
Colorado Tech Roundup: Tech Wages, CTA’s foundation, and Orbotix
Here is a quick roundup of some news from Colorado startups and tech communities, including news about wages for local high-tech workers, the Colorado Technology Association’s new foundation to develop tech talent, and Orbotix’s new robot. —Tech Industry Wages: Interested in how much tech workers are making in Denver, Boulder, and around the country? Of … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: Tech Wages, CTA’s foundation, and Orbotix”
Techstars to Offer “Equity Back Guarantee” to Skeptical Startups
Techstars is making a new pitch to entrepreneurs—satisfaction guaranteed, or your equity back. The startup accelerator, based in Boulder, CO, invests $18,000 in its startups in exchange for 6 percent of their equity. Techstars also offers each startup a $100,000 convertible note, which can increase its share of the company to 10 percent. But beginning … Continue reading “Techstars to Offer “Equity Back Guarantee” to Skeptical Startups”
Colorado Tech Roundup: TeamSnap Buys Rival, Corgenix Sells for $16M
Here is a quick roundup of some news from Colorado startups and tech companies, featuring TeamSnap and Corgenix, which is making a test for the Ebola virus. TeamSnap Snaps Up Competitor: TeamSnap, a Boulder, CO-based startup, continues to grow. This week, the company announced it bought Easy Team Manager from Kranitz Enterprises for an undisclosed … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: TeamSnap Buys Rival, Corgenix Sells for $16M”
Ibotta’s CEO Bryan Leach Opens Up About His Startup, Personal Pivot
Bryan Leach was in the middle of a glittering legal career. By the time he was in his early 30s, he’d graduated from Yale Law School, clerked for Supreme Court Justice David Souter, and become a partner at Bartlit Beck, a boutique law firm renowned for its commercial litigation practice. But inside the lawyer was … Continue reading “Ibotta’s CEO Bryan Leach Opens Up About His Startup, Personal Pivot”