Utility companies and the nation’s power grid might be getting smarter, but consumers don’t seem particularly interested. That’s according to a national survey tracking consumer opinions about smart meters, renewable energy, and demand management technologies. Navigant Research, the Boulder, CO-based energy market analysis division of Navigant Consulting (NYSE: [[ticker:NCI]]), authored the report. The company was … Continue reading “Navigant: Consumers’ Knowledge of Smart Grids Continues to Lag”
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.
TechStars Accelerator Plants Flag in People’s Republic of Austin
We don’t know if the people at TechStars like live music, barbecue, SXSW, and bats—but we definitely know they like startups, and that’s why they’re launching a new program in Austin, TX. TechStars CEO David Cohen announced this morning that Austin will be the home of the newest TechStars accelerator. The program offers about a … Continue reading “TechStars Accelerator Plants Flag in People’s Republic of Austin”
Boulder Startup Week Set to Kick Off Festival for Entrepreneurs
It’s that time of the year again when Boulder startups open their doors to the community, recruit new talent, or just talk about tech and their products, all while having a bit of fun. Boulder Startup Week begins Wednesday morning and runs through Saturday. The four-day long event features open houses, workshops, hackathons, and parties … Continue reading “Boulder Startup Week Set to Kick Off Festival for Entrepreneurs”
Orbotix CEO: $4M Round to Fund Sphero’s Holiday Shopping Season Push
Orbotix got a little boost last week in its quest to make the Sphero robotic ball one of the must-have gadgets of 2013. CEO Paul Berberian said the $4 million equity financing Orbotix raised last week will be used to ramp up production for the holiday season. After all, there are only 224 shopping days … Continue reading “Orbotix CEO: $4M Round to Fund Sphero’s Holiday Shopping Season Push”
11 Startups Get Down to Business in TechStars’ Latest Boulder Class
Four startups from the Boulder/Denver area are among the 11 companies that will be part of this summer’s TechStars program in Boulder. TechStars announced the members of the class this morning on its blog. The program begins today. The founders of the startups will work in Boulder to improve their business plans, refine their products, … Continue reading “11 Startups Get Down to Business in TechStars’ Latest Boulder Class”
Recent Colorado Success Helps Grotech Ventures Close $225M Round
Grotech Ventures, an early stage venture capital investment firm with offices in Denver and the Washington, D.C.-area, has closed a $225 million fund, the firm announced today. The fund, named Grotech Ventures II, is the firm’s eighth and brings its total capital under management to $1.3 billion. Grotech already has made 12 investments from the … Continue reading “Recent Colorado Success Helps Grotech Ventures Close $225M Round”
Ex DailyCandy CEO’s Quest to Build Smarter Links Yields $5M From VCs
In their never-ending quest to harvest clicks from visitors, Web publishers have taken some strange turns. They’ve tried videos that start as soon as a page is loaded, whether visitors wants to watch or not. They’ve tried widgets that load “link bait” articles that all seem to go to the same three or four sites. … Continue reading “Ex DailyCandy CEO’s Quest to Build Smarter Links Yields $5M From VCs”
Inviragen, Global Health Vaccine Maker, Bought by Takeda for $35M
Japanese pharmaceutical giant Takeda announced Tuesday it has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Inviragen for $35 million upfront, and potentially another $215 million if the company hits future commercial goals. Takeda is building out its vaccine pipeline, and hopes to take the Fort Collins company’s vaccines from Northern Colorado to the tropics. Inviragen specializes … Continue reading “Inviragen, Global Health Vaccine Maker, Bought by Takeda for $35M”
Denver Cleans Up in Ranking of “World’s Best Oil and Gas Cities”
Call this bit of news a “blast from the past” that will make people in Colorado’s oil and gas industry smile—and could leave environmentalists and members of the clean energy industry shaking their heads. Rigzone, an online industry news and analysis publication based in Houston, has named Denver the best oil and gas city in … Continue reading “Denver Cleans Up in Ranking of “World’s Best Oil and Gas Cities””
Slow Start for 2013 VC Investments, Despite Genband’s $343.5M Round
Although a Texas-based company posted the nation’s biggest VC deal of 2013, Texas companies have not been immune to the year’s slow start in venture capital investment. Companies based in Texas raised $533.65 million in the first three months of the year, according to the latest MoneyTree Report, which was released in April. PricewaterhouseCoopers and … Continue reading “Slow Start for 2013 VC Investments, Despite Genband’s $343.5M Round”
BMC Software Agrees to $6.9B Sale to Group Led by Bain, Golden Gate
BMC Software, an IT services and cloud computing provider, announced Monday it has signed a definitive agreement with four private equity investors who will pay $6.9 billion in cash to take the Houston-based company private. Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital lead the investor group, which includes GIC Special Investments and Insight Venture Partners. The … Continue reading “BMC Software Agrees to $6.9B Sale to Group Led by Bain, Golden Gate”
$95M Satellite Project at CU to Help Earthlings Cope with Space Weather
How’s the weather up there? No, seriously. Like way up in space and the upper atmosphere, where space weather can affect communications and GPS satellites—and knock a space station out of the sky. Or closer to home, where radiation makes it through the atmosphere and can interrupt electrical transmission grids and force airlines to reroute … Continue reading “$95M Satellite Project at CU to Help Earthlings Cope with Space Weather”
Houston-Based Healthcare Investor Capital Royalty Closes $805M Fund
Capital Royalty, a private equity investment firm that specializes in investing in healthcare technologies, has closed an $805 million investment fund, the firm announced today. Capital Royalty is headquartered in Houston and has offices in Boulder, CO, and New York City. The fund, Capital Royalty Partners II L.P, is the firm’s second, according to a … Continue reading “Houston-Based Healthcare Investor Capital Royalty Closes $805M Fund”
Jake Jabs’ $10M Gift to ‘Transform’ CU-Denver Business School
Here’s a story that might make Colorado entrepreneurs chuckle, until they realize what it could mean for them. Zany furniture pitchman Jake Jabs—yes, that Jake Jabs—has donated a record $10 million to the University of Colorado-Denver’s business school, CU Denver announced Wednesday. Jabs is the founder and CEO of American Furniture Warehouse, a chain of … Continue reading “Jake Jabs’ $10M Gift to ‘Transform’ CU-Denver Business School”
Restaurants’ Hunger for Mobile Ordering Fueling Splick-it’s Growth
You’re hungry, and you’re in a hurry. Don’t you wish you could skip the long line ahead of you? Wouldn’t it be great if the restaurant knew what you wanted and had it waiting for you? Splick-it, a company that develops mobile and online ordering and payment systems for restaurant chains, thinks that it can … Continue reading “Restaurants’ Hunger for Mobile Ordering Fueling Splick-it’s Growth”
Startup Booster Erik Mitisek Takes Lead at State Tech Association
A familiar face from Denver’s startup scene is now leading the largest advocacy group for Colorado’s tech industry. Erik Mitisek started as the Colorado Technology Association’s CEO today. Mitisek is one of the driving forces behind Denver Startup Week and the BuiltInDenver website, and he is a co-chair of Startup Colorado. Mitisek also is a … Continue reading “Startup Booster Erik Mitisek Takes Lead at State Tech Association”
Kickstart, a Utah-Based Seed Investor, Adds $26M to Regional Pot
There’s more money for entrepreneurs and startups in the Rocky Mountain West, following Kickstart Seed Fund’s announcement this week that it has raised $26 million to make seed-stage investments. Kickstart is based in Salt Lake City and invests in companies in Utah, Colorado, and the rest of the region, managing director Gavin Christensen said. This … Continue reading “Kickstart, a Utah-Based Seed Investor, Adds $26M to Regional Pot”
Big Database, Big Deal: Datalogix Raises $25M Series B Round
For all the attention given to online advertising and shopping, one could forget the vast majority of purchases are made in ‘the real world.’ Datalogix understands that, and the company’s deep knowledge of how to use transaction data is why it closed the $25 million Series B round announced today. Institutional Venture Partners of Menlo … Continue reading “Big Database, Big Deal: Datalogix Raises $25M Series B Round”
SSD Developer Fusion-io Buys CO-based NexGen Storage for $119M
NexGen Storage, a developer of data storage technology based in Louisville, CO, has been acquired by Fusion-io in a $119 million deal, the companies announced today. The acquisition is a sizable sale for a Colorado tech company and believed to be one of the largest exits in the past decade. Fusion-io (NYSE: [[ticker:FIO]]) is paying … Continue reading “SSD Developer Fusion-io Buys CO-based NexGen Storage for $119M”
PivotDesk Expands to Help NYC, SF Startups Solve Real Estate Needs
When building a company, entrepreneurs have enough challenges, like perfecting their product and finding customers. Playing the guessing game about how much office space they need shouldn’t have to be one of them. That’s what David Mandell, co-founder and CEO of PivotDesk, thinks. The Boulder, CO.-based company and TechStars Boulder 2012 alum has created an … Continue reading “PivotDesk Expands to Help NYC, SF Startups Solve Real Estate Needs”
VC Investment in Boulder/Denver Companies Declines in First Quarter
[Updated 4/23/13 2:30 pm. See below.] The year is off to a slow start in terms of venture capital investing, both for companies in the Boulder/Denver area and around the country, according to the MoneyTree Report released today. Sixteen companies in the Boulder/Denver region raised $77 million in the first quarter, which is the lowest quarterly … Continue reading “VC Investment in Boulder/Denver Companies Declines in First Quarter”
Algae Harvesters, Online Market for Teachers Share CU Biz Plan Title
Converting the carbon dioxide gas produced by craft breweries into expensive dietary supplements might seem like a far-fetched idea. But a startup with just such a business plan was named a co-champion of the University of Colorado’s New Venture Challenge. The company, Superior EcoTech, shared top honors yesterday with TeacherMaps, an education tech company creating … Continue reading “Algae Harvesters, Online Market for Teachers Share CU Biz Plan Title”
Boulder Startup Tries to Relieve the Pain of Mobile Salesforce Users
Tracking contacts with customers and managing conference-call invitations is never going to be fun, but it could be less of a chore, especially for the increasing number of people whose smartphones are their lifeline to clients and the home office. The goal of MobileDay is to build the tools smartphone users need to take some … Continue reading “Boulder Startup Tries to Relieve the Pain of Mobile Salesforce Users”
Hungrier Investors, Loosened Regulations Could Spur More Local IPOs
Not every startup’s path to Wall Street will take it through the White House Rose Garden, but the journey could be made shorter, easier, and cheaper thanks to legislation signed there last year, as the CEOs of two startups based in Colorado have learned. On April 5, 2012, President Barack Obama signed the Jumpstart Our … Continue reading “Hungrier Investors, Loosened Regulations Could Spur More Local IPOs”
Dish Network Launches $25.5B Unsolicited Takeover of Sprint Nextel
Dish Network announced Monday it has launched an unsolicited $25.5 billion bid to acquire Sprint Nextel in an attempt to create a new leader in the video, data, voice, and broadband markets. Dish (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DISH]]), a satellite television company based in Englewood, CO, is the nation’s third largest pay TV provider, behind Comcast and DirecTV. … Continue reading “Dish Network Launches $25.5B Unsolicited Takeover of Sprint Nextel”
Rally Opens Strong on Wall Street with $400M Market Cap; Stock Up
The opening act has been great so far for Rally Software Development, but only after more than a decade of work. Rally’s (NYSE: [[ticker:RALY]]) IPO this morning was worth $84 million, with its shares pricing at $14. The stock started climbing when trading opened and traded around $18 in the late morning, an increase of … Continue reading “Rally Opens Strong on Wall Street with $400M Market Cap; Stock Up”
Rally Beats Expectations With $84M IPO, Shares to Trade This Morning
Rally Software Development beat expectations for its IPO, scheduled this morning. The company raised $84 million. Rally, a Boulder, CO-based company that develops cloud-based project management tools for software developers, set the price of its common stock at $14 per share and sold 6 million shares. Last week, Rally said it would offer 5.75 million … Continue reading “Rally Beats Expectations With $84M IPO, Shares to Trade This Morning”
Tagwhat’s “Feed” App Serves Up Deals in Right Place at Right Time
It’s 4:30 p.m. on a Friday, which means it’s time to wrap up the workweek with coworkers and friends at a local happy hour. You get to pick the place and want to go to someplace new, but you don’t know that many places nearby. A few blocks away, the owner of a new bar … Continue reading “Tagwhat’s “Feed” App Serves Up Deals in Right Place at Right Time”
WellTok Raises $18.7M Series B to Gamify Healthcare, Gets New CEO
If your health insurance company has you playing games, you’re probably not happy. If you talk about insurance or healthcare to your friends on a social network, the odds are you’re complaining. But a growing number of companies are trying to change that by improving consumers’ experiences and engaging them—in part through gaming and social … Continue reading “WellTok Raises $18.7M Series B to Gamify Healthcare, Gets New CEO”
New World of Crowdfunding Waits as SEC Struggles to Complete its Job
Almost exactly one year ago, a new age for entrepreneurs and investors was supposed to have begun. On April 5, 2012, President Barack Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Startup Businesses, or JOBS Act, into law. Among the act’s provisions were changes to regulations governing how entrepreneurs, startups, and small companies could raise money through crowdfunding … Continue reading “New World of Crowdfunding Waits as SEC Struggles to Complete its Job”
Boulder Tech Companies Looking for Job Seekers Ready to Take Flight
Come enjoy beautiful Boulder, Colorado, America’s best place to live—on us. That’s the message a handful of entrepreneurs and supporters are trying to spread with this year’s Boulder Startup Week, which will run from May 15 to 19. The event, now in its fourth year, has evolved into a festival that’s equal parts party, networking … Continue reading “Boulder Tech Companies Looking for Job Seekers Ready to Take Flight”
Crash Course for Colorado Biotech Entrepreneurs Coming April 18
Who said startup accelerators and boot camps were just for software companies? The Colorado BioScience Association will host a two-day “BioBoot Camp” in Denver on April 18 and 19. The event is intended to help scientists and entrepreneurs who are doing promising research understand how to commercialize their discoveries and build companies. The program is … Continue reading “Crash Course for Colorado Biotech Entrepreneurs Coming April 18”
Social Media Monitor Gnip Grows With Reddit, Instagram, Bitly Feeds
The amount of information companies can glean from social media is getting broader, its impact is reaching deeper, and the number of sources businesses need to follow is growing. To keep up, Gnip, one of the leading collectors and providers of social media data, has added new feeds from six companies, including Reddit and Instagram, … Continue reading “Social Media Monitor Gnip Grows With Reddit, Instagram, Bitly Feeds”
Rally Releases More Details on Impending IPO
Rally Software Development’s expected initial public offering could be worth nearly $86 million, according to documents filed today with the SEC. The Boulder, CO-based company said in the filing that it plans to offer 5.75 million shares at a price of between $11 and $13. Underwriters will have the option of buying up to 862,500 … Continue reading “Rally Releases More Details on Impending IPO”
Colorado’s $100 Million, or $150 Million, Venture Capital Mystery
Call it Colorado’s $100 million—or is it $150 million?—mystery. That’s part of the mystery too. Gov. John Hickenlooper on March 6 told members of the media the state of Colorado is about to create a $100 million or $150 million state-backed venture capital fund. The news came during a media briefing during a visit to … Continue reading “Colorado’s $100 Million, or $150 Million, Venture Capital Mystery”
Scaling the Peak: Denver Out to Follow Boulder’s Entrepreneurial Ascent
When Bart Lorang decided to build his startup in Denver just over a year and a half ago, the city wasn’t exactly a lonely place. Denver has a lively downtown, cool neighborhoods, and a diverse and energetic population. Lorang is the co-founder and CEO of FullContact, which is developing a cloud-based system for managing online … Continue reading “Scaling the Peak: Denver Out to Follow Boulder’s Entrepreneurial Ascent”
Telling the Story of Colorado Innovation, from Molecules to the Moon
Great communities deserve great journalism. It’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career. And even with all the drama surrounding the media’s alleged decline, even with all the fretting over what will—or won’t—replace it, that truth remains. Why? Because there are too many great stories that need to be told, and … Continue reading “Telling the Story of Colorado Innovation, from Molecules to the Moon”