Zino Society, the Seattle-based investor and entrepreneur network, just wrapped up one of its biggest annual events—the Zino Zillionaire Investment Forum. Now it’s time to follow up on who made the initial cut in the competition for its two $50,000 investment prizes. At the end of the event, Zino named the six finalists among the … Continue reading “Six Finalists Vie For $100K From the Zino Society”
Author: Thea Chard
Before joining Xconomy, Thea spent a year working as the editor of another startup, the hyperlocal Seattle neighborhood news site QueenAnneView.com. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California, where she double-majored in print journalism and creative writing. While in college, Thea spent a semester studying in London and writing for the London bureau of the Los Angeles Times. Indulging in her passion for feature writing, she has covered a variety of topics ranging from the arts, to media, clean technology and breaking news. Before moving back to Seattle, Thea worked in new media development on two business radio shows, "Marketplace" and "Marketplace Money" by American Public Media. Her clips have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Santa Monica Daily Press, Seattle magazine and her college paper, the Daily Trojan. Thea is a native Seattleite who grew up in Magnolia, and now lives in Queen Anne.
Smartsheet Raises $1.5M From Madrona, Riding Wave of Support from Google Apps Marketplace
Smartsheet, the Bellevue, WA-based collaborative project management software company, has raised $1.5 million more in a Series C round led by existing investor Madrona Venture Group. The company, founded in 2005 by local entrepreneur Brent Frei, develops business software that helps companies oversee online project management, manage team-based collaboration, file share, and track outsourced tasks. … Continue reading “Smartsheet Raises $1.5M From Madrona, Riding Wave of Support from Google Apps Marketplace”
Six Angel Investors Share Lessons of Wins & Losses at Zino Society Investment Forum
Every year the Zino Society‘s Zillionaire Investment Forum is a must-go event for entrepreneurs looking for funding opportunities and investors looking for new projects. The one-day forum is a chance for startups and young companies to pitch five minute presentations, rub shoulders with potential investors, demo products, sit in on panels with local venture capitalists … Continue reading “Six Angel Investors Share Lessons of Wins & Losses at Zino Society Investment Forum”
Livemocha Seeks to Upend Rosetta Stone, Taking Language Learning to New Heights Online
Livemocha is ready to kick some language learning butt—at least according to chief executive Michael Schutzler. The Bellevue, WA-based startup is already the largest online language learning community in the world, with over six million members from over 200 countries actively studying some 38 languages—not bad numbers for a 3-year-old company. But this isn’t enough … Continue reading “Livemocha Seeks to Upend Rosetta Stone, Taking Language Learning to New Heights Online”
RealNetworks Acquires Backstage Technologies, Commits to Making GameHouse Social
Seattle-based digital entertainment services company RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) has acquired Canadian social games company Backstage Technologies for an undisclosed amount. The deal, according to Real, will add valuable game engineering and monetizing expertise to Real’s digital gaming division, GameHouse, as it works on its own expansion into the social gaming marketplace. “As we transform RealNetworks, … Continue reading “RealNetworks Acquires Backstage Technologies, Commits to Making GameHouse Social”
Synthetech Acquired for $19.2M
Columbia, MD-based W.R. Grace & Co said today it has entered into an acquisition agreement with Albany, OR-based Synthetech, to purchase the chemical manufacturer for approximately $19.2 million. Synthetech manufactures fine chemicals, specializing in organic synthesis, biocatalysis, and chiral technologies, for use in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Its products are used in drugs to … Continue reading “Synthetech Acquired for $19.2M”
Zillow Promotes Spencer Rascoff to CEO, Rich Barton Stays on as Executive Chairman
Zillow, the Seattle-based real estate website, mobile platform, and mortgage marketplace, said today that it has promoted chief operating officer Spencer Rascoff to CEO. Rascoff, who joined Zillow as part of its original executive team in 2005, is taking the place of co-founder Rich Barton, who has served as chief executive since the company’s founding. … Continue reading “Zillow Promotes Spencer Rascoff to CEO, Rich Barton Stays on as Executive Chairman”
Cequint Acquired for $112.5M, DataSphere Raises $10M From OVP, Hydrovolts Prepares For Big Business, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
Over the last week, as summer waves goodbye, the autumn deals have started rolling in. Take a look at the highlights: —Seattle-based startup DigitalScirocco rolled out of stealth a few months ago, and into a deal with US Presswire last week. The digital content marketplace teamed up with the sports wire service to build out … Continue reading “Cequint Acquired for $112.5M, DataSphere Raises $10M From OVP, Hydrovolts Prepares For Big Business, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
How Hydrovolts’ $250k Development Deal Could Turn into a $20M Contract and Global Market
Hydrovolts has scored an investment deal that looks small at first blush, but could take the cleantech startup to the next level. The Seattle-based company, which develops small hydropower turbines that generate renewable energy from small streams and canals, last week received a $250,000 investment from civil engineering firm DLZ Corp. to develop prototype turbine … Continue reading “How Hydrovolts’ $250k Development Deal Could Turn into a $20M Contract and Global Market”
Smilebox Takes on Shutterfly, Snapfish in Growing Global Market for Photo Sharing
Smilebox is on a mission to help people around the world capture life’s moments, and share them. The Redmond, WA-based startup’s photo service—something of a cross between a desktop application like iTunes, and a pure Web-based service like Google search—helps consumers share pictures and videos online, create original projects like greeting cards, invitations, scrapbooks, slideshows, … Continue reading “Smilebox Takes on Shutterfly, Snapfish in Growing Global Market for Photo Sharing”
Hydrovolts Inks Prototype Deal with DLZ
Seattle-based small-scale hydropower startup (and McKinstry Innovation Center resident) Hydrovolts said today that it has received a $250,000 investment from U.S.-based civil engineering firm DLZ Corp. to develop a 25 kW hydrokinetic canal turbine for the company. DLZ plans to use the prototype in a hydrokinetic power project on the 14-km Chilla Canal in northern … Continue reading “Hydrovolts Inks Prototype Deal with DLZ”
DataSphere, Backed by OVP and Ignition, Raises $10M to Tap into Hyperlocal Online Ad Market
DataSphere Technologies is riding the hyperlocal wave. The Bellevue, WA-based Web technology and ad sales company has raised another $10 million in a Series C venture round led by Kirkland, WA-based OVP Venture Partners. The financing will back DataSphere’s further expansion into the $100 billion U.S. local advertising market, the company said in a statement … Continue reading “DataSphere, Backed by OVP and Ignition, Raises $10M to Tap into Hyperlocal Online Ad Market”
Cequint Acquired For Up to $112.5M
Seattle-based startup Cequint, a developer of Caller ID technology for mobile phones, has agreed to be acquired by Virginia-based Transaction Network Services (TNS) for up to $112.5 million. The terms of the deal, which is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2010, dictate that TNS will purchase Cequint for an initial $46.7 … Continue reading “Cequint Acquired For Up to $112.5M”
Intersect Rolls Out Online Storytelling Platform, Using Time, Place to Create Personal ‘Storylines’
It’s safe to say that the face of the media has gone through some major changes recently—with the onset of blogging and digital media, practically anyone with a camera phone and sharp texting skills can become a citizen journalist. Even the oldest names in traditional media are going social, with many publications signing up for … Continue reading “Intersect Rolls Out Online Storytelling Platform, Using Time, Place to Create Personal ‘Storylines’”
Shiftboard Emerges From Eight-Year Stealth, Sees ‘Triple Digit’ Growth in Online Scheduling
Shiftboard has managed to stay under the radar for quite some time, despite a slew of big name clients, but that is starting to change. The Seattle-based scheduling and dynamic workforce management software developer, founded in 2002, has started to come out of stealth mode, so I figured it was time to sit down with … Continue reading “Shiftboard Emerges From Eight-Year Stealth, Sees ‘Triple Digit’ Growth in Online Scheduling”
Onvia Appoints Henry Riner as CEO
Seattle-based information services company Onvia (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ONVI]]) has appointed Henry (Hank) Riner as president and chief executive, effective October 4, according to a regulatory filing. Riner, 59, is currently the CEO of New Jersey-based online invoice and statement printing services company OSG Billing Services. He has previously served as chief executive at trade promotions management … Continue reading “Onvia Appoints Henry Riner as CEO”
DigitalScirocco Inks Deal with US Presswire, Plans Expansion into Tech Content Space
Bruce D’Ambrosio wants to make online content sharing easy. Eager to bridge the gap between content owners, and publishers, the 63-year-old serial entrepreneur and computer science professor at Oregon State University founded DigitalScirocco in 2009, and rolled the startup out of stealth mode in March. Since then D’Ambrosio, who serves as the company’s CEO, says … Continue reading “DigitalScirocco Inks Deal with US Presswire, Plans Expansion into Tech Content Space”
Apptio Nabs $16.5M, Zillow Partners With Apartments.com, MOD Systems Raises $6M More Despite Executive Controversy, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
As summer draws to an end, the deals seem to be trickling back in. Take a look at the highlights from the past week. —Bellevue, WA-based technology business management developer Apptio raked in $16.5 million in Series C financing led by continuing investor Shasta Ventures. The four-year-old company, which designs software to help businesses manage … Continue reading “Apptio Nabs $16.5M, Zillow Partners With Apartments.com, MOD Systems Raises $6M More Despite Executive Controversy, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
Wetpaint Rolls Out New Platform to ‘Reinvent Publishing,’ Wetpaint Entertainment
Wetpaint has long been considered one of the Northwest’s top young tech startups. The Seattle-based company, founded in 2005, has raised $40 million from venture capitalists, including one who backed Facebook. Wetpaint has been heralded by Jude O’Reilley (then at online-health startup Trusera, now at Amazon) as “stars in the consumer wiki space,” and a … Continue reading “Wetpaint Rolls Out New Platform to ‘Reinvent Publishing,’ Wetpaint Entertainment”
Gaming Away Labor Day: The Top 10 Sessions at PAX 2010
For many Seattleites, Labor Day weekend is a time to take refuge in the outdoors. Some 50,000 people will spend the holiday weekend wandering around the Seattle Center grounds listening to live music, cooling off in the International fountain, and filling up on $5 elephant ears (for those of you who’ve missed the phenomenon, these … Continue reading “Gaming Away Labor Day: The Top 10 Sessions at PAX 2010”
MOD Systems Inks $6M Series B, Surviving Controversy Surrounding Indictment of Co-Founder Mark Phillips
Seattle-based MOD Systems, a developer of digital-media delivery systems, has had a rocky couple of years, but now it has found a new lifeline in the form of a $6 million investment. The company, which develops technologies that allow consumers to purchase digital movies, TV shows, and music, and load them onto SD cards portably … Continue reading “MOD Systems Inks $6M Series B, Surviving Controversy Surrounding Indictment of Co-Founder Mark Phillips”
Buildings that Act Like Guinea Pigs for Energy Efficiency: The Puget Sound Regional Council Plan for Green Jobs
Everyone is looking for the next big thing during an economic downturn, whether it be individuals searching for ways to reinvent their careers after lags and layoffs, or whole regions needing to rebuild their economies. This region has a history as a technology and innovation hub, which has translated in the past to jobs—lots of … Continue reading “Buildings that Act Like Guinea Pigs for Energy Efficiency: The Puget Sound Regional Council Plan for Green Jobs”
Marketfish Nabs $1.5M More
Seattle-based online marketing startup Marketfish has raised $1.5 million in venture financing in a round led by Rustic Canyon and Accelerator Ventures, according to a report by TechFlash. As part of the deal, Rustic Canyon principal Neal Hansch will join the Marketfish board of directors, while Accelerator Ventures founder and managing partner Alex Lloyd will … Continue reading “Marketfish Nabs $1.5M More”
Amazon Plans Digital TV/Movies Service
Seattle-based Internet retailer Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) is working on a new online digital TV and movies subscription service, challenging established competitors such as California-based Netflix (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NFLX]]). The e-commerce company has been pitching the Web-based service to media companies including General Electric’s NBC Universal (NYSE:[[ticker:GE]]), Time Warner (NYSE: [[ticker:TWX]]), News Corp. (NasdaqGS: [[ticker:NWSA]]) and Viacom … Continue reading “Amazon Plans Digital TV/Movies Service”
Zillow Partners with Apartments.com
Seattle-based real estate website, Zillow, said today that it has partnered with Chicago-based Apartments.com. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but through the partnership Apartments.com’s national database of some 90,000 managed apartment rental listings will be syndicated on Zillow.com, bringing the total number of listings for single-family homes and apartments on the site … Continue reading “Zillow Partners with Apartments.com”
DreamBox Learning Hires New CEO
Bellevue, WA-based online education company DreamBox Learning has hired Jessie Woolley-Wilson as its new chief executive. Woolley-Wilson previously served as president of K-12 at Blackboard (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BBBB]]), as executive vice president of LeapFrog Enterprises (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LF]]), and as president of LeapFrog SchoolHouse. She has also held executive leadership positions at MyRoad.com, The College Board, and … Continue reading “DreamBox Learning Hires New CEO”
BigDoor Rolls Out Badge-O-Matic Tool
Seattle-based web “gamification” company BigDoor Media rolled out a new tool today called Badge-O-Matic to help online publishers integrate game-like mechanics into websites. Badge-O-Matic allows virtual economy administrators to quickly customize and create a series of badges, popularized by applications like Foursquare, that users automatically receive as rewards for leveling up, performing certain actions, and … Continue reading “BigDoor Rolls Out Badge-O-Matic Tool”
Apptio Nabs $16.5M Series C, While Series A and B Funds Collect Interest in the Bank
Entrepreneurs looking for tips on how to rake in venture capital might want to talk to Apptio‘s co-founder and CEO Sunny Gupta. Although the Bellevue, WA-based software startup still has money in the bank from its $7 million Series A in 2007, the company said today that it has raised another $16.5 million in Series … Continue reading “Apptio Nabs $16.5M Series C, While Series A and B Funds Collect Interest in the Bank”
Bing Powers Yahoo Search, City Teams Up With Ford, Startup Investments Drop from June to July, and More Seattle-Area Deals News
Most of the local tech deals we’ve seen recently have involved strategic partnerships, rather than financings. Over the last week, two big Internet and software players made some strides in a search partnership that was over a year in the making, a couple of partnerships were forged in the clean energy space, and a local … Continue reading “Bing Powers Yahoo Search, City Teams Up With Ford, Startup Investments Drop from June to July, and More Seattle-Area Deals News”
I Can Has Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh Publicly Offers to Buy Reddit from Condé Nast
[Updated with comments from Reddit co-founder Steve Huffman, 6:35 pm] I Can Has Cheezburger‘s Ben Huh extended an offer to purchase Condé Nast’s online user-generated news aggregation site Reddit.com last week, amidst an online debate over politically controversial advertising, according to VentureBeat. In a post on the Seattle-based humor network’s pop culture site, The Daily … Continue reading “I Can Has Cheezburger CEO Ben Huh Publicly Offers to Buy Reddit from Condé Nast”
Electronic Data Sharing, Cloud-Computing, and Collaboration: The WBBA Talks on the Future of Health IT
“What is healthcare IT?” That was the question that kicked off the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association (WBBA)’s Health IT event last week, which was focused on recognizing the important role that information technology plays within the healthcare industry, finding ways to use technology to improve healthcare in the future, and looking forward to the … Continue reading “Electronic Data Sharing, Cloud-Computing, and Collaboration: The WBBA Talks on the Future of Health IT”
SonoSite Receives FDA Clearance
Bothell, WA-based ultrasound company SonoSite (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SONO]]) has received FDA clearance for its LumenVu catheter guidance system, the company said yesterday. The technology, designed to aid in the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), uses a combination of near-infrared and a fiber optic stylet, replacing a traditional guide wire, and allowing real-time tracking and … Continue reading “SonoSite Receives FDA Clearance”
Washington Startups Bring in $81.7M in July, Majority in Healthcare Sector
For the second month in a row we’re compiling all recent Seattle-area tech and biotech deals—“under the radar” and otherwise—into one comprehensive overview of all financings for the month. As always, the information is based on data provided by our partner, New York-based private company intelligence platform CB Insights, and our own prior coverage. And … Continue reading “Washington Startups Bring in $81.7M in July, Majority in Healthcare Sector”
Seattle and Ford Prepare City for Electric Cars
The City of Seattle and Dearborn, MI-based Ford Motor Company have teamed up to prepare the city for the operation of electric vehicles, the automaker said today. The partnership will include the joint development of consumer outreach and education programs on electric cars, as well as collaboration on information regarding charging requirements of electric vehicles … Continue reading “Seattle and Ford Prepare City for Electric Cars”
Varolii Confirms New Round of Layoffs This Week
Varolii, a Seattle-based company that develops tools for automated business communications, laid off an undisclosed number of employees this week. The story was first reported by TechFlash. Varolii’s director of public relations and customer programs Robin Rees confirmed the layoffs with Xconomy, citing ongoing corporate strain due to the downturn in the economic climate. “While … Continue reading “Varolii Confirms New Round of Layoffs This Week”
Todd Dean Steps Down from Keiretsu Forum
The president of the Keiretsu Forum‘s Northwest chapter, Todd Dean, is stepping down from his position to pursue new career opportunities. Dean informed his fellow forum members of his decision in a letter, thanking them for their support in the past five years, both in growing the angel investment organization and bolstering the regional startup … Continue reading “Todd Dean Steps Down from Keiretsu Forum”
NeuroVista Raises $21.5M More Through VC Round and Investment From Cyberonics
[Updated and corrected: 1 pm, 9/9/10] Seattle-based medical device developer NeuroVista has raised $16.5 million in equity financing led by Australian firm GBS Venture Partners, and an additional $5 million through a convertible debt agreement with Houston, TX-based Cyberonics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CYBX]]), a medical device firm specializing in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders. … Continue reading “NeuroVista Raises $21.5M More Through VC Round and Investment From Cyberonics”
Yahoo Search Now Fully Powered By Bing
Just over a year after announcing plans to team up on search engine and advertising efforts, Yahoo (NASDAQ: [[ticker:YHOO]]) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) have completed a sizable leg of the search transition—Yahoo search results are now powered by Microsoft’s Bing in the U.S. and Canada, the companies said today. The ten-year agreement that puts Redmond, … Continue reading “Yahoo Search Now Fully Powered By Bing”
NoaNet Nabs $54.5M for Broadband Expansion, Tyfone Brings in $5M, AP Backs Out of I Can Has Cheezburger Deal, & More NW Deals News
Another week has passed, and with it, more Seattle-area technology deals. This week we’ve seen a hefty amount of federal dollars get poured into developing the state’s broadband infrastructure, a handful of local financings, and a deal that fell apart between a global wire service and a local online humor company. Take a look at … Continue reading “NoaNet Nabs $54.5M for Broadband Expansion, Tyfone Brings in $5M, AP Backs Out of I Can Has Cheezburger Deal, & More NW Deals News”
ValueAppeal Rolls Out National Services for Property Tax Appeals, Competing with EasyTaxFix and Others
Who wouldn’t want to lower their property taxes? That’s the question on the minds of the team over at ValueAppeal, a Seattle-based startup that helps online customers to quickly evaluate their current value of their real estate property, and to create a custom property tax appeal that could potentially save them money. The company, founded … Continue reading “ValueAppeal Rolls Out National Services for Property Tax Appeals, Competing with EasyTaxFix and Others”
AP Backs Out of I Can Has Cheezburger Deal Over Concerns of Journalistic Integrity
Everyone loves a cute picture of a kitten with a funny (and often, misspelled) caption over it. Everyone other than the Associated Press, that is. Seattle’s famous (or infamous depending on your point of view) I Can Has Cheezburger network has made a name for itself as a place where the absurdly adorable meets funny. … Continue reading “AP Backs Out of I Can Has Cheezburger Deal Over Concerns of Journalistic Integrity”
Tyfone Nabs $5M
Portland, OR-based Tyfone, which develops mobile software for contactless payment services, has raised $5 million in equity from an undisclosed investor, according to a regulatory filing. The company partnered with Atlanta, GA-based e-commerce and payment processing company First Data in March, to offer SideTap micro secure digital (MicroSD) memory cards equipped with Tyfone’s technologies, which … Continue reading “Tyfone Nabs $5M”
Oggifinogi Raises $2M
Bellevue, WA and New York-based creative technology and rich media advertising firm Oggifinogi has raised $2 million in Series A financing, led by Greycroft Partners, the company said in a statement today. The company, founded in 2008, plans to use the funds to grow its Real Time Rich Media (RTRM) product base, and expand its … Continue reading “Oggifinogi Raises $2M”
Feds Pumps $54.5M in Stimulus Funds into Washington State to Expand Broadband Service, Spark Economic Growth
The Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) has received an additional $54.5 million in Recovery Act funds to expand high-speed broadband Internet to underserved areas across Washington state. U.S. Secretary of Commerce and former Washington state Gov. Gary Locke announced the funding, alongside U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee and Brian Baird, at the Seattle Central Library yesterday. … Continue reading “Feds Pumps $54.5M in Stimulus Funds into Washington State to Expand Broadband Service, Spark Economic Growth”
Dashwire CEO Ford Davidson Talks Financing, Apple Vs. Android, and the Future of Smartphone Syncing in a “Market That’s on Fire”
Ford Davidson has more smart phones than he can hold in two hands. It’s all part of the business, he says, a necessary product of keeping tabs on different mobile platforms—and competitors—and staying abreast of new trends. And though finding pocket space for all of his devices may be challenging at times, the 31-year-old founder … Continue reading “Dashwire CEO Ford Davidson Talks Financing, Apple Vs. Android, and the Future of Smartphone Syncing in a “Market That’s on Fire””
SpaceCurve Raises $1.1M
Seattle-based database company SpaceCurve has raised $1.1 million in equity led by Reed Elsevier Ventures, according to a regulatory filing. The company, founded in 2009, develops scalable databases capable of storing and analyzing large spatial and graph datasets. According to Reed Elsevier’s Web site, Seattle-based Divergent Ventures is also an investor in the company. A … Continue reading “SpaceCurve Raises $1.1M”
Cray Inks $25M DofD Grant, G5 Nabs $15M, Google Acquires Jambool, & More Seattle Area Deals New
There were, surprisingly, quite a few Seattle-area technology deals this week, breaking the typically slow summer deals trend we’ve seen recently. In the last week we’ve seen a local supercomputing company nab a pretty hefty Department of Defense grant, a cleantech startup partner with the Environmental Protection Agency, and an info commerce company settle a … Continue reading “Cray Inks $25M DofD Grant, G5 Nabs $15M, Google Acquires Jambool, & More Seattle Area Deals New”
AirlineTickets and AirportParking CEO Sujan Patel on the Future of Online Travel
The airline industry may be in a slow and painful decline, but the online travel searching, booking, and rating industry is still soaring, especially here in Seattle. The combination of the Northwest’s tech startup culture, open-minded worldview, and the rainy winter months that leave us all yearning to hop on a plane to somewhere—anywhere—warm and … Continue reading “AirlineTickets and AirportParking CEO Sujan Patel on the Future of Online Travel”
Seattle Techies Take to the Streets for a 10-Day Geek Week
We have a lot of events here in Seattle that are so quintessentially representative of Northwest culture—Bumbershoot, Folklife, Bite of Seattle, SeaFair. And then there are all of the gaming conferences—like Casual Connect, and the Penny Arcade Expo—and way too many tech-themed meetups to count. Each and every event, no matter how different, is blogged, … Continue reading “Seattle Techies Take to the Streets for a 10-Day Geek Week”
Calico Energy Emerges in Energy Management World, Partners with EPA
Calico Energy Services has been flying under the cleantech radar for some time. The Woodinville, WA-based company, founded just over a year ago, is in the business of energy management which is quite a bit different from most cleantech companies that get a lot of press. Unlike many companies out there that provide services to … Continue reading “Calico Energy Emerges in Energy Management World, Partners with EPA”