Category: Boston

With $2M, Codagenix Becomes Accelerate LI’s First VC-Backed Grad

Accelerate Long Island’s main mission has been to turn the science at its nearby research institutions into full-fledged companies with venture investors of their own. With a small funding round being announced today, Codagenix has become the first one of those projects that can make that claim. Codagenix has raised a $2 million Series A … Continue reading “With $2M, Codagenix Becomes Accelerate LI’s First VC-Backed Grad”

Milestones of Innovation 8: Ten Minutes in White House Shapes World War II

Seventy-five years ago today, science took a seat next to the American presidency. It was a move of immense and continuing consequences for innovation in this country and across the world, not only in a war to the death but in the decades of uneasy peace that followed. The actual event on June 12, 1940 … Continue reading “Milestones of Innovation 8: Ten Minutes in White House Shapes World War II”

Pneuron Lands $5,067,377 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f01bed23-9fb8-42ad-ae22-21e79b3f4788 Date 6/12/2015 Company Name Pneuron Mailing Address 99 Northeastern Blvd. Nashua, NH 03062 USA Company Description Pneuron Corporation was established with a single uncompromising guiding principle – eliminate the traditional technological barriers that prevent organizations from functioning as a cohesive, transparent enterprise. Website http://www.pneuron.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,067,377 … Continue reading “Pneuron Lands $5,067,377 New Financing”

Austin’s Dean Drako Buys Maryland-Based Security Manager Brivo for $50M

Dean Drako, an Austin, TX, businessman known for starting security companies Barracuda Networks and Eagle Eye Networks, is paying $50 million to buy Brivo, another security business. Brivo, based in Bethusda, MD, sells a security management system called Brivo OnAir, which offers cloud-based physical access control and video surveillance. Drako will serve as chairman, and … Continue reading “Austin’s Dean Drako Buys Maryland-Based Security Manager Brivo for $50M”

Head for the Exits, Security Firms: Rapid7 Files for IPO

Tech IPOs have not been very fashionable as of late. But cybersecurity has. Now a Boston tech company is putting those elements together—and foreshadowing a number of other exits in the sector. Rapid7 has filed paperwork to go public on the Nasdaq. It lists its maximum aggregate offering price as $80 million, but that’s mostly … Continue reading “Head for the Exits, Security Firms: Rapid7 Files for IPO”

IPO “On the Horizon” for Unum After $65M Series B, CEO Says

It’s been quite a week for Unum Therapeutics. Just three days after inking its first partnership, the emerging cellular immunotherapy startup has bagged its biggest funding round to date, and an initial public offering may not be far behind. Cambridge, MA-based Unum this morning raised a $65 million Series B round from a large group … Continue reading “IPO “On the Horizon” for Unum After $65M Series B, CEO Says”

Yesware Says Yes to $13M VC Funding, No to Tech Bubble

Somewhere between the early-stage rocket ships and later-stage unicorns, there is a group of tech companies quietly building their businesses. Yesware is one of those companies. The Boston-based maker of software for salespeople occupies a mid-stage niche in the startup market. The 70-person company has been around since 2010 and has been growing steadily. No … Continue reading “Yesware Says Yes to $13M VC Funding, No to Tech Bubble”

XTuit Gets $22M From NEA, Polaris to Battle Cancer, Liver Disease

Call it ground zero in a patient’s battle with cancer: the tumor microenvironment, the tissue around a cancerous cell that gets tricked into doing its bidding. That critical terrain is becoming the focus of a lot of fresh ideas for scientists—and one of them is taking shape today, with the emergence of a startup called … Continue reading “XTuit Gets $22M From NEA, Polaris to Battle Cancer, Liver Disease”

GroupZOOM Receives $500,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e0baa192-cbc0-4a23-9280-09588f5f2d5c Date 6/11/2015 Company Name GroupZOOM Mailing Address 101 Main Street 14th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Company Description GroupZOOM Inc. operates as a pop-up mass transit network that provides a platform for customers to purchase tickets by utilizing vendors to complete trips. The company offers tickets directly to consumers on pop-up … Continue reading “GroupZOOM Receives $500,000 New Round”

Unum Therapeutics Receives $65,000,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9840e418-227c-41f1-aaa8-22f504d586f1 Date 6/11/2015 Company Name Unum Therapeutics Mailing Address One Broadway 4th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Company Description Unum Therapeutics uses proprietary T-cell engineering technology in combination with tumor-targeting antibodies to activate the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Website http://www.unumrx.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $65,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Unum Therapeutics Receives $65,000,000 Series B Financing”

XTuit Pharmaceuticals Garners $22,000,000 Series A Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ff78c9ab-e13e-46ef-b6e3-b6092b086f67 Date 6/11/2015 Company Name XTuit Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 1000 Winter Street Waltham, MA 02451 USA Company Description XTuit Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel microenvironment-activated therapeutics targeting key mechanisms resulting in hypoxia, decreased drug uptake, drug resistance, and decreased immune response. The Company’s proprietary drug development pipeline and integrated, … Continue reading “XTuit Pharmaceuticals Garners $22,000,000 Series A Financing Round”

Yesware Receives $13,300,000 Series C Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2218c3fa-58c4-47db-a711-bf6058aabc83 Date 6/11/2015 Company Name Yesware Mailing Address 75 Kneeland St. Boston, MA 02111 USA Company Description The company provides an online email service optimized for the sales process that enables users to track what happens to their email after it is sent. Website http://www.yesware.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $13,300,000 … Continue reading “Yesware Receives $13,300,000 Series C Funding”

Rare Heart Disease Advocate: “I’m More Relieved Than I’ve Ever Been”

[Corrected 6/10/15, 10:14pm. See below.] Katherine Wilemon had a celebratory glass of wine a couple hours ago, which some say is good for the heart. Even better for Wilemon, however, is the reason she’s celebrating: In a two-day discussion about two new drugs aimed at high cholesterol, a panel of outside advisors recommended that the FDA … Continue reading “Rare Heart Disease Advocate: “I’m More Relieved Than I’ve Ever Been””

EdCast Recruits Experts to Lead Informal Video Learning Channels

One sign that a Silicon Valley company has made its mark is that a new verb arises from its name. People these days Google, they tweet, they Uber across town. Now a Bay Area educational technology company is hoping its own action verb will catch on: EdCasting. Mountain View, CA-based EdCast, which provides a cloud … Continue reading “EdCast Recruits Experts to Lead Informal Video Learning Channels”

Advisors to FDA: Approve New Cholesterol Drug, But With Caveats

One down, one to go, and a lot of questions left unanswered. A panel of FDA advisors voted 13-3 today to recommend that the agency give the green light to alirocumab (Praluent), one of two new cholesterol-lowering injectable drugs the panel is reviewing this week. Beyond the main positive vote, however, some panelists also indicated … Continue reading “Advisors to FDA: Approve New Cholesterol Drug, But With Caveats”

What Do the Heads of Techstars & Boston Children’s Hospital Have in Common?

David Cohen and Sandra Fenwick both believe that Boston’s innovation community is poised to do huge things. Cohen, the founder and managing partner of Techstars, says Boston’s startup ecosystem will be “off the charts” in the next 20 years. Fenwick, the CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, says the city’s healthcare and analytics expertise “will change … Continue reading “What Do the Heads of Techstars & Boston Children’s Hospital Have in Common?”

Melinta Therapeutics Lands $67,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fafd2a6c-506a-4750-8fa7-2fad2ad5659c Date 6/10/2015 Company Name Melinta Therapeutics Mailing Address 300 George Street New Haven, CT 06511 USA Company Description Melinta Therapeutics’ mission is to discover, develop and commercialize groundbreaking antibiotics to overcome drug-resistant, life-threatening infections. Website http://www.melinta.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $67,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds from the … Continue reading “Melinta Therapeutics Lands $67,000,000 New Financing”

Rockwell Helping Manufacturers (Slowly) Join the Internet of Things

Just as connected devices are slowly but surely making their way into our homes, the Internet of Things is also starting to impact the manufacturing industry. The going is slow: Less than 14 percent of U.S. manufacturers have linked up their factory machines with their enterprise software, says Keith Nosbusch, CEO of Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation … Continue reading “Rockwell Helping Manufacturers (Slowly) Join the Internet of Things”

Good Times Roll on for Biotech VCs As Clarus Bags New $500M Fund

Take a poll of most of biotech’s venture capitalists—the ones that survived the financial crash, anyway—and you might find that just about all of them have reloaded with new funds over the past few years. Today, you can add Clarus Ventures to the list. Clarus—a VC firm with offices in the bi-coastal biotech hotbeds of … Continue reading “Good Times Roll on for Biotech VCs As Clarus Bags New $500M Fund”

Take a Grain of Salt (Or Two) With New Cholesterol Drug Predictions

My mother always warned me never to start a column with a reference to management consultants. Sorry, Mom. Cover your eyes. But anyone else with personal health or personal finance interest in the latest cholesterol-fighting drugs, read on. Two years ago, three McKinseyites published a study about forecasts for drug sales. The upshot: To predict … Continue reading “Take a Grain of Salt (Or Two) With New Cholesterol Drug Predictions”

RoadOne IntermodaLogistics Receives New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=aeecea8e-b8d9-49c7-a5e9-c4022784c6b7 Date 6/9/2015 Company Name RoadOne IntermodaLogistics Mailing Address One Kellaway Drive Randolph, MA 02368 USA Company Description RoadOne IntermodaLogistics is North America’s premier full-service intermodal transportation and related logistics company. Website http://www.roadone.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes We will use this opportunity to invest … Continue reading “RoadOne IntermodaLogistics Receives New Financing Round”

Ethernet Inventor Metcalfe Is MIT’s New Innovation Fellow

Robert Metcalfe, the Ethernet inventor, venture capitalist, and innovation-focused professor at the University of Texas at Austin, is going back to his roots. The founder of 3Com is spending the 2015-16 academic year as a visiting innovation fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the school he graduated from in 1969. In the position, most … Continue reading “Ethernet Inventor Metcalfe Is MIT’s New Innovation Fellow”

Facebook VP Looks Beyond Mobile to Next Interface: Virtual Reality

Jay Parikh is in charge of the back-end software and hardware that helps more than a billion people share photos and updates about their lives on Facebook. Sounds like a nightmare. Luckily, the vice president of infrastructure engineering seems to enjoy his work. He was in town last week to do some recruiting and spend … Continue reading “Facebook VP Looks Beyond Mobile to Next Interface: Virtual Reality”

Seattle Genetics Pays $25M to Buy Into Unum’s Souped-Up T-Cell Therapy

Unum Therapeutics started up last year with its own twist on the increasingly crowded field of cellular immunotherapy. Today, that plan got a stamp of support from Seattle Genetics. SeaGen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]) has agreed to team up with Cambridge, MA-based Unum in a broad deal to use the former’s antibodies with Unum’s cellular immunotherapy technology … Continue reading “Seattle Genetics Pays $25M to Buy Into Unum’s Souped-Up T-Cell Therapy”

Xconomy BIO Debrief

BIO will be in Philadelphia this year, and many in Boston’s life sciences community might not make it there. That’s okay, because we’ve got you covered. This invitation-only reception will bring together a select group of life sciences executives, entrepreneurial faculty, venture investors, and pharma dealmakers for a special briefing from leaders in Boston’s life … Continue reading “Xconomy BIO Debrief”

With $30M, Spero Broadens Fight Against Drug-Resistant Bugs

It’s no secret that there’s a huge need for more effective antibiotics. The number of bacteria evolving and evading current treatments continues to grow, and government agencies are trying to lend a helping hand. Spero Therapeutics has taken notice, and that’s why it’s thinking more broadly these days about the company it aims to become. … Continue reading “With $30M, Spero Broadens Fight Against Drug-Resistant Bugs”

Padloc Lands $1,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4a1493c9-4e81-4228-89c4-b84709ab6c56 Date 6/8/2015 Company Name Padloc Mailing Address 110 Strathmore Rd Boston, MA 02135 USA Company Description Padloc is a premier manufacturer of security docks, mounts, and interactive portals for tablet devices. Designed with premium aesthetics and business-grade durability, their products instantly transform tablet computers (such as the iPad) into elegant kiosks, … Continue reading “Padloc Lands $1,000,000 New Financing Round”

Spero Therapeutics Receives $30,000,000 Series A Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bb31e81b-2f9b-4822-b8c2-d3b200204ea1 Date 6/8/2015 Company Name Spero Therapeutics Mailing Address 400 Technology Square 10th Floor Cambridge, MA 20139 USA Company Description Spero Therapeutics’ vision is to find, develop, and advance groundbreaking therapeutics to meet critical patient needs in infectious disease using a unique business and drug discovery model. Spero Therapeutics is developing first … Continue reading “Spero Therapeutics Receives $30,000,000 Series A Funding”

Startups: Predict the Future of Boston and Receive a Ticket to Boston 2035

We are less than two weeks away from Boston 2035, and we’re excited to announce that we have a block of 25 complimentary startup tickets to give away to entrepreneurs looking to attend the event. The theme of Boston 2035 is to explore ways Boston can position itself as a world leader of the future. We … Continue reading “Startups: Predict the Future of Boston and Receive a Ticket to Boston 2035”

Apple Watch: The First Wearable Device Worth Wearing

It’s just a watch. I’ve had my Apple Watch for three weeks now, and I have no qualms about telling you that the device’s killer app is telling time. That’s what I was expecting. After all, it looks like a wristwatch, you wear it in the same place as a wristwatch, and the first thing … Continue reading “Apple Watch: The First Wearable Device Worth Wearing”

TransMedics Garners $20,004,581 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1b3995f8-2e20-4bd1-9406-28f2cbd8df46 Date 6/5/2015 Company Name TransMedics Mailing Address 200 Minuteman Road Andover, MA 01810 USA Company Description TransMedics has developed a revolutionary new system that enables living organ transplants. Website http://www.transmedics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,004,581 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. Contact … Continue reading “TransMedics Garners $20,004,581 New Funding Round”

NanoSteel Obtains $10,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0f2c4b26-eb26-4e02-8382-3ae6afbfdcc7 Date 6/5/2015 Company Name NanoSteel Mailing Address 272 West Exchange Street Providence, RI 02903 USA Company Description NanoSteel is an advanced materials company which has created a unique and proprietary portfolio of nanotechnology based and environmentally friendly steel alloys that greatly increase the value of steel in most of today’s industrial … Continue reading “NanoSteel Obtains $10,000,000 New Financing”

Vertex Teams up With Durham’s Parion in $80M Lung Drug Deal

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has reshaped itself into a cystic fibrosis powerhouse the past few years. Today, it’s trying to add to that position by teaming up with a biotech out of Durham, NC, on some experimental drugs for the devastating disorder—and perhaps for other lung diseases as well. Boston-based Vertex (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]) said this afternoon it’ll … Continue reading “Vertex Teams up With Durham’s Parion in $80M Lung Drug Deal”

West Coast Biotech Roundup: Regulus, Ardelyx, Juno, Sangamo & More

While a big slice of the oncology world was packed into a Chicago conference center earlier this week for the American Society for Clinical Oncology conference, other news happened, too. In San Diego, Regulus lost a CEO, and in the Bay Area, Ardelyx said goodbye to a big partner. In Seattle, Juno kept churning out … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: Regulus, Ardelyx, Juno, Sangamo & More”

How Will Boston’s Innovation Cluster Look in 2035? Three More Predictions

Robots, big data, and biotech. That’s the innovation landscape of Boston in a nutshell. But how will things evolve over the next 20 years? We’ve been asking top leaders in the startup and business community to think about that question, and the opportunities and challenges it presents for innovators across sectors. The answers they give … Continue reading “How Will Boston’s Innovation Cluster Look in 2035? Three More Predictions”

Experfy Expands Data Science For Hire With $1.5M Seed Round

In today’s outsourcing tech marketplace, you can find freelancers for almost anything, from mobile marketers on Elance to algorithms on Algorithmia. Boston-based Experfy is building on the fact that companies, especially larger ones with more than $50 million in revenue, have heaps of data that they sometimes don’t know how to use. Experfy lists engineers … Continue reading “Experfy Expands Data Science For Hire With $1.5M Seed Round”

Tablelist Obtains $1,025,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dc1df6c4-08e9-4846-a982-3cb088776f25 Date 6/4/2015 Company Name Tablelist Mailing Address 665 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 USA Company Description Tablelist provides an unparalleled level of access to the world of nightlife. By seamlessly connecting table bookers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, creating memorable experiences for our members and more business for … Continue reading “Tablelist Obtains $1,025,000 New Round”

Virtual Software Systems Lands $2,000,000 Seed Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7e891ab5-3578-425b-af82-6754eda802f1 Date 6/4/2015 Company Name Virtual Software Systems Mailing Address 1000 Winter Street Waltham, MA 02451 USA Company Description Our revolutionary software platform combines proven principles of fault tolerant computing with spatio-temporal constructs to provide unprecedented protection for data and applications running in public, private or hybrid clouds, on bare metal systems … Continue reading “Virtual Software Systems Lands $2,000,000 Seed Financing Round”

6 Startups and Edtech Themes From LearnLaunch Demo Day

Education is one of the anchor industries of New England. And education technology is one of the region’s key growth areas for the future. That was all on display at Wednesday’s demo day event for the graduating companies of Boston-based LearnLaunch’s third accelerator program. Each education-related company’s strategy touches on broader technology and business themes, … Continue reading “6 Startups and Edtech Themes From LearnLaunch Demo Day”

Celgene, Bluebird Streamline CAR-T Partnership To Fight Myeloma

The immuno-oncology field is moving fast these days, but the tough-to-treat blood cancer multiple myeloma has not been one of its early targets. Biotech partners Bluebird Bio and Celgene would like to change that. The partners said today they would narrow the focus of their ongoing collaboration and go after multiple myeloma. Specifically, they want … Continue reading “Celgene, Bluebird Streamline CAR-T Partnership To Fight Myeloma”

Pushing Past Preclinical, Arsenal and 480 Biomedical Land $26.5M

[Updated 6/18/15, 9:30 a.m. See below.] Arsenal Medical and 480 Biomedical, a pair of Watertown, MA-based companies founded by famed scientists Robert Langer and George Whitesides, are taking $26.5 million in combined venture funding as the businesses seek to bring a group of medical products to the clinical stage. 480 Biomedical has developed two dissolvable, bioreabsorbable … Continue reading “Pushing Past Preclinical, Arsenal and 480 Biomedical Land $26.5M”

PillPack Picks Up Pace in Health IT With $50M Deal Led by CRV

It’s no surprise that the latest tech startup to go big in Boston is in health IT. The sector has been burgeoning locally and will probably see more big funding deals this year. PillPack, an online pharmacy and medication management company, said Wednesday that it has raised $50 million in a financing round led by … Continue reading “PillPack Picks Up Pace in Health IT With $50M Deal Led by CRV”

HighRoads Garners $3,016,640 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=47a4b768-8ca1-48da-862a-14d52e2b038c Date 6/3/2015 Company Name HighRoads Mailing Address 3 Burlington Woods Burlington, MA 01803 USA Company Description HighRoads is the industry leader in plan management and health care compliance. Its patented SaaS-based technology streamlines dynamic data management, optimizes workflow across the enterprise and ensures regulatory compliance. The Company’s Web-based applications enable HR … Continue reading “HighRoads Garners $3,016,640 New Funding Round”

Layer3 TV Secures $47,780,002 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3a8061aa-07bd-45a2-8bd7-5ef5f03a6d99 Date 6/3/2015 Company Name Layer3 TV Mailing Address 82 Broad Street Boston, MA 02110 USA Company Description Layer3 TV, Inc. is a next generation cable provider spearheading a new era of home media, combining the best of television, social, and digital life. Founded in 2013 by cable veterans Dave Fellows and … Continue reading “Layer3 TV Secures $47,780,002 New Funding”

PillPack Receives $50,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=51e6168a-55a9-443b-a100-a98803b97c01 Date 6/3/2015 Company Name PillPack Mailing Address 250 Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101 USA Company Description PillPack is pharmacy simplified. We fill, sort, and deliver all your medications in personalized packets based on when you need to take them. Our service helps you take the right meds at the right time, … Continue reading “PillPack Receives $50,000,000 New Financing”

480 Biomedical Receives $10,500,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a3f05747-31f1-499e-9b6e-d1f625e620c4 Date 6/3/2015 Company Name 480 Biomedical Mailing Address 480 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472 USA Company Description The 480 Biomedical Stanza scaffold technology combines biocompatible materials with innovative engineering for optimal balance of radial force, flexibility and bioresorbability. Our proprietary scaffold is also ideal for controlled delivery of drug for up … Continue reading “480 Biomedical Receives $10,500,000 New Funding”