Category: Boston

Healthcare Is Transforming Regardless of What Happens to the ACA

Powerful arguments and emotions continue to challenge the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Supreme Court, partisan ideology, presidential elections, and deeply held convictions about the role of government will all make their mark. Most healthcare leaders, however, share a fundamental belief that healthcare transformation is happening now—driven by some of the same … Continue reading “Healthcare Is Transforming Regardless of What Happens to the ACA”

Fetchnotes Co-Founder on Mobile Collaboration, Acquisition by Driftt

Buoyed by $15 million in venture funding, Cambridge, MA-based Driftt announced this week that it has acquired Ann Arbor-born startup Fetchnotes. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Fetchnotes co-founder and CEO Alex Schiff confirmed that it’s purely a technology acquisition; none of the Fetchnotes team will join Driftt. In 2012, Fetchnotes was … Continue reading “Fetchnotes Co-Founder on Mobile Collaboration, Acquisition by Driftt”

NEA Closes on $3.1 Billion for Its Latest Fund, Sticks to Its Strategy

In a way, it will be more of the same for New Enterprise Associates (NEA)—just with a hefty addition to its war chest to work with. Early Wednesday morning, the venture capital firm announced it closed on $2.8 billion in committed capital for its fifteenth fund, plus $350 million more for its NEA Opportunity Fund—a … Continue reading “NEA Closes on $3.1 Billion for Its Latest Fund, Sticks to Its Strategy”

netBlazr Receives $675,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f3d5f15d-0ee7-4b46-b75f-0661ec1da43f Date 4/15/2015 Company Name netBlazr Mailing Address 218 Lincoln Street Allston, MA 02134 USA Company Description netBlazr is a locally-owned business that offers nothing but net, an Internet connection that is reliable and affordable and nothing else. No gimmicks, games, or tricks. Website http://www.netblazr.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $675,000 … Continue reading “netBlazr Receives $675,000 New Financing”

Arcadia Healthcare Solutions Secures $13,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a1f489f1-7221-4469-9aed-5d606cf4e221 Date 4/15/2015 Company Name Arcadia Healthcare Solutions Mailing Address 20 Blanchard Rd. Burlington, MA 01803 USA Company Description Arcadia Healthcare Solutions is an EHR Data Aggregation and Analytics technology company trusted by provider groups, health plans, and integrated delivery networks nationwide. Arcadians use the proven Arcadia Analytics platform to collect, integrate, … Continue reading “Arcadia Healthcare Solutions Secures $13,000,000 New Funding Round”

Massachusetts Healthcare, Internet Companies Lead Pack in VC Chase

The Massachusetts tech and life sciences community might have reason to boast, following a second-straight quarter during which companies in the state raised more than $1.3 billion from venture investors. The amount was good enough to make the Commonwealth the second-highest ranking state, beating out New York for that honor. Companies in the Bay State … Continue reading “Massachusetts Healthcare, Internet Companies Lead Pack in VC Chase”

Localytics Acquires Splitforce to Personalize Mobile Marketing

Localytics continues its roll. The Boston-based mobile marketing and analytics company announced today it has snapped up Splitforce, a New York startup that Localytics CEO Raj Aggarwal said will help the company advance its vision of bringing a more sophisticated form of marketing to apps. Localytics did not say what it paid for Splitforce. The … Continue reading “Localytics Acquires Splitforce to Personalize Mobile Marketing”

Arcadia Health Gets $13M Shot to Boost Healthcare Data and Analytics

Private equity has already helped Arcadia Health Systems use technology to reinvent itself. Now a PE firm is writing the Burlington, MA, business a check to continue the transformation. The data provider and healthcare consultant has gotten a $13 million investment from healthcare private equity firm Peloton Equity, existing investors, and Zaffre Investments, which is … Continue reading “Arcadia Health Gets $13M Shot to Boost Healthcare Data and Analytics”

HAP Innovations Tackles Missed Meds with Automated Dispenser

Most people who take prescription medication relate to the experience of occasionally missing a pill. For those who juggle multiple prescriptions, forgotten doses can become a regular occurrence. Durham, NC, company HAP Innovations believes it can resolve those problems with a device that tracks all of a patient’s pills and dispenses them precisely when they … Continue reading “HAP Innovations Tackles Missed Meds with Automated Dispenser”

Pop That Bubble: 5 Reasons Biotech Needs A Different Metaphor

Back in April 2011, at a biotech conference in San Francisco, a panel convened to discuss how hard it was to build biotech companies that could push through long, costly clinical trials before a drug comes to market. One panelist hedged to say, well, at least the financial reticence had a silver lining: there was … Continue reading “Pop That Bubble: 5 Reasons Biotech Needs A Different Metaphor”

VC Funding Slows as Big Funds Crowd into Late-Stage Venture Deals

Following a December surge, when U.S. venture firms invested $7.2 billion in 342 deals nationwide, VC activity reset at a lower pace during the first quarter of 2015, according to data being released today by CB Insights. The New York venture capital tracker says VCs invested $11.3 billion in 805 startups over the three months … Continue reading “VC Funding Slows as Big Funds Crowd into Late-Stage Venture Deals”

Bedrock Data Lands $3,100,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bb887408-3f5b-4f87-9acb-4b0c9f1de217 Date 4/14/2015 Company Name Bedrock Data Mailing Address 186 South St. Boston, MA 02111 USA Company Description Bedrock Data makes the hard problem of bidirectional data integration simple and affordable. We integrate the most popular CRM, ERP, Marketing, Finance and Support systems. Give it a try for free. Website http://www.bedrockdata.com Transaction … Continue reading “Bedrock Data Lands $3,100,000 Series A Financing”

Peer-to-Peer Lending Grows Up, and Gets Wall Street’s Attention

[Corrected 4/14/15, 11:31 am. See below] Borrowing money, or refinancing borrowed money, is easier now than it’s ever been as new online lenders put credit lines just a few clicks away. And now the traditional titans of Wall Street are jumping on board. In the last decade, a handful of online lending companies have chipped away … Continue reading “Peer-to-Peer Lending Grows Up, and Gets Wall Street’s Attention”

1366 Technologies, Yeloha Making Progress in Solar Energy

The past week has been good for Boston-area solar energy startups—and not just because the sun is finally shining in New England. Silicon wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies announced it has raised an extra $5 million in an extension of its Series C financing. The extra money brings the amount the Bedford, MA, company raised in … Continue reading “1366 Technologies, Yeloha Making Progress in Solar Energy”

Hunting for an IPO? Voyager Gets $60M From “Crossover” Backers

[Updated, 11:19 am ET, see below] It’s been a big few months for Voyager Therapeutics. First, it landed a partnership with Genzyme, a deal that included a $65 million up front check for the gene therapy startup. Now it’s got $60 million more to play with, and an investor syndicate that’s starting to look like … Continue reading “Hunting for an IPO? Voyager Gets $60M From “Crossover” Backers”

Blend Therapeutics Taps Former Clinical Data Chief Fromkin As New CEO

When Blend Therapeutics reshaped itself and raised cash earlier this year, it hinted some of those dollars would help bring on a full-time top executive. The Watertown, MA, startup is checking that box today, naming Drew Fromkin its president and CEO. Fromkin was the leader of Clinical Data of Newton, MA, which he helped revamp … Continue reading “Blend Therapeutics Taps Former Clinical Data Chief Fromkin As New CEO”

East Coast Biotech Roundup: Cellectis, Bristol, What’s Hot & More

We’re going on a biotech road trip this week, from the Garden State to Beantown. Just after finding the venture backers for a $150 million life sciences fund, New York biotech got another jolt with the arrival of a high-profile French company. A startup in New Jersey grabbed over $70 million and looks poised for … Continue reading “East Coast Biotech Roundup: Cellectis, Bristol, What’s Hot & More”

Interactions Obtains $9,499,967 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ddada27e-8f10-422c-b712-0ab081af3142 Date 4/13/2015 Company Name Interactions Mailing Address 31 Hayward Street Franklin, MA 02038 USA Company Description Interactions, Inc. is a service provider delivering a unique solution to the call center market that decreases support costs while dramatically improving the customer experience. World Class Personal Service at Breakthrough Economics. Website http://web.interactions.net Transaction … Continue reading “Interactions Obtains $9,499,967 New Round”

Voyager Therapeutics Lands $60,000,000 Series B Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8188dfe7-dc75-463b-8e7c-552533ad8f31 Date 4/13/2015 Company Name Voyager Therapeutics Mailing Address 75 Sidney St. Cambridge, MA 02139 USA Company Description Voyager Therapeutics is developing life-changing gene therapies for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system. Our founders include scientific and clinical leaders in the fields of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, expressed … Continue reading “Voyager Therapeutics Lands $60,000,000 Series B Funding”

MassChallenge Takes Over Start Tank Incubator From PayPal

Two prominent names in Boston’s startup world are joining forces—and shacking up together. Startup accelerator MassChallenge has acquired Start Tank, a Boston-based incubator run by PayPal, which provided select startups with space at its downtown Boston office. MassChallenge and Start Tank announced the deal this week. They’ve called it an acquisition, but reportedly no cash … Continue reading “MassChallenge Takes Over Start Tank Incubator From PayPal”

Aircuity Sucks In $6.25M To Expand Air Quality Tracking Business

Our workplaces might be getting a little bit more energy efficient, not necessarily because of solar panels or new insulation, but because of the air we breathe inside them. At least, that’s what air quality monitoring company Aircuity and its investors believe. This week, Newton, MA-based Aircuity announced it raised $6.25 million in an expansion … Continue reading “Aircuity Sucks In $6.25M To Expand Air Quality Tracking Business”

Innovation Hub: Why Science Plays Small Ball

The scientific revolution has ended. Or, at least it’s on pause, according to Roberta Ness, vice president of innovation at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She believes that science’s most promising thinkers aren’t taking big enough risks. They’re not researching the next penicillin or investigating new theories of relativity; they’re playing it safe. … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: Why Science Plays Small Ball”

Startups Strut on Stage at UNC Innovation Showcase

In an annual spring ritual at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, startup companies associated with the university get the opportunity for five minutes of stage time to present their technologies or products to a live audience. The UNC Innovation Showcase is a popular draw for the Research Triangle’s broader entrepreneurial community. Startups … Continue reading “Startups Strut on Stage at UNC Innovation Showcase”

Joi Ito Wants MIT to Be Neutral Place to Help Develop Bitcoin Standards

Bitcoins have an uncertain path forward with the seeming implosion of the Bitcoin Foundation last weekend. But PayPal merchants and even presidential candidate Rand Paul have started accepting them as payment. That means the race is on to establish technical standards for the virtual currency—and it looks like MIT could end up playing a role. … Continue reading “Joi Ito Wants MIT to Be Neutral Place to Help Develop Bitcoin Standards”

Tax Time Alert: Key Things to Know About Founders Preferred Stock

As you gather and review tax papers for your return, be sure to inform your accountant if you hold founders’ preferred stock, or if you sold a block of it in 2014. Your CPA might not think to ask you about this because so few entrepreneurs hold this class of stock. As recently as 20 … Continue reading “Tax Time Alert: Key Things to Know About Founders Preferred Stock”

Seven Takeaways From “What’s Hot in Boston Biotech”

Sure, things may look great now, but it wasn’t long ago that Kendall Square was a biotech ghost town—and the good times might come to an end if we’re not careful. Meanwhile, gene therapy, cell therapy, and microbiome research look poised to make an impact on healthcare—just don’t overlook the hurdles that remain, or underestimate … Continue reading “Seven Takeaways From “What’s Hot in Boston Biotech””

1366 Technologies Secures $5,000,000 Series C Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d726ef66-4025-49e9-811f-58c067fb3a86 Date 4/10/2015 Company Name 1366 Technologies Mailing Address 6-8 Preston Court Bedford, MA 01730 USA Company Description 1366 Technologies is making silicon solar cells competitive with coal. Our goal is to build on the success of multi-crystalline solar cells and manufacturing capacity to accelerate the transition to solar. Our products and … Continue reading “1366 Technologies Secures $5,000,000 Series C Funding”

Clypd Obtains $16,420,098 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=930ca17a-0d6e-4965-a0f8-a670c7ddf4e7 Date 4/10/2015 Company Name Clypd Mailing Address 212 Elm Street 4th Floor Somerville, MA 02144 USA Company Description Clypd is a provider of an interactive television and video ad exchange. Website http://www.clypd.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $16,420,098 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory … Continue reading “Clypd Obtains $16,420,098 New Funding”

Clypd Raises $19.4M, Gets Boost From European Broadcaster and TiVo

Clypd, a Boston-area startup that wants to make TV advertising more like its digital cousin by incorporating programmatic ad selling, has raised a $19.4 million Series B round, the company announced Thursday. Leading the round is the RTL Group, a European media and broadcasting company. TiVo, the pioneer in digital video recording, joined the round, … Continue reading “Clypd Raises $19.4M, Gets Boost From European Broadcaster and TiVo”

Bioinspired Robotics: Softer, Smarter, Safer Wyss Institute’s 6th Annual Symposium

The Wyss Institute’s 6th annual international symposium will focus on the recent development and near-term impact of bioinspired robots that self-organize, respond and adapt to their environment, enhance movement, and interact in a seamless way with humans to improve health and society. Organized by Wyss Institute Core Faculty members Radhika Nagpal, Conor Walsh, Robert Wood … Continue reading “Bioinspired Robotics: Softer, Smarter, Safer Wyss Institute’s 6th Annual Symposium”

Event-Linking App Stanza Expands with $4.3M Seed Funding

Stanza, a tool that lets users sync calendar events and allows hosts to update the events in real time, has received a $4.3 million seed funding round to help it expand its target audience beyond professional sports events. The funding came from Metamorphic Ventures, Founder Collective, Tekton Ventures, Western Technology Investment, and Stanford-StartX Fund, as … Continue reading “Event-Linking App Stanza Expands with $4.3M Seed Funding”

Edge Brings in VC Backers, Gets $72.5M For Head Injury Drug

With former Celgene CEO Sol Barer and famed MIT professor Bob Langer among its advisors and directors, Edge Therapeutics has always had some star power behind it. Now the Berkeley Heights, NJ-based startup has a big investor syndicate too. Edge revealed today that it’s closed two different financing rounds together worth about $72.5 million: a … Continue reading “Edge Brings in VC Backers, Gets $72.5M For Head Injury Drug”

Pitching Startups, Roxbury Style: Apps, Bodyguards & More

There’s a parking space, despite the rain, right outside Hibernian Hall the night of Pitch in the City, Roxbury’s first startup pitch event, in late March. “Some event,” I mutter to myself as I go inside. In fact, the big hall on the 3rd floor is jammed with people. Coats cram the coat rack, and … Continue reading “Pitching Startups, Roxbury Style: Apps, Bodyguards & More”

Accreon Garners $5,500,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=87bc2f3c-2563-40cc-aa44-5046bf9152df Date 4/9/2015 Company Name Accreon Mailing Address 20 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 USA Company Description Put our team of the most highly skilled resources in the industry to work for you. We combine our knowledge of Healthcare and Life Sciences with deep technical expertise to deliver solutions customized to meet … Continue reading “Accreon Garners $5,500,000 New Funding”

Wallflowr Secures $210,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=66bfd93b-13d6-49e9-b562-5b81e8b787c2 Date 4/9/2015 Company Name Wallflowr Mailing Address One Thompson Square Cambridge, MA 02129 USA Company Description Wallflowr is a company working on developing technologies for a safer home and work environment. Wallflowr has a patent-pending system to detect the proximity of people and advanced control of appliances and devices. Website http://www.wallflowr.com … Continue reading “Wallflowr Secures $210,000 New Round”

GoodLux Technology Receives $125,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a21bf95-e610-44bd-91f7-66f4bdd65e2e Date 4/9/2015 Company Name GoodLux Technology Mailing Address 30 Hillside Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 USA Company Description Our goal is to combine the best of science and nature to empower people to become their brightest selves. We want to improve the health of people on a global scale by re-inventing the … Continue reading “GoodLux Technology Receives $125,000 New Financing”

FirstFuel Refuels with $23M to Develop Software for Utilities

Some people tend to think of smart meters, solar panels, and energy audits in the same way they think about home improvements. But the owners of commercial property such as office buildings, shopping centers, and warehouses are taking a growing interest in renewable technology as a way to cut their electric bills. Utilities know that, … Continue reading “FirstFuel Refuels with $23M to Develop Software for Utilities”

Pixability Pumps Up in Video Marketing With $18M More

It’s been a long, interesting ride for Boston-based Pixability, a video marketing startup led by founder and CEO Bettina Hein (pictured). Now the market may finally be ready for the startup’s technology. The company has just raised an $18 million Series C round led by Jump Capital and Edison Partners. The new money brings Pixability’s … Continue reading “Pixability Pumps Up in Video Marketing With $18M More”

Alzheon Gets $10M to Take Castoff Alzheimer’s Drug Into Pivotal Test

Run by a veteran of drug R&D for Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheon is betting that a smart trial design and a little chemistry work could turn a failed drug for the memory-robbing disorder into a success. The company now has its first round of financing to test that theory on a revamped version of tramiprosate, which … Continue reading “Alzheon Gets $10M to Take Castoff Alzheimer’s Drug Into Pivotal Test”

Alzheon Garners $10,000,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7f065d62-8b7c-4486-83d2-05fe7b77b1f3 Date 4/8/2015 Company Name Alzheon Mailing Address 111 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701 USA Company Description Alzheon is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on brain health, memory and aging, developing innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Website http://www.alzheon.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “Alzheon Garners $10,000,000 Series A Financing”

FirstFuel Software Obtains $23,000,000 Series C Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=46690c27-b410-4fac-b09b-4a255cd055e6 Date 4/8/2015 Company Name FirstFuel Software Mailing Address 420 Bedford St. Lexington, MA 02420 USA Company Description We’ve developed our own patent-pending energy analytics platform for commercial buildings. Through the lens of building consumption data from your utility, we can see into buildings and understand how energy is being used, where … Continue reading “FirstFuel Software Obtains $23,000,000 Series C Financing Round”

Pixability Secures $18,200,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=186e86d9-dc0d-4625-b70a-9494b54f9cf4 Date 4/8/2015 Company Name Pixability Mailing Address 123 North Washington Street 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02114 USA Company Description Pixability is a big data YouTube software company that helps major brands dramatically increase their YouTube impact on target audiences. Website http://www.pixability.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $18,200,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Pixability Secures $18,200,000 New Round”

Placester Adds $15M to Expand in Real Estate Marketing

One of the Boston area’s fast-growing software startups is making progress in real estate marketing. Placester says today it has raised a $15 million Series B round, which brings its total funding to about $23 million. The round was led by New Enterprise Associates (a new investor), and previous investor Romulus Capital also participated. Placester … Continue reading “Placester Adds $15M to Expand in Real Estate Marketing”

Placester Lands $15,000,000 Series B Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=44e664fb-ac44-484d-ad26-c72df326b845 Date 4/7/2015 Company Name Placester Mailing Address 101 Arch Street Boston, MA 02110 USA Company Description We focus primarily on providing massive distribution, premium listing services, and deep analytics to help real estate companies advertise and generate business. We care deeply about improving the real estate industry through the use of … Continue reading “Placester Lands $15,000,000 Series B Funding Round”

Avedro Secures $7,193,602 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=90070cab-5359-4682-8a2a-d22958764fa4 Date 4/7/2015 Company Name Avedro Mailing Address 230 Third Avenue Waltham, MA 02451 USA Company Description Avedro’s Keraflex is not laser eye surgery – it is a non-incisional, non-invasive procedure currently under clinical study for the correction of myopia and the treatment of keratoconus. Unlike LASIK and other laser vision correction … Continue reading “Avedro Secures $7,193,602 New Funding”

Juno, Novartis End CAR-T Patent Fight, With Juno A Little Richer

Juno Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:JUNO]]) and Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]) are cancer immunotherapy rivals, but Juno now has a rooting interest in Novartis’s success. The two companies said today they have avoided a trial and settled a patent dispute around a specific bit of genetic engineering shared by some of their products that use what’s known as … Continue reading “Juno, Novartis End CAR-T Patent Fight, With Juno A Little Richer”