What will Boston’s innovation sector—and the region itself—look like in 20 years? More importantly, what will it take to keep New England ahead of the pack in an increasingly global competition? Those are among the big questions we’re tackling next week at Xconomy’s biggest event yet: Boston 2034, an all-day conference featuring some of the … Continue reading “Boston 2034 Predictions: Data, Policy, & Healthcare on the Horizon”
Category: Boston
Boston Tech Roundup: Invaluable, DataMi, Acquia, XebiaLabs
[Updated 4:20 pm] A quartet of deals, from fundraising to acquisition, to wrap up the week around the Boston-area innovation sector: —Invaluable, a Boston-based online marketplace for auction houses, has raised $33.75 million. The Series D round was led by Insight Venture Partners, and included previous investors Ascent Venture Partners and Commonwealth Capital Ventures. The company … Continue reading “Boston Tech Roundup: Invaluable, DataMi, Acquia, XebiaLabs”
Innovation Hub: Businesses Know You’re Biased
Who’s better at math? Women or men? Studies show that both men and women believe men are better at math, even when data indicates otherwise. To understand why we have these biases—and why businesses think that getting rid of them will help the bottom line—I sat down with Harvard professor Mahzarin Banaji (pictured), the co-author … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: Businesses Know You’re Biased”
If Tesla Made Bike Lights, They’d Look Like This; The Story of Sparse
Hardware is Silicon Valley’s new religion. At maker spaces like TechShop, hardware startup accelerators like HAXLR8R and Lemnos Labs, and conferences like O’Reilly Media’s Solid, there’s one overriding article of faith: that bits and atoms aren’t so different after all. Just as the cost and complexity of starting a software company has drastically declined over … Continue reading “If Tesla Made Bike Lights, They’d Look Like This; The Story of Sparse”
Starting Unicorn Companies: Tableau Software
Last November, Ailene Lee wrote a post on TechCrunch entitled Welcome To The Unicorn Club: Learning From Billion-Dollar Startups. In it, she offered a list of companies that have had billion-dollar exits, and analyzed some of the common threads. I would like to look at some of the “unicorn” companies that she identified, as well … Continue reading “Starting Unicorn Companies: Tableau Software”
Lumesis Secures $1,999,999 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a327e8b2-dc44-4589-9be6-1426281a9313 Date 6/6/2014 Company Name Lumesis Mailing Address One Atlantic Street 3rd Floor Stamford, CT 06901 USA Company Description Lumesis is dedicated to delivering timely data, robust analytical tools and time-sensitive notifications for the fixed income marketplace. We strive to enhance your success by providing relevant and timely information, data and analytical … Continue reading “Lumesis Secures $1,999,999 New Funding Round”
Project 2020 Obtains $1,200,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c24d98c7-e5de-49ee-8f57-b02e34db87da Date 6/6/2014 Company Name Project 2020 Mailing Address 17 Perry St. Cambridge, MA 02139 USA Company Description Having access to a swimming pool is a luxury that not everyone has and water safety is an important skill that can’t be taught without a pool. Statistics show that minorities are drowning at … Continue reading “Project 2020 Obtains $1,200,000 New Financing Round”
Egenera Secures $16,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=742dd5a7-c23c-4e0a-a7aa-7df0298a41db Date 6/6/2014 Company Name Egenera Mailing Address 80 Central St. Boxborough, MA 01719 USA Company Description Egenera is a global leader in delivering computing solutions that simplify datacenter operations and infrastructure. The Egenera BladeFrame product family simplifies the datacenter with an innovative server architecture specifically designed to reduce complexity and enable … Continue reading “Egenera Secures $16,000,000 New Funding Round”
Boston 2034: Three More Predictions for the Future of Innovation
We’re less than a week away from Xconomy’s biggest, boldest event yet: Boston 2034, an in-depth exploration of the next 20 years of innovation in New England. This all-day event features a dynamic program of top-notch speakers discussing what it will take to keep the greater Boston area a leader in software, hardware, energy, education, healthcare, … Continue reading “Boston 2034: Three More Predictions for the Future of Innovation”
With “This American Life,” a Big Bet on Digital Pays Off for PRX
If you were making a Mount Rushmore of public radio, Ira Glass would definitely be carved in stone. So when the creator and host of the iconic program This American Life announced that he’d found a new company to distribute his show to radio stations nationwide, the media world took notice. Under the new deal, … Continue reading “With “This American Life,” a Big Bet on Digital Pays Off for PRX”
Not All Entrepreneurs Are Young
Most of the famous entrepreneurs we hear about are fairly young. We tend to read in the popular press about the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world and assume that all successful entrepreneurs launch businesses in their 20s. However, this couldn’t be further from reality. Recent studies show that older entrepreneurs are increasing while the number … Continue reading “Not All Entrepreneurs Are Young”
RNA Therapeutics Are Here to Stay
Over the past year, we’ve witnessed the biotech bull market expand, deflate and expand again—specifically in relation to RNA-based therapeutic companies. The innovators in the space have increased and decreased their investment levels in the technology, leaving investors, the media, and some in the scientific community wondering which way the pendulum will ultimately swing. In … Continue reading “RNA Therapeutics Are Here to Stay”
West Coast Floating Wind Turbine Plan Gains Momentum, Funding
Seafarers and beachgoers know ocean winds blow strong and often. Wind energy developers know it, too. Hundreds of massive wind turbines already dot the seas around the U.K., Denmark, Germany and other countries—and developers are preparing to install the first U.S. offshore turbines in New England waters. That’s bringing a growing source of carbon-free—though still … Continue reading “West Coast Floating Wind Turbine Plan Gains Momentum, Funding”
Boston Consumer Tech and 4 Views of the Future: A 2034 Preview
Will Boston ever be known for its consumer-tech companies? What could make that happen? And how do innovation leaders see technology and society evolving over the next 20 years? If you’re interested in these kinds of questions, you’re in luck. We are convening an all-star cast of business leaders across tech, life sciences, and energy … Continue reading “Boston Consumer Tech and 4 Views of the Future: A 2034 Preview”
Romulus Looks to Redefine Seed-Stage VC With $50M Fund
Does the Boston tech scene need another seed-stage fund? Yes. Yes it does. You’ll forgive Krishna Gupta if he has a bullish view of early-stage tech investing opportunities. He started Romulus Capital in his Baker House dorm room at MIT back in 2008. Now, at the ripe age of 26, he has closed a $50 … Continue reading “Romulus Looks to Redefine Seed-Stage VC With $50M Fund”
Invaluable Receives $33,750,000 Series D Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=01a32fd2-326d-481f-a127-c2cf6fa9df53 Date 6/4/2014 Company Name Invaluable Mailing Address 38 Everett Street Boston, MA 02134 USA Company Description Invaluable (formerly Artfact) is the world’s largest online auction marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate sales. Across all three of our properties, invaluable.com, invaluable.co.uk, and auctionzip.com, more than 30 million bidders … Continue reading “Invaluable Receives $33,750,000 Series D Funding”
Fresh Nation Receives $1,000,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ab19b598-dd2c-4650-a48c-de54a677e922 Date 6/4/2014 Company Name Fresh Nation Mailing Address 68 Southfield Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 USA Company Description Fresh Nation was created by farmers market operators who come from a place of practical knowledge and real, workable solutions. We’re here to connect farmers, food artisans, farmers markets, and consumers who love to … Continue reading “Fresh Nation Receives $1,000,000 Seed Funding”
Trevi Therapeutics Obtains $25,000,000 Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=968760ed-ca83-498a-8434-f2058cb9649a Date 6/4/2014 Company Name Trevi Therapeutics Mailing Address 195 Church Street 14th Floor New Haven, CT 06510 USA Company Description Trevi Therapeutics, Inc. is a drug development company founded in 2011 focused on developing T111 for the severe chronic itching condition known as pruritus. Pruritus is manifested in various dermatological, metabolic, … Continue reading “Trevi Therapeutics Obtains $25,000,000 Series B Round”
Three Key Workplace Policies that Startups Can’t Afford to Ignore
Most startups are focused on getting their business off the ground. As a result, they usually delay policy development until a later date. But here’s why it’s important to draft and implement certain policies right at the start of your business: Policies pre-empt and prevent misunderstandings between employees and employers about obligations and behavior at … Continue reading “Three Key Workplace Policies that Startups Can’t Afford to Ignore”
SmartPay Solutions Obtains $1,400,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7f6f0f06-86dd-4471-bffd-cbb8325d79a2 Date 6/3/2014 Company Name SmartPay Solutions Mailing Address 176 Laning Street Southington, CT 06489 USA Company Description SmartPay is the only pay-as-you-go solution designed by a team of experts from the insurance carrier, independent agent, payroll and software industries with specific expertise in workers’ compensation . Website http://www.smartpayllc.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “SmartPay Solutions Obtains $1,400,000 Series A Financing Round”
Microbiome Startup Seres Health Tabs Pharma Vet Pomerantz as CEO
Seres Health said Monday that Roger Pomerantz, an infectious disease expert who spent several years as a top Merck & Co. executive, is the startup’s new CEO, replacing David Berry. Cambridge, MA-based Seres is one of just a few venture-backed firms pursuing treatments based on emerging research on the human microbiome, the collection of trillions … Continue reading “Microbiome Startup Seres Health Tabs Pharma Vet Pomerantz as CEO”
BostInno’s State of Innovation
Information and registration here. Agenda is here. Join 1,000+ business leaders and professionals for an afternoon of high-profile main stage speakers, cutting-edge panel discussions, invigorating breakout sessions, and incredible networking at BostInno’s second annual State of Innovation Forum.
Global Pediatric Innovation Summit and Awards 2014
Boston Children’s Hospital organizes an annual two-day innovation summit. This year’s is called “Taking on Tomorrow” and will convene top thought leaders in business, industry, and healthcare to address the toughest challenges in pediatric health care today. Information and registration here. Agenda is here.
BUILD Boston Youth Business Plan Competition
Information and registration here. The annual Youth Business Plan Competition is the culmination of a year of hard work by our 9th-graders and their mentors. Teams present their innovative business ideas and winners receive up to $1,000 in cash prizes. The event celebrates our students’ creativity and energy, on a day of competition where one … Continue reading “BUILD Boston Youth Business Plan Competition”
The Real Meaning of “Minimum Viable Product”
[Editor’s Note: In today’s tech startup culture, it’s widely understood that it’s smarter to build a “minimum viable product” or MVP and get it to market quickly than to labor behind closed doors for years on an elaborate and feature-rich product that, in the end, nobody might really want. But what if the MVP turns … Continue reading “The Real Meaning of “Minimum Viable Product””
Blackboard CEO Jay Bhatt on the Global Future of Edtech
What does the head of one of the world’s biggest edtech companies, Blackboard, think about the future of education? First, you should know a little about his background. Jay Bhatt was a middle-school math teacher in the early ‘90s, teaching sixth-graders in Richmond, CA. He went on to work as an investment banker, specializing in … Continue reading “Blackboard CEO Jay Bhatt on the Global Future of Edtech”
Dean Kamen: Coptering In to Inspire Crowd at Boston 2034 on June 10
Xconomy’s big Boston 2034 conference is barely a week away. A continent of amazing speakers will be on hand, but one of those you will find most inspirational is Dean Kamen. Among the legendary inventor’s key messages, which I think will ring particularly true to those in Boston’s innovation community: those who are the most … Continue reading “Dean Kamen: Coptering In to Inspire Crowd at Boston 2034 on June 10”
MobileSuites Obtains $40,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a6b54986-808c-402b-baa6-c23894d7bb94 Date 6/2/2014 Company Name MobileSuites Mailing Address Undisclosed Cambridge, MA 02141 USA Company Description A mobile platform for hotels that gives travelers on-demand access to frequently used hotel services, allowing any hotel to instantly modernize its guest offerings. Hotels respond to concierge and other service requests guests make through a mobile … Continue reading “MobileSuites Obtains $40,000 Seed Funding”
Promedior Sees Hope in Small Myelofibrosis Study
[Updated 6/2/2014. See below.] Myelofibrosis, a rare and potentially fatal type of leukemia, isn’t an easy disease to treat. The only drug that’s been approved by the FDA approval to treat it, Incyte’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:INCY]]) ruxolitinib (Jakafi), attacks the symptoms rather than the cause, and often leaves patients needing blood transfusions. Several companies are trying … Continue reading “Promedior Sees Hope in Small Myelofibrosis Study”
Startups and “The Future of Informing”: Q&A with Matter’s Corey Ford
Don’t let it be said that the media industry is anti-innovation. Journalism schools sponsor hard-hitting studies saying news organizations must reinvent themselves to survive. A leaked innovation report from the New York Times shows that the venerable paper is serious about doing exactly that, even if it’s still struggling to figure out how. And KQED, … Continue reading “Startups and “The Future of Informing”: Q&A with Matter’s Corey Ford”
Boston Tech Roundup: Spark, Swipely, Harmonix, Grove
Venture firms and startups are raising money, while an established name in the rough-and-tumble video game world stumbles again in this collection of innovation headlines: —Spark Capital, the Boston-based venture capital firm known for its investments in Twitter and Oculus VR, has raised a new “growth” fund to invest in later-stage companies. The $375 million … Continue reading “Boston Tech Roundup: Spark, Swipely, Harmonix, Grove”
Boston 2034: Three Predictions for the Future of Innovation
These days, it can seem a little dicey to make big predictions about what’s going to happen in the next few months. Seriously, raise your hand if you called Apple buying Dr. Dre’s headphone company for $3 billion or Facebook paying $2 billion for virtual-reality goggles. But that’s what makes this era so interesting. And it’s … Continue reading “Boston 2034: Three Predictions for the Future of Innovation”
LearnLaunchX Startups Showcase Two Big Themes in Edtech
On a cold, miserable day in late May, seven edtech startups gave 10-minute pitches to a room full of mentors, investors, and press. It was demo day for the second class of startups in Boston’s LearnLaunchX accelerator. These companies serve as a kind of barometer for education-tech businesses in New England and beyond. In addition … Continue reading “LearnLaunchX Startups Showcase Two Big Themes in Edtech”
ByteLight Teams up with GE on New Location-Sensing Lights
Indoor location tracking is one of those ideas that seems to forever be on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. Now that millions of people are toting around sophisticated, Internet-connected phones, it should be possible to beam coupons and other sales-increasing nudges right to their home screen as they prowl the aisles of the … Continue reading “ByteLight Teams up with GE on New Location-Sensing Lights”
Rodin Moves From Seedling to Neurology Startup With $12.9M Series A
Rodin Therapeutics started up last year with a plan to treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s by enhancing cognition, rather than trying to wipe out the plaques that build up in the brain. Roughly a year later, the Cambridge, MA-based startup has come far enough to warrant a big round of venture dollars. Rodin is announcing … Continue reading “Rodin Moves From Seedling to Neurology Startup With $12.9M Series A”
Directr Garners $617,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f9478e67-2095-4d5b-a49b-00c21db64185 Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Directr Mailing Address One Waterhouse Street Cambridge, MA 02138 USA Company Description Directr is a mobile application company that provides users with the ability to create beautiful movies on their phones in just minutes. Directr’s app will automatically edit/sync videos on your phone and make moving sharing … Continue reading “Directr Garners $617,000 New Funding”
Swipely Garners $20,000,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9f328afc-150c-4dac-baae-2430d7e50def Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Swipely Mailing Address 10 Dorrance Street Providence, RI 02903 USA Company Description Swipely’s mission is to help local merchants succeed by democratizing tools and powerful data that were once reserved only for big businesses. Our goal is to package these tools in a remarkably simple and intuitive … Continue reading “Swipely Garners $20,000,000 Series C Financing Round”
Newlans Secures $5,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6433efef-14fe-461e-861f-2f9608ad8bed Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Newlans Mailing Address 43 Nagog Park Acton, MA 01720 USA Company Description Newlans is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in reconfigurable broadband analog signal processing solutions. These innovative products break the inflexibility of today’s fixed frequency RF systems, expanding their capabilities while reducing cost, size and power … Continue reading “Newlans Secures $5,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
Rodin Therapeutics Lands $12,900,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=275f1d90-6efc-4422-9cd5-b99e7d3c2081 Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Rodin Therapeutics Mailing Address Undisclosed Cambridge, MA 02138 USA Company Description Rodin Therapeutics is a biotechnology company applying insights of epigenetics to novel therapeutics for neurological disorders. Website http://www.rodintherapeutics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $12,900,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Rodin will use the new … Continue reading “Rodin Therapeutics Lands $12,900,000 Series A Financing”
Grove Labs Obtains $2,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c5a11cb5-98be-4824-a89a-c3ba5cd18a5f Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Grove Labs Mailing Address Undisclosed Boston, MA 02140 USA Company Description At Grove Labs, we believe that everybody on the planet deserves access to healthy, local, and sustainably grown food. We’re frustrated with the current state of food & agriculture, so we’re empowering people to grow their … Continue reading “Grove Labs Obtains $2,000,000 New Financing Round”
Dunwello Secures $250,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=be0d120f-4f93-4197-8f1f-e32bae51af23 Date 5/29/2014 Company Name Dunwello Mailing Address 271 Dartmouth St. Boston, MA 02116 USA Company Description Dunwello is a stealth mode company building business productivity software. Website http://www.dunwello.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $250,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds will be used to accelerate product development. M&A Terms Venture … Continue reading “Dunwello Secures $250,000 New Funding Round”
Five Lessons for Consumer Tech Startups in Springpad Shutdown
“We fought the good fight. It’s pretty emotional.” That’s Springpad co-founder Jeff Janer talking about shutting down his company after six years and almost $10 million in venture funding. Charlestown, MA-based Springpad ran out of money while trying to raise a Series B round, Janer says. Its digital-organizer product, which had about 5 million users, … Continue reading “Five Lessons for Consumer Tech Startups in Springpad Shutdown”
Hear Founder and Investor Stories at Boston 2034 on June 10
[Updated, 2:25pm. See below] Just under two weeks to go before Boston 2034, our blowout innovation conference of the year. The theme is to look out 20 years and talk about the future of New England as a leader in areas like software, hardware, energy, education, healthcare, and life sciences. It’s all happening on Tuesday, … Continue reading “Hear Founder and Investor Stories at Boston 2034 on June 10”
Prostate Cancer Screening: Seduction Of The Innocent
Many rare book collectors keep an eye out for an original copy of Seduction of the Innocent, a cause célèbre when it was published back in the 1950s by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. The tome purported to show that the root cause of juvenile delinquency in the U.S. was comic books! Sensationalistic congressional hearings followed in … Continue reading “Prostate Cancer Screening: Seduction Of The Innocent”
How to Keep More College Grads in Boston? Better Jobs, Lifestyle
It’s a sad Boston tale told many times. Tech whiz kid moves to New England for college, attends Prestigious School X, and leaves the area for greener pastures—usually the West Coast—after graduating or dropping out to start a company. The big outliers are well known—Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Drew Houston, for starters. But what … Continue reading “How to Keep More College Grads in Boston? Better Jobs, Lifestyle”
BlueConic Garners $4,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7f0e9cdc-ccbb-47fe-9cfa-3594ad1ebbc7 Date 5/28/2014 Company Name BlueConic Mailing Address 470 Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02210 USA Company Description BlueConic helps brands optimize cross-channel marketing opportunities through improved customer engagement. Website http://www.blueconic.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes This comes on the heels of an aggressive expansion … Continue reading “BlueConic Garners $4,000,000 Series A Financing”
Zagster Receives $1,200,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c31a6268-516f-4c55-b4da-3c5549c90b58 Date 5/28/2014 Company Name Zagster Mailing Address One Broadway 14th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Company Description 71% of Americans say they’d like to bicycle more yet list access to a bike as the number one barrier to doing so. Zagster provides bikes where people live, work and visit; giving them … Continue reading “Zagster Receives $1,200,000 New Funding Round”
Mustbin Garners $1,500,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1de9cf09-90f6-4e7b-b994-71817f98d725 Date 5/28/2014 Company Name Mustbin Mailing Address 76 Summer St 4th Floor Boston, MA 02110 USA Company Description Founded in December 2012, Mustbin is a new way to capture and organize your most vital information and treasured moments, answering the question: How can individuals organize all their information and be prepared … Continue reading “Mustbin Garners $1,500,000 New Financing”
QuadWrangle Receives $18,000 Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dc6f6a24-5bc0-419b-9d25-076a3a4dbf7d Date 5/28/2014 Company Name QuadWrangle Mailing Address 154 Commercial St. Boston, MA 02109 USA Company Description Based in Boston, MA, QuadWrangle is dedicated to making alumni happier than ever before and turning that happiness into institutional support. No matter where the winds may send an alum, they are always a graduate … Continue reading “QuadWrangle Receives $18,000 Seed Financing”
CueThink Obtains $18,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=05813d1b-8b3f-4a5d-af69-6b9a3e1a96d2 Date 5/28/2014 Company Name CueThink Mailing Address 1 International Place Boston, MA 02110 USA Company Description We are team of passionate and driven product designers, curriculum specialists, game developers and data scientists. Website http://www.cuethink.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $18,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds Purposes The company will use the proceeds … Continue reading “CueThink Obtains $18,000 Seed Round”