Some big-company-related news to report in the Boston area. Let’s get right to it. —Microsoft Research New England has made three new hires in its social media research group, joining danah boyd. They are professors Nancy Baym from the University of Kansas (specializing in personal connections and online communities); Kate Crawford from the University of … Continue reading “Microsoft, PayPal, Ford, & Facebook: Boston Tech Tidbits”
Category: Boston
Extreme Reach Expands with Acquisition, $9M Credit Line
Some interesting developments in ad distribution and video this week. Needham, MA-based Extreme Reach, the maker of a video-ad platform for TV and Web, has secured more money for its growth and has made an important acquisition. Extreme Reach said today it has closed a $9 million credit facility with TD Bank. The company also … Continue reading “Extreme Reach Expands with Acquisition, $9M Credit Line”
Jerome Rubin of E Ink and LexisNexis Dead at 86
A dark day in Boston is a little darker now. Jerome Rubin, the publishing executive and inventor who co-founded the display company E Ink and helped commercialize the online database that became LexisNexis, died from a stroke on Monday in New York City, according to a report by the Associated Press. He was 86. Rubin … Continue reading “Jerome Rubin of E Ink and LexisNexis Dead at 86”
Greenwashing
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] In both of my fields of distributed renewable energy infrastructure and environmental composites, I would throw a punch at corporations and/or public sector … Continue reading “Greenwashing”
Q4 Venture Deals, Dollars Stayed Strong, Making 2011 Best in a Decade
Venture capital deals backed off just a tad during the last three months of 2011, but remained strong enough to carry VC activity during the year to a new high-water mark, according to data being released today by CB Insights, a financial data firm that maintains a venture capital database. VCs invested $7.6 billion in … Continue reading “Q4 Venture Deals, Dollars Stayed Strong, Making 2011 Best in a Decade”
CaseNET Receives $3,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=da276b1f-9730-479d-89ca-634ae2f95abc&Preview=1 Date 1/12/2012 Company Name CaseNET Mailing Address 36 Crosby Drive Bedford, MA 01730 Company Description The company is a developer of care management software for workers’ compensation and health care organizations. Website http://www.casenetinc.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC … Continue reading “CaseNET Receives $3,000,000 New Financing”
NeuroLogica Lands $12,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3af86df8-8ecc-44fb-b210-6649ed84f752&Preview=1 Date 1/12/2012 Company Name NeuroLogica Mailing Address 14 Electronics Ave Danvers, MA 01923 Company Description NeuroLogica Corporation, located in the Boston metro area, conceives, designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative medical imaging equipment for healthcare facilities and private practices worldwide. Website http://www.neurologica.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $12,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “NeuroLogica Lands $12,000,000 New Financing Round”
From Flingo to Lantos to Shodogg: U.S. Startups Carve Out Niche at CES
For the first time ever, the International Consumer Electronics Show created a zone called Eureka Park specifically to showcase startups from across the country. Fledgling companies have come to CES before and can still be found elsewhere at the conference, but Eureka Park is a new way to highlight them at the 2012 show. At … Continue reading “From Flingo to Lantos to Shodogg: U.S. Startups Carve Out Niche at CES”
Me-Too Drugs
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] The FDA is the easy target for those of us who are in drug development. But what I am most mad about is … Continue reading “Me-Too Drugs”
Flagship Closes New $270M Fund For Healthcare and Cleantech Ventures
Cambridge, MA-based Flagship Ventures announced today that it has closed its fourth fund, raising $270 million—significantly more than the $250 million the firm initially intended to secure. “We could have raised even more, but we decided to cut it off and get on with forming a portfolio,” says Noubar Afeyan, CEO and managing partner of … Continue reading “Flagship Closes New $270M Fund For Healthcare and Cleantech Ventures”
Amicus Counts on “Chaperone” Tech to Enhance Rare Disease Treatments
On Thursday, Amicus Therapeutics CEO John Crowley will join the long procession of biotech executives making presentations at one of the industry’s most important gatherings, the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. But Crowley does have one claim to fame that makes him stand out from the crowd: He’s the only biotech CEO whose … Continue reading “Amicus Counts on “Chaperone” Tech to Enhance Rare Disease Treatments”
Regulatory Overkill
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] Regulatory overkill. We spend so much time and resources in the USA due to regulations that, while well-intentioned when conceived, are set into … Continue reading “Regulatory Overkill”
LogMeIn, Safari, Forma, And More Behind the Boston-Area Deals News
Boston area software and life sciences startups are starting off the new year right with a slew of financing, acquisitions, and partnerships news. —Marlborough, MA-based Physicians Interactive Holdings received a $17 million pledge from Merck Global Health Innovation Fund to develop Web and mobile apps for connecting physicians and life sciences companies. —Repeat biotech entrepreneurs Bob … Continue reading “LogMeIn, Safari, Forma, And More Behind the Boston-Area Deals News”
A .data Top-Level Internet Domain?
There’s been very little change in top-level internet domains (like .com, .org, .us, etc.) for a long time. But a number of years ago I started thinking about the possibility of having a new .data top-level domain (TLD). And starting this week, there’ll finally be a period when it’s possible to apply to create such a thing. … Continue reading “A .data Top-Level Internet Domain?”
Microsoft’s Ballmer Focuses on Windows 8 in His Last CES Keynote
At his curtain call—for the moment anyway—at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hyped his company’s efforts to innovate and compete across multiple platforms. Microsoft announced previously that after 2012 it will no longer give the keynote at CES. As they waited for seats Monday evening, some members of the press … Continue reading “Microsoft’s Ballmer Focuses on Windows 8 in His Last CES Keynote”
With a Fresh $17M, Pyxis Mobile Pivots Business and Rebrands as Verivo
For almost two years, Pyxis Mobile has been restructuring its business to sell platforms for mobile app development, but was lacking the capital to make the switch official, says CEO Steven Levy. That’s over now, with Waltham, MA-based Pyxis announcing today that it has socked away $17 million in new funding and has rebranded as … Continue reading “With a Fresh $17M, Pyxis Mobile Pivots Business and Rebrands as Verivo”
Expanding into Europe for Early Stage High Growth Companies
Startups looking to set up shop across the pond should check out this event. Ireland is the big focus here, with folks from Dogpatch Labs, Wayfair, and Kenexa talking about their decision to locate a branch of their organization in the country. Registration for this free event is here.
The Situation at the FDA: We Are All to Blame
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] It takes a lot to get me riled-up—I’m overly rational, if anything. Outside of the bad behavior we were supposed to outgrow in … Continue reading “The Situation at the FDA: We Are All to Blame”
Mobile News: From Apperian to Zmags, Jumptap to Mitt Romney
Some interesting news tidbits in Boston-area mobile and marketing/ad tech today. —Zmags, the Boston-based mobile and social commerce company, has raised $7 million from Square 1 Bank and existing investors OpenView Venture Partners and Northcap Partners. Zmags makes a software platform to help brands and retailers design marketing and merchandising campaigns across mobile devices, tablets, … Continue reading “Mobile News: From Apperian to Zmags, Jumptap to Mitt Romney”
Foundation Medicine and Sanofi Form Cancer Discovery Pact
Back in May, Xconomy wrote that two-year-old Foundation Medicine was making friends in high places, and today the Cambridge, MA-based startup did it yet again. Foundation announced that it has teamed with French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]) to identify genetic biomarkers for oncology drug candidates, and potentially develop companion diagnostics that would help match the … Continue reading “Foundation Medicine and Sanofi Form Cancer Discovery Pact”
Warp Drive Bio Launches With $125M from Third Rock, Greylock, Sanofi
Today a new company called Warp Drive Bio is starting up in Cambridge, MA, with a simple and powerful premise: Mother Nature may be the best source of blockbuster drugs—if only we can find new methods for unlocking her secrets. Warp Drive’s plan is to use genomics technology incubated at Boston-based Third Rock Ventures to … Continue reading “Warp Drive Bio Launches With $125M from Third Rock, Greylock, Sanofi”
Forma Reels In J&J With $700M Deal; 2nd Cancer Drug Discovery Partner in a Week
Forma Therapeutics has the hot hand among biotech startups in the early days of 2012. Today, it is announcing it has struck its second alliance with a Big Pharma company that wants Forma’s help discovering cancer drugs. The Watertown, MA-based biotech company is announcing today that Janssen Biotech, a unit of New Brunswick, NJ-based Johnson … Continue reading “Forma Reels In J&J With $700M Deal; 2nd Cancer Drug Discovery Partner in a Week”
Of Patent Rats and Blaming Teachers
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What issues would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] There are two. The first is the state of the patent system, particularly as it affects computing hardware and software (broadly construed). … Continue reading “Of Patent Rats and Blaming Teachers”
Par8o, from Sermo Founders, Aims to be Patient-Physician Matchmakers
[Updated 1/11/12 5:15 pm. See below.] “Sermo has been my baby, my blood and tears,” its former CEO Daniel Palestrant told me in a phone call last week. So it was pretty shocking last week when news surfaced that the founder of the Cambridge, MA-based online community for doctors was moving onto a new Web … Continue reading “Par8o, from Sermo Founders, Aims to be Patient-Physician Matchmakers”
ClickSquared Garners $9,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0b37a711-9eeb-4c30-9a39-0b5f56b0d657&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name ClickSquared Mailing Address 280 Summer St. Sixth Floor Boston, MA 02210 Company Description ClickSquared is the premier real time relationship marketing services provider of intelligent, multi-channel marketing solutions creating perfectly timed, personalized interactions across all online and off-line direct channels. Website http://www.clicksquared.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “ClickSquared Garners $9,000,000 New Round”
Verivo Lands $17,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4b1c513f-4524-4321-a1ab-8d737ac82607&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name Verivo Mailing Address 1000 Winter St. Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Today, our unique enterprise mobility platform is used by hundreds of companies in numerous industries – from life sciences and manufacturing to automotive and transportation. The technology is designed to empower the corporate development community, so … Continue reading “Verivo Lands $17,000,000 New Financing”
Neolane Receives $27,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5d87b923-d576-4f5c-bb3d-9756a929dc9e&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name Neolane Mailing Address 275 Washington Street Third Floor Newton, MA 02458 Company Description Neolane provides the only conversational marketing technology that empowers organizations to build and sustain one-to-one lifetime dialogues, dramatically increasing revenue and marketing efficiency. Website http://www.neolane.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $27,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Neolane Receives $27,000,000 New Funding Round”
Zmags Garners $7,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2480cff6-c650-4077-8994-cc307560f2b8&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name Zmags Mailing Address 320 Congress St. Boston, MA 02210 Company Description Zmags has developed a number of unique solutions for online publishing. Today Zmags stands at the forefront of the market and has delivered more than 700 solutions to a variety of businesses in Europe and North … Continue reading “Zmags Garners $7,000,000 New Round”
VideoIQ Receives $3,500,000 Series C Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a06476f6-db72-4aa1-aa59-e495803e8453&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name VideoIQ Mailing Address 213 Burlington Road Bedford, MA 01730 Company Description VideoIQ acts as digital guard that transforms video surveillance into a dynamic, real-time, intelligent system for guarding against intruders, and gaining early warning of security breaches. It delivers the industry’s best detection accuracy and far fewer … Continue reading “VideoIQ Receives $3,500,000 Series C Round”
Neolane, DataXu, ClickSquared Ink Deals in Digital Marketing
[Updated 12:20 pm] Here are a couple of notable Boston-area deals in digital advertising and marketing, each with a certain je-ne-sais-quoi European flair. Plus one more local company worth watching… —Neolane, a social marketing tech company based in Paris with North American headquarters in Newton, MA, has closed a $27 million financing round led by … Continue reading “Neolane, DataXu, ClickSquared Ink Deals in Digital Marketing”
LogMeIn Buys Bold Software for $16.5M, Expands in Customer Care
Some business software news this morning. LogMeIn (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LOGM]]), the Woburn, MA-based remote access and customer support tech company, said it has acquired Kansas-based Bold Software for $16.5 million, including retention-based bonuses over time. Bold makes software for live-chat systems and click-to-call customer service. The move is intended to strengthen and expand LogMeIn’s offerings in … Continue reading “LogMeIn Buys Bold Software for $16.5M, Expands in Customer Care”
Lack of Funding For Innovative Biotech Companies
[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] The most important issue facing Aastrom and many other companies in biotechnology is the lack of adequate funding to support innovative new companies, … Continue reading “Lack of Funding For Innovative Biotech Companies”
Knome Names New CEO, Cuts Deal With Johns Hopkins to Analyze 1,000 Genomes
Like a lot of biotech executives focused on developing drugs, Martin Tolar has long been skeptical of the value of genomics in bringing about personalized medicine. But over the past few months of scoping out new opportunities, he’s become enough of a believer to jump into genomics with both feet, as the new CEO of … Continue reading “Knome Names New CEO, Cuts Deal With Johns Hopkins to Analyze 1,000 Genomes”
Safari Books Buys Threepress, Forges Ahead In Digital Publishing Jungle
What is the future of electronic books and digital publishing in Boston? We might be getting a glimpse of it today. The news is that Safari Books Online, a joint venture between O’Reilly Media and Pearson Education, is acquiring Threepress, a Boston-area software and consulting shop specializing in tools for digital publishing. Terms of the … Continue reading “Safari Books Buys Threepress, Forges Ahead In Digital Publishing Jungle”
Benefits and Roadblocks of Corporate Partnering for Startups
Fifteen years ago, the expansion model of a startup was fairly linear: The first three years were dedicated to building the business domestically. Year four generally saw European expansion. And by year five, the company was starting to explore the Asian markets. The emergence of the Web as a viable commerce vehicle, though, brought about … Continue reading “Benefits and Roadblocks of Corporate Partnering for Startups”
Five Myths You’ll Hear This Week at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference
Biotech pilgrims are gathering today for the biggest industry frenzy of the year, the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. This confab in San Francisco’s Union Square is the singular place each year where essentially all industry mover/shakers—and many wannabes—gather for a marathon week of investment scouting, dealmaking, publicity seeking, job-hunting, and schmoozing. I’ve been going to … Continue reading “Five Myths You’ll Hear This Week at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference”
SimpliVT Obtains $5,750,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b7ca8a0a-789e-4abd-9030-4b4cce176f7c&Preview=1 Date 1/9/2012 Company Name SimpliVT Mailing Address 8 Technology Drive Westborough, MA 01581 Company Description Our intentions are to play in the IT infrastructure space. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,750,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture Investor … Continue reading “SimpliVT Obtains $5,750,000 New Funding”
Avaxia Biologics Secures $1,243,378 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=38e20fa9-fb23-4094-a11f-d2456ef2af5a&Preview=1 Date 1/9/2012 Company Name Avaxia Biologics Mailing Address 128 Spring Street Lexington, MA 02421 Company Description Avaxia is developing oral antibody products for diseases and disease targets that can be reached through the mouth and the gastrointestinal tract. Website http://www.avaxiabiologics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,243,378 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “Avaxia Biologics Secures $1,243,378 New Funding Round”
Blend Therapeutics Receives $2,800,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=04f5e849-4114-4c38-9a60-9d295995e112&Preview=1 Date 1/9/2012 Company Name Blend Therapeutics Mailing Address 134 Coolidge Avenue Watertown, MA 02472 Company Description Blend is pioneering controlled combination medicines that overcome the limitations of conventional combination therapy through their unprecedented ability to hit distinct disease pathways with multiple drugs in concert—at the desired sites, at the most effective … Continue reading “Blend Therapeutics Receives $2,800,000 Series A Financing Round”
Boston Startup Tech Talent Fair
This event unites local tech startups that are hungry for new talent with the students looking for jobs. Follow this link for free registration if you’re a student. Companies, meanwhile, can get the details here on presenting at the fair. Yesware, Sonos, Acquia, Kinvey, and Hadapt are among the companies attending.
Tech Startup Deals: GrabCAD, Krush, Moontoast, & More
It’s probably a good sign for the Boston tech startup community that we have to round up all these decent-sized financings just to keep up with the news. On the other hand, it’s just money raised in pursuit of bigger goals. —GrabCAD, based in Cambridge, MA, raised $4 million more from existing investors, bringing its … Continue reading “Tech Startup Deals: GrabCAD, Krush, Moontoast, & More”
Gathering Around the Tablet: A Glimpse of the Future
How will the media habits of families, especially those with young kids, evolve in the era of the tablet computer? I got an interesting perspective on that question over the holidays, which I spent with my brother and his family in Alaska. Jamie and his wife Jen Athey have two loveable children, aged four (Kieran) … Continue reading “Gathering Around the Tablet: A Glimpse of the Future”
Langer, Farokhzad Start New Combo Drug Company, Blend Therapeutics
Some people set a goal of losing weight in the new year, but if you’re Bob Langer and Omid Farokhzad, it’s apparently time to start another new biotech company. The prolific biotech entrepreneurs (Langer is from MIT, while Farokhzad is at Harvard Medical School), along with colleague Stephen Lippard of MIT, said today they have … Continue reading “Langer, Farokhzad Start New Combo Drug Company, Blend Therapeutics”
Civitas Charts Positive Data on Inhaled Parkinson’s Drug
Chelsea, MA-based Civitas Therapeutics announced today that its inhaled form of L-dopa—the drug that many Parkinson’s disease patients take to relieve shaking and other debilitating symptoms—performed well in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The trial was designed to test whether the drug, called CVT-301, is safe, and whether delivering it to the lungs gets it … Continue reading “Civitas Charts Positive Data on Inhaled Parkinson’s Drug”
Alnylam, Aveo, Biogen, & More Boston Life Sciences Newsmakers
Clinical trial results and drug collaborators made up the New England life sciences news this week. —New Jersey-based drugmaker Merck announced backing a few Boston-area companies in the past few weeks. Its Global Health Innovation Fund led a $10 million financing for Cambridge, MA-based Daktari Diagnostics, a developer of technology for testing small quantities of blood and … Continue reading “Alnylam, Aveo, Biogen, & More Boston Life Sciences Newsmakers”
EpiEp Receives $1,600,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=60b8e541-550a-459c-8954-2a34b2b4bc4b&Preview=1 Date 1/6/2012 Company Name EpiEp Mailing Address 555 Long Wharf Drive 11th Floor New Haven, CT 06511 Company Description EpiAccess was developed as a novel access system for the minimally invasive treatment of certain cardiac conditions, or arrhythmias, in which there is abnormal electrical activity in the heart. Through EpiAccess, EpiEP … Continue reading “EpiEp Receives $1,600,000 New Funding Round”
Linkwell Health Lands $8,264,425 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8a69d34e-50e7-49c9-8663-668c3daa18b1&Preview=1 Date 1/6/2012 Company Name Linkwell Health Mailing Address 10 Kearney Road Needham, MA 02492 Company Description Linkwell Health is the leading provider of lifestyle-driven nutrition programs. We work with organizations across the health care and food industries to design and implement couponing and nutritional incentive programs for individuals with chronic health … Continue reading “Linkwell Health Lands $8,264,425 New Funding Round”
Syndexa Garners Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d3a1c89f-28d1-4fff-8014-b6ad68db310e&Preview=1 Date 1/6/2012 Company Name Syndexa Mailing Address 480 Arsenal Street Building 1 Watertown, MA 02472 Company Description The company develops drugs targeting novel biological mechanisms for the treatment and prevention of metabolic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Website http://www.syndexa.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction … Continue reading “Syndexa Garners Series B Round”
Physicians Interactive Holdings Obtains $17,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e668da20-0b01-44a1-b1e4-db73bc45e419&Preview=1 Date 1/6/2012 Company Name Physicians Interactive Holdings Mailing Address 293 Boston Post Rd. West Marlborough, MA 01752 Company Description Physicians Interactive, a division of Skyscape.com, Inc., is the leading resource for healthcare information, medication samples and mobile decision support tools to medical professionals everywhere. Website http://www.physiciansinteractive.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Physicians Interactive Holdings Obtains $17,000,000 New Financing”
Merck Pours $17M Into Physicians Interactive’s Web Tools for Docs
Marlborough, MA-based Physicians Interactive Holdings announced today that it has formed a deal with Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, a unit of the Whitehouse Station, NJ-based drug giant. Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) has pledged $8.5 million up front and another $8.5 million in milestone payments to Physicians Interactive, which was founded in 2008 and makes a range of … Continue reading “Merck Pours $17M Into Physicians Interactive’s Web Tools for Docs”