Category: Boston

Difra Thinks Different about House Design and Construction

Wouldn’t it be great to design and build your own personal house, real cheap? It may sound like a dream, but not for much longer. Difra, a Cambridge, MA, company co-founded by graduates of MIT, is working hard to fulfill this ambition. Their idea is to use computer-aided design and manufacturing software (CAD-CAM) to model … Continue reading “Difra Thinks Different about House Design and Construction”

Nokia Acquires Metacarta, Massachusetts Taps EnerNOC and FloDesign, MedVentive Gets Backing from Clarian Health, & More Boston-Area Deals News

After a slower flow of high-tech transactions last week, dealmaking was back with a bang this week. Companies in industries from energy to e-commerce to life sciences scored early venture rounds, partnership deals, and state contracts. —Gemvara, an e-commerce site for jewelry customizations, announced it raised $5.2 million in Series B money, bringing the Lexington, … Continue reading “Nokia Acquires Metacarta, Massachusetts Taps EnerNOC and FloDesign, MedVentive Gets Backing from Clarian Health, & More Boston-Area Deals News”

Foundation Medicine Obtains Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7d78ddab-f99b-4703-8fbb-ee0c97c4f585&Preview=1 Date 4/14/2010 Company Name Foundation Medicine Mailing Address 29 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116 Company Description The trick to beating cancer could be a single test that shows all known genetic traits in each person’s tumor, and that also matches those results to the best treatments. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Foundation Medicine Obtains Series A Funding Round”

OLPC’s Negroponte Honored by Lego Group

It seems only fitting that the creators of one of the most popular children’s toys in history would want to honor the creator of the most successful children’s computer in history. Today the Denmark-based Lego Group, of plastic brick fame, announced that it has awarded its $100,000 Lego Prize to Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the … Continue reading “OLPC’s Negroponte Honored by Lego Group”

$7M to Searchandise, Led by Madrona

Searchandise Commerce, a Beverly, MA-based company that provides an online media network for manufacturers and retail partners, has landed $7 million in Series 2 financing, led by Seattle’s Madrona Venture Group, the company announced today. Existing Searchandise investors Cloquet Capital Partners, DFJ Gotham Partners, Draper Associates, Inflection Point Ventures, Milestone Venture Partners, and Wheatley Partners … Continue reading “$7M to Searchandise, Led by Madrona”

MicroCHIPS, Nimbit, and Xcellerex Hire New CEOs

There’s the old saying that things happen in threes. That’s true this week in Boston, where three tech companies have announced new CEOs. Two of the moves came in the life science sector, at MicroCHIPS and Xcellerex, and the third involved online music marketing site Nimbit. Read below for the details on each company’s new … Continue reading “MicroCHIPS, Nimbit, and Xcellerex Hire New CEOs”

Alkermes Files Drug App With FDA

Alkermes (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALKS]]), the Waltham, MA-based biotech company, is announcing today it has filed an application with the FDA to start marketing a long-lasting version of naltrexone (Vivitrol) for people who are addicted to opioid-based narcotics. The Alkermes treatment, a once-monthly injection, is already approved by the FDA for treating alcohol dependence. Alkermes has asked … Continue reading “Alkermes Files Drug App With FDA”

Massachusetts Venture Funding Slimmed Down to $194 Million in March, But Healthcare Investing Swelled

It’s no question that March was a disorderly month. Here in New England, 70-degree days were quickly followed by record flooding for the region. The NCAA tournament saw major upsets in nearly every round (only for Duke to win the championship in the end.) Oh, and a little something called healthcare reform was signed into … Continue reading “Massachusetts Venture Funding Slimmed Down to $194 Million in March, But Healthcare Investing Swelled”

SpaceClaim Captures $5 Million Series D Funding to “Democratize” 3D Modeling

Concord, MA-based SpaceClaim has raised an additional $5 million in Series D funding, bringing its total venture pot to just over $30 million, president and CEO Chris Randles told Xconomy yesterday. The four-year-old startup sells 3D modeling software for non-engineers, and has been enjoying explosive growth over the past year, according to Randles. The funds … Continue reading “SpaceClaim Captures $5 Million Series D Funding to “Democratize” 3D Modeling”

Venture Activity Report Charts Surge in Energy and Cleantech Investments, Smaller-Sized Deals

Venture investments continued to improve during the first three months of 2010, led by a strong comeback in both dollars and deals involving startups focused on energy and utilities, according to a national report released today by CB Insights, the New York private company intelligence firm previously known as ChubbyBrain. Venture firms sank $5.9 billion … Continue reading “Venture Activity Report Charts Surge in Energy and Cleantech Investments, Smaller-Sized Deals”

Mersana Strikes Deal With Teva Worth up to $334M for Long-Lasting Cancer Drug

Mersana Therapeutics has snagged its first big partnership. The Cambridge, MA-based company that makes drugs last longer in the bloodstream has formed an alliance with Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries that could be worth as much as $334 million over time for developing a new polymer-based drug for cancer and other diseases. Mersana isn’t saying how … Continue reading “Mersana Strikes Deal With Teva Worth up to $334M for Long-Lasting Cancer Drug”

SpaceClaim Corporation Secures $5,000,000 Series D Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f03103bb-b7ae-4fca-aa8b-d51ddfb1a5f7&Preview=1 Date 4/13/2010 Company Name SpaceClaim Corporation Mailing Address 150 Baker Ave Ext Concord, MA 01742 Company Description SpaceClaim Corporation provides breakthrough mechanical design technology that enhances engineers’ productivity by empowering them to contribute to, consume, and share mechanical designs in 3D digital format. SpaceClaim’s innovative and intuitive 3D tools extend the … Continue reading “SpaceClaim Corporation Secures $5,000,000 Series D Funding”

From Boston to San Diego, Companies Maneuver to Catch Online Video Wave

Apple’s recent launch of the iPad has triggered intensifying interest in online video distribution, which seems to be reflected in a string of announcements that coincide with today’s kickoff of the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual conference in Las Vegas. As if reminding everyone of the size of their network, Cambridge, MA-based Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “From Boston to San Diego, Companies Maneuver to Catch Online Video Wave”

The Life Sciences Revolution: Translating Hot Science to Business Value in Epigenetics

The MIT  Enterprise Forum of Cambridge is bringing together leaders in life sciences to discuss value creation and drug development in epigenetics, including perspectives on commercialization, partnering, and funding opportunities. The keynote will be given by G. Steven Burrill, CEO of  Burrill & Company, who has been involved in the biotech industry for over 40 … Continue reading “The Life Sciences Revolution: Translating Hot Science to Business Value in Epigenetics”

Tap ‘n Tap Raises $2.25M Series A

Tap ‘n Tap, a Cambridge, MA-based company designing software platforms for touch-screen Internet devices, has completed a $2.25 million Series A funding round, led by New Atlantic Ventures, says company president Javier Segovia. The company reported $1.6 million of the cash in a regulatory filing on Friday, but Segovia says the company has raised a … Continue reading “Tap ‘n Tap Raises $2.25M Series A”

BlueShift Sells IP to Brooks

Andover, MA-based BlueShift Technologies, a maker of systems for semiconductor equipment manufacturing, has sold its intellectual property to Chelmsford, MA-headquartered Brooks Automation (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BRKS]]), Dow Jones VentureWire reported today. The move comes after BlueShift was unable to land another round of venture funding, VentureWire reported. BlueShift backers include Atlas Venture, North Bridge Venture Partners, and … Continue reading “BlueShift Sells IP to Brooks”

Cooking with the Genzyme Recipe: New Players Funding Rare Disease Drugs in Boston

Many people have probably never heard of some of the diseases that venture capitalists and drug company executives are swooning over lately. But regardless of how obscure a rare illness like X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is, investments in developing drugs for such diseases are growing in popularity. In Boston, both venture firms and pharma executives … Continue reading “Cooking with the Genzyme Recipe: New Players Funding Rare Disease Drugs in Boston”

Google’s Cambridge Office Assumes Growing Role Inside Search Giant

If you glanced at the software engineering job listings page for Google Boston, you might think that the company’s Kendall Square office has only two positions open. That would be wrong. Site director Steven Vinter says the office has been hiring aggressively since December. The growth would have started sooner if it hadn’t been for … Continue reading “Google’s Cambridge Office Assumes Growing Role Inside Search Giant”

Games for Health Conference

Games aren’t only for fun; they can have a health benefit, too! Come check out the intersection of the two areas at this three-day conference. Researchers, medical professionals, and game developers will gather to dish on the role gaming can play in physical therapy, disease management, nutrition, cognitive health, and more. Conference information is here.

TiECON East Conference: Winning in the New Climate

This event focuses on ways companies are executing innovation and enterprise to succeed in the challenging economic climate. It features bootcamps with workshops to target entrepreneurs’ challenges, one-on-one networking sessions with the expert keynote and panel speakers, and open forums for advice. The discussions will center on four different tracks: IT, cleantech and energy, life … Continue reading “TiECON East Conference: Winning in the New Climate”

Educational Series: Medical Device Boot Camp

Here’s a morning advice session for fledgling med device companies. Industry veterans, investors, and FDA and patent advisors will offer recommendations to entrepreneurs at this interactive event, put on by Goodwin Procter and the Medical Development Group. Registration information is here.

Robot Block Party

This event comes as part of a nationwide, week-long celebration of the U.S. robotics industry. The flagship block party features demos and presentations from some of the region’s big players in the industry, including iRobot, QinetiQ North America, and Kiva Systems. Come learn how their technologies can be used in industries from agriculture to healthcare … Continue reading “Robot Block Party”

2nd Annual Boston Corporate Innovation Forum

This event is designed to target individuals responsible for driving innovation in corporate settings. Panels and hands-on workshops with consultants cover innovation in arenas such as industrial design, materials technology, and disruptive technologies. Register here.

MA Hires EnerNOC to Find Energy Savings

The state of Massachusetts has contracted with Boston-based EnerNOC (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ENOC]]) to employ its energy-tracking software systems to monitor 17 million square feet of state-owned facilities, using federal stimulus dollars set aside for energy investments, Governor Deval Patrick’s office announced today. The state has put $10 million toward what it calls the Enterprise Energy Management System … Continue reading “MA Hires EnerNOC to Find Energy Savings”

The Real Truth About the iPad: A Non-Early Adopter Tests It Out, Pronounces It Lckig=ng (Typed on an iPad)

If you’re a fan of the TV show Supernatural, as the writer of this essay is, then at this point you might think a demon has taken possession of my colleague Wade Roush, who of course writes his World Wide Wade column every (or almost every) Friday. That would not be correct. But a demon … Continue reading “The Real Truth About the iPad: A Non-Early Adopter Tests It Out, Pronounces It Lckig=ng (Typed on an iPad)”

Nokia Buys Metacarta

Cambridge, MA-based Metacarta, whose software searches digital text for references to place names and addresses, has been acquired by Nokia, the Espoo, Finland-based mobile hardware giant announced today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it’s not yet clear how Nokia will integrate Metacarta’s technology into its mobile offerings, which include navigation services … Continue reading “Nokia Buys Metacarta”

Pietzo’s Bikes Electrify Massachusetts Commuters

Millions of commuters suffer daily in traffic jams. Cars burn expensive, non-renewable gasoline and pollute our air while producing tons of carbon dioxide that threaten to bring about disastrous global climate change. But relief is coming, promises Pietzo, a year-old startup in Bedford, MA. The medicine is inexpensive, and can actually save money and offer … Continue reading “Pietzo’s Bikes Electrify Massachusetts Commuters”

Selecta Scores $15M, Fate Expands into Canada, Xconomy Launches Health IT Channel, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News

With the world aflutter over Apple’s iPad release, it seemed this week was all about IT, making it a lighter life sciences news week for us. The two spaces don’t have to be mutually exclusive, though; a fact we showcased with the launch of our new Health IT channel. —Ryan introduced Xconomy’s Health IT channel, … Continue reading “Selecta Scores $15M, Fate Expands into Canada, Xconomy Launches Health IT Channel, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”

MedVentive Reveals Clarian Health Deals, Banks $10M C Round

MedVentive is getting a big endorsement for its technology for helping healthcare groups use their growing volume of electronic medical data to save money and improve treatment of patients. The Waltham, MA-based software firm has tapped one of its largest new customers, Indianapolis-based Clarian Health, to help wrap up a $10 million Series C funding … Continue reading “MedVentive Reveals Clarian Health Deals, Banks $10M C Round”

MedVentive Obtains $10,000,000 Series C Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=06dc545a-4f1d-4d34-879d-8f17a819f5cb&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2010 Company Name MedVentive Mailing Address 400 Fifth Avenue Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description MedVentive delivers a fully-integrated suite of quality intervention, pharmacy management and point of care decision support tools, all built on a solid, risk-adjusted data foundation. Our solutions identify opportunities for care improvement; manage the intervention workflow … Continue reading “MedVentive Obtains $10,000,000 Series C Funding Round”

MedMinder Systems Lands $1,265,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=695b2009-e5ba-43f0-92b3-c53753d0a4e9&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2010 Company Name MedMinder Systems Mailing Address 716 Beacon St Newton, MA 02459 Company Description MedMinder Systems Inc. provides services that simplify medication management and improve medication adherence. Website http://www.medminder.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,265,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture … Continue reading “MedMinder Systems Lands $1,265,000 New Funding”

Demandware Secures $7,000,000 Series D Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=84c21a45-1198-463d-8180-d9b6ecce03b4&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2010 Company Name Demandware Mailing Address 10 Presidential Way Woburn, MA 01801 Company Description Demandware provides an enterprise-class ecommerce platform, delivered as a service, which offers online retailers the merchandising control, flexibility, functionality and interoperability of a full ecommerce application suite with a usage-based pricing model. Website http://www.demandware.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “Demandware Secures $7,000,000 Series D Round”

Nokia Acquires MetaCarta for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=29c42a3f-e9d1-45fb-9ba7-cab1dbbf1d3f&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2010 Company Name MetaCarta Mailing Address 350 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 Company Description MetaCarta, Inc., a provider of geographic intelligence solutions, offers users map-driven geographic search, geographic referencing, and data visualization capabilities. MetaCarta products make data and unstructured content “location-aware” making that information geographically relevant. Website http://www.metacarta.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “Nokia Acquires MetaCarta for Undisclosed Sum”

FloDesign Gets $3M, Plans to Expand

Wilbraham, MA’s FloDesign Wind Turbine will get $3 million in funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, as it plans to expand its operation in the state with the addition of a new corporate headquarters and product development center in Waltham, the state announced today. FloDesign, which is developing wind turbines with technology reminiscent of … Continue reading “FloDesign Gets $3M, Plans to Expand”

RunMyErrand Is Now TaskRabbit

RunMyErrand, a Boston-based Internet startup that helps users outsource errands and odd jobs, has changed its name to TaskRabbit to reflect the wide spectrum of tasks the site is used for, the company announced today. The website is also unleashing new features, such as the ability to put tasks out for bid by multiple “runners” … Continue reading “RunMyErrand Is Now TaskRabbit”

With “Murder on Beacon Hill,” an iPhone App Debuts at Boston Film Festival

As far as anyone knows, it’s a first in movie history: a location-based iPhone application has been accepted as an entry at a major film festival. Walking Cinema: Murder on Beacon Hill, an app built around a 43-minute series of interactive videos, will appear on the big screen at the AMC Loews Boston Common theater … Continue reading “With “Murder on Beacon Hill,” an iPhone App Debuts at Boston Film Festival”

Biotech’s Second Big Win in Healthcare Reform: A Tax Credit Bonanza

The biotech industry won a major victory last month when President Obama signed healthcare reform into law. Biologic drugs, those developed through genetic engineering techniques and incubated in living cells, will now be granted a 12-year period of data exclusivity on the market, to protect them from cheaper copycat competitors. That will allow the innovative … Continue reading “Biotech’s Second Big Win in Healthcare Reform: A Tax Credit Bonanza”

ThredUP Site Aims to Tie Together Loose Strings of Children’s Used Clothing Market

Cambridge, MA-based thredUP‘s mission is simple: to be “the place where America’s busiest families exchange clothing for kids,” says co-founder and CEO James Reinhart. The idea came to him in November 2008, when he was staring at a closet full of clothes that he no longer wanted to wear, he says. Last October, the company … Continue reading “ThredUP Site Aims to Tie Together Loose Strings of Children’s Used Clothing Market”

Fate Therapeutics Expands its Stem Cell Empire Into Canada

The Fate Therapeutics mini-empire already extends from coast to coast, and now it’s expanding northward. The San Diego-based developer of stem cell technologies has agreed to acquire Ottawa, Canada-based Verio Therapeutics to grab a few more bright minds, and some clever techniques for developing drugs that spark the body to regenerate damaged tissue. Financial terms … Continue reading “Fate Therapeutics Expands its Stem Cell Empire Into Canada”

FloDesign Wind Turbine Lands $3,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9ecdd9df-99e3-40d1-9eb2-25f8b1474498&Preview=1 Date 4/8/2010 Company Name FloDesign Wind Turbine Mailing Address 380 Main Street Wilbraham, MA 01095 Company Description The company develops wind turbines for electrical power production. Website http://www.flodesignwindturbine.org Transaction Type Debt, Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes It plans to expand its operation in the state with … Continue reading “FloDesign Wind Turbine Lands $3,000,000 New Funding Round”

End the Speculation! Let’s Get Some Facts About Today’s Entrepreneurial Markets…

“New York entrepreneurship and venture capital are on fire.” “Silicon Valley is on the downswing.” “All of the venture firms in Boston are scrambling to set up shop in New York City.” “New York is way too expensive for entrepreneurs!” Depending on which blog you read, you can find almost any opinion on the state … Continue reading “End the Speculation! Let’s Get Some Facts About Today’s Entrepreneurial Markets…”

Gemvara Grabs $5.2M

Lexington, MA-based Gemvara, an online jewelry customization marketplace, has raised $5.2 million in Series B funding, led by returning investors Highland Capital Partners and Canaan Partners, the company announced today. Gemvara, which changed its name from Paragon Lake in February when it revamped its jewelry store-focused business as a direct-to-consumer website, will use the new … Continue reading “Gemvara Grabs $5.2M”

Foursquare Is No Fad, Argues Founder Dennis Crowley; Xconomy’s Podcast and Q&A

I may not be the CEO of Xconomy (that title belongs to our founder Bob Buderi), but at least I’m the Mayor. I won that distinction last week by checking into Foursquare from our office on Rogers Street in Cambridge, MA more times than anyone else. If you haven’t heard of Foursquare, you’re in a … Continue reading “Foursquare Is No Fad, Argues Founder Dennis Crowley; Xconomy’s Podcast and Q&A”

SS&C Prices IPO, Amag Gets $60M from Takeda, Selecta Nabs $15M, & More Boston-Area Deals News

Looks like the recent Boston sunshine helped plump up deal flow for the region’s software, Internet, and life sciences companies. —Financial services software company SS&C Technologies Holdings, of Windsor, CT, set its IPO price at $15 a share, for a total of 10.725 million new shares. The price was at the high end of SS&C’s … Continue reading “SS&C Prices IPO, Amag Gets $60M from Takeda, Selecta Nabs $15M, & More Boston-Area Deals News”

Axerion Therapeutics Lands $750,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4eb696b2-b1d1-4cf5-81fc-5e4b4fbd1b5b&Preview=1 Date 4/7/2010 Company Name Axerion Therapeutics Mailing Address 555 Long Wharf Dr New Haven, CT 06511-6107 Company Description Axerion Therapeutics, Inc is a private company categorized under Pharmaceutical Preparations and located in New Haven, CT. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $750,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes … Continue reading “Axerion Therapeutics Lands $750,000 New Round”

Gemvara Receives $5,200,000 Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fc62f817-6ac9-4c0f-af4f-aa8679f9c042&Preview=1 Date 4/7/2010 Company Name Gemvara Mailing Address 92 Hayden Avenue Lexington, MA 02421 Company Description The term “Gemvara” is inspired by the ancient Sanskrit word for wish, “vara.” Every beautiful piece of jewelry that Gemvara sells is available as you wish: customized to suit your style. Website http://www.gemvara.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Gemvara Receives $5,200,000 Series B Round”