With the inauguration of Donald Trump as president on January 20th, the editors asked some of our Xconomists to offer their thoughts on “How could the incoming administration significantly affect your industry?” The life sciences industry has one problem: Lack of productivity. When it figures out how to consistently make a profit discovering and developing drugs … Continue reading “Biopharma Industry, Heal Thyself (Without Government Help)”
Category: Boulder/Denver
Swimlane Receives $6,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7654622d-f0d0-4ed8-b20a-689bb8802c1f Date 1/6/2017 Company Name Swimlane Mailing Address 363 Centennial Parkway Louisville, CO 80027 USA Company Description Swimlane delivers innovative and practical IT security solutions to organizations struggling with alert fatigue, vendor proliferation and chronic staffing shortages. Swimlane is at the forefront of the growing market for security orchestration, automation and reporting. … Continue reading “Swimlane Receives $6,000,000 Series A Financing”
Diversity in Experiences, Backgrounds Leads to Successful Businesses
As a Microsoft employee, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most brilliant minds in technology. The profile of my team members were similar to the United Nations. They were of every racial and religious mix. They contributed their unique genius shaped by their individual diverse experiences. I know the value of … Continue reading “Diversity in Experiences, Backgrounds Leads to Successful Businesses”
Trump Administration Needs To Set U.S. Cybersecurity Mandates
Cybersecurity is the penultimate existential risk to the United States—economically, militarily, socially, and as we have seen recently, politically. The nature of cyber is asymmetric, and given the size of the U.S. economy, our reliance on intellectual property, and the leadership role the U.S. plays in the Community of Nations, we have a lot more … Continue reading “Trump Administration Needs To Set U.S. Cybersecurity Mandates”
For 2017, Concerns on Immigration, Net Neutrality, & Cyber Warfare
I have many concerns about how the upcoming Trump administration will impact the overall tech economy. Some of my biggest worries are as follows: 1) More restrictive immigration laws will make it even harder for startups (as well as more established companies) to attract and retain the highly skilled workers that they need to be … Continue reading “For 2017, Concerns on Immigration, Net Neutrality, & Cyber Warfare”
Top Cybersecurity Lesson from 2016: Unchecked Insiders
An unmistakable lesson from 2016 is that there is an escalating arms race between hackers and the organizations they target—from the highest levels of national governments to corporations and private institutions. And while hackers have many advantages, there are two that are contributing to a rampant spike in cyber breaches right now: 1. Employees, contractors, … Continue reading “Top Cybersecurity Lesson from 2016: Unchecked Insiders”
Diverse Workforces Support the Growth of North Texas Innovation
We have made it a priority since the inception of the DEC to incorporate diversity into all that we do. We have hired a diverse workforce. We have created programs focused on diverse audiences including gender, age, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, and more. We have made all of this a priority not only because it … Continue reading “Diverse Workforces Support the Growth of North Texas Innovation”
Trump Administration Should Examine How Dodd-Frank Stifles Capital
A review by the new Trump administration and Congress of the 2010 Dodd-Frank legislation could address many of the stifling, unintended consequences of that law. Although designed to address abuses in the financial system that led to the 2008 recession, the far-reaching legislation had problems from the start. And while experts of all political stripes … Continue reading “Trump Administration Should Examine How Dodd-Frank Stifles Capital”
Watching for NIH Innovation in 2017—and Drug Pricing, Trade Deals
With the inauguration of Donald Trump as president on January 20th, the editors asked some of our Xconomists to offer their thoughts on “How could the incoming administration significantly affect your industry?” When I worked in the Reagan Administration, the “Gipper” used to handle questions like this by saying he couldn’t respond to hypothetical questions. … Continue reading “Watching for NIH Innovation in 2017—and Drug Pricing, Trade Deals”
Despite Political Rhetoric, Staff Diversity Remains a Top Priority
I don’t think the election of Donald Trump as president does much to bolster those in tech working on creating a more inclusive and diverse industry, but I will continue to be a champion for it nonetheless. Specifically, I’ve ended 2016 by doubling our team at Localeur and introducing an Advisory Board, both of which … Continue reading “Despite Political Rhetoric, Staff Diversity Remains a Top Priority”
Political Focus on Rust Belt Could Help Boost VC Investment
Much has been written in the tech industry as a result of the Presidential election. Many coastal VCs and entrepreneurs believe that Trump’s America-first, anti-immigration platform could put the brakes on the venture industry’s core globalization strategies. While this may be true, regardless of which candidate you supported, most would agree that with chaos and … Continue reading “Political Focus on Rust Belt Could Help Boost VC Investment”
6 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2017: Ransomware, Skills Gap & More
In 2016, we saw cyber attacks increasingly shift from external breaches of confidential data to internal disruption of data and services, as attackers used distributed denial of service (DDoS) or encryption to hold businesses hostage. Attackers continue to focus more on exploiting users than technology. Users are often unaware and uneducated about the potential risks, … Continue reading “6 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2017: Ransomware, Skills Gap & More”
East Coast Silicon Valley
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – R. Buckminster Fuller Reinvention A few months ago I was talking to executives in charge of innovation at a large U.S. bank. “Our biggest problem is that we look at all this new … Continue reading “East Coast Silicon Valley”
Immigration Restrictions, Lack of Healthcare Could Imperil Innovation
It’s hard to predict what effect the new administration will have, since we have very little information on any concrete policies they plan to enact. We do know a few things—namely, they are anti-Obamacare and anti-immigration. Decreasing the number of visas granted to highly skilled workers (a likely possibility given Steve Bannon’s comments on Silicon … Continue reading “Immigration Restrictions, Lack of Healthcare Could Imperil Innovation”
Bio Roundup: Crazy ’16, Trials of ’17, Senate on Drugs & More
You’ve probably seen the Internet memes. “When 2016 started, I looked like this. [Insert picture of young Leo DiCaprio.] Now I look like this. [Leo, with mountain beard, after mud-wrestling with a grizzly in The Revenant.]” In life science terms, let’s just say all our telomeres feel a lot shorter than 12 months ago. The … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Crazy ’16, Trials of ’17, Senate on Drugs & More”
Choozle Receives $2,399,999 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fb5b8e8f-3552-4391-b943-bb8690f0b844 Date 12/23/2016 Company Name Choozle Mailing Address 2245 Curtis Street Denver, CO 80205 USA Company Description Choozle is a programmatic ad buying solution that connects marketers with big data insights and real-time bidding across display, social, mobile and video. Website http://www.choozle.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,399,999 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Choozle Receives $2,399,999 New Financing Round”
14 for ’17: Key Clinical Data To Watch For Next Year (Part 2)
We continue our look ahead to some of the clinical data due in 2017 that could shape healthcare practice and sway investor sentiment for years to come. Part one of our preview is here, with looks at key studies in lung cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, and more. In part two, we examine studies in leukemia, … Continue reading “14 for ’17: Key Clinical Data To Watch For Next Year (Part 2)”
14 For ’17: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 1)
[Updated, 4:28 pm ET, see below] After years of research, frustration, hype, and millions (sometimes hundreds of millions) of dollars invested, a drug program boils down to the clinical data—usually from big, late-stage studies—that can sometimes make or break a company. There were high profile successes in 2016. Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “14 For ’17: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 1)”
Industry Needs Common Security Standards to Thwart IoT Attacks
A silver lining has emerged in the wake of the massive and well-publicized denial-of-service attack launched less than two months ago by hackers using millions of IoT devices to cripple the websites of major companies like Amazon, Netflix and Twitter. This ambush has triggered a redoubling of efforts to focus on the need for industry-led … Continue reading “Industry Needs Common Security Standards to Thwart IoT Attacks”
VanDyne SuperTurbo Secures $3,535,757 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ebf34028-2cd7-4ca0-a95c-9a46737fd70b Date 12/21/2016 Company Name VanDyne SuperTurbo Mailing Address 3755 Precision Drive Fort Collins, CO 80538 USA Company Description The VanDyne SuperTurbo is the most cost effective CO2 reduction technology in development today – combining the low-speed performance of a supercharger with the energy extraction capabilities of turbo-compounding, simply by adding a … Continue reading “VanDyne SuperTurbo Secures $3,535,757 New Funding”
What Is Causing Startups to Go Bankrupt?
Many startups have a great product that’s viable, marketable, and ripe with potential. But if that was the only indicator of success, then nine out of 10 startups wouldn’t fail. The annals of startup history wouldn’t be littered with instances of companies like Friendster or Color that had fantastic products, but eventually sank. The truth … Continue reading “What Is Causing Startups to Go Bankrupt?”
7 Ways to Secure Your Connected Devices Against Hackers
’Tis the season for giving gifts. And increasingly, those shiny new toys and gadgets can be connected to the Internet—from TVs to watches, speakers to Barbie dolls. That Internet connection opens up a ton of possibilities for how we can use and enjoy our new devices. (“Alexa, play my Christmas playlist on Spotify, and also … Continue reading “7 Ways to Secure Your Connected Devices Against Hackers”
Another Notch For “PARP” Blockers As FDA Approves Clovis Cancer Drug
Slowly but surely, a new group of drugs known as “PARP” inhibitors are starting to become fixtures in the regimens for women with ovarian cancer—and perhaps more. With the approval of a drug called rucaparib (Rubraca) from Clovis Oncology, two have now been approved since 2014—and a third, from Waltham, MA-based Tesaro (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TSRO]]), could … Continue reading “Another Notch For “PARP” Blockers As FDA Approves Clovis Cancer Drug”
Soundwall Lands $1,500,001 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1cc7890e-6369-4e17-b303-314b946ffb5d Date 12/17/2016 Company Name Soundwall Mailing Address 530 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 USA Company Description Soundwall is a WiFi connected device that hangs on your wall. Using your phone or tablet, you can wirelessly stream music from any service, including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music. Some Soundwalls also come with … Continue reading “Soundwall Lands $1,500,001 New Funding”
Ocugen Obtains $6,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=10941d37-9403-442e-8751-4146081c39e3 Date 12/17/2016 Company Name Ocugen Mailing Address 12635 E Montview Blvd. Aurora, CO 80045 USA Company Description Ocugen is advancing two novel biologicals and a marketed drug product as a re-purposed drug under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway to treat sight threatening ocular disorders. Website http://www.ocugen.com Transaction … Continue reading “Ocugen Obtains $6,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
Bio Roundup: NY Rises, Prez Inks Cures, Ophthotech Crashes & More
The 21st Century Cures Act is now law. New York wants to play in the biotech big leagues. The FDA under Trump will have license to approve drugs faster and could have a former top official back on board as commissioner. An eye drug failed, an Alzheimer’s drug got scrutinized, and a new antibiotic passed … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: NY Rises, Prez Inks Cures, Ophthotech Crashes & More”
Maxwell Financial Labs Obtains $1,950,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=50643054-fc00-4c11-93ef-50ba35272dd5 Date 12/16/2016 Company Name Maxwell Financial Labs Mailing Address 1624 Market St. Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Maxwell empowers mortgage lenders to be more connected, productive and successful by intelligently automating their workflow with homebuyers and real estate agents. The platform is used by loan officers nationwide to serve their … Continue reading “Maxwell Financial Labs Obtains $1,950,000 New Financing Round”
50 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To—and 5 New Ways to Find Them
If you’re not much of a podcast listener and you have a sense that you’re missing out on a lot of great content, you’re absolutely right. But now is a good time to fix that, thanks to a new profusion of listening options. And to get you started, I have a few shows to suggest. … Continue reading “50 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To—and 5 New Ways to Find Them”
In San Antonio, an NBA Star Helps Launch City’s First Angel Network
San Antonio—In a crowd of sport coats, collared shirts, and Oxford shoes, it was easy to spot Brent Barry, and not only because the former NBA player towers above almost everyone. He was also dressed more casually, trading in business attire for a warm jacket, beanie, jeans, and a pair of New Balances. Barry’s outfit … Continue reading “In San Antonio, an NBA Star Helps Launch City’s First Angel Network”
Leaf Grow Garners $2,000,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3d8f280c-26dc-461c-9fda-82d8897099e4 Date 12/13/2016 Company Name Leaf Grow Mailing Address 3269 28th St. Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description LEAF has launched a new plug-n’-plant grow system for cannabis. It requires no previous knowledge, automates the grow process, and saves you money on your medicine. Website http://www.getleaf.co Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Leaf Grow Garners $2,000,000 Seed Financing Round”
Bio Roundup: Fast “Cures,” Trump In Time, CRISPR In Court & More
What a week. The 21st Century Cures Act is now waiting President Obama’s promised signature after easy passage through Congress. President-elect Donald Trump re-stirred the drug-pricing pot with comments in Time Magazine and a reported FDA commissioner candidate who doesn’t seem to think much of the regulatory process. And a trio of judges met to … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Fast “Cures,” Trump In Time, CRISPR In Court & More”
Wake Up, Pharma—Trump Is Not Your Savior
Since the election, leaders in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are acting like they got away with robbery. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index went up 9 percent overnight on November 8th. With Donald Trump coming into office, the whole industry seems to have breathed a sigh of relief that the status quo—a continuous race toward higher prices—will last … Continue reading “Wake Up, Pharma—Trump Is Not Your Savior”
Senate Approves 21st Century Cures Act, Sending Bill to Obama
The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to approve the 21st Century Cures Act, a wide-ranging healthcare spending and reform bill that aims to infuse medical research with new funding and also speed up the regulatory approval process for new drugs and medical devices. With the Senate’s 94-5 vote on Wednesday, the bill now advances to … Continue reading “Senate Approves 21st Century Cures Act, Sending Bill to Obama”
ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More
Two years ago at the American Society of Hematology conference, excitement, not blood, was running in the streets of San Francisco. The cancer immunotherapy known as CAR-T was the star of the show, thanks to dazzling early data that showed more patients than not saw their leukemias and lymphomas knocked into remission by the living, … Continue reading “ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More”
With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill
The U.S. Senate cleared the way for the 21st Century Cures Act, an omnibus healthcare spending and reform bill, by voting 85-13 to end debate this evening. It passed the House with 392 votes last week. After a final Senate vote as early as tomorrow, it will head to President Obama’s desk. The president used … Continue reading “With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill”
With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups
Dallas—Partners with a deep well of subject matter expertise and capital are on the top of any entrepreneur’s wish list. Now an accelerator tailored to sports technology startups might be giving those founders a connection to the ultimate in sports and marketing royalty: the Dallas Cowboys. The new Blue Star Accelerator, aimed at nurturing young … Continue reading “With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups”
The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update
[Updated, 12/5/16, 4 p.m. See below.] If you’re following cancer immunotherapy, you might feel a bit swamped by this week’s wave of clinical data from experimental programs that turn living T cells into revved-up cancer fighters. We’re updating our ongoing cancer immunotherapy trial resource with American Society of Hematology results, plus a few others we’ve … Continue reading “The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update”
This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News
Healthcare news has been coming fast and furious in the fallout of the election, particularly this week. Read on below for the latest on the 21st Century Cures Act, the Trump Administration’s latest nominees, and a biopharma CEO’s warning to his peers on drug pricing. IN WASHINGTON… —The House of Representatives passed a sweeping healthcare … Continue reading “This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News”
Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More
We’ve packed some extra stuffing into the roundup this week to account for some burnt turkey delivered by biopharma in the few days before Thanksgiving—starting with Eli Lilly’s failed gamble in Alzheimer’s disease. Lilly wasn’t alone, however. Several companies, among them Juno Therapeutics, Arrowhead Pharmaceutials, and Nivalis Therapeutics, have had some bad news for investors … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More”
An Innovation Snapshot of Medellin, Colombia
As we fly over Cuba en route from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin, I am already imbibing the upcoming culture change from the happy chaos at the departure gate in Florida. The plane is surprisingly not full and my fellow passengers, primarily Hispanics, are in a sleepy good mood. We will be arriving at 1am and … Continue reading “An Innovation Snapshot of Medellin, Colombia”
SendGrid Lands $33,000,000 Series D Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f2fbc072-7aba-408a-85a3-736639dae220 Date 12/1/2016 Company Name SendGrid Mailing Address 1451 Larimer St. 3rd Floor Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description SendGrid transparently handles DKIM, SPF, ISP rate limits, content inspection, bounces, and spam reports to help users achieve higher deliverability. SendGrid integrates in minutes by just changing three SMTP settings. We even assign … Continue reading “SendGrid Lands $33,000,000 Series D Funding”
VictorOps Receives $12,200,000 Series B Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fd46e978-6bc7-4ab7-a43c-b1f3cd8b3153 Date 12/1/2016 Company Name VictorOps Mailing Address 1401 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description VictorOps is the real-time incident management platform focusing on incident lifecycle management and collaboration for IT and DevOps teams. The solution combines the power of people and data to solve IT problems in real-time. Website … Continue reading “VictorOps Receives $12,200,000 Series B Funding”
Biodesix Receives $5,121,632 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=82c2b9ab-3fd0-421f-b0f4-c8b732cefbf4 Date 12/1/2016 Company Name Biodesix Mailing Address 2970 Wilderness Place Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description Biodesix makes blood-based diagnostic tests that help guide treatment of patients with advanced cancer. Our test results are available within 72 hours. Website http://www.biodesix.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,121,632 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “Biodesix Receives $5,121,632 New Financing Round”
Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act
By a 392 to 26 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the omnibus healthcare legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act, bringing new funding for top Obama administration health priorities a big step closer to the outgoing president’s signature. While critics of the bill questioned whether that funding would actually materialize in coming … Continue reading “Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act”
Techstars Teams with Amazon for Alexa Startup Accelerator in Seattle
Alexa, what’s the epicenter of innovation in speech as the new user interface? A good case can be made for Seattle, following an announcement today from Techstars and Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]). Techstars, a top-tier startup accelerator with locations around the world and a major presence in Seattle since 2010, will begin a second program here … Continue reading “Techstars Teams with Amazon for Alexa Startup Accelerator in Seattle”
RAM shift phase 2
[Editor’s note: Seattle-based sci-fi author Greg Bear has contemplated a day when intelligent machines, which are already assisting or replacing humans in manufacturing and transportation, could do his job, too. Indeed, a World Economic Forum study (PDF) predicts that technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics will replace some 5 million jobs by 2020, while … Continue reading “RAM shift phase 2”
Baker Garners $2,914,453 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6108a0a8-0e2b-4931-9cd9-374454fbbc3b Date 11/30/2016 Company Name Baker Mailing Address 1644 Platte Street Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Baker provides a unique cannabis buying experience from the best dispensaries around. Using the Baker mobile app, regular cannabis customers get access to Baker-only discounts, can order ahead and skip the line, and earn free … Continue reading “Baker Garners $2,914,453 New Funding”
Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies
Two big pieces of the Trump healthcare puzzle have fallen into place. The President-elect’s transition team has nominated Georgia Republican congressman Tom Price to be Health and Human Services secretary. It has also tabbed Indiana health consultant Seema Verma to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In a statement, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), … Continue reading “Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies”
The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money
If all goes well, the day will come when just one small thing will stand between you and funding for your startup: your signature on a term sheet. Most founders quickly sign on the line and get back to the business of growing their business. Smart ones set aside the paperwork, grab their business partners, … Continue reading “The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money”
TermScout Secures $3,200,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=840ad2ef-4ebd-4298-81f0-049fd35e35bc Date 11/29/2016 Company Name TermScout Mailing Address 726 Front St. Louisville, CO 80027 USA Company Description We are intensely focused on sourcing immense quantities of data, putting it through our proprietary refinement process and providing valuable sales intelligence for our customers. The TermScout team maintains a shared focus on providing information … Continue reading “TermScout Secures $3,200,000 Series A Funding”