A new workshop opened last week in New York where developers can fine- tune their blockchain software. IBM has set up a Bluemix Garage in SoHo within a Galvanize campus that also just opened in town. The “garage” is a place where local developers, from startups and enterprises alike, can collaborate with tech experts and use … Continue reading “IBM Opens Bluemix Garage in NY for Devs Working on Blockchain Tech”
Category: Boulder/Denver
Affordable Homes Through Software and Design: The Rising Barn Story
San Antonio—The founders of Rising Barn didn’t even know each other when they started working on what would become their San Antonio, TX-based company, which uses software to build affordable housing with designs developed by an architect. Pegy Brimhall is the architect. She wanted to take her expertise in designing manageable, easily constructible skyscrapers for … Continue reading “Affordable Homes Through Software and Design: The Rising Barn Story”
3 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know about Indiana Innovation
People who live outside of Indiana probably know a few things about it: The Indianapolis 500, a.k.a. “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is run every Memorial Day weekend; Indiana limestone was used to build the Empire State Building, the National Cathedral, and the Pentagon; and Indiana sugar cream pie is the best dessert ever. But … Continue reading “3 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know about Indiana Innovation”
Xconomy’s Top Innovation Stories of the Half Year
Here we are at the midpoint of 2016 already. Time to look back on the past six months—and some of the top stories of the year so far. The following represent a cross-section of what Xconomy offers on a daily basis: in-depth reporting from the front lines of technology and business innovation; coverage from 11 … Continue reading “Xconomy’s Top Innovation Stories of the Half Year”
Milestones of Innovation 12: Overflight Of Russia’s Ultimate Weapons
Sixty years ago, on the Fourth of July, 1956, the American President gained a capacity that has never been lost: clear pictures from above of Russia’s thermonuclear weapons delivery system. Because the images ended up shrinking the world’s appetite for tools of ultimate destruction, it is hard to think of a more significant innovation. The … Continue reading “Milestones of Innovation 12: Overflight Of Russia’s Ultimate Weapons”
Biotech Roundup: Moonshots, Pink Slips, Gilead, Brexit & More
The word of the week was “moonshot,” as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s cancer initiative convened a summit in Washington, DC. At the gathering, Biden took verbal shots at scofflaw cancer researchers and at drug prices, while the FDA said it would take a shot at restructuring the way it evaluates oncology products. Gilead Sciences … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Moonshots, Pink Slips, Gilead, Brexit & More”
Why Finance Should Take a Page Out of the Credit Card Industry’s Book
U.S. federal and financial regulators recently advised banks nationwide to assess the strength of their safeguards against cyber fraud. The warning comes after a string of cyber heists and attempted heists against banks around the world, including the $81 million theft from the Bangladesh central bank. These crimes have opened the financial industry’s eyes to … Continue reading “Why Finance Should Take a Page Out of the Credit Card Industry’s Book”
Riding Moonshot, FDA Will Revamp Its Cancer Practice. To What End?
As part of a national cancer “moonshot” initiative led by Vice President Joe Biden, the FDA said Wednesday it would retool the way it evaluates cancer treatments and tests. But to what end? The goals of the FDA’s new Oncology Center of Excellence remain vague, as does its structure. In a speech Wednesday morning at … Continue reading “Riding Moonshot, FDA Will Revamp Its Cancer Practice. To What End?”
No Stairway (Infringement) and the Importance of Shared Design Tools in Innovation
Led Zeppelin just won a major copyright case defending against infringement claims from the estate of Randy California—songwriter for the band Spirit. At first listen, the opening guitar part of Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven does sound a lot like California’s guitar part in the middle of Taurus. But as I explain in a longer blog … Continue reading “No Stairway (Infringement) and the Importance of Shared Design Tools in Innovation”
Startup M&A: Why a Letter of Intent Deserves Your Full Attention
You might know it as a letter of intent or a term sheet. Maybe you’ve heard it referred to as an MOU, or memorandum of understanding. Whatever you call it, this document of about five pages is a summary of the terms of a deal the parties hope to close down the line. If buyers … Continue reading “Startup M&A: Why a Letter of Intent Deserves Your Full Attention”
Brexit and the Impact in the London Startup Industry
Editor’s note: Xconomy invited Marcelo Calbucci, a Seattle serial entrepreneur and startup stalwart who just announced plans to move with his family to London, to reflect on the Brexit vote. No, the skies are not falling. The U.K. vote to exit the European Union has passed, and there is an enormous amount of uncertainty right … Continue reading “Brexit and the Impact in the London Startup Industry”
Hyprloco Secures $725,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f54db064-9890-43f4-a5d2-9a5ad849d579 Date 6/27/2016 Company Name Hyprloco Mailing Address 1408 Wazee St. Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Hyprloco is the cloud platform to build the next generation of intelligent location-aware applications. Website http://www.hyprloco.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $725,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. 1 investors … Continue reading “Hyprloco Secures $725,000 New Funding”
Biotech Roundup: CRISPR’s 1st Trial, IPO Insiders, Zika & More
It’s a week for the history books. The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union last night, triggering worldwide financial fears and, perhaps, a breakup of the U.K. itself. Closer to home, Cleveland (pictured) celebrated LeBron James & the Cavaliers’ historic comeback that brought the city its first sports title in over 50 years. … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: CRISPR’s 1st Trial, IPO Insiders, Zika & More”
The Evolution of the App Stores
In many ways, Apple and Google are following similar paths. At their annual developer conferences, Google I/O, held last month, and Apple’s WWDC, last week they both announced updates to their development platforms. Google is making major improvements to Android Studio, while Apple is continuing to invest in Swift and announced Playgrounds, an exciting new … Continue reading “The Evolution of the App Stores”
Web Communications Company Twilio Raises $150M in IPO
Twilio, a Web communications company reportedly valued at more than $1 billion after a financing last year, raised $150 million in its initial public offering today, according to a press release. The San Francisco-based company sold 10 million shares for $15 each, higher than its expected range of $12 to $14 a share. The company … Continue reading “Web Communications Company Twilio Raises $150M in IPO”
Academia, Industry Scramble to Fill Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline
There’s a number that has been quoted a lot by the cybersecurity industry in the past year: 209,000. That’s the number of unfilled U.S. jobs in the field as of March 2015, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. And the demand for cybersecurity workers is expected to increase 53 percent by … Continue reading “Academia, Industry Scramble to Fill Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline”
Soundwall Secures $4,992,114 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=260a18b8-8b66-4035-8e27-dda1259544db Date 6/20/2016 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 Secures $4,992,114 New Financing Round”
Biotech Roundup: Kadmon Debt, Hemo Data, Loose Lips & More
Familiar biotech names—not necessarily familiar for the right reasons—made news this week in biotech. Data from a hematology conference stoked dreams of approval, though still on a far horizon, for a couple drug makers. Long anticipated, Walgreens officially cut ties with Theranos, and the FDA both gave and denied approvals. You think a Game 7 … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Kadmon Debt, Hemo Data, Loose Lips & More”
Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective
People start a business for many reasons. Some do it out of sheer passion, while others do it to create wealth and economic growth. Yet, underlying it all is a willingness to take risks. Entrepreneurs and established companies make risky decisions every day in the hope that those risks will translate into better opportunities, better … Continue reading “Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective”
Spruce Obtains $118,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8463d015-3a26-4b4a-9874-32d0f37df414 Date 6/15/2016 Company Name Spruce Mailing Address 4347 Tennyson St. Denver, CO 80212 USA Company Description Founded in 2014, Spruce is a style consultancy with an in-house barbershop and clothier for men located in Denver, Colorado. Created by husband and wife team Taylor Romero and Becca Miller, our mission is to … Continue reading “Spruce Obtains $118,000 Seed Round”
Revolar Secures $118,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d9d5faab-03d6-458a-8721-728e4bbfb3aa Date 6/15/2016 Company Name Revolar Mailing Address Undisclosed Denver, CO 80206 USA Company Description Revolar is the latest innovation in personal safety. If you are ever in danger or feel uncomfortable, simply press the button on your Revolar device and an alert message with your real time location information will be … Continue reading “Revolar Secures $118,000 Seed Funding”
Biotech Roundup: ASCO, BIO, Drug Setbacks, Incubators & More
If you blinked, you probably missed something this week in biotech. The nation’s biggest annual cancer meeting took place in Chicago, while biotech’s trade group held its annual confab in San Francisco. In Boston, there were more twists for a closely watched Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug and a setback for a high-profile drug for multiple … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: ASCO, BIO, Drug Setbacks, Incubators & More”
Evolve Vacation Rental Network Garners $5,500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cfb18bb1-3c1c-4146-9fa7-1926ef9a3c0f Date 6/10/2016 Company Name Evolve Vacation Rental Network Mailing Address 1123 Auraria Pkwy. Denver, CO 80204 USA Company Description We are redefining vacation rental management by offering homeowners better performance, lower fees and unrivaled flexibility. Our marketing and booking platform allows us to outperform traditional property managers for a fraction of … Continue reading “Evolve Vacation Rental Network Garners $5,500,000 New Round”
Tradiv Secures $2,969,633 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3b8ce0c0-7282-4516-aa83-5df916e16d90 Date 6/9/2016 Company Name Tradiv Mailing Address 2260 Baseline Road Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description Our online marketplace connects cultivators, infused product manufacturers, and dispensaries. Tradiv’s mission is to make wholesale cannabis trade efficient, easy, and secure. Website http://www.tradiv.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,969,633 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “Tradiv Secures $2,969,633 New Funding”
How to Make Healthcare Better? Make It Easy
There’s an “easy button” in the hospital that I press a hundred times every day. With each press, I make myself a better doctor. It’s not a button on a computer. It’s not electronic at all. It’s a hand sanitizer. A decade or two ago, hospital handwashing compliance rates were in the single digits because … Continue reading “How to Make Healthcare Better? Make It Easy”
Social Service Database Aunt Bertha Gets $5M From Techstars Ventures
Austin — Aunt Bertha, an Austin, TX, company with a searchable database of social services providers, has raised a $5 million round of Series B funding led by Techstars Ventures as it builds an index of health and human services programs available in cities across the U.S. The company’s website lets users search for any … Continue reading “Social Service Database Aunt Bertha Gets $5M From Techstars Ventures”
Convercent Lands $11,000,000 Series C Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8e239381-079a-45b8-9062-9c9e14d5a214 Date 6/7/2016 Company Name Convercent Mailing Address 929 Broadway Greenwood Village, CO 80203 USA Company Description Convercent’s risk-based global compliance and ethics software solution enables compliance leaders to effectively manage corporate compliance. Website http://www.convercent.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $11,000,000 Transaction Round Series C Proceeds Purposes The latest round of … Continue reading “Convercent Lands $11,000,000 Series C Funding”
Biotech Roundup: Deals Gone Wrong, Ethical Red Flags & Bay Goodbyes
It was fitting this week that, in the lead-up to two of biomedicine’s biggest self-celebrations, we were served ample reminder of the industry’s expensive decisions gone wrong. This weekend, much of academia and industry involved in cancer will gather in Chicago for the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology conference. Thousands of others will head … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Deals Gone Wrong, Ethical Red Flags & Bay Goodbyes”
7 Steps Online Companies Can Take to Manage Sales Tax Exposure
States have been fighting to collect sales taxes from online retailers since the dawn of the e-commerce age. But today, online companies that sell services rather than merchandise also need to be concerned about state sales taxes. Even though most services are usually not subject to sales tax, some states are now asserting that certain … Continue reading “7 Steps Online Companies Can Take to Manage Sales Tax Exposure”
Notion Secures $3,200,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=66fa84e1-7d9a-420f-b44a-6465a035d520 Date 6/3/2016 Company Name Notion Mailing Address 1530 Blake Street Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Notion sensors are along for the ride when objects like doors and windows open. Easily keep a mindful eye on people coming and going, whether a garage door closes or not, if a safe or … Continue reading “Notion Secures $3,200,000 New Financing Round”
A Startup CEO Visits Cuba in Transition
I just returned from several days visiting Cuba with several of my BFFs. No amount of pre-reading prepared me for the wonderful experience. Americans cannot go as “tourists,” but must go on an approved people-to-people exchange. As such, we visited schools, farms, a university, children’s programs, museums, churches, a factory and the like. I’m sharing … Continue reading “A Startup CEO Visits Cuba in Transition”
Colorado State, Meet Cognii: Artificial Intelligence in Education
Psychology students at Colorado State University will be getting a technological boost next semester, thanks to a new partnership between the Fort Collins, CO-based school and Boston-based technology startup Cognii. Founded in 2013, Cognii will work with CSU faculty members to integrate smart software into two undergraduate psychology courses centered on human development and family … Continue reading “Colorado State, Meet Cognii: Artificial Intelligence in Education”
Vista Equity Makes Second Deal in Two Days With Ping Identity Buyout
If you were thinking about selling your company for a couple billion dollars, now might just be the time to try it. A day after Vista Equity Partners announced it would buy marketing automation software developer Marketo for $1.79 billion, the private equity firm has announced a second deal: Vista said today it is paying an … Continue reading “Vista Equity Makes Second Deal in Two Days With Ping Identity Buyout”
Vista Equity Partners Acquires Ping Identity for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4ca7cc0e-3fdf-4aa5-96c7-ee208e3775d5 Date 6/1/2016 Company Name Ping Identity Mailing Address 1001 17th Street Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Ping Identity Corporation’s market-leading sign-on management technology establishes a benchmark in the Identity Management Industry. Website http://www.pingidentity.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms With Vista, we can now … Continue reading “Vista Equity Partners Acquires Ping Identity for Undisclosed Sum”
Is Technology Crucial for Innovation?
Technology is crucial for innovation—and innovation in technology is critical to innovation in just about every other arena. Why? Because it’s the forward march of technology that allows us to do more with less, improving our lives in the process. Just look at how we’re living right now. We communicate worldwide via email or Skype. … Continue reading “Is Technology Crucial for Innovation?”
With Recruits Coming, Precision Med Effort Pledges $142M For Biobank
The Obama administration’s ambitious long-term health study, dubbed the Precision Medicine Initiative, has tapped the Mayo Clinic to build a repository for biological samples collected from the study’s participants. Through the National Institutes of Health, the administration has awarded $142 million over five years to the Rochester, MN-based Mayo Clinic for the so-called “biobank,” which … Continue reading “With Recruits Coming, Precision Med Effort Pledges $142M For Biobank”
117M LinkedIn Passwords for Sale: What You Should Do Now
Last week, a hack many of us had forgotten about shot right back into the headlines. First, the background: in 2012, LinkedIn acknowledged it had suffered a data breach that exposed the passwords of 6.5 million of its customers. What we discovered last week, however, was that the breach was actually much bigger than anyone … Continue reading “117M LinkedIn Passwords for Sale: What You Should Do Now”
Biotech Roundup: Duchenne Delay, Forum’s Fate, Califf, Ionis & More
Memorial Day weekend may be fast approaching, but don’t fire up those grills yet: there’s plenty of headlines to dig into first in our biotech trip around the Xconomy network. In New York, the nation’s most prestigious science competition changed sponsors for just the second time in its 74-year history. In Boston, one company’s controversial … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Duchenne Delay, Forum’s Fate, Califf, Ionis & More”
Strategies to Attract More Women and Minorities to Startup Accelerators
Startup incubators and accelerators represent an important avenue of advancement in the tech industry for women and underrepresented minorities. And while several high-profile accelerators are taking specific steps to recruit companies led by diverse founders, progress is slow in coming. That was evident on the stage at the end of Techstars Seattle’s latest Demo Day … Continue reading “Strategies to Attract More Women and Minorities to Startup Accelerators”
FDA Commish Califf to Big Data Crowd: Flood Of New Treatments Coming
New FDA commissioner Robert Califf said Wednesday that the recent spike in drug approvals is no temporary phenomenon, thanks to a better understanding of biology and continued adoption of sophisticated technology throughout healthcare. “I predict we’ll see of a flood of effective treatments”—not just drugs but combinations of drugs and data-enabled devices—“and we’ll have to … Continue reading “FDA Commish Califf to Big Data Crowd: Flood Of New Treatments Coming”
Magic Pens, Goliath Defiers, & More at Techstars Boston Demo Day
[Updated 6/6/16, 11:29 a.m. See below.] Beneath the carefully rehearsed pitches, corny one-liners, and overall pomp and circumstance at Techstars Boston’s 10th demo day Wednesday night, it’s clear that the startup accelerator’s local outpost continues to build solid (if not always flashy) businesses. It’s been seven years since Techstars launched in Boston, its first hub … Continue reading “Magic Pens, Goliath Defiers, & More at Techstars Boston Demo Day”
InteliSecure Garners $4,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0d2eaf33-3e01-4cbf-b360-4b36a8abf58a Date 5/26/2016 Company Name InteliSecure Mailing Address 5613 DTC Parkway Greenwood Village, CO 80111 USA Company Description InteliSecure provides comprehensive Critical Asset Protection Solutions & Managed Security Services to help organizations safeguard their most critical assets. Website http://www.intelisecure.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “InteliSecure Garners $4,000,000 New Financing Round”
CardioNXT Obtains $1,500,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6e3cb9f4-ea94-4cfe-8ab3-c0e146c3956f Date 5/26/2016 Company Name CardioNXT Mailing Address Undisclosed Westminster, CO 80021 USA Company Description We are fortunate to have found a partner in Solas BioVentures that truly appreciates our vision and mission of helping treat patients with cardiac arrhythmias such as AFib in a manner that is affordable for the entire … Continue reading “CardioNXT Obtains $1,500,000 New Financing”
Meet the Bad Guys After Your Data
Cyber attacks make news headlines virtually every day; businesses and organizations know the threats are out there and that they need to take action quickly because threats are growing in both number and scope of complexity. The reality is, however, that the “bad guys” are likely already on your network and endpoints, poised to steal … Continue reading “Meet the Bad Guys After Your Data”
Software Robots Are Transforming Old Guard Industries
Everyone’s talking about robots and automation. Do you imagine having a “Rosie” cleaning your home, or the next industrial revolution of automation putting millions out of work? Neither is quite reality, but there is a highly valuable virtual workforce of “software robots” working in today’s offices. They aren’t rolling around like BB-8 delivering the mail, … Continue reading “Software Robots Are Transforming Old Guard Industries”
The Biotech Roundup: Immunotherapy Ups And Downs, Gene Deals & More
A quick housekeeping note: Starting this week, we are combining our East Coast and West Coast biotech roundups into a single weekly post that will also include highlights from our other cities and regions, including Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Xconomy’s latest bureau, Indiana. As with our bygone coastal roundups, this new national roundup is not … Continue reading “The Biotech Roundup: Immunotherapy Ups And Downs, Gene Deals & More”
Minute Key Receives $2,500,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a74ffdd1-df67-471b-b40b-e9b6540e9178 Date 5/20/2016 Company Name Minute Key Mailing Address 4760 Walnut Street Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description minuteKEY makes the world’s first self-service key duplication machine. The minuteKEY founders spent several years fine-tuning the technology to create a highly accurate, reliable and easy-to-use key-cutting device. Website http://www.minutekey.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “Minute Key Receives $2,500,000 New Funding”
Studies Tout Massachusetts Tech Scene, But Talent Issues Loom
Several days after one study ranked Boston as the U.S. city best positioned to capitalize on the transition to a digital economy, a new report bolsters Massachusetts’s tech credentials—but with some important caveats that could hinder the Bay State’s growth. Last week, a report titled “Innovation That Matters” drew national attention with its somewhat surprising … Continue reading “Studies Tout Massachusetts Tech Scene, But Talent Issues Loom”
Learn These Tech Skills & Get a Raise, PayScale Report Says
Want to make a few extra (thousand) bucks? For software developers, it’s possible if you add a few trending programming languages to your resume, according to Seattle-based PayScale, a crowdsourcing and data analytics company that seeks out and provides salary information. Developers and programmers who learn the Go or Scala computer programming languages will make … Continue reading “Learn These Tech Skills & Get a Raise, PayScale Report Says”
Shinesty Secures $665,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3f07414a-1e3a-4c22-88fe-2c7e346f64cf Date 5/17/2016 Company Name Shinesty Mailing Address 4841 Hopkins Place Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description When worn correctly, the right clothing can help you make Mike Tyson’s albino tiger purr like a kitten, blow the minds of onlookers everywhere, or even be a major contributing factor in the creation of … Continue reading “Shinesty Secures $665,000 New Financing”