The other day, I found a video on the website of the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit foundation. It was part of an HBO documentary series produced a few years ago by Maria Shriver to educate the public about Alzheimer’s disease. The first couple minutes showed people going into scanners, doctors gently examining patients, color-contrasted brain … Continue reading “To Solve Alzheimer’s Mystery, Better Biological Clues Sorely Needed”
Category: Boulder/Denver
Wunder Receives $229,997 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=63fb023d-75d7-40ba-9dbe-518cfe9bcd6f Date 7/29/2014 Company Name Wunder Mailing Address 3156 7th Street Boulder, CO 80304 USA Company Description Helps investors find small commercial solar energy projects that need financing. Investors buy equity in projects in exchange for a share of revenue and tax credits and incentives. Website http://www.thewunderfund.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Wunder Receives $229,997 New Funding Round”
Colorado Tech Roundup: News From PivotDesk, Sierra Nevada, Vestas
Here is a quick roundup of some news from Colorado startups and tech companies, featuring PivotDesk, Sierra Nevada Corp., and Vestas. —PivotDesk’s new partners: PivotDesk wants to shake up the commercial real estate industry. Now they’re trying to do it by reaching out to new, unexpected allies. PivotDesk, which is based in Boulder, CO, this … Continue reading “Colorado Tech Roundup: News From PivotDesk, Sierra Nevada, Vestas”
Innovation Hub: How Lego Built a Blockbuster Global Brand
What products count as innovative? Often, the things we take most for granted. Like Legos. A toy that was started by a failing carpenter in the 1940s, suffered a near-death experience several years ago, and is now experiencing blockbuster growth. So, how did the company manage to stay afloat through a half-century of changing tastes … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: How Lego Built a Blockbuster Global Brand”
Dave Eggers’s “The Circle” Fails as Satire, Succeeds as Prophecy
When the anti-utopian book The Circle, the latest novel from McSweeney’s founder Dave Eggers, came out last October, reviewers hailed it as a “provocative” and “foreboding” warning about the spiritual costs of excessive sharing and transparency on the Internet. The Guardian even called it “a deft modern synthesis of Swiftian wit with Orwellian prognostication.” But … Continue reading “Dave Eggers’s “The Circle” Fails as Satire, Succeeds as Prophecy”
OrthoFi Secures $1,200,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=da642e51-fbb9-4d18-9f06-ddb20f11f4df Date 7/25/2014 Company Name OrthoFi Mailing Address 1251 Bassett Street Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description OrthoFi Inc., based in Denver, CO, is a startup technology and process company that is revolutionizing the way orthodontists acquire, finance, and manage new patients through rigorous analytical processes and cutting edge technology. OrthoFi helps … Continue reading “OrthoFi Secures $1,200,000 New Financing”
Reflections on RTP
Having moved to the Research Triangle Park region in 1987 when my husband was recruited to Glaxo, I now realize that we chose “the right place at the right time.” I started a post-doctorial fellowship at UNC-Chapel Hill and eventually became a clinical scientist at Burroughs Wellcome, and we enjoyed raising a family in Chapel … Continue reading “Reflections on RTP”
Xconomy Launches in Raleigh-Durham—10th Cluster in Our Network
Innovation, North Carolina style—at last. Ever since writing the original Xconomy business plan, I’ve been looking forward to the day when we began covering innovation in the Tar Heel state. Now, I am extremely happy to announce, that day has come. Xconomy Raleigh-Durham is officially off the ground, and with its launch we have grown … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches in Raleigh-Durham—10th Cluster in Our Network”
Venture Capital Had a Great 2013—But Public Markets Were Still Better
In an industry obsessed with creating the next big thing, it can be easy to forget that a lot of big ideas simply crash and burn. So here’s a little reminder: Last year, American venture capitalists put together their best annual performance since 1999. But it still wasn’t good enough to beat the public stock … Continue reading “Venture Capital Had a Great 2013—But Public Markets Were Still Better”
With New $40M Funding Round, LogRhythm Continues March to IPO
Another month, another Colorado tech company closing a big venture round that puts it on track for a potential IPO. LogRhythm said this week it closed a $40 million Series E round. The round brings the total investment raised by the Boulder, CO-based IT security firm, which was founded in 2003, to $71.5 million. LogRhythm … Continue reading “With New $40M Funding Round, LogRhythm Continues March to IPO”
Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors
Building a startup is a risky business. The only way to stay ahead of the risks is to be aware and informed about them. The board of directors, in particular, needs to know enough about the risks in the business to make well-rounded strategic decisions. As for investors, most of them do their own risk … Continue reading “Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors”
BEW Global Receives $14,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b3dda92a-4a5a-4436-b6b4-2763332e4e37 Date 7/23/2014 Company Name BEW Global Mailing Address 5613 DTC Parkway Greenwood Village, CO 80111 USA Company Description In 2002, Robert Eggebrecht and Chuck Bloomquist were visionary in seeing the need for a methodology and portfolio of services to build and maintain effective programs for protecting data and critical assets. Website … Continue reading “BEW Global Receives $14,000,000 New Funding”
LogRhythm Obtains $40,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e579c4b0-ab6c-4e4e-af91-776da50bc066 Date 7/22/2014 Company Name LogRhythm Mailing Address 4780 Pearl East Circle Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description LogRhythm’s comprehensive log management and analysis software helps companies to efficiently comply with government regulations, secure their networks and optimize their IT infrastructure. Website http://www.logrhythm.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $40,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “LogRhythm Obtains $40,000,000 New Financing”
Ping Identity Unveils Mobile App, Strategy for “Post-Password Era”
With new, increasingly dangerous computer and network security threats continuously emerging, it’s difficult to imagine life without that most basic, universal security measure—the password. But that’s exactly what Ping Identity, a Denver-based network security company, is trying to create. In the process, it wants to capture a piece of the $40 billion IT security market … Continue reading “Ping Identity Unveils Mobile App, Strategy for “Post-Password Era””
Starting Unicorn Companies: FireEye
Last November, Cowboy Ventures’ Ailene Lee wrote a post on Techcrunch titled Welcome To The Unicorn Club: Learning From Billion-Dollar Startups. In it, she offered a list of companies that have had billion dollar exits, and analyzed some of the common threads. In this series, I would like to look at some of the ‘unicorn’ … Continue reading “Starting Unicorn Companies: FireEye”
Sexism and Misogyny in Tech: How Investors Can Help Drive Change
The image of some technology startups has been tarnished of late by bad behavior. It might be up to investors who are board members to ensure changes get made. Accusations of sexism and misogyny have circled Tinder, the dating-app startup owned by IAC. If the charges prove to be true, it is just one recent … Continue reading “Sexism and Misogyny in Tech: How Investors Can Help Drive Change”
nVoq Secures $4,450,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=58f8f12d-d303-4274-9b11-7f98abe1ca66 Date 7/21/2014 Company Name nVoq Mailing Address 2580 55th Street Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description nVoq has created a suite of applications that call centers use to increase the productivity of their telephone agents. Website http://www.nvoq.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,450,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes … Continue reading “nVoq Secures $4,450,000 New Financing”
Colorado Startups Raise $151M in Q2 as National VC Investments Surge
The amount venture capitalists are betting on startups is approaching highs last seen during the dot-com era, and Colorado’s emerging companies continue to hold their own. Colorado companies raised $150.8 million from venture capital firms during the second quarter, according to the MoneyTree report that was released Friday. The amount is nearly a 34 percent … Continue reading “Colorado Startups Raise $151M in Q2 as National VC Investments Surge”
Number of Investments in Colorado Companies Reaches Five Year High
Last year was almost a billion-dollar year for Colorado’s venture-backed companies, and over the past five years investors have bet $4.2 billion on emerging companies in the state. That’s according to CB Insights, a New York City-based company that tracks venture capital and private equity investments. The firm released a report this week taking a … Continue reading “Number of Investments in Colorado Companies Reaches Five Year High”
There Was Life Before Smartphones, But Who Can Remember It?
I’m lakeside this week in northern Michigan, hanging out with my extended family. It’s been interesting to observe my six-year-old nephew, who won’t go anywhere without a Power Rangers Megaforce robot in one hand and a Ty Monstaz plush toy in the other. They’re right beside him at the breakfast table, on the dock, at … Continue reading “There Was Life Before Smartphones, But Who Can Remember It?”
Mega Deals (Like Uber) Boost Venture Funding to $13B
Venture capital investors pumped almost $13 billion into 1,114 U.S. startups in the second quarter—marking the highest level of VC funding in 13 years, according to the MoneyTree Report being released today. While the number of deals is comparable with recent quarters, the $12.97 billion VCs deployed this spring was a third more than the … Continue reading “Mega Deals (Like Uber) Boost Venture Funding to $13B”
Expansion of Microsoft Research—Analysis and Download of 1997 Plan
“We are about to embark on a nearly unprecedented adventure—expanding Microsoft’s investment in research by at least a factor of three.“ So begins the May 1997 memo written by Nathan Myhrvold, architect of Microsoft Research (MSR), a little over five and a half years after the renowned research organization was created. The memo, labeled Microsoft … Continue reading “Expansion of Microsoft Research—Analysis and Download of 1997 Plan”
The Generation Gap in the Tablet Creation/Consumption Debate
The iPad launched in March of 2010 starting the modern tablet era and the debate about what tablets are best for: creation or consumption. While the iPad dominated tablet sales through 2012, in the last couple of years Android- and Windows-based tablets have eaten away at Apple’s dominance. As the tablet market grows, the creation … Continue reading “The Generation Gap in the Tablet Creation/Consumption Debate”
Billtrust Acquires Open Scan Technologies for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e272f941-68ef-4291-a928-8f2edf65e29d Date 7/17/2014 Company Name Open Scan Technologies Mailing Address 574 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204 USA Company Description Open Scan provides leading-edge cash application automation solutions and services that dramatically improve performance and efficiency of processing enterprise receivables and payables. Website http://www.openscan.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round … Continue reading “Billtrust Acquires Open Scan Technologies for Undisclosed Sum”
The Mid-Stage VC Funding Gap, By the Numbers
In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about the “Series A crunch” for tech startups—lots of companies get seed funding but can’t raise a first venture round. Now we’re hearing more about a mid-stage funding bottleneck, typically at the Series B and C venture stages. A recent tech funding deal in Boston highlighted the issue … Continue reading “The Mid-Stage VC Funding Gap, By the Numbers”
Who Needs Biotech VCs, Anyway?
Welcome to In Translation, and thanks for reading. As a companion to Xconomy’s regular life sciences coverage, this new column provides me with a chance to dive a little more deeply into strategic, cultural, and scientific topics around the biotech world, and bring more of my own point of view to bear. I welcome and … Continue reading “Who Needs Biotech VCs, Anyway?”
Techstars Boulder Welcomes 13 Startups to Latest Accelerator Program
Techstars has announced the 13 startups that made the cut for selection to this year’s Boulder program. The startups begin work today and have three months to work on their products, meet with mentors, and refine their pitches to investors. Nicole Glaros, who is back in charge after helping to manage Techstars New York for … Continue reading “Techstars Boulder Welcomes 13 Startups to Latest Accelerator Program”
Easy Flights to Capital
Rather than dipping too deeply into the tax break tool box to attract new business, state and local governments might do just as well to make their local skies more friendly. Some research I’ve recently completed suggests that the easier it is for venture capitalists to travel by air, the better the companies in which … Continue reading “Easy Flights to Capital”
Galvanize Ventures Closes $10M Seed Fund With Eye to Change Venture
The vision behind Galvanize has always been, in the words of its co-founder and CEO Jim Deters, “f—ing audacious.” The latest evidence is the $10.2 million fund raised by Galvanize Ventures to make seed and early stage investments in startups around the country—and, in the eyes of Deters and company, put a new twist on … Continue reading “Galvanize Ventures Closes $10M Seed Fund With Eye to Change Venture”
Stealth Mode is the New Sweet Spot for Some Biotechs
This post was co-authored by Sultan Meghji. In biotech’s early days, telling a story to a wide audience used to be part of the path to success. Founders would share a compelling early narrative to potential investors, reporters, and just about anyone else who would listen. Nature papers were the coin of the realm. But … Continue reading “Stealth Mode is the New Sweet Spot for Some Biotechs”
Shareable Social Receives $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fcdb1aec-e3f4-42ec-bd0c-0203f7890f1c Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Shareable Social Mailing Address 6000 E Evans Ave. Denver, CO 80222 USA Company Description Creates and posts social media content for small and midsize businesses. Website http://www.shareablesocial.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds Purposes The company will use the proceeds to accelerate its … Continue reading “Shareable Social Receives $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Loop Lands $118,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2a06cebc-047e-42e3-a42f-2dfb34a09415 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Loop Mailing Address Undisclosed Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description An all-in-one home security sensor. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds Purposes The company will use the proceeds to accelerate its initial development. M&A Terms Venture Investor
Varsity Receives $118,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=64ee56c2-21c0-42bf-afe0-4ea4282b7e43 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Varsity Mailing Address 1555 Broadway Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description Varsity is a mobile application that helps students discover what they love through a personalized feed of events, clubs, and classes based on their interests. Website http://www.getvarsity.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round Seed … Continue reading “Varsity Receives $118,000 Seed Financing Round”
Wunder Secures $118,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=afe84cd7-eafb-4c40-b896-8260aeca246a Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Wunder Mailing Address 3156 7th Street Boulder, CO 80304 USA Company Description Helps investors find small commercial solar energy projects that need financing. Investors buy equity in projects in exchange for a share of revenue and tax credits and incentives. Website http://www.thewunderfund.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Wunder Secures $118,000 Seed Funding”
Kapta Garners $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=177ccded-22a8-4068-90e9-acede8665444 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Kapta Mailing Address 4645 Broadway Boulder, CO 80304 USA Company Description Kapta helps you reach that place where your stakeholders, executives, management , team and customers are all happy — and aligned with the direction you’re headed. Website http://www.kaptasystems.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Kapta Garners $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Lassy Project Lands $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bad6a1c1-a3ef-453c-8368-b2f96a3a7ca4 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Lassy Project Mailing Address Undisclosed Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description Mobile app that helps parents track the whereabouts of their children and inform the community and police when a child is missing. The Lassy Project was part of the Techstars Risingstars mentorship program for entrepreneurs that … Continue reading “Lassy Project Lands $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Sportsy Receives $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8773db8e-82f9-4d26-817a-e9a2b5224bd0 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Sportsy Mailing Address Undisclosed Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description Sportsy makes it fun to learn, practice and become better at key soccer skills. Designed for players just starting out and those who want to take their skills to the next level. Website http://www.sportsy.com Transaction Type Accelerator … Continue reading “Sportsy Receives $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Wellhire Secures $118,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=92063609-52cb-4cd2-a7da-f31cfa816623 Date 7/14/2014 Company Name Wellhire Mailing Address 1245 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description More than just employment tests, Wellhire allows you to qualify interested candidates directly from your online job postings- without exchanging a single email. Website http://www.wellhire.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds … Continue reading “Wellhire Secures $118,000 Seed Funding”
Boston Vs. San Francisco: Two Cultures of Innovation
Let’s say you’re an ambitious, creative professional or entrepreneur working in the United States. You’re interested in technology, you have the luxury of mobility, and you want to be close to the center of things. Which city should you choose as your home? If you’re attracted to a specific sub-field, the answer may be obvious. … Continue reading “Boston Vs. San Francisco: Two Cultures of Innovation”
Orbotix Receives $996,670 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=20c29534-957d-4160-8a35-7af17da24e85 Date 7/11/2014 Company Name Orbotix Mailing Address 4772 Walnut St. Boulder, CO 80301 USA Company Description We create connected toys, fusing emerging technology with the latest innovations in robotics to offer a new kind of open play experience. With our smart robots and open software we hope to inspire the next … Continue reading “Orbotix Receives $996,670 New Financing”
Big Late-Stage Deals and Unicorns Drive U.S. Venture Activity Higher
Two years ago, VC firms shrugged off sluggish economic conditions to invest $8.1 billion in 812 U.S. deals in the second quarter. It was the highest total in more than a decade—and represented a high water mark for venture dollars invested that stood until the first quarter of this year. Now a surge in venture … Continue reading “Big Late-Stage Deals and Unicorns Drive U.S. Venture Activity Higher”
Sun Continues to Shine for Denver Social Media Startup Wayin
It wasn’t a surprise when Wayin, the Denver-based social media startup co-founded by former Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy, announced Wednesday it just closed a $13.1 million Series C round. Wayin’s fundraising news has been out there since last month, when the company filed documents with the SEC after partially closing the round. But the … Continue reading “Sun Continues to Shine for Denver Social Media Startup Wayin”
Brazil: Ready for Future Growth in Health Care
The eyes of the world are on Brazil. It is one of the most dynamic countries in the southern hemisphere; the sixth-largest economy in the world; and host of the World Cup, now drawing to a close. In 2016, Brazil will host the Summer Olympics. The World Cup is bringing attention to Brazil, and being … Continue reading “Brazil: Ready for Future Growth in Health Care”
Wayin Secures $13,100,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fb37ae1c-996f-457b-91e6-6b478ff72973 Date 7/9/2014 Company Name Wayin Mailing Address 1623 Blake Street Denver, CO 80202 USA Company Description Wayin, based in Denver, is a leading mobile and web engagement platform that enables conversations between individuals, brands, and enterprises with their fans, customers and employees. Website http://www.wayin.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $13,100,000 … Continue reading “Wayin Secures $13,100,000 New Round”
The Path of Our Lives
“Some men see things as they are and say, why; I dream things that never were and say, why not?” —George Bernard Shaw (paraphrased by Ted Kennedy) I got a call that reminded me that most people live their life as if it’s predestined—but some live theirs fighting to change it. At 19 I joined … Continue reading “The Path of Our Lives”
UniEnergy Technologies Goes from Molecules to Megawatts
Vanadium, in the eyes of energy storage innovators, is a lovely, generous element, even though it’s often found in some dirty places. It is named for a Norse goddess of beauty. Its color, when dissolved in an electrolyte solution, changes from lilac to green to blue to yellow as it easily gives and takes electrons, … Continue reading “UniEnergy Technologies Goes from Molecules to Megawatts”
Trust but Verify: When Customer Feedback is Not Enough
[Editor’s Note: If you’re following the methodology laid out by startup strategy guru and Xconomist Steve Blank, you have begun with a hypothesis about a customer need or problem. Then you develop a “mininum viable product” (MVP), a prototype with the smallest possible feature set that still shows potential customers how your idea can help … Continue reading “Trust but Verify: When Customer Feedback is Not Enough”
Innovation Hub: The American Economy Is in Better Shape Than Ever
Despite increasingly good job numbers, pessimism about the economy persists. According to Gallup, almost 60 percent of Americans think the economy is still getting worse. Last week, Clayton Christensen told Innovation Hub that America was on its way to becoming Japan—a country that has been wrestling with stagnation for a quarter century. But Joel Kurtzman, … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: The American Economy Is in Better Shape Than Ever”
Rally Fit Receives $20,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=80411673-4cfe-4091-8d5c-c355f4a9136e Date 7/3/2014 Company Name Rally Fit Mailing Address Undisclosed Boulder, CO 80302 USA Company Description Rally Fit: Leveraging the power of wearable activity tracking devices (e.g., Fitbit, Jawbone, Withings) through an all-inclusive social media Web application. Founded by an Iron Yard Academy alumni. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $20,000 … Continue reading “Rally Fit Receives $20,000 Seed Financing Round”
GlobeImmune Garners $15,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f9206fa2-9096-4de0-bdfa-0b17afcee0ca Date 7/2/2014 Company Name GlobeImmune Mailing Address 1450 Infinite Drive Louisville, CO 80027 USA Company Description GlobeImmune, Inc. (NASDAQ: GBIM), is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery, development and manufacturing of potent, targeted molecular immunotherapy products called Tarmogens for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Website http://www.globeimmune.com Transaction Type IPO … Continue reading “GlobeImmune Garners $15,000,000 New Financing”