I feel a little silly admitting this, but the word that kept echoing in my head as I walked around this year’s installment of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was “sexy.” NAIAS was all vehicles with swooping curves, swanky booths serving espresso with a fancy assortment of sweeteners, and lanky models draped over … Continue reading “Notes From the Auto Show: Smarter, Sexier, More Fun”
Category: Detroit
2Checkout Secures New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a233e08-6cfb-48f3-a3db-0ee7ee934fcb&Preview=1 Date 1/25/2013 Company Name 2Checkout Mailing Address 855 Grandview Avenue Columbus, OH 43215 Company Description 2Checkout started as a small company looking for success online. That’s why we’re so passionate about helping businesses sell their products online, all over the world. Website http://www.2checkout.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction … Continue reading “2Checkout Secures New Financing”
The Surreal, Ironic Story Behind California’s Retroactive Tax on Investors
A major tax incentive designed to encourage investors to back startups and other small businesses in California has just evaporated. If you sold stock in a so-called “qualifying small business” (QSB) in 2012, you won’t be able to exclude or defer any of your gains when you fill out your state income tax return this … Continue reading “The Surreal, Ironic Story Behind California’s Retroactive Tax on Investors”
Detroit Startup Weekend
Think you have what it takes to create a viable startup in 54 hours? Then this is the event for you. Friday night begins with pitches. From there, participants find other like-minded attendees to brainstorm, develop business plans and prototypes around the pitched ideas. At the end, they present their creations to a panel of … Continue reading “Detroit Startup Weekend”
Michigan Growth Capital Symposium
Now in its 32nd year, the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium draws local and national investors as well as entrepreneurs for two days of networking, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. This year, thirty-two pre-qualified companies seeking up to $20 million in investment will be showcased. Click here to learn more.
Open Pitch Night
Sponsored by Bizdom and TechTown, this event gives tech-based entrepreneurs a chance to polish their elevator pitch. Come listen, pitch, or offer candid feedback. Admission is $5 and includes pizza. Click here to register.
Seelio Obtains New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=602bf8d4-c635-4c67-a5ec-252cb16fb012&Preview=1 Date 1/24/2013 Company Name Seelio Mailing Address 505 E. Liberty St Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Company Description Seelio started with a visit to Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for Portfolio Day – an event where students showcase themselves to professionals in the Ann Arbor community using a paper binder … Continue reading “Seelio Obtains New Financing Round”
Local Orbit Lands New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f1954b6a-de89-4655-bd3b-344590e6755e&Preview=1 Date 1/24/2013 Company Name Local Orbit Mailing Address Undisclosed Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Company Description Local Orbit is building flexible, localized tools designed to help people build healthier communities through better food. Our web platform provides custom online marketplaces and back-office infrastructure for businesses and people working to increase local food … Continue reading “Local Orbit Lands New Financing”
Fusion Coolant Systems Receives New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6daccc9d-852c-45e1-9941-75de01db7e55&Preview=1 Date 1/24/2013 Company Name Fusion Coolant Systems Mailing Address 215 West Michigan Ave Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Company Description Fusion Coolant Systems provides an advanced coolant and lubrication system for use in manufacturing which increases production rates and tool life. Today’s metalworking fluids are a toxic mix of oil, water and various … Continue reading “Fusion Coolant Systems Receives New Financing”
GloStream Receives $1,465,545 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3dc5dd53-50b3-4c2d-a67d-9874938d1b34&Preview=1 Date 1/24/2013 Company Name GloStream Mailing Address 1050 Wilshire Dr. Troy, MI 48084 Company Description GloStream was founded by two software developers who met on a Web site dedicated to the exchange of IT projects over the Internet. The two technology professionals with a gift for translating ideas into technological reality … Continue reading “GloStream Receives $1,465,545 New Round”
Women 2.0 Founder Friday
In partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs, this monthly event is geared toward women entrepreneurs, technologists, and investors who want to network and connect. (The event is open to men, as well.) To register, click here.
Free Lunch Friday Detroit
Startups and entrepreneurs are invited to gather and connect in person at this new monthly event, held the last Friday of every month. Interact with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and more over free food and beer. The event is open to the first 100 people who register. Free Lunch Friday Detroit is also looking for … Continue reading “Free Lunch Friday Detroit”
Mobile Madness Motor City: The Photos
Xconomy held its first Mobile Madness event in Detroit on Thursday afternoon. We had a top-notch group of speakers, fantastic sponsors and hosts, and, most importantly, an off-the-charts group of attendees. The program featured panel discussions about connected cars, enterprise mobile, and mobile apps strategy. Josh Linkner of Detroit Venture Partners told us why Detroit … Continue reading “Mobile Madness Motor City: The Photos”
The Million Dollar Club
I had two conversations last week, each of which reinforces a simple phenomenon that I have constantly emphasized over the last five years in my writings. On Wednesday, I had lunch with Brian Jacobs, General Partner at Emergence Capital. We were discussing our respective startup portfolios, and Brian mentioned that his firm’s preferred stage for … Continue reading “The Million Dollar Club”
Emerging Threats Receives $1,000,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=20be6b05-dc15-4f4e-a276-0999dfd9e964&Preview=1 Date 1/23/2013 Company Name Emerging Threats Mailing Address 416 Main Street Lafayette, IN 47901 Company Description As a cyber security research organization, Emerging Threats pushes the boundaries of threat detection, prevention, and neutralization. Providing comprehensive, fast, and innovative coverage is our top priority. Website http://www.emergingthreats.net Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Emerging Threats Receives $1,000,000 Seed Round”
Recombinetics Obtains $250,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4e80bb6b-c1f2-4374-89a2-a6680a78d054&Preview=1 Date 1/23/2013 Company Name Recombinetics Mailing Address 2575 University Avenue West Saint Paul, MN 55114 Company Description At Recombinetics, we use unique precision genetics technologies to provide scientists who study persistent health risks — obesity, diabetes, cancer, and high heart disease –with the research tools they need to understand and combat … Continue reading “Recombinetics Obtains $250,000 Series A Financing Round”
Mobile Madness Motor City: Highlights and Takeaways
Startup founders, industry leaders, investors, and a high number of young, engaged Detroiters crowded into the auditorium at the Compuware Building downtown last Thursday for Mobile Madness Motor City, Xconomy’s first mobile technology event in Detroit. We’ve held Mobile Madness events to great success in other cities across the Xconomy network, and Detroit was no … Continue reading “Mobile Madness Motor City: Highlights and Takeaways”
Boston’s Got Big Mo in Biotech, But SF is Pushing Back
San Francisco is used to being No. 1 in lots of things. It’s there in technology, and in biotechnology. Every magazine that ever ranked ‘Best Places to Live’ is practically required to put it near the top. Even Bay Area sports teams are riding high, as the Giants won the World Series, the 49ers are … Continue reading “Boston’s Got Big Mo in Biotech, But SF is Pushing Back”
CoMeT Solutions Lands $402,857 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=756f7064-45d8-4299-8620-b30bd6ffd2d4&Preview=1 Date 1/20/2013 Company Name CoMeT Solutions Mailing Address 4555 Lake Forest Drive Cincinnati, OH 45242 Company Description Comet Solutions, Inc.’s mission is to deliver innovative technology that changes the landscape of how simulation can be used in the product development process. Product engineering organizations face increasing pressure to meet the dual … Continue reading “CoMeT Solutions Lands $402,857 New Funding Round”
Algal Scientific Lands $1,250,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cae104c6-a9d2-46e3-b8a3-c0a6d55b0d05&Preview=1 Date 1/20/2013 Company Name Algal Scientific Mailing Address 46701 Commerce Center Drive Plymouth, MI 48170 Company Description Algal Scientific’s proprietary technology provides advanced treatment for municipal and industrial wastewater, while producing high amounts of algal biomass that can be used for biofuels. We design, build, and sell treatment systems incorporating factory … Continue reading “Algal Scientific Lands $1,250,000 New Financing Round”
U-M’s Frankel Fund Has First Exit, Leads Fusion Coolant’s Series A
University of Michigan’s student-led Frankel Commercialization Fund, in collaboration with the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, announced this week that Arbor Photonics, one of the fund’s portfolio companies, has been acquired by nLIGHT, an industry leader in semiconductor lasers. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. “We’re really pleased for such an early-stage fund … Continue reading “U-M’s Frankel Fund Has First Exit, Leads Fusion Coolant’s Series A”
Facebook Used to Be Fun—Graph Search Makes It Useful
I spend a lot of time on Facebook. Probably more than the average user, who spends around 400 minutes on the site per month, or about 13 minutes per day, according to data from comScore. It isn’t exactly wasted time—I’m usually gathering or spreading news and keeping up with my friends by browsing their news … Continue reading “Facebook Used to Be Fun—Graph Search Makes It Useful”
2012 VC Funding Strong in Software, Soft Elsewhere: The Top 10 Deals
Venture capital investments receded nationwide in 2012, with double-digit decreases in funding for new cleantech and life sciences companies weighing upon the $26.5 billion that was invested in 3,698 companies nationwide. It marked a 10 percent slide from the $29.5 billion that VCs invested in 2011, with the deal count declining 6 percent (from 3,937), … Continue reading “2012 VC Funding Strong in Software, Soft Elsewhere: The Top 10 Deals”
Achates Claims Huge Gains in Fuel Efficiency of Opposed-Piston Design
Achates Power was founded in 2004 with the idea of re-engineering the opposed-piston, two-stroke engine, a design that has been used in ships and submarines, aircraft, trucks, and other vehicles for more than 100 years. Such engines fell out of favor with the adoption of stricter tailpipe emission standards during the 1970s. But Achates founder … Continue reading “Achates Claims Huge Gains in Fuel Efficiency of Opposed-Piston Design”
The Problem With Kickstarter
Kickstarter helped pioneer crowdfunding for creative projects. It has been enormously successful. The Kickstarter model is to set a fundraising goal. If the project meets its goal, the money is transferred to the creators to fund the development of the project. Kickstarter collects a 5 percent fee, the creator gets funding, and the backers get … Continue reading “The Problem With Kickstarter”
How the TCA is Making 2013 The Year of the Angel Investor
A number of pundits have been claiming that angel investment is waning, and that such funding opportunities will remain few and far between for deserving startups seeking to take their innovations to market. I beg to differ. In fact, 2013 could very well be the year of the angel investor. Case in point: Southern California’s … Continue reading “How the TCA is Making 2013 The Year of the Angel Investor”
Fusion Coolant Systems Garners $600,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2730a723-6544-4bdd-a019-8d939c0bdd8a&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2013 Company Name Fusion Coolant Systems Mailing Address 215 West Michigan Ave Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Company Description Fusion Coolant Systems provides an advanced coolant and lubrication system for use in manufacturing which increases production rates and tool life. Today’s metalworking fluids are a toxic mix of oil, water and various … Continue reading “Fusion Coolant Systems Garners $600,000 Series A Funding”
Four Startups Receive Michigan Microloan Fund Awards
The Michigan Microloan Fund Program announced last week that it has awarded a combined $156,000 in funding to four Michigan startups. The early-stage companies received the microloans to support their commercialization efforts. “The microloans are important because they give the companies an opportunity to grow and move into the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Joe Locavalli, who … Continue reading “Four Startups Receive Michigan Microloan Fund Awards”
See You Tomorrow at Mobile Madness Motor City
We’re gearing up for Mobile Madness Motor City, Xconomy’s first mobile event in Detroit. As the mobile tech sector continues to heat up, how will devices and applications be more seamlessly integrated into our cars, our jobs, and our lifestyles? What are Michigan’s unique opportunities to participate in and capitalize on this transformation? We’ll cover all … Continue reading “See You Tomorrow at Mobile Madness Motor City”
Early Stage Deals, Cleantech Collapse Drive 2012 VC Trends
They were two of the major storylines in startup investing this past year: The collapse of cleantech and the march of venture capitalists into earlier stages. Now, we’ve got some fresh numbers to help illustrate those trends. A new report out today by CB Insights, a New York-based VC research firm, shows that venture investors … Continue reading “Early Stage Deals, Cleantech Collapse Drive 2012 VC Trends”
UpCity Receives $2,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7179dc3b-f099-4932-9386-1d9cbc3f31d5&Preview=1 Date 1/16/2013 Company Name UpCity Mailing Address 1333 N. Kingsbury St Chicago, IL 60642 Company Description Finally! A web-based solution for small businesses to get search engine traffic at a fraction of the cost. Website http://www.upcity.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were … Continue reading “UpCity Receives $2,000,000 New Funding”
California To Hit Startup Founders with Big Retroactive Tax Bills
California is a great place to live and work, but it is not a particularly friendly place to start and run a small business. In 1999, I co-founded Sagient Research Systems, an enterprise-focused data company in San Diego. Over the ensuing 13 years we tinkered, triumphed, failed, and even tempted bankruptcy. But through it all, … Continue reading “California To Hit Startup Founders with Big Retroactive Tax Bills”
Montage Talent Lands $4,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=96736f05-f091-4d49-b943-b58bf7859f0a&Preview=1 Date 1/15/2013 Company Name Montage Talent Mailing Address 514 Wells Street Delafield, WI 53018 Company Description Montage Talent is led by recruitment industry innovators with expertise in talent acquisition, staffing and enterprise software. Website http://www.montagetalent.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Montage will use the … Continue reading “Montage Talent Lands $4,000,000 New Funding Round”
nLight Acquires Arbor Photonics for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a2ae056e-6dd7-4726-9f94-788573b6bf7a&Preview=1 Date 1/15/2013 Company Name Arbor Photonics Mailing Address 251 Jackson Plaza Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Company Description Arbor Photonics is committed to providing high power laser solutions that increase productivity and enable new capabilities for advanced laser materials processing and defense applications. Website http://www.arborphotonics.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction … Continue reading “nLight Acquires Arbor Photonics for Undisclosed Sum”
$2.3 Million DOE Grant Will Support MBI, Novozymes Partnership
MBI International, the Lansing, MI-based subsidiary of Michigan State University that helps companies scale up bio-based tech endeavors, has partnered with Novozymes to win a $2.3 million U.S. Department of Energy grant. The grant will support the development of new enzyme-based methods to convert corn stover into sugars, which can then be turned into biofuels, … Continue reading “$2.3 Million DOE Grant Will Support MBI, Novozymes Partnership”
Mobile Madness Motor City: WiTricity to Demo a Future Without Wires
Mobile Madness Motor City, Xconomy’s first mobile event in Detroit, will be packed with innovators, business leaders, technologists, and app developers. It will also have something you don’t often see: A live demo of how our mobile devices, from cell phones to laptops to cars, might be powered in the future—without wires. Eric Giler, CEO of … Continue reading “Mobile Madness Motor City: WiTricity to Demo a Future Without Wires”
Why Women Tech Execs Can and Must Thrive on Risk
The stereotypical image of women as risk avoiders is changing fast. More women are occupying the boardroom, making important strategic decisions, and taking on high-risk responsibilities as CEOs, CFOs, and even chief risk officers. As a woman who worked her way up to various executive roles, and now as the CEO of a governance, risk, … Continue reading “Why Women Tech Execs Can and Must Thrive on Risk”
If You’ve Got a Real Breakthrough, the FDA Wants To Talk
If you ever want to have an interesting chat with a healthcare journalist, ask about use of the word “breakthrough.” Like many reporters, I generally avoid it. The word may be good for generating eyeballs/pageviews/ratings, but it’s usually an exaggeration that serves the financial interest of drugmakers and gives patients false hope. Sometimes, though, breakthroughs … Continue reading “If You’ve Got a Real Breakthrough, the FDA Wants To Talk”
Women ARE Running Startups
There has been tremendous sensationalizing of the women and entrepreneurship issue. Self-proclaimed (male) pundits pontificate on how women entrepreneurs face tremendous obstacles, huge prejudice. I disagree. A blog post that I wrote on the subject in October 2010 still garners readership and discussions. Meanwhile, our 1M/1M virtual incubator continues to work with women entrepreneurs actively, … Continue reading “Women ARE Running Startups”
Turning On to Live Internet Radio with TuneIn
Radio. It’s my periodic obsession, my news lifeline, my aural ecosystem. It’s the most antique of electronic media, yet at the same time, it’s evolving as fast as the Internet, perhaps faster. Where is radio going? How will it thrive? What will it look like (or sound like) in an era when every phone, tablet, … Continue reading “Turning On to Live Internet Radio with TuneIn”
Mobile Madness Motor City: Ford’s Connelly Will Talk Trends
We’re less than a week away from Xconomy’s first major event in Detroit, Mobile Madness Motor City. The half-day forum is packed with some of southeast Michigan’s top technology innovators tackling Michigan’s growing mobile scene and the many ways mobile is revolutionizing the way we live, work, and play. You can still get tickets for this special … Continue reading “Mobile Madness Motor City: Ford’s Connelly Will Talk Trends”
Blue Medora Obtains $1,250,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9767ce45-a181-4902-8e48-3a22432c2afa&Preview=1 Date 1/11/2013 Company Name Blue Medora Mailing Address 3225 N Evergreen Dr NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Company Description Based in Grand Rapids, MI USA, Blue Medora is software development company specializing in the development, implementation, and support of software products for the enterprise systems management marketplace. Website http://www.bluemedora.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “Blue Medora Obtains $1,250,000 New Financing Round”
Guided Interventions Receives $250,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c9cca9ee-d4da-4afd-8b7d-ed12f8be4663&Preview=1 Date 1/11/2013 Company Name Guided Interventions Mailing Address Undisclosed Cleveland, OH 44101 Company Description Guided Interventions LLC is a medical device company currently based out of the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE). Its novel technology helps doctors better assess the physiological impact of coronary artery blockages. Website Undisclosed Transaction … Continue reading “Guided Interventions Receives $250,000 New Round”
Marxent Labs’ App Transforms Print Catalogs Into eCommerce Experience
Marxent Labs, the Detroit Venture Partners-backed startup developing augmented reality technology, has launched a new app with Ballard Designs that allows consumers to use their smartphones to transform print catalogs into an e-commerce shopping experience. By using image recognition technology, the new app enables expanded product details and reviews, social sharing, and “tap-to-buy” shopping. The … Continue reading “Marxent Labs’ App Transforms Print Catalogs Into eCommerce Experience”
Feld, Herron, and O’Driscoll Talk Startups and Investments at Eureka Park
Beyond the glitz of new big ticket electronics, startup innovations sparked chatter at this year’s International CES in Las Vegas—especially after a trio of high-profile VCs came to Eureka Park, the startup-focused exhibitor area at the show. Frank Gruber, founder of Las Vegas–based media company and events organizer Tech Cocktail, moderated the spirited chat that … Continue reading “Feld, Herron, and O’Driscoll Talk Startups and Investments at Eureka Park”
Innovation or Litigation?
The story of the year in the technology industry has to be HP’s claims that it was deceived by Autonomy in the $11 billion purchase of the software company. The questions of who knew what, and who did (or didn’t) do what, will be discussed and debated for years. And as many business and technology … Continue reading “Innovation or Litigation?”
Got Cancer? Sorry, There’s No App for That
That’s right. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are no apps for treating Parkinson’s either. Or ALS. Or Alzheimer’s, or one of a large number of other diseases I could name and you don’t want to have. Numerous pharma and biotech companies have created more than a hundred different apps, … Continue reading “Got Cancer? Sorry, There’s No App for That”
Glocal Garners $1,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=be47dc68-a319-4eb3-83c9-1114e879bb0d&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2013 Company Name Glocal Mailing Address One Campus Martius Detroit, MI 48226 Company Description Glocal’s mission is to provide a quality video environment for communities and the providers that represent them. Website http://www.glocal.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “Glocal Garners $1,000,000 New Round”
SPR Therapeutics Secures $5,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b3bb48a9-b8b1-4e2f-b61a-39818e0bf8e1&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2013 Company Name SPR Therapeutics Mailing Address 22901 Millcreek Blvd Cleveland, OH 44122 Company Description SPR Therapeutics is a medical device company that is commercializing pain treatments utilizing its proprietary peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) products. We are developing a pipeline of neurostimulation pain therapies that will exploit the same physiologic … Continue reading “SPR Therapeutics Secures $5,000,000 Series A Funding”
AxioMed Spine Lands $3,600,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0da96fef-4e01-4fa0-9b00-50747052f491&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2013 Company Name AxioMed Spine Mailing Address 5350 Transportation Blvd. Garfield Heights, OH 44125 Company Description AxioMed Spine Corporation, located in Cleveland, Ohio, was formed in 2001 to develop products for restoring native function to patients with degenerative spine disease; thus advancing the standard of care beyond fusion and first … Continue reading “AxioMed Spine Lands $3,600,000 New Financing Round”