When Cool Planet found a lukewarm market for its renewable fuel, the startup needed to change course. Now focused on agriculture, Greenwood, CO-based Cool Planet is aiming for the market again—this time with a soils supplement backed by $19.3 million in new capital. The Series A round was led by Agustín Coppel, a member of … Continue reading “Rebooted and Refocused, Startup Cool Planet Eyes the Soil Market”
Category: Indiana
Bio Roundup: Trumpcare Wavers, Amgen Courts Payers, Critics Circle PTC
Who knew healthcare could be so complicated? This week, President Trump and the GOP saw first hand, as a feverish rally to get their healthcare bill through the House of Representatives on Thursday stalled before a vote. Elsewhere in Washington DC, drug pricing continued to be a political football. Two well known congressional drug pricing … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trumpcare Wavers, Amgen Courts Payers, Critics Circle PTC”
Amid Gender Gap Talk, Mentor Network Emerges For Women In Health, Bio
It’s been more than a year since an infamous party with hired models in cocktail dresses captured the biotech community’s attention at the 2016 J.P. Morgan conference. There has been plenty of talk since about closing biotech’s notable gender gap. At this year’s J.P Morgan conference, for example, a group of 100 life science executives … Continue reading “Amid Gender Gap Talk, Mentor Network Emerges For Women In Health, Bio”
Building a Local Innovation Ecosystem
Co-authored with Rudy Gadre, general partner at Founders’ Co-op. Western Washington is already home to some of the most innovative people, companies, and academic programs in the world. And yet we should be doing much more to connect and support our local innovators, to attract more agents of change to the region, and to help them … Continue reading “Building a Local Innovation Ecosystem”
Join David Baltimore, Nicole Glaros, Nathan Myhrvold, & More at Our Napa Summit
Year after year, Xconomy has gathered exemplary business leaders, investors, and far-seeing technologists to our most prestigious event—The Napa Summit. This year is no different. Come join us in the heart of wine country on June 8 and 9 to listen to visionary speakers and connect with fellow innovators. The Napa Summit is by invitation-only, … Continue reading “Join David Baltimore, Nicole Glaros, Nathan Myhrvold, & More at Our Napa Summit”
Roundup: UIndy, Aprimo, STEM initiatives, IBRI at Notre Dame & More
Here’s a look at tech and innovation news from around Indiana: —The University of Indianapolis today announced the biggest grant in its history, and it’s designed to close STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workforce gaps. This week, UIndy announced that it will launch the R.B. Annis School of Engineering thanks to a $5 million … Continue reading “Roundup: UIndy, Aprimo, STEM initiatives, IBRI at Notre Dame & More”
Talking Driverless Cars, March Madness on Stocks and Jocks Radio
I hit the airwaves Friday morning to talk venture capital, startups, self-driving cars, and March Madness. Stocks and Jocks, a Chicago-based weekday business and sports talk radio program, invited me on the show to share my thoughts on some of the latest trends in the startup world. Hosts Tom Haugh and Kathy Dervin bantered with … Continue reading “Talking Driverless Cars, March Madness on Stocks and Jocks Radio”
Bio Roundup: Trump Budget, FDA Chief, CAR-T Qs, CRISPR Cash, & More
If it wasn’t clear that the Trump administration disdained most types of scientific inquiry and practice, the White House’s proposed budget drove the point home. The top-line figures: a nearly 20 percent cut in the National Institutes of Health, and a 30 percent cut in the Environmental Protection Agency. These and other cuts to programs … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump Budget, FDA Chief, CAR-T Qs, CRISPR Cash, & More”
Machine Learning 201: Exploring the Market for New Business
2016 will be remembered for many things, not least as the year that AI and machine learning stepped into the technological and cultural spotlight. Advances in applied machine learning fueled our enthusiasm for smarter, more talkative devices. It impacted how we learned about and processed the news—and fake news—of the national elections. Automation grew in … Continue reading “Machine Learning 201: Exploring the Market for New Business”
Sigstr Aims to Unlock the Marketing Potential of E-mail Signatures
Bryan Wade, the new CEO of Indianapolis-based startup Sigstr, says e-mail is the next great marketing frontier. This insight comes after having spent more than a decade as a digital marketer, including a stint serving as the chief product officer for Salesforce Marketing Cloud just before taking the reins at Sigstr. The average business, he … Continue reading “Sigstr Aims to Unlock the Marketing Potential of E-mail Signatures”
Tax Reform and Choice of Business Entity
Choice of entity—how an entrepreneur decides to conduct the business—is a key decision with critical tax and non-tax implications. In the coming months, the White House is expected to release a detailed tax reform plan which, among other things, may include a significant reduction in corporate tax rates. If the anticipated changes are adopted, should … Continue reading “Tax Reform and Choice of Business Entity”
Cook Medical Promotes Umesh Patel to Subsidiary’s Top Spot
Umesh Patel has been promoted to president of Cook Biotech, the West Lafayette, IN-based regenerative medicine subsidiary of medical device company Cook Medical. Patel has served in various positions at Cook Biotech, most recently as vice president and general manager. He joined the firm in 1995 when it spun out of Purdue University.
Airlines Must Improve IT Infrastructure Now or Pay Later
At the tail end of this past holiday season—on one of the busiest travel days of the year—thousands of arriving international passengers found themselves stuck for hours in the line at customs, waiting to be processed. It wasn’t a terror alert, mechanical failure, or nefarious cyberattack that caused long lines and huge delays for travelers … Continue reading “Airlines Must Improve IT Infrastructure Now or Pay Later “
ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab
Last month, CloudOne, the Fishers, IN-based startup focused on building, operating, and integrating cloud-based technologies, changed its name to ClearObject. John McDonald, ClearObject CEO, says the new name reflects the company’s evolution beyond cloud provider to “Internet of Things innovator”—an evolution further solidified by ClearObject’s decision to be the founding member of a new IoT … Continue reading “ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab”
Possible Cures. Mystery Deaths. Daunting Costs. Can CAR-T Be Tamed?
It’s a struggle that comic-book fans know well. Ordinary people, bestowed with super powers from a spider bite or gamma rays, struggle to harness their own abilities. T cells, key soldiers of the immune system, are wrestling with new-found super powers, too. Certain T cells hunt down invasive viruses, bacteria, and the body’s own bad … Continue reading “Possible Cures. Mystery Deaths. Daunting Costs. Can CAR-T Be Tamed?”
Scott Gottlieb On Tap to Lead FDA, and Biopharma Exhales
[Updated 3/12/17 with more comments, see below] The Trump administration has nominated Scott Gottlieb to be the new commissioner of the FDA, a selection that had the life sciences industry breathing a sigh of relief Friday afternoon. The 44-year-old Gottlieb is a physician, a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates, and was also the deputy … Continue reading “Scott Gottlieb On Tap to Lead FDA, and Biopharma Exhales”
Biotech Roundup: Obamacare Lite, DePinho Out, Dunsire In & More
We’ll start the roundup in Washington DC. The repeal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, began on the first day of the Trump administration. This week, the “replace” phase began with a Republican plan championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). President Trump backed it, too, but a lot of Republicans have … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Obamacare Lite, DePinho Out, Dunsire In & More”
On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth
Last July, former Gov. Mike Pence issued an executive order integrating the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), with the goal of aligning and strengthening Indiana’s efforts to encourage the growth of startups and entrepreneurship. The order included a $1 billion investment over 10 years to help make the state … Continue reading “On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth”
Capital Factory Starts Mobility Accelerator with Daimler’s Moovel
Austin—Capital Factory is launching a new accelerator program with moovel North America, which is part of a company founded by Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG, for startups that have technology targeting the transportation sector. Called MobilityX and based at Capital Factory’s co-working space in Austin, TX, the accelerator aims to give Daimler input, connections, and potential … Continue reading “Capital Factory Starts Mobility Accelerator with Daimler’s Moovel”
Will Driverless Cars Ever Yield Profits for Uber and Lyft?
Uber has suffered a series of troubles early this year, from sexual harassment claims by a former staff engineer to an intellectual property theft lawsuit by Google unit Waymo. But Uber’s most longstanding, recurrent, and core problem stems from its relationship with its contract drivers. It’s not surprising that Uber is seeking an escape from … Continue reading “Will Driverless Cars Ever Yield Profits for Uber and Lyft?”
Toyota and Others Enabling Self-Driving Cars to Talk to Each Other
Drivers have plenty of ways to communicate with their fellow drivers, beyond the basic turn signal. Some methods are nice, like a friendly wave to beckon a merging car into your lane. Others, not so much. We’ve all probably cursed or honked at another driver, or been given the finger. But if driverless cars become … Continue reading “Toyota and Others Enabling Self-Driving Cars to Talk to Each Other”
Immigrants Are the Best of Humanity and the Strength of Our Nation
[Editor’s note: This post was adapted from Mohamad Ali’s speech at a naturalization ceremony at the JFK Library in Boston on March 8, 2017.] My fellow immigrants, buenas tardes, masa-al-khayr, and good afternoon! I am deeply moved by the opportunity to be here today, to share this momentous occasion with you, and to personally return … Continue reading “Immigrants Are the Best of Humanity and the Strength of Our Nation”
Three Ways to Bolster The Innovation Ecosystem for Women
When the topic of encouraging more female leadership in the startup economy arises, discussions usually center on what women entrepreneurs should do differently. How they should present with greater authority, or how they should “dress the part” for their next investor pitch. Put frankly, how they should adopt any manner of different behaviors. I would … Continue reading “Three Ways to Bolster The Innovation Ecosystem for Women”
Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet
Xconomy is partnering with the Purdue Foundry to bring Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to Indiana and share his knowledge about starting a new enterprise. In addition to presenting his latest thinking on entrepreneurship, he will discuss his … Continue reading “Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet”
Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet
Xconomy is partnering with Launch Fishers to bring Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to Indiana and share his knowledge about starting a new enterprise. In addition to presenting his latest thinking on entrepreneurship, he will discuss his newly … Continue reading “Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet”
IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors
Going to the doctor is rarely fun, but the experience is infinitely more pleasant and productive when physicians and patients are communicating well and feel mutually respected. With such common goals, one might be tempted to think the doctor-patient relationship is a no-brainer, but that does not seem to be the case. According to a … Continue reading “IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors”
How Boragen Banked $10M to Develop New Boron-Based Fungicides
No matter what pharmaceutical companies throw at bacteria and fungi, the microorganisms find ways to get ahead. Their ability to mutate and reproduce quickly gives rise to new generations resistant to anti-infective drugs. Fungal resistance also troubles farmers, but they’ve had few new crop treatments to choose from, in part because agricultural technology investment has … Continue reading “How Boragen Banked $10M to Develop New Boron-Based Fungicides”
Bio Roundup: Healthcare Is Hard, “Slow” FDA, Drugging RNA & More
In an address to Congress this week, President Donald Trump outlined many of his near-term goals, including an overhaul of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, even as public opinion has begun to shift in favor of the law. Trump toned down his typical blunderbuss rhetoric, but he had choice words for the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Healthcare Is Hard, “Slow” FDA, Drugging RNA & More”
TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies
TechPoint, the industry-led non-profit organization supporting Indiana’s tech ecosystem, has announced the nominees for the 18th annual Mira Awards, which celebrate the state’s most promising technology companies. This year, 50 independent judges combed through 180 applications to choose the nominees for awards honoring the sector’s best people, products, and companies. Later this month, all nominees … Continue reading “TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies”
Capital Stockpile Grows as Venture Fund-Raising Hits Recent High
In the venture capital business, a rising tide lifts all boats. That’s the idea, at least. A new report released today by Seattle-based PitchBook shows that U.S. venture firms have plenty of capital to invest in new companies, after 328 venture funds raised a total of $51.6 billion in 2016. That’s a high-water mark for … Continue reading “Capital Stockpile Grows as Venture Fund-Raising Hits Recent High”
Snap Raises $3.4B in IPO, Soaring Trades Set Value Past $20B
Snap, which rose to unicorn status based on a social media app that creates quickly vanishing photos, attracted solid investor interest in an IPO that raised $3.4 billion and sent shares up more than 50 percent above the initial offering price during the first day of trading today. Snap (NYSE: [[ticker:SNAP]]) priced its IPO shares … Continue reading “Snap Raises $3.4B in IPO, Soaring Trades Set Value Past $20B”
Trump and Kalanick: Twin Chief Executives Face Similar Problems
In the rinse-repeat rhythm of Uber’s PR crises, it’s easy to miss that this particular cycle has been a long one. Uber’s latest wave of negative press began in January with a backlash against CEO Travis Kalanick’s role on President Donald Trump’s White House business advisory panel. There’s some irony here, because Trump and Kalanick … Continue reading “Trump and Kalanick: Twin Chief Executives Face Similar Problems”
Former FDA Commissioners Califf, McClellan Talk Healthcare’s Future
The top spot at the FDA remains vacant, and the change in presidential power has some healthcare observers wondering about possible changes for the regulator. One month removed from serving as FDA commissioner, Robert Califf says the agency can be improved through a combination of precedent, experience, and evidence. Califf, who served less than one … Continue reading “Former FDA Commissioners Califf, McClellan Talk Healthcare’s Future”
Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder
By pollinating the crops that provide us with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, honeybees play a vital role in agricultural production and contribute more than $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to a 2014 White House fact sheet. However, since the onset of colony collapse disorder (CCD) in 2007, the beekeeping industry has suffered … Continue reading “Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder”
BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana
BioCrossroads, a public-private collaboration that supports Indiana’s life sciences industry, released a report this week highlighting the sector’s economic activity in 2016—and the numbers indicate steady, incremental growth, says project director Brian Stemme. BioCrossroads’ most recently available data show the economic impact of Indiana’s life sciences industry—comprised of companies focused on pharmaceuticals; medical devices and … Continue reading “BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana”
Bio Roundup: Trump Backlash, Verdine Plans, Sarepta Sale & More
A short week makes for a shorter roundup. As we’ve come to expect, however, there was no dearth of health and life-sciences news from Washington, D.C. A bipartisan group of Congress members who oversee health policy countered President Donald Trump’s encouragement of vaccine skeptics; the real test will be the upcoming budget’s funding of Centers … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump Backlash, Verdine Plans, Sarepta Sale & More”
Bowery Bags $7.5M to Break Into Fast-Growing Indoor Farming Market
[Updated 2/23/2017 11:21 am] City real estate comes with premium prices, so the best way for developers to get the most out of limited space is by building skyward. The same approach holds true in urban agriculture. As vertical farms catch on in more cities, new agtech startup Bowery is entering the market backed by … Continue reading “Bowery Bags $7.5M to Break Into Fast-Growing Indoor Farming Market”
Seeking Talent, Levementum Plans Indy Expansion to The Union
In 2005, Arizona-based digital marketing firm Levementum was conceived over drinks in Paris. The company officially launched the following year, and today, it announced plans to continue its growth trajectory in Indiana one year after opening an office in Indianapolis. At an event with Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett this afternoon, Levementum … Continue reading “Seeking Talent, Levementum Plans Indy Expansion to The Union”
Sexual Harassment Claims Add to Turbulent Times for Uber
For the second time in less than a month, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick found himself fending off critical questions from his own employees at a Tuesday company-wide meeting. The last time, Kalanick was trying to justify remaining on President Trump’s economic advisory council after Trump issued a sudden travel ban against refugees and people from … Continue reading “Sexual Harassment Claims Add to Turbulent Times for Uber”
Amazon, Uber, and Bill Gates’s Robot Tax: An Automation Snapshot
As we gear up for Robo Madness 2017: A.I. Gets Real, our annual robotics and artificial intelligence conference at Google’s offices in Kendall Square, let’s connect a few dots around the topic of automation. In just the past day or two: —Uber has started testing self-driving cars in Tempe, AZ, after having its tests banned … Continue reading “Amazon, Uber, and Bill Gates’s Robot Tax: An Automation Snapshot”
Agtech Accelerator Radicle Recruits Industry Vets to Mentor Startups
Former Sapphire Energy CEO Jason Pyle is one of four agricultural technology veterans who have agreed to advise the startups taking root at Radicle, the San Diego-based accelerator focused on agricultural and food tech ventures. Radicle named Pyle, who is now the CEO of BaseHealth, a Silicon Valley healthtech developer of analytic software, as a … Continue reading “Agtech Accelerator Radicle Recruits Industry Vets to Mentor Startups”
Lumina Foundation Gives Odds For Edtech Innovation Under Trump
[Corrected 2/22/17, 9:35 am. See below.] Bipartisanship hasn’t exactly been the watchword in Washington over the past month as the new Trump administration grapples with stalled nominations, court battles over its travel ban, and investigations of campaign contacts with Russia. But deeply divided politicians may still find some common ground over education policy—in ways that … Continue reading “Lumina Foundation Gives Odds For Edtech Innovation Under Trump”
Digital Health Solutions’ Software Helps Docs Screen Patients
Anyone who has ever visited an outpatient clinic knows it can be a crowded, chaotic place. Electronic health records (EHR) technology—software that puts a patient’s charts and health information online so doctors can access it, ostensibly leading to better, more efficient care while facilitating communication—has so far not lived up to its potential. Tammy Dugan, … Continue reading “Digital Health Solutions’ Software Helps Docs Screen Patients”
Bio Roundup: CRISPR Drama, Marathon and PhRMA, the Price of Vision & More
News may be coming out of Washington, DC, at a breakneck pace, but concrete plans regarding the future of the nation’s healthcare system, the FDA, and the pharmaceutical industry have been much slower to materialize. The consternation about President Donald Trump’s coming pick for FDA commissioner was palpable this week at the BIO CEO & … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CRISPR Drama, Marathon and PhRMA, the Price of Vision & More”
With “Go,” Amazon Identifies Another Job It Can Do Better
Early last year, I “fired” talk radio along with NPR’s morning and evening editions. That same day, I “hired” Amazon Audible as my commute companion. It wasn’t a difficult decision. Audible is far better than its predecessors at doing the job I need done as I travel to and from my office – provide on-demand … Continue reading “With “Go,” Amazon Identifies Another Job It Can Do Better”
Fintech VC Backing Dipped 13 Percent in 2016, Mirroring Rest of Tech
The final numbers on 2016 fintech funding deals are in from New York-based research firm and investment database CB Insights, and venture capitalists seem to be cooling on the industry. According to a report released today, financial technology companies around the world attracted $12.7 billion in venture capital across 836 investments last year. That is … Continue reading “Fintech VC Backing Dipped 13 Percent in 2016, Mirroring Rest of Tech”
Merck Alzheimer Drug Is Latest To Fail In A Big Study
Another Alzheimer’s drug has failed a major test. Merck (NYSE: MRK) reported late Tuesday that its pill verubecestat was not helping people with significant Alzheimer’s symptoms. The drug maker announced that it halted its EPOCH study early because an oversight group said there was “virtually no chance of finding a positive clinical effect.” Verubecestat is … Continue reading “Merck Alzheimer Drug Is Latest To Fail In A Big Study”
Roundup: B-Start, Givelify, Notre Dame Turbomachinery Lab & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from across Indiana: —Three Indiana University students won the top spots at a recent demo day competition hosted by B-Start, the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation‘s accelerator program. Zachary Burr snagged first place ($2,500) for Tydee Laundry, an on-demand laundry service; Christopher Podlaski won second place ($1,500) for Plant Software, an automated scheduling … Continue reading “Roundup: B-Start, Givelify, Notre Dame Turbomachinery Lab & More”
Dear Tom Price: Bundled Payments Help Patients and Reduce Costs
With all the talk of repealing Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), people have been taking a closer look at what the law has done for our healthcare system. It turns out the ACA is about a lot more than the problematic healthcare marketplaces. There’s the extension of parental insurance coverage to age 26 and … Continue reading “Dear Tom Price: Bundled Payments Help Patients and Reduce Costs”
Senate Confirms Price for HHS, But Stock Deals Still Raise Questions
The Senate confirmed Tom Price as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services early Friday morning by a 52-47 vote that, as expected, fell largely on party lines. Price is an orthopedic surgeon by training who has been a member of Georgia’s congressional delegation since 2004. He will now oversee a department that … Continue reading “Senate Confirms Price for HHS, But Stock Deals Still Raise Questions”