A new cancer immunotherapy company has spun out of Stanford University with backing from a quartet of venture investors and a big hand from the taxpayers of California. The Palo Alto, CA-based firm, dubbed Forty Seven, emerged Wednesday with a program already in clinical trials, a rarity for an academic spinout. Stanford researchers led by … Continue reading “Stanford Spins Out Immunotherapy Work Funded By CIRM’s Millions”
Category: National
Kayak Alum Plays to Strengths and Origins With 1st Startup, Drafted
As a first-time startup CEO, Vinayak Ranade has taken the old adage “play to your strengths” to heart. When running a startup, “everything is fundamentally hard. There are 100 different ways you could fail,” says Ranade, who started Boston-based Drafted, a job recruiting and referral software company, in September 2014. “I try to leverage every … Continue reading “Kayak Alum Plays to Strengths and Origins With 1st Startup, Drafted”
The Road to Safe, Secure Driverless Cars
The development of autonomous vehicles promises a future of safe and efficient roads, unimpeded by distracted, impaired, aggressive, or deliberately speeding drivers. But to achieve this, the companies involved in developing driverless cars will have to navigate significant obstacles. The transition from personally controlled to automated vehicles can be likened to the shift that occurred … Continue reading “The Road to Safe, Secure Driverless Cars”
Early Bird Pricing Ends Tonight for Big Data Meets Big Biology
Life sciences companies are now looking to the tech world to help solve some of the big challenges they are facing in such data-intensive fields as genomics, digital health, and neuroscience. For example, Grail, the diagnostic startup formed earlier this year to develop a blood test sensitive enough to detect early stage cancer, recently named … Continue reading “Early Bird Pricing Ends Tonight for Big Data Meets Big Biology”
Mobile Development Startup Xamarin Bought by Microsoft
File this under least-surprising acquisition of 2016: Microsoft said today it is buying Xamarin, a San Francisco- and Boston-based company that builds tools for mobile-app development. Terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed; it’s expected to close in the next month. Rumors of an acquisition by Redmond, WA-based Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) previously surfaced in 2014. … Continue reading “Mobile Development Startup Xamarin Bought by Microsoft”
Emphasizing Collaboration at a Pivotal Moment in Cancer Research
The cancer community—those of us researching, fighting, and caring for people with cancer—is an optimistic and dogged bunch. We’ve learned to focus on the long game. After all, President Nixon’s “War on Cancer” was declared in 1971 and it’s still raging. Still, the years have taught us much, especially how complex and daunting an adversary … Continue reading “Emphasizing Collaboration at a Pivotal Moment in Cancer Research”
Student-Led Startups Take Center Stage at U-M Business Competition
The Michigan Business Challenge, the University of Michigan’s annual business competition for innovative student-led startups, ended Monday after a four-month process that incorporated guidance from mentors and investors. Over the course of the competition, more than $100,000 was awarded to the winners. This year’s big winner was precision medicine startup PreDxion Diagnostics, which nabbed $30,000 … Continue reading “Student-Led Startups Take Center Stage at U-M Business Competition”
NephroGenex Pauses Kidney Drug Trial to Restructure, Seek Merger
Cash-starved NephroGenex is pausing studies on its diabetic nephropathy treatment as the company repositions itself as a possible target for companies that want a public stock listing and a drug in late-stage clinical trials. Raleigh, NC-based NephroGenex (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NRX]]) said Wednesday that its board of directors has decided to pursue a corporate restructuring that could … Continue reading “NephroGenex Pauses Kidney Drug Trial to Restructure, Seek Merger”
Austin Fintech Startup Honest Dollar Finds Niche in the Gig Economy
Austin — At the helm of his fintech startup Honest Dollar, William Hurley noticed that a significant number of users who created accounts on the site dropped out in the middle of the sign-up process. Honest Dollar is a website that offers small businesses retirement plans for employees. The startup opened for business in earnest … Continue reading “Austin Fintech Startup Honest Dollar Finds Niche in the Gig Economy”
E-Prescribing Startup Snags $3.3M, May Opt to Keep Bootstrapping
Having access to millions of dollars and choosing not to draw on the funds probably requires some serious willpower. CenterX, a Madison, WI-based developer of e-prescribing software, finds itself in that situation after raising more than $3.3 million from investors, according to a regulatory document filed on Monday. Joe Reinardy, co-founder and CEO of the … Continue reading “E-Prescribing Startup Snags $3.3M, May Opt to Keep Bootstrapping”
San Diego Social Media Management Startup Soci Adds $2.5M to Round
Soci, a social media content and marketing company that raised $1.5 million in late 2014, has raised an additional $2.5 million for its Series A Round, mostly from individual investors. In a statement yesterday, Soci said it plans to use the extra capital to help enterprises, multi-location brands, franchises, and digital agencies take a more … Continue reading “San Diego Social Media Management Startup Soci Adds $2.5M to Round”
Techstars Boston’s Latest Class Signals Accelerator’s Diversity Push
Six months after Techstars announced a plan to boost the diversity of its accelerator programs around the world, the Boston group seems to be making some progress on that front. Techstars Boston announced the companies in its latest session today. Of the 14 startups, two are led by women and another four firms have at … Continue reading “Techstars Boston’s Latest Class Signals Accelerator’s Diversity Push”
Dyson, Maeda, Jepsen, & More at Our Napa Summit–Request Your Invite
Forget for a moment our truly mind-blowing presidential possibilities. Consider instead the wellspring of innovators and innovation out there, and you’ll feel better about the future, no matter where your political anxieties lie. And then imagine coming to Napa in mid-May to join Xconomy at our most special event—where you will enjoy first-hand interaction with … Continue reading “Dyson, Maeda, Jepsen, & More at Our Napa Summit–Request Your Invite”
Battery Ventures Staying the Course With $950M in New Funds
Battery Ventures, a Boston-based firm with branches in the Bay Area and Israel, now has $950 million in new money to invest, the company announced today. Battery has set up a $650 million main fund, Battery Ventures XI, and allocated $300 million to its new Battery Ventures XI Side Fund, which will make investment bets … Continue reading “Battery Ventures Staying the Course With $950M in New Funds”
San Diego’s Classy, Riding Growth Spurt, Inks Biggest Customer Yet
Classy, a San Diego company providing Web-based fundraising services for schools, nonprofits, and other social impact organizations, said Tuesday it has agreed to serve as the online partner for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society until 2021. The society operates as a voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures, and helping to ensure access to treatments … Continue reading “San Diego’s Classy, Riding Growth Spurt, Inks Biggest Customer Yet”
In Election Year, Houston Tech Ecosystem Works On Civic Engagement
Houston — Andrew Douglass has voted in each election—from the high-profile presidential contests to more obscure local referendums and council races—since he was able to at age 18. Now he’s using his expertise as a freelance Web developer to make it easier for others to vote, too. “I’ve tried to be very civic minded,” he says. Douglass, … Continue reading “In Election Year, Houston Tech Ecosystem Works On Civic Engagement”
How Aces in Big Data Play to San Diego’s Strong Suit in Big Biology
Tech and software startups in San Diego have had a substantial recovery in recent years, aided by an expanding ecosystem of incubators and accelerators, co-working spaces, university organizations, and a new generation of investors. Nevertheless, Silicon Valley exerts a kind of gravitational pull on many local tech startups, often by offering better deal terms if … Continue reading “How Aces in Big Data Play to San Diego’s Strong Suit in Big Biology”
Pronutria, Eyeing Clinical Push, Gets $42.5M From Nestle Health
Pronutria Biosciences has grabbed another large funding round, announcing today a $42.5 million investment from Nestlé Health Science that the company hopes will get its first drug candidates all the way into late-stage clinical trials. It’s the second significant investment in less than a year. Last May, Pronutria raised a $39 million Series C round … Continue reading “Pronutria, Eyeing Clinical Push, Gets $42.5M From Nestle Health”
Keiretsu Forum NW Invested a Record $43.5M in 2015
Angel investors affiliated with Keiretsu Forum Northwest invested $43.5 million in 57 companies last year, a record for the organization in this region. Keiretsu Forum Northwest, which began with a single chapter in 2005, has also seen its membership swell, attracting about 100 new members each of the last two years—including members gained through its … Continue reading “Keiretsu Forum NW Invested a Record $43.5M in 2015”
Déjà Vu for PTC as FDA Declines to Consider Duchenne Drug App
Two times, PTC Therapeutics has asked the FDA to look at an application to approve a Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug it’s been developing. And now two times, the agency has sent the South Plainfield, NJ-based company back to the drawing board. This morning, PTC (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTCT]]) announced that it’s received a “refuse to file” letter … Continue reading “Déjà Vu for PTC as FDA Declines to Consider Duchenne Drug App”
Funnster Takes Party Planning Mobile with App Launch
A few weeks after taking the stage at this month’s New York Tech Meetup, New York-based Funnster officially launched its iOS app on Tuesday. A desktop version was previously available. Funnster, founded in 2015, was created to take some of the pain out of planning and hosting events by having attendees list what they will contribute. … Continue reading “Funnster Takes Party Planning Mobile with App Launch”
Source: IBM Security to Acquire Resilient Systems for $100M+
[Updated, 2/24/16, 12:45pm] IBM is adding to its arsenal of acquisitions in cybersecurity. Resilient Systems, a Cambridge, MA-based company that helps organizations respond to cyber attacks, is being bought by IBM Security, according to two sources with knowledge of the deal. One source puts the acquisition price at more than $100 million. The deal’s financial … Continue reading “Source: IBM Security to Acquire Resilient Systems for $100M+”
Alexandria, Lodo Founders to Join NY’s Bio Disruptors on March 29
We’re bringing together some of New York’s leading life science entrepreneurs, investors, and executives for an evening of candid stories on March 29, and, until midnight, we’re offering you the chance to save $45 on your ticket. We’ve added two new speakers to our lineup: Sean Brady, an associate professor at Rockefeller University and the … Continue reading “Alexandria, Lodo Founders to Join NY’s Bio Disruptors on March 29”
San Antonio’s Girdley Finds Spark in Startup Seed Investments
San Antonio—Michael Girdley is an investor in early stage technology companies who, most recently, was the CEO of his family’s San Antonio fireworks business, Alamo Fireworks. There must be some kind of joke there, right? “Explosive returns?” Girdley suggests. Puns aside, Girdley is one of the founding members of the Geekdom Fund, a venture capital … Continue reading “San Antonio’s Girdley Finds Spark in Startup Seed Investments”
Realizing the Return on Digital Health Technologies
A “Wired for Health” study recently reported by The Scripps Translational Science Institute in San Diego poses a significant challenge for those working to realize the potential of digital health technologies. The Scripps team has been investigating the relationship between wireless health-monitoring technologies, healthcare costs, and outcomes in patients with chronic disease. After equipping one cohort of patients … Continue reading “Realizing the Return on Digital Health Technologies”
Database Startup NuoDB Grabs $17M From Previous Backers
[Corrected and updated 2/23/16, 7:42 a.m. See below.] NuoDB, part of a pack of database-technology startups in the Boston area, just scooped up $17 million from investors as it tries to make a bigger dent in the sector. Founded in 2008, the Cambridge, MA-based company has now raised $59.7 million total in venture capital, a spokeswoman … Continue reading “Database Startup NuoDB Grabs $17M From Previous Backers”
Austin’s Lucid Aims to Make Artificial Intelligence More Human
Austin — Many of the advances in artificial intelligence have focused on the numbers, algorithms, and patterns that help computers to predict human behavior. An Austin, TX, company wants to connect that approach to one that uses more human-like reasoning, as well. “The ‘thinking like a human’ part is much more difficult to build,” says … Continue reading “Austin’s Lucid Aims to Make Artificial Intelligence More Human”
Grand Angels Report Highlights Record-Breaking Year
According to an annual report highlighting key milestones, Grand Angels, one of Michigan’s busiest angel-investing collectives, had a record-breaking year in 2015. Last year, Grand Angels invested $3.5 million in 12 deals, bringing the total amount of capital deployed since it launched in 2004 to $19.6 million. Compared to 2014, Grand Angels increased its total … Continue reading “Grand Angels Report Highlights Record-Breaking Year”
Former Apple Exec: Biometrics Could Help Prevent a Backdoor for Feds
As Apple and federal authorities lock horns over whether the tech giant should provide software to weaken the defenses of an iPhone belonging to one of the shooters in San Bernardino, CA, a former Apple executive says his startup’s technology could help resolve such situations. Chuck Goldman—founder and former CEO of mobile app management company … Continue reading “Former Apple Exec: Biometrics Could Help Prevent a Backdoor for Feds”
Pypestream’s CEO Talks Messaging Between Businesses and Consumers
It is pretty much a given that more and more people choose messaging apps as their primary means to talk to each other these days. But so far, companies have been sluggish in using this medium as a way to talk to their customers. Sure, there is e-mail and the occasional exchange across social media with companies, … Continue reading “Pypestream’s CEO Talks Messaging Between Businesses and Consumers”
After Failed Trial, Chimerix Shuts Down Two More Phase 3 Tests
[Updated 2/22/16, 11:43 am. See below. ] Chimerix is shutting down two late-stage trials for a drug meant to prevent infections in kidney transplant patients, a decision that follows the drug’s recent Phase 3 failure in people who have received stem cell transplants. Durham, NC-based Chimerix (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CMRX]]) announced over the weekend that it would … Continue reading “After Failed Trial, Chimerix Shuts Down Two More Phase 3 Tests”
Investor Survey, Part 2: A Pair of Seattle VCs on 2016 Themes
Will a new crop of Seattle startups rise to world domination? Will virtual or augmented reality applications create the next powerhouse tech company? Those are two of the overriding hopes and ambitions emerging from the Seattle segment of my informal cross-country survey of leading investors as I seek to unearth core investment themes and premises … Continue reading “Investor Survey, Part 2: A Pair of Seattle VCs on 2016 Themes”
Squinting Through Bubbles and Busts: Norwest’s Way To Navigate
Silicon Valley watchers are always on alert for two things: the next breakout tech investment no one should miss out on, and signs that a tech bubble is about to burst, bringing losses everyone wants to avoid. The current jitters about a tech bubble have some foundation. They include doubts about the valuations of private … Continue reading “Squinting Through Bubbles and Busts: Norwest’s Way To Navigate”
Finding Innovation in the Modern Data Center
The modern data center is going through a period of transition. Traditional data center infrastructures are increasingly giving way to disruptive and innovative technologies such as cloud computing and hyperconvergence. Business demands and IT challenges are forcing executives to take a longer look at investments that will accelerate innovation, provide a competitive advantage, and achieve … Continue reading “Finding Innovation in the Modern Data Center”
SI Swimsuit Models Go Virtual With Wisconsin Printer’s Headset
Quad/Graphics has long been the company that’s printed hard copies of Sports Illustrated. Now, the two are extending their relationship into the increasingly popular world of virtual reality, starting with the magazine’s famed swimsuit issue. Sussex, WI-based Quad (NYSE: [[ticker:QUAD]]) has developed a VR viewer made from foldable paper that the company says is included … Continue reading “SI Swimsuit Models Go Virtual With Wisconsin Printer’s Headset”
Seattle Week in Review: Northwest Energy, Space Education, & More
This week, we’re reviewing a new long-term energy plan for the Northwest that calls for more of the same: energy efficiency. Also, a new regional space education effort is under way. Might it yield applicants to NASA’s next astronaut class (the latest one received a record 18,300 applicants)? And check out some good reading and … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Northwest Energy, Space Education, & More”
From Funding to “Failure,” Boston Tech’s Roller Coaster Week
The past week in Boston demonstrated the range of emotions that people can experience working at a tech company. From the highs of snagging millions of investment dollars and launching products, to the lows of pulling the plug on a startup, this week had it all. Read on for details. —Indigo, a two-year-old Cambridge, MA, … Continue reading “From Funding to “Failure,” Boston Tech’s Roller Coaster Week”
Tech Bloc Aims to Elevate San Antonio’s Role in Tech Innovation
San Antonio—Even if it seems unlikely, there is a common thread in these events: a women’s luncheon, a report on whether a city should annex county land, rallies for workers, startup competitions, a railroad project. Each project is being spearheaded by Tech Bloc, a tech-focused nonprofit in San Antonio that aims to promote the local … Continue reading “Tech Bloc Aims to Elevate San Antonio’s Role in Tech Innovation”
Startups Vying for Bexar County Money in San Antonio Tech Contest
San Antonio—A week after Techstars Cloud showcased the 11 companies that were selected for its accelerator program in San Antonio, another group of five startups were picked to participate in a separate Alamo City competition inspired by Techstars. Called Tech Fuel, the competition asked each early-stage company to pitch a panel of judges on its … Continue reading “Startups Vying for Bexar County Money in San Antonio Tech Contest”
Roundup: Swift Biosciences, ONL, Application Deadlines, & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Challenge Detroit, a leadership and professional development program that takes fellows from around the country and places them at a local partner company for a year, is now accepting applications for its 2016-2017 cohort. For the first time since the program’s inception in 2012, Detroit-area companies … Continue reading “Roundup: Swift Biosciences, ONL, Application Deadlines, & More”
West Coast Bio Roundup: CRISPR Patent, HCV Data, Verily Digs & More
Pouring rain? Hailstorms? Record-setting heat? Freakin’ gnarly wipeouts on killer waves? Desert blooms stretching for miles? Bald eagles stuck in trees? Yeah, we got those. Welcome to February on the West Coast, where the biotech news is nearly as varied as the weather and its effects. The developments of the past seven days included a … Continue reading “West Coast Bio Roundup: CRISPR Patent, HCV Data, Verily Digs & More”
Digital Health, Mobility Startups Among Focus for Hatch Finalists
[Updated, 5:56 pm. See below] Austin — The organizers of the Hatch Pitch startup competition announced Thursday the finalists for this year’s contest to be held next month. [An earlier version of this paragraph mistakenly implied that the Hatch competition was part of this year’s South By Southwest festival. The competition is scheduled to take place at … Continue reading “Digital Health, Mobility Startups Among Focus for Hatch Finalists”
Techstars Boulder Announces 2016 Accelerator Class
Techstars has announced the newest group of 11 companies that will be participating in its 2016 Techstars Boulder accelerator program this year. The companies, which range from a Bitcoin company to the maker of a digital wall garden, will present at a demo day on May 18. Techstars provides a company with $20,000 in funding, … Continue reading “Techstars Boulder Announces 2016 Accelerator Class”
North Carolina Equity Investments Double, Topping $1B in 2015
Some North Carolina entrepreneurs lament a shortage of available capital that can help their companies grow. A new report suggests that companies in the state are raising more money than ever before, and they’re attracting those investments from more places—in some cases, overseas. Companies in technology, life sciences, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing raised $1.2 billion … Continue reading “North Carolina Equity Investments Double, Topping $1B in 2015”
Jana Grabs $57M to Bring Mobile Internet to India and Rest of World
Increasingly, U.S. tech companies aren’t battling for users on their home turf—they’re competing in the developing world. The latest reminder of that is Jana, a Boston-based software startup that today announced a $57 million Series C round led by new investor Verizon Ventures. Previous backers Spark Capital and Publicis Groupe also invested. That brings Jana’s … Continue reading “Jana Grabs $57M to Bring Mobile Internet to India and Rest of World”
Watson Health Buying Truven in $2.6B Megadeal for Data
IBM Watson Health is growing through a major acquisition that consolidates the worlds of clinical data and employer and insurance data. The healthcare-computing division of Big Blue is announcing today its plan to acquire Truven Health Analytics for $2.6 billion. For now, IBM declined to specify the financial structure of the deal. A spokeswoman said … Continue reading “Watson Health Buying Truven in $2.6B Megadeal for Data”
Hexagon Geospatial Starts Yearlong Hackathon in New York for Map Apps
On Thursday, a Norcross, GA-based developer came to New York to kick off a hackathon that looks to inspire new ideas and uses for its geospatial mapping platform. Hexagon Geospatial’s Smart M.Apps is a cloud-based platform that visualizes data in real time on digital maps, such as displaying reported crime patterns or transportation in a city. The … Continue reading “Hexagon Geospatial Starts Yearlong Hackathon in New York for Map Apps”
A North Carolina High School that Spins Out Entrepreneurs
Over the years, many successful ventures have emerged from North Carolina’s rich concentration of university researchers. Some of the state’s innovators get an even earlier start: high school. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) began in 1980 as an innovation itself, founded as a public residential high school for academically talented high school … Continue reading “A North Carolina High School that Spins Out Entrepreneurs”
Chicago PE Firm GTCR Buying Telematics Specialist Lytx for $500M+
The Chicago private equity firm GTCR has agreed to pay more than $500 million in cash to acquire Lytx, the San Diego-based provider of dashboard video telematics and driver risk management services, according to a statement this morning from Lytx. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter. Lytx says its executive team … Continue reading “Chicago PE Firm GTCR Buying Telematics Specialist Lytx for $500M+”
Viehbacher, Sharp & More at What’s Hot in Boston Biotech on April 6
A funny thing happened to the unprecedented multi-year bull run in biotech this past summer: it ended. The parade of IPOs and sky high valuations have come to a halt; biotech startups will have to adjust accordingly. Drug companies have become a target in an election year as the pricing debate has taken center stage. … Continue reading “Viehbacher, Sharp & More at What’s Hot in Boston Biotech on April 6”