We have a world with AirBnb, OpenTable, Uber, and TicketMaster. Andres Fabris wants to bring it all together. “It’s a smart agent in your pocket,” says Fabris, the founder and CEO of Dallas-based travel app Traxo. The app not only keeps track of itineraries for transportation and accommodation, it uses artificial intelligence to offer suggestions … Continue reading “Dallas’s Traxo Creates Digital Dashboards for Harried Travelers”
Category: National
DermTech Looks to Build on Alternative Test for Skin Cancer
People who are at risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, typically must visit their dermatologist for a full body examination every six to 12 months. If a spot appears suspicious— such as a mole-like lesion that has been changing in size, shape, or color—the doctor usually will remove all or part of … Continue reading “DermTech Looks to Build on Alternative Test for Skin Cancer”
At Startup Showcase, Gener8tor Examines Past, Present, and Future
When it comes to placing targeted online advertisements, it’s sometimes necessary to connect the dots to identify what a user wants or needs. Justin Hartzman is co-founder and CEO of Needls, a Toronto-based startup that serves personalized ads based on the content of social media posts. He said for his company’s purposes, there are two types … Continue reading “At Startup Showcase, Gener8tor Examines Past, Present, and Future”
Learn the Future of Enterprise Tech, and Billion-Dollar Exits, on Dec. 2
Unicorns, schmunicorns. A billion-dollar valuation ain’t what it used to be. Just ask veterans of the Boston-area tech scene. Andy Ory, Steve Papa, and Paula Long each have co-founded companies that were acquired for more than $1 billion. If you know anything about the history of New England tech, their company names are very familiar: … Continue reading “Learn the Future of Enterprise Tech, and Billion-Dollar Exits, on Dec. 2”
New Bluebird Data Hint at Gene Therapy’s Limits For Some Patients
Bluebird Bio has helped catalyze gene therapy’s recent renaissance with snippets of human data that hint of a long-lasting, perhaps even one-time fix for a crippling blood disorder known as beta-thalassemia. However, the Cambridge, MA-based company released data today that dampen the hopes for a long-term fix for some of the folks with the most … Continue reading “New Bluebird Data Hint at Gene Therapy’s Limits For Some Patients”
Kura Oncology Drops Price of IPO Shares From $16 to $8
It’s been a slippery slope for Kura Oncology, which slashed the price of its IPO shares and substantially increased the size of its offering tonight. The startup is based in San Diego, and has an office in Cambridge, MA. The company set out to raise as much as $86 million when it filed for the … Continue reading “Kura Oncology Drops Price of IPO Shares From $16 to $8”
Expedia Buys Austin’s HomeAway for $3.9B
HomeAway, the provider of an online marketplace for vacation rentals, has sold to Expedia for $3.9 billion in cash and Expedia stock, the third multibillion-dollar deal involving an Austin, TX, company this fall. Seattle-based Expedia set HomeAway (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AWAY]]) in its sights because it has been seeking a way to enter the “alternative accommodations” sector … Continue reading “Expedia Buys Austin’s HomeAway for $3.9B”
Madrona Doubles Down on Venture Labs, Taps Fridgen as CEO
Madrona Venture Group likes the “startup studio” model it inaugurated 18 months ago so much that it not only backed a similar effort outside its walls, but is now doubling the staff of its own Madrona Venture Labs, under the new leadership of serial entrepreneur Mike Fridgen. Fridgen, who has been heavily involved with three … Continue reading “Madrona Doubles Down on Venture Labs, Taps Fridgen as CEO”
OfferUp Raises $90M for Mobile, Local Craigslist Killer
OfferUp, a mobile-first marketplace for buying and selling things locally, revealed that it has raised $90 million in total funding, including a $73 million round earlier this year, and is conducting billions of dollars in transactions. A would-be Craigslist killer, or at least a formidable competitor, Bellevue, WA-based OfferUp has been scrupulously quiet as it … Continue reading “OfferUp Raises $90M for Mobile, Local Craigslist Killer”
NYTM Recap: Callisto Offers Empathetic Way to Report Sexual Assaults
Alerting authorities to sexual assaults can frequently stir new distress in survivors; a bit of technology from the nonprofit Sexual Health Innovations (SHI) may help ease the process of reporting these crimes. The organization developed Callisto, a Web-based system for bringing attention to such assaults on college campuses, and last night demoed it in front … Continue reading “NYTM Recap: Callisto Offers Empathetic Way to Report Sexual Assaults”
Local Motors Debuts $53K 3D-Printed Car Due to Be Road-Ready by 2017
Local Motors, the Chandler, AZ-based startup aiming to disrupt the auto industry’s traditional manufacturing cycle through crowdsourcing, micromanufacturing, and other technologies, has launched a new vehicle—and the company hopes to crash-test it and get it on the road by 2017. The LM3D Swim is the second of its crowd-designed vehicles to go from concept car … Continue reading “Local Motors Debuts $53K 3D-Printed Car Due to Be Road-Ready by 2017”
Denver’s Havenly Raises $7.5M for Flat-Fee Interior Design Site
A Denver-based startup called Havenly is adding interior design to the ever-growing list of personalized and on-demand services that startups are offering, from car rides to home cleaning to new clothing. And Havenly now has Series A funding to help it build out its interior design offerings, having received $7.5 million from the Foundry Group … Continue reading “Denver’s Havenly Raises $7.5M for Flat-Fee Interior Design Site”
Boston Tech Company Watch: Gazelle, Tego, Raytheon, Akamai, & More
This week, we’re tracking acquisitions involving well-known tech companies, startups gobbling up venture capital, and an accelerator program for crowdfunding campaigns. Read on for details. —One of the most notable deals is Boston-based Gazelle’s acquisition by Outerwall (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OUTR]], the Bellevue, WA-based maker of Redbox and Coinstar kiosks. The purchase price was $18 million—which would … Continue reading “Boston Tech Company Watch: Gazelle, Tego, Raytheon, Akamai, & More”
Quietyme Seeks to Identify Patients’ Needs Faster With CareCube
The newest product from Quietyme, a startup based in Neshkoro, WI, is a white cube with a different pattern on each of its six sides. That description may conjure up an image of dice, which of course give games an element of randomness. But Quietyme’s CareCube is designed to reduce uncertainty: patients in hospitals can use … Continue reading “Quietyme Seeks to Identify Patients’ Needs Faster With CareCube”
With $50M Funding, Handy Focuses on Existing Markets
For New York-based Handy, which offers on-demand cleaning and other home contract services, density has been key to its growth. The company thinks of that density in two ways: Like any business, it wants to attract as many customers as possible. But Handy is also seeking to have as many contractors who clean apartments—a service … Continue reading “With $50M Funding, Handy Focuses on Existing Markets”
Evelo Launches With $35M To Fight Cancer With Cocktails of Bacteria
Biotech venture group Flagship Ventures is doubling down on the microbiome. The Cambridge, MA-based firm, which specializes in building new therapeutics companies in stealth mode, today launched Evelo Therapeutics, its second microbiome-based startup, with $35 million in funding to develop cancer treatments fashioned from mixes of bacteria found in nature. The effect of bacteria on … Continue reading “Evelo Launches With $35M To Fight Cancer With Cocktails of Bacteria”
Qualcomm Life Q&A: How Capsule Deal Expands Its Reach in Healthtech
Just a few weeks after Qualcomm Life acquired Andover, MA-based Capsule Technologie in September, the FDA cleared the newest version of Capsule’s patient monitoring system, SmartLinx Vitals Plus, for use as a medical device. The timing was fortuitous, and Qualcomm Life says it will begin deploying SmartLinx Vitals Plus to key customers through the rest … Continue reading “Qualcomm Life Q&A: How Capsule Deal Expands Its Reach in Healthtech”
App Startup Golfler Scores Early Birdies With Funding, Awards
A Detroit-based startup’s golfing app, released in August, is already scoring major accolades: Google named it the second-best sports app for 2015, and the company beat out more than 200 exhibitors to win the top buyers’ choice award at a PGA conference two weeks after it launched. Golfler co-founder Jason Pearsall says his company’s app … Continue reading “App Startup Golfler Scores Early Birdies With Funding, Awards”
Big Data Analytics Startup Fuzzy Logix Raises $5.5M in Series A
There’s no shortage of big data analytics companies pledging to help industries make greater sense—and use—of the data they have. Startup Fuzzy Logix is throwing its hat into the ring with a $5.5 million fundraising round to scale its growth. New Science Ventures led the Series A round for Charlotte, NC-based Fuzzy Logix, which markets … Continue reading “Big Data Analytics Startup Fuzzy Logix Raises $5.5M in Series A”
In On-Demand Era, Grove Wants to Help You Grow Your Own Food
Consumers have grown used to the ability to order food at the push of a button and have it delivered to their doorstep within the hour. Will they be interested in using technology to grow it themselves at home, especially if it means more work and waiting several weeks to eat the food (which is … Continue reading “In On-Demand Era, Grove Wants to Help You Grow Your Own Food”
SnapApp Funding Continues Flurry of Boston Digital Marketing Deals
Online marketing companies have had a big week in the Boston area. The latest to cash in is SnapApp, which today announced a $12 million Series A round from Providence Equity Partners. SnapApp’s deal comes on the heels of yesterday’s $1.1 billion acquisition of Waltham, MA-based e-mail marketer Constant Contact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTCT]]) by Burlington, MA-based … Continue reading “SnapApp Funding Continues Flurry of Boston Digital Marketing Deals”
Special Rate Ends Today For Our Nov. 17 Health Summit: Save $100
If you want you keep your weight down, you eat right and exercise—the formula is pretty simple. If you want to understand what is going on in healthcare across science, medicine, payments, and policy—and use science to optimize your chance at a long, healthy life—it gets a bit trickier. You can get a leg up … Continue reading “Special Rate Ends Today For Our Nov. 17 Health Summit: Save $100”
IDAvatars, Working With Watson, Seeks to Answer Patients’ Questions
Watson, meet Sophie. In September, IBM (NYSE: [[ticker:IBM]]) announced 100 of its development partners on its Watson supercomputer had brought a product or service to market. Among them was iDAvatars, a Mequon, WI-based startup that creates avatars like Sophie, a virtual medical assistant who becomes more familiar with a user with each interaction. Norrie Daroga, … Continue reading “IDAvatars, Working With Watson, Seeks to Answer Patients’ Questions”
Marketing Platform Zeta Interactive Snaps Up Piece of EBay Enterprise
Sometimes it takes more than one dance partner to get a big deal done. New York-based Zeta Interactive, a player in big data and analytics, has acquired the customer relationship management division of eBay Enterprise. This is part of a multiway transaction that saw the eBay company split up and sold largely to London’s Permira … Continue reading “Marketing Platform Zeta Interactive Snaps Up Piece of EBay Enterprise”
Even With New Crowdfunding Rules, No Easy Path Forward For Biotechs
[Corrected 11/3/15, 1:18pm. See below.] As Xconomy reported Friday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has finally filled in the missing pieces in the equity crowdfunding puzzle, giving private startups clearer rules about selling equity to the investor masses through Internet portals. In her opening remarks before the SEC commissioners voted 3-1 to approve nationwide … Continue reading “Even With New Crowdfunding Rules, No Easy Path Forward For Biotechs”
ETuk Corners the Micro-Transit Market in Denver
Denver may still be catching up to its East Coast peers when it comes to public transportation, but it does have one claim to fame. It is home to the first all-electric tuk-tuk service in the country. Resembling a souped-up golf cart, the three-wheeled motorized rickshaws—commonly called tuk-tuks in Asia, Africa, and Latin America—will take … Continue reading “ETuk Corners the Micro-Transit Market in Denver”
Looking to Spur Startups, UW’s Patent Office Partners with Gener8tor
gBETA, a free, six-week accelerator for early-stage companies affiliated with colleges and universities in Wisconsin, now has a second powerful backer. On Monday Gener8tor, the Wisconsin startup accelerator that launched gBETA earlier this year, announced a partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), which manages intellectual property for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. American Family … Continue reading “Looking to Spur Startups, UW’s Patent Office Partners with Gener8tor”
NEI Awards $300K to Small Businesses, Starts Search for New Leader
The New Economy Initiative (NEI) today announced the 2015 batch of NEIdeas Challenge winners; 30 small businesses grossing less than $750,000 annually received $10,000 each to grow their operations. The competition was open to any business in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park that is at least three years old. Part two of the competition, which … Continue reading “NEI Awards $300K to Small Businesses, Starts Search for New Leader”
Cornell Tech to Train Lawyers to Tackle Startups’ Legal Kinks
The trouble with introducing new technology and ideas is they frequently can lead to lawsuits and other headaches. Whether it is fighting patent trolls, testing the boundaries of old laws, or just coping with new regulatory rules, tech companies may have to cross many legal minefields as they scale up. Expecting the landscape to continue … Continue reading “Cornell Tech to Train Lawyers to Tackle Startups’ Legal Kinks”
Parallel Paths of Constant Contact, Endurance Converge in $1.1B Union
Constant Contact and Endurance International Group Holdings have followed similar paths. Both got their start in the 1990s, offering Web services to small businesses. Both survived the dot-com crash, built up their companies, and went public. And now, their paths have collided in a $1.1 billion deal that combines two of Massachusetts’ major software companies … Continue reading “Parallel Paths of Constant Contact, Endurance Converge in $1.1B Union”
Seattle 2035: A Glimpse of the Future of Innovation
Self-driving cars. Conferences you attend virtually. People visiting outer space for tourism and work. A denser Seattle, perhaps one with ultra energy efficient buildings and sophisticated aquaponic systems for growing food in the city. These were just some of the visions that emerged from Xconomy’s conference on the future of our regional innovation ecosystem, Seattle 2035. In … Continue reading “Seattle 2035: A Glimpse of the Future of Innovation”
Bristol-Myers to Add Cardioxyl’s Heart Failure Drug With $300M Deal
Bristol-Myers Squibb is set to buy Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals and its portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical heart drugs in a deal that boosts the big pharma company’s cardiovascular drug pipeline. Under the definitive agreement announced this morning, New York-based Bristol-Myers (NYSE: [[ticker:BMS]]) will pay up to $300 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments to acquire … Continue reading “Bristol-Myers to Add Cardioxyl’s Heart Failure Drug With $300M Deal”
SXSW Faces More Controversy Over Online Harassment Panel Fracas
Even as the organizers of the South By Southwest Interactive festival announced Friday a daylong panel on online harassment to take place at next year’s event, a few of those panelists involved said they had not confirmed that they would, in fact, come to the Austin conference. Panelists on “Level Up: Overcoming Harassment in Games” … Continue reading “SXSW Faces More Controversy Over Online Harassment Panel Fracas”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Promega, WARF, & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —The new board of directors at Fitchburg-based life sciences supplier Promega has rejected a hostile takeover attempt, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Two shareholders—Ted Kellner, executive chairman of Milwaukee-based Fiduciary Management, and Nathan Brand, a Miami real estate developer with … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Promega, WARF, & More”
Crinetics Pharma Raises $40M in Comeback for Ex-Neurocrine Bio Team
After spending the past six years scavenging for lab equipment and operating on a shoestring, San Diego’s Crinetics Pharmaceuticals has finally landed its first round of institutional funding. The startup, which is developing new oral drugs for treating an array of endocrine disorders, said today it has raised a $40 million Series A financing led … Continue reading “Crinetics Pharma Raises $40M in Comeback for Ex-Neurocrine Bio Team”
Still Eyeing Baxalta, Shire Pulls Trigger on $6.5B Dyax Buyout
With biotech stocks well off their highs, it was only a matter of time until someone pulled the trigger on a big buyout. That someone has turned out to be Shire, which just agreed to buy Dyax of Burlington, MA, in a deal worth as much as $6.5 billion. Shire (NYSE: [[ticker:SHPG]]), the rare disease … Continue reading “Still Eyeing Baxalta, Shire Pulls Trigger on $6.5B Dyax Buyout”
Bought By Utah Rival Tute, Former Genomics High Flyer Knome Bows Out
After eight years, more than $20 million raised, and a handful of different business plans, genomics firm Knome has been acquired by tiny Tute Genomics of Provo, UT, for what appears to be a substantial loss. The parties are not disclosing the purchase price, but it’s likely to be a fraction of what Knome investors … Continue reading “Bought By Utah Rival Tute, Former Genomics High Flyer Knome Bows Out”
The Network Is the VC: CommonAngels Is Now Converge Venture Partners
Silicon Valley legend John Gage is said to have coined the phrase, “The network is the computer.” He was talking about combining connected systems into one computing resource, and the line would become Sun Microsystems’ slogan. Fast forward 30 years and the idea still holds true—think cloud computing, the Internet, and social media. What’s more, … Continue reading “The Network Is the VC: CommonAngels Is Now Converge Venture Partners”
Confer Snags $17M as Endpoint Security Competition Stiffens
As software breaches multiply, cybersecurity companies are parrying with more comprehensive offerings—and a lot more money—to fight hackers. Boston-based Confer is trying to make a splash in the cybersecurity industry, and it got a boost today with $17 million in a Series B funding round led by Foundation Capital, with participation from earlier investors Matrix … Continue reading “Confer Snags $17M as Endpoint Security Competition Stiffens”
What’s Next for Storage?
The evolution of business technology is constant, but not uniform. Sometimes the changes are revolutionary, such as the word processor replacing the typewriter or the 1991 debut of the World Wide Web. Other changes are iterative, such as new versions of word processing software or Web browsers. After decades of only experiencing iterative changes, the … Continue reading “What’s Next for Storage?”
ClearSky Captures $27M as Enterprise Tech Investments Soar
Here’s the tech infrastructure landscape in one deal. It’s got everything: a hot startup, venture firms and a big company clamoring to invest, and a technical approach that combines data storage and networking. Boston-based ClearSky Data has raised $27 million in Series B funding, led by Polaris Partners. The round includes a strategic investment from … Continue reading “ClearSky Captures $27M as Enterprise Tech Investments Soar”
Qualcomm Ends Techstars Robotics Accelerator, Looks for Alternatives
[Updated 11/2/15 1:20 pm. See last three paragraphs below.] Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]) has ended its partnership with Techstars, less than two months after graduating the inaugural class of 10 startups from the Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator, powered by Techstars. The San Diego wireless giant had indicated the program would continue for three years. The decision to … Continue reading “Qualcomm Ends Techstars Robotics Accelerator, Looks for Alternatives”
At Long Last, SEC Provides Final Equity Crowdfunding Rules
[Corrected 11/2/15, 12:30 pm. See below.] Mom and Pop, you can now buy shares in the bakery down the street, or in your son’s girlfriend’s sister’s tech startup. That, in effect, was the message the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sent today, voting to give retail investors the right to buy shares in tiny private … Continue reading “At Long Last, SEC Provides Final Equity Crowdfunding Rules”
Responding to the Crowd: SXSW to Host Summit on Online Harassment
South By Southwest Interactive Festival director Hugh Forrest said Friday the organization “made a mistake” canceling two panels related to the online and gaming environment, saying doing so “sent an unintended message that SXSW not only tolerates online harassment but condones it.” Instead, Forrest said SXSW will host a daylong summit March 12, which will … Continue reading “Responding to the Crowd: SXSW to Host Summit on Online Harassment”
Austin’s TrendKite Raises $10.7M to Support PR Software Development
For Erik Huddleston, organic media mentions are like the dark matter of the marketing universe. “Every corner of marketing has a robust (software) stack but PR doesn’t,” says Huddleston, CEO of Austin, TX-based TrendKite, which makes public-relations software. “Because there is no robust execution and analytics software, it’s been hard to quantify the impact that … Continue reading “Austin’s TrendKite Raises $10.7M to Support PR Software Development”
Greentown Labs Grows, Wants to Make Somerville a Global Cleantech Hub
In recent years, Boston’s neighbor to the northwest, Somerville, MA, has become increasingly known for its influx of young professionals, artists, and hipsters. If Greentown Labs has its way, the city will become synonymous with cleantech, too. Greentown, the Somerville incubator for cleantech startups and research and development teams from large companies, yesterday announced an … Continue reading “Greentown Labs Grows, Wants to Make Somerville a Global Cleantech Hub”
Akadeum Aims to Disrupt Cell-Sorting Technology with Microbubbles
Akadeum Life Sciences is doing something that most biotechs don’t, says CEO Brandon McNaugton: practicing the lean startup method, which puts a heavy focus on customer discovery and feedback. It was this process of talking to customers that inspired Ann Arbor, MI-based Akadeum to develop the Application Discovery Program, a tool it uses to help … Continue reading “Akadeum Aims to Disrupt Cell-Sorting Technology with Microbubbles”
West Coast Biotech Roundup: Arena, Frazier, Kura, and Theranos
Palo Alto, CA-based Theranos continued its counter-offensive this week, as the private medical laboratory services company sought to rebut questions The Wall Street Journal has raised about the accuracy and reliability of its diagnostic technology. After appearing last week at the Wall Street Journal Digital Live conference in Laguna Beach, CA, Theranos chairwoman and CEO … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: Arena, Frazier, Kura, and Theranos”
Join Us Friday at Seattle 2035 to Talk About the Future
Seattle 2035, Xconomy’s exploration of the Seattle area’s long-term future, kicks off tomorrow morning at Northeastern University’s South Lake Union campus. There’s still time to grab a ticket to this day-long conversation with the leading innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors building the technologies and businesses that could become pillars of our region’s innovation economy in … Continue reading “Join Us Friday at Seattle 2035 to Talk About the Future”
In Good Times, Tech Talent Flows From Big to Small Companies
Every so often, the need for talent in tech startups seems to reach a critical point. Competition for good developers and business people is always fierce, but now is prime time for a snapshot of where things stand—and one of the big trends is executives moving from established companies to younger upstarts. It’s not a … Continue reading “In Good Times, Tech Talent Flows From Big to Small Companies”