Category: National

Whoop CEO on New Funding, Name, & Why Fitbit and Jawbone are “B.S.”

Boston wearable device startup Whoop, which just raised $12 million and came out of stealth mode, is initially going after “elite athletes”—professional players in major sports leagues, college athletes, Olympians, and even the U.S. military. But founder and CEO Will Ahmed says the company’s technology—a wrist-worn strap that measures certain biometrics 24 hours a day … Continue reading “Whoop CEO on New Funding, Name, & Why Fitbit and Jawbone are “B.S.””

Belly-Up in Bankruptcy, Quirky Trying to Sell All Assets Including Wink

Ten months ago, Ben Kaufman energetically proclaimed the demise of the thermostat as he talked up a device being rolled out by his New York-based invention platform Quirky, which he believed would trump the incumbents. Now it is Quirky that is fading out on life support. The company, known for turning inventions submitted by others into real products, … Continue reading “Belly-Up in Bankruptcy, Quirky Trying to Sell All Assets Including Wink”

TEDxFultonStreet: Ideas for Social Change, Tough Love for Startups

When a slate of outspoken thinkers get together in New York, there may be talk of time machines, clothing that dissolves, and ways to bring the technology revolution to underserved communities. Those were some of the themes brought up last weekend at TEDxFultonStreet, a local, independent event, licensed by the TED Conferences, which brings together … Continue reading “TEDxFultonStreet: Ideas for Social Change, Tough Love for Startups”

In 2015, U-M Tech Transfer Topped Record-Breaking 2014 Numbers

The University of Michigan’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) has topped its record-breaking 2014 numbers for patents, agreements, startups, and revenues, according to data released by the university Monday. During the 2015 fiscal year, which ended June 30, OTT spun out 19 startups, compared to 14 last fiscal year. “The momentum is continuing to be … Continue reading “In 2015, U-M Tech Transfer Topped Record-Breaking 2014 Numbers”

Whoop Wearable Brings 24/7 Performance Tracking to Elite Athletes

The noisy wearable device sector just got louder today with Boston startup Whoop leaping out of stealth mode with a $12 million Series B round. Whoop, formerly known as Bobo Analytics, had already quietly raised more than $9 million. Today, along with announcing the new money, it unveiled its wrist-worn strap that measures certain biometrics … Continue reading “Whoop Wearable Brings 24/7 Performance Tracking to Elite Athletes”

As Industry Leaders Falter, Formlabs and Others Push New 3D Printers

[Updated with video, 5:50pm. See below] Where is the 3D-printing market heading? If you consider leaders like 3D Systems and Stratasys, the picture doesn’t look so good. 3D Systems’ stock (NYSE: [[ticker:DDD]]) has plummeted by 74 percent over the past year, while Stratasys (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SSYS]]) is down by a similar percentage. Their market caps are … Continue reading “As Industry Leaders Falter, Formlabs and Others Push New 3D Printers”

Agenda Posted for Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on Sept. 30

It’s that time of year: temperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter, and every food and beverage you come across contains pumpkin spice. That’s right—fall is nearly here, and with it, our annual Boston’s Life Science Disruptors event, which is set for the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research … Continue reading “Agenda Posted for Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on Sept. 30”

Chef Nightly CEO’s Recipe For Building Boston Consumer Tech Startups

Successfully growing a consumer tech company can be a tall order, given the volume of users it usually requires to achieve relevance. But Boston serial entrepreneur Michael Sheeley thinks he might have the recipe down, even if his latest venture—Chef Nightly, an app made by parent company Every Labs—is trying to carve out a place … Continue reading “Chef Nightly CEO’s Recipe For Building Boston Consumer Tech Startups”

Texas Roundup: Surge, MEST, Vinli, TMCx, Comfy, Omni Water, Emerge

Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from around Texas. —The biggest news this past week was learning that Houston’s Surge Ventures has canceled its accelerator program indefinitely. Founder Kirk Coburn told me how and why he came to that decision. —Cutting edge research and a talented management team are key to bringing innovative … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Surge, MEST, Vinli, TMCx, Comfy, Omni Water, Emerge”

With Termeer Aboard, Artax Tries New Attack On Autoimmune Disease

[Corrected 9/22/15, 10:15am. See below.] Call it the Termeer trickle-down effect. Former Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer has been funding and advising Boston-area startups ever since his company was snapped up for $20 billion in 2011, bringing him a nine-digit payout. The latest startup to gain his imprimatur is Artax Biopharma, a Cambridge, MA-based startup working … Continue reading “With Termeer Aboard, Artax Tries New Attack On Autoimmune Disease”

TransEnterix Acquires SOFAR Surgical Robotics Unit in $100M Deal

[Updated 9/22/15, 12:08 pm. See below.] Medical device company TransEnterix has reached across the Atlantic Ocean to acquire the surgical robotics division of Italian company SOFAR in a cash and stock deal valued at $99.8 million. Research Triangle Park, NC-based based TransEnterix (NYSE: [[ticker:TRXC]]) has already developed its own robotic surgical system for minimally invasive … Continue reading “TransEnterix Acquires SOFAR Surgical Robotics Unit in $100M Deal”

WEDC Early-Stage Investment Program Awarded $18M in Last Fiscal Year

Nearly $18 million was awarded to 25 Wisconsin companies during the 2015 fiscal year as part of a program designed to incentivize investment in early-stage tech startups, according to a draft of a report released Friday by the state’s job creation agency. In the report, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) said the 25 businesses … Continue reading “WEDC Early-Stage Investment Program Awarded $18M in Last Fiscal Year”

Houston’s Fannin Forms Company to Fight Inflammation-Induced Cancers

Houston’s Fannin Innovation Studio is forming a new biotech startup to add to its portfolio called ACF Pharmaceuticals, along with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and a Michigan-based drug company. ACF Pharmaceuticals, which will be based in Houston, will work closely with MD Anderson and Ann Arbor, MI-based Cayman Chemical on discovering … Continue reading “Houston’s Fannin Forms Company to Fight Inflammation-Induced Cancers”

Podcast Fans Can Connect and Share Episode Highlights on Fireside

When the podcast genre was first taking shape about a decade ago, we fans were considered hopeless dorks. Or maybe it was just me. I remember sending out a link once, via my family’s group e-mail, to a Snap Judgment segment about an amazing cat—the piece made me ugly-cry in the middle of a bike … Continue reading “Podcast Fans Can Connect and Share Episode Highlights on Fireside”

Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand

In the six or seven years since Kickstarter and Indiegogo launched their crowdfunding sites, the way entrepreneurs raise money to finance their endeavors has fundamentally changed. These two companies have become the gold standard for helping entrepreneurs get their startups off the ground. In the old days (before 2008), an entrepreneur would typically come up … Continue reading “Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand”

Announcing Xconomy Healthcare Summit—Nov. 17 at Broad Institute

It’s an old adage that there’s nothing more important than our health. Yet there’s hardly been a more contentious and complex issue in America in recent years than healthcare. For the past two years, Xconomy has held a special, invitation-only Healthcare Summit each fall in Boston to try to cut through the haze and rhetoric … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy Healthcare Summit—Nov. 17 at Broad Institute”

Raleigh-Durham Roundup: Biotech Center, AvidExchange, Cempra, & More

Here are some of the top headlines from the last week in North Carolina biotech, tech, and cleantech news. —The North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s funding was preserved in the $21.7 billion state budget, approved and signed into law last week—two months after the scheduled close of the legislative session. The Senate had initially proposed slashing … Continue reading “Raleigh-Durham Roundup: Biotech Center, AvidExchange, Cempra, & More”

East Coast Biotech Roundup: CAR-T, Celgene, Aerie, ITCI, IPOs, & More

A little tip for you non-New Yorkers: September is the city’s best month of the year. The summer humidity starts giving way to fall crispness, tourist levels dissipate, the beaches clear out, and baseball and football seasons are in full swing (parking is still impossible but, shame on you for trying to drive here). Just … Continue reading “East Coast Biotech Roundup: CAR-T, Celgene, Aerie, ITCI, IPOs, & More”

With $75M, Deciphera Fuels Push For Cancer Drugs—And a Future IPO

In this recent boom of biotech IPOs, many startups have enlisted crossover investors—institutions that back both public and private companies—early in their lifecycle. It’s been a different story for Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, whose 12-year history includes moves from Massachusetts to Kansas and back. But regardless of the road it’s taken, Deciphera now finds itself joining the … Continue reading “With $75M, Deciphera Fuels Push For Cancer Drugs—And a Future IPO”

AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016

AltusCampus aims to change how businesses manage the continuing medical education (CME) required of healthcare professionals and the Madison, WI-based software company will wrap up a $800,000 seed round to jumpstart its efforts Nov. 1. But CEO Daniel Guerra, Jr., has his sights set on bigger goals and as the company gains traction, he says a … Continue reading “AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016”

Aduro Lands New Berkeley Life Sciences Digs, with Room to Grow

In the wake of a notable IPO this year and a raft of partnership deals, Aduro Biotech (Nasdaq: [[ticker:ADRO]]) has snapped up full occupancy rights to a new four-story life sciences building just completed by Wareham Development at its 18-acre Aquatic Park Center in Berkeley. Aduro’s 84 employees are now packed into 25,000 square feet … Continue reading “Aduro Lands New Berkeley Life Sciences Digs, with Room to Grow”

Kirk Coburn Talks About Accelerator’s Halt at Houston’s Surge Ventures

[Editor’s Note: Xconomy reported Thursday that Houston’s Surge Ventures would not host a fifth consecutive accelerator class. ] Surge founder Kirk Coburn surprised many in the audience at a recent Rice University conference by saying the four-year-old accelerator program would be put on hold. But in an interview Friday, Coburn says the decision makes sense … Continue reading “Kirk Coburn Talks About Accelerator’s Halt at Houston’s Surge Ventures”

5 Keys to Keeping UW Among the World’s Most Innovative Universities

The University of Washington is the most innovative public university in the world, according to a ranking from Reuters that came out this week—and rightly added some swagger to the step of leaders on Montlake. As with all such lists, however, the Reuters Top 100 World’s Most Innovative Universities ranking is backward-looking, based on a … Continue reading “5 Keys to Keeping UW Among the World’s Most Innovative Universities”

At MIT, Commerce Secretary Recruits Techies, Pushes R&D Increase

With most of today’s political news coverage looking ahead to the 2016 presidential election, it’s easy to forget that the Obama administration still has more than a year left. The prospects are bleak for Congress to pass much of the president’s remaining agenda, but that doesn’t keep him and members of his cabinet from pushing … Continue reading “At MIT, Commerce Secretary Recruits Techies, Pushes R&D Increase”

Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More

A busy week for Johnson Controls, plus more news from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —High-ranking employees at Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird and Co. plan to raise $50 million for a private equity fund, according to a Sept. 10 SEC filing. Seven executives, including CEO Paul Purcell, are named in the filing. The fund will … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More”

Portfolium Raises $1.2M to Help College Students Land That First Job

Portfolium, a Web-based social network for students preparing to start their careers, said it has closed on $1.2 million in new venture funding, bringing its total funding to $2.1 million since 2013, when the San Diego-based startup was founded. The investors are New York’s University Ventures, an investment firm focused exclusively on global higher education … Continue reading “Portfolium Raises $1.2M to Help College Students Land That First Job”

West Coast Bio Roundup: Google/Insel, SeaGen, Avalon, Alector & More

It’s not specific to the West Coast, but anyone who needs to catch up on the week’s events should read the British Medical Journal’s re-analysis of a long-criticized study, dubbed Study 329, of the antidepressant paroxetine (Paxil) in an adolescent population. It took place in the 1990s, run by SmithKline Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). Paroxetine was … Continue reading “West Coast Bio Roundup: Google/Insel, SeaGen, Avalon, Alector & More”

Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy

There’s a lot of excitement these days about a type of cellular immunotherapy known as CAR-T, a method of modifying peoples’ immune cells to fight cancer. But you could also fill a book listing all the problems its makers will have to solve—how to test, manufacture, and even the define the nature of these cancer-killing … Continue reading “Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy”

MassChallenge Talks Global Expansion: 9 More Cities, 20,000 New Jobs

MassChallenge already calls itself the world’s largest accelerator, with more than 200 startups currently participating in its programs in Boston and London. And it’s only getting bigger. The Boston-based nonprofit, which also has a presence in Israel, plans to expand to nine more cities worldwide over the next five years. To help craft a cohesive … Continue reading “MassChallenge Talks Global Expansion: 9 More Cities, 20,000 New Jobs”

Have an Idea to Fix Transportation in Detroit? You Could Win $250K

If there’s one thing that makes Detroiters’ blood boil, it’s when people from out of town parachute into the city full of plans on how to supposedly improve the lives of Motor City residents—without ever consulting said residents before plowing ahead. It’s incredibly condescending, usually, and often smacks of paternalism. There’s a right way and … Continue reading “Have an Idea to Fix Transportation in Detroit? You Could Win $250K”

Houston’s Surge Ventures Hits the Pause Button on Accelerator Program

Houston’s Surge Ventures, founded four years ago to boost innovation in the energy industry, has set its startup accelerator on “pause.” Speaking on a panel at the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship energy funding conference Thursday, Surge founder Kirk Coburn said the focus would now be on the fund’s existing 30-plus companies. “Let’s hit … Continue reading “Houston’s Surge Ventures Hits the Pause Button on Accelerator Program”

Kyruus Gets $25M More for “Moneyball” Approach to Doctors and Patients

[Updated, 1:40pm. See below] One of Boston’s most intriguing health IT startups just got a little richer. Kyruus, which makes analytics software for hospitals and health systems, has raised $25 million in new funding. By our count, that’s $56 million in total funding for Kyruus, which has 110 employees. [Updated figures from company representative—Eds.] The … Continue reading “Kyruus Gets $25M More for “Moneyball” Approach to Doctors and Patients”

Boston Tech Roundup: Flywire, DraftKings, Blade, & More

[Updated 9/17/15, 3:44 p.m. See below.] There has been a flurry of funding, acquisitions, hiring and firing, and other movement in the Boston-area startup scene over the past week or so. Time for a quick roundup of the latest local tech news: —PeerTransfer has changed its name to Flywire and moved into new digs overlooking … Continue reading “Boston Tech Roundup: Flywire, DraftKings, Blade, & More”

Sequoia Capital’s Goetz on Carbon3D, a North Carolina-Born “Unicorn”

Sequoia Capital’s Jim Goetz invested in the North Carolina-born 3D printing startup that would go on to become the venture capital firm’s latest “unicorn” after seeing the technology in action—demonstrated by the high school student who helped build the prototype printer. Carbon3D’s technology can 3D print in minutes what takes hours with currently available technology. … Continue reading “Sequoia Capital’s Goetz on Carbon3D, a North Carolina-Born “Unicorn””

Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI

[Corrected 9/17/15 1:28 pm. See below.] In a panel discussion on growing the biosciences in Wisconsin, CEOs of four companies emphasized the importance of reeling in top-tier employees and called on institutions, including the state’s legislature and flagship university, to do more for the industry. The “CEOs Unplugged” panel was part of Wednesday’s Bioscience Summit, … Continue reading “Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI”

How NetBlazr, Webpass Court Cord-Cutters and Nibble Comcast’s Lunch

Sometimes what it takes to compete with a heavyweight is a series of small, methodical steps. At least, that’s the strategy that upstart wireless Internet service providers like NetBlazr and Webpass have chosen as they try to nibble off market share from Comcast and other huge incumbents in the cable, phone, and satellite industry. When … Continue reading “How NetBlazr, Webpass Court Cord-Cutters and Nibble Comcast’s Lunch”

Teach Now or Treat Later: Wellness Educator Omada Raises $48M

[Updated 9/17/15, 9:52 am. See below.] Health insurance plans are avidly searching for ways to reduce the cost of medical treatment, such as favoring generic drugs over brand name pharmaceuticals. San Francisco-based digital health company Omada Health approaches the cost problem from a different direction, by trying to prevent serious, chronic diseases from developing in … Continue reading “Teach Now or Treat Later: Wellness Educator Omada Raises $48M”

Alector Raises $32M For Immune-Based Neuro Drug Development

Researchers around the world have explored the ties between the immune system and devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. San Francisco biotech Alector wants to exploit those ties to make drugs, and today it announced $32 million in venture funding—with another round likely coming by year’s end—to continue that work. Alector was founded two years … Continue reading “Alector Raises $32M For Immune-Based Neuro Drug Development”

With Revamped Trial, Aerie, Glaucoma Drug Bounce Back

Aerie Pharmaceuticals took a beating from investors earlier this year when its glaucoma drug failed the first of a few Phase 3 trials. But today the company has bounced back, thanks to a helping hand from the FDA. Bedminster, NJ and Irvine, CA-based Aerie (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AERI]]) said late Wednesday that its glaucoma drug, known as … Continue reading “With Revamped Trial, Aerie, Glaucoma Drug Bounce Back”

What Fuels Innovation? Houston’s MEST Conference Says Diversity

Sometimes, the best way to fuel the spark of innovation is to spend some time with people who are very different from yourself. That’s the idea behind the second annual MEST conference—that’s Medicine, Energy, Space, and Technology—a gathering that aims to leverage the expertise of seemingly different industries to help solve problems across those businesses. … Continue reading “What Fuels Innovation? Houston’s MEST Conference Says Diversity”

Dallas Startup Vinli Creates Dashboard Tool for Connected Cars

[Corrected 9/21/15, 10:24 a.m. See below.] Vinli, a Dallas-based connected car device maker, is bringing a tablet-style dashboard product to market to be offered in new cars. The company offers a connected-car device, which users plug into a car’s diagnostic data port, that lets developers build apps for automobiles. A user can access any number of … Continue reading “Dallas Startup Vinli Creates Dashboard Tool for Connected Cars”

HouseCall Add-On: Mobile-Centric Home Services Startup Raises $6M

HouseCall, a San Diego mobile software startup that operates a Web-based marketplace for home services, has raised $6 million in a Series A round led by August Capital of Menlo Park, CA. Two existing investors—Michael Beaudoin, a former co-founder and co-CEO of HomeAdvisor, and San Francisco-based e.ventures, joined the round, according to a recent statement … Continue reading “HouseCall Add-On: Mobile-Centric Home Services Startup Raises $6M”

Waiting on a Legal Settlement? Mighty Offers Market for Cash Advances

An online marketplace called Mighty that helps people land advance payments on potential legal settlements, and models itself after fintech companies such as Lending Club, launches today with a $5.25 million Series A investment. The New York company’s funding round was co-led by Tribeca Venture Partners and IA Ventures, along with participation from New York … Continue reading “Waiting on a Legal Settlement? Mighty Offers Market for Cash Advances”

Tim Wu and NY Attorney General Schneiderman Talk Tech & Government

Can government and disruptive companies make nice-nice with each other? Last night at Civic Hall in New York, the local innovation community got to meet with the state’s chief legal eagle, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and part of his team, which now includes Tim Wu, the Columbia Law professor credited with coining the … Continue reading “Tim Wu and NY Attorney General Schneiderman Talk Tech & Government”

Don’t Get Lost, Use Mapkin: Navigation App Taps Boston-Driver Wisdom

[Updated, 9/17/15. See below] Back-to-school traffic driving you crazy? Uber and taxi drivers going in circles? There’s a new mobile app that might help solve those problems (in the street, not the State House). It’s called Mapkin, and it’s basically trying to be a smarter, more personal GPS navigator. It also fits with the tech … Continue reading “Don’t Get Lost, Use Mapkin: Navigation App Taps Boston-Driver Wisdom”

Celgene Cozies up to Nurix With $150M Drug Development Deal

Celgene has established a reputation over the years for forming creative partnerships with nascent biotechs. Today it’s added another deal to that list, by taking an equity stake in a Bay Area startup called Nurix. Summit, NJ-based Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]) is paying Nurix $150 million up front and making an unspecified equity investment for an … Continue reading “Celgene Cozies up to Nurix With $150M Drug Development Deal”

Intra-Cellular Surges as Schizophrenia Drug Passes First Key Test

Successful antipsychotic drugs can generate yearly sales in the billions, and that’s the type of thing Intra-Cellular Therapies is shooting for with an experimental schizophrenia drug called ITI-007. There’s still much to prove for that to happen, but this morning the New York-based company took a positive step forward. Intra-Cellular (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ITCI]]) said today that … Continue reading “Intra-Cellular Surges as Schizophrenia Drug Passes First Key Test”

The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets

If you’re a startup or small business based in the U.S., chances are that you’re engaging with other emerging markets in some way or another. Perhaps you’re serving customers in those markets – or you have partners, suppliers, or consultants located there – or perhaps some of your team members are based there, or traveling … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets”