Great entrepreneurs have repeatedly transformed the landscape of America, driving growth, improving lives, and employing millions. But now, as the nation picks itself up from the Great Recession, comes increased attention to and appreciation for entrepreneurship—the art of taking company-building risks in pursuit of changing the world. From the Oval Office to state and local … Continue reading “XSITE 2011: The Entrepreneurship Era”
Category: National
Five Questions for IBM on Watson, Jeopardy, and Real-World Applications for Sophisticated Analytics
In mid-February, IBM’s Watson computer was the biggest star on television. In a three-day tournament against former Jeopardy champs Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, Watson was the hands-down champion, winning more than $77,000. To create Watson, IBM had to engineer analytics technology that could sift through the equivalent of one million books and find a … Continue reading “Five Questions for IBM on Watson, Jeopardy, and Real-World Applications for Sophisticated Analytics”
Amgen Passes Key Trial With “Son of Dmab” For Osteoporosis
The financial crowd who follows Amgen may be talking all about dividends or techniques to boost the stock through share buybacks, but the medical and scientific world will be chirping today about an interesting new finding the company has made for treating osteoporosis. Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), the Thousand Oaks, CA, biotech giant with R&D operations … Continue reading “Amgen Passes Key Trial With “Son of Dmab” For Osteoporosis”
West Wireless Health Institute Distances Itself from Qualcomm, Seeks to Recast its Role
When the West Wireless Health Institute named Don Casey as its first CEO last year, the San Diego nonprofit said the former Johnson & Johnson executive was hired to drive development of the institute as “a world-class research organization focused on accelerating wireless health innovations, technology incubation, advocacy and education.” Today the institute is describing … Continue reading “West Wireless Health Institute Distances Itself from Qualcomm, Seeks to Recast its Role”
The Brave New World of Enterprise Television
Successful businesses take pride in knowing their customers, listening to them, and exceeding their expectations. They evolve their products, services, pricing, terms, and distribution based on what the market is looking for and how the landscape is changing—not on what worked in the past. This quality has never been more important than in the past … Continue reading “The Brave New World of Enterprise Television”
From Three-Month Ice to Fast Broadband Everywhere: Some Projects You Might Not Know About From Intellectual Ventures Lab
There are two sides to Intellectual Ventures, the Bellevue, WA-based “invention capital” company started by former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold. The revenue-generating side of the business is a stockpile of more than 30,000 patents, which Intellectual Ventures licenses and sells to other firms, including tech companies large and small looking to defend themselves in lawsuits. … Continue reading “From Three-Month Ice to Fast Broadband Everywhere: Some Projects You Might Not Know About From Intellectual Ventures Lab”
Triangulating VC Activity: Third Survey Shows Q1 Increase in Invested Capital
Another survey on venture capital activity during the first quarter shows that venture investors put $6.4 billion into 661 startups nationwide. That’s a 35 percent increase in capital and a 5 percent rise in deals, according to the report from Dow Jones VentureSource. It’s the third survey to show a substantial increase in the amount … Continue reading “Triangulating VC Activity: Third Survey Shows Q1 Increase in Invested Capital”
EBay’s $135M Acquisition of Where Could Drive PayPal’s Mobile Future; Boston CEOs React to Another Silicon Valley Buyer
[Updated 4/24/11. See comment below] Chalk up another $100 million-plus purchase of a Boston-area mobile technology company. First there was m-Qube, then Third Screen Media, Enpocket, Starent Networks, Quattro Wireless, and now, Where. Their acquirers read like a who’s who of tech giants: VeriSign, AOL, Nokia, Cisco, Apple, and now, eBay. Indeed, Boston-based Where’s purchase … Continue reading “EBay’s $135M Acquisition of Where Could Drive PayPal’s Mobile Future; Boston CEOs React to Another Silicon Valley Buyer”
Life Science Discovery Fund Faces Cuts, Boeing’s Biofuel Push, SeaGen’s Latest Deal, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News
We’ve got biofuel on the brain here at Xconomy as we prep for our next big event. —Boeing and Alaska Airlines are taking the lead on a regional network that wants to turn the Northwest into a hotspot for biofuel production by growing the plants, refining the oil, transporting, and consuming it all locally to … Continue reading “Life Science Discovery Fund Faces Cuts, Boeing’s Biofuel Push, SeaGen’s Latest Deal, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”
BG Medicine Chief Speaks on Rough IPO Climate, (Finally) Going Public
BG Medicine (NASDAQ:[[ticker:BGMD]]) took the long road to becoming a public company, scrapping its first attempt in 2008 and then spending just more than a year to wrap up its second IPO campaign this past February. In a recent interview, Pieter Muntendam, the CEO of the Waltham, MA-based medical diagnostic company, told me how BG … Continue reading “BG Medicine Chief Speaks on Rough IPO Climate, (Finally) Going Public”
MIT Tech Review Lauds Sakti3’s Next Generation Battery Technology
If you haven’t heard about Ann Marie Sastry by now, then maybe you’ve been spending too much time (and money) pumping gas into your internal combustion engine. The University of Michigan professor has won plenty of kudos and cash for her efforts to develop a solid-state lithium ion battery for next generation electric cars. Her … Continue reading “MIT Tech Review Lauds Sakti3’s Next Generation Battery Technology”
Tracon Raises $14M to Advance Cancer Drug
San Diego’s Tracon Pharmaceuticals says today it has raised $14 million of a planned $22 million round of venture capital needed to advance development of TRC105, a promising therapeutic that inhibits the growth of new blood vessels that supply tumors. The National Cancer Institute also is supporting the company’s research and development, which includes ongoing … Continue reading “Tracon Raises $14M to Advance Cancer Drug”
Join Xconomy and TechShop on April 27 for “The Maker Revolution: From Workbench to Business”
There’s something amazing happening in garages, basement workshops, and hackerspaces across the country. Generations raised on mass consumption, the local mall, and ordering products online from Amazon are rediscovering the joy of making stuff—and sometimes selling it. In fact, the twisty path from being a “maker” to being a full-blown entrepreneur is being traced by … Continue reading “Join Xconomy and TechShop on April 27 for “The Maker Revolution: From Workbench to Business””
NanoBio and U-M To Develop Vaccine Against Urinary Tract Infections
NanoBio said today it signed a licensing deal with the University of Michigan to help commercialize a vaccine against urinary tract infections (UTI). The biopharmaceutical startup, based in Ann Arbor, MI, wants to use its NanoStat platform technology to deliver through the nose an antigen developed by U-M scientists designed to kill E. coli bacteria … Continue reading “NanoBio and U-M To Develop Vaccine Against Urinary Tract Infections”
What do Desh Deshpande, Gilt Groupe, Nobelist Phil Sharp, & Intellectual Ventures Have in Common? All Are Keynoting at XSITE 2011-The Entrepreneurship Era
For the past two years, Xconomy has pulled out all the stops to throw a full-day conference in June called XSITE—the Xconomy Summit on Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. In that short amount of time, this cross-disciplinary event, spanning the Internet and other areas of IT, life sciences, energy, healthtech, and more, has become one of … Continue reading “What do Desh Deshpande, Gilt Groupe, Nobelist Phil Sharp, & Intellectual Ventures Have in Common? All Are Keynoting at XSITE 2011-The Entrepreneurship Era”
Qwiki Hits the iPad
You haven’t used Qwiki, the multimedia reference service bankrolled by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, until you’ve tried it on the iPad. The San Francisco startup announced this morning that Apple has approved the new mobile version of its “rich media narrative” technology for distribution through the iTunes App Store. Owners of iPads can download the … Continue reading “Qwiki Hits the iPad”
New York’s ACRE Incubator is Churning Out Cleantech Startups, and Helping Build a New Engine for the City’s Economy
Micah Kotch, operations director of New York City’s only cleantech incubator, has developed a bit of a complex. The incubator, called NYC ACRE (Accelerator for a Clean & Renewable Economy), is housed within New York University’s better-known technology incubator on Varick Street. Since ACRE started up in July 2009, Kotch has watched a procession of … Continue reading “New York’s ACRE Incubator is Churning Out Cleantech Startups, and Helping Build a New Engine for the City’s Economy”
Boeing, Alaska Airlines Lead Push for Renewable Aviation Fuel From the Northwest
To borrow a phrase from folks in Texas, the biofuel industry has been “all hat, and no cattle” for quite some time. But that could be changing, as a group of 40 power players in the Northwest, led by Boeing, has coalesced to create what could be the first strategic plan to turn the region … Continue reading “Boeing, Alaska Airlines Lead Push for Renewable Aviation Fuel From the Northwest”
Bluebird Bio Snaps up $30M for Gene Therapies, Adds ARCH Venture to Syndicate
Investors are rewarding Bluebird Bio for wracking up accolades with its experimental gene therapies for serious genetic diseases. The Cambridge, MA-based biotech firm has brought in $30 million in a Series C round of funding, just over year after investors pumped $35 million into the firm in its second-round financing. ARCH Venture Partners joined the … Continue reading “Bluebird Bio Snaps up $30M for Gene Therapies, Adds ARCH Venture to Syndicate”
Sparkbuy Adds Product Selection from Best Buy in Quest to Make Electronics Shopping as Powerful as Online Travel
Another day, another bit of news for Seattle-based online electronics shopping startups. This time, it’s Sparkbuy announcing that it will offer products from Richfield, MN-based Best Buy (NYSE: [[ticker:BBY]]) on its customizable search site, a big addition for a company that’s only been in the public eye for about two weeks. Sparkbuy, which already featured electronics like … Continue reading “Sparkbuy Adds Product Selection from Best Buy in Quest to Make Electronics Shopping as Powerful as Online Travel”
Zipcar Goes Public, PTC Buys MKS, Third Rock Leads $18.3M Series B for Taris, & More Boston-Area Deals News
This week we’ve seen a slew of startup financings and an IPO in the New England area. —Third Rock Ventures became an investor in Taris Biomedical, leading an $18.3 million Series B financing for the MIT spinout. The company will use the money to advance its drug-delivery device, for treating a variety of bladder ailments. … Continue reading “Zipcar Goes Public, PTC Buys MKS, Third Rock Leads $18.3M Series B for Taris, & More Boston-Area Deals News”
Back For More: Renaissance Venture Capital Funding Arboretum Ventures III
The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund is doubling down on Arboretum Ventures. After already committing $5 million to Arboretum II, Renaissance is helping to bankroll Arboretum’s new $125 million fund, its third since 2002, Renaissance CEO Chris Rizik told Xconomy. Arboretum previously pulled together $73 million and $24 million for its first two funds. The Ann … Continue reading “Back For More: Renaissance Venture Capital Funding Arboretum Ventures III”
Zillow Files for IPO, PopCap Heading the Same Way, Zynga Beckons Local Talent, & More in the Seattle-Area Tech Roundup
The Seattle tech scene got its first entrant in what looks like a coming wave of initial public offerings when Zillow made its intentions official, filing paperwork with federal regulators Monday for a future stock sale. In its filing, the online real-estate listing and mortgage database said it would seek about $52 million from the stock … Continue reading “Zillow Files for IPO, PopCap Heading the Same Way, Zynga Beckons Local Talent, & More in the Seattle-Area Tech Roundup”
Sangart Gets $50M Infusion for Oxygen-Carrying Blood Adjunct
San Diego-based Sangart, which has been developing an oxygen-carrying compound to counter blood loss in traumatic injuries, says today it has raised more than $50 million in a Series G round of new equity funding. That’s a big deal these days in San Diego, which raised a total of slightly more than $100 million in … Continue reading “Sangart Gets $50M Infusion for Oxygen-Carrying Blood Adjunct”
Order Your Next Burger on a Tablet Computer from E La Carte
If you’ve got a touchscreen-based tablet computer, odds are you’ve noticed the way it speeds up tasks like managing e-mail. Doctors and other professionals like them too, for browsing or entering information in the workplace. And now the devices are starting to show up in a more surprising setting—your local burger joint. E la Carte, … Continue reading “Order Your Next Burger on a Tablet Computer from E La Carte”
Clearwire, Sprint Settle Wholesale Pricing Dispute with $1B Deal
Troubled 4G wireless network operator Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) had some positive news today, reporting that it and majority shareholder Sprint had resolved a dispute over wholesale pricing. Sprint (NYSE: [[ticker:S]]) will pay at least $1 billion over the next two years for use of Clearwire’s service, the companies said in a joint statement. Interim Chief … Continue reading “Clearwire, Sprint Settle Wholesale Pricing Dispute with $1B Deal”
Four Kinds of Startups
Since part of my job at Redstar Ventures is to meet as many entrepreneurs as possible who might want to co-found a startup with us, I’ve swilled plenty of coffee at Voltage and Peet’s swapping ideas with many a bright, passionate, and inventive entrepreneur. Somewhere into my second gallon of cappuccino, I began to notice … Continue reading “Four Kinds of Startups”
The Bob Langer and Polaris Family Tree: From Acusphere to Momenta to Visterra
Seventeen companies in 18 years. That’s about as prolific as any entrepreneur-VC partnership in history. And when you’re talking about an MIT Institute Professor (and his collaborators) and the co-founder of Polaris Venture Partners (and his colleagues), that adds significant weight to the achievement. Earlier this month, Bob Langer from MIT and Terry McGuire from … Continue reading “The Bob Langer and Polaris Family Tree: From Acusphere to Momenta to Visterra”
Solar Sell: Soitec CEO Argues Case for its Advanced Solar Technology in San Diego
The French semiconductor manufacturer Soitec generated headlines in San Diego last month when it said it has been working with Tenaska Solar Ventures to develop a 150-megawatt solar plant in the desert east of San Diego—at an estimated cost of $500 million. To support the project Soitec also revealed plans to build a factory somewhere … Continue reading “Solar Sell: Soitec CEO Argues Case for its Advanced Solar Technology in San Diego”
Mentors, Coaches, and Teachers
Lots of entrepreneurs believe they want a mentor. In fact, they’re actually asking for a teacher or a coach. A mentor relationship is a two-way street. To make it work, you have to bring something to the party. A Question from the Audience Recently when I was at a conference taking questions from the audience, … Continue reading “Mentors, Coaches, and Teachers”
Postling, from Etsy.com Veterans, Looks to Manage Social Media for the Non-Tech-Savvy Business Owner
Your average doctor who owns his practice doesn’t exactly have time to monitor Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, YouTube, and blogs all day for comments and reviews on his business, says entrepreneur David Lifson. Yet a busy doctor is just the type of customer that Lifson is targeting with Postling, the startup he co-founded in New York … Continue reading “Postling, from Etsy.com Veterans, Looks to Manage Social Media for the Non-Tech-Savvy Business Owner”
HealthTap Seeks to Arm Healthcare Consumers with Better Answers, and Better Questions, Before They Go to the Doctor
When is too much information worse than none at all? When it comes to health advice on the Internet, apparently. Databases like PubMed, health-oriented social networking sites such as PatientsLikeMe, and consumer sites like WebMD, HealthCentral, and RevolutionHealth offer an enormous flood of data about diseases, symptoms, and treatments. Yet according to a study last … Continue reading “HealthTap Seeks to Arm Healthcare Consumers with Better Answers, and Better Questions, Before They Go to the Doctor”
Novartis, Trying Not to Burn the Hamburger, Increases its Bet on the Bay Area
One of the more memorable quotes I’ve picked up on the biotech beat came in a 2004 story about the company once known as Chiron. Speaking of Emeryville, CA-based Chiron’s $700 million acquisition of Pathogenesis in 2000, a Seattle researcher said the following: “Chiron bought filet mignon, turned it into hamburger, and now it’s burning … Continue reading “Novartis, Trying Not to Burn the Hamburger, Increases its Bet on the Bay Area”
An Investment Opportunity: Training in Biosciences
The burgeoning life sciences/biotech sector here is gratifying and indicates that Seattle isn’t just about airplanes, software and coffee. However, in order for our industry to enjoy the success that others in our region have, it’s crucial that we prioritize training the next generation of scientists. Last fall, Xconomy hosted an event called “Biotech’s Back,” … Continue reading “An Investment Opportunity: Training in Biosciences”
Groupon Swallows Seattle’s Pelago, Makers of the Whrrl Check-In App
There’s been a bit of discussion lately about whether “the check-in” is dead. Chicago-based daily deals behemoth Groupon apparently doesn’t think so: It’s acquiring Seattle’s Pelago, makers of the Whrrl social check-in service. Terms weren’t disclosed. In a blog post, Groupon Chief Executive Andrew Mason said he was a fan of Whrrl’s technology and people, … Continue reading “Groupon Swallows Seattle’s Pelago, Makers of the Whrrl Check-In App”
Separating Hype from Reality in Alternative Fuels: Slated for May 19 at Institute for Systems Biology
If clean-burning renewables are ever going to replace fossil fuels at the corner fueling station, it will probably require a rethinking of the biofuel production process at the basic level of genes and cells. That’s why I’m jazzed to say we’re convening the next big Xconomy Seattle event at one of the hotspots where scientists … Continue reading “Separating Hype from Reality in Alternative Fuels: Slated for May 19 at Institute for Systems Biology”
Zillow, with Growing Revenue and Shrinking Losses, Files Paperwork for IPO
Seattle online real-estate company Zillow is trying to raise nearly $52 million in an initial public offering, according to registration paperwork filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zillow, which has been edging toward an IPO for some time, said in the statement that its revenues nearly doubled last year to about $30.5 million. … Continue reading “Zillow, with Growing Revenue and Shrinking Losses, Files Paperwork for IPO”
PopCap, Eyeing an IPO this Fall, Talks Revenue Growth, Shifting Platforms, & Zynga Jealousy in a Blitz with Media, Investors
PopCap, the Seattle-based maker of popular online and casual games like “Bejeweled” and “Plants vs. Zombies,” is coming off a very newsy week as it tries to build buzz among investors ahead of a possible initial public offering later this year. Of course, if PopCap actually files an IPO prospectus with securities regulators, the company … Continue reading “PopCap, Eyeing an IPO this Fall, Talks Revenue Growth, Shifting Platforms, & Zynga Jealousy in a Blitz with Media, Investors”
CSN Stores, Amid Rebranding and Financing Rumors, Looks to Become “Amazon for the Home”
It’s pretty impressive what a couple of engineers have built here in the Back Bay. But truth be told, the engineers themselves aren’t all that impressed yet. That’s because they have their eyes on a bigger goal: running a billion-dollar e-commerce company. I’m talking about Niraj Shah and Steve Conine, the co-founders of Boston-based CSN … Continue reading “CSN Stores, Amid Rebranding and Financing Rumors, Looks to Become “Amazon for the Home””
Join Us After Work Today for Xconomy San Francisco’s Spring Open House
The snacks are ready, the beer and wine are cooling in the fridge, and I’ve got a fresh stack of business cards to hand out—so come on over to Xconomy’s Potrero Hill/Dogpatch office for our spring open house, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm today. All friends and fans of Xconomy are welcome. For our last … Continue reading “Join Us After Work Today for Xconomy San Francisco’s Spring Open House”
Concur Stakes a Bigger Claim in India with Cleartrip Investment, New International Office
Concur, which helps businesses manage travel and expense accounts, is making a couple of big moves to broaden its international reach today. The company said it has invested $40 million to obtain a minority stake in Cleartrip, a privately held online travel-booking service in India. Redmond, WA-based Concur said it’s forming a marketing partnership with … Continue reading “Concur Stakes a Bigger Claim in India with Cleartrip Investment, New International Office”
Patriots’ Payday: GMZ, Localytics, and SilverRail Raise Financing Rounds
It wouldn’t be Monday in Boston without a slew of startup financings. On Patriots’ Day, no less—no curbside trash pickup, but plenty of new money to go around in the fields of mobile, travel, and cleantech. —Waltham, MA-based GMZ Energy, a developer of thermoelectric materials and products, has raised $7 million in equity financing out … Continue reading “Patriots’ Payday: GMZ, Localytics, and SilverRail Raise Financing Rounds”
CoDa Therapeutics Adds $19M Round, Led by Domain, to Pursue Diabetes Complication
San Diego-based CoDa Therapeutics isn’t the biggest name in the local diabetes R&D business, but today it has reloaded with a sizable amount of cash to test its idea for treating a common complication of the disease. CoDa, which also has operations in Auckland, New Zealand, said today it has secured a $19 million Series … Continue reading “CoDa Therapeutics Adds $19M Round, Led by Domain, to Pursue Diabetes Complication”
New Shopping Sites Combine Personalization And Social Media, But Experts Warn of a Bubble
Need a little fashion advice? Click onto WingTipIt, a Web site launching this week, and assemble your own virtual closet of clothes you covet—then seek feedback from friends via Facebook. Or if accessories are more your thing, click over to Send the Trend, fill out a quick survey, and you’ll receive a list of jewels, … Continue reading “New Shopping Sites Combine Personalization And Social Media, But Experts Warn of a Bubble”
TuneUp Expands, ShowYou Debuts, Students Go to E-Bootcamp—The 1-Minute Version of Last Week’s Bay Area BizTech News
Last week was mobile video week at Xconomy, with news of ShowYou’s new iOS video browsing app, plus a video news report from a Stanford entrepreneurship conference produced on the iPad 2 by yours truly. But first, a couple of event notices: —We hope you can join us tonight for the Xconomy San Francisco Spring … Continue reading “TuneUp Expands, ShowYou Debuts, Students Go to E-Bootcamp—The 1-Minute Version of Last Week’s Bay Area BizTech News”
San Diego VC Activity Falls 55 Percent, Ford Adopts Focus as EV “Tech Platform,” Verve Raises $3.5M, & More San Diego BizTech News
While venture capital activity increased nationwide during the first quarter that ended in March, VC investing in San Diego fell to its lowest level since the first quarter of 2009. Our roundup of that and the rest of last week’s tech news begins now. —Data on first-quarter venture capital activity arrived separately from New York-based … Continue reading “San Diego VC Activity Falls 55 Percent, Ford Adopts Focus as EV “Tech Platform,” Verve Raises $3.5M, & More San Diego BizTech News”
Asemblon, Forging Ahead With Hydrogen Fuel Dream, Leans on Partners to Make it Happen
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and scientists have dreamed for years about turning it into a source of clean alternative fuel. The vision hasn’t materialized, but one Seattle-area entrepreneur, Michael Ramage of Asemblon, says he is more confident than ever that this idea can reach the marketplace in about two years. … Continue reading “Asemblon, Forging Ahead With Hydrogen Fuel Dream, Leans on Partners to Make it Happen”
Biotech’s Missed Opportunity: Small-Town and Rural America
The biotech and pharmaceutical industry is full of people who went to the top universities, live in the fanciest neighborhoods, and work for brand-name companies. But this industry needs to start thinking more about millions of people who are mostly an afterthought today. I’m talking about people who live in America’s small cities and rural … Continue reading “Biotech’s Missed Opportunity: Small-Town and Rural America”
In This Corner: Kinsella & More Vs. Hutton & Samuels on Venture Biotech
Avalon Ventures founder Kevin Kinsella was practically spoiling for a fight in February, when he called out the pharmaceutical industry for many instances of what he called “short-sighted, brass-knuckle negotiating tactics.” Pharma’s “bad behavior” had Kinsella questioning whether “this partnership between Big Pharma and biotech can really continue.” Kinsella’s bill of particulars, which includes buyout … Continue reading “In This Corner: Kinsella & More Vs. Hutton & Samuels on Venture Biotech”
‘Not Your Mother’s Coupons’—With a Fresh $7 Million, SavingStar Launches Mobile and Digital Grocery Couponing Service
In the last couple of years, the advent of group buying and daily-deals sites has given consumers regular access to big discounts online for things like whitewater rafting, hot yoga, laser hair removal, and tapas. Meanwhile, the slightly more practical customers have been left with Sunday circulars. Enter SavingStar. The Waltham, MA-based company’s fully digital … Continue reading “‘Not Your Mother’s Coupons’—With a Fresh $7 Million, SavingStar Launches Mobile and Digital Grocery Couponing Service”