This event, sponsored by NYC Health Business Leaders, will provide an insider’s view of the benefits and challenges of starting companies in New York City. Featured speakers include Cyrus Massoumi, CEO of ZocDocs, and Sundeep Bhan, CEO of Medivo. Register here.
Category: New York
Lifebooker Grabs $4 Million in Funding
Lifebooker, an online marketplace for discounted health and beauty services, has raised $4 million from Edison Ventures, according to a press release. The Brooklyn-based Lifebooker provides businesses in New York and Los Angeles with the ability to advertise open appointment times or limited-time discounts on the Internet, which consumers can then book through the site. … Continue reading “Lifebooker Grabs $4 Million in Funding”
Why Are Drugs Getting Such Weird Brand Names?
Oddball product names are one of the occupational hazards of biotech writing. Drugs in particular can be hard to spell, and often hard to pronounce. While I can practically type telaprevir, telaprevir, telaprevir in my sleep at this point, I can almost feel the reader reaction when that scientific name flows from my keyboard. ZZZ…. … Continue reading “Why Are Drugs Getting Such Weird Brand Names?”
Gilt Groupe Garners $138,000,000 Series E Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=37327988-05ca-4324-9a43-0895ab1626d3&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2011 Company Name Gilt Groupe Mailing Address 2 Park Ave. Fourth Floor New York, NY 10016 Company Description Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access to highly coveted products and experiences at insider prices. Each day, Gilt offers its members a curated selection of merchandise, including apparel, accessories and lifestyle items across … Continue reading “Gilt Groupe Garners $138,000,000 Series E Funding Round”
Lifebooker Obtains $4,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ac44b5d2-cb5f-4023-8463-f4ec3a0428dc&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2011 Company Name Lifebooker Mailing Address Undisclosed Brooklyn, NY 11210 Company Description The company provides online marketing and advertising solutions for health and beauty businesses. Website http://www.lifebooker.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Edison’s financing and guidance will accelerate national expansion beyond New York … Continue reading “Lifebooker Obtains $4,000,000 New Financing”
Geoworld Summit
This event will cover topics ranging from hyperlocal media to geo-tech platforms. Speakers include Ted Morgan, CEO of Skyhook, Matthew Szymczyk, CEO of Zugara, and Nathan Gill, co-founder of Outcast. Register here.
SBIR Overhaul Stalls In the Senate, to the Detriment of VC-Backed Innovation
Venture capital-backed startups got a slap on the back this week, but that was followed by a slap in the face in the latest round of Washington political gamesmanship over how much lawmakers should or should not encourage venture capital-backed innovation. So far, the battle to enhance U.S. innovation is taking yet another hit. What … Continue reading “SBIR Overhaul Stalls In the Senate, to the Detriment of VC-Backed Innovation”
How Do You Like to Get Your Xconomy Content? Check Out Our New Look on Facebook
Facebook, for me at least, has mainly been about looking for newly updated photos of my two-year-old nephew who lives two time zones away in the Midwest. But I’m well aware this isn’t a mainstream point of view, and that many of the online social network’s 600 million global users really like to get their … Continue reading “How Do You Like to Get Your Xconomy Content? Check Out Our New Look on Facebook”
The News Embargo Is Dead. TechCrunch Killed It. Let’s Move On.
My passion is for storytelling, and the stories that fascinate me most are about new technologies, how they’re brought into being, and how they’re changing everyday life. But there’s a wrinkle that’s been distracting me from doing my best work and getting it out to the readers who will appreciate it most. It’s called the … Continue reading “The News Embargo Is Dead. TechCrunch Killed It. Let’s Move On.”
Quirky Lands $5,000,006 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9067ccfd-8ec7-495e-bcad-70f63fac00f1&Preview=1 Date 5/6/2011 Company Name Quirky Mailing Address 628 Broadway 3rd Floor New York, NY 10012 Company Description Quirky is rapidly changing the way people think about product development by using a unique method to harness the power of creativity. Website http://www.quirky.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,006 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Quirky Lands $5,000,006 New Funding”
Hotel Review Site Oyster.com Gets a Boost from Travel Channel Deal
When New York startup Oyster.com sealed a $7.5 million deal with the Travel Channel on April 25, the New York press focused almost exclusively on what the deal would mean for the TV channel, which is owned by media giant Scripps. No doubt Oyster—which posts in-depth reviews of boutique hotels and offers online booking services—will … Continue reading “Hotel Review Site Oyster.com Gets a Boost from Travel Channel Deal”
Gilt Groupe Seeks $138 Million Series E
Following months of rumors, New York-based fashion site Gilt Groupe has filed to raise $138 million in a Series E offering, according to Private Equity Hub. The filing authorizes the sale of about 5 million shares at $27.68 a piece. Gilt holds online limited-time “flash sales” of deeply discounted clothing, home decor, travel, and more. … Continue reading “Gilt Groupe Seeks $138 Million Series E”
Travel Ad Network Raises $15 Million
New York-based Travel Ad Network, which offers digital advertising services to travel-related publishers, has raised $15 million, according to an SEC filing. The company says it has the largest travel information audience online, with almost 20 million monthly unique users in the US and more than 30 million worldwide, according to comScore. The company previously … Continue reading “Travel Ad Network Raises $15 Million”
In the Age of Health Reform, Healthcare IT to the Rescue?
Talking about health insurance is a good way to clear a room. It is a rare person who is excited to interact with their insurance company or who can understand the explanation of benefits they receive in the mail detailing all of the things that the insurance carrier has decided not to pay on their … Continue reading “In the Age of Health Reform, Healthcare IT to the Rescue?”
New Jersey Technology Council Bootcamp
This day-long conference is designed for entrepreneurs and executives of seed to early stage technology companies, and will cover topics ranging from intellectual property to outsourcing. Speakers include Scott Barnett, founder of Bluenog and CEO of Evident Software. Register here.
Braemar Energy Launches $300 Million Fund
Braemar Energy Ventures, which has offices in New York and Boston, plans to raise $300 million for a new fund, according to an SEC filing. Braemar focuses on energy technology and is invested in more than 25 companies in the fields of oil and gas, lighting, solar, clean coal, biofuels, smart grid, and more. Its … Continue reading “Braemar Energy Launches $300 Million Fund”
OnSwipe’s Platform for Beautifying iPad Web Pages Attracts Investors
On April 14, OnSwipe co-founder Jason Baptiste marched onto the stage at TechStars’ first New York Demo Day and told the audience of venture capitalists, “We’re not raising a Series A, we’re raising a Series Awesome.” In fact, his company was on the verge of locking up a funding round—one he felt so secure about … Continue reading “OnSwipe’s Platform for Beautifying iPad Web Pages Attracts Investors”
Mocean Nabs Deal With MSNBC
New York-based Mocean Mobile signed a multi-year ad-serving agreement with MSNBC Digital Network, according to a press release. Mocean will provide custom ad solutions that will allow MSNBC to manage, prioritize, and track ad campaigns across all of its news and entertainment sites. “We chose Mocean Mobile because they had a very sophisticated core mobile … Continue reading “Mocean Nabs Deal With MSNBC”
The Mobile Upfront
This day-long event for mobile advertising and media decision-makers will focus on the rapidly maturing mobile space and how advertisers and agencies are leveraging multi-platform strategies to drive the bottom line. Speakers include Matt Freeman, vice chairman and chief innovation officer at McCann; Jon Kamen, chairman & CEO, @radical.media; and Paul Gunning, CEO, Tribal DDB Worldwide. … Continue reading “The Mobile Upfront”
The Social Upfront
The first annual Social Upfront, presented by Efficient Frontier, will bring together executives from social media giants, advertising agencies, and media companies to discuss the impact of social media on brands, media, and marketing industries. Speakers include Steve Patrizi, v.p. of marketing solutions at LinkedIn; Andy Wiedlin, senior v.p. of sales for The Huffington Post; … Continue reading “The Social Upfront”
Cleantech Open NYC
The Cleantech Open, a national business competition that allows promising clean technology startups from across the US to compete for prizes worth $1 million, will describe its mission and programs at this informational and networking event. The deadline for submissions to the contest is May 24, and details will be provided. Register here.
New York and San Francisco Firms Top List of Webby Winners
The winners of the Webby awards were announced in New York today, and included a fair amount of famous names (Justin Bieber, Jim Carrey) and usual suspects (Angry Birds, Foursquare, Dropbox). New York and San Francisco companies made a good showing, especially on the list of winners in multiple categories. Here are the most winning … Continue reading “New York and San Francisco Firms Top List of Webby Winners”
BMW’s Bernhard Blattel on New York City as a Hub of Mobility Services
In February, Munich-based car giant BMW set up a corporate fund, BMW i Ventures, in New York City, with the goal of fostering startups that are developing location-based technologies. The fund’s first investment was MyCityWay, a company founded by three former Wall Street execs who created a series of apps designed to help people find … Continue reading “BMW’s Bernhard Blattel on New York City as a Hub of Mobility Services”
Software Equity Group Sees Improving Valuations, M&A Activity, in Software Sector
There were 394 software buyouts and mergers around the world during the first three months of 2011, with the cumulative value of all deals totaling $8.3 billion, according to a M&A tracking report from the San Diego-based Software Equity Group. That was down from the 421 M&A deals that amounted to a total value of … Continue reading “Software Equity Group Sees Improving Valuations, M&A Activity, in Software Sector”
With Help from BMW, MyCityWay Rolls Out Popular City-Guide App Around the World
You often hear about inspiration prompting a great business idea, but for the three founders of New York-based MyCityWay, the impetus came from quite a different sensation—frustration. Archana Patchirajan, Sonpreet Bhatia, and Puneet Mehta were all working on Wall Street and struggling to find an app for their smartphones that would provide day-to-day information to … Continue reading “With Help from BMW, MyCityWay Rolls Out Popular City-Guide App Around the World”
Lot18 Secures $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ba37f637-c444-4113-872c-e0434bc7ad00&Preview=1 Date 5/3/2011 Company Name Lot18 Mailing Address 6 E. 32nd St. Sixth Floor New York, NY 10016 Company Description Lot18 is a membership by invitation website for wine and epicurean products from coveted producers at attractive discounts. Website http://www.lot18.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Series B Proceeds … Continue reading “Lot18 Secures $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Skillshare Secures $550,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=94e5580b-c67a-4694-a427-f6e360238882&Preview=1 Date 5/3/2011 Company Name Skillshare Mailing Address 284 Mott St. New York, NY 10012 Company Description Skillshare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone. We believe that everyone has valuable skills and knowledge to teach and the curiosity to keep learning new things. This means our neighborhoods, communities and … Continue reading “Skillshare Secures $550,000 New Financing Round”
Five Questions on Innovation, Health IT, and Biotech for Lux Capital’s New Venture Partner Richard Foster
On April 26, New York-based venture capital firm Lux Capital added two new partners: former CIA director James Woolsey, who will focus on energy investments; and Richard Foster, a former McKinsey & Co. partner who will help Lux identify new business opportunities in life sciences and healthcare IT. Throughout his career, Foster has been on … Continue reading “Five Questions on Innovation, Health IT, and Biotech for Lux Capital’s New Venture Partner Richard Foster”
Lot18 Raises $10 Million for Online Wine Sales
New York startup Lot18—which sells wine in limited-time “flash sales”— is only six months old, but it has already raised a Series B round of funding, according to Business Insider. The company raised $10 million from investors including NEA Ventures and FirstMark Capital. Lot18 is attracting 50,000 users a month and brought in sales of … Continue reading “Lot18 Raises $10 Million for Online Wine Sales”
Considering a Career in Biotech? How About Trying Computer Science Instead
Sometimes biotech really feels like an industry in danger of being left behind. Take last Friday afternoon for example. I was at a networking reception at the University of Washington, chatting with undergraduates from all kinds of engineering fields about the job market. People were finding jobs, but nothing much to brag about, until I … Continue reading “Considering a Career in Biotech? How About Trying Computer Science Instead”
Xconomy to Tech Journalists: Help Us Take an Even Bigger Bite Out of the Big Apple
It’s been less than a month since we launched Xconomy New York, and (to none of our surprise, really) we’re already finding there are more important innovation stories than even Arlene Weintraub, the intrepid editor of Xconomy New York, can tell on her own. So to all you reporters pounding the pavement in NYC’s tech … Continue reading “Xconomy to Tech Journalists: Help Us Take an Even Bigger Bite Out of the Big Apple”
J&J Wins Early Approval of Potential Prostate Cancer Blockbuster
J&J’s $21 billion acquisition of medical device maker Synthes—its biggest acquisition ever—overshadowed a second big piece of news for the New Brunswick, NJ-based company. The FDA approved abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior chemotherapy, according to a press release. The drug inhibits an enzyme … Continue reading “J&J Wins Early Approval of Potential Prostate Cancer Blockbuster”
From Smartphones to Smart Spaces: SRI’s Vision of Computer Evolution
If the future is here but unevenly distributed, as William Gibson said, then where is it concentrated? One place, certainly, is the contract research giant SRI International. Created by Stanford University in 1946, it’s the organization we have to thank for inventions like automated check processing, the computer mouse, hypertext, the ARPANET (which evolved into … Continue reading “From Smartphones to Smart Spaces: SRI’s Vision of Computer Evolution”
OptMed Obtains $6,009,950 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5e2df519-d77e-48f4-9387-12fb53e2b779&Preview=1 Date 4/29/2011 Company Name OptMed Mailing Address 420 Lexington Ave. New York, NY 10017 Company Description Our lead biosurgical product in development— Devakor, a topical skin adhesive—is a replacement for surgical sutures. OptMed’s therapeutics in development are based on proprietary new indications for a widely used drug to provide targeted relaxation … Continue reading “OptMed Obtains $6,009,950 New Round”
Crisp Media Secures $6,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c3fc3970-be65-4b6b-af68-96328955d186&Preview=1 Date 4/29/2011 Company Name Crisp Media Mailing Address 545 8th Avenue 20th Floor New York, NY 10018 Company Description Crisp Media is a rich media advertising company that offers a universal ad platform for building, serving, and measuring interactive campaigns across multiple platforms — including desktop and mobile Web, mobile applications, … Continue reading “Crisp Media Secures $6,000,000 New Round”
NYC’s Vivaldi, Allied With Harvard and San Francisco VC Firm, Forge a New Way to Fight the Flu
Vivaldi Biosciences is a rare and highly sought after property in New York City: a promising biotech startup. Why rare? Because office space is so expensive, and wet-lab space so hard to find, that most biotech companies that originate in NYC end up fleeing for some other city that has more to offer them. But … Continue reading “NYC’s Vivaldi, Allied With Harvard and San Francisco VC Firm, Forge a New Way to Fight the Flu”
Gilt Rival Ideeli Raises $41 Million
The proliferation of New York-based fashion websites continues: ideeli announced that it has raised a Series C funding round of $41 million. The company offers members-only, limited-time “flash” sales of clothing and other goods, making it a direct competitor of the better-known Gilt Groupe. The funding round was led by Next World Capital, with participation … Continue reading “Gilt Rival Ideeli Raises $41 Million”
Pfizer Adds to Data on Novel RA Drug
Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) announced in a press release that tofacitinib, its experimental JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), performed well in the final two pivotal phase 3 trials. Patients taking both the 5 and 10 milligram doses showed statistically significant changes versus placebo in reducing the symptoms of RA. The announcement comes two weeks after … Continue reading “Pfizer Adds to Data on Novel RA Drug”
Merck Gets Thumbs-Up on HCV Drug From FDA Panel
An FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended the agency approve Merck’s (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) boceprevir (Victrelis) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection in combination with standard therapy, according to a press release. Although the FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, it usually does. And if the drug … Continue reading “Merck Gets Thumbs-Up on HCV Drug From FDA Panel”
BinOptics Receives $4,802,187 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=db435a94-e60b-4686-b24b-1921cdbe80af&Preview=1 Date 4/28/2011 Company Name BinOptics Mailing Address 9 Brown Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Company Description BinOptics Corporation designs, develops, and manufactures monolithically integrated optoelectronic components based on indium phosphide and other semiconductor materials. Website http://www.binoptics.com/ Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $4,802,187 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “BinOptics Receives $4,802,187 New Funding Round”
ideeli Lands $41,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1bd0bdc4-0919-4f10-9b9a-5ba59c503bb8&Preview=1 Date 4/28/2011 Company Name ideeli Mailing Address 374 West 11th Street New York, NY 10014 Company Description Ideeli is online shopping community that connects luxury brands with the consumers who covet them through computers, emails or cell phones. Website http://www.ideeli.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $41,000,000 Transaction Round Series C … Continue reading “ideeli Lands $41,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
Halogen Network Acquires YouCast for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8be9c690-3481-4aca-bdf7-504ab0ba205f&Preview=1 Date 4/28/2011 Company Name YouCast Mailing Address 401 5th Ave. Fourth Floor New York, NY 10016 Company Description The company operates an online digital advertising network. Website http://www.Youcastcorp.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. YouCast will operate … Continue reading “Halogen Network Acquires YouCast for Undisclosed Sum”
MediaBank Acquires AdBuyer.com for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6a89652e-8f9c-4629-ab51-edaab2442048&Preview=1 Date 4/28/2011 Company Name AdBuyer.com Mailing Address 20 W. 20th St. New York, NY 10011 Company Description AdBuyer.com provides the only buying and optimization platform across search and the display ad exchanges. Website http://www.adbuyer.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Financial terms of the transaction … Continue reading “MediaBank Acquires AdBuyer.com for Undisclosed Sum”
J&J Makes $21 billion bid for Synthes
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: [[ticker:JNJ]]) is making its biggest acquisition ever, picking up Swiss medical device maker Synthes for $21.3 billion, according to a press release. New Brunswick, NJ-based J&J will pay 159 Swiss francs in stock and cash—a more than 20% premium over Synthes’ share price on April 14, when rumors about the deal first … Continue reading “J&J Makes $21 billion bid for Synthes”
NYU-Poly Varick Street Incubator Taps Into Student Talent and Helps Startups Grow Up
While working in technology transfer and in the Brooklyn-based incubator at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Bruce Niswander says he saw a disconnect between the “high supply of talented, energetic students,” and hiring struggles at startup companies. “One of biggest challenges for a small business is identifying talent that’s affordable and available,” says … Continue reading “NYU-Poly Varick Street Incubator Taps Into Student Talent and Helps Startups Grow Up”
The 5min Story in 5 Minutes, As Told By Spark Capital’s Alex Finkelstein
Got five minutes? Here’s an eye-opening example of how markets are analyzed, how VC deals are won, how startups are built—and a little bit about what might have been. New York-based 5min Media, a video syndication company, started in 2007 as a portal for how-to videos, and became a top video-content aggregator before getting bought … Continue reading “The 5min Story in 5 Minutes, As Told By Spark Capital’s Alex Finkelstein”
MarketSharing Obtains $1,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=71b269c7-5d12-4bc8-ba6f-e5b20c278395&Preview=1 Date 4/27/2011 Company Name MarketSharing Mailing Address Undisclosed New York, NY 10001 Company Description MarketSharing is a marketplace and deals service created to help businesses grow faster and save money, and get in on the type of pricing the big companies get. We are focused on hyper local products and services … Continue reading “MarketSharing Obtains $1,000,000 New Funding”
Time to Rethink Academia-Biopharm Industry Partnership
This afternoon forum, presented by the Chinese Life Science Professionals Association, will explore issues surrounding the increasing partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. The event will feature panelists representing such companies as AstraZeneca, Regeneron, and Merck, as well as Columbia University, Harvard, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Register here.
Regeneron Reports Positive Results in Colon Cancer Trial
Tarrytown, NY-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:REGN]]) and Sanofi-aventis (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]) of France announced in a press release that their investigational drug aflibercept (Zaltrap) met its primary survival endpoint in a Phase III trial. The drug was tested as a second-line treatment in patients with colorectal cancer that had spread. “These findings are exciting given the limited second-line treatment … Continue reading “Regeneron Reports Positive Results in Colon Cancer Trial”
OrganizedWisdom Recruits Experts to Filter Health Information on the Web
When I met OrganizedWisdom co-founder Unity Stoakes for lunch on April 22, he had been awake for 40 hours, embroiled in a manic effort to recover from a massive Amazon cloud breakdown the day before, which nearly brought his site to a standstill. OrganizedWisdom is a health-information aggregator in New York that relies on cloud-computing … Continue reading “OrganizedWisdom Recruits Experts to Filter Health Information on the Web”