I’m lakeside this week in northern Michigan, hanging out with my extended family. It’s been interesting to observe my six-year-old nephew, who won’t go anywhere without a Power Rangers Megaforce robot in one hand and a Ty Monstaz plush toy in the other. They’re right beside him at the breakfast table, on the dock, at … Continue reading “There Was Life Before Smartphones, But Who Can Remember It?”
Category: Raleigh-Durham
GROUNDFLOOR Secures $145,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=17475a83-2220-43da-aa58-4b954424de24 Date 7/18/2014 Company Name GROUNDFLOOR Mailing Address 711 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Company Description Financial markets in the 21st century are broken, and the evidence is all around us. Based in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle region of North Carolina, GROUNDFLOOR champions democracy, transparency, speed, efficiency and freedom as the … Continue reading “GROUNDFLOOR Secures $145,000 New Funding Round”
ArchiveSocial Garners New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9efc34d9-1aff-4f47-ba9c-cd42b0745736 Date 7/18/2014 Company Name ArchiveSocial Mailing Address 201 W. Main St Durham, NC 27701 USA Company Description Social media provides an incredibly powerful platform for businesses to reach and engage a wide audience – often in a very public and dynamic fashion. Our mission is to help organizations comfortably embrace social … Continue reading “ArchiveSocial Garners New Funding Round”
Mega Deals (Like Uber) Boost Venture Funding to $13B
Venture capital investors pumped almost $13 billion into 1,114 U.S. startups in the second quarter—marking the highest level of VC funding in 13 years, according to the MoneyTree Report being released today. While the number of deals is comparable with recent quarters, the $12.97 billion VCs deployed this spring was a third more than the … Continue reading “Mega Deals (Like Uber) Boost Venture Funding to $13B”
Expansion of Microsoft Research—Analysis and Download of 1997 Plan
“We are about to embark on a nearly unprecedented adventure—expanding Microsoft’s investment in research by at least a factor of three.“ So begins the May 1997 memo written by Nathan Myhrvold, architect of Microsoft Research (MSR), a little over five and a half years after the renowned research organization was created. The memo, labeled Microsoft … Continue reading “Expansion of Microsoft Research—Analysis and Download of 1997 Plan”
The Generation Gap in the Tablet Creation/Consumption Debate
The iPad launched in March of 2010 starting the modern tablet era and the debate about what tablets are best for: creation or consumption. While the iPad dominated tablet sales through 2012, in the last couple of years Android- and Windows-based tablets have eaten away at Apple’s dominance. As the tablet market grows, the creation … Continue reading “The Generation Gap in the Tablet Creation/Consumption Debate”
The Mid-Stage VC Funding Gap, By the Numbers
In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about the “Series A crunch” for tech startups—lots of companies get seed funding but can’t raise a first venture round. Now we’re hearing more about a mid-stage funding bottleneck, typically at the Series B and C venture stages. A recent tech funding deal in Boston highlighted the issue … Continue reading “The Mid-Stage VC Funding Gap, By the Numbers”
Who Needs Biotech VCs, Anyway?
Welcome to In Translation, and thanks for reading. As a companion to Xconomy’s regular life sciences coverage, this new column provides me with a chance to dive a little more deeply into strategic, cultural, and scientific topics around the biotech world, and bring more of my own point of view to bear. I welcome and … Continue reading “Who Needs Biotech VCs, Anyway?”
The First International Conference on Genomics, Traits & Business
From the event site: The First International Conference on Genomics, Traits and Business aims to bring together leaders from the AgBiotech and seed industry, the bioenergy and biomaterials industry, and the scientific communities connected with these industries. The conference will create a unique opportunity to discuss in depth the issues that shape these industries. Leading … Continue reading “The First International Conference on Genomics, Traits & Business”
NCTA’s NC Tech Tour – Asheville Stop
From the event site: The NC Tech Tour is an initiative of the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) to highlight both the statewide impact of the Association and the vibrancy of the tech sector. Along with Headliner Sponsor Cherry Bekaert, NCTA will travel from the mountains to the coast visiting with members, connecting with partners … Continue reading “NCTA’s NC Tech Tour – Asheville Stop”
CED’s Tech Venture Conference: The Internet of (Every)thing
From the event site: As an entrepreneur, it’s not easy to separate yourself from the pack…it takes determination, laser focus, and a whole lot of heart. For those who rise above, new challenges inevitably arise to stay relevant and scale against the odds. For 30 years, CED has led the way in connecting NC entrepreneurs … Continue reading “CED’s Tech Venture Conference: The Internet of (Every)thing”
28th Annual Plant Molecular Biology Retreat
From the event organizers: The PMB Retreat is a weekend-long event held at the beginning of each academic year. The program is designed to highlight the research activities of new consortium members – academic and corporate scientists – and to introduce these members to North Carolina’s community of plant molecular biologists. The program includes research … Continue reading “28th Annual Plant Molecular Biology Retreat”
North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) Emerging Tech + Trends, Triangle
Join the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) for Emerging Tech + Trends: An NCTA Series. The topic is still in development. Sentinel Data Centers will be moderating the panel. For more information and to register for this event, click here.
Triangle Startup Weekend 2014 – Health
From the event site: Ever wondered what it takes to be a healthcare entrepreneur? Want to impact healthcare IT, wearables, med devices, CRO’s or life sciences? Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community … Continue reading “Triangle Startup Weekend 2014 – Health”
Easy Flights to Capital
Rather than dipping too deeply into the tax break tool box to attract new business, state and local governments might do just as well to make their local skies more friendly. Some research I’ve recently completed suggests that the easier it is for venture capitalists to travel by air, the better the companies in which … Continue reading “Easy Flights to Capital”
Stealth Mode is the New Sweet Spot for Some Biotechs
This post was co-authored by Sultan Meghji. In biotech’s early days, telling a story to a wide audience used to be part of the path to success. Founders would share a compelling early narrative to potential investors, reporters, and just about anyone else who would listen. Nature papers were the coin of the realm. But … Continue reading “Stealth Mode is the New Sweet Spot for Some Biotechs”
Boston Vs. San Francisco: Two Cultures of Innovation
Let’s say you’re an ambitious, creative professional or entrepreneur working in the United States. You’re interested in technology, you have the luxury of mobility, and you want to be close to the center of things. Which city should you choose as your home? If you’re attracted to a specific sub-field, the answer may be obvious. … Continue reading “Boston Vs. San Francisco: Two Cultures of Innovation”
Argand Energy Solutions Lands New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ac636d7f-0f71-487a-876b-320bfdd25e94 Date 7/11/2014 Company Name Argand Energy Solutions Mailing Address 2725 Westinghouse Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28273 USA Company Description With a combined 75 years of experience and a passion to learn, grow and share our commitment to clean energy, we unify financial management experience with highly skilled solar energy construction management services … Continue reading “Argand Energy Solutions Lands New Financing Round”
GeneCentric Lands $2,500,005 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dd8297f1-bc34-4bdb-ba9f-8eeee8353515 Date 7/11/2014 Company Name GeneCentric Mailing Address 280 S. Mangum Street Durham, NC 27701 USA Company Description The mission of GeneCentric Diagnostics is to develop and commercialize novel molecular diagnostic assays that enable oncologists and their patients make more informed, individualized treatment decisions. Website http://www.genecentric.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “GeneCentric Lands $2,500,005 New Financing”
As Biofuels Lose Luster, Sapphire Goes Long with Sinopec Deal
In a ceremony held Thursday in Beijing, San Diego’s Sapphire Energy and Sinopec, China’s state-owned oil and gas conglomerate, agreed to work together to develop and produce algae-based biofuels in China. “The goal is to build a large demonstration facility here with Sinopec,” Sapphire spokesman Tim Zenk said last night from Beijing in a phone … Continue reading “As Biofuels Lose Luster, Sapphire Goes Long with Sinopec Deal”
Big Late-Stage Deals and Unicorns Drive U.S. Venture Activity Higher
Two years ago, VC firms shrugged off sluggish economic conditions to invest $8.1 billion in 812 U.S. deals in the second quarter. It was the highest total in more than a decade—and represented a high water mark for venture dollars invested that stood until the first quarter of this year. Now a surge in venture … Continue reading “Big Late-Stage Deals and Unicorns Drive U.S. Venture Activity Higher”
Royalty Exchange Lands $675,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=978b563d-b74c-4a31-8016-0949796bba5c Date 7/10/2014 Company Name Royalty Exchange Mailing Address 4140 Parklake Avenue Raleigh, NC 27612 USA Company Description Founded in 2011, Royalty Exchange started after identifying the need of a centralized marketplace for royalty owners to monetize their royalties and buyers seeking to purchase alternative assets. Continuing on our mission, our exchange … Continue reading “Royalty Exchange Lands $675,000 New Funding Round”
Brazil: Ready for Future Growth in Health Care
The eyes of the world are on Brazil. It is one of the most dynamic countries in the southern hemisphere; the sixth-largest economy in the world; and host of the World Cup, now drawing to a close. In 2016, Brazil will host the Summer Olympics. The World Cup is bringing attention to Brazil, and being … Continue reading “Brazil: Ready for Future Growth in Health Care”
The Path of Our Lives
“Some men see things as they are and say, why; I dream things that never were and say, why not?” —George Bernard Shaw (paraphrased by Ted Kennedy) I got a call that reminded me that most people live their life as if it’s predestined—but some live theirs fighting to change it. At 19 I joined … Continue reading “The Path of Our Lives”
Trust but Verify: When Customer Feedback is Not Enough
[Editor’s Note: If you’re following the methodology laid out by startup strategy guru and Xconomist Steve Blank, you have begun with a hypothesis about a customer need or problem. Then you develop a “mininum viable product” (MVP), a prototype with the smallest possible feature set that still shows potential customers how your idea can help … Continue reading “Trust but Verify: When Customer Feedback is Not Enough”
Innovation Hub: The American Economy Is in Better Shape Than Ever
Despite increasingly good job numbers, pessimism about the economy persists. According to Gallup, almost 60 percent of Americans think the economy is still getting worse. Last week, Clayton Christensen told Innovation Hub that America was on its way to becoming Japan—a country that has been wrestling with stagnation for a quarter century. But Joel Kurtzman, … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: The American Economy Is in Better Shape Than Ever”
Climbing the Mountain: Or, Life as a Black Founder in Tech
Please give me a minute to talk about diversity in tech, even though I know whenever anyone talks about diversity in the tech industry, there are two types of responses I typically hear: The first is tokenism or the defensive argument. People will usually point to one example of the “diverse” person they hired, funded, … Continue reading “Climbing the Mountain: Or, Life as a Black Founder in Tech”
May 10,000 Cloud Startups Bloom
The cloud services market has fueled a boom of immensely successful startups, most of which have raised millions in venture funding. Take analytics platform company Birst, which started off in the high end financial sector, raised $64 million in venture capital, and is now growing fast as a regular Silicon Valley-style pre-IPO company. Technology Business … Continue reading “May 10,000 Cloud Startups Bloom”
Automated Insights Lands $5,500,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6331f1d6-05cd-430a-8374-a480d26405f6 Date 6/30/2014 Company Name Automated Insights Mailing Address 512 S Mangum St. Durham, NC 27701 USA Company Description Automated Insights’ patented Wordsmith platform transforms Big Data into narrative reports by spotting patterns, correlations and key insights in the data and then describing them in plain English, just like a human would. … Continue reading “Automated Insights Lands $5,500,000 Series B Financing Round”
Langer, Led Zeppelin, and Hookups: Three Days Behind the BIO Scenes
Don’t let the blind men groping the elephant fool you. No one can get their arms around the massive, 15,000-attendee BIO conference, the industry’s annual flagship convention, and tell you what the real zeitgeist is. It’s all selection bias: If, say, you’ve been keenly following cancer immunotherapy the past couple years, you probably went to … Continue reading “Langer, Led Zeppelin, and Hookups: Three Days Behind the BIO Scenes”
Innovation Hub: Is America Becoming the Next Japan?
For much of its history, the U.S. has been a place of innovation, where new ideas and products could flourish. But that era may be coming to an abrupt end, warns Clayton Christensen, who coined the term “disruptive innovation” and teaches at Harvard Business School. Christensen, author of “The Capitalist’s Dilemma,” believes that American business … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: Is America Becoming the Next Japan?”
Five Annoying Tech Problems for the Next Hot Startup to Solve
Why is it that we can put a man on the Moon, but we can’t figure out how to screen jet passengers without making everyone take their shoes off? Well, the truth is, we can’t even put a man on the Moon—not anymore. It’s not a technical impossibility, but reconstituting the technologies that helped a … Continue reading “Five Annoying Tech Problems for the Next Hot Startup to Solve”
Semprius Receives $1,107,292 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a532a396-91f5-431c-b6d8-a34acb49a1bc Date 6/27/2014 Company Name Semprius Mailing Address 4915 Prospectus Drive Durham, NC 27713 USA Company Description Semprius, Inc. is commercializing a newly invented process for printing high performance single crystal semiconductors on any substrate, including glass, plastic and other semiconductor materials. Website http://www.semprius.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $1,107,292 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Semprius Receives $1,107,292 New Financing”
King of BIO: The Chairwoman of Biotech’s Top Trade Org Talks Policy
Rachel King is CEO of GlycoMimetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GLYC]]), a Gaithersburg, MD-based drug developer, and the current chairwoman of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. As a heavily regulated industry, biopharma’s interactions with politicians and policy makers are crucial, and BIO has grown in recent years to become a Washington, DC power broker. Look no further for proof … Continue reading “King of BIO: The Chairwoman of Biotech’s Top Trade Org Talks Policy”
MVPs in Health: Minimum Viable Product or Mightily Vexing Problem?
One thing the tech software industry is great at is failing fast. This concept of “failing fast” means, at least in part, rapidly bringing a “minimum viable product” to market, even if it’s a little rocky and feature-light, and then fixing it as it gets adopted by iterating with new releases. We see this all … Continue reading “MVPs in Health: Minimum Viable Product or Mightily Vexing Problem?”
Cancer Genetics Acquires Gentris for $6,250,000
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ee28d752-4656-459b-b8e0-03c23fe1970c Date 6/24/2014 Company Name Gentris Mailing Address 133 Southcenter Court Morrisville, NC 27560 USA Company Description Gentris Corporation is a leading global provider of applied clinical pharmacogenomic services and diagnostic product solutions. Website http://www.gentris.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount $6,250,000 Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms The purchase price is $3.25 … Continue reading “Cancer Genetics Acquires Gentris for $6,250,000”
Under Legal Cloud, Burrill Backs Out of BIO
BIO attendees in San Diego, including this reporter, have one fewer item on their packed calendars. Biotech venture capitalist G. Steven Burrill, accused of fraud and wrongful termination by a former employee in a civil lawsuit, has cancelled his annual speech at the industry’s biggest convention, which is being held here this week. A spokeswoman … Continue reading “Under Legal Cloud, Burrill Backs Out of BIO”
Keep Calm and Test the Hypothesis
[Editor’s Note: On June 2 we published a video from startup strategy guru Steve Blank on The Real Meaning of “Minimum Viable Product.” A proper MVP, Blank argued in that video, is a prototype with the smallest possible feature set that still shows potential customers how your idea can help them. Once you have an MVP, … Continue reading “Keep Calm and Test the Hypothesis”
Modern Meadow Grazes on $10M to Grow Leather Without Cows
Just because you like to eat meat or wear leather doesn’t mean you’re all that happy about the way these products are made. Few guests at Outback Steakhouse, for example, would really enjoy going out back to slaughter their own steer. And we can probably all agree—whether we’re carnivores or vegetarians—that the cattle industry is … Continue reading “Modern Meadow Grazes on $10M to Grow Leather Without Cows”
Help Get Sponsors Secures New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=adff8d67-3ea3-4f0d-8e60-b457a3fe491f Date 6/18/2014 Company Name Help Get Sponsors Mailing Address 4208 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 USA Company Description Help Get Sponsors ™ was created by Tom Crichton and his team of sponsorship and marketing professionals. HGS is the culmination of their mission to provide small to medium sized events the … Continue reading “Help Get Sponsors Secures New Funding”
GROUNDFLOOR Lands $305,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2979d38d-f06d-40c7-8078-07d0c22a1af4 Date 6/16/2014 Company Name GROUNDFLOOR Mailing Address 711 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Company Description Financial markets in the 21st century are broken, and the evidence is all around us. Based in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle region of North Carolina, GROUNDFLOOR champions democracy, transparency, speed, efficiency and freedom as the … Continue reading “GROUNDFLOOR Lands $305,000 New Financing”
Valencell Lands $7,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=773bf24b-e869-4b6d-9bd5-76a576dfb92b Date 6/16/2014 Company Name Valencell Mailing Address 2800-154 Sumner Blvd Raleigh, NC 27616 USA Company Description Valencell’s proprietary Healthsnet techology turns mobile devices into health and fitness devices, addressing the growing demand for seamless monitoring of physical performance, fitness, and health status. Website http://www.valencell.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,000,000 … Continue reading “Valencell Lands $7,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
iVerify US Garners $31,300,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ed5ecb56-2624-413d-b225-c390f89c87b0 Date 6/16/2014 Company Name iVerify US Mailing Address 150 Iverify Drive Charlotte, NC 28217 USA Company Description iVerify, one of the largest dedicated video monitoring centers in the country services national retailers, financial institutions, and public utilities. It operates its National Video Monitoring Center from Charlotte, North Carolina. Website http://www.iverify.us Transaction … Continue reading “iVerify US Garners $31,300,000 New Financing”
6fusion Secures $3,650,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7165f567-0cae-46e6-ab83-e45deed5d23f Date 6/12/2014 Company Name 6fusion Mailing Address 1730 Varsity Dr. Raleigh, NC 27606 USA Company Description 6fusion is an innovative young company that has emerged from this new era of utility computing with a refreshing vision for the future, a cutting edge technology and a unique commercial business model. 6fusion’s founders … Continue reading “6fusion Secures $3,650,000 New Round”
Zift Solutions Obtains $579,594 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=67190637-1fe8-464e-8a12-55a789e575a3 Date 6/10/2014 Company Name Zift Solutions Mailing Address 4815 Emperor Blvd Durham, NC 27703 USA Company Description Zift Solutions provides a marketing distribution platform that extends the reach of your marketing campaigns through your channel. Website http://www.ziftsolutions.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $579,594 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes … Continue reading “Zift Solutions Obtains $579,594 New Funding”
Post-IPO Biotechs Have News, But Big Pharma Drives the ASCO Boat
As often happens, industry news from the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, which ended Wednesday in Chicago, was dominated this year by Big Pharma. It’s not surprising—even with the advent of targeted cancer therapies that promise more precise treatment of smaller patient populations, clinical trials require big budgets. No drug giant had … Continue reading “Post-IPO Biotechs Have News, But Big Pharma Drives the ASCO Boat”
Investors’ Circle Lands $3,100,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9a07a1f5-429c-4941-a095-dc49e7ff72e6 Date 5/31/2014 Company Name Investors’ Circle Mailing Address 200 N. Mangum Street Durham, NC 27701 USA Company Description Investors’ Circle seeks early or expansion-stage companies whose businesses address significant social or environmental issues. Website http://www.investorscircle.net Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,100,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not … Continue reading “Investors’ Circle Lands $3,100,000 New Financing”
Investors’ Circle Lands $3,100,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9a07a1f5-429c-4941-a095-dc49e7ff72e6 Date 5/31/2014 Company Name Investors’ Circle Mailing Address 200 N. Mangum Street Durham, NC 27701 USA Company Description Investors’ Circle seeks early or expansion-stage companies whose businesses address significant social or environmental issues. Website http://www.investorscircle.net Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,100,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not … Continue reading “Investors’ Circle Lands $3,100,000 New Financing”
PatientPay Secures $2,500,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3b9210e7-482a-4171-8142-61a156b5d64e Date 5/27/2014 Company Name PatientPay Mailing Address 1005 Slater Road Durham, NC 27703 USA Company Description In 2011, the company launched its flagship product, a secure, cloud-based service that drives down expense by eliminating the labor-intensive and error-prone manual, back-end effort to process paper bills or payments made on traditional online … Continue reading “PatientPay Secures $2,500,000 Series A Funding”
Cord Cutting: How to Get High-Speed Internet Service Without Cable
[Updated article for 2017 is here, 10/25/17.] Last fall I wrote a column called Please, Keep Paying $80 a Month for Cable So I Can Enjoy Cheap TV. The article was addressed to folks who complain about the exorbitant fees they’re paying to Comcast or AT&T for premium cable bundles. Adopting a cheeky, sarcastic tone—which … Continue reading “Cord Cutting: How to Get High-Speed Internet Service Without Cable”