Very few people in the mobile industry will disagree that mobile payments are today’s biggest challenge for developers. In the Apple universe, there is a strong solution to the problem: Apple simply requires users to register their credit cards before they can use any services. But this approach only works for a very small segment … Continue reading “Could Virtual Nanotransactions Solve the Mobile Payments Problem?”
Category: San Diego
SD Life Sciences Roundup: Takeda Consolidates, Startups Raise Cash
It’s been a busy week for startup funding, with Obalon Therapeutics, Aperio Technologies, Topera, and Ivera Medical closing on financing deals. We’ve also got drug development news from Ocera Therapeutics and MediciNova. —Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical said it’s closing its center of excellence in South San Francisco, which has been focused on developing early stage antibody … Continue reading “SD Life Sciences Roundup: Takeda Consolidates, Startups Raise Cash”
Global Analytics Receives $25,000,000 Series D Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b7d3dacf-187f-426a-82ac-74c551ccdca9&Preview=1 Date 5/24/2012 Company Name Global Analytics Mailing Address 5230 Carroll Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Analytic solutions are now part of mainstream business processes. In many industries, the use of analytics has matured to a point where it is impossible to compete without them. Analytics is now at … Continue reading “Global Analytics Receives $25,000,000 Series D Financing Round”
MediciNova Misses Primary Goal in Mid-Stage Trial of IV Asthma Drug
It was clear that San Diego’s MediciNova (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MNOV]]) had a lot riding on the outcome of a mid-stage trial of the company’s lead drug candidate, bedoradrine sulfate. As I reported recently, MediciNova has been developing the compound to treat acute asthma attacks that are not responsive to standard therapy. So shareholders registered their disappointment … Continue reading “MediciNova Misses Primary Goal in Mid-Stage Trial of IV Asthma Drug”
Analytic Software Wins Janssen Prize to Reduce Hospital Readmissions
A team developing analytic software that scores patients for the risk they pose to being readmitted within 30 days after being discharged from a hospital is the winner of the inaugural Janssen Connected Care Challenge. The prize is sponsored by Janssen, a unit of New Brunswick, NJ-based Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: [[ticker:JNJ]]) . Kim Park, … Continue reading “Analytic Software Wins Janssen Prize to Reduce Hospital Readmissions”
StyleSaint Receives $1,500,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f099c094-c46f-4f58-9880-6d96c3fc8da2&Preview=1 Date 5/23/2012 Company Name StyleSaint Mailing Address 228 Main St Venice, CA 90291 Company Description StyleSaint was founded with a rebellious vision: to create a collaborative fashion brand driven by the inspiration of our Creative Collective – a global web of editors “tearing and sharing” their love of fashion. Website http://www.stylesaint.com … Continue reading “StyleSaint Receives $1,500,000 Seed Financing Round”
San Diego BizTech Roundup: Qualcomm, Helix Wind, and ‘Skqueak’
Here’s a potpourri of San Diego tech news, large and small, fresh from the local fields of innovation. —San Diego’s Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]), the world’s biggest manufacturer of wireless chipsets, said it has renewed its global QPrize venture investment competition for the third time. The $1 million pool is almost double the total pool Qualcomm … Continue reading “San Diego BizTech Roundup: Qualcomm, Helix Wind, and ‘Skqueak’”
San Diego’s Free EvoNexus Tech Incubator Gains Qualcomm Expertise
Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]), the San Diego wireless technology giant, says today it is joining forces with EvoNexus, the free tech incubator operated by the nonprofit industry group CommNexus. The move adds a new dimension of business and technical expertise to EvoNexus, which relies heavily on volunteer tech executives and others to help mentor entrepreneurs enrolled … Continue reading “San Diego’s Free EvoNexus Tech Incubator Gains Qualcomm Expertise”
Launching and Growing a Sustainable Startup Business
The Equinox Center and the Startup Leadership Program (SLP) have organized an evening event to discuss what it takes to successfully launch and grow a green business. The session is also going to cover some of the most critical sustainability issues facing any start-up business in the region. The Equinox Center, an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit-research … Continue reading “Launching and Growing a Sustainable Startup Business”
FitOrbit Receives $9,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=660a658d-dd83-469f-aae2-29c87a24d2d2&Preview=1 Date 5/22/2012 Company Name FitOrbit Mailing Address 11611 San Vicente Los Angeles, CA 90049 Company Description The company operates a website that connects people to professional personal trainers online. Website http://www.fitorbit.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $9,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. … Continue reading “FitOrbit Receives $9,000,000 New Financing”
Machinima Receives $35,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9431bb25-8f23-47a0-a1cc-3746a80c1d83&Preview=1 Date 5/22/2012 Company Name Machinima Mailing Address 140 South Citrus Ave Los Angeles, CA 90040 Company Description Machinima is the premiere online entertainment network showing original videos from your favorite video games. Watch thousands of trailers, gameplay, montages, music videos and original machinima series and movies created in World of Warcraft, … Continue reading “Machinima Receives $35,000,000 New Funding”
Wireless Health Summit Showcases Incentive Prizes as Tool for Change
About 275 technologists and healthcare industry executives are gathering in downtown San Diego tomorrow as the Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance (WLSA) convenes its Seventh Annual Convergence Summit at the Grand Hyatt. “The overarching theme of the summit this year is ‘How do we move from innovation to institutional and personal adoption of the tools and technologies … Continue reading “Wireless Health Summit Showcases Incentive Prizes as Tool for Change”
Who’s on Biotech’s Endangered Species List? Mid-Sized Drugmakers
[Updated: 9:20 pm PT] Only a few companies have ever been successful enough to call themselves Big Biotechs. If boards and shareholders lack vision and guts, we’ll look back in a few years and wonder why the Big Biotechs went extinct. The group of Big Biotechs includes companies like Amgen, Gilead Sciences, Biogen Idec, and … Continue reading “Who’s on Biotech’s Endangered Species List? Mid-Sized Drugmakers”
Can Facebook’s New Millionaires Save the World?
From everyone to whom much is given, much shall be required. Regular readers know that I’m not in the habit of quoting scripture. But this line found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke has a bit of new relevance this morning, as Facebook’s initial public offering—valuing the company at $106 billion at the … Continue reading “Can Facebook’s New Millionaires Save the World?”
For Those on Watch, Hope Springs Eternal as Hair Trials Inch Along
Waiting for the biotech industry to advance new treatments for male pattern baldness (as well as female hair loss) might seem about as exciting as watching hair grow. But some people have a lot of skin in the game, if you know what I mean. More than just a few people, actually. San Diego’s Histogen … Continue reading “For Those on Watch, Hope Springs Eternal as Hair Trials Inch Along”
Obalon Therapeutics Obtains $16,523,014 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1249f8dd-1d30-4b68-89d3-4dcc66b3e622&Preview=1 Date 5/18/2012 Company Name Obalon Therapeutics Mailing Address 12481 High Bluff Drive San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description The company is developing unspecified drug treatments for human disease. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $16,523,014 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A … Continue reading “Obalon Therapeutics Obtains $16,523,014 New Funding Round”
Dogvacay.com Receives Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d9057202-e4fa-40f9-a21c-bd15843cd6a9&Preview=1 Date 5/18/2012 Company Name Dogvacay.com Mailing Address 1410 2nd St. Santa Monica, CA 90401 Company Description Dog Vacay is a community where dog lovers can connect with one another to find and provide safe, convenient and affordable ways to care for their best friend. Website http://www.dogvacay.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Dogvacay.com Receives Seed Financing”
Does Facebook Solve VC Industry Woes?
So here is my obligatory post on Facebook…which will be the most spectacular IPO of a venture-backed company in the history of mankind…and it just priced tonight. The shares priced at $38 giving the company a market cap of $104 billion fully diluted, raising $16 billion in proceeds. Of the 421 million shares being sold, … Continue reading “Does Facebook Solve VC Industry Woes?”
From MIT Entrepreneur to Tea Party Leader: The Thomas Massie Story
Buried in the news of the past month, which was admittedly a busy one, was a press release headlined: “Geomagic Acquires Sensable 3D Design and Haptics Businesses.” As far as I can tell, no media outlets besides Xconomy picked up on this deal or its historical—and now, political—significance. Woe is them. That’s because “Sensable” would … Continue reading “From MIT Entrepreneur to Tea Party Leader: The Thomas Massie Story”
SD Biotech Roundup: Elevation Pharmaceuticals, BioSurplus, and More
We’re anticipating a lot of news out of a big cancer conference that begins next week in Chicago. Here is your head start. —Cancer researchers have talked for decades about finding the silver bullet that could kill cancer cells without harming the healthy cells nearby. These days, the industry is focusing on the development of … Continue reading “SD Biotech Roundup: Elevation Pharmaceuticals, BioSurplus, and More”
Xconomist of the Week: Tom Maniatis on Prize4Life and ALS Research
A few years back, molecular geneticist Tom Maniatis was approached by a Harvard Business School student with a heart-wrenching story. The student, Avichai Kremer, then 29, had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Kremer had an unusual idea: He wanted to advance ALS research by offering million-dollar prizes … Continue reading “Xconomist of the Week: Tom Maniatis on Prize4Life and ALS Research”
Aperio Technologies Lands $5,005,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c77f32b1-40fa-4e5d-9ade-1a8fc074a9bc&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2012 Company Name Aperio Technologies Mailing Address 1360 Park Center Dr. Vista, CA 92081 Company Description Aperio is digitizing pathology. We provide systems and services for digital pathology, a digital environment for the management and interpretation of pathology information that originates with the digitization of a glass slide. Website http://www.aperio.com … Continue reading “Aperio Technologies Lands $5,005,000 New Financing Round”
Synthesis at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology
Peter Schultz fuses the interface of biology, chemistry, and materials science. Learn about his synergistic approach and insights into the complex biological and chemical systems including the chemical and physical properties of genetic codes to the identification of small molecules that control stem cell self-renewal and directed differentiation, and the reprogramming of somatic cells. More … Continue reading “Synthesis at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology”
The Skqueak That Roars: New App Combines Drawing, Audio, Images
What began as an effort by a couple of San Diego engineers to bring computer vision to the iPhone has resulted instead in “Skqueak,” a mobile app that enables users to sketch over photos and videos on their iPhones. The Skqueak app is now available in Apple’s iTunes App Store. Sanjay Nichani, who moved to … Continue reading “The Skqueak That Roars: New App Combines Drawing, Audio, Images”
Targeted Cancer Drugs With Punch: The Next Big Class of Antibodies
[Updated: 11 am PT, 6/5/12] One of the big dreams in biotech over the past 35 years has been to make drugs that work like “smart bombs” by destroying tumors while minimizing collateral damage. Scientists have learned this is no easy thing, but now that a couple of these types of drugs have been shown … Continue reading “Targeted Cancer Drugs With Punch: The Next Big Class of Antibodies”
Just Cellular Secures New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4485b340-c2d1-4a8e-99e0-a1ed80bc628e&Preview=1 Date 5/16/2012 Company Name Just Cellular Mailing Address 9327 Deering Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 Company Description We are an honest, hard working family business and have sold tens of thousands of cell phones on eBay with very few problems. We stand by our products, and our customers. We are committed to … Continue reading “Just Cellular Secures New Financing Round”
A Cleantech Opportunity for the Imperial Valley: SDSU’s Jobs Accelerator Project
San Diego State University is creating a multi-departmental testing, commercialization, and workforce training facility on the SDSU Brawley campus in Imperial Valley. SDSU’s “Jobs Accelerator Project” will establish a site for performing commercial-scale, proof-of-concept demonstrations of renewable energy technologies, along with technical training curricula to create high-wage, cleantech jobs. The project will substantially improve the … Continue reading “A Cleantech Opportunity for the Imperial Valley: SDSU’s Jobs Accelerator Project”
A Cleantech Guide to Working with the Government
Some federal renewable energy programs and tax incentives have come under intense scrutiny in Washington, casting into question their future viability. Meanwhile, it is imperative for San Diego’s cleantech innovators to understand the latest developments related to federal cleantech policy, funding, and contracting across all renewable energy sectors from wind to solar to geothermal and … Continue reading “A Cleantech Guide to Working with the Government”
Personalized Medicine in Oncology: Are Payers and Providers a Help or Hindrance?
The Clearity Foundation’s Personalized Medicine in Oncology Series offers an interactive discussion of whether physicians and payers, who bridge the gap between technology developers and patients, are likely to be allies or antagonists in making personalized medicine a reality for cancer patients. The panel will look at the commercial challenges of personalized medicine from both … Continue reading “Personalized Medicine in Oncology: Are Payers and Providers a Help or Hindrance?”
Igniting the Economy Through Innovation and Small Business Growth
The San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange (SDEE) has organized a town hall forum with key political leaders, who will discuss how innovation can play a key role in economic growth. Panelists include Rep. Susan Davis, Rep. Brian Bilbray, California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, Green Chamber of Commerce Policy Director John Reaves, and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Founder and CEO … Continue reading “Igniting the Economy Through Innovation and Small Business Growth”
Qualcomm Sees Licensing Model in Wireless EV Charging Technology
Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]) plans to use its well-established model in technology licensing as it advances innovations in wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, and other devices, according to Qualcomm’s top European executive, Andrew Gilbert. The San Diego wireless giant, which announced the formation of a wireless charging standards organization with Samsung last week, also … Continue reading “Qualcomm Sees Licensing Model in Wireless EV Charging Technology”
MiCardia Obtains $1,917,363 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=be9b9984-50bb-4d84-a86a-6d10d9041b46&Preview=1 Date 5/15/2012 Company Name MiCardia Mailing Address 30 Hughes Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description Micardia Corporation utilizes superior medical advancements to develop minimally invasive technology. Website http://www.micardia.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $1,917,363 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed
Xconomy Editor Luke Timmerman a Finalist for Loeb Award
Anyone in business journalism knows full well the power of the Gerald Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism. Loeb was a founding partner of E.F. Hutton and a noted author and columnist, and the awards he created in 1957 to promote and recognize great writing and reporting for individual investors have become something … Continue reading “Xconomy Editor Luke Timmerman a Finalist for Loeb Award”
Looking to the Future of A New Kind of Science
[This is the third in a series of posts about A New Kind of Science. Previous posts have covered the original reaction to the book and what’s happened since it was published. This post first appeared on Wolfram’s blog—Eds.] Today ten years have passed since A New Kind of Science (”the NKS book”) was published. But in many … Continue reading “Looking to the Future of A New Kind of Science”
ASCO Preview: Eight Cancer Drugs to Watch at the Big Show
The pistons of the biggest publicity engine in cancer R&D will start firing this week. It’s time to behold the annual rite of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, the biggest event for showing off what’s new and interesting in the treatment of cancer. This conference, officially held June 1-5 at McCormick Place … Continue reading “ASCO Preview: Eight Cancer Drugs to Watch at the Big Show”
Drumbi Garners $2,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=85dca53e-3fb1-463a-a71f-80a611d5e17b&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2012 Company Name Drumbi Mailing Address 9541 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description Drumbi is a collective of business, design and technology focused people working to transform the way we communicate. At our core, we believe that mobile devices, smartphones, mobile web, social media and location-based interactions have … Continue reading “Drumbi Garners $2,000,000 New Funding Round”
Touch Press, the iPad, and the New Golden Age of Multimedia
Back in 2008 (exactly 180 columns ago, in fact) I wrote an elegy for the CD-ROM. If you’re under the age of 30, you probably won’t know what I’m talking about, but there was a brief span of time in the mid-1990s—after the emergence of personal computers powerful enough to handle multimedia content, but before … Continue reading “Touch Press, the iPad, and the New Golden Age of Multimedia”
Verdezyne Raises $10.6M to Advance Sustainable Chemicals Technology
Verdezyne, the Carlsbad, CA-based company developing industrial biotechnology processes for making adipic acid and other sustainable chemicals and fuels, has raised more than $10.6 million, according to a recent regulatory filing. A spokesman for the company confirmed the financing, but would not comment beyond the filing, which shows the financing consisted of debt and rights … Continue reading “Verdezyne Raises $10.6M to Advance Sustainable Chemicals Technology”
SD Life Sciences Roundup: Celladon, Vertex, MediciNova, & More
Massachusetts’ Vertex and San Diego’s Celladon are advancing some promising gene therapy treatments. Here’s our roundup of life sciences news over the past week. —San Diego’s Celladon, which is developing a gene therapy to treat patients with a certain type of heart failure, extended a recent investment round by $10 million. Two new investors, MPM … Continue reading “SD Life Sciences Roundup: Celladon, Vertex, MediciNova, & More”
Xconomist of the Week: Len Schlesinger on Learning by Doing
Are successful entrepreneurs born with an innate sense that tells them which risky business bets will pay off? Or is this a skill that that can be learned over time? To Babson College President and Xconomist Leonard “Len” Schlesinger, the answer to both questions is yes. There are occasional business prodigies like Steve Jobs who … Continue reading “Xconomist of the Week: Len Schlesinger on Learning by Doing”
BeyondTrust Acquires eEye to Block Attacks From Within and Without
Carlsbad, CA-based BeyondTrust, a network security company focused on protecting public companies against attacks from within, says it has acquired eEye Digital Security, a Phoenix, AZ-based company that helps defend networks from external threats. Financial terms were not disclosed. Both companies are private. Since moving to the San Diego area three years ago, BeyondTrust has … Continue reading “BeyondTrust Acquires eEye to Block Attacks From Within and Without”
A 10-Point Plan to Stimulate Biotech & the Economy as a Whole
AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA Dear President Obama: As you and the rest of our nation’s leadership grapple with the momentous questions of restoring our collective financial stability and eminence, I am hopeful that some lessons from my background as an immigrant—now naturalized citizen—might prove instructive. The undeniable fact that runs throughout all the … Continue reading “A 10-Point Plan to Stimulate Biotech & the Economy as a Whole”
Facebook and the Opportunity for eCommerce Entrepreneurs
The pieces are in place for Facebook’s IPO next week—not only has the company set its stock price range and updated its Q1 numbers, it has also attempted to de-risk the biggest perceived risk in the first draft of its S-1: exposure to mobile competition. Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion, which ostensibly will help it approach … Continue reading “Facebook and the Opportunity for eCommerce Entrepreneurs”
Ze Frank Obtains $200,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=06091a48-e7e5-4492-86ab-00e8da5f4762&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2012 Company Name Ze Frank Mailing Address 3381 Robertson Place Los Angeles, CA 90034 Company Description The company is developing technologies around the theme of “Social network meets social game.” Website http://www.zefrank.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $200,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The company intends to use the … Continue reading “Ze Frank Obtains $200,000 New Financing”
EdenIQ Secures $30,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=88838090-1f61-40a8-b205-7f9c52135bd6&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2012 Company Name EdenIQ Mailing Address 2505 N. Shirk Road Visalia, CA 93291 Company Description EdeniQ’s scientists are pursuing solutions that cost-effectively convert abundant, non-food biomass into fuels. Making fuels from agricultural waste such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw and woodchips takes the controversy out of biofuels and … Continue reading “EdenIQ Secures $30,000,000 New Funding”
EdenIQ Obtains $30,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=88838090-1f61-40a8-b205-7f9c52135bd6&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2012 Company Name EdenIQ Mailing Address 2505 N. Shirk Road Visalia, CA 93291 Company Description EdeniQ’s scientists are pursuing solutions that cost-effectively convert abundant, non-food biomass into fuels. Making fuels from agricultural waste such as corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw and woodchips takes the controversy out of biofuels and … Continue reading “EdenIQ Obtains $30,000,000 New Round”
Virurl Lands $1,200,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=95baf1c4-3833-4fb4-8707-f361bfdcc9e3&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2012 Company Name Virurl Mailing Address 137 Bay Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 Company Description VIRURL is an online marketplace that allows brands to create instant viral advertising campaigns on the web. The VIRURL platform enables marketers to launch viral campaigns by compensating Internet users to share videos, articles, music, … Continue reading “Virurl Lands $1,200,000 Seed Funding”
San Diego’s MediciNova Nears Turning Point with Lead Drug for Asthma
[Corrected 5/7/12, 5:10 pm. See below.] When Yuichi Iwaki started MediciNova in 2000, he says many mid-size pharmaceutical companies in Japan had concluded it was just too difficult to conduct their own clinical trials in the United States. So MediciNova was born of a kind of Japanese pragmatism. “Mid-size Japanese companies did not have the … Continue reading “San Diego’s MediciNova Nears Turning Point with Lead Drug for Asthma”
San Diego’s Celladon Extends Round to $53M, Opens European Office
San Diego-based Celladon, which raised $43 million in February to advance development of a gene therapy treatment for heart disease, has extended the round with an additional $10 million, according to a statement yesterday. The company’s lead drug candidate is intended to restore a key enzyme for a healthy heart. The extension added two new … Continue reading “San Diego’s Celladon Extends Round to $53M, Opens European Office”
First Comes The $1,000 genome, Then Comes The $10,000 Analysis
While everyone in the in the world of sequencing has heard this cynical joke, as an industry, the joke is about to be on us. We have focused our time, energy and investment on the ability to sequence the genome in a day, and have largely ignored the computational power required to extract and analyze … Continue reading “First Comes The $1,000 genome, Then Comes The $10,000 Analysis”