Category: San Diego

Be Students of Life

Themselves. Technology, markets, financial vehicles, business methodology, government regulations, entertainment, media, and so on, all aspects of our professions and our entire lives will change at a continuously increasing rate in perpetuity. Which technology, market, industry should I commit to? I don’t believe this is the most relevant question for a student. More relevant questions … Continue reading “Be Students of Life”

Biology 101

Biology 101 and beyond. I would take as much biology as possible, it’s exploding and changing faster than anyone could have expected. Especially our understanding of the “central dogma” itself, where RNA is playing a more critical role than ever thought before. WOW!

Xconomists Peer into the Future, Suggest How Students Should Prepare

[Updated, Jan. 18, 2012—The Xconomist Report on the Future of Education is live—click here.] As the presidential race picks up steam, you know that we will be hearing a lot—a lot more, that is—about the need to create jobs. But where will those jobs come from, and what fields are really likely to spur growth … Continue reading “Xconomists Peer into the Future, Suggest How Students Should Prepare”

SG Biofuels Raises $17M in Move Toward Agricultural Production

San Diego’s SG Biofuels, an agricultural biotech developing the Jatropha plant to produce biofuels, says today it has raised $17 million in a Series B round of financing led by Thomas, McNerney & Partners. San Diego-based Finistere Ventures also joined the round, along with existing investors, Carlsbad-based Life Technologies (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LIFE]]) and Flint Hills Resources, … Continue reading “SG Biofuels Raises $17M in Move Toward Agricultural Production”

Reinventing the Board Part III: The Agenda

CEOs, investors, and board members frequently complain about ineffective board meetings. Steve Blank, Jeff Bussgang, Brad Feld, and Fred Wilson each have suggested board meetings could be improved by changing the format, process, or content. Having good meetings starts by having the right people in the room (as discussed in the first installment of this … Continue reading “Reinventing the Board Part III: The Agenda”

Sanofi CEO Viehbacher on Stirring Innovation in the Era of R&D Cutbacks

Chris Viehbacher has seen plenty of ideas come and go from people trying to shake up the pharma R&D model. No matter how much people have tried to fix things, it still takes a notorious amount of time, money, and risk to create new drugs. Now, as the CEO of Paris-based Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]), Viehbacher … Continue reading “Sanofi CEO Viehbacher on Stirring Innovation in the Era of R&D Cutbacks”

YBUY Obtains $750,000 Seed Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cbda6b3b-c119-4b8d-a759-0b623aa3ff8c&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name YBUY Mailing Address 1401 Highland Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Company Description We provide a service that allows people to try products for a month before committing to buying them. The one problem that remains to be solved with ecommerce is that you can’t touch and feel … Continue reading “YBUY Obtains $750,000 Seed Financing Round”

SkinMedica Garners $16,759,991 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2e06887a-c3e3-4f44-bff7-0c94d179aadd&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name SkinMedica Mailing Address 5909 Sea Lion Place Carlsbad, CA 92010 Company Description SkinMedica is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company marketing both prescription and cosmeceutical dermatology products. Website http://www.skinmedica.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $16,759,991 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC … Continue reading “SkinMedica Garners $16,759,991 New Financing Round”

MindFrame Receives $1,999,900 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2abef433-1dfa-4131-93e8-b0a4551efcae&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name MindFrame Mailing Address 12 Goodyear Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description The MindFrame Therapy System is a breakthrough two-step treatment that delivers rapid reperfusion and clot capture and retrieval. By restoring blood flow quickly, the system is designed to help doctors deliver optimal outcomes. Website http://www.MindFrameInc.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “MindFrame Receives $1,999,900 New Financing”

SG Biofuels Lands $17,000,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8dbe668f-f7df-4f34-8ce5-bdcd306bd643&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name SG Biofuels Mailing Address 11260 El Camino Real San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description SG Biofuels is a bioenergy crop company that is meeting the global demand for sustainable plant oil by using breeding and biotechnology to develop and produce elite seeds of Jatropha. Website http://www.sgfuel.com Transaction … Continue reading “SG Biofuels Lands $17,000,000 Series B Financing”

JP Morgan: Where the Boys Are…And Not the Girls

I set off for five straight days at the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference last Monday, but on the way drove the carpool to my daughter’s high school that morning in a last ditch attempt to act like a responsible and caring parent. My poor daughter gets completely abandoned during JP Morgan week every year … Continue reading “JP Morgan: Where the Boys Are…And Not the Girls”

Symantec Acquires LiveOffice for $115,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=026051af-ce87-4aca-9d6d-29898e1159d7&Preview=1 Date 1/16/2012 Company Name LiveOffice Mailing Address 2780 Skypark Drive Torrance, CA 90505 Company Description LiveOffice Managed Messaging Services is a leading provider of message archiving, anti-spam/anti-virus, and compliance solutions for businesses. The service ensures the integrity of emails and instant messages, simplifies the discovery process and helps companies protect themselves … Continue reading “Symantec Acquires LiveOffice for $115,000,000”

With TV App, Dijit Hopes to Ride Out the Coming Apple Revolution in TV

I have a lot of Apple gear, and I’m pretty happy with it. There’s just one problem. The better Apple’s stuff gets, the less patience I have for everyone else’s clunky hardware and software. Televisions and all the boxes we hook up to them are the worst offenders. No two TV manufacturers or set-top-box makers … Continue reading “With TV App, Dijit Hopes to Ride Out the Coming Apple Revolution in TV”

How to Turn a Mobile Health Application into a Real Business

2011 has been a big year for health sciences technology and, specifically, mobile health. Venture capital investors, looking for the next big thing, are beginning to invest in companies developing mobile applications in the health and wellness sector. Smartphones are making new health care applications feasible, and one doesn’t have to look far to see … Continue reading “How to Turn a Mobile Health Application into a Real Business”

San Diego Life Sciences News: AnaptysBio, Life, NeuroGenetic & More

There was a whole lot of life sciences news over the past week. Here’s my roundup. —Carlsbad-based Life Technologies (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LIFE]]) said it’s taking orders for a benchtop genome sequencer that can to decode an individual’s DNA within 24 hours and at a cost of roughly $1,000. The company priced its new Ion Proton Sequencer … Continue reading “San Diego Life Sciences News: AnaptysBio, Life, NeuroGenetic & More”

Greenwashing

[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] In both of my fields of distributed renewable energy infrastructure and environmental composites, I would throw a punch at corporations and/or public sector … Continue reading “Greenwashing”

Q4 Venture Deals, Dollars Stayed Strong, Making 2011 Best in a Decade

Venture capital deals backed off just a tad during the last three months of 2011, but remained strong enough to carry VC activity during the year to a new high-water mark, according to data being released today by CB Insights, a financial data firm that maintains a venture capital database. VCs invested $7.6 billion in … Continue reading “Q4 Venture Deals, Dollars Stayed Strong, Making 2011 Best in a Decade”

From Flingo to Lantos to Shodogg: U.S. Startups Carve Out Niche at CES

For the first time ever, the International Consumer Electronics Show created a zone called Eureka Park specifically to showcase startups from across the country. Fledgling companies have come to CES before and can still be found elsewhere at the conference, but Eureka Park is a new way to highlight them at the 2012 show. At … Continue reading “From Flingo to Lantos to Shodogg: U.S. Startups Carve Out Niche at CES”

Slain Biotech Investor Leaves $1 Million to Support Entrepreneurship

The San Diego members of Southern California’s Tech Coast Angels (TCA) have established a $1 million nonprofit foundation in the name of John G. Watson, the late San Diego life sciences executive and investor who was slain here almost two years ago. In a touching afterward to the tragedy, TCA president Stephen Flaim tells me … Continue reading “Slain Biotech Investor Leaves $1 Million to Support Entrepreneurship”

Connect Inducting Howard “Ted” Greene into its Hall of Fame

Connect is inducting its 10th renowned San Diego tech leader, Howard “Ted” Greene, into its Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Greene was the founding CEO of San Diego-based Hybritech—he was co-inventor of its principal product line—as well as a founder of San Diego’s Amylin Pharmaceuticals. He also co-founded Biovest Partners, a San Diego venture capital firm, … Continue reading “Connect Inducting Howard “Ted” Greene into its Hall of Fame”

CapLinked Lands $500,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8250d633-a759-4582-9cb1-0867b92d289d&Preview=1 Date 1/11/2012 Company Name CapLinked Mailing Address 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Company Description The company operates an online platform for private company investments. Website http://www.caplinked.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The new funding will be used towards hiring additional engineers and … Continue reading “CapLinked Lands $500,000 New Financing”

Tealium Obtains $1,100,000 Series A Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e639f6ed-471f-4ae3-a8f2-42a758e30db6&Preview=1 Date 1/11/2012 Company Name Tealium Mailing Address 12526 High Bluff Drive San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description Tealium is the global leader in Tag Management, serving some of the most demanding clients worldwide. Website http://www.tealium.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,100,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were … Continue reading “Tealium Obtains $1,100,000 Series A Financing Round”

Payoff.com Garners $2,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0da6644c-8cbe-4b65-99fd-c511db664423&Preview=1 Date 1/11/2012 Company Name Payoff.com Mailing Address 6701 Center Drive Los Angeles, CA 90045 Company Description At Payoff, we believe the first step to financial freedom is paying off your debt. Watch this video to learn about our philosophy. Website http://www.payoff.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Payoff.com Garners $2,000,000 New Financing Round”

Prescription Skin-Care Specialist SkinMedica Acquires Colorescience

Carlsbad, CA-based SkinMedica says it has acquired Dana Point, CA-based Colorescience, a mineral makeup company that provides cosmetics to remedy and camouflage skin discolorations and other defects while also protecting skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Financial terms were not disclosed. In a statement, SkinMedica indicates that it plans to operate Colorescience as … Continue reading “Prescription Skin-Care Specialist SkinMedica Acquires Colorescience”

A .data Top-Level Internet Domain?

There’s been very little change in top-level internet domains (like .com, .org, .us, etc.) for a long time. But a number of years ago I started thinking about the possibility of having a new .data top-level domain (TLD). And starting this week, there’ll finally be a period when it’s possible to apply to create such a thing. … Continue reading “A .data Top-Level Internet Domain?”

Motorola Venture Arm Puts $6.5 Million Into MicroPower Technologies

San Diego’s MicroPower Technologies, founded in 2008 to develop ultra-low power wireless video surveillance products, said it has landed the first installment of a $6.5 million round of funding from Motorola Solutions Venture Capital and an undisclosed private fund. The Series C funding represents MicroPower’s first institutional investment. Motorola Solutions Venture Capital is the investment … Continue reading “Motorola Venture Arm Puts $6.5 Million Into MicroPower Technologies”

Microsoft’s Ballmer Focuses on Windows 8 in His Last CES Keynote

At his curtain call—for the moment anyway—at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hyped his company’s efforts to innovate and compete across multiple platforms. Microsoft announced previously that after 2012 it will no longer give the keynote at CES. As they waited for seats Monday evening, some members of the press … Continue reading “Microsoft’s Ballmer Focuses on Windows 8 in His Last CES Keynote”

Cebix to Raise $20 Million for Pivotal Trial of Diabetes Supplement

San Diego’s Cebix, founded in 2008 to develop a new supplemental treatment for complications arising from type 1 diabetes, intends to raise more than $20 million in a Series B round needed to fund pivotal trials, according to VentureWire. Cebix CEO James Calloway told VentureWire the startup raised $28.5 million from Sofinnova Ventures, InterWest Partners, … Continue reading “Cebix to Raise $20 Million for Pivotal Trial of Diabetes Supplement”

The Situation at the FDA: We Are All to Blame

[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] It takes a lot to get me riled-up—I’m overly rational, if anything. Outside of the bad behavior we were supposed to outgrow in … Continue reading “The Situation at the FDA: We Are All to Blame”

Of Patent Rats and Blaming Teachers

[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What issues would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] There are two. The first is the state of the patent system, particularly as it affects computing hardware and software (broadly construed). … Continue reading “Of Patent Rats and Blaming Teachers”

MicroPower Technologies Lands $6,500,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b9fd1e57-c76a-43ec-9eb5-2b06317364b7&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name MicroPower Technologies Mailing Address 4225 Executive Square La Jolla, CA 92037 Company Description MicroPower Technologies is the creator of the world’s most power-efficient wireless video camera technology. Website http://www.micropowerapp.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The investment marks MicroPower’s first institutional … Continue reading “MicroPower Technologies Lands $6,500,000 New Funding Round”

Wemo Media Garners $2,000,000 Seed Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dedddd01-8fe3-4c40-81ea-662d5b1c4f93&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name Wemo Media Mailing Address Undisclosed Los Angeles, CA 90049 Company Description Wemo Media is a small team of developers and artists pioneering a new form of art and entertainment on the Web called “Maker Media”. Website http://www.wemomedia.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Seed … Continue reading “Wemo Media Garners $2,000,000 Seed Financing”

FlexEnergy Secures $18,000,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6d98700b-a277-4887-b2c5-f18fd1fe3aba&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name FlexEnergy Mailing Address 9400 Toledo Way Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description FlexEnergy Inc is committed to clean energy for the planet by designing and building powerful solutions for eliminating greenhouse gases and generating clean energy for generations to come. Website http://www.flexenergy.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $18,000,000 … Continue reading “FlexEnergy Secures $18,000,000 New Funding”

Fisker Automotive Garners $218,433,421 Series D Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6571c87c-02ef-4b01-8e15-2e1b20a8929e&Preview=1 Date 1/10/2012 Company Name Fisker Automotive Mailing Address 5515 E. La Palma Anaheim, CA 92807 Company Description The company manufactures and sells electric automobiles with extended range. Website http://www.fiskerautomotive.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $218,433,421 Transaction Round Series D Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A … Continue reading “Fisker Automotive Garners $218,433,421 Series D Funding”

San Diego BizTech Roundup: Active Network, Accelrys, Entropic, & More

—San Diego’s Active Network (NYSE [[ticker:ACTV]]), which provides online event registration and related services, acquired Philadelphia-based StarCite for about $51 million in stock and cash. StarCite, which provides Web-based event management services for companies around the world, has about 300 employees. The Active Network said StarCite will become part of its newly launched “Business Solutions” … Continue reading “San Diego BizTech Roundup: Active Network, Accelrys, Entropic, & More”

Lack of Funding For Innovative Biotech Companies

[Editor’s Note: We asked selected Xconomists a series of questions designed to zero in on the big issues of the year, including “What would you be willing to throw a punch over?”] The most important issue facing Aastrom and many other companies in biotechnology is the lack of adequate funding to support innovative new companies, … Continue reading “Lack of Funding For Innovative Biotech Companies”

Benefits and Roadblocks of Corporate Partnering for Startups

Fifteen years ago, the expansion model of a startup was fairly linear: The first three years were dedicated to building the business domestically. Year four generally saw European expansion. And by year five, the company was starting to explore the Asian markets. The emergence of the Web as a viable commerce vehicle, though, brought about … Continue reading “Benefits and Roadblocks of Corporate Partnering for Startups”

Five Myths You’ll Hear This Week at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

Biotech pilgrims are gathering today for the biggest industry frenzy of the year, the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. This confab in San Francisco’s Union Square is the singular place each year where essentially all industry mover/shakers—and many wannabes—gather for a marathon week of investment scouting, dealmaking, publicity seeking, job-hunting, and schmoozing. I’ve been going to … Continue reading “Five Myths You’ll Hear This Week at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference”

Diagnostics Briefing

Diagnostics Briefing is a one-day class exploring the growing role of diagnostics within the life sciences industry. Participants will learn about a range of different diagnostic tests and their indications as well as the basic science behind their development, culminating in a detailed overview of the approval process for diagnostic devices. The course will also … Continue reading “Diagnostics Briefing”

IT’s Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad World

New threats to IT security are coming from state-sponsored sources, with extensive, coordinated IT resources and specific targets in the United States and elsewhere. This is a phase shift from the threats posed by outlaw hackers, Internet financial schemes, and even domestic cyber terrorism. These new threats require specific protection mechanisms and planning for long-term … Continue reading “IT’s Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad World”

Making Healthcare More Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, and Participatory

It is becoming easier for doctors to provide individualized healthcare services based on each patient’s genome, and to engage patients in health and wellness in unprecedented fashion. This opportunity is made possible by advances in wireless technologies, dramatic cost reductions in DNA sequencing, and increased access to health information via websites, blogs, and online social … Continue reading “Making Healthcare More Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, and Participatory”

2012 Outlook: Financing for Emerging Growth Companies

New developments in Congress to ease the IPO process for “emerging growth companies” could make it easier for companies to raise less than $50 million. This afternoon session is intended to address current trends and financing alternatives, including IPO structural and regulatory challenges for smaller companies, the costs to issuers and lack of aftermarket support. … Continue reading “2012 Outlook: Financing for Emerging Growth Companies”

Brand Affinity Technologies Obtains $4,551,159 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7670c11d-2b11-40fd-a80a-5556bf0d6eab&Preview=1 Date 1/7/2012 Company Name Brand Affinity Technologies Mailing Address 101 Academy Irvine, CA 90 617 Company Description BAT unlocks the marketing power of celebrity through research, endorsements, and interactive experiences. BAT’s research engine provides daily analysis of more than 38,000 celebrities and athletes. Advertisers use this analysis on BAT’s Endorsement Platform … Continue reading “Brand Affinity Technologies Obtains $4,551,159 New Funding”

dinCloud Secures Seed Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5b8978a0-57a4-4423-8b0e-5d25f92911dd&Preview=1 Date 1/7/2012 Company Name dinCloud Mailing Address Undisclosed Los Angeles, CA 90040 Company Description dinCloud is the only cloud service provider that has a full spectrum of cloud based services ranging from client devices to datacenter and infrastructure. With dinCloud, you can choose what services fit your business model, and have … Continue reading “dinCloud Secures Seed Funding Round”