Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=50c4a567-c412-4b69-98c0-e429cde3a102 Date 4/7/2015 Company Name Fliptu Mailing Address 120 San Nicholas Ave. Osnard, CA 93035 USA Company Description We power social media hubs for some of the world’s most notable brands & personalities including Darius Rucker, Jimmy Kimmel Live, KISS, Matchbox Twenty, JASH Network and over 5000 other celebrities & musicians, brands, … Continue reading “Fliptu Obtains $1,200,000 New Financing”
Category: San Diego
Prenatal Screener Natera Grabs $55M, Considers Cancer Test
[Updated 4/7/15, 5:13 pm. See below.] In the increasingly active genetic testing space, Natera is trying to lead the pack by harnessing its testing capabilities. And it has plenty of money to do so, after announcing a $55.5 million round of funding led today by Sofinnova Ventures and a group of crossover investors, including Capital … Continue reading “Prenatal Screener Natera Grabs $55M, Considers Cancer Test”
Gene Therapy’s Rebirth Continues With Bristol, UniQure Cardio Deal
There’s no doubt at this point that gene therapy research, after a decade proceeding in relative obscurity, is back. A host of companies are racing to find the best way to harness the science to treat hemophilia, for instance. But a deal this morning between Bristol-Myers Squibb and UniQure focuses on a wider set of … Continue reading “Gene Therapy’s Rebirth Continues With Bristol, UniQure Cardio Deal”
ScoreStream Adds $2M to Build Out Its Web Technology Interface
ScoreStream, a San Diego sports media startup, has raised $2 million in an early stage round led by Sinclair Digital Ventures, a division of the Baltimore, MD-based Sinclair Broadcast Group (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SBGI]]). Existing investors Avalon Ventures and New Enterprise Associates also participated, according to Derrick Oien, ScoreStream’s founding CEO. A number of angel investors in … Continue reading “ScoreStream Adds $2M to Build Out Its Web Technology Interface”
Valore Acquires Boundless: The Netflix of Education Publishing?
A deal at the intersection of e-commerce and education technology is shining a light on some big trends in the publishing world. Those trends could help determine what higher-ed tools will look like years down the road. Valore, a Boston tech company formerly known as SimpleTuition, has acquired online-education startup Boundless for an undisclosed sum. … Continue reading “Valore Acquires Boundless: The Netflix of Education Publishing?”
Academia vs. BioPharma: Young Scientists Between A Rock and A Hard Place
I’ve reached the stage of my career where I’ve been invited to give “career retrospective talks” to grad students and post-docs at academic institutions. It’s been an interesting and enjoyable experience meeting a new generation of young scientists and hearing what’s on their minds. After delivering my seminar and sharing lots of stories and advice, … Continue reading “Academia vs. BioPharma: Young Scientists Between A Rock and A Hard Place”
Women in Engineering, and a Global Call for the Next MacGyver
Apparently, I’m pushy. I can’t help it. It’s my genes, and also all I’ve been through. When you’re a woman in engineering, there are a host of voices (some residing in your head, some not), telling you that you’re not good enough, not smart enough—that when you’re alone amid a sea of male faces at … Continue reading “Women in Engineering, and a Global Call for the Next MacGyver”
Mojix Secures $14,000,000 Series D Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2a535df3-4582-4a00-a853-ccb9baae1787 Date 4/6/2015 Company Name Mojix Mailing Address 11075 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 USA Company Description MOJIX is presently engaged in developing the next generation of advanced signal processing products for wireless applications. Website http://www.mojix.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $14,000,000 Transaction Round Series D Proceeds Purposes The … Continue reading “Mojix Secures $14,000,000 Series D Funding Round”
Gem Obtains $1,300,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=52f68016-07a2-4329-8224-f7a07ee0c78a Date 4/6/2015 Company Name Gem Mailing Address 1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291 USA Company Description Gem (previously BitVault) empowers developers to rapidly build apps and solutions using Bitcoin and cryptocurrency without needing to be experts in cryptography, security or the underlying protocols. They provide bank-grade security on cryptocurrency for … Continue reading “Gem Obtains $1,300,000 New Financing Round”
Robot Revolution: Disrupting the Workplace as We Know It
We’re on the brink of the Third Industrial Revolution, with robots moving off the factory floor and emerging in the white-collar office. These “software robots” are being leveraged by businesses across industries to tackle rules-based processes and improve overall operational agility. Operational roles are well-suited for automatons since they, by definition, automatically follow and execute … Continue reading “Robot Revolution: Disrupting the Workplace as We Know It”
Acorns Grow Garners $10,525,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=da92106b-f9db-4d3f-bc61-9c97712eb34d Date 4/3/2015 Company Name Acorns Grow Mailing Address 4600 Campus Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 USA Company Description Acorns Grow Inc., doing business as Acorns, operates in the technology industry. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Newport Beach, California. Website http://www.acorns.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Acorns Grow Garners $10,525,000 New Financing”
West Coast Biotech Roundup: Auspex, Hyperion, NuVasive, & More
Xconomy national biotech editor Alex Lash is out wandering in the desert this week, so I’m stepping in as drover, and as biotech herds go, the one I’m rounding up today covers a lot of territory. Down San Diego way, Auspex Pharmaceuticals said “Okey Dokey” to a buyout offer worth close to $3.5 billion. Up … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: Auspex, Hyperion, NuVasive, & More”
Exagen Diagnostics Garners $1,818,767 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=946d032a-692e-4d3c-8300-008f64f46230 Date 4/2/2015 Company Name Exagen Diagnostics Mailing Address 1261 Liberty Way Vista, CA 92081 USA Company Description Exagen Diagnostics Inc. discovers, validates and commercializes small sets of genomic markers, providing prognostic reagents for commercial laboratory testing and for pharmaceutical use in clinical trials. Website http://www.exagen.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $1,818,767 … Continue reading “Exagen Diagnostics Garners $1,818,767 New Round”
InstaBrand Obtains $2,500,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8c0e56d2-3d08-4f0c-b137-705e600cb7fa Date 4/2/2015 Company Name InstaBrand Mailing Address 6338 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA Company Description InstaBrand is the leading mobile influencer marketing platform with the largest international network of influencers across multiple social media channels. Through its technology, brands can create unique campaigns that deliver substantial increases in social … Continue reading “InstaBrand Obtains $2,500,000 Series A Funding”
NuVasive CEO Resigns After Probe of Personnel and Policy Violations
San Diego-based NuVasive (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NUVA]]), which makes specialized surgical products for use in spinal surgery, said today that chairman and CEO Alex Lukianov has resigned over violations of the company’s personnel and expense reimbursement policies. Greg Lucier, a NuVasive board member who is the former chairman and CEO of San Diego-based Life Technologies, was named … Continue reading “NuVasive CEO Resigns After Probe of Personnel and Policy Violations”
H-1Bs And How Changing The System Will Help Startups
In order for the American economy to thrive, we must rely on our ability to innovate. The U.S. government now estimates that job growth is almost three times faster in the innovation-rich fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics than the rest of the economy. Yet despite the explosion in demand, the steady supply of … Continue reading “H-1Bs And How Changing The System Will Help Startups”
Equity Crowdfunding Backers Clash Over Fundraising Limits in States
After five years of bootstrapping his startup, Instancy, Harvey Singh’s company has a finished education software product, revenue, and a growing roster of employees. As Singh looks overseas to expand Instancy’s sales reach, he says he is now ready for outside investors. He wants to raise that capital through crowdfunding. The federal Jumpstart Our Business … Continue reading “Equity Crowdfunding Backers Clash Over Fundraising Limits in States”
ATyr Pharma Raises $76M Round to Advance Physiocrine Drugs
San Diego’s aTyr Pharma has gotten all dressed up, but what’s the big occasion? The biotherapeutics company said yesterday it recently raised $76 million in Series E financing to advance its program in physiocrine-based drugs for treating rare immune diseases. The latest round brings total financing for aTyr (pronounced a-tire) to at least $184 million … Continue reading “ATyr Pharma Raises $76M Round to Advance Physiocrine Drugs”
GoFormz Lands $3,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4d9ad3ba-e8b7-45b4-be5f-84b9ac201b85 Date 4/1/2015 Company Name GoFormz Mailing Address 655 W Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 USA Company Description Every company still uses paper forms somewhere. And these paper forms are stunting businesses. Besides the obvious challenges (and looking very 1999), companies miss out on the business insights that live in these forms. … Continue reading “GoFormz Lands $3,000,000 Series A Round”
aTyr Pharma Secures $76,000,000 Series E Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0ea9fa1e-2d6d-4fe5-a3af-9c6c3a011f8a Date 4/1/2015 Company Name aTyr Pharma Mailing Address 3565 General Atomics Court San Diego, CA 92121 USA Company Description We have developed proprietary methods for discovering Physiocrines, extracellular proteins that are derived from the tRNA synthetase family of enzymes, and which were predominantly overlooked by other genomic and secretome discovery efforts. … Continue reading “aTyr Pharma Secures $76,000,000 Series E Funding”
NPM Obtains $7,087,496 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ffd8aa91-815c-412c-8cd5-ef0f8a7c394c Date 4/1/2015 Company Name NPM Mailing Address 798 Lighthouse Ave. Monterey, CA 93940 USA Company Description npm is the official package manager for Node.js. npm, Inc. supports the JavaScript community by providing the registry where developers publish and share packaged open-source modules. Website http://www.npmjs.org Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,087,496 … Continue reading “NPM Obtains $7,087,496 New Funding”
The Innovator’s Gender Dilemma and Venture Rites of Passage
After 40 years as a professional woman who by many standards has “made it,” I am struck by the extent to which young and highly educated—even Ivy-league educated—employees are challenged by the ambiguities and realities of the contemporary competitive workplace. Having always been exceptional, and having done what was expected of them, usually by their … Continue reading “The Innovator’s Gender Dilemma and Venture Rites of Passage”
From Iceland to White House, Precision Medicine’s Promises & Hurdles
[Updated and corrected, 4/5/15, 6:51 pm. See below.] There is talk, and there is action. In the drive toward healthcare tailored for smaller and smaller groups of people, there was both last week, and both illustrated not just the promise of precision medicine, but the long haul until that promise is fulfilled. First, Iceland’s deCODE … Continue reading “From Iceland to White House, Precision Medicine’s Promises & Hurdles”
ImThera Medical Secures $427,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d50787c5-9edf-40f0-9cd2-fd9d76263fa2 Date 3/31/2015 Company Name ImThera Medical Mailing Address 12555 High Bluff Dr. San Diego, CA 92130 USA Company Description ImThera Medical is a privately funded, early-stage company developing a novel, patent-pending, neurostimulation medical device for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Website http://www.imtheramedical.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $427,000 … Continue reading “ImThera Medical Secures $427,000 New Financing Round”
Teva Agrees to Buy San Diego’s Auspex Pharmaceuticals for $3B+
Israel’s Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: [[ticker:TEVA]]) says today it has agreed to acquire San Diego-based Auspex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ASPX]]) in a cash deal valued between $3.2 billion and $3.5 billion. The acquisition strengthens Teva’s core franchise in drugs for the central nervous system. Auspex, which became a publicly traded company just over a year ago, … Continue reading “Teva Agrees to Buy San Diego’s Auspex Pharmaceuticals for $3B+”
Peter Thiel Brings Libertarian Standup Routine to Harvard
In staccato, stand-up comic style, Peter Thiel brought his version of libertarianism to Harvard, a notable cheering section for positive government. Last Wednesday, a packed lecture hall heard the investor and co-founder of PayPal and secretive data-analysis company Palantir Technologies say, “You can’t do it on a government scale. So I work on the business … Continue reading “Peter Thiel Brings Libertarian Standup Routine to Harvard”
EvoNexus Incubator Transforms CommNexus as SD Startup Scene Grows
After 16 EvoNexus startups made short presentations at a Demo Day in San Diego last week, the big news was perhaps not that the audience voted Sonic VR as “champion,” or that CEO Jason Riggs left afterward for an EvoNexus-hosted dinner with a dozen investors. What was arguably more impressive is how EvoNexus is becoming … Continue reading “EvoNexus Incubator Transforms CommNexus as SD Startup Scene Grows”
Innovation Hub: XPRIZE Founder Tackles Entrepreneurship
Peter Diamandis is, I think it’s fair to say, an optimist. After all, how many other space-obsessed kids ended up founding an International Space University? Or inaugurated an XPRIZE, to inspire a new generation of passenger spacecrafts? But Diamandis’s current obsession is entrepreneurship, and the idea that the economy is radically shifting to accommodate a … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: XPRIZE Founder Tackles Entrepreneurship”
The Incredible Shrinking Seed Stage and Other Venture Trends of 2014
By now the 2014 data for venture capital investments from the most important regions of the world have been compiled and disseminated. When laid out next to each other, some fascinating themes emerge. It’s no surprise that the U.S. continues to set the pace with over $48 billion invested in 4,356 companies, compared to 2013, … Continue reading “The Incredible Shrinking Seed Stage and Other Venture Trends of 2014”
West Coast Biotech Roundup: Amgen/deCODE, Calico, Orexigen & More
For sheer volume, San Diego carries the week’s West Coast biotech news, with everything from trial failures (Lpath, MEI Pharma) to stock sales and deals (Retrophin, Vical, Mast) to good product news (Orexigen, Conatus). For scientific impact, however, Amgen tips the scales with the big publication of Icelandic genomic data from its subsidiary DeCode Genetics. … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: Amgen/deCODE, Calico, Orexigen & More”
As Pharma Collaborations Gain Importance, GSK Opens Second Outpost
After establishing a “first-of-its-kind collaboration” with San Diego’s Avalon Ventures in 2013, the British pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has opened a small office in San Diego to manage its R&D partnerships and to prospect for more deals on the West Coast. The move reflects an effort by GSK to get closer to the scientific innovators … Continue reading “As Pharma Collaborations Gain Importance, GSK Opens Second Outpost”
Calient Technologies Obtains $14,749,343 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=97cc3e6f-55fa-4e1a-aef7-9f6150770053 Date 3/27/2015 Company Name Calient Technologies Mailing Address 25 Castilian Drive Goleta, CA 93117 USA Company Description Calient Technologies is a leading provider of intelligent, photonic switching systems and software that help service providers scale their networks for expanding bandwidth demands and deliver new wavelength services. Website http://www.calient.net Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Calient Technologies Obtains $14,749,343 New Financing Round”
Amid Gene Editing Worry, A Return To Biotech’s 1st “Asilomar Moment”
Biotechnology leaders—and the rest of us—should “count to 10” as they read the March 19 call in Science to consider limits on using revolutionary new gene-editing techniques for germline gene therapy. The techniques are powerful and simple to use and key scientists, worried about misuse, want us to pause, confer, and set limits. But we … Continue reading “Amid Gene Editing Worry, A Return To Biotech’s 1st “Asilomar Moment””
ChowNow Lands $10,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=12c900fc-b02a-4d40-a375-3afc82267262 Date 3/26/2015 Company Name ChowNow Mailing Address 2112 Narcissus Ct. Venice, CA 90291 USA Company Description ChowNow is a next-generation meal ordering platform that utilizes the latest web, mobile and social networking technologies to expand restaurant’s online ordering capabilities and customer reach. Website http://www.chownow.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 … Continue reading “ChowNow Lands $10,000,000 New Round”
InAuth Obtains $20,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b5e1bd30-d8f4-4d10-95f9-55cbce75f624 Date 3/26/2015 Company Name InAuth Mailing Address 615 Hampton Drive Venice, CA 90291 USA Company Description InAuth fully appreciates the unique challenges and opportunities in the banking industry. Our team has worked closely with many of the world’s largest organizations to provide innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability. Website … Continue reading “InAuth Obtains $20,000,000 Series A Funding”
Honk Garners $12,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=60f92d92-c97b-4bc9-b475-cc760cdb34a4 Date 3/26/2015 Company Name Honk Mailing Address Undisclosed Santa Monica, CA 90401 USA Company Description Honk is the on-demand mobile app for tow, tire change, jump start, fuel and lock out services nationwide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Honk’s faster ETAs and Guaranteed Never to Exceed prices, which … Continue reading “Honk Garners $12,000,000 Series A Funding”
Hi, I’m in Delaware… For the Fast Internet
Internet speeds are becoming increasingly important to consumer markets, as users of streaming content such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO multiply. Those people are expecting quality streaming, too, especially with the advent of 4K, or “ultra” high-definition, video. It may be no surprise that broadband Internet speeds vary from state to state, with Virginia, Delaware, … Continue reading “Hi, I’m in Delaware… For the Fast Internet”
San Diego’s Huntington Capital Raises $91.7M for Impact Fund
San Diego-based Huntington Capital, which provides debt and equity financing to private, small-to-mid-size companies, said it has raised $91.7 million in capital commitments for its third fund. The firm raised $78 million for its previous fund in 2008, and Huntington says it has raised more than $210 million in total capital commitments for its three … Continue reading “San Diego’s Huntington Capital Raises $91.7M for Impact Fund”
Harvest.ai Lands $2,300,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6b5ae788-f385-4a43-a402-f3cf624a6f5a Date 3/25/2015 Company Name Harvest.ai Mailing Address 4747 Executive Drive San Diego, CA 92121 USA Company Description At harvest.ai, our analytics start by answering a question that has traditionally been very difficult for organizations: where is my critical data and who has access to it? Everyone has specific security needs. Intellectual … Continue reading “Harvest.ai Lands $2,300,000 Seed Funding”
EvoNexus Demo Day Spring 2015
At Demo Day, 17 companies incubating at the San Diego EvoNexus will pitch their startup and demo their products to the entrepreneurial community and investors. Their goal is to show that they’ve created a minimum sellable product, have validated their market, and developed a business model. Presenting companies are Audvi, CleverPet, Doctible, GroupSolver, INOVA Drone, … Continue reading “EvoNexus Demo Day Spring 2015”
JLabs San Diego: Out of the Lab and Into the Newsroom
You’re ready to bring your life sciences company into the limelight, but you don’t know how. In this three-part workshop event, we’ll explore how to take your story out of the laboratory and into the headlines. More information and online registration is here.
STANCE Obtains $47,499,987 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f88878b2-ad9d-4ac4-861e-9b52b87261a0 Date 3/24/2015 Company Name STANCE Mailing Address 193 Avenida La Pata San Clemente, CA 92673 USA Company Description STANCE is dedicated to the spirit of individuality with a design philosophy that believes in expression and function. Expression that creates an emotional visual connection and function that also provides comfort and performance. … Continue reading “STANCE Obtains $47,499,987 New Financing”
Smartphone Operating System Maker Cyanogen Lands $80M Series C
Cyanogen, the mobile operating system developer attempting to rival Google and Apple, is planning to make new hires and further develop its open platform after receiving $80 million of Series C funding. Its new investors are a mix of high-profile individuals, as well as A-list companies and venture firms. Premji Invest, the venture arm of … Continue reading “Smartphone Operating System Maker Cyanogen Lands $80M Series C”
Fastest Turtle: Healthcare Investing and the U.S. Economy
Given the investment horizons for venture capitalists, we do not necessarily try to time public markets when making new investments—although they obviously influence pre-money valuations, particularly for later rounds. Greater concerns revolve around portfolio companies’ ability to access capital on reasonable terms, and that the general macroeconomic environment is conducive to strong revenue growth. Notwithstanding … Continue reading “Fastest Turtle: Healthcare Investing and the U.S. Economy”
Stop the Bleeding: Can Gene Therapy Finally Cure Hemophilia?
Ben Haugstad is 12 years old and loves Taekwondo. He’s been doing it for six years, and soon he’ll be a black belt. He also has a severe form of hemophilia. His body doesn’t produce the machinery needed to clot blood, and at any moment a bad tumble or a bruise could quickly turn into … Continue reading “Stop the Bleeding: Can Gene Therapy Finally Cure Hemophilia?”
His Attacker Found Guilty, UCSD’s Steve Dowdy “Not Looking Back”
Former biotech executive Hans Petersen was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder Wednesday in San Diego. One of his targets, the University of California, San Diego scientist Steve Dowdy, says it’s time to move on. “[It’s the] end of a tragic story for us, but we’re not looking back anymore, only forward,” he … Continue reading “His Attacker Found Guilty, UCSD’s Steve Dowdy “Not Looking Back””
Innovation Hub: Did a Computer Write This Story?
Forget Malcolm Gladwell and Tom Friedman. The next great journalist could be a computer program. Already, artificial intelligence has been put to work at Forbes, the Associated Press, Reuters, and The Big Ten Network. Coverage of NCAA basketball games, earnings reports, and dips in housing prices are regularly penned by this new breed of “journalist.” … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: Did a Computer Write This Story?”
Lessons From Building a Global Engineering Team
It used to be that if you referenced a “global engineering team” you had contracted with a few freelance developers in a remote location to do a few hours of work per week. There’s a good reason for that: historically, recruiting, retaining, and growing global engineering teams has been a significant challenge. At HubSpot, we … Continue reading “Lessons From Building a Global Engineering Team”
West Coast Biotech Roundup: Juno, Nektar, Kite, Glooko & More
Out west this week, Bay Area clinical data carried the day. Nektar got bad news from a Phase 3 breast cancer trial, but Pharmacyclics, about to become (a very expensive) part of AbbVie, kept rolling with lymphoma/leukemia data so good that reviewers voted to release it early. Vancouver was also abuzz, as Bill Gates spoke … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: Juno, Nektar, Kite, Glooko & More”
Milestones of Innovation 4: The Letter That Led to the Atomic Bomb
Crisp statements of a case to a prepared, if skeptical, mind have often changed the history of innovation. Perhaps the most critical example of this in the 20th Century is the memorandum that reached Sir Henry Tizard, chief scientific advisor to Britain’s Air Ministry, 75 years ago today, on the 19th of March, 1940. This … Continue reading “Milestones of Innovation 4: The Letter That Led to the Atomic Bomb”