Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cba008dc-a922-403c-92ac-4a463eb0a89f Date 7/31/2014 Company Name Propeller Mailing Address P.O. BOX 518 Carlsbad, CA 92018 USA Company Description Propeller is a web platform to quickly create and update apps with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. No code, no problem — even with no design or programming experience, you can make something beautiful. Website http://www.usepropeller.com … Continue reading “Palantir Technologies Acquires Propeller for Undisclosed Sum”
Category: San Diego
Venter Hires Google Translate Leader at Human Longevity Startup
Human Longevity, the San Diego startup founded by human genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, says it has recruited Franz Och, a 42-year-old expert in machine learning and language translation, to develop new ways to rapidly interpret raw genomic and proteomic data. Och has worked as a distinguished research scientist at Google for the past decade, … Continue reading “Venter Hires Google Translate Leader at Human Longevity Startup”
Driving Corporate Innovation: Design Thinking vs. Customer Development
Startups are not smaller versions of large companies, but interestingly we also see that companies are not larger versions of startups. I’ve been spending some time with large companies that are interested in using “Lean Startup” methods. One of the conundrums is why does innovation take so long to happen in corporations? Previously Hank Chesbrough … Continue reading “Driving Corporate Innovation: Design Thinking vs. Customer Development”
Epic Sciences Raises $30M to Advance Cancer Diagnostics
It’s been about six years since San Diego’s Epic Sciences was founded to commercialize technology that Peter Kuhn and others developed at The Scripps Research Institute for detecting and analyzing circulating tumor cells. In more recent years, the company has moved rapidly to create an entirely new business based on its diagnostic technology. Epic Sciences … Continue reading “Epic Sciences Raises $30M to Advance Cancer Diagnostics”
Epic Sciences Garners $30,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bcdd0cd7-5725-4cb8-a660-a65e4a1b69c2 Date 7/30/2014 Company Name Epic Sciences Mailing Address 9381 Judicial Drive La Jolla, CA 92121 USA Company Description We develop new, highly sensitive diagnostic tests that identify and molecularly characterize circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood to provide a better way to detect cancer and personalize and monitor treatments. Website … Continue reading “Epic Sciences Garners $30,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
Astute Medical Secures $20,091,278 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0688b2ce-c3e1-4c7d-a908-a99fe5f86ea7 Date 7/30/2014 Company Name Astute Medical Mailing Address 3550 General Atomics Court San Diego, CA 92121 USA Company Description Astute Medical’s mission is to identify and validate protein biomarkers of severe acute disease.Our focus is community and hospital acquired acute conditions that require rapid diagnosis and risk assessment. Our emphasis is … Continue reading “Astute Medical Secures $20,091,278 New Funding”
Privlo Receives $350,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e8acf94d-0dc2-4832-962b-1dff9159253e Date 7/30/2014 Company Name Privlo Mailing Address 8500 Steller Dr. Culver City, CA 90232 USA Company Description Privlo is the largest online mortgage marketplace for borrowers to find private lenders. Privlo, Inc. operates as online mortgage marketplace for borrowers. Website http://www.privlo.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $350,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “Privlo Receives $350,000,000 New Funding Round”
To Solve Alzheimer’s Mystery, Better Biological Clues Sorely Needed
The other day, I found a video on the website of the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit foundation. It was part of an HBO documentary series produced a few years ago by Maria Shriver to educate the public about Alzheimer’s disease. The first couple minutes showed people going into scanners, doctors gently examining patients, color-contrasted brain … Continue reading “To Solve Alzheimer’s Mystery, Better Biological Clues Sorely Needed”
Beyond Meat Secures Series D Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=58c37248-ee1b-4b2b-8bde-b11efdf3ee22 Date 7/29/2014 Company Name Beyond Meat Mailing Address P.O. Box 2204 Manhattan Beach, CA 90267 USA Company Description We believe there is a better way to feed the planet. Our mission is to create mass-market solutions that perfectly replace animal protein with plant protein. We are dedicated to improving human health, … Continue reading “Beyond Meat Secures Series D Financing”
Cynvenio Biosystems Obtains $2,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=54c590ad-2602-4c3a-9fda-f6e286255054 Date 7/29/2014 Company Name Cynvenio Biosystems Mailing Address 2260 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 USA Company Description Cynvenio Biosystems, Inc. is a California biotech company dedicated to providing game-changing technology to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. Cynvenio’s rare cell detection and mutational profiling applications include the LiquidBiopsy … Continue reading “Cynvenio Biosystems Obtains $2,000,000 New Round”
San Diego’s Sapphire Energy Names New CEO Amid Signs of Change
It’s been clear for awhile that changes were underway at San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, an industrial biotech founded in 2007 to develop a revolutionary process for turning algae into gasoline and other fuels. Today the San Diego startup says former Verenium CEO James Levine has taken over as Sapphire’s CEO from Cynthia “C.J.” Warner, an … Continue reading “San Diego’s Sapphire Energy Names New CEO Amid Signs of Change”
Emulate Scores $12M to Shake Up Drug Testing With Organs on Chips
It’s an age-old problem with drug development: no matter how good a drug looks when tested in animals or petri dishes, there’s no guarantee it’ll have the same effect on a person. That unpredictability has delayed or doomed countless drug prospects—and drives up the cost, and time, it takes to make a successful therapeutic. A … Continue reading “Emulate Scores $12M to Shake Up Drug Testing With Organs on Chips”
PaxVax Obtains $62,000,000 Series B Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=abdbfe42-11c6-4674-8c53-399a8ed63b97 Date 7/28/2014 Company Name PaxVax Mailing Address 3985A Sorrento Valley Boulevard San Diego, CA 92121 USA Company Description PaxVax is a privately held, fully integrated vaccine company, based in Menlo Park, California, USA. Established in 2007, in response to the global threat of the H5N1 pandemic, our founders set out to … Continue reading “PaxVax Obtains $62,000,000 Series B Funding”
2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: Public Forum
The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa includes a public forum and reception. The featured speaker this year is Carl June, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference bringing together senior executives and top decision-makers … Continue reading “2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: Public Forum”
2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: 9th Annual Scientific Symposium
The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a one-day conference attended by leading researchers and clinical experts from around the globe. More information and online registration is here. The scientific symposium is preceded by a stem cell industry partnering forum, organized as a separate, two-day event held Oct. 7-8 as part of the Stem … Continue reading “2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: 9th Annual Scientific Symposium”
2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: 4th Annual Partnering Forum
The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa partnering forum is a two-day event that brings together top executives in regenerative medicine. It is dedicated solely to facilitating connections in this sector. The 9th Annual Scientific Symposium has been organized as a separate, one-day event held Oct. 9 as part of the Stem Cell Meeting on … Continue reading “2014 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa: 4th Annual Partnering Forum”
Connect’s 2014 Most Innovative New Product Awards
Connect’s largest and most-prestigious awards event attracts more than 700 of the region’s top business leaders, researchers, and capital providers, and is being staged this year as an evening event. With more than 100 companies competing in a rigorous judging process, Connect’s annual Most Innovative (New) Product Awards (MIP) ceremony is to San Diego’s innovation … Continue reading “Connect’s 2014 Most Innovative New Product Awards”
SDEE August Meetup: Technology Transfer for Startups
The San Diego Entrepreneurs Exchange (SDEE) is hosting this panel discussion on how life sciences startups can maximize value by working with a tech transfer office to address such questions as: How does technology transfer play a role in San Diego startups? Is there a perfect model for licensing from universities and non-profits? How to … Continue reading “SDEE August Meetup: Technology Transfer for Startups”
Biocom Institute: Drug Development Primer
Drug Development Primer is a two-day, intensive course focused on the regulatory, commercial, and scientific considerations required to bring a drug successfully to market. Discussion points feature both small molecule and biologic products. Post-approval commercial considerations and risk management are also discussed. Numerous case studies are used to illustrate the decision-making process companies must use, … Continue reading “Biocom Institute: Drug Development Primer”
Biocom September Breakfast Meetup: The A-Z on Medical Device Startups
Biocom has invited experts in medical devices from GE Ventures, Index Ventures, Tigris Ventures, and Acutus Medical to discuss the business strategies needed to commercialize important medical device technologies. More information and online registration is here.
Biocom DeviceFest 2014
This day-long conference on medical devices and diagnostics focuses on the latest developments in reimbursement, regulatory issues, deal structuring, commercialization and connected health. The event is being held in Carlsbad this year. More information and online registration is here. RSVP by noon on Aug. 27. More information and online registration is here.
8th Annual Algae Biomass Summit
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, is hosting the 8th Annual Algae Biomass Summit. San Diego is a major hub for algae research, commercialization and entrepreneurial activity—and the first day includes an all-day tour of renewable energy and algae facilities in Imperial County. The conference agenda includes presentations on … Continue reading “8th Annual Algae Biomass Summit”
4th Annual U.S. Solar Market Insight Conference
The U.S. Solar Market Insight Conference presents data, analysis, and expert forecasts on the U.S. solar market. This is the only event exclusively underpinned by the Solar Market Insight report series produced by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Half-day pre-conference begins on Monday, Dec. 8. More information and online registration is here. … Continue reading “4th Annual U.S. Solar Market Insight Conference”
National University Speaker Series: Come Hear Talk, Stay for Padres Game
Don Czechowicz, Project Leader with the Energy and Advanced Concept Groups at San Diego-based General Atomics will talk about innovations in remotely operated aircraft like the Predator, electromagnetic systems, airborne sensors, and other topics. The lecture is part of National University’s Speaker Series. A ticket includes one free admission to the Padres-Atlanta game following the … Continue reading “National University Speaker Series: Come Hear Talk, Stay for Padres Game”
Innovation Hub: How Lego Built a Blockbuster Global Brand
What products count as innovative? Often, the things we take most for granted. Like Legos. A toy that was started by a failing carpenter in the 1940s, suffered a near-death experience several years ago, and is now experiencing blockbuster growth. So, how did the company manage to stay afloat through a half-century of changing tastes … Continue reading “Innovation Hub: How Lego Built a Blockbuster Global Brand”
West Coast Biotech Roundup: IPOs, Gilead, Sofinnova, & Denouements
What a week to round up. Against a backdrop of regulatory approvals, strategic deals, and R&D initiatives, a fresh salvo of life sciences IPOs signaled a resurgence in public offerings already running ahead of last year’s pace. We also saw moves to resolve weeks of drama at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego and … Continue reading “West Coast Biotech Roundup: IPOs, Gilead, Sofinnova, & Denouements”
Dave Eggers’s “The Circle” Fails as Satire, Succeeds as Prophecy
When the anti-utopian book The Circle, the latest novel from McSweeney’s founder Dave Eggers, came out last October, reviewers hailed it as a “provocative” and “foreboding” warning about the spiritual costs of excessive sharing and transparency on the Internet. The Guardian even called it “a deft modern synthesis of Swiftian wit with Orwellian prognostication.” But … Continue reading “Dave Eggers’s “The Circle” Fails as Satire, Succeeds as Prophecy”
CBS Local Media Acquires Eventful for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4f458c03-ed78-49f5-a542-3a96d7e4ed7c Date 7/25/2014 Company Name Eventful Mailing Address 12626 High Bluff Drive San Diego, CA 92130 USA Company Description Eventful’s underlying technology: a software and data platform for exchanging, searching, indexing, and publishing millions of events, venues, calendars, and related information worldwide. Website http://www.eventful.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round … Continue reading “CBS Local Media Acquires Eventful for Undisclosed Sum”
Cypher Genomics’ Analytics Tech Gains Some Cred in Illumina Deal
It’s probably just a matter of time before a new company combines the rapidly advancing technologies of genome sequencing, genetic diagnostics, and Big Data to become the Google of bioinformatics. Cypher Genomics would like to claim that title, though it’s too early to tell if the three-year-old San Diego startup will be able to pull … Continue reading “Cypher Genomics’ Analytics Tech Gains Some Cred in Illumina Deal”
Reflections on RTP
Having moved to the Research Triangle Park region in 1987 when my husband was recruited to Glaxo, I now realize that we chose “the right place at the right time.” I started a post-doctorial fellowship at UNC-Chapel Hill and eventually became a clinical scientist at Burroughs Wellcome, and we enjoyed raising a family in Chapel … Continue reading “Reflections on RTP”
Xconomy Launches in Raleigh-Durham—10th Cluster in Our Network
Innovation, North Carolina style—at last. Ever since writing the original Xconomy business plan, I’ve been looking forward to the day when we began covering innovation in the Tar Heel state. Now, I am extremely happy to announce, that day has come. Xconomy Raleigh-Durham is officially off the ground, and with its launch we have grown … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches in Raleigh-Durham—10th Cluster in Our Network”
Pfenex Lands $49,800,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=331d9287-c6a8-4cce-9056-6ed55e10c7c1 Date 7/24/2014 Company Name Pfenex Mailing Address 10790 Roselle St. San Diego, CA 92121 USA Company Description Headquartered in San Diego, California, Pfenex Inc. (NYSE MKT: PFNX) is a leading biotechnology company focused on recombinant protein expression for a broad range of applications including therapeutic proteins, vaccines, research, reagents and biosimilars. … Continue reading “Pfenex Lands $49,800,000 New Funding Round”
BlueCava Receives $165,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2e28544a-20fe-4247-9281-dd14cc557f52 Date 7/24/2014 Company Name BlueCava Mailing Address 131 Innovation Drive Irvine, CA 92617 USA Company Description The company has created the BlueCava Device Identification Platform that helps identify any device that is connected to the Internet. Website http://www.bluecava.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $165,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “BlueCava Receives $165,000 New Financing”
Venture Capital Had a Great 2013—But Public Markets Were Still Better
In an industry obsessed with creating the next big thing, it can be easy to forget that a lot of big ideas simply crash and burn. So here’s a little reminder: Last year, American venture capitalists put together their best annual performance since 1999. But it still wasn’t good enough to beat the public stock … Continue reading “Venture Capital Had a Great 2013—But Public Markets Were Still Better”
Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors
Building a startup is a risky business. The only way to stay ahead of the risks is to be aware and informed about them. The board of directors, in particular, needs to know enough about the risks in the business to make well-rounded strategic decisions. As for investors, most of them do their own risk … Continue reading “Key Risk Conversations to Have With Your Board and Investors”
Glow Digital Media Secures $7,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d867470e-ca7d-4716-8a62-2a3087e4aaf1 Date 7/23/2014 Company Name Glow Digital Media Mailing Address 820 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 USA Company Description Glow provides amazing value and first class service to well over 80 sophisticated, performance customers around the world and many global agencies. Glow has been working with the Facebook Ads API since its … Continue reading “Glow Digital Media Secures $7,000,000 Series A Funding”
EdgeWave Receives $11,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0a3387b4-be57-42e0-bf76-67de831d746a Date 7/23/2014 Company Name EdgeWave Mailing Address 15333 Avenue of Science San Diego, CA 92128 USA Company Description At EdgeWave our mission is to enable enterprises to confidently embrace the cloud-connected world. We do this by providing simple but highly effective data security and advanced threat protection in bundled solutions that … Continue reading “EdgeWave Receives $11,000,000 Series A Financing”
Antengo Secures $75,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f6f285b8-474e-4b32-88f7-bc6348f3bdf3 Date 7/23/2014 Company Name Antengo Mailing Address 101 W. Broadway San Diego, CA 92037 USA Company Description Antengo is a free mobile application that facilitates real-time, location-based, person-to-person and business-to-consumer exchanges and transactions. Website http://www.antengo.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $75,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “Antengo Secures $75,000 New Financing”
Fypio Aims at Online Real Estate Industry with Buyer-Centric Focus
When Michael Koh moved to San Diego in 2010, he expected to start a real estate business focused on luxury residential properties, much like the one he had created (and sold) in Argentina over the previous 11 or 12 years. Instead, he came up with an idea for a mobile app and Web-based technology that … Continue reading “Fypio Aims at Online Real Estate Industry with Buyer-Centric Focus”
Teradata-Hadapt Deal Signals Big-Data Buyouts as Big Firms Move In
It’s a familiar storyline: Boston-area startup develops promising technology, starts to build a real business, and then gets snapped up by a West Coast giant. The startup in this case is Cambridge, MA-based Hadapt, which has been acquired by Teradata, the Ohio-based data warehousing company with big operations in San Diego. Terms of the deal … Continue reading “Teradata-Hadapt Deal Signals Big-Data Buyouts as Big Firms Move In”
San Diego’s EdgeWave Raises $6M to Counter Intense Cyber Attacks
In the “Spy vs. Spy” world of cybersecurity, everything changes and nothing stays the same. So it should come as no surprise that EdgeWave, a San Diego-based cybersecurity company, has been through a few transmutations since it was founded in 1995 as St. Bernard Software. As part of its latest transformation, EdgeWave says today it … Continue reading “San Diego’s EdgeWave Raises $6M to Counter Intense Cyber Attacks”
Cellectar, an OTC Stock, Eyes Nasdaq Jump to Boost Profile, Prospects
Cellectar Biosciences is trying to move from an over-the-counter (OTC) stock to trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange—and the stakes are high for the small Madison, WI-based biotech. Winning approval to join the Nasdaq stock exchange could give Cellectar a boost in bringing its cancer drugs and imaging products to market—assuming the company can capitalize … Continue reading “Cellectar, an OTC Stock, Eyes Nasdaq Jump to Boost Profile, Prospects”
Starting Unicorn Companies: FireEye
Last November, Cowboy Ventures’ Ailene Lee wrote a post on Techcrunch titled Welcome To The Unicorn Club: Learning From Billion-Dollar Startups. In it, she offered a list of companies that have had billion dollar exits, and analyzed some of the common threads. In this series, I would like to look at some of the ‘unicorn’ … Continue reading “Starting Unicorn Companies: FireEye”
Sexism and Misogyny in Tech: How Investors Can Help Drive Change
The image of some technology startups has been tarnished of late by bad behavior. It might be up to investors who are board members to ensure changes get made. Accusations of sexism and misogyny have circled Tinder, the dating-app startup owned by IAC. If the charges prove to be true, it is just one recent … Continue reading “Sexism and Misogyny in Tech: How Investors Can Help Drive Change”
Big Wave of Q2 VC Funding Washes Ashore in San Diego with $222M
So how did San Diego fare as the biggest wave of venture capital funding in 13 years swept across the United States, sloshing capital into startups from Silicon Valley to New York, and from Seattle to Houston? The answer is just OK. Venture capital firms invested a total of $222.4 million in 26 deals in … Continue reading “Big Wave of Q2 VC Funding Washes Ashore in San Diego with $222M”
Second Sight Medical Products Secures $5,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7d73a459-d06d-4a77-8471-50c2d6785d28 Date 7/21/2014 Company Name Second Sight Medical Products Mailing Address 12744 San Fernando Road Building 3 Sylmar, CA 91342 USA Company Description Second Sight’s mission is to develop, manufacture and market implantable visual prosthetics to enable blind individuals to achieve greater independence. Website http://www.2-sight.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,000 … Continue reading “Second Sight Medical Products Secures $5,000,000 New Round”
There Was Life Before Smartphones, But Who Can Remember It?
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?”
Edico Genome Receives $10,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cd07d634-2f52-4d89-a04a-b54cd1e3852c Date 7/18/2014 Company Name Edico Genome Mailing Address 4225 Executive Square La Jolla, CA 92037 USA Company Description Edico Genome has developed the DRAGEN Bio-IT Processor, the world’s first next-generation sequencing bioinformatics application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Website http://www.edicogenome.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Edico Genome Receives $10,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
ShoutOut Obtains $20,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0e433c09-653f-43af-ad23-a1dd7c8ebb93 Date 7/18/2014 Company Name ShoutOut Mailing Address Undisclosed Santa Barbara, CA 93101 USA Company Description Form groups with friends, or connect with strangers. ShoutOut allows you to create and join chatrooms based on your interests and location. Stay anonymous or share your identity. You can private message users you meet while … Continue reading “ShoutOut Obtains $20,000 Seed 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”