Our expectations about how fast personal technology should evolve have come totally unglued from reality. That was all I could think this week as I surveyed media and consumer commentary about the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, which Apple unveiled at a Sept. 10 press event. From any reasonable point of view, these new … Continue reading “The iPhone 5S and 5C: Everything Is Amazing and Nobody Is Happy”
Category: San Diego
Maker Studios Obtains $26,000,000 Series C Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4cb85248-f8af-4acc-8e43-21ce71a11fd1 Date 9/13/2013 Company Name Maker Studios Mailing Address 13428 Maxella Avenue Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Company Description Maker studios is a media company that bridges the gap between youtube and television. Maker is developing sustainable programming and building large audiences on YouTube with over 80 million subscribers and 1 billion … Continue reading “Maker Studios Obtains $26,000,000 Series C Funding”
Verengo Obtains $12,499,985 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5bb37416-6eed-4e05-9c61-f6051ae6fd1f Date 9/13/2013 Company Name Verengo Mailing Address 20285 South Western Ave Torrance, CA 90501 Company Description Californians lead the nation in energy efficiency—and Verengo leads the way in providing solar solutions to homeowners throughout Southern California. Website http://www.verengosolar.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $12,499,985 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “Verengo Obtains $12,499,985 New Funding”
2013: A vintage year for the San Diego biotech community
While this has been a pretty good year for the biotech industry, 2013 has been a spectacular year for San Diego’s biotech industry. During a three-month period, San Diego’s Regulus Therapeutics raised $51 million through an IPO that generated $81 million in gross proceeds; Johnson & Johnson acquired San Diego’s Aragon Pharmaceuticals for $650 million … Continue reading “2013: A vintage year for the San Diego biotech community”
Unwind: The San Diego Life Science Network Happy Hour
Enjoy a beverage or two, appetizers, and a few surprises at this free networking event. Make connections, partner, recruit, find resources, and share ideas with peers from San Diego’s pharma, biotech, diagnostics, device, biomedical research, and healthcare communities . Unwind free thanks to the sponsors Ajinomoto Althea, Chempetitive Group, JCL Bioassay, and SynteractHCR. More information … Continue reading “Unwind: The San Diego Life Science Network Happy Hour”
San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Isis, Neurocrine, MEI, and More
Isis Pharmaceuticals extended its reach in neurological drugs this week by signing its fourth collaboration agreement with Biogen Idec. We have that and the rest of San Diego’s life sciences news wrapped up here. —Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), the Weston, MA-based maker of multiple sclerosis drugs, agreed to pay $100 million to antisense specialist Isis … Continue reading “San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Isis, Neurocrine, MEI, and More”
Wipit Garners Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f9632b26-29c5-443d-b597-2297c5f35788 Date 9/12/2013 Company Name Wipit Mailing Address P.O. Box 25 Pasadena, CA 91102 Company Description Wipit is empowering cash-preferred consumers. Whether it’s from the convenience of a mobile phone or a prepaid card, we are creating innovative new ways to use cash for financial services and load funds at thousands of … Continue reading “Wipit Garners Series A Funding Round”
LexisNexis Acquires Enclarity for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=77e80b8d-b26c-4735-bf43-6fb505e7be6b Date 9/12/2013 Company Name Enclarity Mailing Address 30 Enterprise Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Company Description The company’s software uses advanced analytics and proprietary technology coupled with a massive referential database and telephone verification to clean provider files, assuring the data is accurate and current, increasing the productivity and profitability of our … Continue reading “LexisNexis Acquires Enclarity for Undisclosed Sum”
CommNexus: Social Media Software Tools, Tricks, and Tips
The CommNexus Social Media Special Interest Group has invited experts from Cita Communications, InCitrio, and HootSuite to share their insights on the new social media and online marketing applications that smart marketers are using to automate their social listening, management, and engagement. More information and online registration is here.
Kauffman Report: It Takes Decades to Build a Startup Hub
The Kauffman Foundation caused a stir in economic-development circles last month with a report showing that high-tech startups are more evenly spread across the United States than many people assume. When researcher Ian Hathaway, an economic advisor with the advocacy group Engine, ranked metropolitan areas in terms of their per-capita density of high-tech startups, his … Continue reading “Kauffman Report: It Takes Decades to Build a Startup Hub”
Xconomy is Looking for Detroit Innovation Champions
In 2010, Xconomy opened its fourth news bureau in Detroit, joining Boston, Seattle, and San Diego. Even though this was a time when record numbers of global media were parachuting into town and writing stories showcasing “ruin porn” and what they deemed as the hopelessness of the Motor City’s plight, Xconomy had a different mission … Continue reading “Xconomy is Looking for Detroit Innovation Champions”
2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa
More than 800 leaders of the regenerative medicine business, academic, and patient advocacy communities, are expected to attend the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa, supported by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Sanford Consortium. The symposium, now in its eighth year, showcases the leading … Continue reading “2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa”
Intel Capital Global Summit in Downtown San Diego
Intel Capital, the global investment and M&A arm of the Silicon Valley chipmaker, is convening its 14th annual global summit in downtown San Diego. Intel Capital President Arvind Sodhani is hosting some of the world’s top CEOs, thought leaders, and technology luminaries. The agenda includes keynote presentations, expert panels, elevator pitches, and interactive workshops designed … Continue reading “Intel Capital Global Summit in Downtown San Diego”
Silent Intelligence and the “Internet of Things”
Look in the right places and you will see the “Internet of things” (IOT) and machine-to-machine communications (M2M) already at work, changing the way we live, play, and do business. CommNexus has organized a panel discussion with several co-chairs of the M2M special interest group to discuss the state of the IOT and M2M and … Continue reading “Silent Intelligence and the “Internet of Things””
San Diego Venture Group’s 14th Annual PitchFest! Business Plan Competition
The San Diego Venture Group will host the finalists in its annual pitchfest competition at its annual cocktails and dinner soiree. Judges screen more than 100 local companies through a process that weighs the merits of the innovation, investor appeal, and progress of each applicant. Judges include some of San Diego’s leading entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, … Continue reading “San Diego Venture Group’s 14th Annual PitchFest! Business Plan Competition”
Alternatives in Life Sciences Financing
Corporate partnerships, philanthropic organizations, royalty finance, and “build to suit” deals are becoming more common in the changing world of life sciences financing. But how common are they? Whatever happened to the good old Series A? The San Diego Venture Group has organized this presentation. Speakers include Bob More of the Bill and Melinda Gates … Continue reading “Alternatives in Life Sciences Financing”
Mergers & Acquisitions and How to Get Them Done
The San Diego Venture Group has organized this event to answer some questions: Is there a buyer for every company? What do you have to do get your company ready for an exit? Should you hire a banker? These and other issues to be explored. More information and online registration is here.
San Diego Tech Coast Angels 7th Annual Quick Pitch Competition
The TCA Quick Pitch is becoming a premier showcase for San Diego’s emerging innovative technology startups. Entrepreneurs present two-minute pitches to a blue-ribbon panel of judges and an audience of over 500 leaders within the entrepreneurial community. Their presentations will be judged based on investment potential and presentation quality. Competition winners will be announced at … Continue reading “San Diego Tech Coast Angels 7th Annual Quick Pitch Competition”
Life Sciences Leaders Discuss New Funding Models & Other Hot Topics
Janssen Labs is hosting some of the nation’s leading movers, investors, and visionaries in the life sciences industry on September 19th. This dynamic panel will discuss such topics as new funding models, how leaders in the community are accelerating the life sciences industry, and more. The panelists are Alex de Winter, GE Ventures; Kim Kamdar, … Continue reading “Life Sciences Leaders Discuss New Funding Models & Other Hot Topics”
Free Insiders’ Tour of 6 Commercial Renewable Energy Sites
The non-profit San Diego Renewable Energy Society (SDRES) invites property owners, building and corporate sustainability managers to join San Diego’s leading solar and energy efficiency innovators for an interactive, behind-the-scenes tour of six money-saving commercial energy solutions as part the 13th San Diego Sustainability Tour. The tour begins at San Diego Gas & Electric’s Energy … Continue reading “Free Insiders’ Tour of 6 Commercial Renewable Energy Sites”
Qualcomm Joins “Formula E” (as in Electric) Auto Racing Series
Auto racing enthusiasts often point out that many of the innovations in today’s standard production automobiles—including disc brakes, direct shift gearboxes, and dual overhead cams—were pioneered in race cars built by elite race teams. So the idea behind the FIA Formula E Championship, a 10-city tour of motorsport races for electrically-powered “formula” cars (Le Mans-type … Continue reading “Qualcomm Joins “Formula E” (as in Electric) Auto Racing Series”
5 Reasons You Should Drop Everything and Start Growing Bugs
Around the world, since the dawn of time, humans have eaten insects. The Western aversion to the idea is a recent phenomenon. With feed conversion ratios double that of chicken, and nearly six times that of beef, edible species like the common house cricket are a popular food source worldwide. In countries such as Thailand, … Continue reading “5 Reasons You Should Drop Everything and Start Growing Bugs”
CrowdStrike Receives $30,000,000 Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cfb64e13-63ad-4410-9a73-3ac3bc59598d Date 9/10/2013 Company Name CrowdStrike Mailing Address 8001 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description CrowdStrike is a global provider of security technology and services focused on identifying advanced threats and targeted attacks. Using big data technologies, CrowdStrike’s cloud-based next-generation threat protection platform leverages execution profiling and predictive security analytics … Continue reading “CrowdStrike Receives $30,000,000 Series B Round”
Biogen Idec Strikes $100M Upfront Deal With Isis for Neurology
Biogen Idec has been working with Isis Pharmaceuticals on neurological disorders for a while, and today it’s making an even bigger bet on the company and its antisense technology. Weston, MA-based Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), the world’s largest maker of multiple sclerosis drugs, said today it has agreed to pay $100 million upfront to Carlsbad, CA-based … Continue reading “Biogen Idec Strikes $100M Upfront Deal With Isis for Neurology”
Are Some Degrees Better than Others for Big Pharma Leaders?
Biopharmaceutical companies are under a great deal of financial pressure these days, and many are tinkering with long established business models. There can be no doubt that the industry is in flux as a result of pricing pressures from insurance companies, changing patent regulations and expirations, healthcare reform, and an increased focus on proving significant … Continue reading “Are Some Degrees Better than Others for Big Pharma Leaders?”
Which VCs Are Poised to Profit From the Biotech IPO Boom?
Biotech venture capitalists, as a group, haven’t had much to cheer about the past few years. But this is shaping up to be the year the storyline changes, thanks to the ripple effect from the biotech IPO class of 2013. The story of biotech venture capital over the past few years, as many readers know … Continue reading “Which VCs Are Poised to Profit From the Biotech IPO Boom?”
San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Evoke Pharma, Isis, Otonomy, & More
There was a spate of significant developments following the Labor Day holiday, as San Diego’s life sciences companies continued to take advantage of favorable market conditions. Here’s my rundown from a pretty newsy week. —Otonomy, the San Diego startup founded by Avalon Ventures partner Jay Lichter to advance new treatments for Meniere’s disease and other … Continue reading “San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Evoke Pharma, Isis, Otonomy, & More”
Get Your Own Personal NPR Station with Swell
We’ve hit the time of year dreaded by all public radio fans: pledge drive season, when stations hold your favorite NPR and American Public Media programs hostage until enough listeners pay up. Until recently, there’s only been one way around this semiannual torture ritual, and it’s only been available to listeners of KQED here in … Continue reading “Get Your Own Personal NPR Station with Swell”
eGood Obtains $3,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=340cb722-a12e-4ef4-90ed-6fe4d46095a2 Date 9/6/2013 Company Name eGood Mailing Address 440 E Route 66 Glendora, CA 91740 Company Description eGood is a global movement, where our ordinary actions create extraordinary change. Website http://www.egood.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The company is using the funds to continue developing … Continue reading “eGood Obtains $3,000,000 New Financing”
Xconomy Q&A: Triton Algae Innovations Co-founder Stephen Mayfield
[Corrected 9/7/13, 3:40 pm. See below.] San Diego’s Triton Algae Innovation’s scientific co-founder Stephen Mayfield was in Japan when the year-old synthetic biology startup disclosed that it had closed on $5 million in Series A funding from Heliae Technology Holdings. From the other side of the world, Mayfield responded to an e-mail I had sent … Continue reading “Xconomy Q&A: Triton Algae Innovations Co-founder Stephen Mayfield”
Why Qualcomm’s Paul Jacobs Will Stifle the Smartwatch He Created
The Toq smartwatch that Qualcomm (NASDAQ:[[ticker:QCOM]]) unveiled yesterday at its annual Uplinq developers’ conference was a pet project that was conceived and shepherded through development by Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm chairman and CEO. But at the end of the day, Jacobs told reporters and analysts, that doesn’t mean the San Diego wireless technologies giant he manages … Continue reading “Why Qualcomm’s Paul Jacobs Will Stifle the Smartwatch He Created”
5 Things Biotechs Should Do to Take Advantage of The Boom
We are currently enjoying a much needed resurgence in the biotechnology industry. The industry has been the best performing sector in the stock market for the last two years and it appears it will be again this year. This performance has enabled companies to raise capital, either publicly or privately, in record amounts. We expect … Continue reading “5 Things Biotechs Should Do to Take Advantage of The Boom”
Triton Algae Innovations Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4be49398-965e-47d0-9305-945810396f0d Date 9/5/2013 Company Name Triton Algae Innovations Mailing Address 302 Washington St San Diego, CA 92103 Company Description Triton Health and Nutrition has developed the PhycoLogix™ Platform, enabling oral delivery of proteins that are simple, safe, and effective. Through more than 25 years of research, Triton has developed algae that produce … Continue reading “Triton Algae Innovations Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Funding”
Amobee Media Systems Acquires Gradient X for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d2b0836e-ee59-4f0a-8355-d9c5c42933b6 Date 9/5/2013 Company Name Gradient X Mailing Address 3100 Donald Douglas Loop North Santa Monica, CA 90405 Company Description Gradient X is focused on developing a technology platform that will unlock the performance advertising potential of the mobile media space for marketers. Website http://www.gradientx.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction … Continue reading “Amobee Media Systems Acquires Gradient X for Undisclosed Sum”
Platform Ecosystems in Big Data
I have written about the platform eco-system trend in technology recently. To recap, a business that has been gaining ground in the tech world is the technology platform developer network model, wherein large numbers of developers can use the platform to build their businesses cost-effectively without the handicap of huge infrastructure expenditure. Some of the … Continue reading “Platform Ecosystems in Big Data”
Triton Algae Raises $5M to Bring First Product to Market Next Year
In the spring of 2012, when Jason Pyle announced his departure from San Diego’s Sapphire Energy, he told me he already was deeply involved with a new enterprise that was in stealth mode. Much of the work was being done in San Diego, he said, but nothing beyond that. Today the wraps are coming off … Continue reading “Triton Algae Raises $5M to Bring First Product to Market Next Year”
Otonomy Garners Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b67b93a3-85a4-47c2-b6a6-2574246a0bcb Date 9/4/2013 Company Name Otonomy Mailing Address 6275 Nancy Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Otonomy is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel drug therapies for disorders of the inner and middle ear. Website http://www.otonomy.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Series C Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Otonomy Garners Series C Funding Round”
Whisper Secures $15,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8e8f7ece-7a47-4945-b7d7-8e61580279bb Date 9/4/2013 Company Name Whisper Mailing Address Undisclosed Los Angeles, CA 90049 Company Description At the heart of Whisper’s app is the ability to anonymously share secrets with others. Those secrets take the form of photos that users can overlay text on top of. It looks a lot like the long-running … Continue reading “Whisper Secures $15,000,000 New Financing Round”
Fight Over Uber is Battle Over Innovation in Dallas
I’ve lived in Dallas almost my entire adult life, but until this week I had never attended a city council meeting. The meeting started off with a bang as a woman dressed in traditional African costume (along with an accompanist on drums,) who serenaded Mayor Mike Rawlings just before she accused the sergeant-at-arms of “wanting” … Continue reading “Fight Over Uber is Battle Over Innovation in Dallas”
Biotech and Fantasy Football Picks for Fall 2013
There’s an old saying about surgeons. They are “sometimes wrong; never in doubt.” If only the same could be said for biotech writers. I’ve been sometimes right, sometimes wrong, and sometimes embarrassingly wrong the past couple years I’ve made predictions about biotech and fantasy football. Last year, I doubted both Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings … Continue reading “Biotech and Fantasy Football Picks for Fall 2013”
ITC Nexus Holding Acquires Accumetrics for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ec136382-20b6-4180-82e7-8364c948b379 Date 9/1/2013 Company Name Accumetrics Mailing Address 3985 Sorrento Valley Blvd. San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Founded in 1996, Accumetrics is a privately-held company based in San Diego, California. The company develops, manufactures, and markets the VerifyNow System, a comprehensive suite of tests for the assessment of platelet response to … Continue reading “ITC Nexus Holding Acquires Accumetrics for Undisclosed Sum”
San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Orexigen, Volcano, MediciNova, & More
Like an unwelcome advance, an offshore monsoon has San Diego in a hot and humid headlock that is expected to improve only gradually by the Labor Day holiday. Try to stay classy San Diego… Oh! And here is my life sciences briefing. —San Diego-based Orexigen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OREX]]) said it expects to collect enough new … Continue reading “San Diego Life Sciences Roundup: Orexigen, Volcano, MediciNova, & More”
Help Save Our Innovation Economy from the SEC’s Rewrite of Reg D
Over the past 30 years, the United States has developed an infrastructure to nurture, grow, and fund early stage companies that is the envy of the world. There are more than 250,000 active angel investors in this country, and nearly one out of every five of the startup investments they make are in California. At … Continue reading “Help Save Our Innovation Economy from the SEC’s Rewrite of Reg D”
Sea Level Rise: Time for a Barrage of New Ideas
Everyone recognizes the Golden Gate Bridge. Even if you’ve never visited it in person, you’ve seen it in hundreds of movies and photographs. But I’ll bet you’ve never heard of the Golden Gate Barrage. That’s because it doesn’t exist yet. But as the atmosphere warms, ice sheets melt, and the unruly oceans slosh past their … Continue reading “Sea Level Rise: Time for a Barrage of New Ideas”
Starting a Company Is Hard. Good Health Insurance Makes It Easier.
Usually late August is fairly laid-back, but this year the debate over how states are implementing the federal Affordable Care Act seems to get louder by the day. Except here in Massachusetts, where it’s pretty quiet. Why? Because it’s already been addressed here. I must admit, I don’t remember there being very much angst at the … Continue reading “Starting a Company Is Hard. Good Health Insurance Makes It Easier.”
Greylock’s Andy Johns on Web Growth: “You’re Training a Mentality”
As an authority on getting consumer Web companies to soar along the elusive curve of exponential growth, Andy Johns has succinctly epitomized his expertise in his Twitter handle, “@ibringtraffic.” Last month Johns joined Menlo Park, CA-based Greylock Partners as the venture firm’s first “growth strategist in residence,” a title bestowed on the basis of his … Continue reading “Greylock’s Andy Johns on Web Growth: “You’re Training a Mentality””
Retention Science Secures $750,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8f5f87e9-7c5c-44e2-a18f-ce2a70c2af0f Date 8/29/2013 Company Name Retention Science Mailing Address 2601 Ocean Park Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405 Company Description Retention Science is the leader in Retention Marketing. Our team consists of passionate data scientists, statisticians, engineers and marketing experts. We bring our expertise together to create the most effective customer retention solutions … Continue reading “Retention Science Secures $750,000 New Financing Round”
Announcing Oct. 15 Xconomy Healthcare Summit: Request An Invitation
There’s hardly an issue that is more of a hot button than healthcare—and there’s hardly an issue that is surrounded by as much poorly understood, misguided, or outright misleading information. Yet neither are there many sectors as fundamentally important to our economy and future growth. To get to some real answers (or at least valuable … Continue reading “Announcing Oct. 15 Xconomy Healthcare Summit: Request An Invitation”
The Healthcare Summit 2013: Precision Medicine to Precision Management
Advances in genomics, mobile technology, and data collection and analysis are poised to transform healthcare from drug development to patient care and hospital management. But what will it take to realize their promise in the age of the Affordable Care Act, and what does this require of payers, providers, and patients? How can we finally … Continue reading “The Healthcare Summit 2013: Precision Medicine to Precision Management”
San Diego’s Carolus Therapeutics Taps Advocate Group for R&D Support
In an approach that taps the resources of a patient advocacy group, San Diego’s Carolus Therapeutics says it is now working with The Alpha-1 Project (TAP) of Miami to accelerate pre-clinical research focused on diseases associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein that protects the lungs and other tissue from destructive enzymes … Continue reading “San Diego’s Carolus Therapeutics Taps Advocate Group for R&D Support”