Category: Seattle

Test Driving the Tesla Roadster, and Glimpsing the Future of Electric Cars

The idea of electric vehicles is in the crisp Northwest air these days—and the vehicles are on the road. Earlier this week, we reported that Seattle-based V2Green, which makes software to manage the charging of plug-in electric vehicles, was acquired by Virginia-based GridPoint. V2Green is part of a pilot study being run by Seattle City … Continue reading “Test Driving the Tesla Roadster, and Glimpsing the Future of Electric Cars”

Monetizing Web Services with WidgetBucks (and Others) at the Westin

I’ve always thought “Web services” is a boring name for one of the most lucrative areas of tech-business innovation. The term encompasses many interactions on the Internet—everything from Web-based software to shopping to social networks. A big question these days is how to monetize these Web services, and how to get revenue from all the … Continue reading “Monetizing Web Services with WidgetBucks (and Others) at the Westin”

Boston Unblurred: Debunking the Google Maps Censorship Myth

Having written an appreciative column a few weeks ago about the endangered Pacific Northwest tree octopus, a tongue-in-cheek hoax site, I am not about to denounce the Internet as a cesspool of misinformation. But I’m still puzzled by the way certain salacious memes persist on the Internet, even though they’re easily disproved—for example, the myth … Continue reading “Boston Unblurred: Debunking the Google Maps Censorship Myth”

Leroy Hood’s Latest Big Idea: Integrated Diagnostics, a Startup that Will Spot Tiny Cancers in Blood

Leroy Hood has a big idea for a new company. The legendary scientific entrepreneur, who invented the high-speed DNA sequencer that made the Human Genome Project possible, wants to develop a new generation of screening tests that are so precise at examining a drop of blood that they will usher in the era of what … Continue reading “Leroy Hood’s Latest Big Idea: Integrated Diagnostics, a Startup that Will Spot Tiny Cancers in Blood”

MOD Systems Scores $35M Equity Investment from Toshiba, NCR, Others

Why is it still such a hassle to download movies, TV shows, and other digital content to your computer or mobile device? A local company has been trying to solve one aspect of this problem—how to do it in retail stores—and now it has scored some big partners who could make a difference. Seattle-based MOD … Continue reading “MOD Systems Scores $35M Equity Investment from Toshiba, NCR, Others”

Omeros, Developer of Knee-Surgery Enhancer, Raises $20 Million in Debt Financing

Maybe the credit markets aren’t as tight as so many people think. Omeros, the Seattle company that’s developing a treatment to boost the effectiveness of arthroscopic knee surgery, said it has borrowed as much as $20 million to finance its clinical trials and earlier-stage animal tests. Omeros, which has no marketed products, filed to go … Continue reading “Omeros, Developer of Knee-Surgery Enhancer, Raises $20 Million in Debt Financing”

Archus Orthopedics Angles For a Deal, Alder Takes on Roche, Cocrystal Raises $10 Million, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News

There wasn’t a lot of headline news in Seattle biotech in the last week, but we found several interesting features that offer previews of what’s coming in the worlds of new drugs and devices. –I learned about a small nonprofit in the Tri-Cities that has come up with a simple, elegant way to fix broken … Continue reading “Archus Orthopedics Angles For a Deal, Alder Takes on Roche, Cocrystal Raises $10 Million, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”

As Facebook Redefines the Social Web, Platform Manager Dave Morin Talks About the Coolest Facebook Apps From Boston and Seattle

It’s September in Boston, and that can only mean one thing—conferences, conferences, conferences. Xconomy’s own life sciences event was on Tuesday, and I spent most of the day yesterday at EmTech 08, the big annual tech-fest put on by MIT’s Technology Review magazine. One highlight was a lively panel led by Robert Scoble, renowned technology … Continue reading “As Facebook Redefines the Social Web, Platform Manager Dave Morin Talks About the Coolest Facebook Apps From Boston and Seattle”

RescueTime Obtains $900,000 Series A Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f4690114-262c-4292-904b-5c299d1435ea&Preview=1 Date 9/25/2008 Company Name RescueTime Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98104 Company Description RescueTime is a web-based time-management tool that allows you to easily understand how you spend your time online. Website http://www.rescuetime.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $900,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “RescueTime Obtains $900,000 Series A Funding”

MOD Systems Receives $35,000,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9dfc3646-e974-4f74-a16e-287ea0a7e180&Preview=1 Date 9/25/2008 Company Name MOD Systems Mailing Address 720 Third Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 Company Description MOD Systems’ media-on-demand solution enables retailers to transform stores into digital destinations. With MOD Systems’ sophisticated software solution and interactive touchscreen kiosks, retailers can create an engaging experience for consumers to quickly and easily search … Continue reading “MOD Systems Receives $35,000,000 New Round”

Pressplane Raises $1.7 Million, Stays Stealthy

Kelly Smith is at it again. The co-founder of Seattle-based Curious Office Partners and Imagekind (which was sold to CafePress in July) announced today that his latest startup, Pressplane, has closed a Series A financing round worth $1.7 million. The round was led by Second Avenue Partners and includes a who’s who of investors with … Continue reading “Pressplane Raises $1.7 Million, Stays Stealthy”

V2Green Bought by GridPoint

GridPoint, an Arlington, VA-based cleantech firm, announced it has acquired Seattle-based V2Green as the first step in its acquisition strategy. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. V2Green makes software and other technologies for integrating plug-in vehicles with the electric grid.

In Google’s Phone, a Major Clash Between Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft Heats Up

Updated Sep. 24 (see below): OK, this is getting good. Yesterday’s announcement that Amazon’s MP3 music store will be pre-loaded onto the G1—the first mobile phone to be powered by Google’s Android operating system—makes the future of music and other mobile services you can get on your phone delectably messy. The deal also drives home … Continue reading “In Google’s Phone, a Major Clash Between Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft Heats Up”

Fixing Broken Bones in the Developing World: Tri-Cities Nonprofit Develops Simple Technique To Help Healing

A tiny nonprofit organization in Richland, WA, has developed a simple, elegant fix for one of the big health problems in the developing world. A group that calls itself Sign has found a way to properly treat broken bones that people suffer in car accidents—like how it’s done in the U.S.—but without any of the … Continue reading “Fixing Broken Bones in the Developing World: Tri-Cities Nonprofit Develops Simple Technique To Help Healing”

Omeros Corporation Garners $20,000,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=77373244-fc89-40a9-9019-2fb664d9e162&Preview=1 Date 9/24/2008 Company Name Omeros Corporation Mailing Address 1420 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 Company Description Omeros recognized that a combination of agents acting on multiple molecular targets may be required for optimal therapeutic effect. Omeros’ product candidates are designed to modulate the molecular mechanisms of pathologic conditions rather than just … Continue reading “Omeros Corporation Garners $20,000,000 New Round”

RescueTime Raises $900K

Seattle-based RescueTime, a maker of Web-based time management software, has announced it has closed a Series A round led by True Ventures. Several angels also participated, including Tim Ferriss, Mike Koss, Chris Sacca, and Mike Seckler. RescueTime, which got seed funding from Y Combinator, lets you monitor the amount of time you spend on various … Continue reading “RescueTime Raises $900K”

Microsoft Makes Moves, Cocrystal Collects Cash, Washington and Oregon Win Water-Power Grants, & More Seattle-Area Deals News

Even with the upheaval in the financial markets, there was no shortage of deals and other news from the Northwest in the past week. Biotech, software, media, and renewable-energy ventures were all represented. —Seattle-based Cocrystal Discovery raised a $10 million venture round, as Luke reported. The round was led by The Frost Group, based in … Continue reading “Microsoft Makes Moves, Cocrystal Collects Cash, Washington and Oregon Win Water-Power Grants, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”

Chatterous Chats About Happy Hours, Investors, and Moving to San Francisco

It must be the weather—or rather, the climate. How else to explain another tech startup with Seattle roots moving to the San Francisco Bay Area? Last week I heard from DocVerse, a collaborative-document software company, which relocated from the Seattle area to San Francisco this summer after raising a round of funding from Bay Area … Continue reading “Chatterous Chats About Happy Hours, Investors, and Moving to San Francisco”

Archus Orthopedics Is Doing for the Spine What Doctors Do for the Knees, Hips

First came artificial hips and knees that were good enough to let people walk normally, or even run again. Now Redmond, WA-based Archus Orthopedics is doing the same thing with artificial spinal joints. If it can pull this off, patients will be able to have back surgery, and still be able to play golf with … Continue reading “Archus Orthopedics Is Doing for the Spine What Doctors Do for the Knees, Hips”

“The Best Place in the World” for Interdisciplinary Research: A Talk with Microsoft’s Jennifer Chayes

After publishing my story yesterday about the opening of Microsoft’s newest research lab in Cambridge, MA—where social scientists and computer scientists will work side by side to understand technology-mediated phenomena such as social networking—I attended a Microsoft-sponsored launch symposium at MIT and had the opportunity to meet with the lab’s director, Jennifer Chayes. Though Bob … Continue reading ““The Best Place in the World” for Interdisciplinary Research: A Talk with Microsoft’s Jennifer Chayes”

Doors Open at Microsoft Research New England

Microsoft is celebrating the official opening of its newest research lab in Cambridge, MA, today with a day-long symposium at MIT on the intersection of computer science and the social sciences. That’s also where the lab itself —the company’s fifth research outpost outside its Redmond, WA, home base—will focus its efforts, at least initially, says … Continue reading “Doors Open at Microsoft Research New England”

Cell Therapeutics To File for FDA Approval of Zevalin In First-Line Lymphoma

Cell Therapeutics said today that it has been informed by FDA that results from a clinical trial of patients with newly-diagnosed lymphoma will be enough to file an application for expanded usage of Zevalin. The Seattle biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTIC]]) said it plans to apply for FDA clearance of the expanded use in the fourth … Continue reading “Cell Therapeutics To File for FDA Approval of Zevalin In First-Line Lymphoma”

The Italian Job, Part One: Startup Designer H-Farm Comes to Seattle

Sometimes you just have to write the story even when you don’t know all the details yet. This is one of those times. This is the story of H-Farm, an Italian design and investment firm, coming to America. But it’s only Part One of the story—a preview, really. That’s because it won’t be until next … Continue reading “The Italian Job, Part One: Startup Designer H-Farm Comes to Seattle”

Live From New York, It’s Seattle Biotech’s Most Famous Daughter, Anna Faris

Seattle biotechies, set your calendar this Saturday for a date with the city’s most famous offspring from life sciences. Anna Faris, the daughter of Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association president Jack Faris, is getting some big-time exposure this weekend when she hosts Saturday Night Live. The younger Faris’s profile is on the rise. She starred … Continue reading “Live From New York, It’s Seattle Biotech’s Most Famous Daughter, Anna Faris”

Cocrystal Discovery Inc. Obtains $10,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1413cd47-be64-4b3c-8532-120bebe44ccd&Preview=1 Date 9/22/2008 Company Name Cocrystal Discovery Inc. Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98104 Company Description Cocrystal Discovery Inc. a privately held biopharmaceutical company. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor The Frost Group Venture Investor … Continue reading “Cocrystal Discovery Inc. Obtains $10,000,000 New Financing Round”

NWEN Entrepreneur University 2008

Entrepreneur University (EU) is NWEN’s essential annual summit for the region’s brightest entrepreneurial minds to gain knowledge, insight and creative ideas to elevate their eIQ and their business. This year features keynotes from Lynn Taylor, Taylor Protocols, creator of the Core Values Index and Clark Kokich, CEO of Avenue A/Razorfish. EU ’08 offers two complete … Continue reading “NWEN Entrepreneur University 2008”

EntrepreneurWeek UW

Entrepreneurs have a determination to succeed, tremendous initiative and energy, perseverance in the face of challenge, a capacity for observation, confidence, an understanding of the value of money, and an ability to thrive on ambiguity. Does this describe your personality? If so, come hear more at a week of entrepreneurial events, speakers, and networking. Attend … Continue reading “EntrepreneurWeek UW”

Meet the Angel Organizations, MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest

Angel organizations connect entrepreneurs and investors. This event provides an opportunity to meet with representatives from the Alliance of Angels, Keiretsu Forum, Puget Sound Venture Club, Seraph, Tacoma Angel Network, and Zino Society. Representatives from each organization will explain the services they provide and how entrepreneurs can work best with them. They will also address … Continue reading “Meet the Angel Organizations, MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest”

October Pub Night, Northwest Entrepreneur Network

Pub Night is an event for NWEN members only, designed specifically for entrepreneurs to get together and share ideas, build networks and have a great time at a well-known Northwest brew-pub, FX McRory’s. This is your opportunity to meet other energetic, dynamic entrepreneurs and to hear their stories. Pub Night will allow five NWEN members … Continue reading “October Pub Night, Northwest Entrepreneur Network”

Are You, or Should You Be an Entrepreneur? September Think Tank

Have you thought about starting a business, but not sure you’re cut out for it?  Do you have the emotional and psychological constitution?  Do you understand the impact on your spouse and family?  We’ve assembled a panel of entrepreneur/investors to address this very topic.  Come ask your questions of the panelists and hear their reflections … Continue reading “Are You, or Should You Be an Entrepreneur? September Think Tank”

Social Entrepreneurship, Growing Your Business By Giving Back

The MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest is hosting a dinner program on Sept. 24 on how entrepreneurs can have an impact on society. Kent Norton, the CEO of The Starfish Television Network, will moderate a panel discussion that includes Ann Kelly, a partner at Global Philanthropy Group, Monty Montoya, president and CEO of Sightlife, … Continue reading “Social Entrepreneurship, Growing Your Business By Giving Back”

Predictions for 2009, With WTIA’s Futurist Panel

Making predictions is risky—especially in the technology industry—but each year the Washington Technology Industry Association invites experts to share their views on what’s coming in the year ahead. Technology journalist John Cook will moderate the panel, which includes Bill Bryant of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Matt McIlwain of Madrona Venture Group and Kelly Smith of Curious … Continue reading “Predictions for 2009, With WTIA’s Futurist Panel”

Will Your Vote Count? An Update on E-Voting With Jim Adler

Jim Adler, the founder and president of Identity.net, will provide an update on e-voting technologies at the Washington Technology Industry Association’s October Urban Leadership Series. Adler was formerly the CEO of VoteHere, a company that pioneered secure electronic voting technologies. Registration costs $25 for WTIA members who register in advance, and $45 for non-members. Onsite … Continue reading “Will Your Vote Count? An Update on E-Voting With Jim Adler”

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Names Award Winners

Last night, the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network announced the winners of the 2008 Tom Holce Awards for entrepreneurship at its 15th annual awards ceremony. The award for individual achievement went to Doug Fieldhouse of Portland, OR-based Vesta, an electronic payment firm. The development-stage company of the year was Hillsboro, OR-based ClearEdge Power. The working-capital stage winner … Continue reading “Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Names Award Winners”

Understanding the Nature of Reality–Nobel Winner Frank Wilczek

Physicists’ understanding of the essential nature of reality as changed radically over the past quarter century. Frank Wilczek, a 2004 Nobel Prize-winner in Physics, has played a lead role in establishing the new paradigms. His new book for the general public, The Lightness of Being, explores the concepts of space as a dynamic material and … Continue reading “Understanding the Nature of Reality–Nobel Winner Frank Wilczek”

Cocrystal Discovery Raises $10 Million To Make Pills Against Viral Infections

Cocrystal Discovery thinks it has found a way, built on Nobel Prize-winning science, that will lead to effective new pills that stop viruses from replicating. The Seattle-based company said today it has gotten some serious backing for the idea, raising a $10 million round led by The Frost Group, a Miami-based investment group led by … Continue reading “Cocrystal Discovery Raises $10 Million To Make Pills Against Viral Infections”

Wishpot Wants Your Wish List to Go Everywhere With You on the Web

Max Ciccotosto has entrepreneurship in his blood. A native of Italy, his parents ran a business in the old country. While in college at the University of Bologna, Ciccotosto ran a “junior enterprise” company (the system no longer exists in Italy) that handled networking and IT for small companies. He came to Seattle in 1999 … Continue reading “Wishpot Wants Your Wish List to Go Everywhere With You on the Web”

Washington’s Tobacco Cash Must Be “Catalyst” For Health Innovation, Says Lee Huntsman

Washington state’s effort to spark the biotech industry tends to get overshadowed when stacked up against bigger initiatives from other states. California has thumbed its nose at President Bush, pouring a whopping $3 billion into stem cell research. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick pushed hard for a 10-year, $1 billion initiative to promote life sciences in … Continue reading “Washington’s Tobacco Cash Must Be “Catalyst” For Health Innovation, Says Lee Huntsman”

GPS Treasure Hunting with Your iPhone 3G

If you had to name the companies that stand to lose the most from Apple’s latest smartphone, released July 11, you might say Microsoft, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, or Verizon. But I have a different list: Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom. That’s because new third-party apps available for the iPhone 3G make it into a wholly credible … Continue reading “GPS Treasure Hunting with Your iPhone 3G”

Pacific Northwest Researchers Win Funding from U.S. Department of Energy for Three Water-Power Projects

In the Northwest, it’s all about the hydro. Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced grants to 14 research teams around the country, with the goal of developing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources based on water power. Three of the contracts will be based in Washington and Oregon, which have traditionally been … Continue reading “Pacific Northwest Researchers Win Funding from U.S. Department of Energy for Three Water-Power Projects”

Seattle Tech Investors Urge Caution in the Face of Market Meltdown, “Unprecedented Times”

It’s what everyone’s talking about. Whether you’re an investor, a private equity firm, or a startup trying to find your way, the financial crisis on Wall Street is hitting home. But beyond the large-scale layoffs and reorganizations, what will be the true impact in innovation circles? I spoke this week with a few investors in … Continue reading “Seattle Tech Investors Urge Caution in the Face of Market Meltdown, “Unprecedented Times””

Alder Sets Stage for Showdown With Roche, With “Fast Follower” Antibody Drug Strategy

Alder Biopharmaceuticals will find out next year whether it has what it takes to beat Roche, one of the world’s pharmaceutical giants. Alder, the Bothell, WA biotech company, is beginning a well-controlled clinical trial this month that will give it a clear sense of whether it has a drug for rheumatoid arthritis that is better … Continue reading “Alder Sets Stage for Showdown With Roche, With “Fast Follower” Antibody Drug Strategy”

Bill Gates, Arch Venture Back Biofuel Maker Sapphire Energy

Algae-based biofuel is getting pretty big—at least as an investment. Today, the Wall Street Journal reports that San Diego-based Sapphire Energy has closed a round of venture financing from Bill Gates’s investment arm, Kirkland, WA-based Cascade Investment. Sapphire Energy, which is working on oil-producing algae, has now raised a total of $100 million, and is … Continue reading “Bill Gates, Arch Venture Back Biofuel Maker Sapphire Energy”

iLike Launches Music Platform for Developers

Seattle-based iLike has announced it has launched a platform to allow website and application developers to add playlists and other interactive music services. Best known for its music application on Facebook and other social sites, iLike has signed up some big partners like Google and Evite for the new launch.

Bay Area Is Like Hollywood for Startups, Says Seattle Entrepreneur Who Moved to San Francisco

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been exploring the relationship between tech startups in Seattle and investors in the San Francisco Bay Area. We ran a story about what Seattle entrepreneurs can do to attract more attention from Bay Area VCs, and then a follow-up about whether there might be a brain drain of … Continue reading “Bay Area Is Like Hollywood for Startups, Says Seattle Entrepreneur Who Moved to San Francisco”

Taking Charge of Tech Transfer at the “Hutch”: Q&A With Ulrich Mueller

Linden Rhoads of the University of Washington isn’t the only person in town trying to push a powerhouse research institution to become a hotbed for startups. Ulrich Mueller joined the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle almost a year ago to be its vice president for industry relations and technology transfer. His mission: Forge … Continue reading “Taking Charge of Tech Transfer at the “Hutch”: Q&A With Ulrich Mueller”