The Governor’s Life Sciences Summit will focus on the progress to date in implementing a comprehensive life sciences strategy and on developing top priorities for the coming year. The Governor will lead a strategic discussion with a distinguished panel of life sciences executives and leaders. The day will begin with a discussion over breakfast, starting … Continue reading “Governor’s Life Sciences Summit”
Category: Seattle
Science & Technology Discovery Series, Hosted by the Technology Alliance
The 2008-09 season of the Science & Technology Discovery Series kicks off on Friday, September 12 with a presentation by MacArthur “genius award” winner (and Xconomist) Yoky Matsuoka of the University of Washington Neurobotics Laboratory and Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, on the merging of robotics and neuroscience. The Discovery Series is a … Continue reading “Science & Technology Discovery Series, Hosted by the Technology Alliance”
Y Combinator’s “Open Source” Legal Documents: Up, Down, Up Again—Thank the Lawyers
It’s not easy posting legal documents: the lawyers get nervous. At least, that’s what happened to Y Combinator. Last Wednesday, August 13, the unique venture firm/incubator made a batch of boilerplate legal documents developed for its own startups freely available on its website—“open sourcing” (their term, not mine) them in hopes they would make closing … Continue reading “Y Combinator’s “Open Source” Legal Documents: Up, Down, Up Again—Thank the Lawyers”
OncoGenex Cuts Half of Workforce, Leaving 27 Employees
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OGXI]]) the developer of cancer drugs, said today it has cut half of its workforce as part of the merger between its predecessor company and Bothell, WA-based Sonus Pharmaceuticals. After the job cuts, the company will have 27 full and part-time employees. OncoGenex stock fell 3.6 percent to $4.82 in its first … Continue reading “OncoGenex Cuts Half of Workforce, Leaving 27 Employees”
Paul Allen’s WWII Planes Show How Innovation Can Soar Ahead
Leave it to Paul Allen to create a museum that flies. Literally. This Saturday afternoon in the skies above Everett, WA. Okay, the museum doesn’t really fly, it’s an aircraft hangar that remains on terra firma. The part that flies is most everything inside the museum, which the billionaire with omnivorous interests calls his Flying … Continue reading “Paul Allen’s WWII Planes Show How Innovation Can Soar Ahead”
Why Vulcan, Google, and ATV Are Backing AltaRock Energy, Betting on Next-Gen Geothermal
Geothermal is one of those energy sources that you know is there, but you don’t hear about much. Until it comes rushing to the surface, as it did with this week’s announcement that AltaRock Energy has closed a second round of financing worth $26.25 million, bringing the geothermal firm’s total venture funding to about $30 … Continue reading “Why Vulcan, Google, and ATV Are Backing AltaRock Energy, Betting on Next-Gen Geothermal”
University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Transitions Into the 21st Century
In 1996, I received a $40M+, 11-year grant from the National Science Foundation to launch University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB). UWEB focused on the biomaterials used to make medical devices and medical diagnostics. Medical devices and diagnostics are estimated to be a $150B+ endeavor. Though devices manufactured by the medical industry save lives and … Continue reading “University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Transitions Into the 21st Century”
Nuance Communications Acquires SNAPin Software, Inc. for $180,000,000
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e639c77d-45db-44f6-abad-931fd222c0a7&Preview=1 Date 8/21/2008 Company Name SNAPin Software, Inc. Mailing Address 411 108th Avenue NE Bellevue, WA 98004 Company Description SNAPin Software, the leader in mobile interaction management, lets operators interact with their subscribers in real-time and in the context of their current mobile behavior. The company’s handset-based SelfService product suite enables the … Continue reading “Nuance Communications Acquires SNAPin Software, Inc. for $180,000,000”
Sonus Shareholders Approve Merger With OncoGenex
Sonus Pharmaceuticals, (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SNUS]]) the Bothell, WA-based company that failed in an effort to develop a less toxic form of chemotherapy, said today its shareholders have approved a deal to merge with Vancouver, BC-based OncoGenex Technologies. The new company, to be called OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, has applied to the Nasdaq to be traded under the symbol … Continue reading “Sonus Shareholders Approve Merger With OncoGenex”
Microsoft, Novell Continue Unlikely Windows-Linux Partnership
In November 2006, Redmond, WA-based Microsoft and Waltham, MA-based Novell surprised the software world by announcing that Microsoft would market Novell’s version of the Linux operating system to its own customers, and that the two companies would set up an “Interoperability Lab” in Cambridge, MA. Nearly two years later, the partnership is still in place, … Continue reading “Microsoft, Novell Continue Unlikely Windows-Linux Partnership”
Kryptiq Acquires Secure Network Solutions
Kryptiq, the Hillsboro, OR-based maker of software that enables health providers and health plans to share information, said it has acquired Portland, OR-based Secure Network Solutions. The acquisition allows Kryptiq to add features to help customers speed up work flow with its Connect IQ Platform, including automated appointment reminders, waitlist management and electronic billing statements, … Continue reading “Kryptiq Acquires Secure Network Solutions”
Hollister-Stier, a Year After Getting Bought by Indian Conglomerate, Grows in Spokane
Here’s a storyline you might find hard to believe if you get overdoses of election-year rhetoric about protecting American jobs. It goes like this: A growing conglomerate from India takes over an 86-year-old drug manufacturing operation in a small city in America’s Pacific Northwest. It decides not to ship the highly-skilled, high-paying jobs to a … Continue reading “Hollister-Stier, a Year After Getting Bought by Indian Conglomerate, Grows in Spokane”
Konnects Rolls Out New Business-Networking Site, Looks for Sweet Spot Between LinkedIn and Facebook
Every day it seems I learn of another fast-growing Web software startup in the Seattle area. Today, I discovered Tacoma, WA-based Konnects is launching a new user interface for its social-networking site. Konnects already has more than 350,000 users worldwide (most are in the U.S. and India), and it is carving out a niche in … Continue reading “Konnects Rolls Out New Business-Networking Site, Looks for Sweet Spot Between LinkedIn and Facebook”
Non-Competes Could Explain Rise and Fall of Boston’s Route 128 Vs. Silicon Valley, Study Says—But Not Everyone Buys the Lessons
When it comes to non-compete clauses in employment contracts, it seems timing is everything. In the early stages of a tech industry, keeping employees from jumping ship and working for competitors might actually drive growth. But once the industry has matured, the same non-competes can hamper growth by restricting labor mobility. This might help explain … Continue reading “Non-Competes Could Explain Rise and Fall of Boston’s Route 128 Vs. Silicon Valley, Study Says—But Not Everyone Buys the Lessons”
CellCyte Genetics Running Out of Cash, Stops Paying Employees
CellCyte Genetics, the Bothell, WA-based stem cell research company, said today in a regulatory filing that it had $215,000 in cash and investments at the end of June, and it doesn’t have enough cash left to operate beyond the next month. The company, which had 17 employees at the beginning of the year, has stopped … Continue reading “CellCyte Genetics Running Out of Cash, Stops Paying Employees”
Fluke Networks Acquires Intellectual Property of Viola
Fluke Networks, an Everett, WA-based maker of wireless network technology, said in a statement it has acquired the intellectual property of Viola Networks including its NetAlly product line. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Viola had raised more than $12 million in venture capital since 2004, from firms that include Evergreen Venture Partners, M/C Venture Partners, Polar … Continue reading “Fluke Networks Acquires Intellectual Property of Viola”
At One Million Wikis and Counting, Wetpaint Wants To Make Every Website Social
When I first arrived in Seattle a few months ago, I’d already heard a lot about Wetpaint. Called “stars in the consumer wiki space” and a “power to the people” company by Jude O’Reilley of online-health startup Trusera, I knew it was one of the Northwest’s top young tech companies. Founded in 2005, Wetpaint has … Continue reading “At One Million Wikis and Counting, Wetpaint Wants To Make Every Website Social”
Latest Imperium Woes Could Spell Trouble for the Biodiesel Market
It’s been a rough year for Imperium Renewables, the Seattle-based refiner of biodiesel fuel. Back in December, CEO Martin Tobias abruptly resigned and left the board, just weeks before the company announced it was canceling plans for a $345 million IPO and reducing its corporate work force. Then last month, Imperium went through another round … Continue reading “Latest Imperium Woes Could Spell Trouble for the Biodiesel Market”
Altarock Energy Inc. Garners $6,250,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4ce3a333-4521-4697-8932-f64c0491f210&Preview=1 Date 8/19/2008 Company Name Altarock Energy Inc. Mailing Address 7900 E Greenlake Drive N Seattle, WA 98103 Company Description The company is developing geothermal energy solutions. Website http://www.altarockenergy.com/ Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,250,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Google, Inc.
Trubion Hires Stromatt as Chief Medical Officer, Replacing Burge
Trubion Pharmaceuticals, the Seattle-based developer of treatments for autoimmune diseases, said today it has hired Scott Stromatt as senior vice president and chief medical officer. Stromatt previously oversaw clinical and regulatory affairs at Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics until he resigned in April. He will replace Daniel Burge, who is leaving the company in late August for … Continue reading “Trubion Hires Stromatt as Chief Medical Officer, Replacing Burge”
Association of Space Explorers Congress
The Association of Space Explorers is a non-profit professional and educational organization of over 300 space travelers (astronauts and cosmonauts) from 32 nations. Their 21st annual congress, focusing this year on planetary stewardship, will be held in Seattle Sept. 15-19. The opening ceremonies will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle at 9 … Continue reading “Association of Space Explorers Congress”
Dendreon Proceeds With Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials, AXI Gets Oil from Algae, PATH Prepares to Launch “Ultra Rice,” & More Deals News
It may be the dog days of August—a sweltering, 90-degree weekend in the Northwest?— but there was still a trickle of action last week in biotech, biofuels, and software. We’ll see if the deals start to pick up this week, with the rain and cooler temperatures. —Accelerator, the Seattle-based biotech incubator, has formed a new … Continue reading “Dendreon Proceeds With Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials, AXI Gets Oil from Algae, PATH Prepares to Launch “Ultra Rice,” & More Deals News”
If Your Startup Isn’t Moving, It’s Probably Dying—and Other Insights from a McKinsey Director
Bob Felton has been there, done that. Growing up in a farm town in Eastern Washington, the son of a migrant construction worker, he was the first in his family to graduate from college—at Washington State, where he studied mechanical engineering. He started his career at General Electric, then got his M.B.A from Harvard Business … Continue reading “If Your Startup Isn’t Moving, It’s Probably Dying—and Other Insights from a McKinsey Director”
Accelerator Bankrolls New Company, Mirina, To Develop MicroRNA-Blocking Drugs
Accelerator’s latest big idea is coming in a micro-sized package. The Seattle-based biotech startup machine, affiliated with Leroy Hood’s Institute for Systems Biology, has formed a new company called Mirina to develop so-called microRNA drugs. The new company is backed by the usual crew of investors in Accelerator, namely Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE: [[ticker:ARE]]), … Continue reading “Accelerator Bankrolls New Company, Mirina, To Develop MicroRNA-Blocking Drugs”
Voyager Capital, Maveron Expand South
Seattle-based venture firms Voyager Capital and Maveron have made some West Coast additions. Voyager announced it has opened an office in Portland, OR, staffed by new venture partner Diane Fraiman, formerly of Sanctum and Informix Software. Maveron has recruited Amy Errett, formerly of Olivia and Trinity Ventures, as a partner in its San Francisco office.
Backed by Washington Venture Firms, Connecticut’s InstallFree Could Help Remake the Fabric of Computing
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about how software startups don’t need as much venture capital as they used to. But someone forgot to tell Stamford, CT-based InstallFree, which last week closed an $8.5 million financing round led by Ignition Partners and Trilogy Equity Partners, both of Bellevue, WA. It was a second-round deal to … Continue reading “Backed by Washington Venture Firms, Connecticut’s InstallFree Could Help Remake the Fabric of Computing”
Busting the “Idea Investor” Myth, and Other Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
“Startups are desirable again,” says Tony Wright. That sums up the feeling I get whenever I meet with innovators and investors these days. We’re sitting at the Caffe Umbria in Pioneer Square, Seattle. I’m sipping the best latte I’ve had since Le Panier and Espresso Vivace got inconsistent last month. Wright’s drink of choice is … Continue reading “Busting the “Idea Investor” Myth, and Other Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs”
Y Combinator Goes Open-Source With Legal Funding Documents
If you’ve ever launched a startup with funding from a venture firm or angel group, you know the bank-account-draining toll those startup legal bills can take. I still feel the pain: an amazing $25K each from my lawyer and the lead investor’s lawyer for a simple angel deal. And guess who paid for it all? … Continue reading “Y Combinator Goes Open-Source With Legal Funding Documents”
1Cast Raises Cash, Announces Beta
Kirkland, WA-based 1Cast, an online news and information delivery service, announced it has raised its first round of funding, which was led by Eagle River Holdings. 1Cast plans to launch a beta version of its online and mobile service later this year.
University of Washington, Allied Minds Team Up to Launch Biofuel Company, AXI
I first heard of a Seattle startup called Voltan Biofuel two months ago, when I talked to Jim Roberts, head of business development at UW Tech Transfer’s LaunchPad, a program to promote university spinoffs. Voltan was a LaunchPad company that won $5,000 for “best cleantech idea” in UW’s 2008 CIE Business Plan competition. Yesterday the … Continue reading “University of Washington, Allied Minds Team Up to Launch Biofuel Company, AXI”
Seattle Non-Profit PATH Set to Launch “Ultra Rice” to Fight Global Malnutrition
Duffy Cox and his dad, James, had a great idea that went nowhere for years. Their quest to develop Vitamin-A fortified rice, which could put a dent in global malnutrition, started in 1985. That’s when the father-and-son inventors at Bellingham, WA-based Bon Dente International, a research and development firm, were asked to give it a … Continue reading “Seattle Non-Profit PATH Set to Launch “Ultra Rice” to Fight Global Malnutrition”
Dendreon Gives Update on Clinical Trials of Prostate Cancer Drug
As Luke reported a couple weeks ago, Seattle-based Dendreon is in the midst of a crucial clinical trial of its cancer drug, Provenge, against prostate cancer. Interim results from 500 patients in the trial, called Impact, are expected in October. In a conference call this afternoon, Dendreon announced its second-quarter 2008 financial stats, as well … Continue reading “Dendreon Gives Update on Clinical Trials of Prostate Cancer Drug”
GalleryPlayer Down, But Is It Out?
Last spring, Wade wrote about Seattle-based GalleryPlayer’s software, which allows users to display high-resolution photos and artwork on HDTVs. Now GalleryPlayer has apparently “ceased operations” as of July 30, as reported by the Seattle P-I, citing a message on the company’s website. GalleryPlayer was founded in 2003 by former Amazon exec Scott Lipsky. But Lipsky’s … Continue reading “GalleryPlayer Down, But Is It Out?”
Healionics Gets Kudos in Congress, Contracts from Companies
When I stopped by Buddy Ratner’s office at the University of Washington yesterday, he looked like a proud papa. He had just gotten word that the National Science Foundation, in a report to Congress, is using one of his group’s companies, Healionics, as an example of a successful biomedical startup. Here at Xconomy, we’ve come … Continue reading “Healionics Gets Kudos in Congress, Contracts from Companies”
1Cast Garners Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5d1f6271-3f64-4a85-ad98-43687fd3315e&Preview=1 Date 8/12/2008 Company Name 1Cast Mailing Address 2300 Carillon Point Kirkland, WA 98033 Company Description The 1Cast web and mobile-based video delivery system enables you to build your own personalized video news feed from a multitude of broadcast and cable news sources around the world, on topics that interest you. Website … Continue reading “1Cast Garners Series A Round”
Gnomedex 8.0 Tech Conference
This summer, hundreds of the world’s leading bloggers, podcasters, and tech-savvy enthusiasts will once again descend upon the city of Seattle, Washington. The eighth Gnomedex conference is generating buzz in the blogosphere. Be at the crossroads between producers and observers, between users and developers. It will be a confluence of leading bloggers and new media, … Continue reading “Gnomedex 8.0 Tech Conference”
25 Years of BioInterface Science (25YBIS)
The University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) and the National ESCA and Surface Analysis Center for Biomedical Problems (NESAC/BIO) present an international symposium celebrating the 25th Anniversary of NESAC/BIO and the 12th UWEB Summer Symposium. Plenary lectures by Gabor Somorjai of UC Berkeley and George Whitesides of Harvard University. Supported by Asemblon, Kratos Analytical, Physical … Continue reading “25 Years of BioInterface Science (25YBIS)”
Microsoft Entertains Idea of Funding Startups, Probably Won’t Take the Plunge
Last week I highlighted Kevin Merritt’s original blogpost in which he proposed that Microsoft develop a Y Combinator-like program to fund early-stage startups. Merritt also posted a follow-up in which he clarified that he worked at Microsoft for a year, owns some stock but remains “neutral” to the company, and doesn’t use Microsoft technologies at … Continue reading “Microsoft Entertains Idea of Funding Startups, Probably Won’t Take the Plunge”
The Boston and Seattle iPhone Apps Catalog
It’s been one month to the day since Apple simultaneously released the iPhone 3G, pushed the 2.0 version of the iPhone firmware to all iPhone owners, started distributing native iPhone applications through the App Store, and launched its MobileMe communications service. Of all these changes, the most momentous, in the context of the mobile industry … Continue reading “The Boston and Seattle iPhone Apps Catalog”
An Accelerator, By Any Other Name…Does Not Smell as Sweet
Carl Weissman shook his head in disbelief when he got the e-mail. A couple years ago, the Cambridge Healthtech Institute in Massachusetts was inviting him to speak on a panel that wasn’t about how to start successful life sciences “incubators.” Instead, this discussion was about how to put together the same thing, but called a … Continue reading “An Accelerator, By Any Other Name…Does Not Smell as Sweet”
Three Ways (Times Three) for Entrepreneurs to Blow It
Nobody likes to fail. No entrepreneur or venture capitalist thinks a particular venture is going to be the one to fail. As veteran venture capitalist Bob Crowley at the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation says, “we’ve never made a bad investment; just investments that have gone bad.” If we as investors or entrepreneurs thought the odds … Continue reading “Three Ways (Times Three) for Entrepreneurs to Blow It”
Tatango Cracks Top-100 Area Websites
Bellingham, WA-based Tatango, a mobile-applications startup focused on text-messaging to groups, rose 77 spots to #91 in this month’s edition of the Seattle Startup Index. Other big gains were made by Frugal Mechanic, an auto-parts shopping site, and Smart Desktop, an office-software maker, according to Marcelo Calbucci, who compiles the monthly list.
CA Reaffirms that Non-Competes are Non-Starters—Will MA and WA Listen?
Updated with additional comment, see below: The arguments have been piling up against non-compete agreements here in the Bay State (and they’re not unknown in our sister city of Seattle, either). Over the past year, we’ve chronicled the debate several times, including an advance look at a debate about the debate held at the Berkman … Continue reading “CA Reaffirms that Non-Competes are Non-Starters—Will MA and WA Listen?”
In Defense of the Endangered Tree Octopus, and Other Web Myths
This March marked the 10th anniversary of the campaign to save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus from extinction. If you’re not familiar with the elusive tree octopus, it’s an arboreal cephalopod found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic National Park west of Seattle. Every spring the creatures migrate from their lairs in the forest … Continue reading “In Defense of the Endangered Tree Octopus, and Other Web Myths”
Y Combinator Model “Too Messy” for Microsoft, Says YC Founder
On Wednesday, Greg highlighted the provocative suggestion of Kevin Merritt, CEO of Seattle startup Blist, that Microsoft should return to its “risk taking, entrepreneurial roots…” by investing in early-stage startups along the lines of the Y Combinator model. By supporting the startups in return for some stock and a commitment to use Microsoft development software, … Continue reading “Y Combinator Model “Too Messy” for Microsoft, Says YC Founder”
Sonus Obtains License From Bayer to Develop Cancer Drugs
Sonus Pharmaceuticals said today it has agreed to pay $450,000 upfront, plus future milestones and royalty payments, to obtain an exclusive license from Bayer to develop a family of drugs currently in animal testing. The compounds, caspase activators, are small molecules that can trigger cell suicide in cancer cells. Bothell, WA-based Sonus (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SNUS]]) has … Continue reading “Sonus Obtains License From Bayer to Develop Cancer Drugs”
Software Startups No Longer Need As Much Venture Capital, Says Founder of RescueTime
Venture financing—who needs it? Not early-stage software and Web startups, if you ask Tony Wright. I sat down with the serial entrepreneur and founder of Seattle-based RescueTime yesterday, and he had some intriguing thoughts about recent trends in the innovation community. “The nature of VC is changing,” he said. “The notion of a ‘big launch’ … Continue reading “Software Startups No Longer Need As Much Venture Capital, Says Founder of RescueTime”
Amgen Looks to Biomarkers to Boost Its Batting Average in Developing New Drugs
Amgen had an epiphany of sorts a little more than four years ago. The world’s largest biotech company decided clinical trials had become too much of a crapshoot, and it needed to shake up its way of developing new drugs. This really isn’t unique to Amgen, it’s more like an industry emergency. Drug companies spent … Continue reading “Amgen Looks to Biomarkers to Boost Its Batting Average in Developing New Drugs”
Verdiem Encourages the “Greening” of Personal Computers, Starting with Yours
I’ll admit it. The planet would be better off if you stopped reading this and shut down your computer. That’s because your desktop or laptop PC wastes roughly half the energy it consumes and puts out 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Multiply that by something like a billion PCs worldwide, and you get … Continue reading “Verdiem Encourages the “Greening” of Personal Computers, Starting with Yours”
How To Save Microsoft, and Other Valuable Insights from Blist
OK, it’s taken me a few weeks, but I finally have a chance to highlight a couple of entries in a local blog I’ve been following. It’s from the guys at Blist, a Seattle startup that makes Web-based software that lets people manage large lists and databases as easily as a spreadsheet. That may not … Continue reading “How To Save Microsoft, and Other Valuable Insights from Blist”