Hailed as the true democratizer of private investment, crowdfunding has been attracting both headlines and a fast-growing pile of cash. In May of 2016, rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission went into effect that will democratize the process even further. These new rules will open the doors to more investors, but they also pose … Continue reading “The New Crowdfunding Rules: Will They Really Help Startups?”
Category: Seattle
Vacasa Receives $40,000,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c6523975-f489-484e-89d9-e387a3dbd9de Date 11/14/2016 Company Name Vacasa Mailing Address 926 NW 13th Ave. Portland, OR 97209 USA Company Description The team at Vacasa has made it our top priority to make the world of vacation rentals a simple, stress-free experience for both owners and guests. Website http://www.vacasa.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Vacasa Receives $40,000,000 Series A Financing Round”
Bio Roundup: Trump’s Triumph, Election Fallout, CRISPR Arguments & More
The presidential election ended with Donald Trump’s stunning victory and Republican retention of the House and Senate. Now, the U.S. healthcare sector will try to figure out what it all means. Drug company stocks got a boost with the defeat of Hillary Clinton, a vocal critic of drug prices. But Trump’s plans are unclear. Will … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump’s Triumph, Election Fallout, CRISPR Arguments & More”
Washington Scientists Forge Ahead Amid Uncertainty
The world is turned on its head, but there are still salmon to monitor as they navigate dams, crops to improve before climate change sets in, and energy grids to protect from cyber attackers. On Thursday evening, as protestors marched through downtown and helicopters hovered in the sky, scientists from Washington’s premiere public research institutions … Continue reading “Washington Scientists Forge Ahead Amid Uncertainty”
Trump Team Outlines Healthcare Agenda—No Mention of Drug Prices
The incoming Trump administration has posted an outline of its healthcare agenda on its transition website. There is no mention of drug pricing or what the administration might do about frequent price increases, such as Mylan’s EpiPen practice, that critics say are unsubstantiated and unethical. During the campaign, Trump’s official platform called for a change … Continue reading “Trump Team Outlines Healthcare Agenda—No Mention of Drug Prices”
Quick, How Might the Alien Spacecraft Work?
[This post is about the movie “Arrival“; there are no movie spoilers here.] “It’s an interesting script,” said someone on our PR team. It’s pretty common for us to get requests from movie-makers about showing our graphics or posters or books in movies. But the request this time was different: could we urgently help make … Continue reading “Quick, How Might the Alien Spacecraft Work?”
New U.S. “Roadmap” Lays Out Routes to Accelerate Robotic Technologies
Robotics technology is progressing faster than expected for self-driving cars, and drones are becoming ubiquitous throughout the United States, according to a lead scientist overseeing a robotics technology roadmap released last week. But robotics is moving slower than expected in some key areas, such as the development of dexterous gripper technology, intuitive user interfaces, and … Continue reading “New U.S. “Roadmap” Lays Out Routes to Accelerate Robotic Technologies”
Telo Receives $2,200,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a5862802-c21b-4e8e-9561-6506c19d4946 Date 11/10/2016 Company Name Telo Mailing Address 11704 NE 34th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 USA Company Description Telo is a 9-month old stealth-stage start-up in the Seattle area. We believe life-changing opportunities arise when we move beyond the familiar, exploring options beyond what is known to us, reaching out beyond our … Continue reading “Telo Receives $2,200,000 New Financing Round”
Joy Wedding Lands $4,500,000 Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=28dec791-19fb-4a9d-9302-72acd5ec33a3 Date 11/10/2016 Company Name Joy Wedding Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98501 USA Company Description Joy is a beautiful new wedding app that does it all! Manage your guest list/ RSVPs, day-of schedule, easily create your own wedding website, collect & share guest photos, all while bringing friends & family closer … Continue reading “Joy Wedding Lands $4,500,000 Seed Financing”
Has Technology Made Election Polls More Accurate? Not Yet
Statistical models, simulations, social media outreach, and the capacity to analyze big data sets—you’d think by now that technology would have delivered election forecasts that more reliably predicted Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential race. But most pollsters—and the people who relied on them—were gobsmacked by Trump’s upset wins, not only in battleground states … Continue reading “Has Technology Made Election Polls More Accurate? Not Yet”
Trump’s Election Stunner: Tech and Life Sciences Leaders React
Still processing what this will mean for technology, business, society, and humanity—I guess it’s going to take a while. In the meantime, here are 10 notable reactions from around the Xconomy network, mostly via Twitter. As you might guess, they are a mix of outrage, resiliency, hope, rationalizing, grandstanding, and some calls for calm and … Continue reading “Trump’s Election Stunner: Tech and Life Sciences Leaders React”
In Trump-GOP Tsunami, Blue-State Healthcare Ideas Swamped
[Updated, 11/9/16, 1:20 p.m. See below.] The 2016 U.S. election is over. The country has been rocked by the presidential race, with Donald Trump taking the White House. Every facet of American policy, our attitudes toward power and governance, even our national character will be topics of debate in coming months. Our healthcare system will … Continue reading “In Trump-GOP Tsunami, Blue-State Healthcare Ideas Swamped”
Echodyne Demonstrates Detect and Avoid Radar on a Small Drone
Echodyne, the metamaterials startup company backed by the likes of Bill Gates and Paul Allen, announced a successful test of its detect-and-avoid radar system for small drones. Bellevue, WA-based Echodyne—one of the startups commercializing metamaterials technology from patent aggregator and invention company Intellectual Ventures—says a small drone outfitted with a lightweight radar system could track … Continue reading “Echodyne Demonstrates Detect and Avoid Radar on a Small Drone”
Privateer Holdings Garners $40,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a2788939-fd13-4e5c-8993-1e48592d91f2 Date 11/8/2016 Company Name Privateer Holdings Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98105 USA Company Description Privateer Holdings uses strategic investments in the cannabis industry to acquire and create mainstream brands, professionalizing the cannabis business landscape through the power of private enterprise. Website http://www.privateerholdings.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $40,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Privateer Holdings Garners $40,000,000 New Funding Round”
ActX Secures $1,900,646 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fb7fc518-abf8-4a55-a568-830ea7a40db9 Date 11/8/2016 Company Name ActX Mailing Address 1100 Dexter Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 USA Company Description ActX makes using genetics practical for physicians and patients. Focus on risks that you can do something about. Begin the era of precision medicine. Website http://www.actx.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,900,646 Transaction … Continue reading “ActX Secures $1,900,646 New Financing”
The Five Major Tech Trends of 2016
As we draw closer to the end of 2016, it is important that we take a moment to look back and reflect on all of the ways technology has inspired us, and transformed the way we live and do work. As technology becomes more pervasive in our lives, we increasingly look for simple but secure, … Continue reading “The Five Major Tech Trends of 2016”
What Should Be on the Next President’s Cybersecurity Agenda?
From a hack of Democratic National Committee e-mails to fears that cyber attackers will attempt to interfere with tomorrow’s election, cybersecurity emerged as a crucial theme in this grueling presidential campaign. Neither candidate has said a lot about how he or she would address cybersecurity issues as president, although Hillary Clinton has offered more details … Continue reading “What Should Be on the Next President’s Cybersecurity Agenda?”
Seattle Week in Review: Bottom of the Ninth, World’s Climate at Stake
For a moment this week—or for several hours, depending on how much of it you took in—America was transfixed by something historic, suspenseful, and with no modern precedent. Game 7 of the World Series, which delivered the pinnacle of drama in the sports world, was a needed break from the election, and perhaps a chance … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Bottom of the Ninth, World’s Climate at Stake”
Sanofi’s Experience With Dengvaxia May Speed Development of Zika Vaccine
Dengvaxia, the first licensed vaccine for dengue virus, has now been approved in 11 countries where dengue is endemic. But sales of the vaccine, which were initially projected to reach €200 million this year, barely reached €20 million in the first half of the year, with little sign of picking up. Sanofi Pasteur, the group … Continue reading “Sanofi’s Experience With Dengvaxia May Speed Development of Zika Vaccine”
Bio Roundup: Clinical Shirkers, AMD Worriers, ASH Fallers & More
Our previous roundup came out last week before news broke that Susan Lindquist, a highly decorated and thoughtful researcher into the inner workings of proteins, passed away. She was 67. First at the University of Chicago and then MIT’s Whitehead Institute, Lindquist helped biologists see that all kinds of organisms—including ourselves—share errors of protein folding … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Clinical Shirkers, AMD Worriers, ASH Fallers & More”
Californians Still Hate Trump, But More Uncertain About Drug Companies
The polls are tightening. Millions of people are still making up their minds. National figures are making last-minute pitches. The decision could have huge implications for people across the U.S. We’re talking of course about next week’s vote on Proposition 61 in California, an attempt to control drug prices in the nation’s most populous state. … Continue reading “Californians Still Hate Trump, But More Uncertain About Drug Companies”
The Necessity of Innovation
Innovation is at the heart of wealth creation. Innovation is at the heart of job creation. Innovation is at the heart of building better lives for everyone. And innovation can be increased by conscious support. Innovation is enhanced by a culture of innovation, encouragement of talented inventors and entrepreneurs, collaboration between academics and business people, … Continue reading “The Necessity of Innovation”
Immusoft Obtains $2,739,999 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=abd6ce31-3210-45fb-b6c6-2fddc94c25f9 Date 11/3/2016 Company Name Immusoft Mailing Address 454 N 34th St. Seattle, WA 98103 USA Company Description Immusoft’s mission is to develop a breakthrough autologous cell therapy platform for treating a variety of human diseases through our proprietary Immune System Programming (ISP™) technology. ISP™ technology can effectively re-program a patient’s own … Continue reading “Immusoft Obtains $2,739,999 New Funding”
Atlas Informatics Obtains $20,700,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5423f8ea-e926-4014-86cf-a303db330962 Date 11/3/2016 Company Name Atlas Informatics Mailing Address 311½ Occidental Ave S Seattle, WA 98104 USA Company Description Atlas Informatics is a startup in Seattle with an audacious goal to redefine search as we know it. Atlas Recall, the company’s first product, gives you a searchable photographic memory that helps you … Continue reading “Atlas Informatics Obtains $20,700,000 New Financing”
Xconomy Announces Channel Focused on the Future of Education
Since its inception more than nine years ago, Xconomy has focused its coverage on the business of high technology—across information technology, life sciences, healthcare, energy, robotics, and much more. But underlying all that, in a sense, is education. We have long run stories about STEM education, educational technology, and more—and even put out a special … Continue reading “Xconomy Announces Channel Focused on the Future of Education”
Clinton and Trump Platform Analysis: Which Is Best for Education Companies?
With election day less than a week away, voters are trying to imagine what turns the country might take under each of the presidential hopefuls. Tech entrepreneurs are likely considering how hospitable the new leadership might be to their specific industry sectors. Educational technology is one field worth examining, even though education hasn’t been a … Continue reading “Clinton and Trump Platform Analysis: Which Is Best for Education Companies?”
CardTapp Secures $665,318 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3d59b413-15b1-461c-9adb-093b9b97243d Date 11/2/2016 Company Name CardTapp Mailing Address 12708 Northup Way Bellevue, WA 98005 USA Company Description Our CardTapp app is the industry leading app built to improve lead generation, marketing, and management. We make it easy to grow your business. Website http://www.cardtapp.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $665,318 Transaction Round … Continue reading “CardTapp Secures $665,318 New Financing Round”
WebTuner Secures $525,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=91d7f21e-b0b8-474f-b4f8-1b1d066b92dc Date 11/2/2016 Company Name WebTuner Mailing Address 11121 Willows Rd. NE Redmond, WA 98052 USA Company Description WebTuner supplies software infrastructure for the next generation video distribution networks. Website http://www.webtuner.tv Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $525,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. 2 investors participated in … Continue reading “WebTuner Secures $525,000 New Funding Round”
Xconomy Intersect: New Speakers Added as Discount Rate Ends
Here are three big things to know about Xconomy Intersect, our next Seattle event coming up Dec. 8: Microsoft’s chief speech researcher, Xuedong Huang, whose team just set a new record for accuracy in machine transcription, is one of the new speakers joining our outstanding lineup of entrepreneurs, investors, and thinkers. Kirk Washington, a longtime … Continue reading “Xconomy Intersect: New Speakers Added as Discount Rate Ends”
Grace Hopper Conference Shines Light on Coding School for Afghan Girls
Houston— The tech industry can be difficult for women and under-represented minorities. For Fereshteh Forough, the degree of difficulty in recruiting women to the field is greater still. And so are the stakes. “There are general challenges, and there are Afghanistan challenges,” she said. Forough is the founder of Code to Inspire, a coding academy … Continue reading “Grace Hopper Conference Shines Light on Coding School for Afghan Girls”
On Front Lines Of Price Dispute, Eye Doctors Wary of New Drug Data
Drugs that treat a form of vision loss known as age related macular degeneration aren’t just big business. They’re also a controversial part of the national debate over high drug prices, and their increased use has put ophthalmologists in the crosshairs of insurers, the federal government, and the press. “Retina practices are under significantly increased … Continue reading “On Front Lines Of Price Dispute, Eye Doctors Wary of New Drug Data”
Seattle Week in Review: Tech Money in Politics, Metamaterials & More
If there’s any doubt about the enduring impact that home-grown tech company billionaires can have on a region, refer back to this week. Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Steve Ballmer made moves big and small to encourage and influence the course of affairs in the state. Read on for details on their latest philanthropic and … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Tech Money in Politics, Metamaterials & More”
Bio Roundup: Drug Pricing, Cystic Fibrosis Showdown, Myovant & More
The 2016 election is (thankfully) almost here, and as one biotech analyst noted this week, a possible Democratic victory is to blame for a big October sell-off in biotech stocks. Since Donald Trump’s infamous “Access Hollywood” tape was released on October 7, Leerink Partners analyst Geoffrey Porges wrote, biotech investors have lost $50 billion. The … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Drug Pricing, Cystic Fibrosis Showdown, Myovant & More”
Unity Nabs $116M To Bring “Diseases of Aging” Drugs Into Human Trials
Unity Biotechnology launched earlier this year to tackle common diseases such as knee arthritis, glaucoma, and clogged arteries in a new way. The company said Thursday it has raised $116 million in a Series B funding round. Unity wants to kill cells that have gone dormant but continue to produce chemicals that cause damaging inflammation … Continue reading “Unity Nabs $116M To Bring “Diseases of Aging” Drugs Into Human Trials”
Despite Low Crop Prices, Corporate and VC Agtech Investments Soar
Prices for agricultural commodities such as corn, soy, and wheat are at their lowest levels in years, but investment in agricultural technology has never been better. Venture capital firms have increased their agtech investments by 80 percent since 2012, bringing total VC investment in the sector to a total of $3 billion in 2015, according … Continue reading “Despite Low Crop Prices, Corporate and VC Agtech Investments Soar”
Mobcrush Obtains $20,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7bfec574-42fb-4461-ab8f-2b64f0386ce6 Date 10/26/2016 Company Name Mobcrush Mailing Address Undisclosed Los Angeles, CA 98033 USA Company Description Mobcrush is a mobile video streaming company that enables mobile users to broadcast, watch and chat about games played and streamed in real-time. Website http://www.mobcrush.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction Round Series B … Continue reading “Mobcrush Obtains $20,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Lively Lingerie Garners $4,000,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6bf035d5-7507-4825-8f81-ee8a2c33acbc Date 10/26/2016 Company Name Lively Lingerie Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98103 USA Company Description LIVELY is not just about the products it offers, it is about a mindset we want to share with women around the world. One that reminds, empowers and enables us all to live life doing what … Continue reading “Lively Lingerie Garners $4,000,000 Seed Financing Round”
Latest Data Show Venture Capital Industry on Pins and Needles
Given the obvious anxiety and frustration that surrounds us all, the U.S. venture industry is also exhibiting some fatigue as we finish the 88th month since the last recession. This is the fourth-longest period of economic growth in U.S. history (admittedly, at 2.1 percent, the growth over this period of time is the slowest since … Continue reading “Latest Data Show Venture Capital Industry on Pins and Needles”
FDA: Keytruda Now OK For Some Patients With Untreated Lung Cancer
The FDA has approved the use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for some previously untreated patients with a certain type of lung cancer, the drug’s owner Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) announced late Monday. Pembrolizumab can now be used for patients who have never received treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of … Continue reading “FDA: Keytruda Now OK For Some Patients With Untreated Lung Cancer”
Honeycomb Receives $3,664,920 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a8ecf978-fcae-479f-903e-b563026eb781 Date 10/25/2016 Company Name Honeycomb Mailing Address 7929 Southwest Burns Way Wilsonville, OR 97070 USA Company Description Advanced agricultural drone and enterprise cloud-based data solution for precision farming, forestry, surveying, construction, and resource management. Website http://www.honeycombcorp.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,664,920 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes … Continue reading “Honeycomb Receives $3,664,920 Series A Funding”
Seattle Startup Beta Hatch Wants Bugs to Be the Future of Farming
Like the Very Hungry Caterpillar, there’s more to the humble mealworm than meets the eye. It doesn’t become a beautiful butterfly, but it may contain part of the solution to one of the world’s biggest challenges: sustainably feeding the growing population. I contacted insect entrepreneur Virginia Emery last spring after hearing about the mealworms her … Continue reading “Seattle Startup Beta Hatch Wants Bugs to Be the Future of Farming”
Why Friday’s Massive DDoS Attack Should Be Terrifying
Friday’s massive DDoS attack made a number of hugely popular websites unavailable for much of the country for large parts of the day. Our service wasn’t directly affected by this incident, but the nature and scope of this attack is tremendously worrisome. In a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, the perpetrator overwhelms a target company … Continue reading “Why Friday’s Massive DDoS Attack Should Be Terrifying”
Seattle Week in Review: Private Funding for Public Universities
The foremost universities of the Northwest, which provide much of the talent and technology on which the region’s innovation economy is built, are increasingly turning to private donations to advance their efforts in the sciences, engineering, and healthcare. It’s a good thing our region has a substantial number of people and corporations wealthy enough to … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Private Funding for Public Universities”
From Robo Doctors to Mood Trackers, Emotion Sensing Is Coming
The proliferation of smartphones and wearable devices has enabled people to track all kinds of data about their physical health, from heart rate to steps walked in a day. Now, tech companies have their sights set on helping us—and perhaps others—monitor our mental health. “We’ve gotten very good at quantifying the physical self,” said Affectiva … Continue reading “From Robo Doctors to Mood Trackers, Emotion Sensing Is Coming”
Bio Roundup: Jenkins Gets Mad, Bernie Gets His Pen, CRISPR IPO & J-Lo
If you’re among those frustrated by the lack of talk about health and science in the three presidential debates, this week perhaps brought you a wee consolation prize. The steady drip of hacked Hillary Clinton-related emails showed her campaign team questioning then-candidate FDA commissioner Robert Califf’s ties to the pharma industry. The staff also crowed … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Jenkins Gets Mad, Bernie Gets His Pen, CRISPR IPO & J-Lo”
NVoicePay Garners $10,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=02dd18fd-a521-4340-9e18-4cddd259c631 Date 10/21/2016 Company Name NVoicePay Mailing Address 8905 SW Nimbus Ave. Beaverton, OR 97008 USA Company Description NVoicePay is streamlining accounts payable, dramatically reducing costs and generating new revenue for customers. We are a financial services firm specializing in electronic payments for accounts payable invoices. Our simple, secure, and efficient e-payables … Continue reading “NVoicePay Garners $10,000,000 New Financing Round”
Hubb Secures $3,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cb730301-f2df-408a-acd4-7294d93fcc52 Date 10/21/2016 Company Name Hubb Mailing Address 4510 NE 68th Dr. Vancouver, WA 98661 USA Company Description Hubb automates the complex workflows & tasks required to collect, manage and market content for your next conference or meeting. Website http://www.hubb.me Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds … Continue reading “Hubb Secures $3,000,000 Series A Financing”
Fred Hutch Team Wants To Move Clean-Room Gene Therapy To Tabletop
[Corrected, 10/24/16, 2:44 p.m. See below.] In 2009, Jennifer Adair was helping treat a brain cancer patient in an experimental study. The trial required genetic modification of the patient’s blood stem cells in a specialized sterile room at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where Adair is a gene therapy researcher. Over the course of … Continue reading “Fred Hutch Team Wants To Move Clean-Room Gene Therapy To Tabletop”
EnergySavvy Secures $14,000,000 Series D Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=acd3be5e-e094-4f4c-802d-03600738b188 Date 10/20/2016 Company Name EnergySavvy Mailing Address 159 South Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 USA Company Description EnergySavvy helps utilities achieve their customer program and portfolio goals through innovative software solutions. Website http://www.energysavvy.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $14,000,000 Transaction Round Series D Proceeds Purposes The additional funding will allow … Continue reading “EnergySavvy Secures $14,000,000 Series D Funding Round”
All In One Place: A New Immuno-Oncology Trial Resource
More than 100 years ago, New York bone surgeon William Coley began to suspect that bacterial infections might be improving the outlook for patients also suffering from cancer. The infections were turbo-charging the immune system. Coley (pictured) would be gratified to see that in 2016 a growing array of immune-boosting cancer treatments are helping some … Continue reading “All In One Place: A New Immuno-Oncology Trial Resource”