The roundup was on hiatus last week for a little R&R in the California desert, which is an endless panorama of reminders that even the biggest slabs of rock eventually turn to sand. We returned this week to find the mountain otherwise known as the Pfizer-Allergan merger crumbling before our eyes under pressure, not from … Continue reading “West Coast Bio Roundup: Pfizer’s BBC Ghosts, Gilead’s NASH, HLI’s Cash”
Category: Seattle
Local Minds, Global Impact At Seattle’s Life Science Disruptors May 2
We’re a month away from our annual life sciences forum in Seattle, the agenda is posted, and it’s time to fill in some color on our speakers and topics. Seattle is remarkable for having a lot of varied expertise packed into a small footprint. People from private biopharma, public global health, academic discovery, and many … Continue reading “Local Minds, Global Impact At Seattle’s Life Science Disruptors May 2”
There’s Never Been a Better Time for Female Tech Entrepreneurs
When I was a young girl, I knew that I wanted to run my own business someday. In fact, I would end up leading almost every club or team that I got involved in at school. However, by the time I actually began my career, I was well aware that the odds were not entirely … Continue reading “There’s Never Been a Better Time for Female Tech Entrepreneurs”
Announcing Xconomy Indiana—11th Region in Our Network
Just over two years ago, when we launched Xconomy Wisconsin as the ninth region in our network, I wrote: “There are no flyover zones in the United States. That’s the way Xconomy views the map, anyway, because we see innovation happening all over America.” Since that time, we expanded again, to Raleigh-Durham. And I am … Continue reading “Announcing Xconomy Indiana—11th Region in Our Network”
Polyverse Garners $2,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=16d0fc89-6e07-4a66-88f0-98dbc333378c Date 4/6/2016 Company Name Polyverse Mailing Address 244 Market St. Kirkland, WA 98033 USA Company Description Polyverse protects highly valuable data in your company from large scale data breaches. It segments the data into thousands or even millions of individually protected, fully enclosed security containers. Polyverse integrates with existing technology stacks … Continue reading “Polyverse Garners $2,000,000 New Round”
Software Study Ranks San Diego #7, Cites Prowess in Scientific R&D
A study to assess the strength of San Diego’s software sector has determined that it ranks seventh among the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas, according to a “software power index” that weighs a variety of economic factors. The study, released last week by the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., is the first comprehensive analysis … Continue reading “Software Study Ranks San Diego #7, Cites Prowess in Scientific R&D”
Making the Price Right: Ideas To Change Drug Costs Gain Momentum
If the U.S. presidential primaries continue their current trajectories, the two contenders come autumn will have at least one thing in common: a stated desire to do something about high drug prices. Maybe you believe them, and maybe you think they’re blowing smoke up our nether regions. But momentum is momentum. With consumers, doctors, and … Continue reading “Making the Price Right: Ideas To Change Drug Costs Gain Momentum”
$220M Richer, Human Longevity Ups Ante In Genomics Business Race
Human Longevity, the private San Diego startup aiming to turn DNA from tens of thousands of people into a range of new businesses, said this afternoon it has reeled in $220 million in venture cash. The Series B money brings Human Longevity’s fundraising to $300 million, a stunning sum for a biotech with an unproven … Continue reading “$220M Richer, Human Longevity Ups Ante In Genomics Business Race”
Napa Summit 2016: Request Your Invite to Our Most Special Event
There are all sorts of reasons for requesting an invitation to Xconomy’s Napa Summit, which will take place in just six weeks—on May 16-17. One is the fantastic array of speakers: John Maeda, design partner at Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers; virtual reality virtuoso Mary Lou Jepsen of Facebook/Oculus; tech investor Esther Dyson; computing visionary … Continue reading “Napa Summit 2016: Request Your Invite to Our Most Special Event”
TableSafe Lands $4,939,637 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1aeb334d-756b-4f19-9193-cbb25d40181f Date 4/4/2016 Company Name TableSafe Mailing Address 12220 – 113th Ave. NE Kirkland, WA 98034 USA Company Description TableSafe provides solutions for secure payment transactions, while providing a marketing platform for communications between the hospitality industry and their guests. The Company partners with industry leading technology companies to ensure the highest … Continue reading “TableSafe Lands $4,939,637 New Funding Round”
Trading Quality for Ease: Confessions of an Earbud Junkie
This is the story of a reawakening. I’ve come home to the world of real home stereo sound, after too many years hooked on music trickling through smartphone earbuds and devices with small, crappy speakers. Don’t worry, I haven’t turned into an audiophile. I’m not going to preach to you about some $40,000 turntable with … Continue reading “Trading Quality for Ease: Confessions of an Earbud Junkie”
What’s Ahead for Biotech in 2016: Q&A With BIO Chair Ron Cohen
Biotechnology is a tricky business. We all know the trials and tribulations—and costs—of bringing novel drugs to market. In the past six months or so, a new round of drug pricing upheaval (think Martin Shkreli) and corporate tax “inversions” (think Pfizer-Allergan merger with new headquarters in Ireland) have ignited public debate. Ron Cohen has been … Continue reading “What’s Ahead for Biotech in 2016: Q&A With BIO Chair Ron Cohen”
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save on Seattle’s Life Science Disruptors
You’re already planning on attending Seattle’s Life Science Disruptors, so why wait any longer to buy your tickets? We’re lining up some of the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators disrupting the life science industry. Join us for an afternoon of spotlight talks, fireside chats, and panel discussions on topics such as global initiatives, better … Continue reading “Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save on Seattle’s Life Science Disruptors”
New PureTech Startup Commense Aims to Protect Babies From Disease
[Updated, 12:15 pm ET, see below] Boston company creator PureTech Health already has one microbiome startup in its portfolio, Vedanta Biosciences. Today it’s unveiled a second one, Commense, with a different plan to harness the power of the trillions of microbes in and on our bodies. Vedanta is developing a mix of bacteria to be … Continue reading “New PureTech Startup Commense Aims to Protect Babies From Disease”
EnerG2 Obtains New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8b8d340d-caa9-43e1-9dd2-342a2c52ca22 Date 3/31/2016 Company Name EnerG2 Mailing Address 100 Northeast Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98105 USA Company Description EnerG2 manufactures high performance carbon materials to increase the efficiency and performance of energy storage devices. Website http://www.energ2.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not … Continue reading “EnerG2 Obtains New Financing”
The Xconversation: Vaccine Developer Meets Energy Innovator, Part II
There’s no such thing as failure, as long as you view it in the proper light. That’s the philosophy of scientist-entrepreneurs Darrick Carter, vice president of adjuvant technology at Seattle-based IDRI (Infectious Disease Research Institute) and biotech company founder, and Aaron Feaver, co-founder and chief technology officer of energy-storage materials company EnerG2, who shared their … Continue reading “The Xconversation: Vaccine Developer Meets Energy Innovator, Part II”
From Alexa to Watson, Boston Children’s Hospital Ups Digital Focus
John Brownstein spends a lot of time thinking about how to build the hospital of the future. One thing the chief innovation officer of Boston Children’s Hospital is sure of: digital technologies will be a cornerstone. “Brick and mortar will always be incredibly important,” Brownstein says, referring to treating patients within a hospital’s walls. But … Continue reading “From Alexa to Watson, Boston Children’s Hospital Ups Digital Focus”
Icebrg.io Obtains $10,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d8db86b4-ed1f-4ff5-a03f-5ab6c36cdac2 Date 3/30/2016 Company Name Icebrg.io Mailing Address Undisclosed Seattle, WA 98108 USA Company Description Iceberg is a software platform that allows business developers to develop enterprise level software without them necessarily needing them to write any custom code. Website http://www.icebrg.io Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Series A … Continue reading “Icebrg.io Obtains $10,000,000 Series A Round”
Oncothyreon Names Scott Myers New CEO
Seattle-based Oncothyreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ONTY]]) has named Scott D. Myers its new president and CEO. Myers most recently ran Aerocrine, a diagnostics company that Circassia Pharmaceuticals bought for $214 million last year. He also had stints at UCB and Johnson & Johnson before that. Christopher Henney had been serving as Oncothyreon’s interim CEO after Robert Kirkman … Continue reading “Oncothyreon Names Scott Myers New CEO”
The Xconversation: Vaccine Developer Meets Energy Innovator, Part I
What do vaccines have to do with batteries? Let your mind’s eye travel to the cellular membrane, where a ligand is enveloped by a receptor, spurring a subtle change in the cell. (Bear with me.) In some respects, it’s similar to what’s happening inside a battery when electrolytes interact with engineered materials to cause a … Continue reading “The Xconversation: Vaccine Developer Meets Energy Innovator, Part I”
Is Money Everything? Behind the Scenes of Tech Hiring
Have you tried to hire a software developer recently? The current job market is bananas! It’s crazy in Boston. New York City is booming with tech startups. In Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, the cost of living is exploding as salaries in the tech sector grow. It’s getting more expensive every year to hire … Continue reading “Is Money Everything? Behind the Scenes of Tech Hiring”
With New Data, Alder Keeps Pace in Migraine Drug Race
[Updated, 4:39 pm, see below] There aren’t many effective treatments out there for the millions of Americans who suffer from migraines. But over the past few years, a new class of drugs that might actually prevent these debilitating headaches from occurring—rather than just mute them when they happen—has been inching towards the market. One of … Continue reading “With New Data, Alder Keeps Pace in Migraine Drug Race”
How VR, AR Innovation Can Finally Fulfill Its Potential
This post was co-authored by Matt McIlwain, managing director, Madrona Venture Group, and Steve Seitz, professor of computer science and engineering at University of Washington and “teleportation lead” at Google. Virtual reality (VR), which immerses the user in the virtual world, and augmented reality (AR), which overlays digital information onto the physical world, are being … Continue reading “How VR, AR Innovation Can Finally Fulfill Its Potential”
Seattle Week in Review: The March Madness of an Impressionable Teen AI
Where to begin with this week? Funny-not-funny #ManInTree, funding news from Convoy and a new AI startup, DimensionalMechanics, and the teen chatbot from Microsoft corrupted by the Internet over the course of a day? At least we’ve got hoops (and long odds). Here now, Xconomy Seattle’s Week in Review: —Microsoft has received more attention in … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: The March Madness of an Impressionable Teen AI”
As Equity Crowdfunding Debuts in U.S., Will More Regulations Follow?
Ready or not, equity crowdfunding is coming to the U.S. this spring. The funding mechanism allows companies to sell shares of their firms to the general public (not just accredited investors) through online portals. The practice has already gained traction in places like the U.K. in recent years, but it has taken a while to … Continue reading “As Equity Crowdfunding Debuts in U.S., Will More Regulations Follow?”
What Can Madison Learn From Seattle? Q&A With the New Head of WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation announced on Wednesday that it had selected Erik Iverson as its new managing director. WARF, which manages patents and licensing for the University of Wisconsin-Madison—the state’s largest academic research institution—has since 2000 been led by Carl Gulbrandsen, who will be retiring on June 30 (Iverson’s official start date is July … Continue reading “What Can Madison Learn From Seattle? Q&A With the New Head of WARF”
West Coast Bio Roundup: Gilead, Affymetrix, Acutus, Frazier & More
Gilead Sciences is back at the top of our chart for the second week in a row. After halting trials last week in the United States and Europe over its cancer drug idelalisib, a federal jury in San Jose, CA, upheld the validity of two Merck patents this week in a case that could force … Continue reading “West Coast Bio Roundup: Gilead, Affymetrix, Acutus, Frazier & More”
DimensionalMechanics Obtains $4,700,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e95b2aa3-681e-4cfd-8066-3f392fa52c15 Date 3/25/2016 Company Name DimensionalMechanics Mailing Address 13217 174th Ave NE Redmond, NE 98052 USA Company Description DimensionalMechanics Inc. is making artificial intelligence scalable, enabling users to solve enterprise challenges by incorporating the power of human intelligence into existing systems. Website http://www.dimensionalmechanics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,700,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “DimensionalMechanics Obtains $4,700,000 Series A Round”
Google Grows, Will Join Amazon in Seattle’s South Lake Union
Google plans to move and expand its Seattle offices from the Fremont neighborhood to South Lake Union, best known today for Amazon’s ever-growing corporate headquarters. Vulcan, the business empire of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and developer of most of the South Lake Union neighborhood over the last decade, is planning four buildings with some 607,000 … Continue reading “Google Grows, Will Join Amazon in Seattle’s South Lake Union”
Former Gates Foundation Lawyer Tapped As WARF’s New Managing Director
Erik Iverson, an attorney whose career stops include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been named the next managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which manages patents and licensing of intellectual property for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Iverson, 47, currently serves as president of business and operations for the Infectious Disease Research … Continue reading “Former Gates Foundation Lawyer Tapped As WARF’s New Managing Director”
CRISPR And Beyond: UCSD-Doudna Work Attracts Paul Allen’s Millions
CRISPR-Cas9 is well known, by people who follow science and some who don’t, as the new DNA editing tool that one day might cure genetic diseases or lead to designer babies. Or both. Whether those headline-grabbing scenarios come true, or CRISPR-Cas9 just remains a useful tool for all kinds of biological research, one thing is … Continue reading “CRISPR And Beyond: UCSD-Doudna Work Attracts Paul Allen’s Millions”
Dear Biopharma: Give Us Better Therapies for Pain
The CDC released on March 15th new guidelines that advise strict limits on the prescription of opioids for pain. These guidelines respond to a stunning increase in deaths and addiction related to the prescription of opioids like OxyContin and Percocet. The CDC recommended against providing patients more than a seven-day supply of opioids for acute … Continue reading “Dear Biopharma: Give Us Better Therapies for Pain”
Convoy Obtains $16,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6deda140-9563-4e61-a00b-0bf5cb66072c Date 3/23/2016 Company Name Convoy Mailing Address 1700 7th Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 USA Company Description Convoy is the easiest way to book local and regional trucks on demand. We back up every shipment with outstanding customer service and the latest technology, all for free. Website http://www.convoy.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “Convoy Obtains $16,000,000 Series A Round”
Shiftboard Lands $4,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=edfbc731-2d1b-47a4-8382-a28015371155 Date 3/23/2016 Company Name Shiftboard Mailing Address 506 2nd Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 USA Company Description Shiftboard is a leading SaaS provider of dynamic workforce management solutions with robust functionality that spans human resources, scheduling, time and attendance, payroll integration, reporting, and communication. Website http://www.shiftboard.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Shiftboard Lands $4,000,000 New Financing Round”
Front Desk Receives $1,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d3398ff8-2d6a-4342-890a-a67183a2f2af Date 3/22/2016 Company Name Front Desk Mailing Address 1212 E. Pike Street Seattle, WA 98122 USA Company Description We make mobile client management software that frees business owners from behind their desk, gives them back time, and powers them do what they really love—run and grow their business. Website http://www.frontdeskhq.com Transaction … Continue reading “Front Desk Receives $1,000,000 New Funding Round”
CrowdStreet Lands $4,921,273 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9c47c2b5-d797-451c-b5bc-e4c50e7ef309 Date 3/22/2016 Company Name CrowdStreet Mailing Address 506 SW 6th Ave. Portland, OR 97204 USA Company Description In the past, only the wealthiest investors and fund managers had access to institutional quality, professionally managed commercial real estate investments. But with CrowdStreet, we make investing easy. Website http://www.crowdstreet.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “CrowdStreet Lands $4,921,273 New Funding Round”
Beware the Potential Downside of Venture Capital Relationships
Conventional wisdom has it that entrepreneurs benefit from wide networks and strong ties with other organizations. Venture capital (VC) firms, in particular, are seen as a valuable source of funding, social status, technical knowledge, and expert advice for fledgling new businesses. But what if these same relationships can also create new liabilities for entrepreneurs? As … Continue reading “Beware the Potential Downside of Venture Capital Relationships”
PlaceFull Secures $705,352 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a009f2f-a076-4624-97e4-234de84e3c7f Date 3/21/2016 Company Name PlaceFull Mailing Address 122 S Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98103 USA Company Description Placefull develops an online marketplace that connects event and party planners with trusted venues. Founded in 2011, we’re a growing team of product engineers, developers, marketers, sales people, and designers working from a Seattle … Continue reading “PlaceFull Secures $705,352 New Financing Round”
Is Your Smartphone Spying On Your TV Habits? FTC Warns App Developers
You’re ready to kick back for the weekend and do something mindless. No one will ever know if you watch five episodes of “Zombie House Flipping” instead of the PBS NewsHour, right? Maybe for now. Could be, there’s already an app on your smartphone or tablet capable of finding out what you’re watching by picking … Continue reading “Is Your Smartphone Spying On Your TV Habits? FTC Warns App Developers”
Seattle Week in Review: Young, Rich, and Stuck in Traffic Edition
Raise a glass of bubbly, rent a boat, get out there and enjoy spring, especially if you’re young, rich, and tech-fabulous! In this edition of Xconomy Seattle’s Week in Review, we’ll grip the wheel for 66 wasted hours stuck in traffic; gauge optimism of a sample of local companies, as expressed by hiring plan for … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Young, Rich, and Stuck in Traffic Edition”
West Coast Bio Roundup: Gilead Onco Woes, Adaptive Expansion & More
DiCE Molecules of Redwood City, CA, revealed itself this week with a new drug discovery scheme and a business model straight out of 2010. DiCE CEO Kevin Judice, a veteran of California biotechs that have produced anti-infective drugs, told Xconomy that DiCE would initially fund itself through two big pharma partnerships; the first, a five-year … Continue reading “West Coast Bio Roundup: Gilead Onco Woes, Adaptive Expansion & More”
Seattle’s Adaptive Bio to Base New Drug-Hunting Team in San Diego
Diego Miralles, an immunologist and leader in HIV therapeutics, has joined Seattle’s Adaptive Biotechnologies to lead a new business initiative focused on developing new drugs for cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. The new business, Adaptive Therapeutics, eventually will be based in San Diego, Miralles said by phone yesterday from Seattle. He is joining Adaptive after … Continue reading “Seattle’s Adaptive Bio to Base New Drug-Hunting Team in San Diego”
Can You Land an IT Job If You’re Self-Taught?
The path to a successful career used to be so straightforward. You’d graduate high school, go to college, earn your undergraduate and maybe even your graduate degree, then hit the job market for a full-time job. Employers knew exactly what they were looking for: candidates with degrees from reputable colleges who could demonstrate a significant … Continue reading “Can You Land an IT Job If You’re Self-Taught?”
Denver Proposal Calls for Smarter Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
Denver was named one of seven finalists in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge last week, inching the city closer toward receiving up to $50 million in tech-centric transportation funding. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx formally announced the finalists during a transportation conference at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX, on … Continue reading “Denver Proposal Calls for Smarter Electric and Autonomous Vehicles”
Cars, Virtual Reality, Blockchain (& Grumpy Cat) Lead Pack at SXSW
Austin — Since Twitter made a name for itself at South by Southwest in 2007, attendees have tried in vain to predict the next big tech breakout. Facebook made headlines in 2008, and Foursquare followed a year later. But nothing seemed to be the same as Twitter. By 2013, Grumpy Cat was dubbed winner of … Continue reading “Cars, Virtual Reality, Blockchain (& Grumpy Cat) Lead Pack at SXSW”
Usermind Raises $14.5M to Push “BizOps” Vision for Sales, Marketing
The Northwest is already home to some of the top technology providers in the DevOps movement. Now comes Seattle-based Usermind, which just raised $14.5 million to advance its vision of “BizOps”—a tighter integration of front-office functions such as marketing, sales, and customer support. Menlo Ventures led the Series B funding round. Other participants included Andreessen … Continue reading “Usermind Raises $14.5M to Push “BizOps” Vision for Sales, Marketing”
Usermind Secures $14,500,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e666a9c6-58c9-4522-b0ff-6ff12acc60ae Date 3/16/2016 Company Name Usermind Mailing Address 2101 4th Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 USA Company Description Usermind is the first unified platform for orchestrating business operations. Automate end-to-end processes and unify data across applications and teams — no coding required. Website http://www.usermind.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $14,500,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Usermind Secures $14,500,000 Series B Funding Round”
I Think, Therefore I Am: Startup Experts Talk A.I. at SXSW
Even executives of companies that develop the world’s leading artificial intelligence software have time to catch a few movies. True to form, it seems the flicks they pick are typically about artificial intelligence. “‘Her’ was particularly interesting, because this machine, this operating system… She was able to empathize with him, able to get him out … Continue reading “I Think, Therefore I Am: Startup Experts Talk A.I. at SXSW”
Racing Zika: For Every Short Cut, There’s An Open Question
[Updated 3/15/16, 7:16pm; corrected 3/16/16, 7:00pm. See below.] In the Luganda language, zika means “overgrown.” It’s also the name of the Ugandan forest where, in the mid-20th century, researchers discovered the now-notorious virus. Dense forest is an appropriate and vivid image for the latest global health threat. So much about the virus and its effects … Continue reading “Racing Zika: For Every Short Cut, There’s An Open Question”
Institute for Systems Biology, Providence Team Up for Preventive Care
The principles and practices of scientific wellness and personalized medicine developed over the last 15 years at genomics pioneer Leroy Hood’s Institute for Systems Biology will get what Hood says is a first application in a large patient population, through an affiliation with Providence Health & Services. The 3.3 million Providence patients—in Alaska, California, Montana, … Continue reading “Institute for Systems Biology, Providence Team Up for Preventive Care”