We are down to the wire for Tuesday’s (April 22) What’s Hot in Cancer Immunotherapy event. The star-studded lineup features leading executives, scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors—from Seattle and beyond, and from both biotechs and pharma. They all convene starting at 2:45 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. It is … Continue reading “Just 7 Tickets Left for Our What’s Hot in Cancer Event April 22”
Category: Seattle
WCTA Breakfast Series: What’s in Your Tank?
The Washington Clean Technology Association takes a look at alternative fuels at this breakfast panel including Mike Wolcott and Jacob Leachman, experts in biofuels and fuel cells, respectively, from Washington State University; Eric Leonhardt, who focuses on electric vehicles at Western Washington University; and Garret Alpers of World CNG, the Kent, WA-company doing compressed natural … Continue reading “WCTA Breakfast Series: What’s in Your Tank?”
Climate Series: Climate Science 101—WCTA and Seattle Chamber
This is the first of four lunch events planned by the Washington Clean Technology Association and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to explore climate change and policies to mitigate it. Speakers at the initial event focusing on climate science include King 5 chief meteorologist Jeff Renner, Western Washington University environmental sciences professor Andy Bunn, University … Continue reading “Climate Series: Climate Science 101—WCTA and Seattle Chamber”
Minerva’s Plan to Disrupt Universities: A Talk with CEO Ben Nelson
[Updated, see below] Traditional four-year universities have always had to compete for students. They’re vying not only against each other, but against community colleges, the military, online institutions like University of Phoenix, and, in an age of increasing economic pressure on the middle class, the work world. (Some 34 percent of U.S. high school graduates … Continue reading “Minerva’s Plan to Disrupt Universities: A Talk with CEO Ben Nelson”
Pacific Northwest Venture Activity ‘Healthy’ in First Quarter
While venture capital investment in the first quarter nationally hit levels not seen since spring 2001, the Pacific Northwest started the year with a fairly typical level of funding and deals. Investors backed 30 companies in Washington and Oregon with more than $186 million in the first quarter, according to the newest MoneyTree Report. That’s … Continue reading “Pacific Northwest Venture Activity ‘Healthy’ in First Quarter”
First-Quarter Venture Funding at $9.6B in U.S., Highest Since 2001
Right out of the gate, venture capital funding surged nationwide during the first three months of 2014—driven largely by substantial investments in expansion-stage IT and software companies, according to the MoneyTree Report being released today. Eight of the ten biggest deals involved IT, software, or Web companies based in Northern California. (The top 10 deal … Continue reading “First-Quarter Venture Funding at $9.6B in U.S., Highest Since 2001”
X2 Biosystems Receives $2,510,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e3b5c540-a102-45ca-bd49-576e8e509d37 Date 4/18/2014 Company Name X2 Biosystems Mailing Address 1927 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101 USA Company Description The X2 system notifies athletic trainers, coaches, and team physicians in real time about impacts to players heads, and provides a suite of tools supporting athlete assessment in bench vs. play decisions, recovery and … Continue reading “X2 Biosystems Receives $2,510,000 New Financing”
Roundup: Inrix, EnerG2, Front Desk, Gates Patent, Boeing Engineers
It’s already been a busy week, with four major venture financing rounds for Pacific Northwest companies. Meanwhile, Inrix, the traffic information company, appears to be in the midst of a large financing itself. We’re also following interesting partnerships for EnerG2 and Front Desk; a patent filing from a group of inventors including Bill Gates that … Continue reading “Roundup: Inrix, EnerG2, Front Desk, Gates Patent, Boeing Engineers”
Cardiac Dimensions Lands $20,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=196228a0-d557-447c-b768-46c8a171d6e9 Date 4/17/2014 Company Name Cardiac Dimensions Mailing Address 5540 Lake Washington Blvd. NE Kirkland, WA 98033 USA Company Description Cardiac Dimensions, Inc. is a medical device company developing novel interventional tools for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) and related conditions. Website http://www.cardiacdimensions.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 … Continue reading “Cardiac Dimensions Lands $20,000,000 New Funding Round”
Rain in Seattle: Major Funding for Julep, Avvo, Cardiac Dimensions
Three Seattle-area companies—Julep Beauty, Avvo, and Cardiac Dimensions—have announced significant new later-stage investments this week, totaling $87.5 million. Add that to the $42 million funding round Beaverton, OR-based Act-On Software announced on Monday, and it’s been a pretty active run here in early spring, particularly compared to a typically slow start to the year for … Continue reading “Rain in Seattle: Major Funding for Julep, Avvo, Cardiac Dimensions”
How I Raised Seed Capital from a Sand Hill Road VC in 24 Hours
Much to many entrepreneurs’ chagrin, having an idea is not enough to start a company. Being able to fundraise is just as important as the big idea. I’ve been very frank in sharing how one of my startup companies failed because I did not have sufficient funding to compete, so I know how long and … Continue reading “How I Raised Seed Capital from a Sand Hill Road VC in 24 Hours”
Indix Garners $8,999,986 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=72c566c0-1162-4024-850b-1454ff7bf3ae Date 4/16/2014 Company Name Indix Mailing Address 1501 4th Ave. Seattle, WA 98101 USA Company Description Indix is building the world’s broadest and deepest product database, and APIs to enable every app to become product aware. Indix’s SaaS and Big Data product intelligence platform enables brands and merchants to explore. Website … Continue reading “Indix Garners $8,999,986 New Funding”
Marketing Automation Provider Act-On Software Raises $42M, Eyes IPO
More cash is flowing into the online marketing business with Act-On Software hauling in a $42 million investment led by Technology Crossover Ventures and eying an initial public offering perhaps next year. Based in Beaverton, OR, Act-On, a maker of marketing automation tools, is following what is becoming a well-worn path towards the public markets … Continue reading “Marketing Automation Provider Act-On Software Raises $42M, Eyes IPO”
Avvo Secures $37,500,000 Series D Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7efa7060-aae8-486c-a372-04b768cbccfa Date 4/15/2014 Company Name Avvo Mailing Address 705 5th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98104 USA Company Description Avvo is the only free website that empowers consumers to handle their legal matters with confidence. Avvo rates and profiles every lawyer to help consumers choose the right lawyer, and also offers client reviews, … Continue reading “Avvo Secures $37,500,000 Series D Financing”
Advanced Inquiry Systems Receives $750,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6bea72cf-5c90-4766-ba6b-2a80b528c51d Date 4/15/2014 Company Name Advanced Inquiry Systems Mailing Address 20000 NW Walker Rd. Beaverton, OR 97006 USA Company Description Advanced Inquiry Systems, Inc. (AISI) is revolutionizing semiconductor test, helping our customers combat rising costs in the midst of falling product prices. Our unique solutions enhance flexibility for device design, greatly reduce … Continue reading “Advanced Inquiry Systems Receives $750,000 New Funding”
OwnZones Media Network Lands $1,253,358 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=23b40d82-9315-4a09-ab46-a438039ff23c Date 4/15/2014 Company Name OwnZones Media Network Mailing Address PO Box 2937 Redmond, WA 98703 USA Company Description The company is creating a digital ecosystem that allows users to pay for content. Website http://www.ownzones.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,253,358 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “OwnZones Media Network Lands $1,253,358 New Funding”
ReadyPulse Garners $2,000,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0de5b72e-9633-4c4d-a19b-18252febad57 Date 4/15/2014 Company Name ReadyPulse Mailing Address 15 Lake Bellevue Dr Bellevue, WA 98005 USA Company Description ReadyPulse is the leader in testimonial marketing, and is bringing the power of sponsored stories to e-commerce and social/display ads. ReadyPulse grows, curates, and showcases a brand’s most effective testimonials across channels; social, mobile, … Continue reading “ReadyPulse Garners $2,000,000 Series A Financing Round”
Office on iPad: Reports of its Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
The day that iPad users and Microsoft Office suite lovers have been waiting for has finally arrived. Now the fate of dozens of third-party applications like Prezi and SlideShark hang in the balance. In a break with tradition, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the release of Office iPad on March 27. Under former CEO Steve … Continue reading “Office on iPad: Reports of its Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated”
Drones, Oculus, WhatsApp & the Future of Communication
[Corrected 4/14/14, 6:13 pm. See below.] Facebook is aiming to become a telco. Drones are the towers. Oculus are the phones. WhatsApp is the service. Twenty-one billion dollars is cheap for a next-generation telco. There is more behind the WhatsApp and Oculus deals than the apparent need to bring teens and gamers under Facebook’s fold. Facebook and … Continue reading “Drones, Oculus, WhatsApp & the Future of Communication”
Investing in Dreams: Northwest Programs Educate New Angels
Desney Tan is a decorated computer scientist and principal researcher at Microsoft Research where he works on mobile and wearable devices. He’s done well enough to have “a couple extra dollars to toss around,” he says, and he wanted to take his passion for technology up another notch by investing some of those dollars in … Continue reading “Investing in Dreams: Northwest Programs Educate New Angels”
Julep Beauty Obtains $30,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=285fa8b1-b324-4c24-bd33-c693142591e9 Date 4/14/2014 Company Name Julep Beauty Mailing Address P.O. Box 19523 Seattle, WA 98109 USA Company Description Julep was created as a tribute to the girlfriends who tell it like it is. Who push us to take a break from the bob and try something a little more daring with our … Continue reading “Julep Beauty Obtains $30,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
Act-On Software Obtains $42,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b6d999b7-0a65-4e54-90a4-e6b216cd9b4a Date 4/14/2014 Company Name Act-On Software Mailing Address 8300 SW Creekside Place Beaverton, OR 97008 USA Company Description We provide a next-generation communication and collaboration service that transforms business e-mail into a true 24/7 prospect and customer interaction service. Website http://www.actonsoftware.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $42,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Act-On Software Obtains $42,000,000 New Round”
MobileRQ Obtains $500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ca83d3a5-35fa-4dce-b480-e13e9721141b Date 4/14/2014 Company Name MobileRQ Mailing Address 308 NW 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97209 USA Company Description MobileRQ helps travel suppliers and other travel ecosystem players fully leverage their digital strategies. By combining the vast data sources from third parties and suppliers’ own data sources we help suppliers and their partners … Continue reading “MobileRQ Obtains $500,000 New Round”
Spiceworks Unplugged: Seattle discussion
IT professionals network Spiceworks is hosting a discussion among IT systems administrators and Seattle technology company marketers. The event, designed for tech marketers, is meant to provide a look at how IT purchasing decisions are made. More information and registration is available here.
Transforming Healthcare Through IT: Investment Opportunities in an Emerging Sector
The Technology Alliance and Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association are co-presenting a half-day event featuring fast-pitch sessions from local healthcare IT CEOs, discussion, and networking. Tickets are $75 in advance or $95 at the door. More information and registration is available here.
Charting a Course and Telling Your Story: Maps & Data Workshop for Nonprofits
Nonprofit groups can better present the reach and impact of their efforts using data and maps. This 90-minute workshop presented by Big Water Consulting will present software tools and techniques to make it happen. More information and registration is available here.
Seattle Roundup: Founders’ Co-op New Fund; Allen Grant; Munchery & More
The big news this week is a new fund being raised by Seattle-based seed-stage investors Founders’ Co-op. Read on for details on this and new grants for research on human cell lineage from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation; the Munchery’s expansion to Seattle; a data breach via the sale of surplus state government computers; … Continue reading “Seattle Roundup: Founders’ Co-op New Fund; Allen Grant; Munchery & More”
They Still Call it Telemedicine? Tracking the Evolution of HealthIT.
Recently, the Houston Technology Center asked me to join a panel discussion on “The Future of Telemedicine” at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. I was a bit surprised as I’ve never thought of myself as being part of the telemedicine industry. My business partner, Bryan Haardt, and I last year co-founded Decisio Health to sell software … Continue reading “They Still Call it Telemedicine? Tracking the Evolution of HealthIT.”
Venture-Backed IPOs & Late-Stage Investments Surged in Q1
Venture capitalists saw the public markets awaken in the first quarter, and they’re betting the trend will continue. A new report from New York-based venture capital research firm CB Insights counts 35 venture-backed IPOs through the end of March, more than any single quarter since the fall of 2000. Mergers and acquisitions were also strong, … Continue reading “Venture-Backed IPOs & Late-Stage Investments Surged in Q1”
NASA On a Mission to Seek New Ideas at Hackathon for Space Tech
Space can be a frontier—in a non-Star Trek way. Like gold miners of old, some technologists see opportunities for disruption and commercialization beyond our atmosphere. NASA’s annual International Space Apps Challenge, coming up this weekend, will be a chance for innovators around the world to spawn ideas that might boldly go amongst the stars. The … Continue reading “NASA On a Mission to Seek New Ideas at Hackathon for Space Tech”
State-Level Equity Crowdfunding: The Next Big Thing
Just a few weeks ago, Facebook’s surprise $2 billion purchase of virtual reality headset developer Oculus riled up some of the startup’s earliest financial backers, who said they got a raw deal while the founders got rich. We’re talking about pre-order backers on Kickstarter here, not investors. But if new equity crowdfunding rules had been … Continue reading “State-Level Equity Crowdfunding: The Next Big Thing”
The Rise of the “People’s Web”
Silicon Valley is one of the most dynamic engines of capitalism the world has ever seen. For decades, technology providers focused on creating cutting-edge hardware and software designed to optimize efficiency, productivity, and data-based knowledge for large corporations. But today, many technology innovators are also working hard to level the playing field by providing individual … Continue reading “The Rise of the “People’s Web””
Kauffman Study: Weaker Entrepreneurship Spells Stronger Job Market
The U.S. saw slightly fewer businesses created last year, but there’s a silver lining: the poorer numbers nationwide likely indicate that a stronger job market relieved some of the pressure on people to start companies out of necessity. That’s among the takeaways from the latest Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, an annual study from the … Continue reading “Kauffman Study: Weaker Entrepreneurship Spells Stronger Job Market”
Announcing Napa Summit 2014: Get An Invite to Xconomy’s Elite Confab
For the past two years, Xconomy has held an invitation-only event in the heart of California wine country with a general focus on the economy, emerging technology, competitiveness, and jobs—and spanning the range of topics we cover, from information technology to life sciences, healthcare, energy, cybersecurity, food, and much more (read on). We convene some … Continue reading “Announcing Napa Summit 2014: Get An Invite to Xconomy’s Elite Confab”
Adaptive Biotechnologies Lands $105,000,000 Series D Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d322de28-41e8-476b-afa5-d98b0cc41636 Date 4/8/2014 Company Name Adaptive Biotechnologies Mailing Address 1551 Eastlake Avenue East Seattle, WA 98102 USA Company Description Adaptive Biotechnologies’ platform technology breaks open the field of genomics immunology. T-cell receptor profiling using Adaptive’s proprietary technology and software allows scientists to study the adaptive immune system to an unprecedented depth via … Continue reading “Adaptive Biotechnologies Lands $105,000,000 Series D Round”
Carrot Obtains $2,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=212e7a11-0e30-454c-8d08-ed781d6a7269 Date 4/8/2014 Company Name Carrot Mailing Address 44 W. Broadway Eugene, OR 97401 USA Company Description We give you the tools you need to make viral user acquisition a part of your growth strategy. Our social backend provides distribution through the best viral growth channels (such as Facebook’s ‘custom actions’), and … Continue reading “Carrot Obtains $2,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Adaptive Corrals $105M to Ramp up Immune System Diagnostics
Adaptive Biotechnologies was spun out of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center six years ago to capitalize on a platform that could give researchers a detailed look at a patient’s immune response. Today, the Seattle-based company just got a big vote of confidence from Viking Global Investors that it can turn that work into a successful … Continue reading “Adaptive Corrals $105M to Ramp up Immune System Diagnostics”
Crowdfunding Startups: Opportunities and Bottlenecks
There has been a bit of action for a while now in the crowdfunding world, and certain startups have been able to get themselves off the ground using Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and similar sites. By and large, these types of financings have gone to companies that are building physical products, digital games, and the like. Fundings … Continue reading “Crowdfunding Startups: Opportunities and Bottlenecks”
Life Sciences Fund Granted Reprieve, But “Future Is Precarious”
The Washington Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF), an important source of early support for applied research and commercialization, will continue its current grant program and plan for others in the coming year thanks to a veto today from Gov. Jay Inslee. But the fund’s long-term future remains in question as it seeks to diversify its … Continue reading “Life Sciences Fund Granted Reprieve, But “Future Is Precarious””
A Letter to the Year 2061 (If We Make It That Far)
Dear Citizens of 2061, If you’re reading this, congratulations. You’ve survived the first half of the 21st century, and you’ve evidently still got computers, libraries, virtual-reality visors, or some kind of communications system that enabled you to dig up these old scribbles. I have some questions for you. I know you can’t really write back, … Continue reading “A Letter to the Year 2061 (If We Make It That Far)”
Seattle Roundup: Tidal Turbine, IDRI, Tango Card, Codementor, TAGS
This week’s roundup includes a green-light from federal regulators for a Snohomish County PUD tidal turbine project in Puget Sound; more tuberculosis research funding for IDRI from the Gates Foundation; $3.3 million for Tango Card; $600,000 for Techstars Seattle company Codementor; a productive first year of investing for TiE Angels Group Seattle; and funding for … Continue reading “Seattle Roundup: Tidal Turbine, IDRI, Tango Card, Codementor, TAGS”
Patients Are Customers. Who Knew?
I was finally getting to my giant pile of reading this week when I saw an article in Health Care Information Week that included the following sentence: As consumer satisfaction begins to have a bigger impact on the bottom line, more hospitals are hiring a chief patient experience officer (CXO) to treat patients like valued … Continue reading “Patients Are Customers. Who Knew?”
The Big Patent Lawsuit Settlement Memo You’re Not Supposed to See
Boston University caused a stir last year with an explosion of patent-infringement lawsuits against the biggest names in electronics. At issue was blue LED technology that the school said was being used in a huge range of gadgets without permission from its inventor, a Boston University engineering professor. After several months of courtroom tussles, most … Continue reading “The Big Patent Lawsuit Settlement Memo You’re Not Supposed to See”
Tango Card Obtains $3,328,850 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0c0851c1-56e1-4fdb-a067-c8623b5d82b8 Date 4/3/2014 Company Name Tango Card Mailing Address 4700 42nd Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116 USA Company Description Tango Card is the perfect way to give the right gift card every time. You canredeem it for gift cards from premier stores and donate any balance to one ofour non-profit partners. And … Continue reading “Tango Card Obtains $3,328,850 New Financing Round”
Xconomy Seattle’s Top Stories of Q1 2014: Editor’s Picks
In case you missed them, check out these 11 stories of Seattle innovation that appeared on Xconomy in the first three months of 2014. This subjective list includes stories that attracted large audiences, and others that we think should have. They represent the breadth of the region’s innovation efforts, from the competition for the cloud … Continue reading “Xconomy Seattle’s Top Stories of Q1 2014: Editor’s Picks”
Note to Government: Mandate Cybersecurity, Then Get Out of the Way
The digital economy stands on uncertain ground. From Target to Adobe, cybercriminals have infiltrated the networks of some of the largest businesses in the United States, turning 2013 into a record-setting year for data breaches. Companies lost more than 800 million records in nearly 2,200 incidents, doubling the loss of the previous highest year, 2011, … Continue reading “Note to Government: Mandate Cybersecurity, Then Get Out of the Way”
PARC Partners With Seattle B2B Startup Accelerator 9Mile Labs
Nine Seattle-based startup companies will have access to mentoring, technology, intellectual property, and other assistance from the storied Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in Silicon Valley through a partnership between the Xerox subsidiary and business-to-business startup accelerator 9Mile Labs. 9Mile began early last year, and is currently halfway through its second 16-week program. The Seattle … Continue reading “PARC Partners With Seattle B2B Startup Accelerator 9Mile Labs”
Playing the CEO Card
When I was starting my second company, Sparkbuy, I was fortunate to meet a host of terrific technologists while shopping for a CTO. One of them was a brilliant guy named Adam Doppelt, one of the three co-founders of Urbanspoon. Adam told me that Urbanspoon never had a traditional CEO. They hadn’t raised money and … Continue reading “Playing the CEO Card”
Come See AllSee, UW’s New Low-Power Gesture Control System
The chorus of Hotel California sings out from the mobile phone in Bryce Kellogg’s pocket. He waves his hand to turn down the volume. He flicks his fingers a couple of times and Stairway to Heaven plays. The phone never leaves his pocket. It looks like a parlor trick, but the underlying technology, developed by … Continue reading “Come See AllSee, UW’s New Low-Power Gesture Control System”
Appearing Briefly at Your Next Conference: “Whac-A-Mole” Speakers
Whac-A-Mole, for those of you who are not familiar with it, is a fast-paced arcade game in which mechanical moles pop quickly in and out of holes on a large board. You earn points by whacking them with a giant hammer whenever they pop out of their holes. You need really good reflexes to do … Continue reading “Appearing Briefly at Your Next Conference: “Whac-A-Mole” Speakers”