Category: Texas

Delta Hires AT&T’s Morris, Pivotal IPO, New Fundings & More TX Tech 

Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Pivotal Software, a cloud computing company majority-owned by Dell Computer, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday to go public. The company set $100 million as a placeholder target for the IPO. According to a document filed with federal securities regulators, Pivotal … Continue reading “Delta Hires AT&T’s Morris, Pivotal IPO, New Fundings & More TX Tech “

Are You Being Deliberate About Diversity in Your Investment Portfolio?

“We looked, but we couldn’t find any companies to acquire led by women or founders of color.” “I want to hire diverse talent, but it’s impossible to find.” “It’s not my fault that the financial sector doesn’t have a more varied talent pool or deals to make with non-white males.” I have heard all of … Continue reading “Are You Being Deliberate About Diversity in Your Investment Portfolio?”

FTC Opens New Probe: Revisits Its Old Charges On Facebook Privacy Practices

Among the host of legal woes Facebook is now confronting amid news about the misuse of its member profiles in election politics: The Federal Trade Commission revealed Monday that it is investigating the social media giant’s privacy practices. The FTC decision comes in the wake of recent reports about the ease with which political consulting … Continue reading “FTC Opens New Probe: Revisits Its Old Charges On Facebook Privacy Practices”

EY Report Suggests Improving Conditions for U.S. IPOs in 2018

U.S. IPO activity has been ticking up, with 36 IPOs raising more than $12.7 billion in the United States so far this year, according to data released Monday by EY, the global consulting and accounting firm. Although there are still several days remaining in the first quarter of 2018, EY reports the number of first-quarter … Continue reading “EY Report Suggests Improving Conditions for U.S. IPOs in 2018”

San Antonio Startup Leaptran Develops Machine-Learning Energy Tech

San Antonio—A pair of San Antonio researchers have created a startup that aims to reduce the cost of energy consumption for commercial buildings using solar power and machine learning technology. Called Leaptran, the young startup plans to help commercial building owners, such as at a university or warehouse, use solar panels to soak up and … Continue reading “San Antonio Startup Leaptran Develops Machine-Learning Energy Tech”

Ada-AI Seeks to Build a Diverse Artificial Intelligence Community

Artificial intelligence innovation has become part of our everyday lives—retailers use it to tailor the product recommendations they make; biotech companies hope it can create customized medicine. But its shortcomings, born of human biases, are becoming apparent as well. Take, for example, facial recognition technologies that work best on white people and make the most … Continue reading “Ada-AI Seeks to Build a Diverse Artificial Intelligence Community”

SD Team Heads to US Ignite Summit to Advance Emergency Mobile App

A San Diego software development team with an idea for an emergency mobile app that it said would be faster than calling 911 is headed this week to US Ignite’s Application Summit in Kansas City, MO. The team (pictured above right) emerged as the judges’ top choice among 12 pre-qualified entrants that competed in San … Continue reading “SD Team Heads to US Ignite Summit to Advance Emergency Mobile App”

Founders, Pay Attention to This Stuff—Not the Stock Market

The Dow Jones Industrial Average. Nasdaq. Startup exits. Funding rounds. In our 24/7 connected world, there’s no shortage of data you can access, study, and agonize over. The market’s latest move—from boom to correction—has commentators and analysts in a tizzy; many investors are feeling anxious, too. It’s easy to get distracted by all this chatter, … Continue reading “Founders, Pay Attention to This Stuff—Not the Stock Market”

Bio Roundup: CMS Backs Cancer Tests, Right to Try Passes, AbbVie Sinks

We’ll start this week’s roundup with several stories from Washington, DC, that could have a lasting effect on public health. The FDA continued its campaign against cigarettes, while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave a much-needed boost to the developers of cancer diagnostics. In its omnibus spending bill, Congress set aside more … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CMS Backs Cancer Tests, Right to Try Passes, AbbVie Sinks”

YouTube Limits Firearms Videos; Gun Rights Group Cries Censorship

YouTube has broadened its restrictions on gun-related videos, while thousands of Americans are mobilizing to demand stricter gun controls Saturday in a mass march spurred by young survivors of a deadly armed attack on a Florida high school last month. Google’s popular video-hosting site will bar videos that facilitate direct sales of firearms or accessories, … Continue reading “YouTube Limits Firearms Videos; Gun Rights Group Cries Censorship”

After Decades of R&D, Bose Amps Up VC Deals in AR, Wearables, Wellness

[Updated 3/22/18, 1:14 pm. See below.] For the first 50 years of its existence, Bose Corporation invested primarily in in-house research and development to produce its lineup of high-end headphones, speakers, and other audio technologies. Bose’s Steve Romine says that’s still an important focus for the Framingham, MA-based company, which has been awarded hundreds of … Continue reading “After Decades of R&D, Bose Amps Up VC Deals in AR, Wearables, Wellness”

San Antonio Bioscience and Technology Development Group Replaces CEO

San Antonio — [Updated 3/22/18, 11 a.m. See below.] The first CEO of VelocityTX, an emerging technology and startup resource center in San Antonio, has left the organization less than a year after he joined. Jorge Varela decided to pursue other interests, according to a press release from VelocityTX. A spokeswoman wouldn’t provide further detail. Varela … Continue reading “San Antonio Bioscience and Technology Development Group Replaces CEO”

At Opioid Hearing, BIO Exec Proposes Ways to Boost Pain Drug Development

After months of meetings and Congressional hearings on the unrelenting opioid addiction crisis, Congress has finally responded, with 25 bills that aim to attack the problem from all sides. The House Energy and Commerce Committee began two days of hearings on Wednesday that reviewed the draft legislation that lawmakers want to get to the House … Continue reading “At Opioid Hearing, BIO Exec Proposes Ways to Boost Pain Drug Development”

Hungry for Innovation, Big Food Firms Seek Alliances With Startups

Big Food is getting serious about innovation. Many top food companies are increasingly pumping money into supporting young, innovative startups, according to a recent analysis by CB Insights. The firms include stalwarts like Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KHC]]), which has an incubator and accelerator program called Springboard, and relative newcomers like the Greek-style yogurt maker Chobani, … Continue reading “Hungry for Innovation, Big Food Firms Seek Alliances With Startups”

Uber’s Driverless Fatality Sparks Fallout and Finger-Pointing

The fallout from Uber’s autonomous car fatality continues today, with a number of new developments. We’re recapping them very quickly here, and adding two reaction quotes we received from Carrie Morton, deputy director of the University of Michigan’s Mcity research facility and test bed, and Shahin Farshchi, a partner at Lux Capital, a Silicon Valley … Continue reading “Uber’s Driverless Fatality Sparks Fallout and Finger-Pointing”

SKU, Austin Consumer Goods Accelerator, Kicks Off Sixth Class

[Updated 3/21/18 11:05 am. See below.] Austin—SKU, a retail and consumer packaged goods-focused accelerator, launched its latest class of startups on Tuesday. SKU was founded as Incubation Station in 2012 by Austin entrepreneur Shari Wynne. SKU invests $10,000 in each company and takes an equity stake of 5 percent. [Updated with new figures on the investment … Continue reading “SKU, Austin Consumer Goods Accelerator, Kicks Off Sixth Class”

AI Chip Startup Mythic Reaps $40M from SoftBank, Lockheed Venture Arms

Mythic, which last year unveiled its novel computer chip designed for artificial intelligence, announced today that it has raised $40 million in a Series B fundraising round led by the venture capital arm of Japanese telecom and tech giant SoftBank. Mythic, based in both Redwood City, CA, and Austin, TX, is one of the upstart … Continue reading “AI Chip Startup Mythic Reaps $40M from SoftBank, Lockheed Venture Arms”

CytoBioScience Raises $1.5M for “Intended Merger,” Document Says

San Antonio — [Updated 3/23/18, 4:58 p.m. See below.] CytoBioScience, a bioscience company that canceled plans to merge with a publicly traded business last year, made new merger plans this week, which the company revealed publicly Friday. Fort Collins, CO-based WestMountain Co. merged into CytoBioscience on March 19, according to a document filed with the SEC … Continue reading “CytoBioScience Raises $1.5M for “Intended Merger,” Document Says”

Uber Suspends Driverless Testing After Fatal Accident in Arizona

The inevitable has happened. An autonomous Uber car hit a pedestrian in Tempe, AZ, and caused her death. The ride-hailing giant has suspended testing on driverless cars in Arizona, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Toronto, according to the New York Times. This is the first known death of a pedestrian caused by a self-driving car on … Continue reading “Uber Suspends Driverless Testing After Fatal Accident in Arizona”

Five Unlikely Competitors in the Race for Driverless Cars: Slideshow

Now that we know autonomous vehicles are going to be a real thing, we are watching an entirely new industry unfold. Because of the sweeping societal changes that self-driving cars are likely to bring—they’ll change transportation the most, but also could affect the way we care for the elderly, live in our homes, deliver goods … Continue reading “Five Unlikely Competitors in the Race for Driverless Cars: Slideshow”

Bitcoin at Rodeo Houston, TurnKey Gets $31M, SXSW & More TX Tech

Here are some innovation tidbits from around the state: —Cryptocurrency seems to be everywhere, so maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised to see a “Bitcoin Accepted” sign at a food concession at Rodeo Houston this week (picture to the right.) Mark Zable, owner of Finer Diner, says he’s been into bitcoin the last couple of … Continue reading “Bitcoin at Rodeo Houston, TurnKey Gets $31M, SXSW & More TX Tech”

Bio Roundup: DIY Biohacking, PCSK9 Data, Solid Setback & More

Drug prices are top of mind for many patients. Some of them have to cut back on basic needs just to pay for treatments that seem to rise in price each year. That made a recent announcement by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals particularly unusual. The Tarrytown, NY, drugmaker plans to cut the price of its cholesterol-lowering drug … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: DIY Biohacking, PCSK9 Data, Solid Setback & More”

Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence

Voice recognition lets people benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) almost without a second thought – and this technology is increasingly popular. Amazon had record sales of its Alexa device last year, with millions sold over the holiday season. Google reports that since last October, it has sold at least one Google Home smart speaker every … Continue reading “Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence”

Inclusion Gets Real: A New Level of Diversity Discourse at SXSW

Austin—There’s no question that humans have plenty of biases that carry on from generation to generation, from sexism to racism to homophobia. Those problems have carried over to machines, too—bias in the data fed to computer algorithms is an issue that comes up often. Former Stanford computer science professor Daphne Koller recalled an anecdote she … Continue reading “Inclusion Gets Real: A New Level of Diversity Discourse at SXSW”

Xconomy’s Napa Summit Is June 14-15: Request Your Invite Today!

Year after year, Xconomy has gathered exemplary business leaders, investors, and far-seeing technologists to our most prestigious event—The Napa Summit. This year is no different. Come join us in the heart of wine country on June 14 and 15 to listen to visionary speakers and connect with fellow innovators. The Napa Summit is by invitation-only, … Continue reading “Xconomy’s Napa Summit Is June 14-15: Request Your Invite Today!”

Walmart Expands Same-Day Delivery, Looks to Match Amazon

At the National Retail Federation’s annual conference in January, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon called the Arkansas-based, big-box retailer a technology company. On Wednesday, Walmart (NYSE: [[ticker:WMT]]) moved to make that assertion more of a reality: upping the number of cities where it provides same-day delivery to 100 cities from six—serving about 40 percent of American households … Continue reading “Walmart Expands Same-Day Delivery, Looks to Match Amazon”

Proxima Aims to Fill CRO Gap for Houston’s Growing Biotech Community

Houston—Medical research is big business in Houston, but life science companies sometimes find they’re missing out on the clinical trial services typically provided by contract research organizations (CROs). Proxima Clinical Research wants to fill that gap, and the new company plans a more customer-focused approach to do it. “We plan to implement ‘agile development’ into … Continue reading “Proxima Aims to Fill CRO Gap for Houston’s Growing Biotech Community”

Geekdom and Alamo Angels Offer “Pre-Accelerator” to Local Startups

San Antonio—Co-working space Geekdom and angel network Alamo Angels are launching a “pre-accelerator” program that gives mentorship and advice to San Antonio startups, which the organizations hope will help position young businesses to be accepted into accelerator programs or attract early stage investments. Startups don’t have to pay to participate in the program, which is … Continue reading “Geekdom and Alamo Angels Offer “Pre-Accelerator” to Local Startups”

Kitty Hawk Who? Uber’s Best-Laid Plans for Flying Cars, Air Travel

If all goes as planned for Uber, and the company launches an air-transportation service in 2020, it will need to hire a lot of pilots. Exactly how many is a little unclear: One of the executives leading Uber’s effort to apply its ride-sharing model to air travel contended during a panel at South by Southwest … Continue reading “Kitty Hawk Who? Uber’s Best-Laid Plans for Flying Cars, Air Travel”

DraftKings CEO on Failed Merger, IPO Plans, Sports Betting Prospects

DraftKings has been busy since its proposed merger with FanDuel was scrapped last summer, after the two daily fantasy sports rivals decided not to fight a federal agency’s antitrust challenge to the deal. Boston-based DraftKings has since made a series of small moves to expand its business beyond its core paid daily fantasy sports contests. … Continue reading “DraftKings CEO on Failed Merger, IPO Plans, Sports Betting Prospects”

No Self-Editing: Biohacker Josiah Zayner Can’t Stop Living Out Loud

Gene editing has arrived. Of the various forms of the technology, CRISPR-Cas9 is the easiest to use, and it’s already showing up in summer camps and school science labs near you. That would be middle schools. When everyone can edit an organism’s genes, how will the world change? Should we be worried? National security officials … Continue reading “No Self-Editing: Biohacker Josiah Zayner Can’t Stop Living Out Loud”

Too Many Venture Capital Cooks in the Kitchen?

At Correlation Ventures, we spend a fair amount of time using our proprietary database to identify the telltale signs of successful startups. One question we asked recently is whether there are diminishing returns for adding VCs to the board of directors at venture-backed startups. Many of us have seen highly effective boards where experienced and … Continue reading “Too Many Venture Capital Cooks in the Kitchen?”

A.I. Is Advanced, But Decades From Singularity and Elon Musk’s Fears

Austin—The future of artificial intelligence and its applications for businesses, consumers, and life in general remain murky. Last year at South by Southwest, prognosticator Ray Kurzweil discussed his prediction that A.I. would have human-level intelligence by 2029. This year, Adam Cheyer, the co-founder of Siri, said he thinks it’ll take a bit longer. “In my … Continue reading “A.I. Is Advanced, But Decades From Singularity and Elon Musk’s Fears”

The Minority Venture Capital Opportunity

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the historic billion-dollar leveraged buyout of Beatrice Foods, put together by African-American business pioneer Reginald Lewis. As recently profiled in the PBS Documentary “Reginald Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire,” Lewis was a business icon who paved the way for minority investors to ascend to … Continue reading “The Minority Venture Capital Opportunity”

NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW

Houston—Artificial intelligence is being used to attempt to disrupt industries across the economy, but can the technology innovate how innovation itself is discovered and promoted? That’s the premise of CHIP, the Collaborative Health Innovation Platform, unveiled Sunday at South By Southwest in Austin, TX. By combining data about startups, the technologies they are working on, and … Continue reading “NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW”

Despite Pharma Ties, Some Patient Groups Protest High Drug Prices

For 20 years, Deborah Long (pictured) has been relying on powerful drugs to keep her multiple sclerosis in check. Her out-of-pocket costs were pretty reasonable until two years ago, she says, when she had to switch insurance companies. Her new insurer made her switch to a different drug, Copaxone. When she tried to fill the … Continue reading “Despite Pharma Ties, Some Patient Groups Protest High Drug Prices”

Regeneron to Slash Price of Cholesterol Drug After Showing It Saved Lives

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and partner Sanofi report new data this morning from a large, highly-anticipated trial suggesting that their drug alirocumab (Praluent) may reduce the risk of death for people with high cholesterol who have recently suffered heart attacks or strokes and are at risk of having another one or dying. And in an unusual move, Regeneron—based … Continue reading “Regeneron to Slash Price of Cholesterol Drug After Showing It Saved Lives”

Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon

[Updated 3/13/18 1:07 pm. See below.] If a shopper interacts with technology in a typical grocery store, it’s usually at the very end—as they are paying for their items. That could be about to change, though. “Scanning loyalty cards at checkout is a lost opportunity,” says Eliahu Sussman, marketing manager at Aila Technologies, a Boston-area maker … Continue reading “Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon”

Bio Roundup: Trump Health, Cholesterol Wars, 23andMe OK & More

Trump administration health officials were out on the stump this week, talking tough about drug prices and healthcare value, encouraging the private sector to take the lead but letting everyone know the federal government is willing to push. In the debate over high drug prices, arguably no class of drug has been punished more by … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump Health, Cholesterol Wars, 23andMe OK & More”

Before SXSW, Austin Tech Startups Tout Funds for Share of Spotlight

Austin—Besides drawing countless entrepreneurs to Austin every year, the days before South by Southwest also seems to be a time of startups making venture funding announcements, particularly those from Austin-based companies looking to make a name at the conference. The largest deal announced so far in the days before SXSW has been a $40 million … Continue reading “Before SXSW, Austin Tech Startups Tout Funds for Share of Spotlight”

EPIcenter Focuses on Technology for Disaster Recovery With May Event

San Antonio—An organization focused on promoting energy businesses and innovation in San Antonio is taking a unique angle for the topic of a summit it is hosting in May: technologies that can help the recovery process from disasters, such as hurricanes or even cyber attacks. EPIcenter, which is redeveloping a 108-year-old power plant into a … Continue reading “EPIcenter Focuses on Technology for Disaster Recovery With May Event”

Five Questions For: Melinda Richter, Global Head at JLabs

Healthcare innovation is very personal for Melinda Richter. She was an ambitious 26-year-old, posted by a global telecom company to Beijing as part of its fast-track leadership program. “I had the express intent of being president one day,” she says. “I thought I had the world by the tail.” But during a walk in the … Continue reading “Five Questions For: Melinda Richter, Global Head at JLabs”

TX Tech: Phunware Goes Public, Biden at SXSW, BioHouston, & More

Let’s start off the week with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Phunware, an Austin, TX-based software maker, plans to go public following a merger with Stellar Acquisition III, based in Athens, Greece. The deal, which the company said is structured as a reverse merger, is expected to close by the end of June. … Continue reading “TX Tech: Phunware Goes Public, Biden at SXSW, BioHouston, & More”

Fasten Ends Ride-Hailing Service in Boston & Austin After Sale

[Corrected 3/3/18, 10:41 am. See below.] Fasten said its U.S. ride-hailing service will shut down Monday after the startup agreed to be acquired by Russia-based transportation network operator Vezet Group. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. Boston-based Fasten had raised nearly $20 million in equity, debt financing, and other securities, according to SEC filings. Its investors … Continue reading “Fasten Ends Ride-Hailing Service in Boston & Austin After Sale”

Walmart Unveils “Intelligent Food” System to Keep Produce Fresh

Food spoilage can cost big retailers like Walmart billions in losses. Now, the Arkansas-based giant says it has filed two patents on technology that can digitize the current inspection process for perishable goods. Called Eden, the initiative is in its early stages, but the idea is to use artificial intelligence and cameras to create a … Continue reading “Walmart Unveils “Intelligent Food” System to Keep Produce Fresh”

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall: How Does This Dress Look in Green?

These days, it’s not just Snow White’s stepmother who has a mirror that talks back. Thanks to augmented reality, Internet of Things, and data analytics technologies, more of us might be confronted with so-called “smart mirrors” the next time we try on clothes or accessories in a store. While mirrors are typically static pieces of … Continue reading “Mirror, Mirror On the Wall: How Does This Dress Look in Green?”

Bio Roundup: Funding Frenzy, Opioid Summit, Celgene Woes & More

Biotech startups rolled in cash this week. By our count, investors put more than $800 million into life-sciences startups in four days. The money came from a wide range of backers, not just traditional biotech venture firms. It’s early yet in 2018, but the current count could put life-sciences companies on pace to bust past … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Funding Frenzy, Opioid Summit, Celgene Woes & More”

India’s Wipro Buys Small Stake in Denim For App Security Business

San Antonio—An Indian tech company is paying $8.83 million to acquire a 33.3 percent stake in San Antonio-based Denim Group, a cybersecurity software development and consulting firm. Wipro, a global IT business based in Bangalore, India, that’s traded on public exchanges in both the U.S. and India, was interested in Denim Group in part because … Continue reading “India’s Wipro Buys Small Stake in Denim For App Security Business”

Securing the Door: Amazon Buys Connected Doorbell Maker Ring

Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) has acquired smart-doorbell security system maker Ring as the company seeks to expand its home-security business. The purchase was first reported by Geekwire, which cited a separate report from Reuters that the deal is valued at about $1 billion. That would make Amazon’s purchase of Ring the third largest in the Seattle e-commerce … Continue reading “Securing the Door: Amazon Buys Connected Doorbell Maker Ring”