San Antonio — [Corrected 6/30/16, 9:52 a.m. See below.] The San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, one of several organizations working to promote business development in the Alamo City, has hired a new president and CEO: Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, an executive at the city-owned gas and electric utility CPS Energy. The foundation, a nonprofit, works with city … Continue reading “San Antonio Economic Foundation Targets Youth with New CEO Hire”
Category: Texas
No Stairway (Infringement) and the Importance of Shared Design Tools in Innovation
Led Zeppelin just won a major copyright case defending against infringement claims from the estate of Randy California—songwriter for the band Spirit. At first listen, the opening guitar part of Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven does sound a lot like California’s guitar part in the middle of Taurus. But as I explain in a longer blog … Continue reading “No Stairway (Infringement) and the Importance of Shared Design Tools in Innovation”
Houston Health IT Startups Part of Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative
Houston—Two Houston health IT startups are among the private companies enlisted by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in his national cancer moonshot initiative, designed to speed up efforts that could cure cancer. DocGraph and CareSet Systems, both based in Houston, are developing a cancer dataset that would contain summarized information on nearly a million Medicare … Continue reading “Houston Health IT Startups Part of Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative”
Startup M&A: Why a Letter of Intent Deserves Your Full Attention
You might know it as a letter of intent or a term sheet. Maybe you’ve heard it referred to as an MOU, or memorandum of understanding. Whatever you call it, this document of about five pages is a summary of the terms of a deal the parties hope to close down the line. If buyers … Continue reading “Startup M&A: Why a Letter of Intent Deserves Your Full Attention”
Executive Reshuffling at Dallas’s Tech Wildcatters Startup Accelerator
Dallas—With the dismissal of two top executives from Dallas’s Tech Wildcatters, the startup accelerator has made a deep pivot in operations since its founding seven years ago. Molly Cain, TW’s executive director, and Clarisa Lindenmeyer, chief revenue officer, were both let go from their positions last week in what co-founder Gabriella Draney Zielke calls a … Continue reading “Executive Reshuffling at Dallas’s Tech Wildcatters Startup Accelerator”
Brexit and the Impact in the London Startup Industry
Editor’s note: Xconomy invited Marcelo Calbucci, a Seattle serial entrepreneur and startup stalwart who just announced plans to move with his family to London, to reflect on the Brexit vote. No, the skies are not falling. The U.K. vote to exit the European Union has passed, and there is an enormous amount of uncertainty right … Continue reading “Brexit and the Impact in the London Startup Industry”
Roundup: Build Sec Foundry, Tech Bloc, UT’s Goonewardene, & SiNode
Happy Monday from Xconomy Texas. Let’s get caught up on the latest innovation news in the state. —A new incubator in San Antonio aims to nurture young startups in cybersecurity. Build Sec Foundry will be hosted at Geekdom and has received a $600,000 grant from the 80/20 Foundation, a San Antonio group that invests in … Continue reading “Roundup: Build Sec Foundry, Tech Bloc, UT’s Goonewardene, & SiNode”
San Antonio Cybersecurity Incubator Sprouts From Grassroots Effort
San Antonio—Starting a business is no small feat, especially if you’re doing it for the first time, given the seemingly endless list of questions to answer about a business model. The toughest question: Who do I ask for help? That’s part of the thinking behind the creation of a new cybersecurity incubator founded this week … Continue reading “San Antonio Cybersecurity Incubator Sprouts From Grassroots Effort”
Biotech Roundup: CRISPR’s 1st Trial, IPO Insiders, Zika & More
It’s a week for the history books. The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union last night, triggering worldwide financial fears and, perhaps, a breakup of the U.K. itself. Closer to home, Cleveland (pictured) celebrated LeBron James & the Cavaliers’ historic comeback that brought the city its first sports title in over 50 years. … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: CRISPR’s 1st Trial, IPO Insiders, Zika & More”
Google Fiber Buys Webpass in Wireless Internet Land Grab
Google Fiber plans to acquire Webpass in a deal that trims the ranks of independent Internet service providers—an industry already maligned for its lack of competition—but ultimately could boost consumer access to high-speed Internet. San Francisco-based Webpass has spent the past 13 years working to bring ultra-fast wireless Internet access to homes (primarily large apartment … Continue reading “Google Fiber Buys Webpass in Wireless Internet Land Grab”
With Tech Charter School, San Antonio Groups Aim to Boost Workforce
San Antonio—For many startups, finding the right people is at least as important as developing the right idea. The sooner you build out a talented staff, the sooner you can implement your plan. In San Antonio, city leaders, a local grocery store chain, and an industry-focused nonprofit are taking that concept to a new level … Continue reading “With Tech Charter School, San Antonio Groups Aim to Boost Workforce”
The Evolution of the App Stores
In many ways, Apple and Google are following similar paths. At their annual developer conferences, Google I/O, held last month, and Apple’s WWDC, last week they both announced updates to their development platforms. Google is making major improvements to Android Studio, while Apple is continuing to invest in Swift and announced Playgrounds, an exciting new … Continue reading “The Evolution of the App Stores”
PediaQ Secures $4,500,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a302e6c1-254e-4edc-8f66-649849e10127 Date 6/23/2016 Company Name PediaQ Mailing Address 17101 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75248 USA Company Description PediaQ represents an evolution in the way personal pediatric healthcare is delivered. By effortlessly connecting parents of sick children to the highest quality nurse practitioners, the access to high quality care becomes seamless, dependable, convenient, … Continue reading “PediaQ Secures $4,500,000 New Funding”
LightCyber Reaps $20M To Advance Its Cyberattack Detection Services
LightCyber, a cybersecurity company that specializes in detecting hackers once they’ve breached the outer defenses of a data network, announced today it raised $20 million in a Series B financing round. The venture round was led by Claltech, an Israeli division of New York-based global investment group Access Industries, and veteran security entrepreneur and investor … Continue reading “LightCyber Reaps $20M To Advance Its Cyberattack Detection Services”
Radicle Accelerator Fund Launches to Nurture AgTech Innovation
Radicle, a new accelerator fund focused on agricultural ventures, is launching today with plans to seed and nurture the next generation of agtech companies addressing global farming problems. The new accelerator will have locations in multiple states and around the world. Radicle, which takes its name from the botany term for the part of a … Continue reading “Radicle Accelerator Fund Launches to Nurture AgTech Innovation”
UT System’s Goonewardene: “Our Objective is to Be a Long-term Partner”
Austin—Julie Goonewardene grew up in academia; several members of her family are professors. Still, at the start her of career, Goonewardene choose to go into business, founding a software company in Indiana and serving in the executive suite at others. In 2005, she became director of business development at Purdue University’s Purdue Research Foundation and … Continue reading “UT System’s Goonewardene: “Our Objective is to Be a Long-term Partner””
Federal Oversight Group Has Complaints But Says Yes To CRISPR Trial
[Updated, 6/21/16, 5:40pm. See below.] Despite worries about conflict of interest, a National Institutes of Health committee that oversees the use of gene therapy and other cutting edge biomedical technologies voted today to let researchers move ahead with a landmark clinical trial. Depending on timing, it could be the first to use the gene editing … Continue reading “Federal Oversight Group Has Complaints But Says Yes To CRISPR Trial”
Texas Roundup: Innovative Cities, Launches, & Deals, Deals, Deals!
Beat from the Texas heat? Try to cool down inside while catching up on some headlines from Xconomy Texas this month. But be careful: It’s acquisition season, and deal-making has been hot. —Austin’s Savara Pharmaceuticals is buying two inhalable drugs in its acquisition of Danish drug developer Serendex Pharmaceuticals, which delisted from the Oslo Stock … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Innovative Cities, Launches, & Deals, Deals, Deals!”
Inhaled-Drug Maker Savara Buys European Biotech With Two Candidates
Austin—Savara Pharmaceuticals, a privately held drug developer with an inhaled formulation of an antibiotic for a type of lung infection, is announcing today that it is acquiring two new drug programs. The Austin, TX-based company also is seeking new funding that could precede an initial public offering. “Now that we have multiple products in the … Continue reading “Inhaled-Drug Maker Savara Buys European Biotech With Two Candidates”
Mobile Real Estate Platform Developer Real Moves from Houston to NY
Things literally just got real in New York. Real, a digital mobile real estate brokerage that got its start in Houston, recently relocated its headquarters to the Flatiron District. CEO Tamir Poleg says via e-mail that the startup’s platform is aimed at independent, licensed residential real estate agents to help them manage leads and other services for … Continue reading “Mobile Real Estate Platform Developer Real Moves from Houston to NY”
NSS Labs Obtains $16,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c2361bfb-9a37-4b95-8500-ccbb2e85238b Date 6/20/2016 Company Name NSS Labs Mailing Address 206 Wild Basin Road Building A Austin, TX 78746 USA Company Description NSS Labs, Inc. is the world’s leading information security research and advisory company, with unparalleled expertise in the complex aspects of information security across a wide range of technologies. CEOs, CIOs, … Continue reading “NSS Labs Obtains $16,000,000 New Funding”
Biotech Roundup: Kadmon Debt, Hemo Data, Loose Lips & More
Familiar biotech names—not necessarily familiar for the right reasons—made news this week in biotech. Data from a hematology conference stoked dreams of approval, though still on a far horizon, for a couple drug makers. Long anticipated, Walgreens officially cut ties with Theranos, and the FDA both gave and denied approvals. You think a Game 7 … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Kadmon Debt, Hemo Data, Loose Lips & More”
One Solstice Raises $450K to Match Musicians and Concert Venues
Among other things, Austin, TX, is famous for its live music scene and yearly festivals, including South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. A lesser-known annual gathering in Austin that has nonetheless gained traction since it was first held in 2014 is Solstice Festival, which will take place this weekend at venues throughout the city. Since … Continue reading “One Solstice Raises $450K to Match Musicians and Concert Venues”
Data Tracker and Analytics Provider Umbel Buys Lodestone
Austin — Data analytics is all but ubiquitous in most startup businesses—at that, most businesses in general at least try some sort of analytics in hopes of boosting revenues by tracking customers’ buying habits and interests. Umbel, a six-year-old Austin, TX-based startup, has built software that aims to integrate all of the various data points … Continue reading “Data Tracker and Analytics Provider Umbel Buys Lodestone”
Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective
People start a business for many reasons. Some do it out of sheer passion, while others do it to create wealth and economic growth. Yet, underlying it all is a willingness to take risks. Entrepreneurs and established companies make risky decisions every day in the hope that those risks will translate into better opportunities, better … Continue reading “Balancing Risks and Opportunities: The Board’s Perspective”
Five Questions For … Surgeon, Inventor, Musician William Cohn
Houston—Innovators tend to be polymaths, standouts at a lot of different activities. Houston heart surgeon William “Billy” Cohn exceeds even that broad definition. By day, Cohn is a Texas Medical Center fixture, caring for patients or tinkering on his never-ending list of medical device ideas. He has more than 90 U.S. patents granted or pending … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Surgeon, Inventor, Musician William Cohn”
Dallas’s Muse Sells Architel to Houston IT Firm, Launches Sumo Ventures
Dallas—Centre Technologies of Houston has bought Dallas-based Architel, and Architel co-founder Alexander Muse says he now is launching a new early stage investment fund called Sumo Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Centre Technologies, founded in 2006, is a privately owned company that provides IT infrastructure for businesses of all sizes in Texas … Continue reading “Dallas’s Muse Sells Architel to Houston IT Firm, Launches Sumo Ventures”
San Antonio’s Infocyte Takes Cybersecurity Threat Hunting to Linux
San Antonio — For any modern company, it’s always possible that some hacker has breached its security network, and is waiting to mine private information or steal other data. The fear is more prevalent today than ever as stories of security breaches range from Sony to Zuckerberg. That type of thinking has sparked a cybersecurity … Continue reading “San Antonio’s Infocyte Takes Cybersecurity Threat Hunting to Linux”
Fixd Repair Receives $1,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5600c73e-340d-41ae-a37b-0bd8e14d07af Date 6/13/2016 Company Name Fixd Repair Mailing Address Undisclosed Dallas, TX 75205 USA Company Description Fixd is an innovative mobile application and home warranty solution that is transforming the way homeowners file warranty claims, connect with service professionals, and schedule non-warranty home services. Fixd leverages modern technology to provide a superior … Continue reading “Fixd Repair Receives $1,000,000 New Round”
Aunt Bertha Secures $5,000,000 Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=df6c5a37-5403-474b-b95a-6ad604602fe4 Date 6/13/2016 Company Name Aunt Bertha Mailing Address 3616 Far West Boulevard Austin, TX 78731 USA Company Description Aunt Bertha is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Austin, TX. Our mission is to make human services information accessible to people and programs. Find social services that serve your area, anywhere in … Continue reading “Aunt Bertha Secures $5,000,000 Series B Round”
Techstars Mobility Announces 2016 Class for Summer Accelerator
The Techstars Mobility accelerator, operating out of a 10,000-square-foot office in downtown Detroit, will welcome its 2016 class of startups on Monday. Twelve teams chosen from nearly 500 applicants will spend the summer developing “transportation solutions aligned with Ford Smart Mobility, the [automaker’s] plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, customer experience, … Continue reading “Techstars Mobility Announces 2016 Class for Summer Accelerator”
How to Drive a More Innovative, Creative Business Class in Houston
Houston—A truly innovative city takes its gifts and constantly looks to reinvent itself, fighting against complacency that can take hold of a community. That was the gist of a recent panel discussion that brought together an assortment of Houston innovators from technology to the culinary arts. “We have these opportunities and gifts,” said Kirk Coburn, founder … Continue reading “How to Drive a More Innovative, Creative Business Class in Houston”
Biotech Roundup: ASCO, BIO, Drug Setbacks, Incubators & More
If you blinked, you probably missed something this week in biotech. The nation’s biggest annual cancer meeting took place in Chicago, while biotech’s trade group held its annual confab in San Francisco. In Boston, there were more twists for a closely watched Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug and a setback for a high-profile drug for multiple … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: ASCO, BIO, Drug Setbacks, Incubators & More”
LoftSmart Lands $100,000 Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3aa33daa-c2b3-4057-bab1-6dbf0953ad7b Date 6/10/2016 Company Name LoftSmart Mailing Address 600 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description LoftSmart – A reviews site and online marketplace that connects college students or their families with providers of mostly non-dormitory student housing in major college towns. Website http://www.loftsmart.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $100,000 Transaction … Continue reading “LoftSmart Lands $100,000 Seed Financing”
Accelergy Receives $999,968 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7b438738-01ad-4567-8429-b5723be6f69d Date 6/10/2016 Company Name Accelergy Mailing Address 516 West 9th Street Houston, TX 77007 USA Company Description Accelergy Corporation is a research and development company that works closely with our customers to develop comprehensive research programs to accelerate innovation and commercialization of advanced materials in the energy markets. Website http://www.accelergy.com Transaction … Continue reading “Accelergy Receives $999,968 New Funding Round”
San Antonio’s Incell, Belgian Investor Hatch JV for Bio Products
San Antonio — [Corrected 6/10/16, 11:10 a.m. See Below.] Incell, a contract manufacturer for the biotech industry for two decades, is starting a new business with a Belgian investor. Its purpose: to potentially produce a slew of spin-offs. Called BioTurnKey, the new business is a joint venture between Incell and Wisetree Invest, a Belgian firm that … Continue reading “San Antonio’s Incell, Belgian Investor Hatch JV for Bio Products”
ResMan Lands New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=44a90877-c9af-45e0-9274-3acaca16d0fb Date 6/9/2016 Company Name ResMan Mailing Address 4965 Preston Park Blvd. Plano, TX 75093 USA Company Description ResMan was designed and built by active multifamily professionals who understand the unique challenges you face on a daily basis. The developers and designers of ResMan are experienced property managers with “boots on the … Continue reading “ResMan Lands New Financing Round”
ePatientFinder Secures $8,200,000 Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=944ffff1-20e5-4330-b91f-ba114d6070c5 Date 6/9/2016 Company Name ePatientFinder Mailing Address 9433 Bee Cave Road Austin, TX 78733 USA Company Description ePatientFinder uses analytics technology to connect patients with cutting edge treatments which are recently approved by the FDA or still in clinical trials. We have a network of physicians who use our web app … Continue reading “ePatientFinder Secures $8,200,000 Series B Round”
Cloud Therapy Uses Watson to Help Doctors, Pharma With Diagnoses
San Antonio — Andre Sandoval was born with a rare genetic condition. It was five months before his physician delivered a definitive diagnosis: he had a derivative of symphalangism, a stiffness of the hand caused when some of the finger joints are fused together. For Sandoval, a recent graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, … Continue reading “Cloud Therapy Uses Watson to Help Doctors, Pharma With Diagnoses”
AT&T Formally Launches a Biotech-Focused Foundry at TMC in Houston
Houston—AT&T’s latest Foundry, an in-house corporate skunkworks, officially opened at the Texas Medical Center’s Innovation Institute Tuesday. The ribbon-cutting marked the second outside company to establish a presence at the TMC campus. Earlier this year in March, JNJ Innovation’s JLabs opened a Houston outpost with 21 resident companies, a medical device prototype lab, and a … Continue reading “AT&T Formally Launches a Biotech-Focused Foundry at TMC in Houston”
How to Make Healthcare Better? Make It Easy
There’s an “easy button” in the hospital that I press a hundred times every day. With each press, I make myself a better doctor. It’s not a button on a computer. It’s not electronic at all. It’s a hand sanitizer. A decade or two ago, hospital handwashing compliance rates were in the single digits because … Continue reading “How to Make Healthcare Better? Make It Easy”
Buzz Points Obtains $1,861,861 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=391fccf5-439b-4507-a1d2-6b0cc0deed83 Date 6/8/2016 Company Name Buzz Points Mailing Address 3815 South Capital of Texas Highway Austin, TX 78704 USA Company Description Buzz Points is an innovative rewards program that rewards consumers for choosing local businesses over national chains, and for banking with a local community bank or credit union. The localized rewards … Continue reading “Buzz Points Obtains $1,861,861 New Financing Round”
ViZn Energy Lands $1,070,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c097a41b-b805-4e3c-a35b-f12c1503c496 Date 6/8/2016 Company Name ViZn Energy Mailing Address 7000 North Mopac Expressway Austin, TX 78731 USA Company Description ViZn Energy Systems provides micro-grid scale energy storage solutions to operators of utilities, thin-grids and island grids that have a significant renewable energy production component. Our products deliver a uniquely safe, reliable and … Continue reading “ViZn Energy Lands $1,070,000 New Round”
Spine Medical Device Firm LDR Holdings Bought by Zimmer Biomet for $1B
Austin—Medical device company LDR Holdings (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LDRH]]) has been acquired for about $1 billion in cash by fellow device manufacturer Zimmer Biomet (NYSE: [[ticker:ZBH]]). Zimmer’s offer to pay $37 a share represents a 64 percent premium to LDR’s closing price on Monday. Zimmer, which is based in Warsaw, IN, picked up LDR to add the … Continue reading “Spine Medical Device Firm LDR Holdings Bought by Zimmer Biomet for $1B”
Tour of Texas: Querium, Spredfast, Valify, TMCx, SWRI, StemBioSys
Let’s get caught up with the latest innovation news in Texas. Austin: —Austin edtech startup Querium received an early-stage bridge funding round from the University of Michigan’s student-run Social Venture Fund. Querium uses artificial intelligence to provide students step-by-step coaching in STEM courses. —Social media marketing company Spredfast raised $50 million, bringing its total to … Continue reading “Tour of Texas: Querium, Spredfast, Valify, TMCx, SWRI, StemBioSys”
Social Service Database Aunt Bertha Gets $5M From Techstars Ventures
Austin — Aunt Bertha, an Austin, TX, company with a searchable database of social services providers, has raised a $5 million round of Series B funding led by Techstars Ventures as it builds an index of health and human services programs available in cities across the U.S. The company’s website lets users search for any … Continue reading “Social Service Database Aunt Bertha Gets $5M From Techstars Ventures”
San Diego’s KnuEdge, Stealthy Since 2005, Unveils Neural Tech
After operating in the shadows for the past 11 years, a San Diego neural technology company founded by former NASA administrator Dan Goldin is stepping into the light to introduce two commercial products intended to advance the frontier of human-machine interaction. In a statement released yesterday, Goldin said the company founded in 2005 as Intellisis … Continue reading “San Diego’s KnuEdge, Stealthy Since 2005, Unveils Neural Tech”
Restore Cryotherapy Garners $1,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=060c3b3b-f2b2-422b-8533-bab1a5d7ffde Date 6/7/2016 Company Name Restore Cryotherapy Mailing Address 4301 W William Cannon Dr. Austin, TX 78749 USA Company Description Try Restore Cryotherapy and experience an endorphin rush, reduced pain, tighter skin, and potentially some weight loss due to a 500-800 calorie burn after each session. Athletes are using Cryotherapy to reduce … Continue reading “Restore Cryotherapy Garners $1,000,000 New Funding Round”
Valify Receives $2,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bc43cbed-bbbd-4471-85f0-bf5a021f39ab Date 6/7/2016 Company Name Valify Mailing Address 6170 Research Road Frisco, TX 75033 USA Company Description Valify is the only web-based solution that allows healthcare organizations to quickly identify, benchmark and track savings in purchased services, mitigate financial risk and reduce the overall cost of operations. Website http://www.getvalify.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Valify Receives $2,000,000 Series A Funding”
Valify Raises $2M, Aims to Make Hospital Systems More Efficient
Dallas—Hospital systems are complex, with thousands of vendors helping to keep things working so healthcare providers can tend to sick patients. Valify, a Dallas-area startup, wants to use software and analytics to help hospitals better track the vendors they use and how much they are paying—and see how that stacks up against their peer institutions. … Continue reading “Valify Raises $2M, Aims to Make Hospital Systems More Efficient”