Even as the organizers of the South By Southwest Interactive festival announced Friday a daylong panel on online harassment to take place at next year’s event, a few of those panelists involved said they had not confirmed that they would, in fact, come to the Austin conference. Panelists on “Level Up: Overcoming Harassment in Games” … Continue reading “SXSW Faces More Controversy Over Online Harassment Panel Fracas”
Category: Texas
What’s Next for Storage?
The evolution of business technology is constant, but not uniform. Sometimes the changes are revolutionary, such as the word processor replacing the typewriter or the 1991 debut of the World Wide Web. Other changes are iterative, such as new versions of word processing software or Web browsers. After decades of only experiencing iterative changes, the … Continue reading “What’s Next for Storage?”
HelpSocial Secures $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9b6272dc-dfcf-4509-8446-69a426c07b10 Date 11/2/2015 Company Name HelpSocial Mailing Address 110 E. Houston St. 7th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 USA Company Description We started years ago as employees at Rackspace Hosting. We wanted a tool that could help us serve our customers in social media but the available options were too limited. The … Continue reading “HelpSocial Secures $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Slash Sensei Lands $118,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e2ad7c04-f1e4-4912-9048-85cbb24cbac5 Date 11/2/2015 Company Name Slash Sensei Mailing Address 110 E Houston 7th floor San Antonio, TX 78205 USA Company Description SlashSensei, is a self-paced, & 100% hands-on Training-as-a-Service (TaaS) platform that utilizes an AI Training Bot to provide realtime guidance for users as they walk through the course material. Website http://www.slashsensei.com … Continue reading “Slash Sensei Lands $118,000 Seed Funding”
HuBoard Garners $118,000 Seed Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0bd91031-6b5d-434e-8252-a1ea81998ee9 Date 11/2/2015 Company Name HuBoard Mailing Address Undisclosed Austin, TX 73301 USA Company Description HuBoard is GitHub issues made awesome. A simple, lightweight project management tool that lets teams focus on what’s important. HuBoard is built from the ground up using the GitHub public API. HuBoard issues are GitHub issues, you … Continue reading “HuBoard Garners $118,000 Seed Funding”
Popily Obtains $118,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=98d7bcb4-ea07-4107-9434-a8162d8a2c1c Date 11/2/2015 Company Name Popily Mailing Address Undisclosed Austin, TX 45212 USA Company Description All data has stories to tell. Explore your data in minutes and discover the insights you need simply and quickly — no code, no statistics, no spreadsheet wrangling. Popily is for everyone. It’s easy, fun, and a … Continue reading “Popily Obtains $118,000 Seed Funding Round”
Clyp Receives $118,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dbf7485b-2001-40c1-b37e-d50f0d6db6e2 Date 11/2/2015 Company Name Clyp Mailing Address Undisclosed Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description Introducing the easiest way to share audio. Record or upload your favorite sounds and we give you a short link to share with your friends. Website http://www.clyp.it Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $118,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds … Continue reading “Clyp Receives $118,000 Seed Round”
At Long Last, SEC Provides Final Equity Crowdfunding Rules
[Corrected 11/2/15, 12:30 pm. See below.] Mom and Pop, you can now buy shares in the bakery down the street, or in your son’s girlfriend’s sister’s tech startup. That, in effect, was the message the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sent today, voting to give retail investors the right to buy shares in tiny private … Continue reading “At Long Last, SEC Provides Final Equity Crowdfunding Rules”
Responding to the Crowd: SXSW to Host Summit on Online Harassment
South By Southwest Interactive Festival director Hugh Forrest said Friday the organization “made a mistake” canceling two panels related to the online and gaming environment, saying doing so “sent an unintended message that SXSW not only tolerates online harassment but condones it.” Instead, Forrest said SXSW will host a daylong summit March 12, which will … Continue reading “Responding to the Crowd: SXSW to Host Summit on Online Harassment”
Austin’s TrendKite Raises $10.7M to Support PR Software Development
For Erik Huddleston, organic media mentions are like the dark matter of the marketing universe. “Every corner of marketing has a robust (software) stack but PR doesn’t,” says Huddleston, CEO of Austin, TX-based TrendKite, which makes public-relations software. “Because there is no robust execution and analytics software, it’s been hard to quantify the impact that … Continue reading “Austin’s TrendKite Raises $10.7M to Support PR Software Development”
TrendKite Secures $10,700,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b57b39a2-71e7-402b-8c1f-27d76e872444 Date 10/30/2015 Company Name TrendKite Mailing Address 800 Brazos St. Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description TrendKite is an Austin, Texas based company that was founded in 2012 with the mission to help organizations better understand what the world thinks of them and react accordingly. Website http://www.trendkite.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “TrendKite Secures $10,700,000 Series C Financing Round”
Edgecase Obtains $7,500,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=959bce67-1bca-4481-9bc9-70ebbdda984f Date 10/29/2015 Company Name Edgecase Mailing Address 1826 Kramer Lane Austin, TX 78758 USA Company Description Our Adaptive Experience platform combines the art of human expression with the science of technology to empower shoppers to think, discover, compare and decide as they do in the real world, using their own words … Continue reading “Edgecase Obtains $7,500,000 New Financing Round”
SXSW Panel Controversy Highlights Free Speech, Diversity Issues in Tech
A decision on Monday by South By Southwest to cancel two panel discussions related to sexism in tech, gaming culture, and the bounds of free expression set the year-long Gamergate controversy newly aflame—and seemed to raise questions about the signature tech festival’s commitment to diversity. That brief announcement said the decision was prompted by threats … Continue reading “SXSW Panel Controversy Highlights Free Speech, Diversity Issues in Tech”
Alafair Biosciences Secures $984,040 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5c2d8e2f-583d-43ba-bdfa-da32f650ee45 Date 10/28/2015 Company Name Alafair Biosciences Mailing Address 3925 W. Braker Lane 3rd Floor Austin, TX 78759 USA Company Description The company has a sponsored research agreement with the University of Texas, and has acquired unlimited, world-wide exclusive rights to the hydrogel platform technology from the University for all fields of … Continue reading “Alafair Biosciences Secures $984,040 New Funding”
Report: Austin’s Startups Need More Homegrown, Later-Stage Capital
Austin may be known as a startup hub, but its homegrown investment scene lags far behind that of the nation’s top technology centers. That’s the conclusion of a report released today by the Austin Technology Council and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. While Austin’s “funding landscape includes a strong representation of seed- and early stage funding … Continue reading “Report: Austin’s Startups Need More Homegrown, Later-Stage Capital”
McGuire, Bosley, Watson, & More at Our Health Summit—Register Today
We have just over three weeks to go before our third annual Healthcare Summit here in Boston. And if you act quickly, you can take advantage of our Procrastinator’s Special and save $100 off regular registration…if you don’t put it off, that is. The agenda is live—and you can see for yourself the fantastic afternoon … Continue reading “McGuire, Bosley, Watson, & More at Our Health Summit—Register Today”
Texas Roundup: Solar Winds, VMware, Procyrion, Houston Tech Center
It was a soggy weekend in Texas, so happy Monday as we get on with the week. Let’s recap the most recent innovation news in the state. —Austin, TX’s Solar Winds was taken private by PE firms Thoma Bravo and Silver Lake Partners. (Two years ago, Silver Lake also took Dell Computer private.) The 16-year-old … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Solar Winds, VMware, Procyrion, Houston Tech Center”
Skills Fund Aims to Be Accreditor, and Creditor for Coding Schools
The creation of Skills Fund, the Austin, TX-based startup that makes loans to people enrolling in coding and Web development bootcamps, started with two ideas. The first is that students should have access to loans that are easy to understand and that state the terms of the loan—such as knowing exactly what interest rate they will … Continue reading “Skills Fund Aims to Be Accreditor, and Creditor for Coding Schools”
Playful Obtains $25,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=075ab78c-2930-4a31-971f-4c64a8b14206 Date 10/23/2015 Company Name Playful Mailing Address Undisclosed McKinney, TX 75069 USA Company Description Playful is a new game development studio in McKinney, TX. Our team has shipped beloved titles such as Words with Friends, the Age of Empires series, Halo Wars, Orcs Must Die! and Hero Academy. Website http://www.playfulcorp.com Transaction … Continue reading “Playful Obtains $25,000,000 New Funding Round”
Dev Bootcamp Adds San Diego Program as Coding Schools Multiply
Dev Bootcamp, a San Francisco-based training program for Web developers, has arrived in San Diego. The three-year-old company is accepting applications for its first 19-week course in downtown San Diego, which begins November 9. The company describes itself as a pioneer of the software coding bootcamp model, intensive programs that teach students the fundamentals of … Continue reading “Dev Bootcamp Adds San Diego Program as Coding Schools Multiply”
Sunnova Energy Garners $300,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0a85e575-8aba-4ce4-89c8-5103bb962c6c Date 10/22/2015 Company Name Sunnova Energy Mailing Address Undisclosed Houston, TX 77046 USA Company Description Sunnova’s mission is to be the most reliable and efficient solar service provider of worry-free, low-cost solar power to homeowners. Pay a low, fixed rate for clean energy. Sunnova takes care of the rest. No maintenance, … Continue reading “Sunnova Energy Garners $300,000,000 New Funding”
SolarWinds Bought for $4.5B in Austin’s Second Megadeal
Austin, TX has attracted attention for its rapid population growth in recent years. But after SolarWinds (NYSE: [[ticker:SWI]]) announced the region’s second multibillion-dollar deal this month, megamergers may be turning into Austin’s calling card. Private equity firms Thoma Bravo and Silver Lake Partners are taking Austin-based SolarWinds private in a deal valued at $4.5 billion. … Continue reading “SolarWinds Bought for $4.5B in Austin’s Second Megadeal”
After EMC News, Michael Dell Plans Boston Home Purchase
A week after Round Rock, TX-based Dell announced it would buy EMC for $67 billion in the largest technology deal in history, founder and CEO Michael Dell says he is making another purchase: a new house in Massachusetts, where EMC is headquartered. Dell told Fortune at the annual Dell World event that he hopes to … Continue reading “After EMC News, Michael Dell Plans Boston Home Purchase”
Redox Nabs East Coast Money to Develop Plug-and-play Healthcare API
Redox, a Madison, WI-based healthtech startup whose software helps other developers integrate with patient record-keeping systems used at hospitals and clinics, has raised $3.5 million in a Series A funding round from East Coast and local investors, the company announced Tuesday. The new financing brings the total amount Redox has raised to about $4 million. … Continue reading “Redox Nabs East Coast Money to Develop Plug-and-play Healthcare API”
What’s Your DNA Worth? The Scramble To Cash In On the Genome
The consumer genome. You’ll hear that phrase enough the next couple years that it will gain both the weight and lightness of inevitability. It will feel inevitable because, as we’ve been hearing for years now, DNA is just another long string of crunchable, malleable, transportable code, so it’s just the next destination for the digital … Continue reading “What’s Your DNA Worth? The Scramble To Cash In On the Genome”
As SEC Mulls Equity Crowdfunding, CA Entrepreneurs Test Other Options
California is one of the dominant U.S. producers of fruits, nuts, vegetables—and tech startups. In the Silicon Valley, the startups sprouting up each season are nurtured by a host of accelerators and incubators as well as VCs and angel investors providing seed funding. That still leaves some startups hungry for cash, but California is not … Continue reading “As SEC Mulls Equity Crowdfunding, CA Entrepreneurs Test Other Options”
To Curb Brain Damage, Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals Energizes Cells
One of the most devastating things about stroke and head trauma is that the damage to the brain often doesn’t end when the initial injury does. Though time really does heal many wounds, brain injuries can get progressively worse in the hours and days after a trauma, as changes in blood flow and other processes … Continue reading “To Curb Brain Damage, Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals Energizes Cells”
Discovery Over Dogma at Today’s Innovative University
There’s a rich and often controversial conversation going on right now about the role that colleges and universities should play in preparing students—and our society—for the future. One of the most provocative voices in this discussion belongs to David Brooks, the always-thoughtful and always sensitive columnist for The New York Times. Recently, Brooks advanced the … Continue reading “Discovery Over Dogma at Today’s Innovative University”
Factom Lands $400,000 Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=555a6e2f-cec0-46e9-82ac-820b57855f72 Date 10/19/2015 Company Name Factom Mailing Address Undisclosed Austin, TX 94107 USA Company Description The Factom genesis block has been generated and Factom has gone into production on September 1st, 2015. Our software is now available for the world at large. Website http://www.factom.org Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $400,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Factom Lands $400,000 Seed Financing”
Biscotti Receives $500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8b313e2e-a0e5-4142-a7c2-ba003c079e32 Date 10/19/2015 Company Name Biscotti Mailing Address 101 E. Park Blvd. Plano, TX 75074 USA Company Description Biscotti Inc. is a consumer electronics company that designs, builds and markets high-definition video calling products for the home. Website http://www.biscotti.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “Biscotti Receives $500,000 New Round”
Retaking Control of the Hotel Digital Experience
The digital entertainment landscape is constantly changing and the rapid adoption of mobile devices coupled with cloud-based platforms has revolutionized how people consume TV. This has led to significant challenges, particularly in the hospitality industry where companies are struggling to adapt to the changing demands of their consumers. But with change comes opportunity. The ability … Continue reading “Retaking Control of the Hotel Digital Experience”
MoneyTree: Energy Investment Falling, While Biotech Climbs in Texas
Low oil prices have taken a hit on the energy innovation scene. According to MoneyTree, investment in energy and industrial deals in Texas for the third quarter of the year have dropped sharply, pointing to year-end numbers for 2015 that would be a fourth of the nearly $400 million invested last year. So far this … Continue reading “MoneyTree: Energy Investment Falling, While Biotech Climbs in Texas”
Q3 Venture Funding Surges Near Record Levels, and Top 10 Deals
Buoyed by some giant deals, venture capital continues to flow at near-record levels in 2015, according to just-released data from two nationwide surveys that track quarterly VC activity. While the $16.3 billion that venture firms put into 1,070 deals in the third quarter was down a notch from the previous quarter, according to the MoneyTree … Continue reading “Q3 Venture Funding Surges Near Record Levels, and Top 10 Deals”
Fresh Off of Dell Deal, VMware Buys Austin E-Mail Startup Boxer
Computing giant VMware has bought e-mail management software developer Boxer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Picking up the Austin, TX-based company will help VMware to offer services that are “consumer simple, enterprise secure,” writes VMware CTO Noah Wasmer on the company’s blog. Palo Alto, CA-based VMware (NYSE: [[ticker:VMW]]) plans to pair Boxer’s services … Continue reading “Fresh Off of Dell Deal, VMware Buys Austin E-Mail Startup Boxer”
Is the Hit TV Series “Mr. Robot” an Accurate Portrayal of Hackers?
This summer, USA Network premiered the series Mr. Robot, a drama/thriller that uses computer security and hacking as plot devices. Elliot Alderson, the protagonist, is a reclusive computer security professional who suffers from social anxiety disorder and delusions. When someone triggers his curiosity, he hacks their online accounts, from social media to bank accounts, in … Continue reading “Is the Hit TV Series “Mr. Robot” an Accurate Portrayal of Hackers?”
Selling Your Company? Don’t Make These Five Common Mistakes
You always believed your startup would be a success. Now others are realizing it, too, and you’re fielding offers for an acquisition of your company. Before you ink any agreements, protect your company, your employees, and yourself by avoiding these five common mistakes. Rushing to sell. Take the case of a biotech startup CEO, who found himself literally … Continue reading “Selling Your Company? Don’t Make These Five Common Mistakes”
More Mergers After Dell-EMC? Maybe Not Best Option for Competitors
Buyouts like Dell’s $67 billion blockbuster purchase of EMC may not be the best, or the most likely, way for competitors to keep pace with the new IT behemoth. Rajiv Garg, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s information, risk, and operations management department, discussed the deal and its potential fallout with … Continue reading “More Mergers After Dell-EMC? Maybe Not Best Option for Competitors”
VMWare Acquires Boxer for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6f49c7ec-2480-4699-aea9-d209a3211168 Date 10/15/2015 Company Name Boxer Mailing Address 701 Brazos St Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description Boxer is building the next generation mobile inbox. Whether you let your inbox burst at the seams or diligently file things away, you’ll love how Boxer helps you stay on top of email while on … Continue reading “VMWare Acquires Boxer for Undisclosed Sum”
Driven by Big Deals, VC Funding So Far Already Has Eclipsed 2014
U.S. venture firms invested $19.8 billion in 1,035 companies during the third quarter that ended September 30, putting VC funding on track to reach a five-year high, according to a quarterly Venture Pulse Report being released today by CB Insights and KPMG. While the deal count was lower than the 1,276 companies that got venture … Continue reading “Driven by Big Deals, VC Funding So Far Already Has Eclipsed 2014”
Food for Thought: BrainCheck’s David Eagleman Makes His TV Debut
Not many neuroscientists can say their research partners included acclaimed music producer Brian Eno in jam sessions with drummers like Will Champion from Coldplay. And that’s just a taste of the professional repertoire put together by Baylor College of Medicine’s David Eagleman. The Houston-based educator is also a best-selling author and entrepreneur. (One of his … Continue reading “Food for Thought: BrainCheck’s David Eagleman Makes His TV Debut”
SmartVault Receives $1,306,598 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=08d2eccd-793b-4136-a933-29655047e60a Date 10/14/2015 Company Name SmartVault Mailing Address 720 North Post Oak Road Houston, TX 77024 USA Company Description Founded in 2008, SmartVault is striving to give people a better life at work. So in your business, you can spend less time and money filing, retrieving, copying and sharing files and more … Continue reading “SmartVault Receives $1,306,598 New Funding Round”
Roikoi Lands $1,700,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bd47e798-8b03-4b88-90b4-fd26705d298a Date 10/14/2015 Company Name Roikoi Mailing Address 106 E 6th St. Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description Sourcing tools give great access to passive candidates, but struggle to assess talent and fit. Referral programs provide a great signal on talent and fit but only surface active candidates. Website http://www.roikoi.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “Roikoi Lands $1,700,000 New Round”
5 Risk Management Practices Innovators Should Follow
High-tech and investment company startups plan for big successes – and this planning should include putting in place features that startup leaders may think are only necessary for established companies. However, whether business is boom or bust, new business leaders should seriously consider tried-and-true best practices. Before you launch your business with customers or take … Continue reading “5 Risk Management Practices Innovators Should Follow”
Houston Entrepreneur Boosts Biotech Ecosystem by ‘Energizing Health’
Houston entrepreneur Brian Lang describes his interest in innovation as something that runs the full spectrum of life. That can be seen in the healthcare innovation events he has helped to put together, from the Pediatric Pitch competition at South By Southwest this past spring to the upcoming Louisville Innovation Summit, a healthcare-focused conference in … Continue reading “Houston Entrepreneur Boosts Biotech Ecosystem by ‘Energizing Health’”
Nimbix Receives $2,541,671 Series B Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a2383922-efa3-44ea-9ed7-4a9645727830 Date 10/13/2015 Company Name Nimbix Mailing Address 1432 Waverly St. Houston, TX 77008 USA Company Description At Nimbix, while leveraging multiple available technologies for computationally intensive applications, we are focused on making hardware accelerator-based platforms available to our customers for consumption and tackling the challenges of application and software development on … Continue reading “Nimbix Receives $2,541,671 Series B Financing”
With EMC, A More Muscular Dell Could Mean Boost for Startup Scene
News about Dell Computer’s purchase of Massachusetts-based EMC has for the most part honed in on the sheer size of the deal, the largest acquisition ever in the technology industry. Those on the ground in Austin, TX, say they hope that the deal means a more muscular Dell will translate into a healthier local tech … Continue reading “With EMC, A More Muscular Dell Could Mean Boost for Startup Scene”
Infinite IO Chief: Dell’s $67B EMC Deal Makes It ‘One-Stop Shop’
The monumental Dell-EMC merger is a sign that, among other things, Dell can now be a competitor to the likes of Hewlett-Packard and IBM in selling everything from servers to storage to networking. While Dell may have already offered those services, EMC makes its storage offering “premier,” according to Mark Cree, the CEO and founder … Continue reading “Infinite IO Chief: Dell’s $67B EMC Deal Makes It ‘One-Stop Shop’”
For $67B, Dell-EMC Deal May Have Little Impact on Tech Industry
OK, so this really happened. For $67 billion, the biggest technology deal in history. What’s surprising is how little impact people seem to think it will have on the industry. Texas computer giant Dell has agreed to acquire Hopkinton, MA-based EMC (NYSE: [[ticker:EMC]]) for roughly $67 billion in cash and stock in VMware (NYSE: [[ticker:VMW]]), … Continue reading “For $67B, Dell-EMC Deal May Have Little Impact on Tech Industry”
Better Batteries for Future Energy Demands
We often take for granted the fact that when we flick a switch a light turns on. In reality, the seemingly simple act of turning on a light is a complicated process that requires a precise balance between generation and transmission of energy as demand varies throughout the day. With consumers increasingly interested in getting their … Continue reading “Better Batteries for Future Energy Demands”
The Real Scorpion, Suped-up Wearables, & More at Houston Tech Event
While great innovators need to marry great ideas with capital to bring them to market, Walter O’Brien, the Scorpion founder whose life inspired the eponymous TV show, says there’s a third leg to that stool: adult supervision. “It’s sort of a lecture on what not to do; it’s how not to get burned by technology,” … Continue reading “The Real Scorpion, Suped-up Wearables, & More at Houston Tech Event”