President Obama has nominated cardiologist Rob Califf to be the next head of the Food and Drug Administration, replacing the outgoing Margaret “Peggy” Hamburg. The nomination is no surprise. Speculation that Califf could be the next commissioner gained momentum in late January when the FDA named him a top deputy. Two weeks later, Hamburg said … Continue reading “Obama Nominates Duke Veteran Rob Califf To Lead FDA”
Category: Texas
Dallas Innovation Alliance Aims to Use Tech Innovation to Better Cities
The Dallas Entrepreneur Center is among a group of organizations that have partnered with the White House to boost smart cities. The DEC joins other Dallas area groups and businesses such as AT&T, IBM, and Microsoft to form the Dallas Innovation Alliance, an effort to use technological innovation to promote sustainable economic growth while improving … Continue reading “Dallas Innovation Alliance Aims to Use Tech Innovation to Better Cities”
American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?
Americans need to spend less on healthcare. Anyone disagree? No country spends like we do: 17 percent of our gross domestic product the past four years, in fact, according to the World Bank. No other country—rich, poor, big, small, frozen, tropical, whatever—comes close. (OK, except for the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. Really.) Now … Continue reading “American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?”
Health IT Startups Make Their Pitch at TMCx’s Inaugural Demo Day
TMCx, the health IT accelerator hosted by Houston’s Texas Medical Center, held its first demo day last week, an important milestone for the Houston institution as it aims to help boost the city’s life sciences ecosystem. The class was composed of 21 startups that participated in the six-month program, pitching innovative projects such as absorbable … Continue reading “Health IT Startups Make Their Pitch at TMCx’s Inaugural Demo Day”
Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now
Dr. John Lechleiter, the CEO of Eli Lilly, recently attempted to debunk five “Big Myths” about Big Pharma. As he wrote, “Only about 10 cents of every U.S. healthcare dollar is spent on retail prescription medicines—which is the same share that was spent on prescriptions in 1960. While the overall use of medicines to treat … Continue reading “Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now”
IBM Watson Health Taps Ex-Philips CEO as GM, Touts New Partners
For a few months, we’ve been hearing about IBM Watson Health’s plan to open a new headquarters in the Boston area. On Thursday, the business unit held an event at its new office and announced some partnerships, as well as an important first hire in Cambridge, MA. First, the people news: Deborah DiSanzo (pictured) is … Continue reading “IBM Watson Health Taps Ex-Philips CEO as GM, Touts New Partners”
Comfy’s Bill-Splitting App for Roommates Garners $1.25M Series A
Comfy, an Austin, TX-based free online service that helps college students locate new housing, has secured a $1.25 million Series A round from existing investor ATX Seed Ventures as the company begins shifting its focus to a newly launched bill-paying app that it hopes will earn it more money. In March, Comfy launched Unbill, an … Continue reading “Comfy’s Bill-Splitting App for Roommates Garners $1.25M Series A”
BioNorthTX iC3 Life Sciences Summit
The 2015 BioNorthTX iC3 Life Science Summit provides life science company executives (biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical), academic professionals, investors, and industry support organizations an opportunity to meet in one place during the course of the region?s largest annual conference. The goal of the Summit is to create opportunities for networking, collaboration, education, partnering, and elevating … Continue reading “BioNorthTX iC3 Life Sciences Summit”
Arena Online Lands $205,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8d945369-5503-4d39-bba0-3805d83a7c14 Date 9/10/2015 Company Name Arena Online Mailing Address Undisclosed Houston, TX 77021 USA Company Description Arena Online’s mission is to bring tournament gaming to eSports players who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to compete for cash prizes. Their dedication to creating something original extends into their plans to always provide equal pairings, … Continue reading “Arena Online Lands $205,000 New Financing Round”
VolunteerSpot Garners $1,300,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=741530f6-64a8-4f38-b8eb-59b8b0a8fb85 Date 9/10/2015 Company Name VolunteerSpot Mailing Address 206 Blue Ridge Trail Austin, TX 78746 USA Company Description VolunteerSpot launched in Spring, 2009 with the mission of enabling ANYONE to quickly mobilize and coordinate volunteers in their community, congregation and social network. Website http://www.volunteerspot.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,300,000 Transaction … Continue reading “VolunteerSpot Garners $1,300,000 New Financing Round”
Listing Service For Home Owners SQFT Hopes to Double Reach in 2015
Most people are willing to sacrifice a few thousand dollars in realtor fees to avoid the hassle of trying to sell their home solo. Those who aren’t—about 9 percent of U.S. sellers—now have a new method of selling themselves: an app called SQFT that allows them to price their home, post a listing for it … Continue reading “Listing Service For Home Owners SQFT Hopes to Double Reach in 2015”
Ingenu Plans Nationwide Wireless Network for Internet of Things
San Diego’s On-Ramp Wireless has shed its skin. The startup that was founded in 2008 and raised $77 million to advance its low-power, wireless networking technology for utility power grids and other industrial applications has a new identity, new CEO, and a bigger, more ambitious strategic focus on the Internet of Things (IoT). As the … Continue reading “Ingenu Plans Nationwide Wireless Network for Internet of Things”
AveXis Obtains $65,000,000 Series D Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=526780e4-f089-4300-a11b-595c17df3fe0 Date 9/9/2015 Company Name AveXis Mailing Address 4925 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75206 USA Company Description AveXis is a clinic-ready, synthetic biology platform company. AveXis has, at its core, a desire to establish unique industry and research alliances which will bring innovative treatments to people with unmet medical needs. Our work … Continue reading “AveXis Obtains $65,000,000 Series D Round”
How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era
Blockbuster. Borders. The U.S. Postal Service. These once-dominant entities, and many more, have all been victims of disruptive tech. Although it’s too early to sound the death knell for taxis, it’s also too late to say that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are a flash in the pan. The disruptive change they represent is … Continue reading “How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era”
Dallas’s Motive Accelerator Debuts First Set of Real Estate Tech Startups
Motive, the Dallas accelerator dedicated to boosting real estate tech startups, announced its first cohort of companies Tuesday. The startups, which were chosen from about 80 applicants, largely focus on the commercial real estate market. Each of the companies is already in the marketplace and serving customers. Motive will invest $40,000 in each startup in … Continue reading “Dallas’s Motive Accelerator Debuts First Set of Real Estate Tech Startups”
Omni Water Rides Out Energy Price Drop Focusing on Other Industries
The downturn in the oil and gas market has sent Austin, TX’s Omni Water Solutions back to its roots in developing drinking water. “Low prices have begat low activity,” says Warren Sumner, the company’s CEO. “That’s been a challenge.” To adapt, the company has expanded into other industrial applications where water treatment is needed. This … Continue reading “Omni Water Rides Out Energy Price Drop Focusing on Other Industries”
Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?
We’ve been hearing a lot about how the high-tech industry has been working to recruit more underrepresented minorities and women into its ranks, without much early success. Less than 2 percent of the employees at Facebook, Google, and Twitter are African-American, according to the companies’ Equal Employment Opportunity reports for 2014, released earlier this year. … Continue reading “Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?”
9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More
There’s a point at which a technology market or sector feels overhyped and saturated. Sometimes it’s when the first $1 billion valuation is announced—or when venture capital starts flowing so freely that it seems due diligence is an afterthought. And it’s definitely when media start calling tech businesses “Uber for (fill in the blank).” In … Continue reading “9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More”
Infrastructure Networks Obtains $3,301,611 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a3860f4-9445-4e2b-ae3e-260bec7dcdea Date 9/7/2015 Company Name Infrastructure Networks Mailing Address 1718 Fry Road Houston, TX 77084 USA Company Description Critical infrastructure industries – those that power and enable the economic engine of the world – comprise a vast and highly segmented market. Yet they remain dramatically – perhaps dangerously – underserved by traditional … Continue reading “Infrastructure Networks Obtains $3,301,611 New Funding Round”
Xtera Communications Lands $7,220,251 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=077cb38c-844d-4447-b2d4-81a3cbeb7cb4 Date 9/4/2015 Company Name Xtera Communications Mailing Address 500 W. Bethany Dr. Allen, TX 75013 USA Company Description Xtera Communications makes long-haul fiber-optic transmission equipment used for both terrestrial and undersea transport. Its Nu-Wave systems increase the bandwidth capability of fiber-optic strands, making converged voice and data communications possible. The company … Continue reading “Xtera Communications Lands $7,220,251 New Funding Round”
Vorago Technologies Lands $10,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d7d75fb5-981e-4e52-98c5-19beec86d97e Date 9/2/2015 Company Name Vorago Technologies Mailing Address 2028 E. Ben White Blvd. Austin, TX 78741 USA Company Description Vorago is a provider of radiation-hardened and extreme temperature-hardened IC components for the Hi-rel marketplace. Vorago designs and develops high density SRAMs and logic ICs using its patented HARDSIL technology to simultaneously … Continue reading “Vorago Technologies Lands $10,000,000 New Financing”
XOR Data Exchange Garners $6,292,795 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=943e6735-f57c-4b13-b73a-9647d1664dbc Date 9/2/2015 Company Name XOR Data Exchange Mailing Address 700 Lavaca Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description XOR is doing something unique — something hard to imagine in the world of Big Data. We’re doing it not just because we can, but because we believe we should. Our business model, the … Continue reading “XOR Data Exchange Garners $6,292,795 New Financing”
At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?
For certain parts of the population, “summer” is a verb, and in the U.S., one does it until Labor Day. One more week, then, before sunburned financial types return to their desks and biotech IPO hopefuls hit the road to plead their cases. Whether August’s market volatility continues its stomach-churning ways or recedes in September’s … Continue reading “At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?”
Almalence Obtains New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b1063cd4-9061-48bb-b229-6e851804a8da Date 9/1/2015 Company Name Almalence Mailing Address 3808 Mt Bonnell Rd. Austin, TX 78731 USA Company Description We develop innovative digital imaging technologies, applied for a wide range of optical systems from high-end DSLR cameras to mobile phones. Our customers are as big as top smartphone OEMs and as numerous as … Continue reading “Almalence Obtains New Financing Round”
WellAware Receives $16,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=774b7d42-957d-4b48-aee3-cea791651dac Date 9/1/2015 Company Name WellAware Mailing Address 2330 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78248 USA Company Description WellAware is the industry’s only Full Stack solution focused on delivering intelligence to the oilfield. Website http://www.wellaware.us Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $16,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The capital will … Continue reading “WellAware Receives $16,000,000 New Funding Round”
Emerge Demo Day Spotlights Tech Innovations Aimed at First-Responders
Innovation to help first responders stay safe and do their jobs better is the focus of the Emerge accelerator, which spent three months working out of Tech Wildcatters in Dallas this summer. The program, which recently held its demo day, featured apps, software, and devices that could, for example, help EMTs quickly communicate with injured … Continue reading “Emerge Demo Day Spotlights Tech Innovations Aimed at First-Responders”
5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology
Congratulations. Your startup made it through its first challenging years, and you’re seeing positive returns. But, there’s always room to grow. Is it time to hire more salespeople, or should you invest in customer relationship management (CRM), productivity software, or another technology that can improve your business? The choice between putting money into technology or … Continue reading “5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology”
In New York, Rgenix Rises From Rockefeller and Takes Aim at Cancer
If you tried to count on one hand the number of New York City biotech startups to get a substantial funding round this year, you’d probably have a few fingers left over. A stealthy startup out of Rockefeller University named Rgenix is one of the lucky few to score a significant haul, and today it’s … Continue reading “In New York, Rgenix Rises From Rockefeller and Takes Aim at Cancer”
Women, Get Off the Sidelines and Invest
In my travels across the country, I meet successful women with the means and motivation to make a difference in our communities—and in our world. We don’t think twice about writing a check to a worthy foundation, buying a table at a charity gala, or volunteering on a committee. We know the “rubber chicken” circuit … Continue reading “Women, Get Off the Sidelines and Invest”
Texas Roundup: Favor, UT-San Antonio, Yan Engines, Health Wildcatters
Happy weekend. But before you head off, let’s catch up on the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Favor, the Austin, TX-based startup that offers to deliver anything, is going international. With the addition of a “u”—hello, Favour—the company will begin service to Canada. In addition, the stateside operation announced expansions to Fort Worth, TX, and … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Favor, UT-San Antonio, Yan Engines, Health Wildcatters”
Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego
When the late Dr. Leon Thal, renowned neurologist and chairman of the Neurosciences Department at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, first imagined a research network able to conduct clinical trials of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, it was an idea ahead of its time. The degenerative condition was poorly understood, with no existing … Continue reading “Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego”
Austin’s Yan Engines Raises $700K, Revs Up for UK Subsidiary
Yan Engines, an Austin, TX-based startup that is building a more fuel-efficient engine, said Wednesday it has picked up an additional $700,000 to launch a subsidiary in the United Kingdom, which will focus on automobile engines. The company has focused so far on heavy industrial sectors such as shipping and fleet to build engines that … Continue reading “Austin’s Yan Engines Raises $700K, Revs Up for UK Subsidiary”
Dallas’s Health Wildcatters Accelerator Announces Third Class of Startups
The Health Wildcatters accelerator in Dallas announced its third class of startups Wednesday, including companies in digital health, medical devices, and telemedicine. Notably, women entrepreneurs lead half of the 10 startups, the accelerator says. One of the companies, Houston’s Noninvasix, was part of the inaugural cohort of startups at the Texas Medical Center’s accelerator, TMCx. … Continue reading “Dallas’s Health Wildcatters Accelerator Announces Third Class of Startups”
Able Lending Lands $6,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=767db874-1bee-469c-9da5-7755348dbe9a Date 8/26/2015 Company Name Able Lending Mailing Address 503 Colorado Street Austin, TX 78701 USA Company Description Able is creating a new way to empower main street entrepreneurs. We believe in the power of collaboration, and that together, we can help the Fortune 5 Million get the credit they need to … Continue reading “Able Lending Lands $6,000,000 Series A Financing”
Encore Vision Obtains $2,500,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f410691a-657f-4195-8869-dcf30f2424e7 Date 8/26/2015 Company Name Encore Vision Mailing Address 1120 South Freeway Fort Worth, TX 76104 USA Company Description Quality vision is one of the most important contributors to a great quality of life. Encore Vision was formed to create a breakout solution to the global issue of presbyopia and to improve … Continue reading “Encore Vision Obtains $2,500,000 Series C Financing Round”
Modumetal Raises Cash to Make Durable Parts for Oil and Gas Sector
Modumetal, the Seattle company making corrosion-resistant metal alloys and coatings with applications in industries including oil and gas, has received $33.5 million in new capital from investors including Chevron Technology Ventures, BP Ventures, and ConocoPhillips. The funding, described as an expansion round in a news release Tuesday and detailed in an SEC filing, was led … Continue reading “Modumetal Raises Cash to Make Durable Parts for Oil and Gas Sector”
Houston Medical Device Executive Larry Lawson Becomes a Goose
Larry Lawson’s nearly five decades of being in healthcare’s entrepreneurial trenches leaves him with a lot of practical advice, he says, and that’s something he’s ready to pass on to the next generation. “I can tell them what not to do,” he says only half-jokingly. “That’s critically important.” Lawson started his career at Johnson & … Continue reading “Houston Medical Device Executive Larry Lawson Becomes a Goose”
Austin Cancer Drugs Developer Mirna Therapeutics Files for an IPO
Mirna Therapeutics, an Austin, TX-based biotech, is the latest Texas life sciences company to file to go public. The company filed documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Monday for an initial public offering worth $80.5 million on the Nasdaq stock market with the ticker symbol “MIRN.” The company is currently developing its lead … Continue reading “Austin Cancer Drugs Developer Mirna Therapeutics Files for an IPO”
Get Smart Content Obtains $3,500,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f49f4276-ddf0-4ef1-b606-a8c78d6aee85 Date 8/24/2015 Company Name Get Smart Content Mailing Address 3000 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, TX 78702 USA Company Description Using behavioral, demographic, and firmographic data, our platform creates personalized web experiences by allowing marketers to identify a website visitor’s intent and characteristics and serve relevant content based on the visitor’s … Continue reading “Get Smart Content Obtains $3,500,000 New Financing”
San Antonio Hires Accela to Make Development Processes Smarter
More than 5,500 residential and commercial permits were issued last week. Nearly 2,700 building inspections were conducted last month. Those are some examples of big data on a civic scale for San Antonio, the nation’s seventh largest city. And this week, city officials announced a $15 million contract with technology company Accela to better digitize … Continue reading “San Antonio Hires Accela to Make Development Processes Smarter”
Austin Rubber Aims to Make Old Industry Innovative Again
For a city like Austin, known for its tech innovations at the forefront of cognitive computing, enterprise software, and the like, the rubber industry seems decidedly old school. “We see ourselves as a bridge from the way energy and materials-related industries do things now and the way we’d like it to look in the future,” … Continue reading “Austin Rubber Aims to Make Old Industry Innovative Again”
100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help
Last week, 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease and millions more around the world got encouraging news. Investors gave a vote of confidence, in the form of a $120 million IPO, to Global Blood Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GBT]]), a four-year-old biotech working on a pill that could become the biggest medical advance ever for the disease. … Continue reading “100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help”
Battlefield-Tested, Houston’s FlexGen Now Targets Oil & Gas Market
There are few proving grounds as tough as U.S. military bases in Afghanistan or Iraq. And that’s where FlexGen Power Systems has piloted its generator technology, in conflict zones where access to efficient power is crucial. Generators are used across the world, from small gas-fueled ones used by homeowners as a backup to unreliable electricity … Continue reading “Battlefield-Tested, Houston’s FlexGen Now Targets Oil & Gas Market”
Texas Roundup: DrNow, Galvanize, Orbera, Rise, HUVR, Microsoft
Happy Monday. Let’s get caught up with the innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Houston, there’s an app for house calls. DrNow, founded by local physician Akash Bhagat, has launched its service in Houston and plans to expand throughout Texas by the end of the year. Patients can request physicians or nurse practitioners to make house … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: DrNow, Galvanize, Orbera, Rise, HUVR, Microsoft”
Reframing the Conversation About Technology and Government
When the conversation turns to government and technology, all too frequently the narrative becomes one of hopelessness. Healthcare.gov, the ancient computer sitting on the desk at the DMV, and the recent attacks by hackers on various government departments all help to reinforce this story of futility. And, inevitably, the questions get framed as, “Why can’t … Continue reading “Reframing the Conversation About Technology and Government”
EnTouch Controls Garners $6,000,000 Series C Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2c1e62a5-def1-4bf1-a025-7c6915b732a7 Date 8/17/2015 Company Name EnTouch Controls Mailing Address 661 N. Plano Rd. Richardson, TX 75081 USA Company Description With simple to use features, an intuitive full color touchscreen interface, and access through a standard web browser, the EnTouch EMS provides powerful control. Website http://www.entouchcontrols.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,000,000 … Continue reading “EnTouch Controls Garners $6,000,000 Series C Funding”
Verint Systems Acquires Telligent for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=23523d42-41b5-44b5-972b-638a9ec346c7 Date 8/17/2015 Company Name Telligent Mailing Address 17950 Preston Rd Dallas, TX 75252 USA Company Description Telligent is a leader in enterprise-proven solutions for online communities and social networks. With a focus on implementing social computing solutions to facilitate collaboration and improve organizational efficiency, Telligent offers a social suite that services … Continue reading “Verint Systems Acquires Telligent for Undisclosed Sum”
DrNow App Helps Healthcare Providers Make House Calls in Houston
Need a doctor to make a house call? There’s an app for that. DrNow is a startup founded by Akash Bhagat, a physician and founder of two stand-alone emergency rooms in Houston. The DrNow app recently launched in the Apple App Store and connects patients with doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners who will come to … Continue reading “DrNow App Helps Healthcare Providers Make House Calls in Houston”
Galvanize Expands Coding School, Co-working Space Into Austin
Galvanize, the Denver-based startup that provides programming training, venture funding, and co-working space for the tech world, is opening a 25,000-foot Austin location in February that will have classrooms, private and public working spaces, and event areas. The three-year-old company intends to offer courses for programmers and data scientists at the Austin location, the newest … Continue reading “Galvanize Expands Coding School, Co-working Space Into Austin”
Apto Secures $8,014,136 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=19f3394c-7171-49e1-aaf0-0775e6646e55 Date 8/13/2015 Company Name Apto Mailing Address 2170 Buckthorne Place The Woodlands, TX 77380 USA Company Description Apto is a scalable commercial real estate brokerage CRM and deal management app developed by seasoned brokers. It provides brokerages with a moldable, cloud-based solution that brings your full business into one app. Easily … Continue reading “Apto Secures $8,014,136 New Funding”