It’s been a busy spring here at Xconomy. Last month we added a seventh city to our national network—Xconomy Boulder/Denver. And today we’re excited to announce Xperience, a new section designed to guide consumers to the best technologies for their lifestyles. You might have stumbled across Xperience already. We “soft-launched” the section on March 28 … Continue reading “Welcome to Xperience, The New Consumer Section of Xconomy”
Category: Texas
Re-thinking Clinical Trials for the World of Crowdsourcing
Disruption isn’t a word normally associated with clinical drug development, but nevertheless it is coming. We can feel the rumblings of it. New technologies and technology-enabled techniques for productivity in mainstream business applications are slowly making their way into the clinic. There are signals that drug development is starting to catch up with the general … Continue reading “Re-thinking Clinical Trials for the World of Crowdsourcing”
Rewarding High-Risk Innovation: The Case for Carried Interest
As Washington grapples with the deficit, nothing generates more emotion than tax “loopholes.” A priority “loophole” target in the budget that President Obama sent to Congress last week is the treatment of managers’ carried interest in private equity funds as capital gains, which he characterizes as “unfair” and the key reason for the low tax … Continue reading “Rewarding High-Risk Innovation: The Case for Carried Interest”
Strategies for Navigating the Life Sciences Capital Crunch
The need for innovation in healthcare has arguably never been greater. A range of factors, from aging world populations to rising standards of living in developing countries, are poised to drive long-run demand for innovative drugs, devices and medical technologies that can improve outcomes and reduce costs. Ironically, however, funding for healthcare innovation remains in … Continue reading “Strategies for Navigating the Life Sciences Capital Crunch”
Big Data Is BS in Healthcare. When Will It Become Real?
Tech entrepreneurs have been raving for a while now about big data changing the world, and it’s mostly bullshit. Venture capitalist Brad Feld made this point, more or less, when he was being purposely provocative at an Xconomy event last fall. As a biotech journalist, I wanted to cheer “Preach On, Brother Feld!” Doctors are … Continue reading “Big Data Is BS in Healthcare. When Will It Become Real?”
ViroXis Lands $6,785,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0b2afffd-24f6-474e-b136-874afab948ac&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2013 Company Name ViroXis Mailing Address 1261 Silicon Drive San Antonio, TX 78249 Company Description The company develops botanical pharmaceuticals. Website http://www.viroxis.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,785,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed
Illumitex Lands $3,877,693 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eb6a894e-695f-4ad9-ab9b-97b40340f364&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2013 Company Name Illumitex Mailing Address 5307 Industrial Oaks Blvd Austin, TX 78735 Company Description The company operates as an solid state lighting development company. Website http://www.illumitex.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,877,693 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture … Continue reading “Illumitex Lands $3,877,693 New Financing”
15 Appetizing Apps for People Who Love to Cook and Eat
Phones and food are a match cooked up in heaven. Sometimes it seems as if our mobile gadgets were specifically designed to mesh with our cooking and eating habits. After all, you don’t lug your desktop or laptop computer with you when you’re going out to a restaurant. When you want to find a great … Continue reading “15 Appetizing Apps for People Who Love to Cook and Eat”
Foursquare’s New Cash, New Focus: Why Local is So Damn Hard
Back in 2009, with the smartphone revolution just taking off, savvy app-makers started playing around with ways to use the iPhone’s GPS features, tracking where users are in real time. The sharpest among them, it turned out, wound up building little games that encouraged people to “check in” at places they visited in the real … Continue reading “Foursquare’s New Cash, New Focus: Why Local is So Damn Hard”
Stop Managing Your Career and Start a Company
First, a full confession. I have not read Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In.” I do have her book on my Kobo e-reader. I will read it this weekend. My fellow tech CEO friends highly recommend it. I know I am going to love it too. But my unintentional avoidance of “Lean In” (my “leaning out”?) goes … Continue reading “Stop Managing Your Career and Start a Company”
Venture Deals Neared $7B in First Quarter, Up From 2012
We recently looked at which venture capitalists were raising money last quarter. Now we’ve got some insight into how they spent it. Research firm CB Insights says it tracked $6.9 billion in VC investments nationwide in the first quarter of this year, spread across 841 deals. Those totals represented a steady pace compared with the … Continue reading “Venture Deals Neared $7B in First Quarter, Up From 2012”
Bypass Mobile Lands $3,500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=54578af1-8fe9-4450-846d-2fc7b4c72e83&Preview=1 Date 4/11/2013 Company Name Bypass Mobile Mailing Address 3724 Executive Center Drive Austin, TX 78731 Company Description Bypass simplifies commerce for sports and entertainment properties. Our solutions are guided by the core principle that improving payments is best achieved through software, not hardware. We pair the latest tablet technology with software … Continue reading “Bypass Mobile Lands $3,500,000 New Round”
The Ultimate “Lean In”: Starting Your Own Company
Sheryl Sandberg brings a much-needed voice to the table on female leadership. She speaks from the vantage point of a strong executive who has made her way to the top. Her concept of leaning in and not leaving before you leave is important, but all this comes from an employee’s view. About four years ago, … Continue reading “The Ultimate “Lean In”: Starting Your Own Company”
Lighting the Way to Better Understanding of the Brain
We are enamored by our brains. Arguably the most complex system in the universe that is made up of over 80 billion neurons, the brain is a complex organ that can be a source of marvel and devastation, from human consciousness to neurodegenerative disease. The triumph of overcoming brain disease and injury is captivating: Neuroscientist … Continue reading “Lighting the Way to Better Understanding of the Brain”
Xtera Communications Secures $5,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f1df7062-63ca-48af-82b1-22bc209db790&Preview=1 Date 4/10/2013 Company Name Xtera Communications Mailing Address 500 W. Bethany Dr. Allen, TX 75013 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 serves … Continue reading “Xtera Communications Secures $5,000,000 New Financing Round”
Treehouse Garners $7,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a139a90d-f924-465a-b30c-62987c92394b&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2013 Company Name Treehouse Mailing Address 745 East Mulberry Ave San Antonio, TX 78212 Company Description Our goal is to help millions of people around the world, who can’t afford formal education, get trained in web design, development and iOS. Website http://www.teamtreehouse.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,000,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Treehouse Garners $7,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Portalarium Secures $2,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=de3673c1-6c64-4cc2-8ce4-faa495dd31cd&Preview=1 Date 4/9/2013 Company Name Portalarium Mailing Address Undisclosed Austin, TX 78610 Company Description Portalarium was formed in September of 2009 in Austin, Texas. The company was co-founded by legendary game developer Richard Garriott, who created Ultima, one of the longest running and most successful fantasy role-playing game series ever. Website http://www.portalarium.com … Continue reading “Portalarium Secures $2,000,000 New Financing”
The Publishing Industrial Complex is Dead. Long Live the Publishers!
When Fred Wilson wrote about Simplified Content Marketing, he got hundreds of comments, many of them saying essentially that this was nothing new. They are wrong. There’s something really dramatically new going on, but the shift is so massive, so tectonic, that it’s a little hard to even see while being in the middle of … Continue reading “The Publishing Industrial Complex is Dead. Long Live the Publishers!”
The Brain Map Shouldn’t Get $100M a Year. It Should Get Much More
The human brain, as Francis Collins recently said, “is the most complicated organ in the universe.” We only have vague ideas today of how it works at the level of genes, and neural circuits. Deeper understanding could help us unravel some of today’s great mysteries, from autism to Alzheimer’s to epilepsy. The sequencing of the … Continue reading “The Brain Map Shouldn’t Get $100M a Year. It Should Get Much More”
FICO Acquires Infoglide Software for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8c271a32-e007-4e37-921e-7937760f7a66&Preview=1 Date 4/5/2013 Company Name Infoglide Software Mailing Address 6500 River Place Blvd. Austin, TX 78730 Company Description Infoglide Software delivers a new generation of enterprise software solutions based upon our patented technology used for operational business intelligence Website http://www.infoglide.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms … Continue reading “FICO Acquires Infoglide Software for Undisclosed Sum”
New Accelerator Crowdfundx Kicks Off in NY with Plans to Go Global
Players from the crowdfunding and innovation community came together Thursday at the General Assembly campus in New York to announce a new accelerator called Crowdfundx (stylized as CROWDFUNDx). Folks from Startup Weekend, Social Media Week, the Startup America Partnership, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and Crowdfunder will serve as the backbone for Crowdfundx. The … Continue reading “New Accelerator Crowdfundx Kicks Off in NY with Plans to Go Global”
Now is the Time to Push for a Robot-Assisted Surgery Revolution
As recently reported in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Bloomberg News, there is a controversy brewing over robotic surgery and whether it is superior to alternative surgical approaches. Robotic training practices have also been questioned and it has been debated whether surgeons are receiving enough supervised cases before flying solo. What … Continue reading “Now is the Time to Push for a Robot-Assisted Surgery Revolution”
Sequencing Seattle: An Idea for the Future of the Northwest
Let me make a modest proposal: Seattle should commit to sequencing and interpreting the genomes of every willing member of its population and should do it within the next five years. This program would elevate Seattle to the forefront of personalized genomic medicine, leverage many advantages unique to our area, and create a vibrant and … Continue reading “Sequencing Seattle: An Idea for the Future of the Northwest”
SEC’s New Social Media Guidance: Sensible, Fair, Inevitable
Give the SEC a lot of credit…the headline they chose for their press release yesterday about public companies using social media could not have been more clear: “SEC Says Social Media OK for Company Announcements if Investors Are Alerted.” With those words, and a full report here, the commission has blessed the inevitable modernization of corporate … Continue reading “SEC’s New Social Media Guidance: Sensible, Fair, Inevitable”
Healthcare IT: Making Good Progress
The cost of healthcare administration is a hot issue in America. According to the Center for American progress, in the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $361 billion annually goes to cover administrative costs. That number is a 14 percent of total healthcare expenditure nationwide. Improvements in IT are expected to reduce these expenditures dramatically. The … Continue reading “Healthcare IT: Making Good Progress”
Malauzai Software Lands $3,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=23d4f9cd-0631-49ce-b6a0-0351e9d32a81&Preview=1 Date 4/2/2013 Company Name Malauzai Software Mailing Address 9020 Capital of Texas Highway Austin, TX 78759 Company Description Malauzai Software Inc. was formed in 2009 to participate in the mobile banking revolution. We build mobile banking SmartApps for community banks and credit unions for use by their customers and members. Website … Continue reading “Malauzai Software Lands $3,000,000 New Funding”
NetSocket Lands $9,200,000 Series B Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=74ce2940-f43d-4b83-a796-31842f0699ef&Preview=1 Date 4/2/2013 Company Name NetSocket Mailing Address 3701 W. Plano Pkwy. Plano, TX 75075 Company Description NetSocket has created the world’s first real-time IP service assurance solution: the patented, award-winning, and innovative Session2Topology correlation engine. NetSocket empowers network operators to correlate previously disparate information about both network state and real-time IP … Continue reading “NetSocket Lands $9,200,000 Series B Financing”
Gilead Sciences Building on HIV, Becoming Cancer Drug Force
Gilead Sciences has had what you could call a “high-class problem” the last few years. Biotech companies that are great at one thing eventually must prove they can be great at something else. And Gilead is showing signs that it’s finally on its way to becoming a truly diversified biotech industry leader, with a plan … Continue reading “Gilead Sciences Building on HIV, Becoming Cancer Drug Force”
Beehive Biometrics Obtains $20,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=225b41ef-d7f0-4324-ab00-c5761a439c28&Preview=1 Date 4/1/2013 Company Name Beehive Biometrics Mailing Address 3616 Far West Blvd Austin, TX 78731 Company Description Beehive Biometrics makes incorporating identity management through biometric matching into a wide variety of applications as easy as one line of code. Website http://www.beehivebiometrics.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount $20,000 Transaction Round Seed Proceeds … Continue reading “Beehive Biometrics Obtains $20,000 Seed Financing Round”
To Do Or Not To Do? That Is the Question
Do you really need a to-do list? In the age of personal optimization, when books like The 4-Hour Workweek peddle the idea that you could be superhumanly productive if you just had the right tools, the question is almost blasphemous. Of course you need a to-do list. How else are you supposed to know what … Continue reading “To Do Or Not To Do? That Is the Question”
ENCODE and the Truth
Constant facts of all scientific endeavors – Nature always wins. The truth will come out. An absorbing article last month in The Scientist called The A@#hole Scientist wondered if scientists could be a-holes, as it called them. Of course they can. Simple logic. Scientists are human and humans can be a-holes. QED. According to the … Continue reading “ENCODE and the Truth”
Still Waiting for the Ships to Come in at Third Rock Ventures
Third Rock Ventures was in the enviable position of turning away some institutional investors when the life sciences venture firm recently closed on $516 million for its third venture fund. So first let me say, “Congratulations!” to team Third Rock. Mark Levin has demonstrated at Third Rock and as the chairman and CEO of Cambridge, … Continue reading “Still Waiting for the Ships to Come in at Third Rock Ventures”
Q2ebanking Receives $20,000,000 Series C Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a45e5651-9d6e-4afc-aec2-dd63537cdb4b&Preview=1 Date 3/28/2013 Company Name Q2ebanking Mailing Address 9430 Research Blvd Austin, TX 78759 Company Description Q2ebanking is dramatically changing how banks and credit unions address the echannel and thus enabling financial institutions to focus on competing better and serving the needs of their markets. Q2ebanking provides a single platform approach to … Continue reading “Q2ebanking Receives $20,000,000 Series C Round”
Kleiner & Sequoia’s Fund Returns Could be Exposed in CA Lawsuit
As venture capital firms feel the squeeze from new competitors, unsatisfied investors, and stagnant markets, two of the industry’s biggest names could finally have their performance data revealed to the public. A California lawsuit from the news organization Reuters is threatening to expose the performance records of Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers—Silicon … Continue reading “Kleiner & Sequoia’s Fund Returns Could be Exposed in CA Lawsuit”
Tasktop Talks Up New Model to Boost Software Delivery, Productivity
Anything that describes itself as “the opposite of Facebook” is OK with me. Enter Mik Kersten, the CEO and co-founder of Tasktop Technologies. “Vendors want to create ‘Facebook for software,’” he says, referring to more social ways to develop, deploy, and manage applications. “It would be a beautiful world, but Facebook is good at one … Continue reading “Tasktop Talks Up New Model to Boost Software Delivery, Productivity”
Choose Energy Lands $4,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8889044d-4722-442d-b4c1-209ed2114fe7&Preview=1 Date 3/27/2013 Company Name Choose Energy Mailing Address 6217 Chapel Hill Road Plano, TX 75093 Company Description Choose Energy is a privately funded company based in Carrollton, TX founded in 2005 with a vision to offer an unbiased shopping experience for Texas power companies. With ChooseEnergy.com, consumers can do simple comparison … Continue reading “Choose Energy Lands $4,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
Standing Up for ‘Lean In:’ What’s Wrong with Managing Your Career?
Sheryl Sandberg got it right. In Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, Facebook’s COO offers a compelling view on how women managers can empower themselves in today’s workplace. Sandberg does not complain about the “glass ceiling” or “the old boys club.” Instead she gives straightforward advice on how to focus on things … Continue reading “Standing Up for ‘Lean In:’ What’s Wrong with Managing Your Career?”
Build Credibility As You Build Your Business
Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur or a veteran company executive, the one aspect of growing a business and raising capital, or selling a product rarely discussed at seminars is the building of your organization’s credibility. It doesn’t get much attention when you issue your quarterly report because it is not always easy to measure … Continue reading “Build Credibility As You Build Your Business”
Complying with Regulations Doesn’t Have to Slow Down Your Startup
These are exciting times for innovators. Arguably never before have the right opportunities, circumstances, and technologies come together as they have today to create such a fertile ground for the creation of new products and services. Yet one of the biggest obstacles along the way is the increasing burden of regulations. And the ones who … Continue reading “Complying with Regulations Doesn’t Have to Slow Down Your Startup”
Biotech VCs Aren’t Lemmings Anymore. They’re Lone Rangers
A certain song has been running through my head the past few days. Lately, it strikes me as an anthem of sorts for biotech venture capital in 2013. It’s Fleetwood Mac’s classic break-up song, “Go Your Own Way.” Allow me to explain. Biotech venture capital has been going through a shakeout now for a couple … Continue reading “Biotech VCs Aren’t Lemmings Anymore. They’re Lone Rangers”
Saying Farewell to World Wide Wade
They say it’s better to quit while you’re ahead, and I believe them. It’s easy to see what happens when you don’t. Remember season 7 of The West Wing? The second term of Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency? All of the Star Wars prequels? With precedents like that in mind, I’m shutting down World Wide Wade. … Continue reading “Saying Farewell to World Wide Wade”
Realty Mogul Receives $500,000 Seed Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8d644ed9-df9c-4404-b498-7a2212f427d0&Preview=1 Date 3/21/2013 Company Name Realty Mogul Mailing Address 515 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 Company Description Realty Mogul allows investors to become equity holders in real estate opportunities that were historically difficult to access. Through the use of the Realty Mogul web platform, investors can browse and screen real estate investments, … Continue reading “Realty Mogul Receives $500,000 Seed Funding Round”
Asuragen Lands $7,500,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1f33ee89-cf1a-41a1-8514-a86ed464b675&Preview=1 Date 3/21/2013 Company Name Asuragen Mailing Address 2150 Woodward St. Austin, TX 78744 Company Description Asuragen has its roots in Ambion, ‘The RNA Company.’ Ambion is a molecular biology reagent company with a strong focus on RNA. Asuragen is the successor entity to Ambion. Website http://www.asuragen.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Asuragen Lands $7,500,000 New Funding Round”
Spanning Cloud Apps Obtains $6,000,000 Series B Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=de4961df-585e-43f2-9528-b0a205af74bb&Preview=1 Date 3/21/2013 Company Name Spanning Cloud Apps Mailing Address 7600-B N Capital of Tx Hwy Austin, TX 78731 Company Description Spanning Cloud Apps is a cloud-based application developer focused on backup solutions for today’s most widely adopted cloud-computing suites including Google Apps. Website http://www.spanning.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,000,000 … Continue reading “Spanning Cloud Apps Obtains $6,000,000 Series B Financing”
Dachis Group Receives $7,500,000 Series C Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e7ecc16f-46a8-484e-9485-fa4bf243afd9&Preview=1 Date 3/21/2013 Company Name Dachis Group Mailing Address 515 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701 Company Description Dachis Group has developed an approach to help businesses create and capture value from emerging trends in technology, society and the workplace. Website http://www.dachisgroup.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,500,000 Transaction Round Series C … Continue reading “Dachis Group Receives $7,500,000 Series C Financing”
UCSD Business School’s Venture Fund Joins Texas Startup’s $16M Deal
After launching its student-run Rady Venture Fund three years ago, UCSD’s Rady School of Management says today it has invested $25,000 in its biggest deal so far—a $16 million Series B investment in Savara Pharmaceuticals of Austin, TX. Savara, founded in 2007, is in mid-stage development of an inhaled antibiotic to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus … Continue reading “UCSD Business School’s Venture Fund Joins Texas Startup’s $16M Deal”
Fighting a Global War on Rare Diseases
Are we winning the war against rare, or “orphan,” diseases? A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking so, given the drumroll of news. The crescendo came in 2011, when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved 26 drugs in this category, meaning for illnesses that afflict fewer than 200,000 people. It was the … Continue reading “Fighting a Global War on Rare Diseases”
A Call for the 113th Congress to Support an Innovation Agenda
While the 113th Congress addresses hot-button issues like gun control, comprehensive immigration reform, sequester spending cuts and the federal budget, a critical issue that greatly impacts our economy and global competitiveness is being overlooked—innovation. Washington’s approach to innovation policy has been fragmented and detached from other prevalent issues, which led CONNECT to develop an innovation … Continue reading “A Call for the 113th Congress to Support an Innovation Agenda”
Savara Pharmaceuticals Secures $16,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d8312a88-2ca8-4d97-bf75-0a5a23b8e9f7&Preview=1 Date 3/20/2013 Company Name Savara Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 5900 Shepherd Mountain Cove Austin, TX 78730 Company Description Savara is a pharmaceutical company developing novel respiratory therapeutics utilizing our proprietary NanoCluster dry powder aerosol drug delivery platform.The aerosols are assembled directly from nanoparticles of an existing therapeutic and delivered via oral pulmonary … Continue reading “Savara Pharmaceuticals Secures $16,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
PLx Pharma Lands $8,273,297 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9157c98c-0908-4cf3-b075-d69e43dfbafd&Preview=1 Date 3/20/2013 Company Name PLx Pharma Mailing Address 8285 El Rio Houston, TX 77054 Company Description PLx Pharma is a pharmaceutical company developing the next generation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) that are safer on the gut. Website http://www.plxpharma.com Transaction Type Debt, Venture Equity Transaction Amount $8,273,297 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “PLx Pharma Lands $8,273,297 New Round”