Category: Wisconsin

WI Startups Try to Grab Silicon Valley’s Gaze in 2nd Annual Trip

The startup scene in Madison, WI, is barely a blip on the radar for most Silicon Valley venture capitalists, but local business advocates are once again trying to attract investors’ attention by bringing a cohort of Badger State startups to the West Coast. Five Madison startups will fly to the San Francisco Bay Area Oct. 20 … Continue reading “WI Startups Try to Grab Silicon Valley’s Gaze in 2nd Annual Trip”

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”

Apple Could Pay $862M in UW-Madison Patent Infringement Case

Apple could face up to $862.4 million in damages after a ruling from a jury in U.S. District Court Tuesday found the company infringed on a patent held by a foundation that manages intellectual property for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Reuters reported. The Madison jury ruled Apple (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AAPL]]) had incorporated technology patented by the … Continue reading “Apple Could Pay $862M in UW-Madison Patent Infringement Case”

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”

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”

Shine, NorthStar Spar as Medical Radioisotope Race Continues

The quest to become the first domestic producer in decades of a crucial medical radioisotope is heating up, as the industry tries to avert a looming potential shortage when a key supplier in Canada begins winding down production next year. The interesting, and apparently coincidental, twist is that two of the companies leading that competition, … Continue reading “Shine, NorthStar Spar as Medical Radioisotope Race Continues”

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”

Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Redox, Launch Wisconsin, & More

Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Johnson Controls (NYSE: [[ticker:JCI]]) is in early-stage talks to buy EnerSys (NYSE: [[ticker:ENS]]), which claims to be the world’s largest industrial battery manufacturer, marketer, and distributor, the Wall Street Journal reported. The acquisition would be a boon to Glendale-based JCI’s … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Redox, Launch Wisconsin, & More”

New U-M Battery Lab Will Help Industry Test, Scale New Technologies

Last week, the University of Michigan announced a new public, shared lab space that will be open to any researchers—from professors and students to entrepreneurs and company employees—who are trying to push the boundaries of battery technology. The U-M Energy Institute’s Battery Fabrication and Characterization User Facility is a 2,700-square-foot lab space funded by $9.1 … Continue reading “New U-M Battery Lab Will Help Industry Test, Scale New Technologies”

Wisconsin Beertech: CraftFund Forges Ahead With Equity Crowdfunding

Market timing is key for any startup. CraftFund, the subject of this second installment in Xconomy’s series about Wisconsin “beertech” companies, is a reminder of that fact. The Milwaukee-based website is in the vanguard of the equity crowdfunding movement in the U.S., and it’s still too early to tell if founder David Dupee’s bet will … Continue reading “Wisconsin Beertech: CraftFund Forges Ahead With Equity Crowdfunding”

Techstars’ Cohen on Promoting Diversity and Preparing for a Downturn

Techstars has made its views on diversity in the tech sector no secret. The Boulder, CO-based accelerator operator made commitments to the White House earlier this year, alongside various other prominent national organizations, to improve diversity in the industry by doubling the number of women or underrepresented minorities in its startup programs. Even more recently, … Continue reading “Techstars’ Cohen on Promoting Diversity and Preparing for a Downturn”

Biopharma CEOs, VCs, and Hedge Fund Managers: Fifty Shades of Greed

I just returned from a family vacation and was going through my accumulated mail. I got a notice that the terms of my auto loan were being adjusted. Instead of paying $300 a month, I was shocked to find out that I would now be paying $16,667 per month. My car company (the lender) explained … Continue reading “Biopharma CEOs, VCs, and Hedge Fund Managers: Fifty Shades of Greed”

Exact Sciences Shares Plunge, Questions Arise for Insurers, Doctors

Wall Street punished Exact Sciences on Tuesday for an unexpected federal guideline that proposes to identify its colorectal cancer diagnostic product as an “alternative” screening method, leaving it out of a group of recommended tests. Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) stock closed Tuesday at $9.98 per share, down a whopping 46 percent from the previous day’s close … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Shares Plunge, Questions Arise for Insurers, Doctors”

Northeast WI Angel Investor Group Launches to Create, Fund Spinoffs

You could call Al Zeise a spin doctor, though not in the traditional sense of the term. Throughout his career, Zeise has proven adept at corporate spinoffs. Over the past two decades, the entrepreneur has founded or co-founded at least 10 companies in the Green Bay, WI, area. Many of them have come about in … Continue reading “Northeast WI Angel Investor Group Launches to Create, Fund Spinoffs”

Breakout Labs Welcomes Startups in Food, Health, Metals, Adhesives

Car parts that don’t get wet or rust, a nano-glue that won’t damage walls, sensors that detect food freshness, and people who stay healthy as they age. These are the goals of four new startup companies just chosen to receive funding and other support from Breakout Labs, a seed-stage revolving fund operated by the Thiel … Continue reading “Breakout Labs Welcomes Startups in Food, Health, Metals, Adhesives”

Exact Sciences Shares Crater After Disappointing Federal Decision

Exact Sciences is getting pummeled on Wall Street after an unexpected result in a long-awaited federal report that positions the company’s colorectal cancer diagnostic product as an “alternative” screening method—instead of putting it in a more coveted group of recommended tests. Shares of Madison, WI-based Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) sank below $11 per share this morning, … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Shares Crater After Disappointing Federal Decision”

Amid Nobel Prize Suspense, Making Sense Of Latest Gene-Editing News

There was a meeting Monday in Washington, D.C., to discuss some of the latest advances in gene editing, a field that has profound medical, agricultural, social, and ethical implications for society. At the lunch break, the webcast played over and over a genteel piece of classical music—Albinoni’s string concerto No. 4 in G major, to … Continue reading “Amid Nobel Prize Suspense, Making Sense Of Latest Gene-Editing News”

Stratatech Awarded $247M to Develop Skin Tissue for Treating Burns

Cell-based human skin tissue maker Stratatech will receive up to $247 million over five years as part of a federal contract it signed in 2013 that has since been expanded, the company announced Monday. Madison, WI-based Stratatech said it will use the money to continue Phase 3 clinical trials of StrataGraft, its flagship skin replacement product for … Continue reading “Stratatech Awarded $247M to Develop Skin Tissue for Treating Burns”

From Dance Clubs to Syn Bio: MIT’s Collins on Startups, Second Chances

It happens over and over again with new science. A discovery prompts crazy hype and massive investment that the data aren’t ready to support. A crash ensues, backers lose millions, egos are bruised—yet the pioneers slowly trudge forward. They regroup, away from the limelight, and try to learn from failure. When it comes to synthetic … Continue reading “From Dance Clubs to Syn Bio: MIT’s Collins on Startups, Second Chances”

Wisconsin Beertech: MobCraft Fundraising to Open Brewery in Spring

As a fan of craft beer, I’ve been spoiled to live in places with plenty of savory options, between spending the past eight years in Wisconsin, and now with my new digs in Boston. Every once in a while, I’m able to convince my editors to let me write about beer (cheers!). I took advantage … Continue reading “Wisconsin Beertech: MobCraft Fundraising to Open Brewery in Spring”

Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Cellectar, BrightStar, & More

New funding, an office relocation, and a grant to develop a new drug are among the announcements we’re watching this week in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community. Here are the details: —Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) is set to move its headquarters to downtown Madison from the city’s west side after the Madison Common Council approved … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Cellectar, BrightStar, & More”

Here’s How You’ll Stay in Shape During the Nine-Month Journey to Mars

Jeff Leismer wants to help people stay in space longer. Leismer, the founder of Sheboygan, WI-based physical therapy equipment maker VibeTech, got the idea for his company in 2002 as a graduate student at Michigan Technological University. One of his advisors there was studying the physiology of astronauts who had recently returned to earth. In … Continue reading “Here’s How You’ll Stay in Shape During the Nine-Month Journey to Mars”

My Déjà Vu Moment in Genomics: Why We Need Industry Standards Now

I am a serial entrepreneur who has spent the past couple of decades advancing the front lines of technology in digital healthcare, wireless communications, and semiconductor industries. And I’ve been experiencing a déjà vu moment in genomics. Back in 1994, when I was designing electrical circuits as part of my doctorate program at the University … Continue reading “My Déjà Vu Moment in Genomics: Why We Need Industry Standards Now”

Shares in Cellectar Tumble After It Announces $3.3M Stock Offering

Cellectar Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLRB]]) expects to raise $3.3 million in a common stock offering, the Madison, WI-based biotech company said in a press release Monday. Shares in cash-strapped Cellectar, which CEO Jim Caruso said in an earnings call last month is open to collaborating with other companies across most of its drug pipeline, were lower on … Continue reading “Shares in Cellectar Tumble After It Announces $3.3M Stock Offering”

Trinity’s Fred Wang on Thinking Outside the Silicon Valley Box

When it comes to investing in technology startups, anywhere beyond Silicon Valley is considered a “secondary market.” It’s just not possible to find a comparable density of super angel investors, venture capital firms, and tech startups anywhere else. Of the nearly $31 billion that venture firms have invested nationwide through the first half of 2015, … Continue reading “Trinity’s Fred Wang on Thinking Outside the Silicon Valley Box”

Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Engineered Propulsion, Scanalytics, & More

Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —The CEO and CFO of Cambridge University Hospitals have stepped down amid financial pressures partly tied to a $300 million implementation of electronic health records software developed by Verona-based Epic Systems, according to British media reports and a note to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Engineered Propulsion, Scanalytics, & More”

Ahead of Rivals, Arrowhead Unveils Clinical Data for Hepatitis B Drug

Arrowhead Research (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) released data Thursday showing humans and chimpanzees treated with the company’s hepatitis B virus (HBV) candidate during Phase IIa clinical trials had significantly lower levels of antigens. Shares in the company opened at $9.01, up 33 percent from the previous day’s $6.74 closing price. (The company sent out a press release … Continue reading “Ahead of Rivals, Arrowhead Unveils Clinical Data for Hepatitis B Drug”

Stemina, Eyeing Boston VC, Launches Large Autism Diagnostic Study

With a new $2.7 million federal grant in hand, Stemina Biomarker Discovery has launched a 1,500-patient study of its experimental test to diagnose children with autism spectrum disorder. According to the company, it’s the largest clinical trial ever of this type of autism test—one that measures residues in the blood called metabolites. Stemina, a Madison, … Continue reading “Stemina, Eyeing Boston VC, Launches Large Autism Diagnostic Study”

Shkreli Implodes And Provides Hillary A Perfect Medicare Moment

It was already a good political time for Hillary Clinton to unveil her plan to control the cost of prescription drugs. Martin Shkreli made it perfect. As you’ve probably heard by now, the front-running Democratic candidate Clinton on Tuesday outlined about a dozen ways she would aim to alter the American healthcare landscape if elected … Continue reading “Shkreli Implodes And Provides Hillary A Perfect Medicare Moment”

Badger Fund of Funds Leader: Small Ball Is Best Way to Play

Ken Johnson, one of Wisconsin’s most successful venture capitalists, says a recent investment he’s proud of is buying season tickets for the Chicago Cubs. Seat prices at Wrigley Field, the team’s home ballpark, have shot up as the Cubs try to extend their surprising season into the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Johnson’s plan for … Continue reading “Badger Fund of Funds Leader: Small Ball Is Best Way to Play”

WEDC Early-Stage Investment Program Awarded $18M in Last Fiscal Year

Nearly $18 million was awarded to 25 Wisconsin companies during the 2015 fiscal year as part of a program designed to incentivize investment in early-stage tech startups, according to a draft of a report released Friday by the state’s job creation agency. In the report, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) said the 25 businesses … Continue reading “WEDC Early-Stage Investment Program Awarded $18M in Last Fiscal Year”

Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand

In the six or seven years since Kickstarter and Indiegogo launched their crowdfunding sites, the way entrepreneurs raise money to finance their endeavors has fundamentally changed. These two companies have become the gold standard for helping entrepreneurs get their startups off the ground. In the old days (before 2008), an entrepreneur would typically come up … Continue reading “Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand”

AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016

AltusCampus aims to change how businesses manage the continuing medical education (CME) required of healthcare professionals and the Madison, WI-based software company will wrap up a $800,000 seed round to jumpstart its efforts Nov. 1. But CEO Daniel Guerra, Jr., has his sights set on bigger goals and as the company gains traction, he says a … Continue reading “AltusCampus Closing on $800K Seed Round, Eyes Larger Series A in 2016”

Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More

A busy week for Johnson Controls, plus more news from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —High-ranking employees at Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird and Co. plan to raise $50 million for a private equity fund, according to a Sept. 10 SEC filing. Seven executives, including CEO Paul Purcell, are named in the filing. The fund will … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Johnson Controls, Baird, The Water Council & More”

Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy

There’s a lot of excitement these days about a type of cellular immunotherapy known as CAR-T, a method of modifying peoples’ immune cells to fight cancer. But you could also fill a book listing all the problems its makers will have to solve—how to test, manufacture, and even the define the nature of these cancer-killing … Continue reading “Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy”

Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI

[Corrected 9/17/15 1:28 pm. See below.] In a panel discussion on growing the biosciences in Wisconsin, CEOs of four companies emphasized the importance of reeling in top-tier employees and called on institutions, including the state’s legislature and flagship university, to do more for the industry. The “CEOs Unplugged” panel was part of Wednesday’s Bioscience Summit, … Continue reading “Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI”

The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets

If you’re a startup or small business based in the U.S., chances are that you’re engaging with other emerging markets in some way or another. Perhaps you’re serving customers in those markets – or you have partners, suppliers, or consultants located there – or perhaps some of your team members are based there, or traveling … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets”

Obama Nominates Duke Veteran Rob Califf To Lead FDA

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”

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.?”

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”

Fasetto Receives $5,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=67ac878a-2404-428a-94b5-ebfecd1a6501 Date 9/14/2015 Company Name Fasetto Mailing Address PO Box 2036 Superior, WI 54880 USA Company Description Fasetto is an all-in-one cross platform cloud storage, content sharing and messaging program that lets you send files of any size in the blink of an eye conveniently and securely, whether they’re on-line or off. … Continue reading “Fasetto Receives $5,000,000 New Financing”

Fasetto Raises $5M, Will Start Selling 1TB Wearable In 2016

If you’ve ever dreamed of walking around wearing a terabyte of data storage—and being able to exchange data wirelessly, at breakneck speeds, to and from any Wi-Fi-enabled device, even with no Internet connection—you’ll only need to wait another six months. Superior, WI-based Fasetto has developed a solid state drive, called “Link,” that can be worn as … Continue reading “Fasetto Raises $5M, Will Start Selling 1TB Wearable In 2016”

Wisconsin Roundup: NorthStar, StartingBlock Madison, 5Nines & More

Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes has partnered with Westinghouse Electric to explore producing medical radioisotopes in commercial nuclear reactors, according to a press release issued by Westinghouse. The two companies aim to address the global shortage of molybdenum-99—which is used to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: NorthStar, StartingBlock Madison, 5Nines & More”

Madison’s 5Nines Launches Free 4G Network for Businesses

Businesses, non-profits, and community centers in parts of Madison, WI, can now get free, high-speed wireless Internet access by tapping into a 4G network built by 5Nines, a local Internet service provider (ISP) and technology firm. An organization must pay $150 for a pre-configured router—non-profits get half off—but there is no cost for the service … Continue reading “Madison’s 5Nines Launches Free 4G Network for Businesses”

From CustomMade to ButcherBox: A Serial Entrepreneur’s Journey

Mike Salguero’s story is a sign of the times. In the tech startup world, sometimes you go big. And sometimes you go home—and reinvent yourself with help from friends and industry experts. Salguero is the co-founder and former CEO of CustomMade, an online marketplace for crafts and home décor. The Boston-area company raised about $25 … Continue reading “From CustomMade to ButcherBox: A Serial Entrepreneur’s Journey”

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”

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?”