George Mosher has never really enjoyed golfing, and for that Wisconsin entrepreneurs should be thankful. Rather than fading into the sunset after he and his wife sold their $125 million business, National Business Furniture, in 2006, Mosher has become one of Wisconsin’s most prolific angel investors. The 74-year-old Boston native has made 162 angel investments, … Continue reading “Milwaukee Investor Mosher on WI Startups, Twitter’s Business Model”
Category: Wisconsin
MdotLabs, Backed by Great Oaks & Others, Sifts Out Bogus Web Traffic
When is a page view not a real page view? That is one of the questions MdotLabs offers to help Web companies answer through its software. Much of the revenue in digital publishing and online ads rides on audience flow. So being able to verify the number of people who check out websites is crucial. … Continue reading “MdotLabs, Backed by Great Oaks & Others, Sifts Out Bogus Web Traffic”
Exact Sciences, Once Near Death, Bounces Back With Colon Cancer Test
Four years ago, Exact Sciences was roadkill. The company, based in greater Boston at the time, had been experimenting with molecular diagnostic technologies for more than a dozen years. It had a stellar scientific pedigree from founder Stanley Lapidus. But it had burned through more than $170 million of investor cash, and still had no … Continue reading “Exact Sciences, Once Near Death, Bounces Back With Colon Cancer Test”
SWIB, WARF Narrow Search for Investment Manager at 4490 Ventures
By the time the champagne begins to flow on New Year’s Eve, tech entrepreneurs in Wisconsin may know who they should pitch if they want an investment from 4490 Ventures, the state’s new $30 million, information technology-focused venture fund. The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) are working … Continue reading “SWIB, WARF Narrow Search for Investment Manager at 4490 Ventures”
Milwaukee Investor Keane Views World Through a Nikon Lens
Any entrepreneur worth his salt has a creative spark. Not everyone takes it to Tim Keane’s level. The 65-year-old has had a long and winding career, but he is best known in the Milwaukee area for starting Web analytics company Retail Target Marketing Systems in Waukesha, WI; growing the business to $20 million in annual … Continue reading “Milwaukee Investor Keane Views World Through a Nikon Lens”
Betting on the Recurring Revenue Market
Big companies are betting big on recurring revenue—that is, pricing plans designed to guarantee continuing income, as opposed to one-time payments. They believe that if they play their hands correctly, this strategy will deliver profitability and growth. We’ve been watching the red-hot recurring revenue market closely, and in recent months, we’ve seen one established company … Continue reading “Betting on the Recurring Revenue Market”
For CytRx’s Insiders, What a Difference a Day Makes
CytRx (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CYTR]]) investors had a lot to be happy about last week. The good times came on Wednesday, Dec. 11, after the small cap biotech announced encouraging summary results from a mid-stage clinical trial of its doxorubicin conjugate, aldoxorubicin, in patients getting their initial treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. This announcement sent Los Angeles-based … Continue reading “For CytRx’s Insiders, What a Difference a Day Makes”
Xconomy Launches in Wisconsin: Innovation Isn’t Something We Fly Over
There are no flyover zones in the United States. That’s the way Xconomy views the map, anyway, because we see innovation happening all over America. So it is with great pleasure that today we are launching Xconomy Wisconsin, the ninth hub in our growing national network. It is our third launch this year—after Boulder-Denver and … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches in Wisconsin: Innovation Isn’t Something We Fly Over”
Exit Strategy: Wisconsin Investors Seek Next Wave of Startup Wins
Tom Shannon started getting nibbles from potential suitors for Prodesse in 2005, three years after he came on as president and CEO of the biotech firm based in Waukesha, WI. The company was founded in 1996 by Kelly Henrickson, a Medical College of Wisconsin pediatrics and infectious diseases professor. Shannon and a professional management team … Continue reading “Exit Strategy: Wisconsin Investors Seek Next Wave of Startup Wins”
19 Wisconsin Company Exits Since 2008 Show State’s Strengths, Trends
Wisconsin’s innovation economy has seen at least 19 significant exits over the past six years, according to an Xconomy Wisconsin analysis. The following list was compiled with data provided by the National Venture Capital Association, which tracks initial public offerings and merger and acquisition activity involving venture-backed companies. Xconomy also consulted the Wisconsin Angel Network … Continue reading “19 Wisconsin Company Exits Since 2008 Show State’s Strengths, Trends”
Wisconsin a Land of Innovators, Not Just Cheeseheads
Wisconsin: the land of beer, brats, and, yes, cheese. Ask a random person on the streets of New York or San Francisco what they know about Wisconsin, and that might be the sort of answer they would give. In my experience, folks on the coasts sometimes can’t even point out Milwaukee or Madison on a … Continue reading “Wisconsin a Land of Innovators, Not Just Cheeseheads”
What Was Hyped, and What Fell Out of Favor, This Year in Biotech
Every year, Science magazine profiles its “Breakthrough of the Year.” People get excited. But what many readers don’t fully appreciate is that these discoveries—at least in biomedicine—are almost always decades away from turning into useful new drugs, diagnostics, or other products that advance human health. There are, shall we say, kinks that need to be … Continue reading “What Was Hyped, and What Fell Out of Favor, This Year in Biotech”
How Nelson Mandela Inspired Me to Fight Infectious Disease
[Editor’s Note: Alan Aderem is a former political activist from South Africa who now serves as the President of Seattle BioMed, a research institute that focuses on global infectious diseases.] My first response to Nelson Mandela’s death was one of profound loss and sadness. This feeling was soon replaced by recognition of Mandela’s mammoth contributions … Continue reading “How Nelson Mandela Inspired Me to Fight Infectious Disease”
A Revolution is Taking Place in the Treatment of Blood Cancers
I try to avoid sensationalizing early clinical trial results presented at medical conferences, what’s commonly known as “hype over hope.” But at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans I was struck by the thought that I was a witness to the beginning of a revolution in the … Continue reading “A Revolution is Taking Place in the Treatment of Blood Cancers”
High Tech Happy Hour
High Tech Happy Hour is a Madison-based networking event held on the last Thursday of each month at venues around the city. Connect with fellow professionals while enjoying free food and drinks. For more information, visit the High Tech Happy Hour website.
Snow*Mobile 2014
Learn about mobile development across a variety of platforms and network with fellow developers. Speakers include Ruby expert Jim “Big Tiger” Remsik, designer Shay Howe, and UX designer and developer Clarissa Peterson. For more information, or to register for the event, visit the Snow*Mobile website.
Experience Inbound 2014 – Milwaukee
Join Brian Halligan, CEO of HubSpot, and other sales and marketing leaders for a day of interactive discussions, breakout sessions, and networking. Attendees will also receive the Business Growth Playbook and access to an online user group with presentation slides and session videos. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
The Doyenne Retreat
This weekend-long retreat is designed to help women-led startups create a strategic plan that will grow their ventures. The weekend will include guest presentations, breakout sessions, and opportunities for professional mentoring. Apply here by January 17, 2014 to be considered for attendance.
The Energy Fair
The 25th Annual Energy Fair features more than 200 workshops, a Clean Transportation Show, demos on green building techniques and sustainable food, and much more. Keynote speakers include Sungeveity founder Danny Kennedy and Academy Award finalist Josh Fox. For more information, or to purchase your ticket, visit The Energy Fair website.
Coder Nights at 96square
Join a free “community study group” of coders and software developers who are learning with services like Codeacademy, Code School, iTunes U, Udemy, and others. The group will meet on the third Tuesday evening of each month. For more information and to register, click here.
Former MIT President Charles Vest Dead of Cancer at 72
[Updated, Dec. 14, 2013–see below] Charles Vest, one of the leading contemporary figures of higher education, engineering, and science, and an early friend of Xconomy, has passed away. He was 72, and the cause was cancer, according to an announcement from MIT. Chuck, as most people called him, was the down home, congenial president of “the … Continue reading “Former MIT President Charles Vest Dead of Cancer at 72”
Houzz—the Alluring App for Home Remodelers and Wannabes
The first time you open the Houzz app on your Apple or Android tablet, you’ll take in the midcentury modern living rooms with their Eames sofas and Noguchi coffee tables, the gleaming neo-Craftsman bungalows surrounded by herb gardens, and the outdoor kitchens complete with wood-fired pizza ovens, and you’ll think you’ve landed inside the digital … Continue reading “Houzz—the Alluring App for Home Remodelers and Wannabes”
State Economic Rankings Don’t Measure Up
This post was co-written with Yasuyuki Motoyama and Jared Konczal. A few weeks ago, a new ranking was published measuring “opportunity” on a state-by-state basis. Vermont came out on top as the friendliest state for upward mobility, scoring well on both the Community and Education metrics. Someone from Vermont e-mailed us here at the Kauffman … Continue reading “State Economic Rankings Don’t Measure Up”
There May Be More to the FDA/23andMe Story Than Meets the Eye
Consumers and life science startup companies alike are reacting strongly to the recent decision by the FDA to restrict the genetic testing company, 23andMe, from marketing its genetic testing service. In our day-to-day work, we are frequently approached with a gamut of regulatory questions from both large and small life science companies navigating the intersection … Continue reading “There May Be More to the FDA/23andMe Story Than Meets the Eye”
U.S. IPO Activity in 2013 on Track for Highest Level in 9 Years
As the IPO counter continues to roll, the EY accounting firm says it estimates 2013 will ring up a total of 222 U.S. IPOs (or maybe 223), with cumulative proceeds generating a total of about $59.7 billion. EY has counted 211 IPOs as of yesterday, and 10 more IPOs are on the calendar for this … Continue reading “U.S. IPO Activity in 2013 on Track for Highest Level in 9 Years”
XL Hybrids Hauls In $3M From WindSail to Electrify Fleet Vehicles
[Updated 11:05 am] What does $10 million buy you in alternative energy and transportation? Not much, these days. But if you’re XL Hybrids, it gets you about halfway to profitability. At least if you believe co-founder and president Tod Hynes. The Boston company, which makes hybrid electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, has just raised $3 … Continue reading “XL Hybrids Hauls In $3M From WindSail to Electrify Fleet Vehicles”
Novartis, Gilead, Genentech & More: An ASH 2013 Wrap-Up
Advances in the treatment of blood cancer were in the news this week. If you missed some of the signal while seeing a lot of noise from press releases, tweets, and analyst reports coming from the American Society of Hematology conference, don’t feel bad. There weren’t a whole lot of major new revelations that I … Continue reading “Novartis, Gilead, Genentech & More: An ASH 2013 Wrap-Up”
How Do You Want to Spend the Next Four Years of Your Life?
As our Lean LaunchPad for Life Sciences class winds down, a good number of the 26 teams are trying to figure out whether they should go forward to turn their class project into a business. Given that we’ve been emphasizing evidence-based entrepreneurship and the Investment Readiness Level, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when … Continue reading “How Do You Want to Spend the Next Four Years of Your Life?”
Hologic Names New CEO, Cuts Deal With Icahn to Avoid Proxy Fight
Apparently, Hologic was in no mood to wage a proxy war with Carl Icahn. Bedford, MA-based Hologic (NASDAQ: [[ticker:HOLX]]) today shook up its leadership. First, it named a new president and CEO to lead a turnaround effort: longtime Stryker (NYSE: [[ticker:SYK]]) CEO Stephen MacMillan. And separately, rather than engage in a messy public battle with … Continue reading “Hologic Names New CEO, Cuts Deal With Icahn to Avoid Proxy Fight”
The Problem with Bitcoin
One purpose of writing this piece is a vague hope of being proven wrong by some economist who knows better than me. That would be nice. Because what I have come to think about Bitcoin is not nice. Before writing this piece, I presented my common-sense critique to Bitcoin proponents, and so far nobody has … Continue reading “The Problem with Bitcoin”
12 Things the Pharma Industry Can Do to Rebuild Real Public Trust
Remember when Merck was the most admired company in America? When pharmaceutical companies ranked among the most respected of all industries, because of their achievements for human health and well-being? I don’t. I was born in 1975, putting me smack in Generation X. I started paying attention to the business of biomedical innovation, as a … Continue reading “12 Things the Pharma Industry Can Do to Rebuild Real Public Trust”
High-Tech Holidays: The Xperience Gift Guide, 2013 Edition
Wait, what? Cyber Monday was four days ago, and you still haven’t finished your holiday gift buying? Don’t worry, we haven’t either. But we thought we’d take some time away from our busy shopping schedules to help you find the best presents for the gadget geeks in your life. In the slideshow above, we’ve collected … Continue reading “High-Tech Holidays: The Xperience Gift Guide, 2013 Edition”
FDA’s Culture Is Genetically Dominant Over 23andMe’s Business Model
I’ve been following the 23andMe saga with dread and fascination and frustration since it hit in late November. If you’re not up to date, David Dobbs has the canonical collection of stories to get you there. This is a post about business models and culture clashes. It’s long. I should also start by disclosing that my former … Continue reading “FDA’s Culture Is Genetically Dominant Over 23andMe’s Business Model”
An Innovative Cleantech Strategy: Invest in Solar PV for Nonprofits
For decades we’ve been led to believe that donating money is the only way to financially support a nonprofit organization committed to a mission we care about. However, what if there was a different way to support nonprofits that could also provide a modest financial return? Perhaps the biggest challenge for nonprofits that want to … Continue reading “An Innovative Cleantech Strategy: Invest in Solar PV for Nonprofits”
A Tablet App from Invention Labs Helps Kids with Speech Disabilities
The field of educational technologies is going through an exciting period. From massively open online courses (MOOCs) like MIT’s OCW or edX and Khan Academy to a range of tablet and smartphone applications, the field is rife with exciting innovations that have dramatically changed the face of education. There is a higher degree of self-learning … Continue reading “A Tablet App from Invention Labs Helps Kids with Speech Disabilities”
Murfie Lands $499,998 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=374d2b33-bafc-4979-96e8-ac80e54c6af6 Date 12/5/2013 Company Name Murfie Mailing Address 7 S. Pinckney St Madison, WI 53703 Company Description Murfie is part marketplace, part community; a throwback to your neighborhood record store with a digital update. Website http://www.murfie.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $499,998 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not … Continue reading “Murfie Lands $499,998 New Financing”
ConjuGon Lands $595,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8196d5e8-46f8-4e0c-b922-e469b000e5f1 Date 12/5/2013 Company Name ConjuGon Mailing Address 505 South Rosa Road Madison, WI 53719 Company Description ConjuGon, a Madison, Wisconsin-based biotechnology company, is developing key technologies for the prevention and treatment of such bacterial infections. Website http://www.conjugon.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $595,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were … Continue reading “ConjuGon Lands $595,000 New Funding”
Modern Day Scrooges Are Ruining Our Health Care System
More than a 150 years ago Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol introduced the character Ebenezer Scrooge, who was the embodiment of greed, “tight-fisted…. a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire.” If Dickens were alive today he’d recognize that … Continue reading “Modern Day Scrooges Are Ruining Our Health Care System”
Financial Apps Will Make People Smarter and More Open About Money
Socially acceptable topics of conversation are always evolving. It’s no longer uncommon to hear discussions about religion and politics at the dinner table. However, there’s still one incredibly important issue that most people would just as soon sweep under the rug: finances. When was the last time you had a detailed conversation with your spouse, … Continue reading “Financial Apps Will Make People Smarter and More Open About Money”
3 Life Sciences Companies That Are Built to Last
Lots of biotech companies today say they want to be great for a long, long time. But which of today’s companies are actually doing it? Which ones are truly visionary, and built to last? These questions have been on my mind since I re-read “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” in preparation for … Continue reading “3 Life Sciences Companies That Are Built to Last”
It’s Time to Play Moneyball: The Investment Readiness Level
Investors sitting through Incubator or Accelerator demo days have three metrics to judge fledgling startups – 1) great looking product demos, 2) compelling PowerPoint slides, and 3) a world-class team. We think we can do better. We now have the tools, technology and data to take incubators and accelerators to the next level. Teams can … Continue reading “It’s Time to Play Moneyball: The Investment Readiness Level”
Is This the End of Premium Pricing in Drug and Device Innovation?
Healthcare costs in the United States today account for approximately 18 percent of our gross domestic product—far more than any other developed country. Americans’ average life expectancy and the efficiency of our healthcare system are ranked near the bottom of countries with advanced economies. It’s not just a healthcare problem, either. It’s an economic problem. … Continue reading “Is This the End of Premium Pricing in Drug and Device Innovation?”
23andMe: Victim of an Overboard FDA Crackdown, or Provocateur?
Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to the direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe ordering it to stop marketing its Personal Genome Service. According to the FDA, the 23andMe genetic test is a medical device, and subject to intense regulation before it can be marketed, because “it is intended for use … Continue reading “23andMe: Victim of an Overboard FDA Crackdown, or Provocateur?”
Gates Foundation Health Chief on Coaxing Pharma to Do Good (Part 2)
Yesterday, I ran the first installment of an interview with Trevor Mundel, the president of global health at the Seattle-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He talked about his personal reasons for leaving the pharmaceutical industry to work on global health problems, and how the foundation makes decisions on how to spend its money. Today, … Continue reading “Gates Foundation Health Chief on Coaxing Pharma to Do Good (Part 2)”
Gates Foundation Health Chief on Coaxing Pharma to Do Good
Bill Gates can summon the CEOs of every major global pharmaceutical company, and get them thinking and talking about things that won’t help them make more money. Pharma and biotech companies, cast as the villain pretty much everywhere, certainly like the PR boost they get from working with Gates and putting their immense resources to … Continue reading “Gates Foundation Health Chief on Coaxing Pharma to Do Good”
Catalyze.IO Receives $2,025,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a665b25b-a5bd-459a-9c1f-10c591bb9710 Date 11/20/2013 Company Name Catalyze.IO Mailing Address 207 N. Milwaukee St Milwaukee, WI 53202 Company Description Catalyze makes it faster and cheaper to find your product market fit, and you won’t pay a thing until you do. We scale to keep up with your breakout success! We’re bringing the best of … Continue reading “Catalyze.IO Receives $2,025,000 Series A Financing Round”
Quietyme Receives $50,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3f22c949-297c-4b98-8e3f-73675e038c5c Date 11/20/2013 Company Name Quietyme Mailing Address Undisclosed Neshkoro, WI 54960 Company Description Hotel noise is eliminated with the noise level monitoring service Quietyme provides. Quietyme enables property managers and hotel managers to give their residents a better night’s sleep by quieting noisy neighbors. Website http://www.quietyme.com Transaction Type Accelerator Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Quietyme Receives $50,000 Seed Financing Round”
The Hottest High-Tech Toy of 2013: Anki’s iPhone-Driven Robot Cars
If you had wandered up to the second floor of the Apple store in San Francisco on a Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago, you would have seen an unusual spectacle. The big wooden tables were cleared of the usual iPads and MacBooks, and in their place visitors had laid out large sheets of … Continue reading “The Hottest High-Tech Toy of 2013: Anki’s iPhone-Driven Robot Cars”
My Health Direct Secures $500,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dce0f836-a4c3-47d6-bc06-04397912ba28 Date 11/14/2013 Company Name My Health Direct Mailing Address 150 N Sunnyslope Rd Brookfield, WI 53005 Company Description My Health Direct provides an easy to use web tool for clinicians in the ER to re-direct non-emergent patients to the appropriate setting in the community with a confirmed appointment based on the … Continue reading “My Health Direct Secures $500,000 New Financing”
MdotLabs Obtains $1,250,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f67f8c37-a099-4b50-879b-ab7eebd5ad58 Date 11/14/2013 Company Name MdotLabs Mailing Address 122 W. Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703 Company Description The MdotLabs AdSecure Platform delivers end-to-end audience assurance for digital media. AdSecure protects online media companies against a growing number of sophisticated traffic generation techniques. Website http://www.mdotlabs.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,250,000 Transaction … Continue reading “MdotLabs Obtains $1,250,000 New Financing Round”