Every Wi-Fi network in every home and business broadcasts both public data—such as its network name and unique machine identifier—and “payload data,” or actual content such as e-mails and Web pages. For the last several years, Google said on Friday, the Street View teams who crisscross the world taking pictures and collecting Wi-Fi network location … Continue reading “Google’s “Passive Sniffing” Technique May Have Paved the Way for Wi-Fi Privacy Flap, Skyhook CEO Says”
MITEF Startup Clinic
Call this the analytics startup clinic, brought to you by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge. At this gathering, they’ll be spotlighting Cadio, a startup that uses mobile phones’ GPS data to analyze consumer habits and interests, and SOCIALtality, a company that helps brands sift through social media data and use it to their benefit. … Continue reading “MITEF Startup Clinic”
Double-Take Acquired for $242M
Double-Take Software (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DBTK]]), a Southborough, MA-based maker of software for data protection and recovery, announced it will be acquired by Vision Solutions, an Irvine, CA-headquartered portfolio company of private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The deal has a net value of about $242 million and puts Double-Take common stock at $10.55 a share, a 21 … Continue reading “Double-Take Acquired for $242M”
Cambridge Endo Gets $3M
Cambridge Endoscopic Devices, a developer of laparoscopic instruments, has raised $3 million of a $7.5 million round of equity funding, according to an SEC filing. The filing says there was one investor in the round, but the filing does not identify the name of the investor. The Framingham, MA-based company, formed in 2004, has developed … Continue reading “Cambridge Endo Gets $3M”
Detroit’s NextCAT Hopes to Light a Fire Under Idled Biodiesel Producers with New Catalysts
A funny thing happened on the way to the green economy. Real-life market forces have a way of foiling the best-laid plans of mice, men, and government incentives. When petroleum diesel was 4 bucks a gallon a couple of years ago, biodiesel seemed like such a deal. But then, says Derrin Leppek, of Detroit-based biodiesel … Continue reading “Detroit’s NextCAT Hopes to Light a Fire Under Idled Biodiesel Producers with New Catalysts”
Stemgent Finds $5.6M More
Stemgent, a provider of consumable research materials for stem cell scientists, has raised $5.6 million of a planned $10.1 million round of equity funding, according to an SEC filing. The funding includes the conversion of promissory notes. The company, which has offices in Cambridge, MA, and San Diego, previously raised $14 million in March 2009 … Continue reading “Stemgent Finds $5.6M More”
Helping Businesses Join the YouTube Era: How Pixability Found Its Groove
If you’re a disciple of the “lean startup” philosophy now in vogue among tech entrepreneurs, you know you’re supposed to “fail fast, fail cheap,” then “pivot to a new vision” before you’re “out of runway.” In ordinary English, the idea is to quickly scrap your product if it’s not flying with customers, and find one … Continue reading “Helping Businesses Join the YouTube Era: How Pixability Found Its Groove”
Five Ways Michigan Can Make its Mark in Life Sciences
When you hear “Michigan,” the automotive industry and Motown automatically come to mind, much as when someone says “Seattle,” one thinks of software, airplanes and coffee. That has changed over the years, and Seattle has increasingly gained recognition as a growing leader in the fields of life sciences and global health. And how we’ve done … Continue reading “Five Ways Michigan Can Make its Mark in Life Sciences”
National Alliance Focuses on Turning Algal Biofuels Into Viable Industry
It was just over a year ago that some of San Diego’s biggest life sciences research institutions announced the formation of SD-CAB, the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology, amid some outsized calls to make San Diego the top of the mountain in biofuels development. Since then, we’ve continued to see occasional flurries of activity, … Continue reading “National Alliance Focuses on Turning Algal Biofuels Into Viable Industry”
“Disruptive Innovation” Author Speaks, Seattle 2.0 Awards, the Next Twiistup, & More Seattle Events
Event season is in full swing here in Seattle. I thought it’d be useful to give a quick rundown of some of the gatherings our readers might want to attend in the next few weeks. If you want to know the secret to surviving as a startup (or a big company, for that matter), or … Continue reading ““Disruptive Innovation” Author Speaks, Seattle 2.0 Awards, the Next Twiistup, & More Seattle Events”
Illume’s iZUP Mobile App Padlocks Cell Phones to Eliminate the Temptation to Talk or Text While Driving
If you’ve been paying attention to news headlines, consumer safety reports, and state laws, you know that you shouldn’t be talking or texting on your cell phone while driving. But sometimes the temptation to stay off your phone is just too strong, especially when it rings or beeps with incoming calls or texts. And now, … Continue reading “Illume’s iZUP Mobile App Padlocks Cell Phones to Eliminate the Temptation to Talk or Text While Driving”
Venture Financing Looking Up, Sorenson Media Launches Online Video Technology, Avalon Ventures Buys Copley Building, & More San Diego BizTech News
The emerging mobile health industry made a stronger showing last week than it has in past years at its annual Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance Convergence Summit. Get the latest uptick in wireless health and other news now. —San Diego’s Avalon Ventures founder Kevin Kinsella told me the firm’s investment in San Francisco-based Zynga, which develops multiplayer … Continue reading “Venture Financing Looking Up, Sorenson Media Launches Online Video Technology, Avalon Ventures Buys Copley Building, & More San Diego BizTech News”
Alder, Bristol Arthritis Drug Shows “Outstanding” Results in Trial, Lead Researcher Says
Six months after Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]) wrote a big check to Bothell, WA-based Alder Biopharmaceuticals, we can see what some of the fuss is about. The first public glimpse of data from a mid-stage clinical trial of Bristol and Alder’s experimental antibody drug for rheumatoid arthritis appeared online last week. These are the results … Continue reading “Alder, Bristol Arthritis Drug Shows “Outstanding” Results in Trial, Lead Researcher Says”
Connect Silver Anniversary and Symphony Centennial Convergence Celebration
In an era of technology and innovation convergence, it seems only fitting that Connect should mark it’s 25th anniversary with a convergence of special occasions, as the San Diego Symphony also is observing its 100th anniversary this year. As part of its Silver Anniversary Celebration, Connect has arranged a special cameo appearance by Marvin Hamlisch, … Continue reading “Connect Silver Anniversary and Symphony Centennial Convergence Celebration”
Cut the Belts and Look for Capital and Talent in Your Own Backyard
The first step in getting any venture ecosystem going is capital formation. With all the retired auto industry execs in the region, there should be no shortage of angel investors. But someone has to organize them and convince them that they are angel investors—and that investing in local innovation is a worthy expenditure of their … Continue reading “Cut the Belts and Look for Capital and Talent in Your Own Backyard”
CleanTECH San Diego Showcase: The Solar Path to Profitability
Daniel Gross of Hudson Clean Energy, a global private equity firm dedicated solely to investing in renewable energy technologies, is the guest speaker at a forum on how to make solar profitable. The forum will explore emerging trends, investment opportunities and the role of government and utilities in moving solar power forward. Networking and registration … Continue reading “CleanTECH San Diego Showcase: The Solar Path to Profitability”
Vertex, Worth $7.5B, Eagerly Awaits Final Proof that Hepatitis C Drug Works
Vertex Pharmaceuticals has been in business for more than 20 years, and burned through more than $2.8 billion on a quest to develop drugs that shake up the medical standards of care. Now in the coming weeks and months, it will get the first definitive evidence that will say whether its lead drug candidate for … Continue reading “Vertex, Worth $7.5B, Eagerly Awaits Final Proof that Hepatitis C Drug Works”
Cambridge Endoscopic Devices Obtains $3,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fd9b2600-978e-44fb-9715-37d8cd15065e&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2010 Company Name Cambridge Endoscopic Devices Mailing Address 119 Herbert Street Framingham, MA 01702 Company Description Cambridge Endo was founded in 2004 by experienced medical device entrepreneurs Woojin Lee and Jack Jacobson with the goal of revolutionizing least invasive surgery through a proprietary platform technology in endoscopic and laparoscopic instrumentation. … Continue reading “Cambridge Endoscopic Devices Obtains $3,000,000 New Round”
Harris Corp. Acquires SignaCert for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c541177d-81cd-4a24-844d-6cdfc9d76ead&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2010 Company Name SignaCert Mailing Address 707 SW Washington Street 7th Floor Portland, OR 97205 Company Description SignaCert is a Delaware C-Corporation doing business in Portland, Oregon. The company focus is the development and delivery of software and services to provide enhanced trust management and enforcement of Information Technology (IT) … Continue reading “Harris Corp. Acquires SignaCert for Undisclosed Sum”
itherx Pharmaceuticals Receives $2,800,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c237165d-3fb4-493c-b0e5-babe4a902ea0&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2010 Company Name itherx Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 10790 Roselle St. San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description iTherX is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for Hepatitis C. This is a disease that affects almost 3% of the world’s population, and is the … Continue reading “itherx Pharmaceuticals Receives $2,800,000 New Funding”
Zend Technologies Lands $9,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1eb15e57-a7ed-44dc-a38c-5cb0896cb881&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2010 Company Name Zend Technologies Mailing Address 19200 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 Company Description Zend Technologies, Inc., the PHP company, is the leading provider of products and services for developing, deploying and managing business-critical PHP applications. Website http://www.zend.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $9,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Zend Technologies Lands $9,000,000 New Funding”
Booyah Secures $20,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5b33f87c-bc6c-4199-a478-6c2aeff2d816&Preview=1 Date 5/17/2010 Company Name Booyah Mailing Address 170 A University Avenue Second Floor Palo Alto, CA 94301 Company Description Booyah has developed an online GPS game that allows users to check in at real world locations to unlock rewards. Website http://www.booyah.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Booyah Secures $20,000,000 New Funding”
How to Evaluate a Biotech Company? It’s Still About Management, Hale and Garner Say
Life science startups are facing a lot of challenges today, and the biggest of all is the lack of capital and increased scrutiny from venture capitalists that goes with it. But over the years of booms and busts, the thing that biotech companies must have is a great management team. That was the consensus view … Continue reading “How to Evaluate a Biotech Company? It’s Still About Management, Hale and Garner Say”
aFraxis Lands $1,200,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eec0d63a-734f-4d62-8530-9b01f23fd002&Preview=1 Date 5/16/2010 Company Name aFraxis Mailing Address 5626 Oberlin Dr. San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Afraxis is discovering and developing drugs to treat diseases of the central nervous system, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Recent scientific discoveries have linked these disorders to underlying defects … Continue reading “aFraxis Lands $1,200,000 New Financing Round”
Afraxis Raises $1.2M in Venture Funding
San Diego-based aFraxis, which has completed pre-clinical testing of a promising compound for treating fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental impairment, has raised $1.2 million in a venture round targeting $6 million, according to a recent regulatory finding. San Diego’s Avalon Ventures already has invested about $6 million since the company … Continue reading “Afraxis Raises $1.2M in Venture Funding”
Flatt Jumps to Synthetic Genomics
San Diego’s Synthetic Genomics, which said last year it’s getting at least $300 million from ExxonMobil to develop algae-based biofuels, has named James Flatt as its new chief technology officer, effective May 19. Flatt previously served as the senior vice president of research at Mascoma Biosciences, a cellulosic ethanol developer that moved last fall from … Continue reading “Flatt Jumps to Synthetic Genomics”
Itherx Raises $2.8M in Debt
Itherx Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego biotech known until 2007 as Immusol, has raised almost $2.8 out of a planned debt offering of $3 million, according to a recent regulatory filing. The company, which became Itherx when Jeffrey McKelvy, was named president and CEO, says it is developing innovative treatments for Hepatitis C. The company’s chief … Continue reading “Itherx Raises $2.8M in Debt”
Xconomy Seattle’s Health IT Event: The Slides You’ve Been Asking For
Quite a few people, including my old friend Carol Ostrom from The Seattle Times, asked me to post the slides from speakers at Wednesday’s Xconomy Forum on health IT innovation. As I told Carol, we listen carefully to our readers around here. Ask and ye shall receive. Below are the slides from five of the … Continue reading “Xconomy Seattle’s Health IT Event: The Slides You’ve Been Asking For”
Local Investors Launch New Fund
Venrock VP David Beisel is joining with former Spark Capital senior associate Rob Go and former Point Judith Capital principal Lee Hower to form a venture capital fund focused on investing in early-stage companies, Mass High Tech reported today, citing venture investors close to the three. Last month Go announced he was leaving his position … Continue reading “Local Investors Launch New Fund”
The $300M Deal Nobody’s Talking About, and More Seattle Funding Highlights
Ever heard of Liberty Dialysis? It’s a healthcare company, headquartered in Mercer Island, WA, that runs more than 100 dialysis clinics around the country, and has more than 1,750 employees. Last month, we reported the company raised money from KRG Capital Partners, Bain Capital Ventures, and local investors Ignition Partners (or Ignition Capital, the growth-stage … Continue reading “The $300M Deal Nobody’s Talking About, and More Seattle Funding Highlights”
Web Innovators Group 26
Here’s an informal gathering for people interested in the Internet and mobile innovation spaces. Chargify, DoInk, and Milabra will be presenting, while other companies will do more informal demonstrations to attendees as they network. Registration is free, so sign up here.
Hub Cloud Club #1
Come check out the inaugural meeting of the Hub Cloud Club, a group for those working in Boston’s cloud computing companies. It will be an informal gathering, but possible subjects of discussion could be trends in the industry, opportunities for cloud startups in Boston, and activity in the region. RSVP here.
Avalon’s Kinsella Says San Diego, Like Any Robust Startup Ecosystem, Needs Local VCs
My favorite journalistic description of Avalon Ventures founder Kevin Kinsella came from former San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Penni Crabtree, who wrote in 2005: “He has an exacting intelligence, a steely competitiveness, and a passion for big ideas. On the flip side, those who know him say Kinsella tends to lose interest when the grunt work … Continue reading “Avalon’s Kinsella Says San Diego, Like Any Robust Startup Ecosystem, Needs Local VCs”
EISEM Entrepreneur’s Forum
This Automation Alley event features a panel of entrepreneurs from emerging companies, picked by area innovators. It comes as part of the Entrepreneurial Initiative of Southeast Michigan, a series of programs highlighting startups and helping entrepreneurs hone their messages to customers and investors. The forum is free, so sign up here.
Marketing Success: How Content Drives the New Conversation
This event, hosted by Automation Alley, explores how conversation-driven advertising, in the form of white papers, blog posts, case studies, and social network outreach, can be more effective at reaching consumers than the more traditional banner ads and e-mail promotions. Learn how to maximize the effectiveness of these more interactive forms of marketing. Register here.
BioSphere Medical Acquired by Merit Medical
Rockland, MA-based BioSphere Medical, a developer of treatments for tumors, vascular malformations, and uterine fibroids, announced on Thursday that it will be acquired by Utah’s Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MMSI]]) for $96 million in cash. The deal, which is expected to close third quarter of 2010 pending regulatory and stockholder approval, puts BioSphere (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BSMD]]) … Continue reading “BioSphere Medical Acquired by Merit Medical”
Three Ideas to Help Entrepreneurs Do What Entrepreneurs Do Best
Entrepreneurs in Michigan can reinvigorate the economy by doing what innovators do best: using existing resources to create new value. Here are three resources Michiganders can leverage: 1. Michigan’s world-class universities—After the collapse of the steel industry in Pittsburgh, universities filled the void with new technology start-ups. The University of Michigan is one of the … Continue reading “Three Ideas to Help Entrepreneurs Do What Entrepreneurs Do Best”
Okay, You’ve Declared E-Mail Bankruptcy. Now What?
There’s lots going on in Xconomy-land, so this week’s column will be shorter than usual. Which is probably fine with you, since everyone seems pressed for time these days. Microsoft is notorious for its lame ad campaigns, but lately the software giant has been putting its finger on the overcommitment problem, through an amusing series … Continue reading “Okay, You’ve Declared E-Mail Bankruptcy. Now What?”
How Microsoft (and Startups) Can Make Money in Health IT, Personalized Medicine Is a “Crock,” and Other Highlights from the Xconomy Forum
Business leaders, researchers, and investors interested in the intersection of healthcare and information technology packed into the auditorium of the Frye Art Museum on First Hill in Seattle on Wednesday. Luke showed you some of the pictures from our Xconomy Forum already. Let me give you my observations from the event, in the form of … Continue reading “How Microsoft (and Startups) Can Make Money in Health IT, Personalized Medicine Is a “Crock,” and Other Highlights from the Xconomy Forum”
Oxford’s Fambrough Leaves for Dicerna, Clinical Data Aims to Take on Big Pharma with Antidepressants, Genzyme’s Termeer Courts Shareholders, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
It was a lighter-than-usual week for breaking news stories from New England’s life sciences companies, so we used the time to take a closer look at trends and companies we’ve come across before. —Doug Fambrough, a general partner at Boston’s Oxford Bioscience Partners, left his full-time position at the venture firm to become CEO of … Continue reading “Oxford’s Fambrough Leaves for Dicerna, Clinical Data Aims to Take on Big Pharma with Antidepressants, Genzyme’s Termeer Courts Shareholders, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
Merit Medical Systems Acquires BioSphere Medical for $96,000,000
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e0877565-eb28-4817-8463-fd70945c54c5&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name BioSphere Medical Mailing Address 1050 Hingham Street Rockland, MA 02370 Company Description We are focused on applying our proprietary microsphere technology to medical applications using embolotherapy techniques. Our core technologies, consisting of patented bio-engineered polymers and manufacturing methods, are used to produce miniature spherical beads with uniquely … Continue reading “Merit Medical Systems Acquires BioSphere Medical for $96,000,000”
Etacts Receives $650,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=46b75a86-f740-4b75-a80c-2e69b97e1868&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name Etacts Mailing Address Undisclosed San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description The company sells software that helps users track their contacts with an online e-mail systems. Website http://www.etacts.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $650,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture … Continue reading “Etacts Receives $650,000 New Funding”
CardioDx Lands $5,000,000 Series D Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c5d5d480-ad2e-4c9d-b404-a3ad4aa86b09&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name CardioDx Mailing Address 2500 Faber Place Palo Alto, CA 94303 Company Description Founded in 2004, CardioDx is a cardiovascular genomic diagnostics company located in Palo Alto, CA. CardioDx develops clinically validated genomic tests to aid in assessing and tailoring care of individuals with cardiovascular disease, including coronary … Continue reading “CardioDx Lands $5,000,000 Series D Funding Round”
Grockit Lands $7,000,000 Series C Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5b4a3031-6be2-4754-8a81-ef8369803e5a&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name Grockit Mailing Address 719 Shotwell Str San Francisc, CA 94110 Company Description Grockit’s mission is to abolish Education and replace it with Learning. To this end, we aim to utilize the awesome power of the internet to help the world learn. Our first step is leveraging the … Continue reading “Grockit Lands $7,000,000 Series C Round”
Gilt Groupe Receives $35,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5c6bbd42-1ead-4112-8d29-f54cdc7d204b&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name Gilt Groupe Mailing Address 2 Park Ave. Fourth Floor New York, NY 10016 Company Description Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access to highly coveted products and experiences at insider prices. Each day, Gilt offers its members a curated selection of merchandise, including apparel, accessories and lifestyle items across … Continue reading “Gilt Groupe Receives $35,000,000 New Funding”
Data Locker Garners $1,200,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d0883019-e348-4379-bb6a-796b76084886&Preview=1 Date 5/14/2010 Company Name Data Locker Mailing Address 600 Kenrick Houston, TX 77060 Company Description The Data Locker Secure Drive was created to give you peace of mind in the event that your data is lost or stolen. Your data is secured by an up-to 18 digit PIN number which is … Continue reading “Data Locker Garners $1,200,000 New Round”
Ikaria, Developer of the Hutch’s Hibernation-on-Demand Concept, Seeks $200M IPO
Ikaria, the developer of a drug to induce hibernation on demand like something from a science fiction novel, is attempting to raise $200 million through an initial public offering to help it achieve its goal. Ikaria is headquartered in Clinton, NJ, but its R&D base is in Seattle, close to the lab of Mark Roth … Continue reading “Ikaria, Developer of the Hutch’s Hibernation-on-Demand Concept, Seeks $200M IPO”
Xconomy Seattle’s Health IT Photo Gallery
Thanks to everyone who made yesterday’s Xconomy event on how information technology can transform medicine into such a smash hit. We had a full house at the Frye Art Museum’s auditorium; a cast of dynamic speakers with diverse perspectives on health IT; a highly interactive panel discussion; and a fascinating duo of visionaries from the … Continue reading “Xconomy Seattle’s Health IT Photo Gallery”
Seattle BioMed Starts Malaria Trial
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute said today it has officially started the first human clinical trial of its malaria vaccine candidate. The trial will assess the safety of a genetically engineered version of the malaria parasite. I wrote about this trial in depth back in March based on an interview with Seattle BioMed’s lead researcher on … Continue reading “Seattle BioMed Starts Malaria Trial”
Cooley Q1 Report Shows Venture Investment Terms Continue to Improve
Venture financing is not out of the woods yet, but there are fewer trees, according to a report issued today that analyzes 83 VC transactions with a total value of $935 million. The Cooley law firm’s Venture Financing Report shows “continuing improvement” in VC deals nationwide during the first three months of 2010. Cooley, which … Continue reading “Cooley Q1 Report Shows Venture Investment Terms Continue to Improve”