Halosource Vet Starts Company to Make Socks that Kill Bugs

For years, Halosource was what you might call a solution in search of a problem. It had anti-microbial technology that could theoretically kill viruses and bacteria anywhere and everywhere. But when it came down to making actual commercial products, it took many years to find its niche in purifying water. Now one of the veterans … Continue reading “Halosource Vet Starts Company to Make Socks that Kill Bugs”

ATG Banks $101M, Veracode Collects $12M, & More Boston-Area Deals News

It’s only been a few days since I last rounded up the deals news from New England’s tech and life sciences companies, but there are still a few new transactions to report. —Irvine, CA-based Allergan (NYSE:[[ticker:AGN]]) revealed in an earnings report that it acquired Medford, MA-based biomaterials maker Serica Technologies late last year. Financial terms … Continue reading “ATG Banks $101M, Veracode Collects $12M, & More Boston-Area Deals News”

Sony Electronics Acquires iCyt Visionary Bioscience for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9053749d-01da-46cc-a6c4-69979f426fc5&Preview=1 Date 2/10/2010 Company Name iCyt Visionary Bioscience Mailing Address 2100 South Oak Street Champaign, IL 61820 Company Description iCyt works with its clients to realize complete, automated, high throughput cell processing and sorting solutions tailored to their needs and integrated with their existing systems. Using state-of-the-art design and fabrication tools, our … Continue reading “Sony Electronics Acquires iCyt Visionary Bioscience for Undisclosed Sum”

Oracle Acquires Convergin for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dda37a6f-2b30-406b-99ef-a4f55c91c52f&Preview=1 Date 2/10/2010 Company Name Convergin Mailing Address 1270 Broadway New York, NY 10001 Company Description Convergin is the leading provider of Service Capability Interaction Management (SCIM) telco network solutions that assist carriers realize true Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) and accelerate their networks evolution to IMS. Website http://www.convergin.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction … Continue reading “Oracle Acquires Convergin for Undisclosed Sum”

UW CSE Colloquium: ARPA-E—Addressing the Sputniks of our Generation

Info and details here. ARPA-E: Addressing the Sputniks of our Generation Arun Majumdar (ARPA-E) Abstract The report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” proposed the creation of ARPA-E, which was later authorized and appropriated by Congress. The report suggested ARPA-E to be modeled after DARPA, which was created in 1958 in response to the launch of … Continue reading “UW CSE Colloquium: ARPA-E—Addressing the Sputniks of our Generation”

UW CSE Colloquium: Harry Shum on Bing

Info and details here. Bing: Intent, Knowledge, and Decision Engine Harry Shum (Microsoft Corporation) Abstract On June 1, 2009, Microsoft Corporation released its search engine www.bing.com and called it decision engine. According to analysis firm ComScore, Microsoft’s Bing saw its search count grow faster than any of the other top search engines in 2009. Bing … Continue reading “UW CSE Colloquium: Harry Shum on Bing”

Real Spins Off Rhapsody

Seattle-based RealNetworks and MTV Networks announced today they will spin off their digital music service joint venture, Rhapsody, into a separate company. Under the terms of the deal, RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) will no longer be the majority owner and operator of Rhapsody; the new company will not have a single majority owner. Real says this … Continue reading “Real Spins Off Rhapsody”

What’s Your Breakthrough Idea? Let’s Talk About How to Change the World on March 29

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an investor, a researcher, a corporate executive, a journalist, or a patent attorney, you’ve heard it: an idea that will supposedly change the world. In fact, you probably come across someone trying to pitch you an idea like that every week, if not every day. Maybe you even have one you’re … Continue reading “What’s Your Breakthrough Idea? Let’s Talk About How to Change the World on March 29”

M/C Gains in NuVox Sale

Boston’s M/C Venture Partners is the big winner in the $647 million sale of NuVox, a Greenville, SC-based provider of business telecommunications services, to Windstream Corporation (NASDAQ: [[ticker:WIN]]), a deal announced yesterday. In a press release yesterday, M/C said that it became NuVox’s largest shareholder after NuVox absorbed M/C portfolio companies NewSouth in 2004 and … Continue reading “M/C Gains in NuVox Sale”

Xconomy Forum: What’s Your Breakthrough Idea? **SOLD OUT**

Breakthrough ideas are catalysts of innovation and progress. But in the world of technology and business, seemingly great ideas are a dime a dozen. What really counts is forethought, execution, and results. So what makes for a true breakthrough idea, and how do you know one when you see one? How can entrepreneurs, researchers, and … Continue reading “Xconomy Forum: What’s Your Breakthrough Idea? **SOLD OUT**”

Complying With U.S. Export Controls

The Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce is holding a two-day workshop on export regulations that control software and other dual-use technologies. The program covers U.S. export controls, types of controls, classifying your product, license requirements and procedures, support documentation, export clearance, and enforcement. More information and online registration is … Continue reading “Complying With U.S. Export Controls”

Sequenom Gets Rights to Genetic Test for Vision Disorder

San Diego-based Sequenom (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SQNM]]) says it has obtained rights to develop and commercialize a diagnostic test from New Haven, CT-based Optherion to predict a patient’s genetic predisposition to late-stage, age-related macular degeneration, a progressive eye disorder that can lead to a loss of central vision. Financial terms of the licensing agreement were not disclosed. … Continue reading “Sequenom Gets Rights to Genetic Test for Vision Disorder”

Novatel Claims First LTE Data Call

In what may be a pre-emptive announcement before next week’s GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, San Diego’s Novatel Wireless (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NVTL]]) says it has successfully made a data transmission call using Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G technology. LTE is one of several next-generation wireless technology standards that promise increased capacity as cell phone users … Continue reading “Novatel Claims First LTE Data Call”

MTLC Tech Tuesday

This networking event put on by the Mass. Technology Leadership Council has a mobile focus this month, featuring consultants, individual entrepreneurs, startup companies, and investors in the space. It’s also introducing office hours, where entrepreneurs can reserve slots to meet with industry players for advice on how to market and grow their business. Registration is … Continue reading “MTLC Tech Tuesday”

Battle of the Tech Bands 3: Boston vs. Seattle—A Video and Photo Extravaganza

It’s not every day you get to see three great East Coast rock bands on the same stage with two amazing West Coast bands—so we made a point of documenting our big fundraiser last Thursday, the Battle of the Tech Bands 3: Seattle vs. Boston. Today we want to share the amazing footage and images … Continue reading “Battle of the Tech Bands 3: Boston vs. Seattle—A Video and Photo Extravaganza”

Battle of the Tech Bands 3: The Slide Show

NEXT IMAGE >> Rock On — Xconomy’s third Battle of the Tech Bands took Cambridge by storm on February 4, featuring our first bicoastal smackdown: a faceoff between standout bands from past battles in Boston and Seattle. This shot shows the winning band, country rock act The Dirty Truckers, who edged out Deadbeat Darling for … Continue reading “Battle of the Tech Bands 3: The Slide Show”

Cheers to the Environment: PurposeEnergy Aims to Make Brewing More Sustainable

When Eric Fitch decided to start his own company a few years back after working on a string of other startups, he knew clean energy was the way to go. “I couldn’t escape the gravity of this renewable energy thing,” he says. He thought the industrial and manufacturing arenas would be the best targets, as … Continue reading “Cheers to the Environment: PurposeEnergy Aims to Make Brewing More Sustainable”

Web Innovators Group 25

David Beisel of Venrock writes: “We’re only three weeks away from our first 2010 WebInno event on March 1st. In addition to the usual format for the upcoming meeting, I’ve just added a special break-out session entitled, ‘Serial Web Entrepreneurs’ Founding Stories.’ The teaser: “Entrepreneurs Steven Kane, Tom Gerace, and David Cancel all successfully founded … Continue reading “Web Innovators Group 25”

San Diego’s Halozyme Therapeutics Seeks Biotech Cure for Cellulite

Cellulite is the bane of women everywhere. Caused by the irregular tightening of connective fibers between the muscle and skin, cellulite mars the rump and thighs with uneven dimples and bulges, as if a layer of cottage cheese lies just below the skin. Cosmetic creams and lotions can make the skin look smoother by inducing … Continue reading “San Diego’s Halozyme Therapeutics Seeks Biotech Cure for Cellulite”

Infinity’s New CEO, Veteran Dealmaker, Seeks to Deliver on Company’s Early Promise

The story of Infinity Pharmaceuticals can be told through three people. Steve Holtzman got the company started, and raised the money for the company’s proprietary chemistry. Julian Adams brought the focus on cancer drugs. Now it’s up to Adelene Perkins to show that the company’s treatments work, and can be successfully marketed to patients. At … Continue reading “Infinity’s New CEO, Veteran Dealmaker, Seeks to Deliver on Company’s Early Promise”

Amazon Buys Touchco, Infinia Raises More Cash, the Truth About Photobucket, & More Seattle-Area Deals News

Another quiet week for deals in the Northwest as we head into the depths of winter. Nevertheless, there were a few notable deals in software, hardware, and energy. —Kennewick, WA-based Infinia snapped up another $11.5 million in equity financing in a round that could total $75 million over time, as Luke reported. The investors in … Continue reading “Amazon Buys Touchco, Infinia Raises More Cash, the Truth About Photobucket, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”

How to Win Influencers and Friend People: Pursway Raises $6M, Arrives in Boston

If you change your tech startup’s name, you might get a one-line notice from the business press. If you get a prominent firm to invest in your technology, particularly if it’s a sizeable amount or if it’s your first big round of funding, we’ll probably write a paragraph or two. If you move your headquarters … Continue reading “How to Win Influencers and Friend People: Pursway Raises $6M, Arrives in Boston”

Pursway Secures $6,000,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7588dc79-2a42-415e-aca1-1a7815208dd8&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Pursway Mailing Address 930 Winter Street Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Most consumer behavior is influenced by the opinions of people we know and trust– family, friends, and colleagues. While marketers have known this for quite a while, they are challenged to act on it. Website http://www.pursway.com … Continue reading “Pursway Secures $6,000,000 Series A Financing”

Cytosolv Garners $500,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ed6c3c35-6797-4bc6-a1c3-9c7d187a0ede&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Cytosolv Mailing Address 155 Pelletier Ln Tiverton, RI 02878-3007 Company Description The company was founded by Moses Goddard, M.D., and Christopher Thanos, Ph.D., based upon research to be published in the upcoming issue of scientific journal Cell Transplantation. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $500,000 … Continue reading “Cytosolv Garners $500,000 New Round”

Media Platform On-Demand Garners $5,500,000 Series B Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a23a20a7-9dda-4966-b977-ea441144cc8b&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Media Platform On-Demand Mailing Address 13160 Mindano Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Company Description The company is developing enterprise-scale software. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,500,000 Transaction Round Series B Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Syncom Management … Continue reading “Media Platform On-Demand Garners $5,500,000 Series B Financing Round”

VMOps Receives $11,000,000 Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=54c3c029-7eea-4cbb-a144-1604d07b4d8a&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name VMOps Mailing Address 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd Cupertino, CA 95014 Company Description VMOps develops software that allows companies to launch an elastic computing cloud and offer it as a service to end-users. Website http://www.vmops.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $11,000,000 Transaction Round Series B Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “VMOps Receives $11,000,000 Series B Round”

TwoF Obtains $2,100,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b3b6dbf1-c230-4e01-a7bb-5567a33079ac&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name TwoF Mailing Address 2555 Flores Street San Mateo, CA 94403 Company Description TwoF, inc. was established November 2005 with the purpose of developing SupramolecularNanoStamping (SuNS), a proprietary technology for the production of DNA microarrays. Website http://www.twof.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,100,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “TwoF Obtains $2,100,000 New Funding Round”

DotNetNuke Receives $8,000,000 Series B Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=79ad3857-8de9-4090-b26b-f9ed5de00365&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name DotNetNuke Mailing Address 1825 S. Grant St. San Mateo, CA 94402 Company Description DotNetNuke Corporation is the official Project Owner and Maintainer of the DotNetNuke® Web Application Framework, the largest and most successful open source project native to the Microsoft platform. DotNetNuke Corporation is a privately held … Continue reading “DotNetNuke Receives $8,000,000 Series B Funding”

MindBody Acquires ClientMagic Software for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0971992e-6f61-4546-8250-b4876763446a&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name ClientMagic Software Mailing Address 302 Cimmaron Circle Folsom, CA 95630 Company Description Our home office is located in Folsom California, with branches in Florida, Australia, and Europe. Less than 80 miles from the technology center of the world, Silicone Valley, Folsom has become the technology center of … Continue reading “MindBody Acquires ClientMagic Software for Undisclosed Sum”

Exar Acquires Neterion for $11,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1c0a483d-ce62-4c76-b2ba-fb2c9ca8eafe&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Neterion Mailing Address 295 Santa Ana Court Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Company Description Neterion Inc. has locations in Cupertino, California and Ottawa, Canada. Neterion delivers 10 Gigabit Ethernet hardware & software solutions that enable OEMs to solve their customers’ high-end networking problems. Website http://www.neterion.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction … Continue reading “Exar Acquires Neterion for $11,000,000”

TwoF Receives $2,100,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b3b6dbf1-c230-4e01-a7bb-5567a33079ac&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name TwoF Mailing Address 350 Fifth Avenue, 41st Floor New York, NY 10118 Company Description TwoF, inc. was established November 2005 with the purpose of developing SupramolecularNanoStamping (SuNS), a proprietary technology for the production of DNA microarrays. Website http://www.twof.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,100,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “TwoF Receives $2,100,000 New Funding Round”

Viryd Receives New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2512099a-9b69-48b4-8258-1aed9f8c89be&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Viryd Mailing Address 9701 Metric Blvd. Austin, TX 78758 Company Description Viryd Technologies (Viryd) was founded in 2007 to develop and commercialize NuVinci Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) transmission technology for the wind industry. NuVinci CVP technology was invented by Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook) and enables a new … Continue reading “Viryd Receives New Round”

Phytel Lands $14,200,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0be12944-173d-4608-8ce2-b21e3a680e44&Preview=1 Date 2/9/2010 Company Name Phytel Mailing Address 11511 Luna Road Dallas, TX 75234 Company Description At Phytel, we are passionate about physician-driven health improvement. We believe achieving the best health care results largely depends on the physician-patient relationship. Building our capabilities on the foundation of evidence-based guidelines, we provide physicians with … Continue reading “Phytel Lands $14,200,000 New Funding Round”

SiCortex Co-Founder John Mucci Passes Away

[Updated Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 with comments and funeral service/memorial donations details—see below] Xconomy is very sad to note that John Mucci, the co-founder and former CEO and director of SiCortex, the Maynard, MA-based startup that sought to build a new generation of energy-efficient supercomputers, passed away yesterday of a heart attack, according to … Continue reading “SiCortex Co-Founder John Mucci Passes Away”

Connect Creates Post for Innovation Lobbyist in Washington DC

Connect, the San Diego non-profit that supports local technology and entrepreneurship, says it is opening an office in Washington D.C. “to be part of the process,” and to represent the interests of San Diego’s innovation community. Establishing a lobbyist in Washington was a key part of an initiative that Connect CEO Duane Roth unveiled last … Continue reading “Connect Creates Post for Innovation Lobbyist in Washington DC”

Voyager Capital’s Daniel Ahn on the Firm’s Refocused Clean-IT Strategy

To Voyager Capital managing director Daniel Ahn, “cleantech” is just a buzzword. “Clean IT” is much more precise—and, to the point, it’s something a hardcore techie venture capitalist can get his hands around. Last week, I spoke with Ahn by phone about Voyager’s recent investment in Coulomb Technologies, a Campbell, CA-based startup focused on electric … Continue reading “Voyager Capital’s Daniel Ahn on the Firm’s Refocused Clean-IT Strategy”

IdeaScale Used for 24 Government Sites

Seattle-based Survey Analytics has rolled out a total of 24 crowdsourcing websites for U.S. government agencies to help them solicit and manage feedback from citizens. Financial details of the current partnerships weren’t given. The sites are powered by IdeaScale, the company’s software platform for hosting and managing feedback from communities and customers. Last May, the … Continue reading “IdeaScale Used for 24 Government Sites”

Veracode Secures $12.3M Funding

Veracode, a provider of security software, has raised $12.3 million in equity financing, according to an SEC filing. The filing does not list the investors in the funding round. The Burlington, MA-based company’s previous backers include Atlas Venture, .406 Ventures, Macrovision, Polaris Venture Partners, Symantec, and In-Q-Tel. Wade once provided a brief overview of Veracode’s … Continue reading “Veracode Secures $12.3M Funding”

PatientSafe Solutions Secures $30M Round, Report Says

PatientSafe Solutions (formerly IntelliDOT) has raised $30 million in a restructuring round of funding, according to a report in VentureWire. The San Diego-based startup, which develops technology that is intended to prevent costly errors in hospitals, is raising the funds as it plans to expand its product offerings. VentureWire reports that the lead backers in … Continue reading “PatientSafe Solutions Secures $30M Round, Report Says”

Cell Therapeutics Shares Fall as FDA Says Lymphoma Drug Has “Substantial” Side Effects

Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics’ experimental drug for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was tested in “substantially fewer” patients than planned in a pivotal clinical trial, and the data that it gathered to support its application shows the treatment has “substantial” toxicity to blood cells and the heart, according to an analysis by FDA staff posted online today. The FDA’s … Continue reading “Cell Therapeutics Shares Fall as FDA Says Lymphoma Drug Has “Substantial” Side Effects”

New CEO at Sand 9

Boston-based Sand 9, which is developing microelectromechanical resonators that could replace quartz crystal frequency sources in 3G phones, GPS devices, and other applications, said today that Vince Graziani, a board member and former CEO of VBrick, has been appointed chief executive officer. Founded in 2007, Sand 9 is backed by Flybridge Capital Partners, General Catalyst … Continue reading “New CEO at Sand 9”

Solace Pharma Closes Boston-Area Office After Pain Treatment Fails in Clinical Trial

Solace Pharmaceuticals has quietly shuttered its office in Cambridge, MA, near the team of biologists and venture capitalists who formed the startup in 2006 to develop new treatments for pain, company CEO Eliot Forster confirmed for Xconomy. The firm, which has raised $15 million in venture capital, is now operating from its remaining office in … Continue reading “Solace Pharma Closes Boston-Area Office After Pain Treatment Fails in Clinical Trial”

Quattrone Predicts VC Shrinkage, ViaSat CEO Says Bandwidth Was Key to Internet Satellite, UCSD Scientists Win Google Grant, & More San Diego BizTech News

With online video consuming more and more bandwidth, ViaSat’s decision to design its own high-capacity satellite for Internet service is looking more and more prescient. We’re beaming that and the rest of the news to you now, so take off your foil hats and tune in. —Frank Quattrone, a former investment banker and controversial figure … Continue reading “Quattrone Predicts VC Shrinkage, ViaSat CEO Says Bandwidth Was Key to Internet Satellite, UCSD Scientists Win Google Grant, & More San Diego BizTech News”

Fallbrook Technologies Spinoff Viryd Raises Another $5M for Wind Power Innovation

Viryd Technologies, a wind turbine technology startup spun out last May by San Diego’s Fallbrook Technologies, has secured a $5 million investment that includes a Chinese maker of automotive components. Viryd was founded near Austin, TX, to integrated Fallbrook’s proprietary transmission technology in power-generating wind turbines for the renewable energy. Unlike a conventional transmission, which … Continue reading “Fallbrook Technologies Spinoff Viryd Raises Another $5M for Wind Power Innovation”

TripAdvisor: The Travel Company That’s Really All About Data

TripAdvisor, which was founded 10 years ago this month, is a study in paradoxes: • The Newton, MA-based company’s family of travel-related websites attracts 35 million unique visitors each month, making it one of the most successful Web properties in the Boston area—yet few people even realize the company is headquartered in New England. • … Continue reading “TripAdvisor: The Travel Company That’s Really All About Data”

Verdezyne Identifies First Product

When I profiled Verdezyne in November, the Carlsbad, CA-based startup didn’t want to disclose the first feedstock chemical it is aiming to displace by using genetically engineered yeast in a fermentation tank instead of a petrochemical refinery. Today Verdezyne is announcing it can use its proprietary sustainable processes to make adipic acid, a primary ingredient … Continue reading “Verdezyne Identifies First Product”

Optimer Rises on Takeover Buzz and Clinical Trial Results; Still Faces Business Risks

One of the buzzwords I keep hearing is that biotech investors want companies that are “de-risked.” This is kind of amusing, because the complex nature of biology makes biotech drug development one of the riskiest investments of all. But this craving for security is positive, at least for a while, if you are San Diego-based … Continue reading “Optimer Rises on Takeover Buzz and Clinical Trial Results; Still Faces Business Risks”

Zafgen’s Mysterious Weight Loss Drug Advances Into First Trial for Obese Women

Zafgen arrived on the Boston biotech scene about 18 months ago with blue-chip venture backing, a highly regarded scientist as CEO, and an audacious idea. The Cambridge, MA-based company was developing a powerful new weight loss drug made to work unlike any other treatment in development, by cutting off the blood supply to fat tissue. … Continue reading “Zafgen’s Mysterious Weight Loss Drug Advances Into First Trial for Obese Women”