Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7b4b1005-8ab1-4ba5-ba38-64920c2a33ac&Preview=1 Date 9/21/2009 Company Name PrimeraDx Mailing Address 171 Forbes Blvd Mansfield, MA 02048 Company Description Primera is developing a proprietary gene expression analysis system, “STAR” (Scalable Transcription Analysis Routine) that combines into a single system the desirable features of both real-time PCR and DNA microarray technologies. Website http://www.primeradx.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “PrimeraDx Lands $20,000,000 Series C Funding”
TradeBeam Holdings Obtains $7,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e91dd874-6720-4771-910d-04e5e05b388a&Preview=1 Date 9/21/2009 Company Name TradeBeam Holdings Mailing Address Two Waters Park Drive San Mateo, CA 94403-1148 Company Description TradeBeam is a Global Trade Management software and services company providing solutions that streamline global trading processes for enterprises and their partners. Website http://www.tradebeam.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “TradeBeam Holdings Obtains $7,000,000 New Round”
Oorja Protonics Lands $500,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=647c120b-19cd-42d3-8520-8f91a667d4c4&Preview=1 Date 9/21/2009 Company Name Oorja Protonics Mailing Address 40923 Encyclopedia Circle Fremont, CA 94538 Company Description At Oorja, we are developing alcohol-based fuel cell systems based on proprietary and patented technology. Our goal is to offer power systems that are compact, efficient, and reliable. We have built strategic alliances with leading … Continue reading “Oorja Protonics Lands $500,000 New Funding”
Maskless Lithography Lands $1,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2e868d14-87f8-44d8-98ef-c5b89f62f68b&Preview=1 Date 9/21/2009 Company Name Maskless Lithography Mailing Address 1507 Montalban Dr. San Jose, CA 95120 Company Description Develops direct imaging equipment to manufacture printed circuit boards. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $1,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed
Spinal Kinetics Garners $5,300,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4da17f24-6166-4139-8d0e-eb9a37b09add&Preview=1 Date 9/21/2009 Company Name Spinal Kinetics Mailing Address 595 N. Pastoria Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Company Description Spinal Kinetics, Inc. is a start-up medical device company developing innovative orthopedic devices for the treatment of diseases of the spine. Website http://www.spinalkinetics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,300,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds … Continue reading “Spinal Kinetics Garners $5,300,000 New Financing”
Calibrating the Latest Advances in GIS and LBS
The San Diego Software Industry Council is hosting a panel discussion about the future of Geographic Information Systems and Location-Based Services. A panel of experts from industry, government, and non-profits will discuss the significance of recent advances, including the advent of cloud computing, and innovations in GPS and microprocessor technologies. Registration and networking begins at … Continue reading “Calibrating the Latest Advances in GIS and LBS”
Sweat Equity as the New Currency
The San Diego Software Industry Council is hosting an entrepreneur’s forum on sweat equity as a great way to build a company. The session includes the practical and legal benefits of sweat equity, as well as the pitfalls of making it the basis of valuations, options, warrants, and stock grants. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., … Continue reading “Sweat Equity as the New Currency”
Biotech Networking and Intellikine CEO Troy Wilson
The San Diego Biotechnology Network is hosting Intellikine at this month’s biotech professional networking event, and Intellikine CEO Troy Wilson is scheduled to make a presentation about the company. Intellikine, which made news in July for raising a potential $51 million in venture capital funding, specializes in the development of innovative, small molecule drugs for … Continue reading “Biotech Networking and Intellikine CEO Troy Wilson”
Learn About the Founder Institute in San Diego
Organizers of the Founder Institute, a four-month program that combines the benefits of an incubator and a startup training camp, are holding an information session for very early-stage entrepreneurs and company founders. The institute is intended to help founders launch world-class technology companies by providing a great level of training, membership, and services. San Diego’s … Continue reading “Learn About the Founder Institute in San Diego”
Pudding Media Receives $3,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=64b29bec-04c1-4be9-af79-2658d4182d95&Preview=1 Date 9/20/2009 Company Name Pudding Media Mailing Address 660 Alabama Street Floor 2 San Francisco, CA 94110 Company Description Pudding Media provides solutions for intelligent placement of content and targeted advertising in voice services. Founded in 2006, Pudding Media enables communication providers to generate new revenue stream from ad-supported phone calls … Continue reading “Pudding Media Receives $3,000,000 New Funding Round”
The Key to Green Energy: WSU Innovators Series
What if we could see inside living plants and algae and easily assess their potential as food or fuel? What if farmers could quickly determine the health of their crops and apply precise remedies to improve yields? Washington State University professor David Kramer will describe some of the revolutionary new ideas in plant science, which … Continue reading “The Key to Green Energy: WSU Innovators Series”
Portland’s Ensequence Raises $20M for Interactive TV
In one of the Northwest’s biggest tech financings this year, Interactive television firm Ensequence, based in Portland, OR, said today it has secured $20 million in funding led by Clay Mathile, the CEO of CYMI Technologies and former CEO and owner of Iams (the pet food company sold to Proctor & Gamble for $2.3 billion … Continue reading “Portland’s Ensequence Raises $20M for Interactive TV”
SAIC Expected to Announce Headquarters Shift From San Diego to Northern Virginia
[Updated 9/18/09 2:45 pm PT. See below.] SAIC, the secretive defense contractor that was founded in San Diego 40 years ago by nuclear physicist J. Robert Beyster, apparently plans to announce the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Tysons Corner, VA, sometime next week. The looming announcement from Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was first … Continue reading “SAIC Expected to Announce Headquarters Shift From San Diego to Northern Virginia”
Need to Catch Up With Digital Natives? Check These Seven Projects to Spread Your Digital Wings
If you’re under 25 or so, you probably don’t need much training on how to share digital photos, make a digital sketch, create an animated cartoon, make a personalized online map, or the like. I wrote the last three installments of my World Wide Wade column for everyone else: The majority of everyday computer users … Continue reading “Need to Catch Up With Digital Natives? Check These Seven Projects to Spread Your Digital Wings”
Novo Nordisk’s Historic Mistake is Seattle’s Future Gain, Says Novo CEO
Seattle might never have gotten its newest biotech research center if not for a historic corporate blunder from 30 years ago, according to Lars Rebien Sorensen, the CEO of Novo Nordisk. Novo, the Danish drugmaker that is the world’s biggest producer of insulin for treating diabetes, was approached then by a small biotech company from … Continue reading “Novo Nordisk’s Historic Mistake is Seattle’s Future Gain, Says Novo CEO”
Jive Makes Social Network for Congress
Portland, OR-based Jive Software announced it is providing the social networking and collaboration software for National Journal Group’s 3121, a professional networking tool designed for U.S. congressional members and staff. Financial terms were not disclosed. Jive works with a number of U.S. government agencies, including NASA, the Army, the Air Force Medical Service, and members … Continue reading “Jive Makes Social Network for Congress”
SAIC Gets Robot Sub Contract
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI, has awarded a contract worth up to $19 million to San Diego-based Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: [[ticker:SAIC]]). Under the contract, which SAIC announced today, the company will perform training, modeling, simulation, and other support services for robot submarine research programs at the Navy’s Autonomous Undersea … Continue reading “SAIC Gets Robot Sub Contract”
Put Yourself On the Map, Build a Virtual House: Seven Projects to Stretch Your Digital Wings, Part Three
When I set out to write “Seven Projects to Stretch Your Digital Wings” two weeks ago, I really meant to put all seven projects into one column. But I’m famous around Xconomy for my inability to say anything briefly. If 800 words are good, then 1,600 words are even better—that’s my motto. The point being … Continue reading “Put Yourself On the Map, Build a Virtual House: Seven Projects to Stretch Your Digital Wings, Part Three”
How Did Calypso Raise $50M? The Story Behind Seattle’s Biggest VC Deal of 2009
Word out of Calypso Medical Technologies the past year hasn’t been what most people would call positive. The Seattle-based medical device company cut one-fifth of its staff in December. Even in its third year on the market, it was still struggling to get Medicare to pay for its devices that pinpoint radiation in ways that … Continue reading “How Did Calypso Raise $50M? The Story Behind Seattle’s Biggest VC Deal of 2009”
Ambrx Strikes Deal With Wyeth (Soon-to-be Pfizer) to Make Antibody Drugs
Ambrx has ginned up yet another potentially lucrative Big Pharma deal. The San Diego-based biotech company has struck a worldwide partnership with Madison, NJ-based Wyeth to create new engineered antibody drugs against multiple diseases. Financial terms aren’t being disclosed, but Ambrx says it is raking in an upfront payment, research funding, milestone payments based on … Continue reading “Ambrx Strikes Deal With Wyeth (Soon-to-be Pfizer) to Make Antibody Drugs”
Voyager Capital Hires Former Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen, Strengthens Digital Media Expertise
Seattle-based Voyager Capital is announcing today it has added a new venture partner—Bruce Chizen, the former chief executive of Adobe Systems (2000-2007). Chizen started in his new role this month, and he’s based in Silicon Valley, but he’s already making an impact on Northwest companies in Voyager’s portfolio. First things first, I had to ask … Continue reading “Voyager Capital Hires Former Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen, Strengthens Digital Media Expertise”
A123 Plans $200M+ IPO, Seaside Sees $30M, Verivue Grabs $20.1M, & More Boston-Area Deals News
New England’s tech and life sciences companies have cut far too many deals to mention over the last week and a half, so we’re kicking it top-ten style for this installment of roundup. #10 GreenBytes of Ashaway, RI, completed an $8 million Series A financing from Waltham, MA-based Battery Ventures. The startup also unveiled a … Continue reading “A123 Plans $200M+ IPO, Seaside Sees $30M, Verivue Grabs $20.1M, & More Boston-Area Deals News”
Arena Obesity Drug Passes Second Trial, Aims to Sell Safe Option for Millions of People
Arena Pharmaceuticals can breathe a sigh of relief. Twelve years of work and $1 billion invested in drug development isn’t going down the drain. The San Diego-based company is reporting today that it has passed the second big clinical trial it needs to win FDA approval to sell an obesity drug that has potential to … Continue reading “Arena Obesity Drug Passes Second Trial, Aims to Sell Safe Option for Millions of People”
MooBella Secures $18,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=666e543f-2927-4f25-8620-7ec5c0fe6877&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2009 Company Name MooBella Mailing Address 555 Constitution Drive Taunton, MA 02780-7365 Company Description Simply stated, MooBella is where taste meets technology. The MooBella team has created a multi-patented, fully automated ice cream process that will change ice cream forever! Fresh ice cream, on the spot, made to order. Smooth … Continue reading “MooBella Secures $18,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
Rennovia Garners $6,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=21fc3c75-6196-41c2-95a5-68f9aa229cc8&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2009 Company Name Rennovia Mailing Address 2200 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park, CA 94025 Company Description The company develops technologies for chemical production. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor 5AM Ventures Venture Investor … Continue reading “Rennovia Garners $6,000,000 New Funding”
Fwix Garners $2,750,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=578e8500-dc2e-4b83-b69b-c773dd0b3a08&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2009 Company Name Fwix Mailing Address Undisclosed San Francisco, CA 94101 Company Description New publishing venture which combines local news content with user-contributed stories. Website http://www.fwix.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,750,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor BlueRun Ventures
Zino Society Investment Forum Yields Six Finalists for $100K in Prizes
The Seattle-based investor and entrepreneur network Zino Society hosted its fourth annual Zino Zillionaire Investment Forum today at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle. The event drew 28 companies, some in technology and some non-tech, each making a pitch for a chance to win one of two $50,000 investment prizes. Here are the six … Continue reading “Zino Society Investment Forum Yields Six Finalists for $100K in Prizes”
Bing Is Fastest Growing Search Engine
Microsoft’s new search engine, Bing, is growing faster than its rivals, including Google, according to Nielsen Online. The report says Bing’s share of the Web search market was 10.7 percent in August, up from 9.0 percent in July, representing a 22 percent increase in its total number of searches. Google’s market share increased slightly to … Continue reading “Bing Is Fastest Growing Search Engine”
“It’s All Here,” Massachusetts State Government Says in Business-Expansion Campaign
At Akamai headquarters in Cambridge, MA, today, state officials took the wraps off a cross-media campaign intended to promote Massachusetts as a place to study, live, work, vacation, or grow a business. The new website for the campaign—themed “It’s All Here“—brings together resources for entrepreneurs considering starting their companies in Massachusetts, students looking for jobs … Continue reading ““It’s All Here,” Massachusetts State Government Says in Business-Expansion Campaign”
RealGames Mobilizes, Rolls Out Program for Mobile Game Developers
The world of traditional mobile games can be tough for small studios and publishers to navigate. Having to work around all the different wireless carriers, handsets, and operating systems can severely limit the distribution of their games. Which is why the iPhone and other app stores attract so many developers. Now, Seattle-based RealNetworks is trying … Continue reading “RealGames Mobilizes, Rolls Out Program for Mobile Game Developers”
Calypso Medical Raises $50M to Strengthen Pinpointed Radiation Therapy for Cancer
Calypso Medical, the Seattle-based developer of technology that pinpoints radiation therapy for cancer to minimize side effects, has raised $50 million in the biggest venture financing of the year in the Northwest life sciences industry. The financing for Calypso was led by Skyline Ventures, and the same venture firm that founded the company—Seattle-based Frazier Healthcare … Continue reading “Calypso Medical Raises $50M to Strengthen Pinpointed Radiation Therapy for Cancer”
Tysabri’s Tally of PML Cases Reaches 13
Biogen Idec and Elan’s fast-growing multiple sclerosis drug, natalizumab (Tysabri), has been connected to 13 cases of a potentially fatal brain infection, according to an FDA notice reported on today by Bloomberg News. Cases of progressive multifocal encephalopathy, or PML for short, have been adding up since the drug was re-introduced to the U.S. market … Continue reading “Tysabri’s Tally of PML Cases Reaches 13”
SDG&E Leads Cleantech Coalition to Upgrade ‘Smart Grid,’ Pursue Stimulus Funds
San Diego Gas & Electric has formed a coalition with the non-profit group Cleantech San Diego, UC San Diego, and major companies like Qualcomm, IBM, and Intel to integrate emerging “smart grid” technologies in the public utility’s regional power grid. The coalition’s goal is to develop and deploy a host of innovations, including renewable energy … Continue reading “SDG&E Leads Cleantech Coalition to Upgrade ‘Smart Grid,’ Pursue Stimulus Funds”
Optherion Sells $5M in Convertible Notes and Warrants
Optherion, a New Haven, CT-based developer of diagnostics an drugs for eye and kidney diseases, has raised $5 million in a planned $9.5 million convertible notes and warrants offering, according to an SEC filing. The company writes in the filing that the notes and warrants can be converted into capital stock under certain conditions. Colin … Continue reading “Optherion Sells $5M in Convertible Notes and Warrants”
As Venture-Backed IPOs Remain Closed, Qualcomm and Google Execs Offer Some M&A Advice to Startup CEOs
The keynote speech that former SEC chairman Christopher Cox delivered yesterday at San Diego’s Seventh Annual Venture Summit was billed as a look at the conditions necessary for the IPO window to reopen, a topic of keen interest to scores of VC partners in the audience. But Cox’s main theme was really focused on the … Continue reading “As Venture-Backed IPOs Remain Closed, Qualcomm and Google Execs Offer Some M&A Advice to Startup CEOs”
VentiRx, Evangelist for Lean, Mean Virtual Way, Makes Progress With Cancer, Allergy Drugs
Virtual companies have been all the rage for some time with biotech venture capitalists, but I’ve been wondering whether this lean-and-mean outsource-darn-near-everything model is really a better way to develop drugs than the traditional soup-to-nuts approach at companies like Genentech. I haven’t seen a good academic paper on this question, and until I do, I’m … Continue reading “VentiRx, Evangelist for Lean, Mean Virtual Way, Makes Progress With Cancer, Allergy Drugs”
Amylin Targets Obesity, Tioga Shows Virtual Business Model, Roka Bioscience Spins Off Gen-Probe, & More San Diego Life Sciences News
The pharmaceutical industry has set its sights on winning a huge new market, with four life sciences companies (three of them in San Diego) in a race to develop the next big obesity drug. Get the latest news as that story unfolds and other developments in San Diego’s life sciences sector. —Business has been surging … Continue reading “Amylin Targets Obesity, Tioga Shows Virtual Business Model, Roka Bioscience Spins Off Gen-Probe, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”
How Biotechs Can Stand Out in the Competition for a Big Pharma Partnership
[Editor’s Note: this piece was co-authored by Hari Kumar of San Diego-based Amira Pharmaceuticals.] The benefits of partnerships between emerging biotech companies and major drug developers are numerous and well known. The smaller biotech company gets cash to support its innovative R&D, and the Big Pharma company gets hot new patented drug candidates to replace … Continue reading “How Biotechs Can Stand Out in the Competition for a Big Pharma Partnership”
Omeros Moves Closer to IPO, Zymo Drug Fails Arthritis Trials, Uptake Medical Gets $3.4M, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News
One of Seattle’s biotech companies showed it’s willing to stick its neck out to see whether the IPO window is really going to open this fall or not. —Omeros, the Seattle biotech company developing a treatment to help people recover faster from knee surgery, has been getting its ducks in a row to go public … Continue reading “Omeros Moves Closer to IPO, Zymo Drug Fails Arthritis Trials, Uptake Medical Gets $3.4M, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”
Autism Gets a Boost: Seaside Therapeutics Raises $30M To Develop First Drugs That Might Work
Seaside Therapeutics, a stealthy biotech startup in Cambridge, MA, has raised $30 million to further develop research from MIT neuroscientist Mark Bear that has the potential to create the first drugs that treat the underlying neurological disorder at work in patients with Fragile X syndrome and autism. Seaside raised the money from a private, family … Continue reading “Autism Gets a Boost: Seaside Therapeutics Raises $30M To Develop First Drugs That Might Work”
Seaside Therapeutics Secures $30,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a6b3300c-0ead-41b9-a696-eda08b116a8d&Preview=1 Date 9/17/2009 Company Name Seaside Therapeutics Mailing Address 840 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139 Company Description Seaside founders understand the toll that brain development disorders, including autism and mental retardation, take on families and share the sense of frustration that effective therapeutics are still not available despite recent scientific advances. Seaside … Continue reading “Seaside Therapeutics Secures $30,000,000 New Round”
Calypso Medical Technologies Secures $50,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a5e399d-4ce3-48ec-876a-cfd3a2822262&Preview=1 Date 9/17/2009 Company Name Calypso Medical Technologies Mailing Address 2101 Fourth Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 Company Description Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc., was founded in 1999 and is a privately held medical device company located in Seattle, Washington. The Company and its employees are dedicated to enabling physicians with organ motion management … Continue reading “Calypso Medical Technologies Secures $50,000,000 New Financing”
NextBio Secures $8,000,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0f0885d7-8dd0-4165-bb82-b1f9f5b34994&Preview=1 Date 9/17/2009 Company Name NextBio Mailing Address 3 Results Way Cupertino, CA 95014 Company Description NextBio is the world’s first data search and collaboration engine for life scientists and clinicians. Founded by a team of visionary innovators, NextBio addresses a fundamental need within R&D to effectively leverage vast quantities of internal … Continue reading “NextBio Secures $8,000,000 Series C Financing Round”
Omeros Moves Closer To IPO, Sets Price Goal
Omeros, the Seattle biotech company that’s attempting to pull off the first IPO from a Washington company in two years, took a step closer toward its goal today by updating its prospectus and stating it hopes to go public at a range of $10 to $12 a share. Xconomy broke the news last month based … Continue reading “Omeros Moves Closer To IPO, Sets Price Goal”
When Paid Crowdsourcing Hits the Mainstream: A Report and Online Panel
Sometimes the only way to flush out the truth on something is to state an opinion and spark a discussion. Using on-demand workers has been around for over 10 years, but there are precious few resources available for someone to get educated. Hopefully my report will stimulate discussion and bring a greater level of awareness … Continue reading “When Paid Crowdsourcing Hits the Mainstream: A Report and Online Panel”
3Tier Cuts Staff After Raising $10M to Find Best Spots for Clean Energy
Seattle-based 3Tier Group, the company that raised $10 million in venture capital last December to help developers find ideal locations for renewable energy facilities, had a staff layoff today, according to a company spokesman. Xconomy received a tip today that 19 employees were let go. The company had 85 people on the payroll the last … Continue reading “3Tier Cuts Staff After Raising $10M to Find Best Spots for Clean Energy”
Report: Paul Allen’s Vulcan Sells Wireless Spectrum Licenses to AT&T
Paul Allen, the Seattle-area billionaire who co-founded Microsoft, has agreed to sell 24 licenses for wireless spectrum in Washington and Oregon to AT&T, according to a report by Bloomberg News, which cites filings with the Federal Communications Commission. The price of the sale, which has not yet been approved by the FCC, is not disclosed. … Continue reading “Report: Paul Allen’s Vulcan Sells Wireless Spectrum Licenses to AT&T”
Google-Brightcove Acquisition Rumors Surface, Get Sunk
A report today that Google is in talks to acquire Cambridge, MA-based video hosting company Brightcove met with curt no-comment reactions from both companies, and has been flatly contradicted by one analyst. The report, which surfaced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, came from Mark Glaser, a San Francisco-based freelance technology writer who is also executive editor … Continue reading “Google-Brightcove Acquisition Rumors Surface, Get Sunk”
Ginkgo BioWorks Tapped for $4.1M Synthetic DNA Effort
Boston-based synthetic biology startup Ginkgo BioWorks has been selected as one of two entities to support a Scottish initiative to find better ways to assemble synthetic DNA, according to ITI Life Sciences, which has committed $4.1 million to the effort. ITI Life Sciences is a unit of ITI Scotland, a firm that was formed in … Continue reading “Ginkgo BioWorks Tapped for $4.1M Synthetic DNA Effort”
New Speech Recognition Engine Under the Hood at Vlingo; Startup Dumps IBM and Nuance for AT&T
Vlingo, the Cambridge, MA-based startup that makes a suite of speech-to-text applications used by millions of iPhone, BlackBerry, and Nokia mobile device owners, is about to get a brain transplant of sorts. It said today that it will largely abandon a core speech-recognition engine developed by IBM and maintained by Nuance Communications in favor of … Continue reading “New Speech Recognition Engine Under the Hood at Vlingo; Startup Dumps IBM and Nuance for AT&T”