Reinventing Fire, An Evening with Amory Lovins-In Photos

Out-of-towner Amory Lovins drew a packed audience to Kendall Square last Thursday for a chat about his vision for our energy future—and how it can be achieved with better economics, no new acts of Congress or government regulation, and no major shift in our lifestyles. Lovins—co-founder, chairman, and chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute—co-authored … Continue reading “Reinventing Fire, An Evening with Amory Lovins-In Photos”

AppSense Labs Competes with Google and Facebook for Tech Talent in NY

On the hunt for techies with entrepreneurial spirit, enterprise software developer AppSense announced today it formed a research division that has its epicenter at the company’s New York headquarters. AppSense Labs, as it is called, aspires to do more than hire new experts; it aims to disrupt the way the company’s technology is developed by … Continue reading “AppSense Labs Competes with Google and Facebook for Tech Talent in NY”

Zipcar and Fontinalis Bet $13.7M on Car-Sharing Startup Wheelz

The world of car-sharing just got more interesting. Zipcar (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ZIP]]), the Cambridge, MA-based pioneer in the sector, said today it has led a $13.7 million Series A investment in Wheelz, a Palo Alto, CA-based car-sharing startup that targets college students. Detroit-based Fontinalis Partners, a transportation tech investment firm, also participated in the round. As … Continue reading “Zipcar and Fontinalis Bet $13.7M on Car-Sharing Startup Wheelz”

InDi, Lee Hood’s Vision for Spotting Cancer in Blood, Snags $10M

Biotech pioneer Leroy Hood has spent years outlining a vision of finding networks of proteins in the blood that can offer an early warning sign of cancer on the move. Now the startup that Hood and Caltech’s Jim Heath founded to pursue that idea, Seattle-based Integrated Diagnostics, has raised another $10 million to turn it … Continue reading “InDi, Lee Hood’s Vision for Spotting Cancer in Blood, Snags $10M”

UW’s Matsuoka Stays at Nest, Brain Research Center Gets New Director

Multi-talented scientist Yoky Matsuoka is making it official: She won’t return to the University of Washington, choosing instead to focus on her new job as vice president of technology for Silicon Valley “smart thermostat” startup Nest. It’s a loss for the UW computer science and engineering department, but not a huge surprise. Matsuoka—a past winner … Continue reading “UW’s Matsuoka Stays at Nest, Brain Research Center Gets New Director”

Brand People for Startup Boards: A Q&A with NY Investor Michael Duda

Michael Duda uses the word fun quite a bit when talking about what he does. It’s not hard to see why. He’s co-founder of Consigliere Brand Capital, a New York-based investment and consulting firm focused crafting great brands from the ground up. Duda comes from the advertising agency Deutsch, and is joined by others from … Continue reading “Brand People for Startup Boards: A Q&A with NY Investor Michael Duda”

GreatPoint, Enanta, NextView, & More Boston Dealmakers

VC, cleantech, and biotech players populated the New England deal news this week. —Cambridge, MA-based coal-to-natural-gas company GreatPoint Energy formed a $1.25 billion partnership with China Wanxiang Holdings, according to a report in Dow Jones VentureWire. The deal also included $420 million in a Series D investment. —On-Q-ity, the Waltham, MA-based cancer diagnostics startup announced … Continue reading “GreatPoint, Enanta, NextView, & More Boston Dealmakers”

Exinda Networks Receives $9,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5f125f88-ee94-4d00-b724-e197940ddc79&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Exinda Networks Mailing Address 300 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 Company Description Exinda Networks is a leading global supplier of high quality network performance optimization and monitoring systems. Exinda’s products offer network data optimization, traffic reporting and application acceleration that allow enterprises to ensure its network operation … Continue reading “Exinda Networks Receives $9,000,000 New Funding Round”

ResearchGATE Garners Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=653c768a-a79a-440c-b4f1-eeb61abcedc1&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name ResearchGATE Mailing Address 350 Third Street Cambridge, MA 02142 Company Description The company operates a website and social network for scientific communities. Website http://www.researchgate.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Series B Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Founders … Continue reading “ResearchGATE Garners Series B Round”

Collegium Pharmaceutical Receives $22,500,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f419bf02-c8ca-4a43-a3a8-f5bf2ee5cf21&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Collegium Pharmaceutical Mailing Address 400 Highland Corporate Drive Cumberland, RI 02864 Company Description Collegium Pharmaceutical is dedicated to the development of proprietary, late stage pharmaceutical products that add market value and clinical benefit to existing drugs. We apply customized pharmaceutical formulations and intellectual property (IP) strategies to … Continue reading “Collegium Pharmaceutical Receives $22,500,000 New Funding Round”

Lucky Sort Lands $500,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6b6b2871-97db-44ab-b5b8-42c2444377be&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Lucky Sort Mailing Address Undisclosed Portland, OR 97201 Company Description Lucky Sort is building a Big Data visualization and navigation engine called TopicWatch for exploring emergent patterns in live text streams. TopicWatch equips analysts to explore and dissect the Big Picture by visualizing news, comments, and social … Continue reading “Lucky Sort Lands $500,000 New Funding”

Buuteeq Secures $2,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=88d62ec4-bea6-4f24-bd84-87657c66a013&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Buuteeq Mailing Address 1455 NW Leary Way Seattle, WA 98107 Company Description Buuteeq offers a hosted digital marketing solution for small/medium size independently managed hotels. Website http://www.buuteeq.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. … Continue reading “Buuteeq Secures $2,000,000 New Funding Round”

Receptos Receives $10,806,610 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c3102ebe-6eda-4c9f-a0d3-238622a6d336&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Receptos Mailing Address 10835 Road to the Cure San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Receptos is developing the next generation in GPCR drug discovery. Website http://www.receptos.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,806,610 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A … Continue reading “Receptos Receives $10,806,610 New Round”

California Stem Cell Secures $1,950,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=23777f1f-cc4a-48e7-80bb-a423b1386306&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name California Stem Cell Mailing Address 5251 California Ave Irvine, CA 92617-3077 Company Description California Stem Cell, Inc. is a privately held company focused on the manufacturing of high-purity human cells for therapeutic development and clinical application. Since its founding in Irvine, Calif., in 2005, CSC has developed … Continue reading “California Stem Cell Secures $1,950,000 New Financing Round”

Fluid Secures $24,000,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=63d46616-0035-4320-8846-65c0a4941496&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Fluid Mailing Address 3717 N. Ravenswood Ave Chicago, IL 60613 Company Description Fluid-Digital Shopping Innovation. Their love affair with mobile is transforming the way they act when they walk into your offline store. Online, they’re exposed to increasingly thrilling rich media, and have come to expect an … Continue reading “Fluid Secures $24,000,000 New Round”

Stitch Labs Lands $1,000,000 Seed Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1690c48a-fa06-4135-b1ea-09c9d55e4232&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Stitch Labs Mailing Address 461 2nd St. San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description Together we will continue to develop the most intuitive, perfectly designed business solutions on the market. It may interest you to know that Brandon was once like you… a spunky, mildly awkward owner of … Continue reading “Stitch Labs Lands $1,000,000 Seed Funding”

nScaled Receives $7,000,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=83d57456-4926-4cda-8c9a-0c777a8d3128&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name nScaled Mailing Address 801 Montgomery St. Third Floor San Francisco, CA 94133 Company Description We operate a global network of physical infrastructure which we make available to clients on an on-demand basis. Clients are able to deploy and manage infrastructure services around the globe in minutes, scale … Continue reading “nScaled Receives $7,000,000 New Funding”

Gynesonics Obtains $5,001,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2b5dacb1-c91a-4e20-b1d4-6ef6929d4e4f&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Gynesonics Mailing Address 604 Fifth Avenue Redwood City, CA 94063 Company Description Gynesonics is a private company that is developing a novel, minimally invasive system to treat uterine fibroid tumors, The VizAblate system. Gynesonics’ disposable, hand-held device combines ultrasound imaging to allow the gynecologist to identify fibroids … Continue reading “Gynesonics Obtains $5,001,000 New Funding Round”

Juniper Networks Acquires Mykonos Software for $80,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b16ef6f7-13cd-4ada-a63b-42c8d794c253&Preview=1 Date 2/22/2012 Company Name Mykonos Software Mailing Address 370 Brannan Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description Mykonos is the smartest way to secure Websites and Web applications against hackers, fraud and theft. Its Web Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) uses deception to detect, track, profile and prevent hackers in real-time. Website … Continue reading “Juniper Networks Acquires Mykonos Software for $80,000,000”

LiveSnip Nabs Startup Weekend Detroit Win Among A Talented Crowd

When I walked into the Madison Building Sunday night for the final round of Startup Weekend Detroit pitches, I worried for a moment that I might be the oldest person in the room. As MGMT and Deadmau5 throbbed from the auditorium’s speakers, groups of mostly male twentysomethings huddled in groups, intently pecking away on various … Continue reading “LiveSnip Nabs Startup Weekend Detroit Win Among A Talented Crowd”

Is Movik Networks the Next Starent? A Chat with Highland VC Sean Dalton

Here in Boston we can get a little provincial. It’s us against them, East Coast vs. West Coast, Boston vs. New York, the list goes on. This focus on local applies to the tech community as much as anything else: Who’s leading the resurgence of Boston startups? Why don’t Boston VCs invest in more local … Continue reading “Is Movik Networks the Next Starent? A Chat with Highland VC Sean Dalton”

San Diego Tech Roundup: EvoNexus, AirHop, & Beyster’s Gift to UMich

—CommNexus, the non-profit group for San Diego’s tech industry, held an open house for the new downtown EvoNexus incubator, which is intended to spur a proliferation of tech startups in the downtown area. While a baker’s dozen of startups are settling into the EvoNexus operation at 101 W. Broadway, companies like Take Lessons, Stay Classy, … Continue reading “San Diego Tech Roundup: EvoNexus, AirHop, & Beyster’s Gift to UMich”

University of Michigan Recognizes Beyster for $15M Gift

The University of Michigan Board of Regents agreed to name its computer science and engineering building the “Bob and Betty Beyster Building” in recognition of a $15 million gift from J. Robert Beyster, 87, who founded SAIC (NYSE: [[ticker:SAI]]) in San Diego 43 years ago. Beyster, who also is a San Diego Xconomist, received his … Continue reading “University of Michigan Recognizes Beyster for $15M Gift”

Enanta Enters HepC Big Leagues, With $34M Upfront From Novartis

Watertown, MA-based Enanta Pharmaceuticals just took a step ahead in the hepatitis C drug development derby. Enanta said today it has secured an exclusive deal with Novartis to co-develop an experimental hepatitis C drug, dubbed EDP-239, that’s designed to work by blocking a protein called NS5A. The deal provides Enanta with $34 million in upfront … Continue reading “Enanta Enters HepC Big Leagues, With $34M Upfront From Novartis”

Mobilisafe Study: Outdated OSs, Vanishing Devices Hamper Security

As if they didn’t have enough headaches to deal with, here’s some fresh fear, uncertainty, and doubt for small-business IT guys: Employees are not going to stop hauling their smartphones to work, and you probably don’t have a good idea of just who is tapping into your system. That’s the word from Seattle startup Mobilisafe, … Continue reading “Mobilisafe Study: Outdated OSs, Vanishing Devices Hamper Security”

Google Transit: A Search Giant Remaps Public Transportation

You can’t talk to a Googler for very long without hearing them recite the company’s mission statement: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Not only does it sound noble, but it’s an all-purpose answer for the sorts of nosey questions tech journalists pose, like why Google would want to … Continue reading “Google Transit: A Search Giant Remaps Public Transportation”

Take the Interview Takes Manhattan in Strategic and Practical Maneuver

In a strategic play to be closer to existing investors, potential backers, and her own personal support system, Danielle Weinblatt, the CEO of Take the Interview, has moved her startup from Cambridge, MA, to New York City and is on the hunt for more funding. Take the Interview has developed a platform for recruiters to … Continue reading “Take the Interview Takes Manhattan in Strategic and Practical Maneuver”

Oh, And One More Thing: A Wowser Moment in DNA Sequencing

[Updated and corrected, 10:15 am PT] Steve Jobs used to love being on stage, getting the audience in the palm of his hand. Famously, he’d say, “Oh, and one more thing,” to build suspense right before delivering some stunning line about a new Apple product. Last week, that same showmanship was at work in a … Continue reading “Oh, And One More Thing: A Wowser Moment in DNA Sequencing”

Avedro Lands $500,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9a3fb792-a15d-4a17-8435-783db49c7dab&Preview=1 Date 2/21/2012 Company Name Avedro Mailing Address 230 Third Avenue Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Avedro’s Keraflex is not laser eye surgery – it is a non-incisional, non-invasive procedure currently under clinical study for the correction of myopia and the treatment of keratoconus. Unlike LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures, … Continue reading “Avedro Lands $500,000 New Funding Round”

eBay Acquires WHI Solutions for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6df76427-a3f0-4aa5-b9b3-2b0feae77e02&Preview=1 Date 2/21/2012 Company Name WHI Solutions Mailing Address 5 International Drive Rye Brook, NY 10573 Company Description Wrenchead, Inc. has over 6 years of experience providing Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Retailers, End users and Software integrators with leading edge technology. Website http://www.wrenchead.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A … Continue reading “eBay Acquires WHI Solutions for Undisclosed Sum”

Mobile Matchup

The Mobile Technology Association of Michigan and Bizdom U are hosting this meeting, which is designed to build relationships between mobile developers and entrepreneurs in a series of three-minute meetings (similar to the speed dating format). To register, click here.

GoodRx Receives $1,000,000 Seed Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=34a8a566-c10c-4302-88bf-d70a0c5762fb&Preview=1 Date 2/20/2012 Company Name GoodRx Mailing Address Undisclosed Los Angeles, CA 90049 Company Description GoodRx is the first and only prescription drug price comparison tool created for consumers with prices from pharmacies nationwide. GoodRx’s founders are seasoned technology executives who were early employees at Facebook, Yahoo and other successful companies. Website … Continue reading “GoodRx Receives $1,000,000 Seed Financing Round”

NanoSolar Receives $20,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9bf4b042-e356-4419-8db4-c9c5b6830534&Preview=1 Date 2/19/2012 Company Name NanoSolar Mailing Address 5521 Hellyer Avenue San Jose, CA 95138 Company Description NanoSolar is one of several companies with promising technologies aimed at narrowing the gap between the cost of solar power and energy from fossil fuels. Website http://www.nanosolar.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction … Continue reading “NanoSolar Receives $20,000,000 New Financing Round”

Pinwheel Receives $7,500,000 Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b6ae15ed-d7ef-4c44-8edf-af085b68ac81&Preview=1 Date 2/18/2012 Company Name Pinwheel Mailing Address Undisclosed New York, NY 10001 Company Description On Pinwheel you can find and leave notes all around the world. The notes can be public or private, shared with an individual, a group or everyone. Website http://www.pinwheel.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,500,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Pinwheel Receives $7,500,000 Series A Funding Round”

Xconomy’s Timmerman Wins National Journalism Award

Xconomy’s national biotech editor, Luke Timmerman, has won a national award for column-writing from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. It’s the first national journalism award for Xconomy, which was founded in 2007 and now operates a six-city network of news sites focused on business innovation. The award is for Luke’s weekly BioBeat … Continue reading “Xconomy’s Timmerman Wins National Journalism Award”

Cell Therapeutics Stock Rises on EU Recommendation for Lymphoma Drug

The roller coaster known as Cell Therapeutics is back on the ascent today. The Seattle-based biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTIC]]) said its experimental lymphoma drug pixantrone (Pixuvri) has received a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. This is one of the key steps in the European regulatory process … Continue reading “Cell Therapeutics Stock Rises on EU Recommendation for Lymphoma Drug”

D:Hive Helps Detroit’s Newly Arrived Entrepreneurs Plug In

I don’t know about you, Detroiters, but I feel like we’ve turned a corner on this revitalization thing. The energy around town is building, there are interesting little projects under way in every corner of the city, and people are moving here at a steady clip. The word of mouth has spread, and Detroit is … Continue reading “D:Hive Helps Detroit’s Newly Arrived Entrepreneurs Plug In”

Report: GreatPoint Energy Grabs $420M from Chinese Investor

After last night’s stellar event with Amory Lovins and Jim Matheson, I’m thinking about our energy and cleantech future today. Luckily, so is a Boston-area company that apparently makes billion-dollar deals for breakfast. GreatPoint Energy, a coal-to-natural-gas company in Cambridge, MA, has formed a $1.25 billion partnership with China Wanxiang Holdings, in a deal that … Continue reading “Report: GreatPoint Energy Grabs $420M from Chinese Investor”

Signs of Resurgence in SD as EvoNexus Opens Tech Incubator

It could have been just another lame ribbon-cutting ceremony. There was a proclamation signed by the Mayor and the San Diego City Council that declared Feb. 16th as “EvoNexus Downtown Day.” There were speeches, and Mayor Jerry Sanders and the VIPs crowded together with a pair of oversized scissors to snip a ribbon. But something … Continue reading “Signs of Resurgence in SD as EvoNexus Opens Tech Incubator”

LinkedIn: The Missing Manual Worth Reading

I picked up The Start-up of You, the new book published this week by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and journalist-entrepreneur Ben Casnocha, with some trepidation. I feared that the title was intended literally—that this would be one of those dreary business books that spends seven chapters twisting reality to fit its gimmicky metaphor. (I’ve got … Continue reading “LinkedIn: The Missing Manual Worth Reading”

Open Source May be the Answer for Pharma and Biotech

In his State of the Union Speech President Obama called for support for ‘the same kind of research that led to the computer chip and the Internet.’ He rightfully implies that for several decades now the innovation story has been primarily focused on computers, software and communication. As the power of science, technology, and free … Continue reading “Open Source May be the Answer for Pharma and Biotech”

Mnemosyne, Hydra, On-Q-ity, & More New England Life Sciences News

Clinical trial advances, new financing, and personnel moves made up the New England life sciences news this week. —Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]) scooped up Cambridge, MA-based drugmaker Stromedix for $75 million upfront and potentially $487.5 million more to come in milestone payments. Stromedix is developing drugs to treat fibrosis and was founded by former Biogen head … Continue reading “Mnemosyne, Hydra, On-Q-ity, & More New England Life Sciences News”

Mnemosyne Pharmaceuticals Garners $5,400,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=218e4cfe-e65c-4289-aff4-d76db40f316f&Preview=1 Date 2/17/2012 Company Name Mnemosyne Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 3 Davol Square Providence, RI 02903 Company Description The company is a Providence-based drug discovery venture aiming to develop small molecule therapeutics to treat schizophrenia and other cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. Website http://www.mnemosynepharma.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,400,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “Mnemosyne Pharmaceuticals Garners $5,400,000 Series A Financing”

Vital Therapies Garners $929,831 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=182e4dbe-5107-4348-a88b-8ad48021abf4&Preview=1 Date 2/17/2012 Company Name Vital Therapies Mailing Address 15222 Avenue of Science San Diego, CA 92128 Company Description Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI) is a new company formed in 2003 to continue the development of the ELAD (Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device) System, which augments the metabolic functions of a patient’s liver, thereby … Continue reading “Vital Therapies Garners $929,831 New Funding”

Milo Biotechnology Receives $250,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ed18c7f7-c0e6-4596-9231-410c6237f797&Preview=1 Date 2/17/2012 Company Name Milo Biotechnology Mailing Address Undisclosed Cleveland, OH 44101 Company Description Milo Biotechnology is a Cleveland-based company dedicated to improving the lives of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Milo’s early clinical stage follistatin program, exclusively licensed from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is designed to increase muscle size and strength. Website … Continue reading “Milo Biotechnology Receives $250,000 New Funding Round”

C3Nano Lands $6,700,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f5dfb349-0277-40e4-a4dd-391da3ab1385&Preview=1 Date 2/17/2012 Company Name C3Nano Mailing Address 26225 Eden Landing Rd. Hayward, CA 94545 Company Description C3Nano is an early stage venture backed startup developing a revolutionary new transparent electrode material for applications such as flexible displays, touch screens, solar cells and smart windows. Website http://www.c3nano.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “C3Nano Lands $6,700,000 Series B Financing”