My initial response to this question was, “Chinese!” I was only half joking. English is the most popular second language in the world and in our increasingly connected world, the people who have an understanding of other languages—particularly Chinese—will be better equipped. As far as computers go, I studied computer languages in school and even … Continue reading “Computing and-Chinese”
Writing, Literature, and Computer Science
Whether you major in it or not, a fairly non-trivial amount of computer science would be helpful. The other thing is communication. One of the main things we look for when we are hiring people is their ability to write. It’s something that the average person is pretty poor at, but so much of every … Continue reading “Writing, Literature, and Computer Science”
Anything They’re Passionate About
Anything that interests them and they are passionate about today. What they will need to know in 10 years does not exist now, given the exponential growth of knowledge.
Data Analysis and Sensing
How to sense and make sense of subtler factors that govern our behaviors, the choices we make as individuals and as part of groups. The point here is that there are some obvious physically measurable; things like body weight, miles driven, CO2 let out, around which we can develop diagnostics and policies. But these measurables … Continue reading “Data Analysis and Sensing”
Learn to Learn, and Embrace Serendipity
Here is my advice to students considering pursuing science: —Learn how to learn (science is progressing so rapidly that whatever field you are focused on today will inevitably be different 10 years from now) —Learn how to develop focused attention (i.e. avoid modern day distractions like Twitter) —Master multiple science disciplines—If you can bridge disciplines … Continue reading “Learn to Learn, and Embrace Serendipity”
Learn By Starting Things
Students should be studying how to start things-how to create and grow new products, initiatives, ventures, and enterprises-a skill set that never goes out of style and that is fundamental to our nation’s future well-being and prosperity. And the best way to learn how to start things is to actually try to start things-whether it … Continue reading “Learn By Starting Things”
Marrying the Humanities and the Sciences
Liberal science and technology. We need a new major that prepares the future workforce for constant change by teaching broad-based knowledge in many disciplines. This major would consist of, among other disciplines, the basics of engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, law, business, humanities and communications. This curriculum should be group-based, where students teach each other, which … Continue reading “Marrying the Humanities and the Sciences”
RaNA Raises $20.7M From Atlas, SR One, Monsanto, for RNA-Based Tech
Generations of high school kids have been taught that only about 3 percent of the human genome is actually useful—meaning it contains genes that code proteins—and the rest is “junk DNA.” Cambridge, MA-based RaNA Therapeutics was founded on the idea that the so-called junk is actually gold, because it contains a type of RNA that … Continue reading “RaNA Raises $20.7M From Atlas, SR One, Monsanto, for RNA-Based Tech”
Engaging “Productive Stupidity”
I recently came across an article in Cell Science that intrigued me and gets to the core of this question. The title—“The Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research”—was reason alone to pique my curiosity. What I didn’t expect was to find a powerful insight into student learning in today’s highly uncertain world. Martin A. Schwartz, … Continue reading “Engaging “Productive Stupidity””
Be Students of Life
Themselves. Technology, markets, financial vehicles, business methodology, government regulations, entertainment, media, and so on, all aspects of our professions and our entire lives will change at a continuously increasing rate in perpetuity. Which technology, market, industry should I commit to? I don’t believe this is the most relevant question for a student. More relevant questions … Continue reading “Be Students of Life”
Biology 101
Biology 101 and beyond. I would take as much biology as possible, it’s exploding and changing faster than anyone could have expected. Especially our understanding of the “central dogma” itself, where RNA is playing a more critical role than ever thought before. WOW!
Culture, Science, and Problem Solving
As a father of two girls, I have actually been thinking about this quite a bit. In general, I want my kids to be prepared for a world that is going to be very, very different from the world I grew up in, largely due to the travel, communications, and the Internet. I would recommend … Continue reading “Culture, Science, and Problem Solving”
Meta-Processing
Both what we are teaching and learning, and how we are teaching and learning, are changing, very, very rapidly. The notion that there is a gold standard—a favored text or tome, a single subject-matter expert, or a single corporation with the single best practice, in any discipline—is really outdated. The ‘new normal’ is generation of … Continue reading “Meta-Processing”
Global Healthcare
College undergraduates today are faced with many choices of where to concentrate their studies. It is important to look down the road to determine where the major unmet needs of society will be. The healthcare industry offers many opportunities and challenges over the coming decades. As I look to the future of healthcare, there are … Continue reading “Global Healthcare”
RaNA Therapeutics Receives $20,700,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a8e68987-f9a2-4191-8a3c-45137754fe5c&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name RaNA Therapeutics Mailing Address 25 First Street Cambridge, MA 02141 Company Description RaNA was initially named IncRNA Inc., possibly a reference to intergenic non-coding RNA, the RNA that doesn’t make proteins but still performs a cellular function. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,700,000 Transaction … Continue reading “RaNA Therapeutics Receives $20,700,000 Series A Funding”
Digital Chocolate Secures $5,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d46302d9-0fd8-4970-a68e-0398f3185097&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Digital Chocolate Mailing Address 1855 South Grant Street 2nd Floor San Mateo, CA 94402 Company Description Digital Chocolate has established itself as the recognized leader in developing and publishing many of the world’s most popular and top-rated games. The company has already earned eight Game of the … Continue reading “Digital Chocolate Secures $5,000,000 New Funding Round”
Plastic Jungle Lands New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ee7099e0-3533-4a84-9459-4475a0c477fe&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Plastic Jungle Mailing Address 204 East 2nd Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401 Company Description Plastic Jungle is the leading Web site for gift card exchanges — whether you want to buy gift cards at substantial savings, sell them for cash, or trade pre-owned gift cards with others, … Continue reading “Plastic Jungle Lands New Funding”
Retailigence Garners New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=17a06408-2237-422f-96ea-88ba8572dde2&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Retailigence Mailing Address 480 Lytton Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301 Company Description Retailigence is a venture-backed company that powers location-based shopping. Website http://www.retailigence.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The funding will be used to advance the development of the service, … Continue reading “Retailigence Garners New Funding Round”
Trigger Garners $1,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c6b7d9d9-6570-40df-975f-a3401dd0b07b&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Trigger Mailing Address 149 9th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 Company Description Trigger.IO is a Y Combinator-funded startup launched in January 2008. It provides the simplest way for web developers to create native iOS and Android apps from a single HTML5 codebase. Website http://www.trigger.io Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Trigger Garners $1,000,000 New Financing Round”
Tidemark Lands $24,000,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e947d13d-6c61-4fa1-b9fe-b09c55c9bded&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Tidemark Mailing Address 2200 Bridge Parkway Redwood City, CA 94065 Company Description Tidemark went back to the analytics drawing board to deliver unified performance management apps that exceed organizations’ wildest dreams for power, usability, mobility, and cost savings. Using 21st-century technology, Tidemark apps offer on-demand performance management … Continue reading “Tidemark Lands $24,000,000 Series C Financing Round”
Kiwi Crate Receives $5,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=442a0d40-c027-487c-99a7-f464ab6e6930&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Kiwi Crate Mailing Address 244 Merritt Road Los Altos, CA 94022 Company Description Kiwi Crate was built out of a passion for hands-on fun that encourages creativity and curiosity in children. I had a deep appreciation for these projects, but often found that my greatest intentions fell … Continue reading “Kiwi Crate Receives $5,000,000 New Funding”
Nexenta Systems Lands $21,000,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9bd9152c-2e06-45a3-a7a8-f807e5d37541&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Nexenta Systems Mailing Address 444 Castro Mountain View, CA 94041 Company Description NexentaStor provides enterprise class unified storage capabilities via a software solution that ends vendor lock-in while delivering superior storage management functionality with a particular focus on virtualized environments. Website http://www.nexenta.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Nexenta Systems Lands $21,000,000 Series C Financing Round”
Symplified Obtains $20,000,000 Series C Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=576ad4e6-904f-494c-9864-76bc4aadcbb1&Preview=1 Date 1/18/2012 Company Name Symplified Mailing Address 1600 Pearl St Boulder, CO 80302 Company Description The company has developed breakthrough technology that addresses the complexity and cost associated with monolithic software approaches to Web identity management. Website http://www.symplified.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction Round Series C Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Symplified Obtains $20,000,000 Series C Financing”
Onyx, Bayer’s Next Cancer Drug Shows Slim Survival Edge
Bayer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals looked like they hit gold last fall, when a study of 760 patients showed that one of their new cancer drugs was able to help patients with colorectal cancer live longer. Today, researchers got the first glimpse at the detailed results, and while it’s encouraging news for the companies and for … Continue reading “Onyx, Bayer’s Next Cancer Drug Shows Slim Survival Edge”
World Pharma Innovation Congress USA
From the event site: “The World Pharma Innovation Congress USA attracts senior executives from pharma and biotech, who are committed to reshaping the pharma industry to drive R&D innovation. It is the place where innovation is showcased, learning is done and new contacts are made. The World Pharma Innovation Congress USA provides an unrivalled platform to revolutionize open innovation … Continue reading “World Pharma Innovation Congress USA”
pariSoma Edutech Mixer
From the event registration page: “pariSoma invites you once again to the latest iteration of the Mixer Series: The EduTech Mixer! Our last Mixer was so successful — with almost 200 attendees and 15 demoing companies — that we couldn’t resist the urge of hosting it again! So come on over to rub shoulders with … Continue reading “pariSoma Edutech Mixer”
Notes From the Detroit Auto Show: Connectivity is King
Though the North American International Auto Show just opened to the public Saturday, I was able to preview it last week with other reporters from around the world. Unlike the past few years, which were dominated by austerity and green tech, the feeling I got this year is that the car companies are seeking to … Continue reading “Notes From the Detroit Auto Show: Connectivity is King”
ShopKeep.com Raises $2.2M in Series A Round, Plans New Hires
New York’s ShopKeep.com says it raised $2.2 million in a Series A funding round led by Tribeca Venture Partners and TTV Capital. Contour Venture Partners also participated in the round. ShopKeep developed a point-of-sale platform that retailers can use on the Apple iPad as well as with Mac-powered registers. The company also provides Web-based software, which … Continue reading “ShopKeep.com Raises $2.2M in Series A Round, Plans New Hires”
Xconomists Peer into the Future, Suggest How Students Should Prepare
[Updated, Jan. 18, 2012—The Xconomist Report on the Future of Education is live—click here.] As the presidential race picks up steam, you know that we will be hearing a lot—a lot more, that is—about the need to create jobs. But where will those jobs come from, and what fields are really likely to spur growth … Continue reading “Xconomists Peer into the Future, Suggest How Students Should Prepare”
Symantec, PivotLink, Splunk: Bay Area BizTech by the Numbers
It’s time for our irregular, data-driven roundup of high-tech fundraising, M&A, and IPO news from around the San Francisco Bay Area. $100 billion—The potential valuation of Facebook in an IPO tentatively planned for late May, according to a story yesterday from Kara Swisher at AllThingsD. Facebook hopes to raise $10 billion in the offering, according … Continue reading “Symantec, PivotLink, Splunk: Bay Area BizTech by the Numbers”
SG Biofuels Raises $17M in Move Toward Agricultural Production
San Diego’s SG Biofuels, an agricultural biotech developing the Jatropha plant to produce biofuels, says today it has raised $17 million in a Series B round of financing led by Thomas, McNerney & Partners. San Diego-based Finistere Ventures also joined the round, along with existing investors, Carlsbad-based Life Technologies (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LIFE]]) and Flint Hills Resources, … Continue reading “SG Biofuels Raises $17M in Move Toward Agricultural Production”
Joule Socks Away $70M For New Mexico Green Fuel Facility
Joule Unlimited, a biofuels startup located in Bedford, MA, announced today that it has pocketed $70 million in financing to put toward a facility underway in Hobbs, NM, that will demonstrate Joule’s process for converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into fuels such as diesel and ethanol. The new money brings Joule’s funding total to more … Continue reading “Joule Socks Away $70M For New Mexico Green Fuel Facility”
Medivation Fails Alzheimer’s Trial, Pfizer Drops Out of Partnership
Medivation’s long shot for Alzheimer’s came up short today. The San Francisco-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MDVN]]) said today its Alzheimer’s drug candidate dimebon failed in a pivotal clinical trial. Medivation and its collaborator, Pfizer, said they plan to quit developing the drug. The bad news came from a trial known as Concert, which enrolled more than … Continue reading “Medivation Fails Alzheimer’s Trial, Pfizer Drops Out of Partnership”
1stdibs CEO Seeks Queries For VCs Wilson, Dagres at Xconomy Forum
Day in and day out, venture capitalists ask questions of entrepreneurs—some might say grill them. But on February 1, at Xconomy’s New York Venture Emergence forum, former DoubleClick CEO David Rosenblatt, who’s now CEO of luxury online marketplace 1stdibs and chairman/co-founder of Group Commerce, will help us turn the tables. Rosenblatt will be the moderator … Continue reading “1stdibs CEO Seeks Queries For VCs Wilson, Dagres at Xconomy Forum”
Genentech Pours $95M Into Constellation’s Drug Platform
Cambridge, MA-based Constellation Pharmaceuticals is announcing today that it has formed a major partnership with Roche’s Genentech unit, based in South San Francisco, to develop treatments for cancer and other diseases. The deal is worth $95 million to Constellation in the form of an up-front payment and research support over the next three years. Constellation—which … Continue reading “Genentech Pours $95M Into Constellation’s Drug Platform”
Reinventing the Board Part III: The Agenda
CEOs, investors, and board members frequently complain about ineffective board meetings. Steve Blank, Jeff Bussgang, Brad Feld, and Fred Wilson each have suggested board meetings could be improved by changing the format, process, or content. Having good meetings starts by having the right people in the room (as discussed in the first installment of this … Continue reading “Reinventing the Board Part III: The Agenda”
Sanofi CEO Viehbacher on Stirring Innovation in the Era of R&D Cutbacks
Chris Viehbacher has seen plenty of ideas come and go from people trying to shake up the pharma R&D model. No matter how much people have tried to fix things, it still takes a notorious amount of time, money, and risk to create new drugs. Now, as the CEO of Paris-based Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]), Viehbacher … Continue reading “Sanofi CEO Viehbacher on Stirring Innovation in the Era of R&D Cutbacks”
Joule Unlimited Garners $70,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=aef6bbfc-aa1d-4ab5-877f-d7257a41e6fa&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name Joule Unlimited Mailing Address 83 Rogers St. Cambridge, MA 02142 Company Description Joule is pioneering the production of Liquid Fuel from the Sun, surpassing today’s barriers to abundant, sustainable, cost-competitive supply. Website http://www.jouleunlimited.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $70,000,000 Transaction Round Series C Proceeds Purposes The … Continue reading “Joule Unlimited Garners $70,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
PivotLink Obtains $13,000,000 Series D Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b181080b-5466-4b99-9a6d-abadbf8c4d1a&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name PivotLink Mailing Address 15325 SE 30th Place Bellevue, WA 98007 Company Description PivotLink is the provider of business intelligence solutions that meet the needs of organizations in a variety of industries. Our PivotLink Solutions and the PivotLink Framework data platform put the full power of business intelligence … Continue reading “PivotLink Obtains $13,000,000 Series D Funding Round”
YBUY Obtains $750,000 Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cbda6b3b-c119-4b8d-a759-0b623aa3ff8c&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name YBUY Mailing Address 1401 Highland Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Company Description We provide a service that allows people to try products for a month before committing to buying them. The one problem that remains to be solved with ecommerce is that you can’t touch and feel … Continue reading “YBUY Obtains $750,000 Seed Financing Round”
SkinMedica Garners $16,759,991 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2e06887a-c3e3-4f44-bff7-0c94d179aadd&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name SkinMedica Mailing Address 5909 Sea Lion Place Carlsbad, CA 92010 Company Description SkinMedica is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company marketing both prescription and cosmeceutical dermatology products. Website http://www.skinmedica.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $16,759,991 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC … Continue reading “SkinMedica Garners $16,759,991 New Financing Round”
MindFrame Receives $1,999,900 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2abef433-1dfa-4131-93e8-b0a4551efcae&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name MindFrame Mailing Address 12 Goodyear Irvine, CA 92618 Company Description The MindFrame Therapy System is a breakthrough two-step treatment that delivers rapid reperfusion and clot capture and retrieval. By restoring blood flow quickly, the system is designed to help doctors deliver optimal outcomes. Website http://www.MindFrameInc.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “MindFrame Receives $1,999,900 New Financing”
SG Biofuels Lands $17,000,000 Series B Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8dbe668f-f7df-4f34-8ce5-bdcd306bd643&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name SG Biofuels Mailing Address 11260 El Camino Real San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description SG Biofuels is a bioenergy crop company that is meeting the global demand for sustainable plant oil by using breeding and biotechnology to develop and produce elite seeds of Jatropha. Website http://www.sgfuel.com Transaction … Continue reading “SG Biofuels Lands $17,000,000 Series B Financing”
Nuvosun Garners $28,845,345 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=89247318-c221-44e2-863d-137c0c670327&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name Nuvosun Mailing Address 1565 Barber Lane Milpitas, CA 95035 Company Description NuvoSun is a second generation innovator of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules based on flexible Copper Indium/Gallium di- Selenide (CIGS) technology. NuvoSun’s mission is to redefine the cost point for PV cells and modules and … Continue reading “Nuvosun Garners $28,845,345 New Financing Round”
AppDynamics Secures $20,000,000 Series C Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eb7fd5ed-a1a8-4b29-9b96-daa1b1f30966&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name AppDynamics Mailing Address 303 Second Street North Tower San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description AppDynamics is the next-generation Application Performance Management (APM) company that delivers rapid problem resolution for highly distributed applications through easy-to-use transaction flow monitoring and deep diagnostics. Website http://Www.appdynamics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “AppDynamics Secures $20,000,000 Series C Round”
Bionic Panda Games Lands Seed Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c393d574-9ce5-4418-86ca-dcc0699ba845&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name Bionic Panda Games Mailing Address 139 Townsend 3rd Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description Bionic Panda Games is an Android-focused mobile social games company based in San Francisco, CA. Founded in 2010, the company has assembled a strong team with deep backgrounds in mobile and social … Continue reading “Bionic Panda Games Lands Seed Financing Round”
ShopKeep Secures $2,200,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d39e4e0e-af18-43f7-9047-18217d8359d5&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name ShopKeep Mailing Address 55 Broad Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10004 Company Description ShopKeep has developed a point-of-sale platform that retailers can use on the Apple iPad as well as with Mac-powered registers. The company also provides Web-based software, which can run in any browser, for … Continue reading “ShopKeep Secures $2,200,000 Series A Round”
SendGrid Garners $21,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1f3dad21-d57f-4070-8172-35d9ecbc91d4&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name SendGrid Mailing Address 1877 Broadway St Boulder, CO 80302 Company Description SendGrid transparently handles DKIM, SPF, ISP rate limits, content inspection, bounces, and spam reports to help users achieve higher deliverability. SendGrid integrates in minutes by just changing three SMTP settings. We even assign our users their … Continue reading “SendGrid Garners $21,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Onit Lands $4,100,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=009e5458-ffc9-43a8-8f52-4d66350da1b9&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2012 Company Name Onit Mailing Address 802 Lovett Blvd Houston, TX 77006 Company Description We understand that each business user’s needs are unique and have created a variety of apps that can be customized to your specific needs. Whether you are in HR, Legal, Governance/Risk & Compliance or Sales, we … Continue reading “Onit Lands $4,100,000 Series B Financing Round”
JP Morgan: Where the Boys Are…And Not the Girls
I set off for five straight days at the annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference last Monday, but on the way drove the carpool to my daughter’s high school that morning in a last ditch attempt to act like a responsible and caring parent. My poor daughter gets completely abandoned during JP Morgan week every year … Continue reading “JP Morgan: Where the Boys Are…And Not the Girls”