Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=353e6149-fecc-4f53-9f50-25055521d014&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2011 Company Name Adconion Mailing Address 1322 3rd Street Promenade 2nd Level Santa Monica, CA 90401 Company Description We are one of the largest independent global digital advertising networks. As a leading partner for large publishers, advertisers and agencies we make performance advertising work by efficiently connecting all parties on … Continue reading “Adconion Obtains $34,000,000 New Funding Round”
ATX Innovation Secures $3,700,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=13b5d9dd-9154-4416-88af-d917de88b728&Preview=1 Date 5/9/2011 Company Name ATX Innovation Mailing Address 804 Congress St. Austin, TX 78701 Company Description The company provides a mobile application that allows users to purchase food and drinks at restaurants and bars. Website http://www.tabbedout.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,700,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes The funds … Continue reading “ATX Innovation Secures $3,700,000 Series A Funding Round”
Geoworld Summit
This event will cover topics ranging from hyperlocal media to geo-tech platforms. Speakers include Ted Morgan, CEO of Skyhook, Matthew Szymczyk, CEO of Zugara, and Nathan Gill, co-founder of Outcast. Register here.
JiWire Raises $20M
San Francisco-based JiWire, which operates an online advertising network targeting public Wi-Fi networks in places such as airports, said today that it has raised $20 million in new funding. New investor Trident Capital led the Series C round, which was joined by existing investors Comcast Interactive Capital, DFJ Frontier, Norwest Venture Partners, and Panorama Capital. The … Continue reading “JiWire Raises $20M”
Science & Technology Discovery Series: Joshua Akey on Very Recent Human Evolution
Joshua Akey, an assistant professor in Genome Sciences at the University of Washington, will be the featured speaker on May 13th at the Technology Alliance’s Science and Technology Discovery Series. He will talk about “very recent human evolution.” The Technology Alliance asks attendees to RSVP by NOON on Monday, May 9. RSVP by contacting Amy … Continue reading “Science & Technology Discovery Series: Joshua Akey on Very Recent Human Evolution”
SBIR Overhaul Stalls In the Senate, to the Detriment of VC-Backed Innovation
Venture capital-backed startups got a slap on the back this week, but that was followed by a slap in the face in the latest round of Washington political gamesmanship over how much lawmakers should or should not encourage venture capital-backed innovation. So far, the battle to enhance U.S. innovation is taking yet another hit. What … Continue reading “SBIR Overhaul Stalls In the Senate, to the Detriment of VC-Backed Innovation”
All Things Connected: Qualcomm Executives Talk About Mobile Complexity
What do the top executives at Qualcomm view as the key developments as mobile communications accelerate with the proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices? At a town hall forum last night at the wireless giant’s San Diego headquarters, Qualcomm chairman and CEO Paul Jacobs said the mobile experience has gone through a critical … Continue reading “All Things Connected: Qualcomm Executives Talk About Mobile Complexity”
The Challenge of Financing Renewable Fuels: A Chat With James Dack of Stern Brothers
The cleantech industry has a million different technology ideas out there, and just about as many financing strategies. There are mom-and-pop companies raising cash from friends and family, there’s venture capital, government grants, big energy company partnerships, and huge projects such as wind farms or ethanol refineries that rely on deep pockets in private equity … Continue reading “The Challenge of Financing Renewable Fuels: A Chat With James Dack of Stern Brothers”
Striptease Threats, Aggressive Shushing & Mascot Mania: Memorable Moments from the Seattle 2.0 Awards
Updated 4:15 pm with new photo. Anytime you get a few hundred people in a room and add a couple of drink tickets, there are bound to be some interesting moments. And when that crowd is comprised of the techies, entrepreneurs, risk-takers and rich people from the startup scene, you’re starting from some pretty fertile … Continue reading “Striptease Threats, Aggressive Shushing & Mascot Mania: Memorable Moments from the Seattle 2.0 Awards”
How Do You Like to Get Your Xconomy Content? Check Out Our New Look on Facebook
Facebook, for me at least, has mainly been about looking for newly updated photos of my two-year-old nephew who lives two time zones away in the Midwest. But I’m well aware this isn’t a mainstream point of view, and that many of the online social network’s 600 million global users really like to get their … Continue reading “How Do You Like to Get Your Xconomy Content? Check Out Our New Look on Facebook”
Great Lakes Angels Vet Deals, Try Not To Be A–holes
What’s the secret to a successful angel investor group? “No assholes,” John May, chairman emeritus of the Angel Capital Association, told the Great Lakes Angels Thursday. People laughed, but May was perfectly serious. “The group has to treat entrepreneurs well,” says May, the co-founder and managing director of New Vantage Group in Vienna, VA. “You … Continue reading “Great Lakes Angels Vet Deals, Try Not To Be A–holes”
The News Embargo Is Dead. TechCrunch Killed It. Let’s Move On.
My passion is for storytelling, and the stories that fascinate me most are about new technologies, how they’re brought into being, and how they’re changing everyday life. But there’s a wrinkle that’s been distracting me from doing my best work and getting it out to the readers who will appreciate it most. It’s called the … Continue reading “The News Embargo Is Dead. TechCrunch Killed It. Let’s Move On.”
Pfizer Hands Back Rigel Drug
South San Francisco-based Rigel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RIGL]]) said today it that it will take over development of an experimental asthma drug, R343, after its partner, New York-based Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]), decided to stop developing allergy and respiratory drugs. The treatment, an inhalable small molecule designed to inhibit a protein called syk, was licensed from Rigel … Continue reading “Pfizer Hands Back Rigel Drug”
A Rundown of Can’t-Miss Boston-Area Innovation Events: MIT Sloan CIO, MassTLC, Angel Bootcamp, XSITE, and More
[Updated 5/8/11. See below] It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of events, it was the age of allergies, it was the epoch of objectivity, it was the epoch of PR and self-promotion, it was the season of writing stories, it was the season of prescription … Continue reading “A Rundown of Can’t-Miss Boston-Area Innovation Events: MIT Sloan CIO, MassTLC, Angel Bootcamp, XSITE, and More”
GroupMe Acquires Sensobi for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0cb34924-1f6e-4997-91ca-8eea9b6dc2d7&Preview=1 Date 5/6/2011 Company Name Sensobi Mailing Address Undisclosed Cambridge, MA 02451 Company Description The company has created applications that analyze a user’s phone calls, e-mails and text messages and displays a ranking of the people that a person communicates with. Website http://www.sensobi.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds … Continue reading “GroupMe Acquires Sensobi for Undisclosed Sum”
JiWire Lands $20,000,000 Series C Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ec4b205c-948e-4859-be3e-15c526f90ef4&Preview=1 Date 5/6/2011 Company Name JiWire Mailing Address 220 Sansome Street 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104 Company Description JiWire is the leading mobile broadband advertising network, delivering premium, location-driven advertising on Wi-Fi and WiMAX networks. JiWire enables the mobile broadband ecosystem (wireless ISPs and device manufacturers) to monetize public mobile broadband … Continue reading “JiWire Lands $20,000,000 Series C Funding”
Cyterix Pharmaceuticals Lands $1,500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1e257c37-50dc-409e-a7cc-5565ea7edac0&Preview=1 Date 5/6/2011 Company Name Cyterix Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 1300 Seaport Blvd. Redwood City, CA 94063 Company Description The company is developing cytochrome P450- activated drugs. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture Investor … Continue reading “Cyterix Pharmaceuticals Lands $1,500,000 New Round”
Quirky Lands $5,000,006 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9067ccfd-8ec7-495e-bcad-70f63fac00f1&Preview=1 Date 5/6/2011 Company Name Quirky Mailing Address 628 Broadway 3rd Floor New York, NY 10012 Company Description Quirky is rapidly changing the way people think about product development by using a unique method to harness the power of creativity. Website http://www.quirky.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,006 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Quirky Lands $5,000,006 New Funding”
Sensobi Acquired by GroupMe for Group Texting
Cambridge, MA-based Sensobi, a startup that makes an address book for the BlackBerry, has been acquired by New York-based GroupMe. Financial terms of the deal weren’t given. Sensobi started in 2009 and was a member of the inaugural class of TechStars Boston. Its co-founders, Ajay Kulkarni and Andy Cheung, have joined GroupMe, itself a mobile-messaging … Continue reading “Sensobi Acquired by GroupMe for Group Texting”
Advanced Presentation Skills
Biocom is hosting this interactive, hands-on workshop, which offers a unique opportunity for life sciences execs to sharpen their company’s story. The person responsible for making a presentation has a lot to gain or lose—whether the talk is set for a prospective strategic partner, communicating to a company’s board of directors, or preparing a presentation … Continue reading “Advanced Presentation Skills”
PerkinElmer Acquires Geospiza, Beefing Up Software for DNA Analysis
Geospiza has been around the block a time or two in the bioinformatics business, and now after 14 years in the game, it has come to the end of the road. The Seattle-based company, which makes software for scientists who analyze data from genetic experiments, said today it has agreed to be acquired by Waltham, … Continue reading “PerkinElmer Acquires Geospiza, Beefing Up Software for DNA Analysis”
Windows Phone 7 Unleashed Hackathon
The new Nokia-Microsoft partnership means the Windows Phone 7 operating system is a hot space for app programmers. This 12-hour event is for everyone, from seasoned veterans to newbies just starting with .NET development. The first half includes a lecture and hands-on-lab with technical trainer and consultant Bret Stateham. The second half is dedicated to … Continue reading “Windows Phone 7 Unleashed Hackathon”
Bertlesmann Grabs Smashing Ideas
Seattle-based digital media and marketing company Smashing Ideas has been acquired by Bertlesmann AG, which is pairing the 15-year-old company with its Random House book publishing unit. Terms were not disclosed. The companies said in a release that Smashing Ideas would keep its Seattle headquarters, along with a branch in the United Kingdom, working with … Continue reading “Bertlesmann Grabs Smashing Ideas”
SeaGen Ends March With $456M Cash
Seattle Genetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]), the developer of targeted cancer drugs, said today in its quarterly financial report that it ended March with $455.9 million of cash and investments in the bank. That’s up from $295 million in cash that it reported heading into this year. The increased cash reserves reflect the addition of $168 million … Continue reading “SeaGen Ends March With $456M Cash”
Presentation Advantage: Gaining an Edge
Can we talk? Is your message clear? Do you know how to connect with your audience? Will your presentation spark the action you want? The person responsible for making a presentation has a lot to gain or lose—whether the talk is set for a prospective strategic partner, communicating to a company’s board of directors, or … Continue reading “Presentation Advantage: Gaining an Edge”
Bezos Invests in General Fusion
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos is among the investors in a new financing round for General Fusion, a British Columbia-based company working on “utility-scale fusion power.” The investment, part of General Fusion’s $19.5 million Series B round, was through Bezos Expeditions. Other investors named by General Fusion include Cenovus Energy, Chrisalix Energy Venture Capital, GrowthWorks, along … Continue reading “Bezos Invests in General Fusion”
The Neurology of Taste
The chemosensation of taste is unique to other senses in that it sits at the interface between external and internal environments. The brain must evaluate not just the identity and magnitude of a stimulus, but also the potential consequences of ingesting it. San Diego State University’s Thomas Scott will review neurophysiological and behavioral findings that … Continue reading “The Neurology of Taste”
InterDigital Open House
InterDigital is hosting an open house at its new facility in San Diego. After almost 40 years of solving the wireless industry’s most-difficult technical challenges from their East Coast offices near Philadelphia, New York, and Montreal, InterDigital has established a West Coast research lab and development center in San Diego. More information about InterDigital is … Continue reading “InterDigital Open House”
Structuring and Financing the Cleantech Deal
Advances in the cleantech industry could help the United States ease its dependence on foreign oil, improve the environment, and fuel the national economy. The federal government is responding to clean tech innovation favorably by implementing policies designed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in this sector. A new fast-track patent examination process for cleantech companies, … Continue reading “Structuring and Financing the Cleantech Deal”
Mad Catz Repays $14.5M Debt
San Diego’s Mad Catz Interactive (AMEX: [[ticker:MCZ]]), which sells videogame enhancements and interactive accessories, says today it has repaid $14.5 million in convertible debt that the company incurred when it acquired the Saitek group of companies in 2007. The financing included about $12.2 million raised last month through a private stock placement arranged by Roth … Continue reading “Mad Catz Repays $14.5M Debt”
Best of ASCO Seattle
The 2011 Best of ASCO Meetings will feature the most relevant and cutting-edge science and education from the ASCO Annual Meeting. Condensed into a two-day program in Seattle on August 5-6, the Best of ASCO Meeting offers attendees the opportunity to network with peers and connect with world-class faculty. Every member of the oncology community … Continue reading “Best of ASCO Seattle”
Awarepoint Secures $14M
San Diego’s Awarepoint, which uses a Zigbee-based wireless mesh sensor network for real-time tracking of patients, medical devices, and hospital equipment, has closed on $14 million in debt financing, according to a pair of recent regulatory filings (here and here). Awarepoint said last month it had acquired Charlotte, NC-based Patient Care Technology Systems, although no … Continue reading “Awarepoint Secures $14M”
Geron Nabs $25M Loan from Stem Cell Agency, Paves Way for State Support of Clinical Trials
Geron is getting a big boost from the state of California stem cell agency to see if it can deliver the goods with an embryonic stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries. The Menlo Park, CA-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GERN]]) said it has been awarded $25 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to … Continue reading “Geron Nabs $25M Loan from Stem Cell Agency, Paves Way for State Support of Clinical Trials”
The Y Combinator Class of Winter 2011
This spring we’re featuring profiles of selected companies that participated in the Winter 2011 session at Mountain View, CA-based venture incubator Y Combinator. March 21: Taskforce—the Y Combinator Startup With a Solution for E-mail Overload March 22: Noteleaf Seeks to Sync Up Online Calendars, Contacts, For Meeting Prep On-The-Go March 30: HelloFax Lets You Ditch … Continue reading “The Y Combinator Class of Winter 2011”
Harvard Innovation Lab Head, Gordon Jones, Talks Goals and Challenges in Creating the Newest Incubator in Town
He says he is “part entrepreneur, part educator…part ambassador, part politician.” Who is this masked man? He’s Gordon Jones, the inaugural director of the Harvard Innovation Lab, and until last week many people in the startup community might not have known who he was. I’m just starting to get to know him, having talked with … Continue reading “Harvard Innovation Lab Head, Gordon Jones, Talks Goals and Challenges in Creating the Newest Incubator in Town”
Vertex Signs Boston Lease
Cambridge, MA-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals will be known as Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the not so distant future. The biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]) said today it has signed a 15-year lease to occupy new labs and offices being built at Boston’s Fan Pier, according to a regulatory filing. The lease will take effect when the buildings … Continue reading “Vertex Signs Boston Lease”
New Health IT Startup Targets Military Programs, Allylix Sniffs New Market for Nootkatone, Biocept Builds Team, & More San Diego Life Sciences News
Much of the local biotech news over the past week was focused on several early stage companies, which are busily raising money and building their leadership teams. We have the latest news for you here. —A new San Diego health IT startup, Cognitive Medical Systems, recruited a veteran software CEO to serve as president and … Continue reading “New Health IT Startup Targets Military Programs, Allylix Sniffs New Market for Nootkatone, Biocept Builds Team, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”
General Fusion Adds $19.5M
General Fusion, the Burnaby, BC-based developer of nuclear power technology, said today it has raised $19.5 million in a Series B financing to build the first phase of a demonstration facility. The round included Cenovus Energy, Bezos Expeditions, Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital, GrowthWorks, Braemar Energy Ventures, Entrepreneurs Fund, Business Development Bank of Canada, and SET … Continue reading “General Fusion Adds $19.5M”
Amidst Google Lawsuits, Skyhook Sees Victories With App Developer Deals and Press on Privacy Concerns—And Isn’t Looking to be Acquired Just Yet
It’s no secret that some big West Coast players have shown interest in Boston’s homegrown mobile technology lately. In the past few weeks, San Jose, CA-based eBay (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EBAY]]) has bought Where, a location-based mobile advertising and recommendations provider, and mobile payments startup Fig Card, to roll into its PayPal division. But Boston-based Skyhook Wireless … Continue reading “Amidst Google Lawsuits, Skyhook Sees Victories With App Developer Deals and Press on Privacy Concerns—And Isn’t Looking to be Acquired Just Yet”
Hotel Review Site Oyster.com Gets a Boost from Travel Channel Deal
When New York startup Oyster.com sealed a $7.5 million deal with the Travel Channel on April 25, the New York press focused almost exclusively on what the deal would mean for the TV channel, which is owned by media giant Scripps. No doubt Oyster—which posts in-depth reviews of boutique hotels and offers online booking services—will … Continue reading “Hotel Review Site Oyster.com Gets a Boost from Travel Channel Deal”
Gilt Groupe Seeks $138 Million Series E
Following months of rumors, New York-based fashion site Gilt Groupe has filed to raise $138 million in a Series E offering, according to Private Equity Hub. The filing authorizes the sale of about 5 million shares at $27.68 a piece. Gilt holds online limited-time “flash sales” of deeply discounted clothing, home decor, travel, and more. … Continue reading “Gilt Groupe Seeks $138 Million Series E”
Crown Bioscience Nabs $29M
Crown Bioscience, a Santa Clara, CA-based cancer drug developer, said it has raised $28.8 million in a Series C venture financing. The deal was led by OrbiMed Advisors Caduceus Asia Partners Fund, Argonaut Private Equity, the CID Group, IBT, and CDIB Capital Investment. Existing shareholders Qiming Venture Partners and CRCI also participated. Orbimed’s Nancy Chang … Continue reading “Crown Bioscience Nabs $29M”
Travel Ad Network Raises $15 Million
New York-based Travel Ad Network, which offers digital advertising services to travel-related publishers, has raised $15 million, according to an SEC filing. The company says it has the largest travel information audience online, with almost 20 million monthly unique users in the US and more than 30 million worldwide, according to comScore. The company previously … Continue reading “Travel Ad Network Raises $15 Million”
Jumptap Confirms $25M Financing for Mobile Ads
Cambridge, MA-based Jumptap, a maker of mobile advertising software, said today it has raised $25 million from new and existing investors. The new investors were not disclosed, but AllianceBernstein, General Catalyst, Redpoint Ventures, Summerhill Ventures, Valhalla Partners, WPP, and Cyber Communications are among the firm’s previous backers. About a month ago, Xconomy (and other outlets) … Continue reading “Jumptap Confirms $25M Financing for Mobile Ads”
Zipcar Cofounder Robin Chase Bids Adieu to U.S., Launches Car Sharing Startup in France
Oh là là. Pronouncing the European market far more primed for a transportation revolution than the U.S., Zipcar cofounder Robin Chase has quietly left GoLoco, her Cambridge, MA-based ride sharing company, to fend for itself and launched a car sharing startup in Paris. Called Buzzcar, the company began pilot testing in two French cities a … Continue reading “Zipcar Cofounder Robin Chase Bids Adieu to U.S., Launches Car Sharing Startup in France”
Kleiner Perkins’ Bet on a Concrete Stomach, The Gates Foundation’s Out-of-the-Box Ideas, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News
We had a grab bag of life sciences-related coverage this week, with a big device company acquisition, some wild ideas for global health, and a whole lot of focus on biofuels. —Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers never has done much investing in the Northwest from what I can tell, but this week I came across … Continue reading “Kleiner Perkins’ Bet on a Concrete Stomach, The Gates Foundation’s Out-of-the-Box Ideas, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”
Buzzlabs acquired by CityGrid
Seattle-based social media monitoring startup Buzzlabs, started by former Microsofties Philip Lee and Dou Shen, has been acquired by West Hollywood, CA-based CityGrid Media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Buzzlabs’ service helps businesses sort and analyze the cacophony of user-generated content flooding the Web. CityGrid said Buzzlabs’ offering will be added to its existing … Continue reading “Buzzlabs acquired by CityGrid”
Welltok Obtains $1,727,288 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eba43352-c8a4-4c88-bce2-8899738aa6f7&Preview=1 Date 5/5/2011 Company Name Welltok Mailing Address 6 Samson Rock Dr. Madison, CT 06443 Company Description Our social platform allows health plans to rapidly participate in the health care community in a new and powerful way, thus strengthening engagement and collaboration with their members. Website http://www.Welltok.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Welltok Obtains $1,727,288 New Funding”
I’mOK Obtains $250,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4bcf8a54-5347-43ce-bf3f-a061db7323b1&Preview=1 Date 5/5/2011 Company Name I’mOK Mailing Address 62 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 Company Description I’mOK was founded in October 2010, animated by the idea that we could use technology to improve family life and the quality of the communication we have with our kids. Website http://www.imok.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “I’mOK Obtains $250,000 New Funding”
ImThera Medical Receives $1,846,600 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=96932dcb-1f60-43b6-8b87-cd9962dc767b&Preview=1 Date 5/5/2011 Company Name ImThera Medical Mailing Address 11232 El Camino Real San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description ImThera Medical is a privately funded, early-stage company developing a novel, patent-pending, neurostimulation medical device for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Website http://www.imtheramedical.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,846,600 Transaction … Continue reading “ImThera Medical Receives $1,846,600 New Funding”