President Barack Obama will participate in a live “town hall” event at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA, on April 20, the company announced today in an event listing on its own site. Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg will host the event, in which Obama will answer questions … Continue reading “Obama to Speak at Facebook”
Zynga Hires MarketZero Team
San Francisco social game maker Zynga announced in a blog post today that it has hired the entire 16-member team at Austin, TX-based MarketZero, including founders Gustavo Abdala, Amir Elaguizy, Nir Leibovich, Timothy Sullivan, and Jason Wang. MarketZero is the creator of a popular online poker portal called PokerTableRatings, which Zynga is not acquiring. Rather, … Continue reading “Zynga Hires MarketZero Team”
WeWork Labs Gives New York Entrepreneurs a Home Before They’re Ready For an Office
New York City’s incubator scene has been exploding of late, with Polaris-backed Dogpatch Labs opening in early 2010, and General Assembly setting up in January of this year with help from a $200,000 city grant. Now it’s time to add a new name to that list: WeWork Labs, which opened in SoHo on April 1. … Continue reading “WeWork Labs Gives New York Entrepreneurs a Home Before They’re Ready For an Office”
Kiip Keeps $4M
Kiip, a stealth-mode San Francisco startup developing technology for in-game ads for mobile games, announced that it has collected $4 million in Series A funding. New investor Hummer Winblad Venture Partners led the round, which was joined by existing investors True Ventures, Crosslink Capital, and Venture51. Hummer Winblad partner Lars Lecki has joined Kiip’s board. The … Continue reading “Kiip Keeps $4M”
In Anatomy of Revolutions, UCSD’s Fowler Points to the “Strong Ties” of Online Social Networks
When I met last month with James Fowler, the UC San Diego expert on social networks, one of several topics we discussed was the role that Twitter played—or might have played—in the recent political revolutions that overturned governments in Egypt and Tunisia. A lot of research will be coming out on the topic, Fowler said, … Continue reading “In Anatomy of Revolutions, UCSD’s Fowler Points to the “Strong Ties” of Online Social Networks”
Send the Trend Snaps Up $2.5M
Send the Trend, a New York-based e-commerce startup focused on personalized fashion accessory recommendations, has raised $2.5 million of an equity-based funding round that could hit $3 million, an SEC filing shows. The money comes from two investors, according to the document. Send the Trend’s website names Christian Siriano, a previous winner of the television … Continue reading “Send the Trend Snaps Up $2.5M”
Fandor Launches Indie Movie Rentals—Sundance Meets Netflix
The inspiration for Fandor, an online movie service for independent and international films, came in late Spring of 2009, as two of its cofounders were bemoaning the fact that neither had been able to see many films lately. Dan Aronson had hardly made it to any of the films he wanted to see at the … Continue reading “Fandor Launches Indie Movie Rentals—Sundance Meets Netflix”
Complete Genomics Makes 29 Genomes Public
Complete Genomics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GNOM]]), the Mountain View, CA-based company that sequences entire human genomes for researchers, said today it has agreed to put 29 new genomes into its public repository for scientists and students. That brings the total of genomes in its public repository to 69, following a public release of 40 genomes on Feb. … Continue reading “Complete Genomics Makes 29 Genomes Public”
Halosource Unveils New Water Products
Halosource, the Bothell, WA-based maker of low-cost technology for purifying water in the developing world, said it has introduced a new line of clean water products that consumers can use in their homes. The new products—called Waterbird, Waterbird Premium, and Waterbird Elite—will come in the form of powered water pitchers, or a gravity-based water container … Continue reading “Halosource Unveils New Water Products”
Optimer Inks Potential $47.5M-Plus Deal with Cubist to Help Sell Antibiotic
On the heels of a favorable FDA advisory panel vote on its experimental antibiotic, San Diego-based Optimer Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:OPTR]]) says today that Cubist Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:CBST]]) has agreed to help sell the drug in the U.S. The deal calls for Lexington, MA-based Cubist to co-promote the Optimer antibiotic, fidxomicin (Dificid), for two years; the drug is … Continue reading “Optimer Inks Potential $47.5M-Plus Deal with Cubist to Help Sell Antibiotic”
Yipit Cuts Through the Noise Of Daily Deals with Kayak-Like Filtering
This is another story of a New York City duo that left the finance industry to start a tech company, but didn’t quite know where to begin. (For our first take on this theme, read my profile on StellaService yesterday.) “The only problem was we didn’t know what we were doing, and realized very early … Continue reading “Yipit Cuts Through the Noise Of Daily Deals with Kayak-Like Filtering”
If Michigan Were a Stock, I’d Buy a Bunch of Options
Maybe it’s a line they hand out to every Michigander, because I have heard it several times in various configurations. But it’s heartfelt. It’s a message to people around the country complaining about current economic conditions. The gist goes something like this: “You think you had it bad? Michigan’s recession began years ago—and it was … Continue reading “If Michigan Were a Stock, I’d Buy a Bunch of Options”
AT&T’s Buyout of T-Mobile & the Future of Seattle-Area Wireless Innovation: The View from VC Tom Huseby
AT&T’s blockbuster $39 billion bid for Bellevue, WA-based T-Mobile is easily among the biggest stories of this year in Seattle-area tech. But the deal won’t be consummated for a year or more as government regulators consider the massive industry consolidation at stake. As you’d expect, there’s been a fair bit of teeth-gnashing associated with the … Continue reading “AT&T’s Buyout of T-Mobile & the Future of Seattle-Area Wireless Innovation: The View from VC Tom Huseby”
From Aprigo to CloudLock: Data Protection Startup Talks Strategy Shift, New Name
Do we really need another tech company with “cloud” in its name? Apparently the answer is yes. But Waltham, MA-based CloudLock offers lessons far beyond the merits of its name. The company, formerly known as Aprigo, has officially changed its product focus as well as its moniker. All told, this is an interesting snapshot of … Continue reading “From Aprigo to CloudLock: Data Protection Startup Talks Strategy Shift, New Name”
Anne DeGheest on Where the Action is Heading in Healthcare: Delivery, Delivery, Delivery
Talking with the angel investor Anne DeGheest the other day was humbling. After all, I sweat out long days and nights digging up news and features on what I think often represents the leading edge in healthcare capitalism—new drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, etc. All that innovation is worthy of attention—she apparently didn’t want to hurt … Continue reading “Anne DeGheest on Where the Action is Heading in Healthcare: Delivery, Delivery, Delivery”
Phreesia Keeps Data Digital When Patients Check In
The United States is investing billions of dollars to get doctors to use electronic health records for patients at their practices. Why then, Phreesia CEO Chaim Indig asks, are patients being handed the same old clipboards with papers to fill out when they arrive for appointments? New York-based Phreesia, which Indig co-founded in 2005, aims … Continue reading “Phreesia Keeps Data Digital When Patients Check In”
San Diego Venture Group Hires VC David Titus in New Role to Raise the Tide of Capital, Innovation
After spending the past two years studying the ebb of innovation capital in San Diego, David Titus hopes to now do something about it—by stepping into a new role as the first full-time president of the San Diego Venture Group, a local non-profit networking group. Until now, the SDVG has operated mostly as the host … Continue reading “San Diego Venture Group Hires VC David Titus in New Role to Raise the Tide of Capital, Innovation”
Jumptap Grabs $20M, EMC Buys NetWitness, Txteagle Ties Down $8.5M, & More Boston-Area Deals News
This week we continued to see big financings for mobile technology firms, and acquisitions in the software, cleantech, and life science spaces. —Movik Networks, a Littleton, MA-based maker of products for helping mobile devices more speedily load Internet content, raised $25 million in a Series C financing. The round was led by new investor Oak Investment … Continue reading “Jumptap Grabs $20M, EMC Buys NetWitness, Txteagle Ties Down $8.5M, & More Boston-Area Deals News”
AnaBios Receives $800,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6bebb5a2-24a5-44ad-a800-0c0618ef2e16&Preview=1 Date 4/6/2011 Company Name AnaBios Mailing Address 3030 Bunker Hill St. San Diego, CA 92109 Company Description AnaBios Corporation is a unique contract research organization that will deploy assays and develop databases for the testing of efficacy and safety of drugs in development. This novel platform will create a paradigm shift … Continue reading “AnaBios Receives $800,000 Series A Financing Round”
MyHealthDirect Obtains $4,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4862d271-682f-4b46-a293-db40ab323264&Preview=1 Date 4/6/2011 Company Name MyHealthDirect Mailing Address 150 N. Sunnyslope Rd. Brookfield, WI 53005 Company Description MyHealthDIRECT (MHD) provides an innovative browser-based, software solution that connects members and patients to health providers at the most appropriate level of care. MHD supplies the missing gateway that enables managed care organizations, hospitals, HIEs, … Continue reading “MyHealthDirect Obtains $4,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
Svaya Nanotechnologies Receives $4,798,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9d53cc72-77d3-44fc-8b9c-0afc8418ede7&Preview=1 Date 4/6/2011 Company Name Svaya Nanotechnologies Mailing Address 275 Santa Ana Court Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Company Description Nanotechnology has the power to transform the world in ways scientists are just beginning to imagine. Svaya’s mission is to use nanotechnologies to make everyday products better and to enable revolutionary new products. Our … Continue reading “Svaya Nanotechnologies Receives $4,798,000 Series A Financing Round”
Send the Trend Garners $2,500,011 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ca7dd225-724d-4dc5-822e-d92c121cc4e5&Preview=1 Date 4/6/2011 Company Name Send the Trend Mailing Address 130 Madison Ave. Sixth Floor New York, NY 10016 Company Description We work closely with a variety designers to give you chic, contemporary accessories every month that are chosen for your style profile, at a price that’s hard to beat. Our fashion … Continue reading “Send the Trend Garners $2,500,011 New Financing Round”
Spanning Cloud Apps Obtains $2,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2457b442-96e2-4cb3-9c65-08bbce65d624&Preview=1 Date 4/6/2011 Company Name Spanning Cloud Apps Mailing Address 7600-B N Capital of Tx Hwy Austin, TX 78731 Company Description Spanning Cloud Apps is a cloud-based application developer focused on backup solutions for today’s most widely adopted cloud-computing suites including Google Apps. Website http://www.spanning.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 … Continue reading “Spanning Cloud Apps Obtains $2,000,000 Series A Funding”
Responsys Sets IPO Terms
San Bruno, CA-based marketing management software maker Responsys submitted amended regulatory filings this week indicating that it hopes to raise $76.1 million in a public offering of 7.61 million shares at $10 apiece. The 13-year-old company makes SaaS-based software for managing marketing campaigns across e-mail, Web, social, and mobile channels. It has raised $62 million … Continue reading “Responsys Sets IPO Terms”
Marin Software Collects $16M
Marin Software, the San Francisco-based maker of software for managing both search and display advertising online, said it has raised $16 million in Series E funding. The round was led by new investor Crosslink Capital, with existing investors Benchmark Capital, DAG Ventures, Focus Ventures, and Triangle Peak Partners also contributing. Crosslink partner Eric Chin has … Continue reading “Marin Software Collects $16M”
Waitt and Wild: A Conversation with Gateway computer co-founder Ted Waitt and Neil Senturia
San Diego serial entrepreneur Neil Senturia has coaxed Gateway founder Ted Waitt to sit down for a discussion about the challenges of running a fast-growth, high technology enterprise. The San Diego chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum is hosting the event. A networking reception begins at 5 p.m. Online registration is here.
10th Conference on Women in Science and Technology
The Women in Science and Technology conference was established to empower women at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to enhance their careers through networking, discussion, and workshops. The one-day conference includes workshops, round-tables, and seminars for individuals at all stages of their careers in both academia and industry. More information and … Continue reading “10th Conference on Women in Science and Technology”
Celgene’s San Diego Drug Discovery Engine
Through research, acquisitions, and mergers, Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]) has built a robust product portfolio and drug pipeline in hematology and oncology. The Summit, NJ-based company has more than 4,000 employees worldwide, including substantial operations in San Diego, and is ranked as one of the top 10 fastest growing biotech stocks. The San Diego Biotechnology Network … Continue reading “Celgene’s San Diego Drug Discovery Engine”
How to Approach Small Business Investing Like an Angel Investor or Venture Capitalist
The California Small Business Development Center, Business & Entrepreneurship Center, Startup Circle, and ActSeed are reprising a seminar held last month for people who want to learn how to evaluate small business investment opportunities. The two-hour workshop covered the ins and outs of finding, assessing, and engaging startups and entrepreneurs. Some of the 40 people … Continue reading “How to Approach Small Business Investing Like an Angel Investor or Venture Capitalist”
Expedia To Roll Out New Hotel iPhone App Designed By Mobiata
Ben Kazez needs a place to live. Preferably a warehouse loft he can rent somewhere in Ann Arbor, MI. A quiet place where he can finally grab some ZZZZs. You can forgive Kazez for neglecting his living situation. Since selling his startup Mobiata to online travel giant Expedia (Nasdaq:[[ticker:EXPE]]) last fall, Kazez has been hard … Continue reading “Expedia To Roll Out New Hotel iPhone App Designed By Mobiata”
Optimer Wins FDA Panel Nod, Still Wrestling With Language to Describe Benefit
San Diego-based Optimer Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OPTR]]) won the blessing of an FDA advisory panel today for its novel antibiotic, but now the big issue will likely be how the benefit of the drug will be communicated to doctors and patients. Advisors to the FDA at a meeting in Silver Spring, MD voted 13-0 in favor … Continue reading “Optimer Wins FDA Panel Nod, Still Wrestling With Language to Describe Benefit”
PopCap’s New Indie Label 4th & Battery, the Sandbox For a Death-Metal Horse Romp & Other “Really Strange or Marginal Ideas”
Chalk up another sign of the explosive growth in mobile and casual gaming—Seattle’s PopCap Games, makers of the hit games Bejeweled and Plants vs. Zombies, has set up an “experimental” second label for feeding their weirder side. Yes, even weirder than a Zombie bobsled team. The new studio and label is called 4th & Battery, … Continue reading “PopCap’s New Indie Label 4th & Battery, the Sandbox For a Death-Metal Horse Romp & Other “Really Strange or Marginal Ideas””
Optivia Gets $1.8M For Drug Interaction Study
Optivia Biotechnology, a Menlo Park, CA-based company studying how various drugs interact in the body, said today it has secured a $1.85 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Innovation Research program. The grant will support research into proteins that transport drugs across cell membranes and either enable or block their effectiveness. … Continue reading “Optivia Gets $1.8M For Drug Interaction Study”
Merck Buys Inspire for $430M
Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) said today it has agreed to acquire Raleigh, NC-based Inspire Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ISPH]]) for $430 million. Merck agreed to pay $5 a share, or about a 26 percent premium above Inspire’s last closing stock price before the deal was announced. Inspire markets azithromycin ophthalmic solution (Azasite) for the treatment of eye infections.
Marseille Networks Collects $4.5M
Marseille Networks, a fabless semiconductor company in Santa Clara, CA, that designs video processing chips, said today that has closed a $4.5 million Series B funding round with participation from new and existing investors including Kumpulan Modal Perdana Sdn Bhd. The company says its “Virtual Silicon” rapid prototyping platform makes chip design faster for builders … Continue reading “Marseille Networks Collects $4.5M”
$6.6M for Rocket Fuel
Redwood City, CA-based Rocket Fuel, which provides targeting software for Web display ads, has raised $6.6 million in Series C funding in a round led by new investor Northgate Capital. Existing investors Mohr Davidow Ventures, Labrador Capital Fund, Nokia Growth Partners and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati also participated. Rocket Fuel raised $10 million in … Continue reading “$6.6M for Rocket Fuel”
Beringea Hosts Office Hours
Beringea’s Office Hours Tour provides the Michigan entrepreneurial community open access to venture capitalists for their perspective, feedback and advice. Entrepreneurs of any type, from students with innovative ideas to professionals with established businesses, are invited to meet with Beringea investment professionals in 15 minute time slots at select locations around the state. Please note … Continue reading “Beringea Hosts Office Hours”
Lightspeed, IVP in $400M LivingSocial Round
Lightspeed Venture Partners and Institutional Venture Partners, both of Menlo Park, CA, are among the firms contributing to a $400 million fundraising round for Washington, DC-based daily deals site LivingSocial, according to reports from Dow Jones VentureWire and other publications today. Lightspeed joined Amazon and other existing investors in the round; IVP is a new … Continue reading “Lightspeed, IVP in $400M LivingSocial Round”
Come Celebrate 65 Years of Venture Capital in America: Xconomy’s VC65 Blowout at MIT Tomorrow
We are down to the wire, and up to some 900 guests and counting. That’s the expected attendance at tomorrow’s VC65 event celebrating the 65th anniversary of the birth of venture capital in America—and 65 years of innovation in how to help support great entrepreneurs. Get your tickets and see the full agenda here. This … Continue reading “Come Celebrate 65 Years of Venture Capital in America: Xconomy’s VC65 Blowout at MIT Tomorrow”
New York: Show Me The Money
Last year was a watershed year for the NYC tech scene. In the spring of 2010, the hottest startup in the country was located here in NYC and was being breathlessly courted by some of the biggest venture capitalists in VC from Silicon Valley and Boston. In June, Andreessen Horowitz became the winner of the … Continue reading “New York: Show Me The Money”
Practice Fusion Gets $23 Million To Compete in “Winner-Take-All” Market for Electronic Medical Records Technology
Practice Fusion, a San Francisco startup that claims to be the fastest-growing maker of electronic medical records systems for physicians’ practices, may be able to supercharge that growth now, thanks to a $23 million infusion from Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and a posse of other investors. The Series B investment, announced today, brings Practice Fusion’s … Continue reading “Practice Fusion Gets $23 Million To Compete in “Winner-Take-All” Market for Electronic Medical Records Technology”
Phrixus Pharma Wins NIH Grants
Phrixus Pharmaceuticals of Ann Arbor, MI has won $890,000 in grants from the National Institutes of Health. The University of Michigan spinoff is developing drugs to treat muscular dystrophy and heart failure.
U-M Official Heads Research Communications
The University of Michigan has named David Lampe to the newly created position of executive director of research communications for the Office of Vice President of Research. OVPR oversees the university’s tech transfer office.
Sangamo Partners With CHDI
Sangamo Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGMO]]), the Richmond, CA-based drug developer, said today it has formed a collaboration with the New York-based CHDI Foundation to develop a new treatment for Huntington’s disease. Sangamo will use its targeted zinc-finger protein technology to aim at a gene that causes Huntington’s. Financial terms of the partnership weren’t disclosed.
Oncothyreon Starts Phase 2 Trial
Oncothyreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ONTY]]), the Seattle-based cancer drug developer, said today it has begun a mid-stage clinical trial for patients with relapsed forms of brain cancer—glioblastoma multiforme. The company is testing whether its treatment, PX-866, is able to help shrink tumors in about 30 patients at seven clinical sites in Canada. The drug is designed to … Continue reading “Oncothyreon Starts Phase 2 Trial”
StellaService, Backed By Big NY Investors, Looks to Recognize E-Tailers For Star Customer Service with Zagat-Style Marks
Jordy Leiser and his friend John Ernsberger left their jobs in the financial industry in 2008 with an appetite for starting a company around the subject of transparency. But that inspiration didn’t turn itself into a company right away. “We spun our wheels for a long time,” says Leiser. So they did what any self-respecting … Continue reading “StellaService, Backed By Big NY Investors, Looks to Recognize E-Tailers For Star Customer Service with Zagat-Style Marks”
Millennium, Sunesis Form Deal
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SNSS]]), a South San Francisco-based drug developer, said today it has formed a new collaboration with Cambridge, MA-based Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. The partnership involves development of an orally-delivered pill that inhibits a cancer target called RAF, and another drug made to block an undisclosed cancer target. Sunesis has received a … Continue reading “Millennium, Sunesis Form Deal”
Txteagle Lands $8.5M, Led by Spark Capital, for Smarter Mobile Messaging
The mobile hits keep coming—though I guess “mobile” is officially redundant in the tech world now. Boston- and San Francisco-based Txteagle, which makes a mobile-messaging platform for developing markets, has raised $8.5 million in Series A financing led by Spark Capital in Boston. The company’s other seed investors, Flywheel Ventures, RBC Venture Partners, Qualcomm Ventures, … Continue reading “Txteagle Lands $8.5M, Led by Spark Capital, for Smarter Mobile Messaging”
Cubist Settles Key Litigation
Lexington, MA-based Cubist Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:CBST]]) said late yesterday afternoon that it has settled patent litigation related to its only marketed drug, the antibiotic daptomycin (Cubicin), with Teva Pharmaceutical. The companies’ agreement enables Teva to market a generic version of the antibiotic in the U.S. as early as December 24, 2017 under a license from Cubist, … Continue reading “Cubist Settles Key Litigation”
Experience Project Launches BroadCause, Putting Social Media to Work for Charitable Causes—and the Corporations Backing Them
Can a company truly do well by doing good? That’s what San Francisco’s Experience Project hopes to find out with the official launch today of BroadCause. The site offers nonprofit groups free software tools to help with fundraising and administration, and makes money by selling marketing opportunities to corporations looking to promote awareness of their … Continue reading “Experience Project Launches BroadCause, Putting Social Media to Work for Charitable Causes—and the Corporations Backing Them”