Aires Pharmaceuticals Secures $20,000,000 Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d182a135-8936-4799-ba02-4104c204a4c9&Preview=1 Date 11/12/2010 Company Name Aires Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 4690 Executive Drive San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description As a first product opportunity, the Company is developing an inhaled drug that has been demonstrated in animal models to treat both adult and pediatric pulmonary hypertension. As a second product opportunity, Aires is … Continue reading “Aires Pharmaceuticals Secures $20,000,000 Series B Round”

Punchbowl Software Acquires Socializr for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ded4a008-62e8-4f03-a9e3-a5944dd5e522&Preview=1 Date 11/12/2010 Company Name Socializr Mailing Address 660 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description Socializr is a free web service for sharing event and party information with your friends. Website http://www.socializr.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Financial terms of the transaction were … Continue reading “Punchbowl Software Acquires Socializr for Undisclosed Sum”

Personalized Medicine World Congress 2011

The 3rd Personalized Medicine World Conference (PMWC) will be held January 18-19, 2011 in Mountain View. PMWC is the only fully integrated conference on personalized medicine which brings together all aspects of business, government, healthcare delivery and technology —- all in one information-rich conference. Speakers include George Church of Harvard University, Lee Hood from Institute … Continue reading “Personalized Medicine World Congress 2011”

Forget About a Second Genomics Bubble: Complete Genomics Tumbles on IPO First Day

Super-fast, super-cheap DNA sequencing technologies have made big news in biotech the last couple years. But the early returns have made it clear that investors haven’t gone ga-ga for genomics like they did a decade ago. The latest data point arrived today in the form of Complete Genomics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GNOM]]). This Mountain View, CA-based company, … Continue reading “Forget About a Second Genomics Bubble: Complete Genomics Tumbles on IPO First Day”

Stealth Startups and Acquisition Rumors: Some Tidbits from King of the Web, Sparkbuy, PhotoRocket, Isilon, Widevine, and TechStars

Let’s get caught up on some Seattle tech gossip, shall we? It’s on my mind as I come back to town for the second time in as many weeks. Man, I miss this place and all its back-channel intrigue… —Nick Hanauer of Second Avenue Partners told me a little more about the new social gaming … Continue reading “Stealth Startups and Acquisition Rumors: Some Tidbits from King of the Web, Sparkbuy, PhotoRocket, Isilon, Widevine, and TechStars”

A VC Re-Visits China: Vitality and Optimism, but What Lies Ahead?

What a fascinating week to be traveling in Asia. President Obama is here for the G20 Summit—as is Tiger Woods—and, frankly, I am surprised at how tough the local press is on both men (at least one is well deserving of the criticism, though). The juxtaposition to when I was here right after President Obama … Continue reading “A VC Re-Visits China: Vitality and Optimism, but What Lies Ahead?”

ZymoGenetics CEO Exits Stage, Resolve’s Recession-Era Biotech Plan, Ikaria Pulls IPO, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News

Two of the Seattle area’s venture capitalists watched the IPO market with bated breath this week, and while one looks like it will get a cherished liquidity event, another saw its hopes dashed at the 11th hour. —Ikaria, the hibernation-on-demand company with technology from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, slashed its IPO asking price … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics CEO Exits Stage, Resolve’s Recession-Era Biotech Plan, Ikaria Pulls IPO, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”

At AngelPad Demo Night, Ex-Googlers Share Plans to Overhaul the Web

It seems you can’t walk a block in SoMa these days without passing the door of a new venture incubator. The latest addition to the startup-school scene is AngelPad, which announced its existence in August and has already graduated its first class of founders. Eight AngelPad companies pitched their audacious ideas to a standing-room-only crowd … Continue reading “At AngelPad Demo Night, Ex-Googlers Share Plans to Overhaul the Web”

“No, I Will Not Fund Your Company”

If you are an entrepreneur and you haven’t heard the phrase above, then you probably got one of the following: “why don’t you come back when you have more traction;” “this just isn’t for us;” or (my least favorite), “this looks like a solid double…we only take home runs.” I do some work for LaunchCapital, … Continue reading ““No, I Will Not Fund Your Company””

DataPop Receives $1,700,000 Series A Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=66604fbc-5464-405a-bd6c-d95c600b6684&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name DataPop Mailing Address 6464 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 Company Description DataPop makes every ad relevant by enabling marketers to turn their offers into targeted, unique messages on a massive scale. Website http://www.DataPop.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,700,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “DataPop Receives $1,700,000 Series A Round”

Angie’s List Obtains $2,500,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ae25cdfb-8abc-4f6f-a8d8-0939613ac04d&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Angie’s List Mailing Address 1030 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 Company Description Angie’s List is a growing collection of homeowners’ real-life experiences with local service companies. The people who join Angie’s List are like you — looking for a way to find trustworthy companies that perform … Continue reading “Angie’s List Obtains $2,500,000 New Financing”

Mixed Media Labs Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=859f979c-623e-4510-8dc1-7c9770d5a568&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Mixed Media Labs Mailing Address 300 Beale St. San Francisco, CA 94105 Company Description The company has created a photo sharing service called Picplz. Website http://www.mixedmedialabs.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes The funding will be used to expand the … Continue reading “Mixed Media Labs Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Round”

Airbnb Receives $7,200,000 Series A Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fd0fec17-c98b-40f2-94ed-e241ac4381d9&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Airbnb Mailing Address 142 10th St. San Francisco, CA 94103 Company Description The company operates a website where users can purchase rooms to share with each other on trips. Website http://www.airbnb.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,200,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Airbnb will use … Continue reading “Airbnb Receives $7,200,000 Series A Funding”

RealGravity Receives $3,200,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2f27cdab-50e7-4f39-80a1-ebcef17108a0&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name RealGravity Mailing Address Undisclosed San Francisco, CA 94105 Company Description RealGravity automatically syndicates your video content to the websites where users are most likely to watch it, and where advertisers are comfortable spending marketing dollars. Website http://www.realgravity.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,200,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “RealGravity Receives $3,200,000 Series A Financing”

Superfish Obtains $4,000,000 Series C Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4f2066cc-b078-4b2b-8ed5-f005b9619c71&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Superfish Mailing Address 741 Barron Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 Company Description Superfish Inc is a visual search engine startup with office in Israel and silicon valley. Website http://www.superfish.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Series C Proceeds Purposes The company will use to … Continue reading “Superfish Obtains $4,000,000 Series C Financing Round”

Ceregene Lands $11,500,000 Series D Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d3ee755b-9133-4ccd-a241-92b9765588a6&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Ceregene Mailing Address 9381 Judicial Drive San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Using gene therapy delivery systems, Ceregene’s primary focus is the discovery and development of novel genetic therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disorders. Ceregene aims to be the leader in the field of Central Nervous … Continue reading “Ceregene Lands $11,500,000 Series D Round”

Rhythm New Media Receives $10,000,000 Series C Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5b3313e7-a825-41c8-b2d6-a7b996dad979&Preview=1 Date 11/11/2010 Company Name Rhythm New Media Mailing Address 800 West El Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040-2573 Company Description Rhythm is a company enabling ad-supported mobile media, end-to-end. Rhythm’s solution is designed to support advertising on mobile video, WAP/HTML, mobile search, and mobile messaging. Rhythm’s technology enables advertising that has … Continue reading “Rhythm New Media Receives $10,000,000 Series C Round”

Report: Ikaria Withdraws IPO, Leaving Arch, Hutch in the Lurch

Ikaria, the company with the futuristic “hibernation-on-demand” technology with roots at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, has withdrawn its IPO plans, according to a report from Dow Jones News Services. Goldman Sachs,  an underwriter of the deal, confirmed it has been withdrawn, according to the wire service. Earlier in the day, Xconomy … Continue reading “Report: Ikaria Withdraws IPO, Leaving Arch, Hutch in the Lurch”

Dendreon Seeks OK to Grow NJ Factory

Dendreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]), the Seattle-based maker of an immune-boosting therapy for prostate cancer, said today it has applied for FDA approval to essentially quadruple the capacity of its New Jersey factory. The company has FDA approval currently to make sipuleucel-T (Provenge) at 12 workstations, and the new filing is to seek permission to do the … Continue reading “Dendreon Seeks OK to Grow NJ Factory”

Complete Genomics Gets Ho-Hum Reception, Cuts IPO Price More than 30%, to $9

Complete Genomics has an audacious goal to make DNA sequencing super-fast and super-cheap, but this bold vision hasn’t ginned up the enthusiasm on Wall Street that the company was hoping for. The Mountain View, CA-based company said in a regulatory filing on Monday that it was planning to sell 6 million shares in its initial … Continue reading “Complete Genomics Gets Ho-Hum Reception, Cuts IPO Price More than 30%, to $9”

Optimer Halts Study After Antibiotic for Traveler’s Diarrhea Linked to Rash; Shares Drop

Optimer Pharmaceuticals has some bad news out today. The San Diego-based developer of antibiotics said it has halted a study of an experimental antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhea after a higher than expected rate of skin rashes. Shares of Optimer (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OPTR]]) fell more than 15 percent after the news broke. The company made the disclosure … Continue reading “Optimer Halts Study After Antibiotic for Traveler’s Diarrhea Linked to Rash; Shares Drop”

EMC Acquisitions Could Include Isilon, LFB Buys GTC, Tremor Media Snaps Up ScanScout, & More Boston-Area Deals News

Diagnostics and software startups were active on the New England-area deals front this week. We saw news of acquisitions, financings, and stock purchases, and also covered some more in-depth strategy at a big area tech name. —Pathogenetix, a Woburn, MA-based diagnostics startup formerly named U.S. Genomics, brought in $1.3 million in equity-based funding, and $900,000 … Continue reading “EMC Acquisitions Could Include Isilon, LFB Buys GTC, Tremor Media Snaps Up ScanScout, & More Boston-Area Deals News”

EMC Buys Bus-Tech

Hopkinton, MA-based data storage giant EMC (NYSE: [[ticker:EMC]]) said today it has acquired Bus-Tech, a Bedford, MA, maker of technologies for storing and retrieving data from mainframe tape-based systems. Financial terms weren’t given. Bus-Tech, an existing partner of EMC, will become part of the latter’s Backup Recovery Systems division, which was recently formed from EMC’s … Continue reading “EMC Buys Bus-Tech”

Twilio Raises $12M Series B

San Francisco-based Twilio, a two-year-old startup offering developers easier ways to create interactive voice software for call centers and click-to-call Web apps, said this week that it has raised $12 million in Series B venture funding. Bessemer Venture Partners, a new backer, led the round, which also included Union Square Ventures, 500 Startups, and individual … Continue reading “Twilio Raises $12M Series B”

Ikaria IPO Finds So-So Demand, Company Slashes Proposed Offering 38 Percent

One of the hotly anticipated life science IPOs of the fall is getting a tepid reception during a rough week in the stock market. Ikaria, the Clinton, NJ-based biotech company with futuristic “hibernation-on-demand” technology from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has scaled back its IPO plans this week, according to a filing today with … Continue reading “Ikaria IPO Finds So-So Demand, Company Slashes Proposed Offering 38 Percent”

SG Biofuels Adds Bunge Alliance

Encinitas, CA-based SG Biofuels says it has established a strategic partnership with Bunge North America to research and develop a method for processing the oil-laden seeds of the Jatropha shrub into biofuels. Bunge North America is the operating arm of Bunge Ltd, a Bermuda agribusiness with headquarters in White Plains, NY. Bunge (NYSE: [[ticker:BG]]) is … Continue reading “SG Biofuels Adds Bunge Alliance”

West Wireless Health Institute Joins Xconomy Forum on Health IT

The non-profit West Wireless Health Institute says it has developed its first engineering prototype—a wireless fetal and maternal monitoring device called “Sense4Baby.” The device, which is intended for use by expectant mothers wherever cellular or Internet service exist, also has become part of a collaboration with Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]), the San Diego wireless giant, and … Continue reading “West Wireless Health Institute Joins Xconomy Forum on Health IT”

Social Gaming Network Wins $2.5M

Palo Alto, CA-based Social Gaming Network has collected $2.5 million out of a potential $3 million in venture funding from unnamed backers, according to a regulatory filing. The company makes mobile games for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Android devices that feature real-time competition between players; its titles include “Skies of Glory” and “Vampires … Continue reading “Social Gaming Network Wins $2.5M”

Flowtown Turns E-Mail Lists into Customer Networks; Acquires Who Should I Follow? to Boost Twitter Marketing

It’s obvious, these days, that anyone who wants to sell things or build an audience on the Web should be tapping into social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, where interesting messages can spread virally and drive lots of free traffic back to a blog, site, or landing page. But knowing this and being able … Continue reading “Flowtown Turns E-Mail Lists into Customer Networks; Acquires Who Should I Follow? to Boost Twitter Marketing”

Nirvanix Raises $10M, Names New CEO

San Diego-based Nirvanix today named former QLogic executive Scott Genereux as CEO, and said it has raised an additional $10 million in venture capital from Intel Capital, Mission Ventures, Valhalla Partners, and Windward Ventures. As we reported last year, Nirvanix provides a fully-managed, secure cloud-based data storage network. With the additional capital, Nirvanix has raised … Continue reading “Nirvanix Raises $10M, Names New CEO”

Q&A with Bill Davenhall on Medical Place History, TEDMED, and the Importance of a Story Well Told

A little more than a year ago, ESRI’s Bill Davenhall delivered a thought-provoking talk at TEDMED about the importance of including a “place history”—a record of the places where a person has lived (and the nearby environmental risks)—as part of that person’s medical history. (Watch a video of Davenhall’s talk here.) ESRI, based in Redlands, … Continue reading “Q&A with Bill Davenhall on Medical Place History, TEDMED, and the Importance of a Story Well Told”

Kamen Joins Third Rock Ventures

Third Rock Ventures said today it has named Robert Kamen, previously of Oxford Bioscience Partners, as an entrepreneur-in-residence. Kamen’s 30 years in biologics includes time spent as president of Abbott Bioresearch Center, where was involved in the discovery of the blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug adalimumab (Humira), according to Third Rock. Kamen is also an alumnus … Continue reading “Kamen Joins Third Rock Ventures”

Resolve Therapeutics, UW Spinoff With an Eye on Lupus, Crafts Recession-Era Business Plan

The economists all say that the recession is over, but you’d hardly know from the creative contortions entrepreneurs must perform to start a biotech company in 2010. The latest sign of the times comes from Resolve Therapeutics, an interesting new startup in Seattle. Resolve is the latest spinoff from the University of Washington, where it … Continue reading “Resolve Therapeutics, UW Spinoff With an Eye on Lupus, Crafts Recession-Era Business Plan”

Ambiq Micro Gets $2.4M to Develop Ubiquitous Microcontrollers for Smart Credit Cards, Homes

Ambiq Micro, an Ann Arbor, MI, startup developing low-power microcontrollers for smart credit cards and ultralong-life sensors for homes and buildings, has attracted $2.4 million in seed funding, the company announced yesterday. The money comes from lead investor DFJ Mercury, along with ARM, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Cisco, The Frankel Fund, Huron River Ventures, and a … Continue reading “Ambiq Micro Gets $2.4M to Develop Ubiquitous Microcontrollers for Smart Credit Cards, Homes”

Dana-Farber and Bay-Area Startup File Responses in Lawsuit Over Rights to Cancer Molecule

There’s a new round of interesting court filings in Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lawsuit against a Bay Area biotech startup co-founded by Dana-Farber scientists. It’s the latest chapter in a case primarily concerning who has rights to a potential game-changing drug for lung cancer discovered at Dana-Farber. Dana-Farber filed a lawsuit against Millbrae, CA-based Gatekeeper … Continue reading “Dana-Farber and Bay-Area Startup File Responses in Lawsuit Over Rights to Cancer Molecule”

U-M Leaders Say Snyder Pick Good News for Startup Community, But Worry He’ll Be Held Up by Bureaucracy

Last week, Michigan voters elected political outsider Rick Snyder, whose resume more closely resembles that of a technology entrepreneur than a career politician, as the state’s next governor. Before stepping into the political arena, Snyder served as president of computer giant Gateway, co-founded a venture capital firm called Avalon Investments, and was chairman of Ann … Continue reading “U-M Leaders Say Snyder Pick Good News for Startup Community, But Worry He’ll Be Held Up by Bureaucracy”

Video-Chatting With Random, But Similar Strangers Goes Live with VisitorsCafe Launch

Traditionally, website features like comments sections can give a small peek at the people congregating to read the content there. But now, rather than just reading those comments, you can engage in a direct video chat with the people behind them, thanks to technology being released today by Boston-based VisitorsCafe. “People kept telling me, ‘Hey … Continue reading “Video-Chatting With Random, But Similar Strangers Goes Live with VisitorsCafe Launch”

Harvest Power Obtains $7,500,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b7146f51-b99f-49fc-bb3f-79a051ebdb38&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name Harvest Power Mailing Address 610 Lincoln St 3rd Floor Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Harvest’s superpowered products and capabilities give us the opportunity to create a new life-cycle for organics. We assist communities with source separation programs, build renewable energy facilities and utilize our best-in-class technologies to … Continue reading “Harvest Power Obtains $7,500,000 New Round”

PhotoRocket Lands $1,348,917 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b7e6a469-850a-45d3-9a35-3d54721edfc9&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name PhotoRocket Mailing Address 83 S. King St. Seattle, WA 98104 Company Description At PhotoRocket we believe that something as simple as saving a few steps will dramatically change how much and how often we all share photos. Website http://www.photorocket.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,348,917 Transaction … Continue reading “PhotoRocket Lands $1,348,917 New Funding”

Nirvanix Lands $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=56550902-81cc-4870-bdf9-2af3cb0e8aa0&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name Nirvanix Mailing Address 4445 Eastgate Mall San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Incorporated in 2007, Nirvanix was founded by storage industry veterans to create a massively-scalable media storage and delivery network (SDN) for the Internet. Offered as a web service, the Nirvanix SDS allows any Internet-enabled application … Continue reading “Nirvanix Lands $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round”

MyShape Secures $5,500,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ccae841d-7d23-4583-96f5-d094722163a1&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name MyShape Mailing Address 225 South Lake Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 Company Description The company operates an online apparel retail shop. Website http://www.myshape.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes MyShape plans to further develop its personalization technology and to build out its … Continue reading “MyShape Secures $5,500,000 New Financing”

TechShop Receives $1,654,716 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e672e8f3-5bcf-4643-bc68-0dd8792ac524&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name TechShop Mailing Address 120 Independence Dr. Menlo Park, CA 94025 Company Description TechShop is a 15,000 square-foot membership-based workshop that provides members with access to tools and equipment, instruction, and a community of creative and supportive people so they can build the things they have always wanted … Continue reading “TechShop Receives $1,654,716 New Financing Round”

Talend Garners $34,000,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1a6c3dc2-5a6c-4922-afaf-c10d00e9c809&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name Talend Mailing Address 105 Fremont Ave Los Altos, CA 94022 Company Description After three years of intense research and development investment, and with solid financial backing from leading investment firms, Talend revolutionized the world of data integration when it released the first version of Talend Open Studio … Continue reading “Talend Garners $34,000,000 New Round”

Kala Pharmaceuticals Garners $3,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=46f2a0b2-bf05-4e4b-b4a5-55abf1ca04b7&Preview=1 Date 11/10/2010 Company Name Kala Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 135 Beaver St. Waltham, MA 02452 Company Description Provides undisclosed pharmaceutical products and services. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Debt, Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. SEC regulatory filing. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed