A nine-figure fintech deal, several new funding rounds, and a look at one of the state’s tech powerhouses are among these recent headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation community: —Brookfield-based Fiserv (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FISV]]) announced it paid $200 million in cash to acquire the Community Financial Services business of Naples, FL-based ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ACIW]]). According to a press … Continue reading “Fiserv, Wellbe, Epic, & Best STEM Cities: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Tag: Epic Systems
Phoenix, Baird’s New CEO, & Epic’s Growth: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Gyms are packed, forlorn Christmas trees lie on curbs, and the Green Bay Packers are in the NFL playoffs—it must be January in Wisconsin. Make it a resolution to stay plugged into the state’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Phoenix Nuclear Labs has raised $790,000 in debt financing, according to an SEC filing, … Continue reading “Phoenix, Baird’s New CEO, & Epic’s Growth: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Minnesota Data Center Sold For $46M As Epic, Mayo Strike Another Deal
Epic Systems, the healthtech giant based in Verona, WI, is expanding its already sizeable footprint in neighboring Minnesota. At least nine health systems headquartered in the state use or plan to use Epic’s electronic health records (EHR) software to schedule appointments, document patient information, bill for services, and perform other tasks. One of them is … Continue reading “Minnesota Data Center Sold For $46M As Epic, Mayo Strike Another Deal”
With $7.5M Series A, Healthfinch To Keep Evolving Automation Software
When Jonathan Baran started a healthtech company in 2011, he says he saw its mission as “evolving healthcare.” So he and co-founder Lyle Berkowitz chose the name Healthfinch, a nod to the species of birds Charles Darwin discovered during a voyage to the Galápagos Islands. Healthfinch, which makes software to automate routine tasks performed by … Continue reading “With $7.5M Series A, Healthfinch To Keep Evolving Automation Software”
A Midwesterner’s View of Boston Tech: 4 Takeaways, 4 Stories
When it comes to building vibrant tech hubs, the scenery might look different, but the ingredients are often the same. At least, that’s been my experience so far in writing about innovation for Xconomy in both Wisconsin and Massachusetts. When I moved from Milwaukee to Boston in September, I braced myself for an eye-opening and … Continue reading “A Midwesterner’s View of Boston Tech: 4 Takeaways, 4 Stories”
Health Startups That Could Make My Job Easier
It’s remarkable how just six months of 80-hour weeks has changed me. Before I started my first year of residency last July, I was optimistic and excited about all sorts of healthcare startups. But now I can’t remember the last time I did my laundry and I’m just hoping to make it home from the … Continue reading “Health Startups That Could Make My Job Easier”
As Criticism Mounts, Health Records Firms Chart Path to Data Sharing
The Great Recession devastated many industries, but health information technology was not one of them. The stimulus package Congress and President Obama approved in 2009 included $29 billion in incentives for U.S. hospitals and clinics to adopt electronic health records (EHR) systems. The legislation ignited a period of explosive growth for companies that develop software … Continue reading “As Criticism Mounts, Health Records Firms Chart Path to Data Sharing”
Epic’s Data Deal With HealthMyne, UW Health Could Help Quell Critics
Epic Systems, based in the Madison, WI, area, has been described as an “unwitting contributor” to the local healthtech startup ecosystem it helped spawn and now towers over. But that reputation could begin to shift, if a partnership unveiled Tuesday is a harbinger of things to come. HealthMyne, a Madison startup that makes analytics software … Continue reading “Epic’s Data Deal With HealthMyne, UW Health Could Help Quell Critics”
AI, Accelerators, & Awards: This Week’s Wisconsin Watch List
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Madison-based Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) announced it won’t move into a new headquarters in the city’s downtown, dropping its previous plans. Instead, the company will expand its presence at University Research Park on Madison’s west side. Last month, shares in … Continue reading “AI, Accelerators, & Awards: This Week’s Wisconsin Watch List”
Redox Nabs East Coast Money to Develop Plug-and-play Healthcare API
Redox, a Madison, WI-based healthtech startup whose software helps other developers integrate with patient record-keeping systems used at hospitals and clinics, has raised $3.5 million in a Series A funding round from East Coast and local investors, the company announced Tuesday. The new financing brings the total amount Redox has raised to about $4 million. … Continue reading “Redox Nabs East Coast Money to Develop Plug-and-play Healthcare API”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Engineered Propulsion, Scanalytics, & More
Here are some of the past week’s major headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —The CEO and CFO of Cambridge University Hospitals have stepped down amid financial pressures partly tied to a $300 million implementation of electronic health records software developed by Verona-based Epic Systems, according to British media reports and a note to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Engineered Propulsion, Scanalytics, & More”
Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI
[Corrected 9/17/15 1:28 pm. See below.] In a panel discussion on growing the biosciences in Wisconsin, CEOs of four companies emphasized the importance of reeling in top-tier employees and called on institutions, including the state’s legislature and flagship university, to do more for the industry. The “CEOs Unplugged” panel was part of Wednesday’s Bioscience Summit, … Continue reading “Panel: Talent, Institutional Buy-in Keys To Growing Biosciences In WI”
Building Community, VC Funds, and $1B Businesses at Forward Festival
“We’re not here for the weather, obviously, but for the community.” That was Andrew Foxwell speaking at last week’s Forward Festival in Madison, WI, about why the Wisconsin native and his wife, Gracie—after stints in Washington, DC, Chicago, and driving 30,000 miles exploring cities nationwide—decided to put down roots in Wisconsin’s capital and build their … Continue reading “Building Community, VC Funds, and $1B Businesses at Forward Festival”
Madison’s Healthtech Cluster: The Rise of Epic and Everybody Else
Healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing remain the bread and butter of the private sector in Madison, WI, and the surrounding region, but healthcare IT has arguably become the area’s most buzz-worthy industry. Today, Xconomy is adding to the conversation about healthtech’s ascent in the local economy. A new analysis of data gathered by the Madison Region … Continue reading “Madison’s Healthtech Cluster: The Rise of Epic and Everybody Else”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Promega, White House Demo Day, & More
Here is a collection of the latest headlines from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Verona-based Epic Systems lost a high-profile bid for a $4.3 billion, 10-year contract to modernize the electronic health records system for the U.S. Department of Defense. Epic submitted a joint bid with IBM, but the military ended up going with a … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Promega, White House Demo Day, & More”
Could Defining Milwaukee’s “Cool” Factor Entice Young Techies?
A lot of cities would kill to have an Epic Systems in their backyard—a giant software company and talent magnet that has lured skilled young people to the rural outskirts of Madison, WI, who would otherwise have gone to Silicon Valley or some other coastal tech hotbed. Milwaukee, Madison’s neighbor 80 miles to the east, … Continue reading “Could Defining Milwaukee’s “Cool” Factor Entice Young Techies?”
Wisconsin Healthtech Company IOD Merges With Georgia Rival
IOD, a Green Bay, WI-based healthcare information software company, will merge with Georgia-based competitor HealthPort, according to a press release. The terms of the proposed deal weren’t disclosed, but it creates a combined company with annual revenue of more than $450 million and 6,000 employees serving more than 18,000 hospitals and clinics nationwide. The move … Continue reading “Wisconsin Healthtech Company IOD Merges With Georgia Rival”
Epic, IBM Unleash Watson Supercomputer on Electronic Health Records
In yet another high-profile partnership for Epic Systems, the healthcare software giant is teaming up with IBM to bring the supercomputing prowess of Watson to the medical records at the Mayo Clinic and beyond. Epic, based in the Madison, WI, suburb of Verona, has grown into a powerhouse in the electronic health records software industry … Continue reading “Epic, IBM Unleash Watson Supercomputer on Electronic Health Records”
Epic Systems: Madison Healthtech’s “Unwitting” Anchor Company
As healthcare technology grows increasingly important in our everyday lives—from the software that manages our medical records to the explosion of health and fitness-monitoring devices and apps—different cities around the country are trying to claim the mantle of “America’s healthtech capital.” Madison, WI, is among the places vying for that title. And while it can … Continue reading “Epic Systems: Madison Healthtech’s “Unwitting” Anchor Company”
Arcadia Health Gets $13M Shot to Boost Healthcare Data and Analytics
Private equity has already helped Arcadia Health Systems use technology to reinvent itself. Now a PE firm is writing the Burlington, MA, business a check to continue the transformation. The data provider and healthcare consultant has gotten a $13 million investment from healthcare private equity firm Peloton Equity, existing investors, and Zaffre Investments, which is … Continue reading “Arcadia Health Gets $13M Shot to Boost Healthcare Data and Analytics”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact, Elli Health, StartupChicks, & More
Here is a collection of recent headlines in Wisconsin’s technology and innovation community: —Elli Health, a Delafield-based startup whose software enables virtual doctor visits, raised more than $774,000 from investors, a new SEC filing shows. The company previously raised $200,000 last year, according to an SEC document. —Madison-based AquaMost has raised more than $168,000 in … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact, Elli Health, StartupChicks, & More”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic Systems, WeMontage, Kiva, & More
Here are some of the latest headlines in Wisconsin technology: —Epic Systems plans to open an app store that would allow outside developers and healthtech companies to create apps that integrate with Epic’s health records software, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The move is notable both because Verona, WI-based Epic is the largest health records … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic Systems, WeMontage, Kiva, & More”
Wisconsin Roundup: TermSync, Mpirik, Epic, Kiva, VictorySpark, & More
Here are a few of the latest headlines from Wisconsin’s innovation and technology community: —France-based Esker has acquired Fitchburg startup TermSync for an undisclosed amount. TermSync makes cloud-based accounts receivable software and previously raised $2.2 million from investors, SEC documents show. Esker’s U.S. headquarters are in Madison. —Milwaukee-based Mpirik snagged $1.75 million from investors to … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: TermSync, Mpirik, Epic, Kiva, VictorySpark, & More”
Schuster: Milwaukee Has Good Startup Ideas, Still Lacks Capital
Milwaukee’s economy still relies heavily on legacy manufacturing companies, but there’s a growing recognition of the need to seed new businesses in sectors with prospects for growth. Efforts are afoot to foster more entrepreneurship in sectors like water technology, energy, and software, and to spin more startups out of the area’s universities. And while most … Continue reading “Schuster: Milwaukee Has Good Startup Ideas, Still Lacks Capital”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact Sciences, Semba, Wicab, & More
With the holidays behind us, it’s time to catch up on some recent news in the world of Wisconsin technology and innovation: —Madison-based Semba Biosciences raised $511,175 from investors, according to a new SEC document. Investors have put at least $2.4 million into the company since it was founded in 2005, SEC documents show. Semba … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Exact Sciences, Semba, Wicab, & More”
Bakken Rounding Up Investors for Madison HealthX Ventures
[Corrected 12/22/14, 1:30 p.m. See below.] Early in his career, Mark Bakken never imagined himself as an investor in startups. But the serial entrepreneur has lately become one of the more active angel investors in Madison, WI. “The perception growing up was that venture capital is ‘vulture capital,’” Bakken says. “You don’t know anything about … Continue reading “Bakken Rounding Up Investors for Madison HealthX Ventures”
100health Scraps Incubator, Pursues Redox, a Tool to Build Health Apps
Less than a year after launching healthtech startup incubator 100health in Madison, WI, the three co-founders have abandoned that business in favor of trying to turn one of the incubator’s ideas into a successful company. Xconomy chronicled 100health’s inception in February. By August, co-founders Niko Skievaski, Luke Bonney, and James Lloyd had decided to stop … Continue reading “100health Scraps Incubator, Pursues Redox, a Tool to Build Health Apps”
Wisconsin Roundup: Bakken, Stemina, Solomo, Silatronix, & More
November has been busy for Wisconsin’s technology and innovation community. Here’s a rundown of some of the latest news: —Mark Bakken will step down as CEO of fast-growing Madison company Nordic Consulting, which consults for healthcare providers using Epic Systems’ electronic health records software. Bakken plans to raise $10 million for a venture fund that … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Bakken, Stemina, Solomo, Silatronix, & More”
HealthMyne Put the Band Back Together to Unite Medical Images & Data
Some startups are born out of an epiphany or an accident by a brilliant (or lucky) entrepreneur. Other companies’ origin stories are not as sexy, and instead center on a group of smart people putting their heads together to calculate where market winds are blowing and how to get there first. Madison, WI-based HealthMyne falls … Continue reading “HealthMyne Put the Band Back Together to Unite Medical Images & Data”
WIP, Wisconsin’s Most Active Angel Group, Adds New Investors
[Updated 11/6/14, 11:08 a.m. See below.] Wisconsin’s most active angel investor group could get even busier, thanks to an influx of new members. Madison-based Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP) added 18 new members in the past few months, primarily via a recruitment dinner held in the summer, co-manager Andy Shrago says. “We thought we’d be doing … Continue reading “WIP, Wisconsin’s Most Active Angel Group, Adds New Investors”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Shine, Virent, Cover5, & More
Here’s a quick rundown of recent news from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Wausau Financial Systems was acquired by Shoreview, MN-based Deluxe Corp. (NYSE: [[ticker:DLX]]) for $90 million, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Mosinee, WI-based Wausau Financial Systems makes accounting software for banks and big companies. —Cover5 has raised $325,000 in debt funding … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Shine, Virent, Cover5, & More”
Post-MassChallenge, Healthtech Startup ConsortiEX Growing in WI
Consolidation is the name of the game these days in the healthcare industry, as hospitals, clinics, and private physician groups across the country are increasingly teaming up. While healthcare officials and critics of such mergers and acquisitions might disagree over the real motives behind them, there’s no question that healthcare providers are taking a hard … Continue reading “Post-MassChallenge, Healthtech Startup ConsortiEX Growing in WI”
MyHealthDirect Raises $8M, Mum About Plans For Milwaukee Operations
MyHealthDirect, a healthcare scheduling software company founded nine years ago in the Milwaukee area, has raised $8 million to help it expand—but it’s unclear how much of that will involve the local office. MyHealthDirect’s registered business address is still in Brookfield, WI, where it was born. But the location listed at the bottom of its … Continue reading “MyHealthDirect Raises $8M, Mum About Plans For Milwaukee Operations”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Epic, StartUp Health, & More
Here’s a rundown of recent important developments in Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community: —Shares of Madison-based Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) shot up to a record $26.79 on Friday after it was announced that the company’s stool DNA test for detecting colorectal cancer, Cologuard, will be covered by Medicare. The stock closed last week at $24.60 … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exact Sciences, Epic, StartUp Health, & More”
New Eye Care Investor RevOptix Grabs Majority Stake in RevolutionEHR
San Francisco investment group RevOptix has acquired a majority stake in RevolutionEHR, a Madison, WI-based provider of electronic health records software for eye doctors. The amount of the investment wasn’t disclosed. RevolutionEHR isn’t calling the deal an acquisition because its staff will stay in place, including co-founder and CEO Scott Jens, and previous investors are … Continue reading “New Eye Care Investor RevOptix Grabs Majority Stake in RevolutionEHR”
Steve Case Gears Up For Second “Rise of the Rest” Midwestern Tour
AOL co-founder Steve Case likes to point out that a century ago, Detroit was America’s innovation capital, and Silicon Valley was just a bunch of farmland. Today, Silicon Valley is the bustling tech capital of the world, and the Motor City is trying to reinvent itself after a couple of decades marred by the outsourcing … Continue reading “Steve Case Gears Up For Second “Rise of the Rest” Midwestern Tour”
Epic Hopes WI Campus Can Help in Talent War with Apple, Facebook
Epic Systems’ massive, rapidly expanding campus tucked away in the Madison, WI, suburb of Verona is well known among locals and those who follow the electronic health records software industry. It’s probably less familiar to many tech executives in Silicon Valley, even though Epic designed it partly to beat them in the war for young … Continue reading “Epic Hopes WI Campus Can Help in Talent War with Apple, Facebook”
Wisconsin Roundup: Uber, Lyft, Epic, BioTechnique
Here’s a quick rundown of recent news from Wisconsin’s technology and innovation community: —A federal judge rejected a request by Milwaukee taxi groups to halt a new city law that lifts the cap on taxi permits and provides a pathway to legalization for ride-booking apps like Uber and Lyft, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal. … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Uber, Lyft, Epic, BioTechnique”
Wisconsin Roundup: Midwest Angel Investors, Epic, Cellectar, & More
Midwest investors flex their muscles, while Epic Systems faces stiffer competition in the electronic health records software space. Read on for details about these and other stories from the Wisconsin innovation scene. —The Great Lakes region accounted for 17.1 percent of angel investments in the first quarter, according to the latest Halo Report from Silicon … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Midwest Angel Investors, Epic, Cellectar, & More”
Wisconsin Roundup: Exits, New Jobs, FDA Approval, & More
In this week’s roundup of Wisconsin innovation and technology news, we’re tracking a startup’s exit, ballooning staff at the state’s largest healthtech firm, FDA approval for a medical device, a groundbreaking for a medical isotopes factory, and the new leader of a key Madison business park. Read on for details. —Madison-based Idle Free Systems was … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Exits, New Jobs, FDA Approval, & More”
Drive Capital, Led By Sequoia Vets, Sees Midwest as Next Startup Hub
Chris Olsen thinks the Midwest is a better place to build a startup than either coast, and he intends to prove it. The Cincinnati native was a partner for six years at the well-known Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, before former Sequoia colleague Mark Kvamme recruited Olsen back to Ohio to start a … Continue reading “Drive Capital, Led By Sequoia Vets, Sees Midwest as Next Startup Hub”
Madison’s Tech Future: 5 Ways It Could Succeed, 5 Ways It Could Fail
Silicon Valley wasn’t built overnight. Neither were smaller, newer tech startup hubs like Austin, TX, and Boulder, CO. In the Midwest, Madison, WI, hasn’t yet reached that level, but the city is gradually and quietly positioning itself to at least join the conversation. Xconomy has been closely following Madison’s aspirations to be a healthtech startup … Continue reading “Madison’s Tech Future: 5 Ways It Could Succeed, 5 Ways It Could Fail”
Wisconsin Roundup: Apple, Epic, Gener8tor, MobCraft, & More
Last week was an especially busy one for Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community, thanks to the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference and a flurry of funding announcements. Here’s a few additional news items that might have flown under the radar: —Apple recently announced its iOS 8 software system, and a Wisconsin company will play a prominent role … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Apple, Epic, Gener8tor, MobCraft, & More”
Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Crowdfunding, Milwaukee Water Biz Park
Here’s a smattering of recent news from Wisconsin’s innovation and tech community: —Plans are starting to solidify for the first building in a planned Milwaukee business park for water tech companies. Construction could begin this fall on a four-story, 80,000-square-foot office and research complex in the Reed Street Yards, which is adjacent to the Global … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Epic, Crowdfunding, Milwaukee Water Biz Park”
Madison Healthtech Firm Vonlay Sold to Huron Consulting Group
Vonlay, one of the largest healthcare IT consulting firms in Madison, WI, will be acquired by Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group, according to an announcement today. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. The deal is expected to close in May. Vonlay, founded in 2009 by Aaron Carlock, has 130 employees at its headquarters in Middleton, WI, near … Continue reading “Madison Healthtech Firm Vonlay Sold to Huron Consulting Group”
Boston VCs See Madison Healthtech Play Following Nashville’s Path
There’s been plenty of rosy talk lately from entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Madison, WI, about the area’s potential for becoming a national hub for healthtech startups. On Tuesday, Madison got an endorsement from Boston venture capitalists who are starting to take notice of the entrepreneurial activity happening here, including in health information technology. Local optimists … Continue reading “Boston VCs See Madison Healthtech Play Following Nashville’s Path”
100health Aims to Incubate Health IT Startups, Put Madison on Map
The ambitious talk of turning Madison, WI, into the nation’s premier hub for healthcare and healthtech startups has grown louder in recent weeks. Now add 100health to the conversation. The new company, housed in downtown Madison co-working space 100state, is part think tank and part startup incubator. 100health will work with healthcare providers, insurers, and … Continue reading “100health Aims to Incubate Health IT Startups, Put Madison on Map”
Wisconsin Roundup: Startup Weekend, Epic Systems, Johnson Controls
A few notable news items from Wisconsin’s tech and innovation community over the last week: —The first Startup Weekend was held in the Green Bay area. About 45 people participated, forming nine startup teams in the span of 54 hours on St. Norbert College’s campus, said Chris Campbell, one of the volunteers who helped run … Continue reading “Wisconsin Roundup: Startup Weekend, Epic Systems, Johnson Controls”
BlueTree Network Co-founder Launches Healthcare App Venture
[Updated 2/25/14, 3:16 pm. See below.] Epic Systems veteran Reggie Luedtke is launching his second healthcare information technology startup, a venture that he hopes will coax healthcare providers to share more data and break down bureaucratic divisions across the industry. The new company, called Branch2, wants to build software that can connect the various parts … Continue reading “BlueTree Network Co-founder Launches Healthcare App Venture”
Wisconsin a Land of Innovators, Not Just Cheeseheads
Wisconsin: the land of beer, brats, and, yes, cheese. Ask a random person on the streets of New York or San Francisco what they know about Wisconsin, and that might be the sort of answer they would give. In my experience, folks on the coasts sometimes can’t even point out Milwaukee or Madison on a … Continue reading “Wisconsin a Land of Innovators, Not Just Cheeseheads”