[Updated 6/14/19, 10:25 am CT. See below.] Gener8tor, a Wisconsin-based organization with a growing network of startup accelerators across the Midwest, is shaking up the format of its flagship Milwaukee program in a bid to catalyze entrepreneurship among locals. Instead of seeking applications from existing startups located around the world, this fall’s Gener8tor program in … Continue reading “Gener8tor to Make Startups From Scratch in Revamped Milwaukee Program”
Tag: TechStars
We Did It In Detroit, And So Can You: Fundraising Lessons Learned
As the co-founder of Assembler Labs, a Detroit-based startup studio, I breathed a big sigh of relief after we closed our inaugural round of fundraising at the end of March. It took about seven months of investor meetings, sending around documents, and wrangling signatures, but my co-founder and I looked forward to calmer calendars and … Continue reading “We Did It In Detroit, And So Can You: Fundraising Lessons Learned”
Founders’ Co-op Raises $25M to Back More Pacific Northwest Startups
Founders’ Co-op, a Seattle-based venture capital firm that has backed nearly 100 startups since its launch 11 years ago, has raised a new, $25 million fund to continue making investments. According to a document filed with federal securities regulators, it’s the fourth fund Founders’ Co-op has raised, and the money came from 99 investors. In … Continue reading “Founders’ Co-op Raises $25M to Back More Pacific Northwest Startups”
Startup Diversity Pledge Takes National Aim After Start in Austin
Austin—There’s a diversity initiative in Austin that’s gaining interest: The Startup Diversity and Inclusion Pledge has now been signed by some 50 entrepreneurs and investors in the city. The pledge asks any company or individual who signs it to commit to standards such as hiring (and interviewing) a diverse workforce, pay equality, and training about … Continue reading “Startup Diversity Pledge Takes National Aim After Start in Austin”
CesiumAstro, MAP Health, StoryFit, Hatch Pitch & More Texas Tech
[Updated 3/14/19, 1:53 pm CT. See below.] Another South By Southwest festival comes to a close in Austin. Let’s catch up with the highlights from the tech portion this year and other innovation news in Texas. —CesiumAstro, an Austin-based maker of antennas and communications systems for satellites, said it has raised $12.4 million in a Series … Continue reading “CesiumAstro, MAP Health, StoryFit, Hatch Pitch & More Texas Tech”
TX Tech: ForeFlight to Boeing, Osano Debut, Saranas’ FDA Nod & More
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —Boeing (NYSE: [[ticker:BE]]) has acquired Houston-based ForeFlight, a mobile and web-based maker of aviation software, according to a press release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. ForeFlight had already been partnering with the Chicago-based aeronautical company for the past two years through Boeing’s subsidiary … Continue reading “TX Tech: ForeFlight to Boeing, Osano Debut, Saranas’ FDA Nod & More”
San Antonio Startup Cityflag Joins City-Focused Techstars Program
San Antonio—[Updated 3/8/19, 2:27 p.m. See below.] A San Antonio startup, Cityflag, is joining a new Techstars program in Amsterdam for businesses that focus on changing how “we live, work, and travel in cities.” Cityflag is one of ten startups that is taking part in the Arcadis City of 2030 Accelerator, which Techstars is running … Continue reading “San Antonio Startup Cityflag Joins City-Focused Techstars Program”
Angel Networks Most Active Texas Investors Since 2010, Report Says
Austin — Two angel networks in Texas have been the most active investors in the state since 2010. The Houston Angel Network leads the list with 145 investments during the past nine years, followed by the Central Texas Angel Network in Austin with 144 deals, according to data compiled by Seattle-based PitchBook. Capital Factory, which runs … Continue reading “Angel Networks Most Active Texas Investors Since 2010, Report Says”
TX Tech News: Techstars Austin, Essentium, Ontic, & More Startup Funds
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —Essentium, maker of a 3-D printing system for manufacturers, has raised $22.2 million in a Series A funding round led by BASF Venture Capital. Materialise, Genesis Park, and previous seed round investors also participated in the deal, according to a press release. The funding will be … Continue reading “TX Tech News: Techstars Austin, Essentium, Ontic, & More Startup Funds”
Trust & Will Raises $2M to Advance Digitization of Estate Planning
[Updated 9:30 a.m., see below.] Roughly half of American adults have no legal document that details how their assets should be distributed when they die. The team at Trust & Will, a San Diego-based startup founded in October of 2017, is betting that a good chunk of those people would shell out some money to … Continue reading “Trust & Will Raises $2M to Advance Digitization of Estate Planning”
Michigan Mobility Institute Aims to Expand AV Talent, Ecosystem
A new tech education effort is forming in Detroit—created by Fontinalis Partners co-founder Chris Thomas—that focuses on teaching adult students the skills they need to compete for the increasingly large number of open jobs in the mobility industry. Called the Detroit Mobility Lab, it has two goals: to build the mobility talent infrastructure necessary to … Continue reading “Michigan Mobility Institute Aims to Expand AV Talent, Ecosystem”
Austin’s Media Tech Incubator Readies for First Group of Startups
Austin—An incubator for startups that are developing a media product is in its final week of accepting applications. Called Collective, the incubator is focused on startups that are working on innovating the media space, which includes augmented and virtual reality, publishing, news, public relations, video games, music, sound, film, marketing, advertising, radio, and podcasting, the … Continue reading “Austin’s Media Tech Incubator Readies for First Group of Startups”
Following Sale of Haiku Deck, Adam Tratt Reflects on Startup Life
The idea for Haiku Deck, a Seattle startup that makes software for putting together short, image-heavy presentations, only came about after its founders’ original plan to build a development shop for social network games failed to gain sufficient traction. Now, years later, Haiku Deck co-founders Adam Tratt and Kevin Leneway’s decision to switch to developing … Continue reading “Following Sale of Haiku Deck, Adam Tratt Reflects on Startup Life”
Hospital Robots, Vista Bets on Diversity, Cocktails, & More TX Tech
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —Two Texas startups have been named to the inaugural 2019 cohort of the LaunchPad Lift program, which is organized by Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars. One of them, Lazarus, is a Texas A&M University spinout developing ammunition that minimizes blood loss to preserve life after penetration. … Continue reading “Hospital Robots, Vista Bets on Diversity, Cocktails, & More TX Tech”
X·CON 2018: Photos From Three Innovation Days in November
On November 4-6, Xconomy organized a meeting of the minds—an elite gathering of leaders in technology, business, healthcare, education, and energy—to discuss and demonstrate the key trends in their fields, heading into next year. Our expert speakers and attendees at X·CON 2018 tackled everything from the impact of artificial intelligence on enterprises to the emerging … Continue reading “X·CON 2018: Photos From Three Innovation Days in November”
Shyft Raises $6.5M for Staffing Tools Used by Workers and Employers
Shyft Technologies, a Seattle-based startup that has developed a software platform for retail and hospitality workers, and their employers, says it has raised $6.5 million in new funding to further develop its product. Two venture capital firms based in the Seattle area, Ignition Partners and Madrona Venture Group, led the Series A round, Shyft says. … Continue reading “Shyft Raises $6.5M for Staffing Tools Used by Workers and Employers”
A.I., Cybersecurity & the Changing Face of VC at X·CON Next Week
Bob Brennan has some pretty interesting lessons from his time working with Veracode and CloudHealth Technologies. Those are two of the bigger Boston tech exits in the past few years—the companies were acquired by CA Technologies and VMware, respectively. Brennan, the former CEO of Veracode and Iron Mountain, and former board member of CloudHealth, will … Continue reading “A.I., Cybersecurity & the Changing Face of VC at X·CON Next Week”
Techstars, EdX, SoftBank Join X·CON 2018 Program, Nov. 4-6
Two weeks from today will mark a most special occasion. Xconomy is convening top business and tech leaders from Boston and beyond for a multi-day conference to tackle the most pressing questions in the innovation community. X·CON 2018 will feature talks and interactive discussions at the Institute of Contemporary Art; robotics demos and security and … Continue reading “Techstars, EdX, SoftBank Join X·CON 2018 Program, Nov. 4-6”
Passport Buys Austin Parking Enforcement Software Company NuPark
Austin—Passport, a company with software that helps cities and other organizations manage operations, has acquired a business called NuPark that sells parking management services. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. NuPark, based in Cedar Park, TX, and makes video and software technology that helps customers like schools and governments manage parking. Passport sells mobile-based software … Continue reading “Passport Buys Austin Parking Enforcement Software Company NuPark”
Packers, Microsoft Drop Accelerator Plans; TitleTownTech Still a Go
TitleTownTech, a soon-to-be-launched joint venture between the NFL’s Green Bay Packers and tech giant Microsoft, has hit the brakes on a startup accelerator the two organizations had previously said they planned to run together. Craig Dickman, whom the Packers named managing director of TitleTownTech earlier this week, says the goal of the joint venture—spurring digital-age … Continue reading “Packers, Microsoft Drop Accelerator Plans; TitleTownTech Still a Go”
Gener8tor Creates Los Angeles Accelerator for Music Tech Startups
Gener8tor has its sights set on Hollywood. The organization, which since 2012 has held training and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs in its home state of Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest, said Wednesday that it has teamed up with Capitol Music Group to launch a new music technology accelerator program in Los Angeles. The … Continue reading “Gener8tor Creates Los Angeles Accelerator for Music Tech Startups”
Techstars and Heritage Group Launch Indianapolis Accelerator Program
Techstars, which works to advance early stage startups through 45 accelerator programs across the world, today announced its newest accelerator focused on construction and infrastructure materials. The accelerator, located in Indianapolis, is being run in partnership with the Heritage Group, an Indiana company specializing in environmental remediation, specialty chemicals, construction materials, and fuel products. “It’s … Continue reading “Techstars and Heritage Group Launch Indianapolis Accelerator Program”
Amazon Acquiring Online Pharmacy PillPack, Eyes Prescription Drug Market
It’s Amazon, not Walmart, that’s buying online pharmacy PillPack. The companies announced the deal Thursday morning but didn’t disclose any financial terms. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2018. Back in April, Walmart was in serious talks to acquire PillPack. Those talks apparently broke down, and it’s no surprise that … Continue reading “Amazon Acquiring Online Pharmacy PillPack, Eyes Prescription Drug Market”
Boston Tech Watch: Teradyne, American Well, Namogoo, Sentenai & More
[Updated 5/7/18, 12:17 pm. See below.] It’s time to catch up on some recent deals and other news from the Boston-area tech scene: —Teradyne (NYSE: [[ticker:TER]]), a North Reading, MA-based seller of robots and automatic test equipment for checking semiconductors and other electronics, recently said it purchased Denmark-based Mobile Industrial Robots, known as MiR, for … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Teradyne, American Well, Namogoo, Sentenai & More”
TX Tech: Tyler’s Buying Spree, Trust Ventures, TheWaveVR, & More
Let’s catch up with innovation news from around the state. —Plano, TX-based Tyler Technologies (NYSE: [[ticker:TYL]]) has purchased Sage Data Security, a Portland, ME-based cybersecurity firm, according to a press release. Tyler makes public sector-related information management software, and the company says it has more than 15,000 local governments as customers. A few weeks ago, … Continue reading “TX Tech: Tyler’s Buying Spree, Trust Ventures, TheWaveVR, & More”
Techstars Boston Demo Day: VC Gets More Selective, Plus 3 Takeaways
[Corrected 4/28/18, 5:14 pm. See below.] It’s getting tougher out there for early-stage startups, but Techstars Boston keeps plugging away. In the age of “unicorns” and “mega-rounds” of venture capital, investors are placing bigger bets on fewer, often later-stage, companies. At the early stages, deal sizes are also growing, but the number of investments continues … Continue reading “Techstars Boston Demo Day: VC Gets More Selective, Plus 3 Takeaways”
Techstars Anywhere Inaugural Class Takes Virtual Graduation Walk
[Corrected 4/20/09, 5:35 am. See below.] From Adelaide to Toronto, the Techstars accelerator that began in Boulder, CO, runs 39 programs in 27 cities around the world—with the prerequisite that admitted startups must relocate, if necessary, to the city where their three-month program is based. Today, however, the inaugural class of the 40th program—Techstars Anywhere—is … Continue reading “Techstars Anywhere Inaugural Class Takes Virtual Graduation Walk”
Reports: Walmart Wants to Buy PillPack, as Healthcare Ambitions Grow
Walmart is reportedly talking with PillPack about acquiring the online pharmacy and medication management company, a deal that would strengthen the retail giant’s healthcare offerings and potentially help it fend off Amazon if the Seattle e-commerce company starts selling prescription drugs. The PillPack acquisition talks were first reported by CNBC and later confirmed by other … Continue reading “Reports: Walmart Wants to Buy PillPack, as Healthcare Ambitions Grow”
Rep. Jared Polis Asks Congress to Disclose Cryptocurrency Holdings
Members of Congress are required to disclose many details about their personal finances. Jared Polis, a Democratic U.S. Representative from Colorado—and a successful Internet entrepreneur—contends that elected representatives and certain staffers should also be required to disclose cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, even though that’s not necessarily happening now. Polis wants it to become a … Continue reading “Rep. Jared Polis Asks Congress to Disclose Cryptocurrency Holdings”
Gaming, Staffing, and Diversity: Techstars Picks 2018 Class for Seattle
Diversity has been a thorny problem for the tech industry—specifically its lack of minority and women-led businesses. Techstars has made a point of the issue, and promised over the last few years to try to make diversity a priority as it selects companies for its various accelerator programs. Seattle’s Techstars program announced some progress this … Continue reading “Gaming, Staffing, and Diversity: Techstars Picks 2018 Class for Seattle”
Techstars, Air Force Reveal First Boston Accelerator Investments
[Updated 2/1/18, 9:52 am. See below.] Techstars today announced the companies participating in the inaugural session of its new autonomous technology startup accelerator program in Boston, and, as advertised, there are a lot of drones involved. Six of the 10 participating companies are focused on unmanned aerial vehicles, including businesses focused on designing and making … Continue reading “Techstars, Air Force Reveal First Boston Accelerator Investments”
Lovepop Unseals $12.5M to Grow 3D Pop-up Greeting Card Business
Investors are enamored with Lovepop, the technology-enabled, pop-up greeting card startup. The Boston-based company announced Wednesday it received a $12.5 million investment led by Highland Capital Partners. Greeting cards aren’t a traditional venture capital-backed business, but Lovepop’s backers say there’s an opportunity to shake up a large market that hasn’t seen much innovation over the … Continue reading “Lovepop Unseals $12.5M to Grow 3D Pop-up Greeting Card Business”
Retailers’ Holiday Wishlist? More Sales Powered By New Technologies
From products designed by artificial intelligence to virtual reality systems that help shoppers picture merchandise in their homes, retailers are deploying technology like never before this holiday season, betting that they can win business back from the default of online shopping. These innovations run the gamut, including sensors and cameras that can monitor in-store movements, … Continue reading “Retailers’ Holiday Wishlist? More Sales Powered By New Technologies”
Chasing Amazon: Target Buys Shipt, Techstars Teams Up With Rakuten
Corporate America’s acquisition game in online retail and e-commerce is continuing, this time with Target buying Birmingham, AL-based startup Shipt for $550 million. The deal may not make the same sweeping waves as Amazon’s $13.7 billion acquisition of Austin, TX-based Whole Foods, but Shipt appears to have been waiting for a suitor since Seattle-based Amazon … Continue reading “Chasing Amazon: Target Buys Shipt, Techstars Teams Up With Rakuten”
Newest Austin Startup Accelerator Sputnik Plans January First Class
Austin—[Corrected 9:56 a.m. See below.] There’s no shortage of startup accelerators in Austin, with stalwarts like Capital Factory, Techstars, and the Austin Technology Incubator often getting the most attention. To be fair, there’s no shortage of early stage startups, either, which may be part of the reason more accelerator programs have launched in the city … Continue reading “Newest Austin Startup Accelerator Sputnik Plans January First Class”
As Automation Disrupts Everything, Michigan Must Seize Opportunity
Detroit is buzzing again. Optimism about the city’s future is high. Unemployment in the state of Michigan is under 4 percent, approaching 20-year lows, and is lower than the national average. There’s lots to be excited about, and I share that excitement 100 percent. In fact, it’s part of the reason why I recently moved … Continue reading “As Automation Disrupts Everything, Michigan Must Seize Opportunity”
Vanu Bose Tribute, Plus Latest Boston Tech Headlines
We start this week’s Boston tech watch on a somber note: Vanu Bose, a local technology executive and MIT alumnus, passed away Saturday from a sudden pulmonary embolism, according to an announcement from MIT. He was 52. Bose was the founder and CEO of 19-year-old wireless networking company Vanu, which recently donated some of its … Continue reading “Vanu Bose Tribute, Plus Latest Boston Tech Headlines”
SendGrid Goes Public for $131M in First Techstars Accelerator IPO
Something rare happened this morning: A company that has gone through an accelerator program, SendGrid, has hit the public markets. SendGrid raised $131 million by selling 8.2 million shares for $16 apiece, according to research firm Renaissance Capital. Both figures were higher than expected for the Denver, CO-based company, which is now trading on the … Continue reading “SendGrid Goes Public for $131M in First Techstars Accelerator IPO”
Techstars Sustainability Adds to Growth of Sponsored Accelerators
After Techstars opened its first program in Boulder, CO, in 2007, the startup accelerator program expanded into three cities over the next four years. But then the real growth started happening. In 2011, Techstars began launching accelerators that focused on startups innovating in a specific sector in partnership with big companies. It partnered with Nike … Continue reading “Techstars Sustainability Adds to Growth of Sponsored Accelerators”
Two Accelerator Programs Open in Austin as Texas Bolsters Ecosystem
Austin—Two new startup programs have launched in Austin in the last week: One is a Boston-based program that doesn’t take an equity stake in the startups it helps accelerate, while the second is a new branch of Techstars that’s focused on social and environmental businesses. Austin is the newest city in a growing list in … Continue reading “Two Accelerator Programs Open in Austin as Texas Bolsters Ecosystem”
Ramp Founder Wilde Takes Over Indico as Reality Sets In for A.I.
[Updated 10/5/17, 6:21 pm. See below.] Technology companies like IBM have arguably overhyped the capabilities of their artificial intelligence technologies over the past few years. But some executives believe the field is turning a corner, and businesses are starting to deliver practical applications of A.I. “There’s some reality setting in,” says Boston software executive Tom … Continue reading “Ramp Founder Wilde Takes Over Indico as Reality Sets In for A.I.”
Air Force Scouts Autonomous Tech in New Boston Techstars Program
From GPS to the Internet, some of the most impactful technologies of the last century were driven by U.S. military investments. Department of Defense leaders want to continue that tradition, but fear that the military could be missing out on the latest innovations inside of high-tech startups because it doesn’t work with them as closely … Continue reading “Air Force Scouts Autonomous Tech in New Boston Techstars Program”
Techstars Heads to Norway in Search of Energy Startups with Statoil
Global startup launcher Techstars plans to run a program next year in Oslo, with Norwegian state-owned energy giant Statoil, focused on startups working in the energy industry. Statoil (NYSE: [[ticker:STOS]]) is a 45-year-old vertically integrated oil and gas giant with deep expertise in offshore exploration and drilling, as well as a significant hydroelectric and wind energy … Continue reading “Techstars Heads to Norway in Search of Energy Startups with Statoil”
Boston Tech Watch: Techstars, DraftKings, Kaspersky, PTC
This week in Boston tech, we’re tracking a new Techstars program to support early-stage companies, the latest development in DraftKings’ regulatory battles, a new home for PTC, and more problems for Kaspersky Lab. Read on for details. —Techstars is launching a second startup accelerator program in Boston, this one focused on autonomous technologies, such as … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Techstars, DraftKings, Kaspersky, PTC”
Boston Tech Watch: Rethink Robotics, SquadLocker, Semcasting & More
There was a flurry of tech deals announced this week in Boston, including the acquisitions of Applause, Digital Lumens, and Dragon Innovation, and a $6 million investment in GNS Healthcare. Here are a few more deals you might have missed: —Rethink Robotics raised $18 million from investors, part of a funding round announced last December … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Rethink Robotics, SquadLocker, Semcasting & More”
Techstars Cloud Graduate Ilos Videos Snags $1.5M Led By Austin VC
San Antonio—Ilos Videos, a St. Paul, MN-based startup that went through the final Techstars Cloud program in San Antonio in February 2016, has raised a $1.5 million seed round of funding led by Active Capital, an Austin-based firm operated by three former Rackspace employees. Founded in 2015, ilos develops software that helps people make videos … Continue reading “Techstars Cloud Graduate Ilos Videos Snags $1.5M Led By Austin VC”
Eyeing Consumers Needing Car Repairs, CarCalmly Plans August Launch
San Antonio—People who drive spend about 50 minutes on the road per day, according to consulting firm McKinsey. And while laws discourage people from using a cell phone while driving, it’s no secret those drivers probably have smartphones nearby. Some tech startups are seeking opportunities in the auto industry, by using data they can get … Continue reading “Eyeing Consumers Needing Car Repairs, CarCalmly Plans August Launch”
DataCamp Nabs $4M for Data Science Courses, Moves to NY
Data scientists remain in high demand. But these days, many types of professionals can boost their career prospects if they have at least a basic level of “data literacy,” says Jonathan Cornelissen. That’s part of the reason why he says his online education company, DataCamp, has been growing over the past couple of years. DataCamp, … Continue reading “DataCamp Nabs $4M for Data Science Courses, Moves to NY”
Amazon Alexa Accelerator Begins in Seattle With Nine Startups
Amazon and Techstars announced the nine companies selected for the Amazon Alexa Accelerator, which began its initial 13-week program in Seattle Monday. Why it matters: Seattle is already a hub of artificial intelligence research and commercialization activity at technology giants including Microsoft and Amazon, and research institutions such as the University of Washington and the … Continue reading “Amazon Alexa Accelerator Begins in Seattle With Nine Startups”
Bevi Slurps $16.5M to Bring “Smart Water Cooler” to More Offices
Add high-tech, healthy beverage dispensers to the list of trendy office perks. About three years ago, Boston-based startup Bevi launched its tech-enabled take on the traditional water cooler by installing an initial batch of about a dozen of its machines at local offices. Since then, the company says around 1,000 of the Internet-connected beverage kiosks … Continue reading “Bevi Slurps $16.5M to Bring “Smart Water Cooler” to More Offices”