We’ve all heard the old chestnut about being careful what we say on social media, because once it’s posted to the Internet, it lives on in perpetuity. Despite those warnings, people reveal an enormous amount about their lives, opinions, and preferences on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and a Cincinnati-based startup called Spatial is … Continue reading “A.I. Meets Ethnography: Spatial Drives Mobility Via Social Media Data”
Tag: Uber
Ex-GE CEO Immelt Joins NEA as Execs Move Into Venture Investing
[Updated 2/1/18, 2:54 pm. See below.] Former General Electric chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt has joined New Enterprise Associates, the latest high-profile business executive to cross over to venture capital. Immelt has signed on as a venture partner at NEA, according to a press release. NEA has offices in the Bay Area; Washington, DC, area; … Continue reading “Ex-GE CEO Immelt Joins NEA as Execs Move Into Venture Investing”
Cargo Zooms Ahead with New Cash, Plans to Expand to 10 Cities
Score one for mobile convenience stores. Cargo, a New York City-based graduate of the Techstars Mobility accelerator, announced Monday it has raised more money from investors, reached its one millionth passenger, and will soon expand from test markets in New York, Chicago, and Boston to new cities . We caught up with Cargo founder and … Continue reading “Cargo Zooms Ahead with New Cash, Plans to Expand to 10 Cities”
After Whirlwind 2017, May Mobility Plans to Expand Driverless Fleet
May Mobility, the autonomous vehicle startup based in Ann Arbor, MI, had an action-packed 2017. The company launched in January, completed a stint in the Y Combinator accelerator over the summer, put driverless shuttles on downtown Detroit streets through a small pilot program in October, and raised more than $11 million over the course of … Continue reading “After Whirlwind 2017, May Mobility Plans to Expand Driverless Fleet”
Three Takes on How Tech Can Rebuild Trust in 2018
Rounding out our series of perspectives and prognostications for the new year, we asked people in Xconomy’s network about trust in the tech industry. Specifically, if you think public perception about the tech industry took a turn for the worse in 2017, what should the industry do to rebuild trust in 2018? Here are responses … Continue reading “Three Takes on How Tech Can Rebuild Trust in 2018”
Toyota, Ford, Aptiv, Baidu Lead Crowd Pushing Mobility at CES
In the past, the tech conference CES has primarily highlighted consumer electronics and other cool gadgets, but as automakers continue their quest to be taken seriously by the tech industry, the Las Vegas show held every January has increasingly become the venue of choice for car companies that want to show off their latest autonomous … Continue reading “Toyota, Ford, Aptiv, Baidu Lead Crowd Pushing Mobility at CES”
After Boom Years, Starburst and Podium May Signal Big Data’s Future
It seems like ancient history now, but “big data” was once a hot field with startups, investors, and big companies all buzzing with hype. Then the tech industry moved on, and marketers crowned data science and machine learning the Next Big Things (at least until blockchain takes over). Of course, big data never really went … Continue reading “After Boom Years, Starburst and Podium May Signal Big Data’s Future”
Xconomy Bookclub: “Troublemakers” Charts the Birth of Silicon Valley
In 1968, a little-read article in a soon-to-fail magazine prophesied an age of networked machines that could be more than passive, oversized calculators to become digital partners in solving problems alongside humans. “In a few years, men will be able to communicate more effectively through a machine than face to face,” wrote JCR “Lick” Licklider … Continue reading “Xconomy Bookclub: “Troublemakers” Charts the Birth of Silicon Valley”
A VC’s Wish for 2018: More Efficient Entrepreneurs
Tech companies continued to rake in massive amounts of venture capital last year, while the exit market was underwhelming. Xconomy reached out to Boston-area investor Eric Paley to put 2017 in perspective and find out what might be in store for the coming year. Paley’s early-stage venture firm, Founder Collective, has backed companies such as … Continue reading “A VC’s Wish for 2018: More Efficient Entrepreneurs”
Houston Investor Murthy Reflects on Tech’s High & Low Points in 2017
A series of events this year—from the Equifax data breach to the foreign use of social media to influence the U.S. presidential election—has prompted some to question the utopian promise of innovation, especially when it comes to Web companies and cybersecurity. To help put things in perspective at year’s end, Xconomy reached out to Neal … Continue reading “Houston Investor Murthy Reflects on Tech’s High & Low Points in 2017”
Tech Industry Must Implement Old-School Corporate Best Practices
There is little doubt that Silicon Valley has taken a reputational hit in 2017, partly as a result of the media’s usual star-making and -breaking process, but mostly through self-inflicted wounds. However, while specific details in the press may be shocking, the problems were predictable: Bad behavior often follows when there is an imbalance in … Continue reading “Tech Industry Must Implement Old-School Corporate Best Practices”
WatchHerWork CEO Hamilton: “We Are All Ready for Tech to Grow Up”
A series of highly publicized events in 2017—from the Equifax data breach to the exposure of rampant sexual harassment in parts of the tech industry—has prompted some to question the utopian promise of innovation, especially when it comes to cybersecurity and tech culture. In a bid to put things in perspective at year’s end, Xconomy … Continue reading “WatchHerWork CEO Hamilton: “We Are All Ready for Tech to Grow Up””
Flipside Crypto’s Balter Talks Uber, #MeToo, Cryptocurrencies
The past year was a turbulent one for the tech industry. There was a new controversy seemingly every week, whether it was Uber’s myriad scandals; more personal data breaches; Russia’s use of social media and other online platforms to try and influence U.S. voters; growing concerns over tech giants’ power; and a series of sexual … Continue reading “Flipside Crypto’s Balter Talks Uber, #MeToo, Cryptocurrencies”
Once Shunned, Regulated Industries Now a Lure for Some Investors
When Alex Niehenke started his business career at an investment bank in 2005 as an advisor to Internet companies, there was one strongly held consensus among investors. “You just didn’t touch regulated industries,” says Niehenke, who was recently promoted to partner at Silicon Valley venture capital firm Scale Venture Partners. Investors didn’t want the risks … Continue reading “Once Shunned, Regulated Industries Now a Lure for Some Investors”
What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?
Whether you think self-driving cars are the stuff of science fiction or a potentially paradigm-shifting new form of transportation, autonomous vehicles are coming—and the companies developing them are spending big money to make it happen. A few years ago, industry analysts seemed to think Silicon Valley would win the race to get self-driving cars on … Continue reading “What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?”
Boston Tech Watch: Apple, Lyft, BU, Astral Capital, Cengage & More
It’s time to catch up on the latest Boston-area tech headlines: —People can now ride around Boston’s Seaport neighborhood in a self-driving vehicle, thanks to a pilot program launched this week by ride-hailing company Lyft and NuTonomy, the autonomous vehicle software startup now owned by Aptiv. (Aptiv is the name of the autonomous vehicle business … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Apple, Lyft, BU, Astral Capital, Cengage & More”
American Family to Launch Moonrise, a Platform for Moonlighting
[Updated 12/6/17 11:43 a.m. See below.] Retailers across the U.S. often hire additional workers this time of year to help get them through the busy holiday shopping season. Allowing employers to bring in extra help during busy times is likewise the idea behind Moonrise, a Chicago-based startup that recently exited stealth mode. According to its … Continue reading “American Family to Launch Moonrise, a Platform for Moonlighting”
Former GE CEO Immelt Talks Uber, A.I., and a Rejected Bid for Epic
Artificial intelligence holds promise for healthcare in areas like radiology, but it could be tough sledding for businesses selling narrowly focused products to one customer at a time. The winners in this emerging sector will figure out how to integrate A.I. tools into a broader platform that offers clear value for doctors, hospitals, insurers, and … Continue reading “Former GE CEO Immelt Talks Uber, A.I., and a Rejected Bid for Epic”
As GM Gets Self-Driving Buzz, Autonomous Vehicles Navigate Niches
We still live in the early days of autonomous vehicles. We’re toddlers, technologically speaking, and our algorithms are still learning to walk, er, drive. That’s the impression you get from reading the various recaps of an autonomous car test run that General Motors hosted for journalists this week in San Francisco. Wired’s Aarian Marshall noted … Continue reading “As GM Gets Self-Driving Buzz, Autonomous Vehicles Navigate Niches”
Hoppy Holidays: HopDrop to Begin Delivering Craft Beer to Doorsteps
Houston—Joining the swelling ranks of booze delivery companies nationwide is HopDrop, which begins a beta launch Friday. The Houston-based startup’s focus is connecting customers with local craft breweries, delivering suds to certain Houston zip codes upon request, within an hour. “Our niche is that the beer we have, you can’t get in a supermarket,” says … Continue reading “Hoppy Holidays: HopDrop to Begin Delivering Craft Beer to Doorsteps”
Stratim CEO Sees Future with Costly Driverless Cars, but Low Ride Fares
Like many tech entrepreneurs, Sean Behr had a young business that was popular with consumers, but was also losing money. So in February of 2016, he decided to refocus his San Francisco startup on the small, but unexpectedly profitable aspect of his service that could operate in the black. That pivot put Behr in a … Continue reading “Stratim CEO Sees Future with Costly Driverless Cars, but Low Ride Fares”
Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up
When automotive supplier Delphi forked over approximately $450 million to buy Boston-based software startup NuTonomy last month, it was the latest in a spate of high-dollar acquisitions involving companies that develop self-driving technologies. NuTonomy, founded by MIT researchers, was only four years old and had raised $16 million in a Series A round the previous … Continue reading “Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up”
Waymo, Global Firms Start Their Engines For Self-Driving Future
In a pile-up of news about self-driving vehicles early this week, Alphabet unit Waymo led the pack by announcing that its autonomous fleet, operating in an area of Phoenix, is now without humans in the driver’s seat. Soon, Waymo will be testing a business model for its driverless cars, while it continues to test its … Continue reading “Waymo, Global Firms Start Their Engines For Self-Driving Future”
After Harvey’s Chaos, Tech Tools Provide Key Connection to Schools
Houston—Hurricane Harvey has faded from front-page newspaper headlines and the top of cable news, but for thousands of families, the chaos and dislocation are still very much top of mind. Luckily, some of them have been able to use technology to fill some basic needs in education and communication. Uma Dama, whose Sugarland, TX, home … Continue reading “After Harvey’s Chaos, Tech Tools Provide Key Connection to Schools”
Delphi to Buy NuTonomy for $400M+ as Driverless Car Tie-ups Continue
Another big move today in the race to develop self-driving cars: Delphi Automotive has inked a deal to acquire NuTonomy, an autonomous vehicle software startup, for up to $450 million. The U.K.-based automotive supplier (NYSE: [[ticker:DLPH]]) will pay $400 million up front to acquire Boston-based NuTonomy, plus earn-outs of about $50 million, according to a … Continue reading “Delphi to Buy NuTonomy for $400M+ as Driverless Car Tie-ups Continue”
Xconomy Q&A: Todd Schulte of Tech Immigration Advocacy Org FWD.us
[Updated 9/25/17, 1:55 p.m. Clarified 9/27/17, 10:01 a.m. See below.] Immigration policy has always been important to the tech industry, but this year is different. Under a steady barrage of nationalist, anti-immigrant policies promulgated by the Trump administration, the tech industry has been forced to respond like never before, in the halls of Congress, the … Continue reading “Xconomy Q&A: Todd Schulte of Tech Immigration Advocacy Org FWD.us”
Q&A: UW Prof on Whether Patient Portals Are Working as Designed
The percentage of U.S. hospitals that rely entirely on paper records to document information on their patients now stands at 1 percent, down from 69 percent in 2003, according to a study published recently in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. For more than two decades, hospitals and clinics have been working to digitize their … Continue reading “Q&A: UW Prof on Whether Patient Portals Are Working as Designed”
NVCA Sues Trump Administration for Delaying “Startup Visa” Program
Add another item to the list of tech industry beefs with the new crew in the White House. An organization representing venture capital firms filed a federal suit in Washington, DC, on Tuesday accusing Trump Administration officials of unlawfully delaying a program that would have allowed international entrepreneurs to work at companies they founded within … Continue reading “NVCA Sues Trump Administration for Delaying “Startup Visa” Program”
Favor Adds $22M to Expand Again After Cutting Delivery Outside Texas
Austin—Favor, the delivery startup that shuttered all of its operations outside of Texas earlier this year, has raised a $22 million Series B round of funding to add more cities to the list of 15 in Texas where people can use its app. The startup, which connects people wanting a something delivered via its app … Continue reading “Favor Adds $22M to Expand Again After Cutting Delivery Outside Texas”
Seattle Week in Review: Dreamers, Uber, Harvey, Satellites, & More
Heading into Labor Day weekend, mourning for Houston, here’s a look at this week’s tech news from Seattle and beyond, with updates on several big stories: —President Donald Trump is reportedly set to decide next week the fate of the Dreamers—young, undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children and registered with the government … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Dreamers, Uber, Harvey, Satellites, & More”
As Uber Confirms CEO Pick, A Real Change of Control?
The board of embattled ride-hailing giant Uber late Tuesday confirmed its decision to hire Expedia chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi as its new CEO. The vote was unanimous, the board wrote in an upbeat letter to Uber employees. “We’re really fortunate to gain a leader with Dara’s experience, talent and vision,” the note said. “The Board … Continue reading “As Uber Confirms CEO Pick, A Real Change of Control?”
Blackhawk Pays $175M for Maine-based E-Commerce Business CashStar
CashStar, a company that makes digital gift cards and commerce software, has sold to financial tech business Blackhawk Network for $175 million in cash. Venture capital-backed CashStar will stay in New England, keeping offices in Waltham, MA and Portland, ME, where its headquarters are located. The company is becoming part of Blackhawk’s digital and incentives … Continue reading “Blackhawk Pays $175M for Maine-based E-Commerce Business CashStar”
Who is Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s Pick to be CEO?
The news broke Sunday night that Uber has offered the job of CEO to Dara Khosrowshahi, the outspoken steady hand guiding Bellevue, WA-based online travel giant Expedia (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXPE]]) for the last dozen years. Khosrowshahi and Uber have not officially confirmed the news as of Monday evening. An internal e-mail from Barry Diller, Expedia chairman, … Continue reading “Who is Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s Pick to be CEO?”
Uber Picks Expedia Leader As CEO Over Immelt, Whitman: Reports
In a last-minute shuffle Sunday night, Uber’s strife-ridden board chose Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi as the new chief executive for the troubled ride-hailing giant, Recode reported. Khosrowshahi, whose name hadn’t been rumored as a CEO prospect for Uber, was waiting in the wings after the exits over the weekend of two other finalists for the … Continue reading “Uber Picks Expedia Leader As CEO Over Immelt, Whitman: Reports”
Seattle Week in Review: Amazon, Whole Foods, Salmon Spill, Beef Beef
The dog days of summer are here, but there’s plenty of tech news to catch up on. Here’s a look at what’s happening with Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods and its amazing impact on real estate in Seattle and elsewhere; a farmed salmon spill in Puget Sound; a careful look at Crowd Cow and the … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Amazon, Whole Foods, Salmon Spill, Beef Beef”
In a CEO Search Like Uber’s, Is There Haggling Room for Contenders?
Landing the top executive’s job at a prominent company is usually considered a career coup. But a CEO search can also be a troubled company’s hunt for a savior. A leader facing a turnaround challenge may well ask, “What am I getting myself into?” Current case in point: Uber, which ticks many boxes on the … Continue reading “In a CEO Search Like Uber’s, Is There Haggling Room for Contenders?”
Filestack, Maker of File Uploading API, Hires New CEO Sameer Kamat
San Antonio—Filestack, a startup offering software that aims to make uploading photos and other content to applications easier and more reliable, has hired a new CEO: Sameer Kamat, an executive and engineer who spent the last 15 years at data and application backup company Unitrends. Kamat started at Unitrends as a software engineer and worked … Continue reading “Filestack, Maker of File Uploading API, Hires New CEO Sameer Kamat”
After Y Combinator, May Mobility Ready to Test Self-Driving Fleets
[Corrected, 10:16 am. See below] There has been a lot of speculation about what Ann Arbor, MI-based May Mobility has been up to since the company began working in stealth mode early this year. The new company has to do with autonomous vehicles—one of the hottest fields in tech—but until this week its website revealed … Continue reading “After Y Combinator, May Mobility Ready to Test Self-Driving Fleets”
Letter To Uber Staff: Benchmark Says It Should Have Sued Ex-CEO Sooner
Silicon Valley venture capital firm Benchmark, one of the Uber investors that pressured Uber CEO Travis Kalanick to step down as CEO in June due to company leadership failures, issued an open letter to the company’s employees today explaining why it sued Kalanick last week. Benchmark says Kalanick failed to honor his written promise, made … Continue reading “Letter To Uber Staff: Benchmark Says It Should Have Sued Ex-CEO Sooner”
Kauffman Fellows Take On VC Sexual Harassment, Bench Mentor McClure
If you’re looking for a counterpoint to the recent flurry of news stories about sexual harassment and gender bias in the tech sector, the Kauffman Fellows program isn’t a bad place to start. The Palo Alto, CA-based program, a spinoff of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, has been a gateway into the venture capital industry … Continue reading “Kauffman Fellows Take On VC Sexual Harassment, Bench Mentor McClure”
Disrupt Indy: Can Data Forge the Path to Inclusive Tech Ecosystems?
U.S. tech startups and investment firms have long been thought of as the domain of white men—because historically, they have been. Although that may be changing as more big tech corporations are pressured to release their diversity statistics and change hiring policies, one only needs to look at the statistics to confirm that women, members … Continue reading “Disrupt Indy: Can Data Forge the Path to Inclusive Tech Ecosystems?”
Convoy Raises $62M From Gates, Y Combinator for Trucking Marketplace
Convoy, a startup trying to modernize the way truck drivers connect with customers, just got a $62 million boost from investors including the Y Combinator Continuity Fund and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The Seattle startup, which makes technology that would automate the work of freight brokerages and dispatchers, announced the Series B funding round that … Continue reading “Convoy Raises $62M From Gates, Y Combinator for Trucking Marketplace”
Investors Pump $10.5M Into Circulation for Medical Transport Software
Technology companies are developing a wide array of healthcare products and services that get deployed in hospitals and homes. Few are focused on what happens in between—the ride to and from medical appointments. Circulation is one of the tech businesses trying to make non-emergency medical transportation more effective and efficient. The company’s software coordinates rides … Continue reading “Investors Pump $10.5M Into Circulation for Medical Transport Software”
Y Combinator Mulls New Startup App—Rating VCs on Sexual Harassment
Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley hub that incubates and funds scores of tech startups every year, is entering the fray over sexual harassment in the venture capital industry. YC has opened an online reporting mechanism that women can use to identify venture capital firm partners or executives who have pressured them for sex or groped … Continue reading “Y Combinator Mulls New Startup App—Rating VCs on Sexual Harassment”
Seattle Week in Review: VC Culture, Income Tax, Ayn Rand
The tech industry’s sexual harassment problem—and some potential avenues to address it—came home to Seattle this week. Meanwhile, pet services company Rover raised $65 million, A.I.’s impact on global GDP could be $15.7 trillion by 2030, and the city approved an income tax on high-earners, likely to be challenged. We’ve got more details on all … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: VC Culture, Income Tax, Ayn Rand”
Cargo Helps Rideshare Drivers Run Turnkey Mobile Convenience Stores
Last month, when Intel released its report detailing the emerging “passenger economy,” it estimated that the value of the associated goods and services would be a stunning $7 trillion by 2050. Intel defines the passenger economy as what will happen when self-driving vehicles and ridesharing services turn drivers into idle passengers. A captive audience with … Continue reading “Cargo Helps Rideshare Drivers Run Turnkey Mobile Convenience Stores”
NEA Leads $42M Round For AI-Enhanced Freight Booking Startup Transfix
Transfix, a New York tech startup with an online marketplace that organizes freight truck shipments, says it has scored $42 million in a Series C financing round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Transfix, founded in 2013, relies on machine learning and other data analytics tools to distinguish itself in the crowded arena of freight … Continue reading “NEA Leads $42M Round For AI-Enhanced Freight Booking Startup Transfix”
Artale Forced Out of VC Firm Ignition Partners After Misconduct Complaints
[Updated 7/13/17, 3:05 p.m. See below.] Ignition Partners, a venture capital firm based in Bellevue, WA, with offices in Los Altos, CA, announced the resignation of managing partner Frank Artale following complaints of inappropriate conduct. The firm issued a statement late Tuesday afternoon via Twitter (reproduced in full below) describing a misconduct complaint against Artale … Continue reading “Artale Forced Out of VC Firm Ignition Partners After Misconduct Complaints”
Under Silicon Valley’s Rough Turf, Tunnels of Women’s Networks Spread
[Corrected 7/11/17, 11:02 am. See below.] Revelations about gender bias and crude sexual harassment at Uber have been followed by similar claims by women against Silicon Valley venture capital investors, leaving a weary impression that the deck is almost hopelessly stacked against women in tech. But women aren’t facing these challenges alone, female entrepreneurs say—not … Continue reading “Under Silicon Valley’s Rough Turf, Tunnels of Women’s Networks Spread”
A.I., Uber & What’s Next in Tech: Q&A With Kayak Founder Paul English
Technology can’t solve every problem. Sometimes engineers overlook human-driven solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. That was one of the takeaways from my chat with Paul English at Xconomy’s recent business conference, IMPACT, held at the Museum of Science in Boston. The serial entrepreneur is best known as the co-founder and former chief technology officer … Continue reading “A.I., Uber & What’s Next in Tech: Q&A With Kayak Founder Paul English”