-
Vodafone deal shows social networking is going mobile
Acquisitions represents part of an intelligent effort by major telephone service providers to facilitate the movement of social networking services from PCs to the mobile phone.
-
Business plan competitions backed by VCs offers plenty of green – as in cash
VentureBeat: DFJ’s Steve Jurveston discusses clean tech business plan competition – and playing god
-
KO for cancer? Combination therapy packs one-two punch, Duke researchers find
UniversityTech: Attacking a protein could make melanoma tumors vulnerable to chemotherapy.
-
N.Y. firm acquires Charlotte-based NuTech Solutions
Netezza to merge NuTech’s artifical intelligence software with its data warehouse, analytic appliances.
-
N.C. unemployment rate rises to 5.4% – highest since August 2005
State did add 3,306 jobs, but unemployment jumped by 7,882. Jobs are available, but landing one can be challenging, the N.C. Employment Security Commission says.
-
Brighter future looms for Kannapolis where biotech is replacing textiles
Five years after a cataclysmic shutdown, a Kannapolis site will hum again – but to the sound of PCs, not looms
-
Be careful - Chinese (guanxi) and Brazil (jeito) concepts of favors could mean trouble
International Business Corner: Execs must keep U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in mind when doing business overseas.
-
Want better climate for performance? Improve CEO communications
Angel Connection: Even though you may already be a good communicator, everyone can improve on their current abilities and approaches to communications.
-
Investors flip out over SilkRoad, invest $54M
Winston-Salem talent management services firm founded by ‘Flip’ Filipowski plans major expansion, names new CFO.
-
Let’s make a deal – Southern Capitol VC talks about eTix investment
Jason Caplain, a general partner at Raleigh firm, cites eTix management team, its technology and its growing customer base as key reasons for investment.
-
On-demand ticketing software eTix lands $1M from Southern Capitol Ventures
Morrisville-based eTix, which launched in 1999, plans to expand staff, operations with new funds.
-
Is Global TransPark really the ‘best thing we’ve got going’ in N.C.?
One tenant, albeit a big one, and 1,000 jobs pledged over a decade-long commitment at Kinston proves GTP backers right after nearly $90 million in state and federal subsidies?
-
UNC-CH transfers protein production technology to Liquidia
Discovery could lead to improved therapeutics, says UNC professor and Liquidia founder Joseph DeSimone.
-
Personalized health startup Proventys lands $5.65M in financing
Durham-based company, which was launched by former Duke Chancellor Ralph Snyderman, also names new CEO. Plus, healthcare IT firm McKesson will include Proventys software inn product offerings.
-
Aircraft parts supplier to bring 1,037 jobs to Global TransPark
Spirit AeroSystems has agreed to hire more than 1,000 workers over five years at a new facility to be built at the state-owned industrial park.
-
More N.C. property owners facing foreclosure, survey shows
Although increase over April is less than 1 percent, total of property owners in jeopardy is 15% higher than a year ago. Nationally, foreclosures are up 65% from 2007.
-
Durham tops in Triangle? Bull say some; Bull right on, say others
A Fortune Small Business ranking Durham as the best place to “live and launch” a business in the Triangle triggered a barrage of reactions – negative AND positive.
-
Startup Genomatica has plans to turn the chemical industry green
VentureBeat: Firm isn’t entirely alone in its plans. Novomer wants to revolutionize plastics manufacturing, although it will rely on chemistry, rather than biological processes. Another startup, Segetis, appears to plan on using biological feedstocks,
-
H-1Bs: Can I recoup the costs of my visa holders who quit?
TechLaw: Most tech companies do not flinch at the prospect of sponsoring a highly qualified foreign national for an H-1B visa. Nor are the fees incurred in obtaining the visa important – at least not until the visa holder quits only a few months after the fees have been paid. Can the employer require the employee to pay those fees back if the employee leaves before the end of the visa term?
-
N.C. Research Campus, Local Tech Wire team up for preview of Kannapolis campus
May 15 Exchange networking event will offer attendees latest updates on $1B-plus effort. Red Hat Exec Tom Rabon will deliver keynote.
-
‘Top 100’ influential business survey bodes well for SAS
Aberdeen Group report lists Red Hat 21st, SAS 30th, says demand for solutions offered by SAS is expected to grow.
-
Smalltown expands its scope to the Internet community at large with Webcards.com
VentureBeat: Webcards.com is designed to simplify advertising campaigns over multiple platforms. The idea is still to focus on small local business, but to help these companies easily expand to the Internet at large.
-
Best place to live, start a business in Triangle? Durham, says Fortune Small Business
Durham, often the overlooked stepchild when it comes to publicity about the Triangle area, emerges ahead of its rivals in a new survey out from Fortune Small Business.
-
SunTech Medical opens manufacturing facility in China
Developer of blood pressure device technology also has plants in Triangle, U.K. and Hong Kong.
-
Aldagen aims for $80.5 million IPO
Company focused on stem cell research is backed by Intersouth, Aurora Funds. Formerly known as Stemco, Aldagen closed on $18.4M in venture funding in April.
-
NCSU names University of Illinois scientist to lead N.C. Research Campus effort
May Ann Lila to take director’s role N.C. State Fruit and Vegetable Science Institute on Kannapolis campus. NCSU plans to staff effort with 60 new jobs, including 12 faculty slots.
-
‘Serious games’ conference to showcase ways of training real knowledge workers
By using what are called “immersive learning” tools, a growing number of companies and institutions are offering students more ways to become knowledge workers
-
Web, messaging going mobile with open source
VentureBeat: Funambol, Laszlo Systems team up on open source mobile-web messaging.
-
Robots with scalpels – first steps toward autonomous mechanical surgeries
UniversityTech: Duke engineers used a novel 3-D ultrasound technology to guide the actions of a rudimentary tabletop robot.
-
Keep `em coming: STEM contest extended
Innovation Exchange: The contest is open to parents, companies, students, and anyone else who is concerned about the future of our education system and our nation's future work force.
-
Formal opening nears for N.C. Research Campus
NCRC’s director of business development says collaboration is already under way among future tenants. Plus, billionaire David Murdock and his management team continue to recruit more tenants. NCRC to offer a sneak preview of campus in networking event along with LTW.
-
More acquisitions looming? Peak 10 secures $60M credit facility
Charlotte-based provider of data hosting, other services plans expansion, CFO says.
-
As Jeff Barber retires, who will replace him as Triangle’s Craig (Mr. Plaid) Sager?
Jeff Barber’s decision to retire from PricewaterhouseCoopers has created great, great consternation in the region’s high tech community. Who, they are asking, will now wear the loud – and I mean LOUD – plaid jackets and other attire to networking and other events?
-
Business presentation – What’s the opportunity and how do you get it?
Angel Connection: All the information about the product or service should simply demonstrate that the buyer’s need is addressed and that it will win against the competition.
-
Pozen’s revenue forecast tops Wall Street expectations
Drug maker sees bigger sales of recently approved migraine drug.
-
When Relationships Go Bad
International Business Corner: Personal is intertwined with business. This is very much the case in countries such as China and Brazil.
-
Investors dial back in to R.H. Donnelley stock, sending shares up 28%
Cary-based yellow pages, search firm reports huge loss, but Wall Street is buying.
-
Triangle tech community loses advocate, entrepreneur, investor in Paul Rasmussen
Memorial service is set for Friday afternoon at First Flight Center in RTP. Rasmussen ran, invested in, and mentored many high-tech firms in region for 15 years.
-
Genome wrestling? Genetic 'tag team' keeps cells on cycle
UniversityTech: Cascades of interdependent genes coordinate timing for the cell, Duke genetics researchers find.
-
The ‘titans’ of venture capital: Entrepreneurs, we’re here to serve you
VentureBeat: An National Venture Capital Association, ‘Midas List’ leaders John Doerr, Michael Moritz stress their service to up-and-coming firms.
-
Quintiles acquires Boston consulting firm
The deal is the latest move by the global contract research organization to expand its consulting business.
-
Nintendo Wiis on the high seas
Gaming Guru: It’s not just the kids that play Wii. As anyone who has a Wii knows, its motion-sensor controls invite new and relapsed gamers into the hobby. It’s so easy to play that seniors aboard the ship are going crazy over Wii Bowling.
-
PwC’s Jeff Barber to retire, seek new opportunities
Managing partner of financial services’ Raleigh office helped take some of region’s best-known companies public. He has worked at PwC for 31 years.
-
Spot Runner raises $51 million to expand global media business
Firm can target ads more precisely and distribute multiple versions of ads to different audiences. It has thousands of clients and says its revenue is growing rapidly.
-
Coalition to Transform Clinical Trials names executive board
UniversityTech: FDA teams up with Duke to form group, which is public-private partnership.
-
Absolute Novelty is not always absolute
TechLaw: Assuming that the patenting of inventions in countries other than the United States is barred when the invention previously has been disclosed may deprive an inventor of available patent opportunities.
-
CEOs see change as opportunity in days of ‘omnivores’ and ‘socially conscious’ customers, IBM survey finds
Chief executive officers realize they must embrace change if their companies are to survive in the 21st century, especially when dealing with “information omnivore” and “socially minded” customers, according to a new IBM survey.
-
Serial life science entrepreneur Max Wallace takes on new challenge
Wallace will leave startup TheraLogics to become CEO of Bain Cancer Cure foundation. However, he plans to stay in Triangle and remain involved in Chapel Hill-based firm.
-
Gaming breakthrough? Prime Sense claims to have the best 3D game controller
VentureBeat: Israel-based company says its technology enables computer to perceive the world in 3D and derive an understanding of the world based on sight, just the way humans do.
-
Targacept receives $500,000 milestone payment from GSK
Biopharmaceutical firm designates lead compound in smoking cessation program.
-
ParagonDx receives FDA approval for blood thinner genetics test
Genotyping test identifies if patients are at risk of negative reaction to warfarin.
-
X marks the spot: Xobni launches e-mail organizer for Outlook
VentureBeat: After tests from 50,000 users, a beat version is now available.
-
Is LinkedIn being sold? The world wonders
VentureBeat: Company’s user base doubled last year to more than 20 million active users worldwide. It claims that 1.3 million new members are joining per month. The average user is 41 years old and makes around $110,000.
-
Will North Carolina do better in a recession?
You Decide: Will the state repeat its unfortunate experiences of the past with a worse unemployment rate and a greater drop in commerce than other parts of the country? Or will our state break with the patterns of the past and be a place that outperforms other regions?
-
Lenovo still looking to make acquisitions, chairman tells news service
In interview with Bloomberg, Yang Yuanqing says Lenovo wants to regain No. 3 rank in world PC sales. ‘The most important thing is growing our market share, more than making money,’ he says.
-
Friends and family - In Brazil, business often includes favors, payments
International Business Corner: Before entering Brazilian market, executives need to understand the culture of doing business there.
-
STEM-ulating: It's time to start doing
Innovation Exchange: Science, technology, engineering and math need more attention to prepare workers for global workforce.
-
Business presentations – Tell the whole story
Angel Connection: Many presentations omit one or more areas of information, causing the audience to question whether the business owner actually understands their business.
-
Gray matter: How to foster tech entrepreneurship
Startup hotshots are older and more educated than generally thought; it follows that training and finance skills should be offered to all age groups.
-
Who has best lineup in NBA? Celtics, according to Lenovo’s ‘Stat’
However, as the NBA playoffs unfold the action on the court is showing stats don’t tell the entire story of a team – or individuals.
-
Personal finance site Mint adds investment tracking
VentureBeat: Site looks to be the first of the general personal finance sites to move beyond basic bank accounts and expenses into investment tracking.
-
Kongregate to launch Facebook games, raises $3 million from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
VentureBeat: Investments from Bezos Expeditions will be used to fuel the company’s expansion to new platforms and expand beyond the mostly male audience that plays Adobe Flash-based games at Kongregate.com.
-
UCLA researchers induce mice cells to mimic embryonic stem cells
Stem Cells journal to publish study that reports on advance made to produce patient-specific stem cells for use in combating diseases.
-
Researchers identify new cell targets for preventing growth of breast cancer, other tumors
UniversityTech: Targeting blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, promises to be less toxic than the standard chemotherapy approach that kills cancer cells and normal cells alike.
-
3-D ultrasound could improve stroke diagnosis and care, Duke researchers report
UniversityTech: System sees blood vessels in brain in real time. The 3-D ultrasound has the benefit of being less expensive and faster than the traditional methods of assessing blood flow in the brain – MRI or CT scanning.
-
GE-Hitachi Nuclear to add 900 jobs, invest $704M in expansion of Wilmington headquarters
State to provide as much as $25.7 million in incentives for project. Local government adds another $10 million.
-
GE Nuclear could announce major expansion in Wilmington
Gov. Mike Easley to disclose economic development project today. GE Nuclear has already received pledges worth millions of dollars from local government.
-
Employee handbooks: Personalize personnel policies or prepare to pay the piper
TechLaw: Many employers either do not have a formal employee handbook or use one that is out of date and doubles for a dust collector. Keeping an updated employee handbook is a relatively inexpensive potential method to minimize costly employment-related claims.
-
Medical Device Startup CivaTech Raises $1M
Two-year-old company is developing means to deliver a radioactive ‘sting’ to combat cancer.
-
RTP startup Entegrion wins FDA approval to sell bandages to consumers
Bandages are designed to control bleeding. They will be sold via prescription and over counter.
-
IBM to hire 600 people, expand mortgage processing center in Charlotte
Big Blue could receive nearly $10M in tax incentives over 10 years. IBM already employs 68 people at center. IBM also increased its dividend.
-
Lulu expands management team, including CFO
Self-publishing firm also adds human resources, technology execs. Motricity, Red Hat veterans sign on with Bob Young-led venture.
-
Startup Sunrgi claims major advances in solar power
VentureBeat: California-based startup says its technology can produce cheap energy.
-
Massachusetts-based stent technology firm Names CEO, picks RTP for headquarters
Guidant veteran will lead Tryton Medical, which closed on $14 million in venture funding earlier this month.
-
Ca$hing in – Pozen receives $20M payment from GSK for migraine drug
FDA’s approval of Treximet triggers another big payment to Chapel Hill drug development firm.
-
Red Hat shuffles responsibilities for three top executives
Moves affecting top finance, engineering and sales leaders will help boost international sales, says new CEO Whitehurst.
-
Grand Theft Auto: Masterpiece or abomination?
Game’s release has re-ignited public debate over how games affect kids and whether new laws are needed to protect children from the gratuitous violence found in many video games.
-
News & Observer plans cutbacks, offering ‘voluntary transition’
Not all departments will be affected, publisher says in e-mail to employees. Paper says 230 of 900 employees will receive buyout offer.
-
Building Mi-Co hasn’t been a ‘hard slog’ but a mission, says CEO
Words of wisdom: "Be an entrepreneur because you believe in something, because you have a dream and a need to create something – to create value."
-
NileGuide Aims To Own Trip Itinerary Business
VentureBeat: NileGuide will offer a site that has experts in multiple locations around the world who can give you information that is accurate and relevant.
-
Georgia Tech Partnering To Create National Robotics Strategy
UniversityTech: Leaders in robotics research announce effort to create national strategy for robotics growth
-
When It Comes to Genome, It’s Often Nurture Over Nature
UniversityTech: NCSU Geneticists report environmental factors such as lifestyle, geography have impact on genes.
-
Red Hat Appears to Be Flying Friendly Skies with New CEO Whitehurst
Jim Whitehurst, the 40-year-old wunderkind chief executive officer at Red Hat, didn’t don a red fedora. He didn’t sing. He didn’t dance. But the man following in the footsteps of Bob Young and Matthew Szulik still made an impressive debut at his Triangle coming out party of sorts on Thursday
-
Investors Pour $18.4M More into Biopharmaceutical Firm Aldagen
Durham-based startup, which is basked by Intersouth and Aurora, has four potential drugs in development.
-
Silverpop Closes on $15M, Plans Additional Acquisitions
E-mail and on-demand marketing firm run by Raleigh entrepreneur Bill Nussey also lands new investor.
-
Take Heart, Entrepreneurs – Outlook for Angel Funding Is Good
Angel Connection: Angel Capital Association seeks positive signs despite a souring economy.
-
‘STEM’ Education - Are Today's Students Ready For Tomorrow?
Innovation Exchange: If U.S. is to stem tide of growing competitive demand, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills are essential.
-
Do You Have the Right ‘Guanxi’ To Do Business in China?
International Business Corner: Guanxi means relationships in Chinese, and doing business is world’s most populous country requires just that.
-
MobiTV Lands $5M in Additional Venture Capital
VentureBeat: California-based provider of streaming video services, has now raised $130M.
-
Watch Out for Pickets, IBM – Alliance@IBM Plans Protest at Meeting in Charlotte
Unlike a protest made up of avatars in the online world of Second Life last year, the Charlotte gathering will include real people carrying real signs.
-
Raleigh-Based Business Financial Services Raises $9M
Edison Venture Fund provides funding for company, which offers cash advances to businesses.
-
Argos Therapeutics Closes on $35.2M in New Funding
Third round of financing includes three new investors. Funds will be used to advance potential immune-system based treatments for HIV, renal cell carcinoma.
-
Can IT Fuel the Race to the $1,000 Human Genome?
In the race for the first $1,000 genome, several next-generation DNA sequencing system providers have announced significant breakthroughs in their technologies to reduce the costs of decoding a whole human genome, leading to the question: Is IT ready for next-generation sequencing?
-
Cree Shares Take a Shellacking after Revenue Forecast Disappoints Investors
Even as Cree reported $700,000 in revenues from its acquisition of Morrisville-based LED Lighting Fixtures and growing demand for its energy-saving LED lighting products, investors apparently expected a lot more.
-
GlaxoSmithKline to Buy Massachusetts-Based Sirtis for $720M
Startup, which went public last May, is focused on enzyme research.
-
Patents in China – Is There Any Real Protection?
TechLaw: Manufacturing or even the simple exposure of your product in China, whether it be computer hardware, product components, pharmaceuticals, or toys, carries a risk not present in the United States: will your patent rights be stolen? If they are, will a Chinese court help you get them back?
-
New York Private Equity Firm Invests in RTP-Based Carpio Systems
Amount of deal isn’t disclosed, but Carpio CEO says funds will be used for growth, acquisitions.
-
PEHub’s Dan Primack Sees Lots to Like in Kenan-Flagler Venture Contest
MIT team takes first place in VCIC. UNC team places third.
-
What Slowdown? Video Game Sales Continue to Skyrocket
Gaming Guru: Many new titles are coming to market. Video game hardware sales also are strong.
-
Hey, You – You Might Want to Get on ‘Cloud’ Like Charlotte Restaurant Chain
Providence Restaurant Group teams up with Google to deploy cloud computing solution using Google Apps, Google Docs. Google’s ‘Cloud Camp’ to demo the technology.
-
Writing Next RTP Tech Success Story? That Could Be Mi-Co
Father-and-son team Jim and Greg Clary are turning proprietary technology for electronic forms and data-capture into a growing business. Now they are ready to seek their first venture funding – up to $5M.
-
Epic’s Unreal Tournament 3 Heads for Xbox 360 This Summer
Latest version of first-person shooter franchise will feature additional characters, maps, split-screen capability.
-
Atlanta-Based Wound Therapy Firm Raises $2.3M
Biofisica’s technology combines wound dressing with electrical stimulation.
-
Cisco’s TelePresence Gaining Traction Worldwide – Plus AT&T Signs on as Partner
It’s truly a remarkable technology, taking videoconferencing to a higher level of performance with its wide-angle views and sharp video and audio quality. And what an alternative it is to expensive travel by executives.
-
N.C. State Researcher's HIV Findings May Lead to New Treatment Strategies
UniversityTech: Virus actually can cause body’s immune system to help increase replication.
-
Financial Fallout, Fed Bailouts - Are Banks Different?
If banks fail, what is the cost to the general economy and to innocent bystanders? But if banks are propped up, what are the possible costs to consumers - through higher inflation - and to taxpayers?
-
Marc Andreessen’s Social Network Creator Ning Raises $60M at $500M Valuation
VentureBeat: Funds to fuel growth, also ‘to make sure we have plenty of firepower to survive the oncoming nuclear winter, Netscape co-founder says.
-
Venture Investing Declines 8.5% in First Quarter
Declining IPOs will continue to be a drag on startup funding, VC says.
-
North Carolina’s Jobless Rate Hits 5.2% - Highest Since October 2005
Professional and business services, manufacturing and construction sectors shed jobs.
-
UNC-CH, Hamner Institutes Team Up for Research, Commercialization Efforts
Several UNC departments will collaborate with Hamner in seeking therapies to combat cancer, respiratory diseases. Organizations will share in costs of developing products and in ownership.
-
Read All About It – New DC Comics Series to Feature Epic’s ‘Gears’
Deal further expands ‘Gears of War’ franchise, which already has been picked for movie development, toys and perhaps even novels. Action figures due out in 'a few weeks.'
-
FDA Commissioner Wears His Heart on His Wrist – a Cancer Survivor’s Drive
As Andrew von Eschenbach talked with life science executives about the future of healthcare, the yellow band on his wrist also sent a message. He's a soldier in the battle against cancer.
-
Honda Aircraft Plans to Sell N.C.-Built Jets in Europe
Company also settles on five U.S. sales and support centers.
