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RTP-based Metabolon raises another $1 million in venture capital
In SEC filing, nine-year-old firm that is focused on biomarker technology says it plans to raise another $6 million.
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Despite three IPOs, venture-backed exits drop to trickle in second quarter
Number and value of mergers-and-acquisitions plunge, VentureSource reports. However, on positive signs, venture-backed firms need to raise less cash and are reaching an exit faster. National Venture Capital Association adds that exit pipeline isn’t filled. Those firms that did execute IPos are off to good starts.
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Seeking investors? Be sure to find the right angel partners
The Angel Connection: Believe it or not, there are some bad choices of angels. The trick is to avoid the angels that might cause you some problems in the future.
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Venture capital doesn't need government help
Opinion: New proposals by the VC industry for low taxes and less oversight may impede innovation, not promote it
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Inflation-proof your business – now; otherwise, you risk ruination
Analysis: This recession might snap like a rubber band into a period of rapid inflation. Business leaders need to be preparing for surge in prices.
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Applying science to the art of systems management
Analysis: Software systems are complex and—in the world of IT operations—we leave far too much to chance. We fly blind. It’s time to apply some science to the art of systems management.
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In the job market? LinkedIn can pay dividends
Networking to get a job or get ahead in the business world is an art – even when it comes to brand-new networking tools like the Web site LinkedIn.
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New exit route for entrepreneurs, VCs – Private stock exchanges
SharesPost, SecondMarket seek to provide ways for investors, startup owners a way to cash out other than initial public offerings.
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Just say 'no' to venture capital: Why less is more for startups
Analysis: A company running on a tight budget will perform far better than a company that has gotten a chunk of cash from venture capitalists.
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Georgia Tech launches center to help improve recovery of severely injured soldiers
UniversityTech: Musculoskeletal biology and regenerative medicine expertise are keys to effort, Tech says.
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Job seeking? Use the power of power networking
With more and more people on the job market, finding the next opportunity is also a matter of who you know. Your next job may be just a handshake away. By meeting people and impressing upon them what you offer as a professional in your field increases your chances of getting your next job.
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Scrape those hulls? Not with NCSU high-tech prevention
UniversityTech: Non-toxic hull coating resists barnacle buildup, potentially saving ship owners millions
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Cloud computing: Can IT deliver on the hype?
Analysis: The idea that purchasing only the services you use from a cloud environment may allow businesses to both save money and focus on their core business is an enticing proposition in the current economic climate. However, it is critical for business consumers to understand the infrastructure, components and service delivery characteristics of the offering being considered.
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Cleantech is hot – Should you try to cash in?
The Angel Connection: Venture capitalists are shifting their focus from many of the traditional investment sectors in an attempt to capitalize on environmentally friendly technologies.
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Entrepreneurship 101: Financing the launch of your company
The Angel Connection: Options include bootstrapping, strategic partnerships, customer partnerships, angel investors –possibly, venture capitalists.
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Under Black Hills, work begins on world's deepest lab
Far below the Black Hills of South Dakota, crews are building the world's deepest underground science lab at a depth equivalent to more than six Empire State buildings - a place uniquely suited to scientists' quest for mysterious particles known as dark matter.
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Creating an attractive business model is an essential element in attracting investors
The Angel Connection: Investors always look at the management team to ultimately decide, but the story about their business model has to be compelling and convincing, and the management team has to show that they can really pull it off.
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DVD renters see lots of red - Redbox kiosks vs. Netflix red mailers
With more subscribers than ever flocking to its DVD-by-mail service, Netflix Inc. is one of the few companies to prosper during the worst U.S. recession in 70 years. Yet Netflix CEO Reed Hastings still has something to worry about: an even cheaper DVD rental service run by one of his former lieutenants.
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Buckle up for new valuations and term sheets
The Angel Connection: The personal wealth of angels and the portfolio value of foundations and institutions are considerably less by 30 to 40 percent. This puts a lot of pressure on their willingness to take on new investments.
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Start your browsers: Inlet adds dimensions to wide world of sports viewing
Raleigh-based firm helps deliver a multi-faceted Internet web cast of the Indy 500 and aims for more live sports in future. But there's a risk. "Live happens only once – so you have to get it right the first time," company’s president says.
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More bad news for venture firms: Institutions decrease private equity investments
For entrepreneurs, it has been getting harder and harder to acquire venture money since the end of 2008, and it doesn't like it is going to get any better this year.
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Southern Capitol Ventures goes to Maryland for latest deal
Raleigh-based venture capitol firm invests in AVIcode, which focuses on Microsoft .NET monitoring solutions.
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National Venture Capital Association resists Obama’s financial regulatory plan
The trade group says venture industry is already adequately regulated and doesn’t "pose significant systemic risk" to the financial system.
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CeNeRx BioPharma closes on $9M in new financing
RTP-based startup secures $5 million in credit, another $4 million from Pappas Ventures, other investors. CeNeRx also acquires right to ‘agent’ that targets neuropathy and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Asia becoming the darling of venture capital firms
New report further substantiates that the global venture capital market will continue to play an increasing role in venture capital firm investments.
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Kauffman Foundation report calls for ‘right-sizing’ of ailing venture industry
Study’s author calls for ‘by half’ reductions in fund raising and VC fund size as well as other changes in order to help investors see more profitable exits. However, not all VCs agree. One calls report ‘alarmist,’ says investors still seek opportunities.
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Most venture firms planning fewer investments, global survey says
Few venture capitalists expect U.S. investments to grow. VCs say times are good to invest but overall paint a collective somber picture about their industry in Deloitte and National Venture Capital Association report. Large funds are most likely to cut number and amount of deals.
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Biopharma startup Pique Therapeutics closes on first funds of ‘A’ round
Durham-based company lands funds from two N.C. angel groups. It is developing drug targeting lung cancer.
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CIA’s In-Q-Tel joins investor lineup at Durham-based Semprius
Startup, which enables semiconductors to be placed on a wide variety of surfaces, lands $6.4 million in B-round financing. Intersouth, an original backer, also joins second round syndicate.
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Raleigh firm helps amputees get better grip with 'i-Limb'
A new prosthesis called the iLimb, developed by Hanger Prosthetics in Raleigh, lets the user operate all five fingers separately.
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Decline, fall of venture business: Fewer firms, fewer VCs, fewer deals
The economic downturn has now nearly destroyed the venture capital business as latest report from National Venture Capital Association and VentureSource demonstrate.
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NC IDEA helps kick-start five startups with $200,000 in grants
Mobile software, ‘green’ tech, sports stats, venture education and battery tech firm receive financial support from economic development group.
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Venture capitalist Tim Draper opens a 'stock market'
Draper is creating what he calls an "exchange" for trading shares in early stage companies. This is a venture worth watching.
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Bad news for entrepreneurs: Venture capital firms correcting valuations
The Angel Connection: Entrepreneurs of start-ups that are going for their first venture round should expect valuations that track consistently from the last two quarters. Unfortunately, this is a bad time to have to go out to raise later stage VC money.
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Several Triangle gaming firms head West for revitalized E3 show
Epic Games, Emergent Technologies, Fallen Earth are among the exhibitors for video game industry's big show.
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Water tunnel ready to flow for researchers at UNC-Charlotte
A new water tunnel at a North Carolina university will be used to study race car subjects such as aerodynamics and fuel efficiency along with issues involving other sports, such as swimwear efficiency.
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Charlotte-based Scale Finance helps Indiana firm raise $8M in venture funding
Noro-Moseley is co-leader of backing for Dormir LLC, which operates two companies focused on sleep disorder diagnostic centers and respiratory equipment.
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‘Super angels’ may replace venture capital
The new premise is to raise smaller amounts of money and invest much smaller amounts in many start-ups looking for much smaller but more predictable exits. The idea is that the overall returns will be greater than the very high risk opportunities that VCs engage in.
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Angels’ collective halos dull in size but not in numbers
The Angel Connection: It’s not all gloom and doom. Entrepreneurs that have a great business idea should not shy away from approaching angel groups. Angels will be looking for well thought out business models that will get substantial sales traction quickly. The less money needed the better.
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What the angels are saying: Comments from latest Angel Capital Association survey
Angel investors across the country offered a wide range of views about trends. Challenges and opportunities they see in the 2009 investment climate.
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Angels make more but smaller deals in 2008, remain optimistic about 2009
In latest Angel Capital Association survey, angel groups expect more and better potential deals this year. Most expect number of deals and investment dollars to remain same or increase.
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NeoNova names former EarthLink exec as CEO
Bill Heys replaces managed telecommunications services provider’s founder Warren Lee, who becomes chief technology officer.
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Raleigh marketing agency takes iTunes approach for offering services
WPM Group’s ‘iAdvertizing’ program lets customers pick and chose from product suite. And it’s a hit, delivering $110,000 in business in first five weeks, chairman says.
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Hillsborough med-tech startup InnerOptic receives NIH grant
$149,728 in funding to be used to develop a prototype system to deliver real-time 3D imagery to surgeons during tumor procedures. InnerOptic will work with Carolinas Medical Center on National Cancer Institute-funded project.
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The 'stress test' you didn't read about
Bottom line: A large portion of the banking system is not going to be able to help much for quite awhile. Search for the banks that are truly financially healthy, both in profit and balance sheet strength.
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Ecommerce services provider AuctionBlox names veteran exec John Crites as CEO
Crites, who recently helped launch Triangle Technology Executives Council, plans to raise new funds, increase headcount at Raleigh-based firm.
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We need smarter, not fewer, H-1B visas
Opinion: The new Grassley-Durbin bill would weaken the economy. Here's how to let the H-1B visa program strengthen the U.S. instead, according to tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa.
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Starting a new venture: Getting down to business as company founder
The Angel Connection: The dream of launching a company quickly becomes a harsh reality. Finding the right management team and exhibiting maturity are essential for success.
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Veteran software exec takes over as CEO at rPath
Venture-backed Raleigh firm, which is an emerging leader in virtualization and cloud computing markets, turns over the reins to Mike Torto, who led a software firm to an IPO in 1999. Meanwhile, co-founder and former CEO Billy Marshall leaves rPath but remains a shareholder.
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Starting a new venture: What's the role of the company founder?
The Angel Connection: In these tough times, many people are thinking about launching their own companies. But beware – there are many challenges. Future entrepreneurs, look before you leap.
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Biomarker technology firm Metabolon closes on $5.3M in funding
RTP-based startup hopes to raise $11 million in a ‘C’ round. Metabolon has now raised more than $20 million.
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Video: Hurricane hunters show off their tech marvel
Members of the North Carolina wing of the Civil Air Patrol displayed the search aircraft at Raleigh-Durham International Airport Wednesday.
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Videogame veterans team up to form Interactive Broadcast Group
Raleigh resident and longtime videogame industry writer John Gaudiosi formalizes new company with two longtime partners. IBG also lands content deal for GameDaily.com.
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Venture capital group's 'Four Pillars' are on weak ground
Analysis: It's not the end of the world if IPOs remain stagnant. The goal is not to save venture capital. It's to save small business. But National Venture Capital Association's plan is weak in several areas, and little if any help can be expected from federal government.
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A lesson for tech world to remember in these tough IPO, investment days: Small is healthy
Analysis: Attorney Jim Verdonik traces recent startup funding woes to disappearance of smaller investment banks. In reviewing venture association’s ‘Four Pillars’ plan to reignite private equity IPOs and entrepreneurship, he also lays some fault for current crisis at feet of VC industry.
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Venture capitalists lay out 'Four Pillar' plan to ignite stock exits
National Venture Capital Association calls for a wider network of partners, more paths to ‘liquidity,’ regulatory and tax changes to help VC-backed firms execute IPOs.
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UNC-CH lands $17.5M in federal funding for solar energy center
‘Energy Frontier Research Center’ will include researchers from UNC-CH, NCSU, Duke and Florida. Its efforts also will be linked with existing Research Triangle Energy Consortium, which includes RTI International, three universities.
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Internet Community Action Network’s new president looks for education’s missing link
Innovation Exchange: All of us have seen the power of social networks either online or in real life. I-CAN recently named a new president in Raleigh and aims to find the missing link between the two with a software solution that uses Web 2.0 tools to connect the education community in North Carolina.
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Wall Street woes weigh heavily on venture capital returns
Latest statistics show drops in fourth quarter for all venture categories. Longer term returns remain positive but fell from third quarter, Thomson Reuters and National Venture Capital Association report.
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Bailouts don't create jobs, startups do
Opinion: To spark job creation, the Obama administration should invest in training and funding programs for entrepreneurs, writes tech entrepreneur Vivek Wadhaw.
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Debating a tech pundit: Building a case for ‘cloud computing’
Analysis: To raise the spectre of huge outages and to cast a dark shadow over what cloud computing and cloud services have already delivered to both companies and consumers, due to a random event and a speculative newspaper article, isn’t really doing justice to the issue. It’s kind of like saying that because there were 37,248 fatal car crashes in 2007, that we may want to rethink our use of cars in general.
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CED venture – Stock market woes bringing ‘retired’ entrepreneurs back to work
Blogging from CED Venture 2009: VC Jason Caplain of Southern Capitol Ventures likes much of what he saw, heard at two-day event.
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Speakers deliver doses of economic reality and opportunity at CED venture conference
Analysis: Wells Fargo CEO, in first trip to N.C., seeks to reassure Wachovia customers; UNC system president warns of cuts and work force education challenges. However, a top VC’s presentation on ‘green’ technology leaves much to be desired.
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CED venture conference kicks off with focused optimism
The Angel Connection: A crowd of 500 is expected for two-day event in Pinehurst. In difficult times, CED’s president and top exec at National Venture Capital Association offer signs of hope.
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Picture brightens for Bright View; Intersouth leads $4M round of new financing
Morrisville-based firm focuses on delivering sharper, better performance from video displays, LED light fixtures.
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Q1 venture investing numbers not as dire as they look
Analysis: To start with, there is nothing surprising about the slowdown, but nobody seems to explain why it happened. Here's why - plus some thoughts on future trends.
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CED venture conference homework: Ten insider tips for entrepreneurs
The Angel Connection: A succinct message, in-depth knowledge of your business and your competitors, and knowledge of how your investors’ funds will be spent.
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UNC-CH’s Kenan-Flagler team takes home first in Venture Capital Investment Competition
Update: Andrew Pearson, Elin Szymanowski, Tom Birchard, Diana Selezeanu and Lewelyn D'Souza win $5,000.
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Good luck with that funding: Q1 sees lowest VC investment in more than a decade
MoneyTree, VentureSource reports both show a plunge of 50% or more from investment totals for first quarter of 2008.
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Drug startup BioMarck lands $6.3M in new financing
Triangle-based firm, which licsened its technology from NCSU, will use funds for clinical trial of its inhalation treatment for lung disease.
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Virtualization software firm BlueStripe goes green with $8M in new capital
NetworkWorld calls Morrisville-based start-up one of its '10 to watch' in 2009.
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Square 1 Ventures, a subsidiary of Square 1, raises $35M for new fund
New ‘fund-of-funds’ looks to raise $100 million. Founded in 2008, Square 1 Ventures is led by veteran VC Adrian Wilson.
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Video: Facebook an NCAA recruiting violation?
The NCAA says such sites are a high-tech way to try to influence the college choice of a recruit.
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Venture capital shrivels 40 percent — It really is the end of the tech boom
Analysis: Silicon Valley, the 'ground zero' for high-tech sector, reflects a much more modest future for entrepreneurs hoping to create the next Google.
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Fewer venture funds raise new money in first quarter, but fund size increases
Forty funds bring in more than $4.3 billion. However, only three new funds launch as 2009 begins. Number of funding closes is lowest since 2003. However, total tops $3.5 billion raised in 2008’s last quarter.
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As gas prices climb, remember this: Higher prices will stifle business
Angel Connection: Higher energy costs will just put another big hurdle in the path of entrepreneurs who need to reach a positive cash flow position, and to existing businesses that need to grow their profits so they can finance further economic growth.
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Sun city - Developer's Florida project to rely on solar power
$2 billion 'Babcock Ranch' will cover 17,000 acres, will include residential, commercial and industrial zones and draw all of its electricity from a 75-megawatt solar array operated by Florida Power & Light.
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Cleantech could top venture capital within five years, NVCA exec says
'This is an area that’s ripe for investment — we’re going to be seeing the next eBay, the next Google coming out of the cleantech sector,' says NVCA president.
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How to survive 2009? Be aggressive, smart, innovate, says a startup CEO
Survival of the Fittest: Geoff Comrie, who founded Transite Technology in the last "nuclear winter," says entrepreneurs and executives have to walk a fine line in order to survive. "Don’t be afraid to spend money to grow," he advises.
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Drug study startup Centice lands $4M in bridge financing
Morrisville-based firm secures funding for commercialization efforts from Aurora Funds, other investors.
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Video: Ex-ambassador forms foreign investment firm
Former Carolina Hurricanes president Jim Cain recently returned to the Triangle from Copenhagen, where he served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, and has formed a foreign investment firm.
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Defending gamers' rights is mission for Entertainment Consumers Association
The group's priorities include: First Amendment rights, universal broadband, network neutrality and consumer protection.
