Eprize spin-off Leveleleven’s Contest Builder app brings competitive video game mentality to the work place.
Month: November 2012
Intrexon makes splash at AquaBounty
Intrexon sees future in genetically modified (GM) animal produce, buys 48% stake in genetically modified fish research firm Aquabounty from firm of Georgian ex-scientist turned oligarch with plans to become supermajority stakeholder.
Vivo Ventures backs Aclaris
Specialty pharmaceutical company Aclaris Therapeutics raises $21m in a Series A round led by Vivo Ventures.
Carbonite acquires Zmanda
Online back-up solution Carbonite acquires recovery software provider Zmanda for $14.8m
Warning signs for ProSiebenSat.1
But for entrepreneurs and potential syndicate partners to SevenVentures a combination of arrogance and uncertain ownership is toxic unless the early exit route is mapped out.
The Big Deal: Thesan’s new dawn
Thesan Pharmaceuticals, a US-based dermatology-focused drugs developer, has received a “golden hello” to the pharma world in the form of $16m series A round co-led by European-based peers Novo Group and Novartis’ corporate venturing units. The investment will be used by Thesan (whose name is drawn from the eponymous goddess of the dawn and was… Continue reading The Big Deal: Thesan’s new dawn
Sir Richard’s advice to frustrated employees
When Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of British conglomerate Virgin Group, was asked this week what advice he would give to someone working in a big company frustrated by a lack of innovation he said: “Write a letter to senior management expressing your views. Ideally get some others to sign it with you. I’ll… Continue reading Sir Richard’s advice to frustrated employees
Rosatom plans fund launch
Speaking at the Open Innovation forum in Moscow, Alexey Kalinin, Rosatom project director, said: “We are in a tender process to appoint a general partner (GP) to manage the fund and hope to close in early 2013 with $250m to $300m.”
Nokia in Kenyan start-up push
Nokia joins forces with the Kenyan government to develop health and education innovations.
Alethia in full health with $4.7m
Canada-based Alethia BioTheraputics has received $4.7m in venture capital funding which it will use to fund its antibody therapeutics program for cancer.
West connects with Reflexion
Reflexion is West Health’s second incubated start-up.
MoDe wins IBM SmartCamp
Kenya-based mobile micro credit firm Mobile Decisioning (MoDe) has won the inaugural IBM SmartCamp South Africa competition. Founded in 2010, MoDe is focused on providing its services to consumers primarily at the bottom of the economic pyramid, where consumers often don’t have convenient access to much needed credit to top up their utility bills. The… Continue reading MoDe wins IBM SmartCamp
IDG pins interest on Mogujie
Mogujie, a China-based social commerce website, has raised an undisclosed amount in its series C round from publisher International Data Corporation’s (IDG) local corporate venturing unit. Mogujie said IDG Capital’s investment meant it was now effectively valued at $200m, which is 10-times the amount invested in its first two rounds. Germany-based publisher Bertelsmann’s corporate venturing… Continue reading IDG pins interest on Mogujie
Neo Technology raises new $11m
In September last year, Neo raised a $10.6m A round, led by Fidelity Growth Partners Europe, a corporate venturing division of US-based financial services firm Fidelity Investments.