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American Red Cross - Preparing for and Responding to Hurricane Katrina
Please help.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Gas Prices Leap in Katrina's Aftermath - Forbes.com
"Gasoline prices leaped Wednesday as key refineries and pipelines remained out of service following Hurricane Katrina, crimping supplies and leading to caps on the amount of fuel delivered to retailers.
The U.S. government said it would loan oil to refiners facing shortfalls. Crude futures prices fell but remained close to $69 a barrel. "
The U.S. government said it would loan oil to refiners facing shortfalls. Crude futures prices fell but remained close to $69 a barrel. "
Katrina Gulf Oil-Rig Wreckage Sparks Fear of $100-Barrel Crude
As Hurricane Katrina slammed through the Gulf of Mexico, energy companies evacuated offshore workers and shut about 91 percent of the region's oil production, or 1.37 million barrels daily.
[Bloomberg]
[Bloomberg]
Craigslist does $10M+ per year - Susan Mernit's Blog
"Times Online (UK) covers Craigslist and Craig and says the site is worth more than $60MM and that it brings in $10MM+ a year."
Mobile phones don't raise risk of cancer - Newindpress.com
"Contrary to what previous researches had stated about harmful effects of mobile phone use, a new study has shown that mobiles don't raise the risk of cancer, at least in the first 10 years of use."
After Katrina: What to expect - Los Angeles Times
"New Orleans sustained heavy damage last week after Hurricane Katrina hit just east of the Big Easy, ripping two holes in the Louisiana Superdome and causing numerous deaths and flooding in coastal Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Millions were left without electricity."
BBC NEWS | Americas | Katrina will scar US 'for years'
"The US states stricken by Hurricane Katrina will take years to recover, President George W Bush has said, after an aerial tour of the disaster zone. "
Tech community joins Katrina relief effort | CNET News.com
"The tech community is rallying around victims of Hurricane Katrina, offering technical assistance, aiding the homeless and gathering relief donations. "
Infineon Will Provide Xbox 360 Components - Yahoo! News
"Infineon, a major European chip maker based out of Germany, announced Tuesday that it will collaborate with Microsoft to supply a number of key components for the highly anticipated Xbox 360 gaming console. "
Microsoft Adds Antiphishing to IE Toolbar - Yahoo! News
"Microsoft today released a pair of add-ins to its MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search, including one that detects Web sites that cybercriminals may be using to carry out phishing scams, according to an official from the Redmond, Washington, software vendor."
EDonkey Claims Online Software Traffic - Yahoo! News
"EDonkey, a popular software program for sharing video and other large files over the Internet, now accounts for the biggest slice of online file-sharing, according to a study comparing the top four file-swapping programs. "
Gap Closes Two Popular Internet Stores - Yahoo! News
"Already mired in a sales slump, Gap Inc. has closed its two most popular Internet stores so the clothing retailer can upgrade its online operations before the pivotal holiday shopping season. "
Google Wants to Expand Offline Ads - Yahoo! News
"In its first significant expansion beyond the Internet, Google has bought advertising in a handful of technology-industry magazines and resold chunks of the space to merchants already participating in its booming Internet marketing network. "
Traffic.com files for $86.3 million IPO | CNET News.com
"Traffic.com, which provides real-time traffic information, on Wednesday filed with regulators to raise up to $86.3 million in its initial public offering of common stock."
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
InformationWeek > Integration > Open-Source Project Aims At Middleware
The open-source community is aiming at another market. The Apache Software Foundation last week launched its Synapse initiative, an open-source effort that seeks to produce a common, standardized way to broker services on a network. If the move results in viable open-source code, it has the potential to challenge several commercial products, such as IBM's WebSphereMQ, Tibco Software's Rendezvous, and webMethods' Fabric.
MSFT acquires Teleo - undisclosed amount
"Microsoft moved to build its presence in the booming Internet telephony market on Wednesday, purchasing Teleo Inc., a Californian company that lets users make calls from their computers to regular phones."
[Reuters]
Here's an article from Techdirt.
Other related past news. Doesn't seem like Teleo raised any venture financing. Here's another article from IT World that says Skype is one-upped by Teleo
[Reuters]
Here's an article from Techdirt.
Other related past news. Doesn't seem like Teleo raised any venture financing. Here's another article from IT World that says Skype is one-upped by Teleo
VC firm seeks start-up opportunities
"BlueRun Ventures, a global venture capital (VC) fund with US$1 billion under its management, is seeking more investment opportunities in Chinese technology start-ups. "
Crisis Grows As Flooded New Orleans Looted - Yahoo! News
" Helicopters dropped sandbags on two broken levees as the water kept rising in the streets. The governor drew up plans to evacuate just about everyone left in town. Looters ransacked stores. Doctors in their scrubs had to use canoes to bring supplies to blacked-out hospitals. "
[AP]
Not quite sure if the looting matters since a lot of the looted goods are perishables. Pray for the folks in New Orleans.
[AP]
Not quite sure if the looting matters since a lot of the looted goods are perishables. Pray for the folks in New Orleans.
With 25-Song Cap, ITunes Phone May Underwhelm - Forbes.com
"For more than a year, Apple and Motorola's plans to release an iTunes-enabled phone have tantalized the music and mobile phone businesses. Now, with the two companies set to unveil the long-rumored handset Sept. 7, they might be underdelivering. "
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Investors' millions give boost to Jobster
"It's payday for Jobster.
The Seattle company, which builds software to help companies recruit employees through an online social network, plans to announce today it has received $19.5 million in capital."
The Seattle company, which builds software to help companies recruit employees through an online social network, plans to announce today it has received $19.5 million in capital."
Flooding Continues in New Orleans as Rescuers Search City - New York Times
"Mayor C. Ray Nagin said in a television interview that the city was 80 percent under water, in some places 20 feet deep. "
Monday, August 29, 2005
An IPod Cellphone Said to Be Imminent - New York Times
"Apple Computer and Motorola plan to unveil a long-awaited mobile phone and music player next week that will incorporate Apple's iTunes software, a telecommunications industry analyst who has been briefed on the announcement said on Monday."
Too Many Players Still Shadow Satellite Industry - New York Times
"A plan by Intelsat, announced yesterday, to purchase PanAmSat Holding for $3.2 billion is the largest takeover in recent years in the fast-consolidating commercial satellite industry. But it is unlikely to be the last."
There are still about three dozen satellite providers operating worldwide, which means there are too many players in a market that is no longer growing fast enough to sustain them all.
There are still about three dozen satellite providers operating worldwide, which means there are too many players in a market that is no longer growing fast enough to sustain them all.
Google share gains may be muted at S&P inclusion - Reuters
"Investors looking for shares of Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) to pop if the Web search company is added to the Standard & Poor's 500 index may instead see them fizzle, thanks to the stock's meteoric 50 percent rise over the last six months and the way additions are now traded."
Yahoo lets users search e-mail photos, documents
"Yahoo Inc which supplies more than 200 million e-mail accounts globally, said late on Monday it has improved the way people can search text, photos and documents inside e-mail."
InternetWeek | Online Social Networking Goes Mobile
"As Web sites created for social networking have gained popularity, they've grown from intersecting circles of friends of friends to groups of strangers linked by a common interest. The latest trick is to go mobile -- not just to access personal profiles, but to use a phone to publish media content. "
Put down your iPod, iTunes is calling - cnn
"Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes may be available on cell phones sooner than you might expect, according to the New York Post Thursday. "
Granite Ventures Raises $350 Million Venture Capital Fund - Press Release
"Granite Ventures has closed Granite Ventures II, a $350 million venture capital fund that will focus on investment opportunities in early-stage communications and software companies. Granite will continue the successful investment approach that the group has practiced for the last 13 years. The firm's total capital under management now exceeds $1 billion."
Search site to add free blogs - ZabaSearch.com
What's worse than a Web site that, for free, provides oodles of personal information about you and your family to anyone who wants it?
How about that same site adding a blog feature that allows people -- former classmates, ex-lovers, disgruntled co-workers -- to discuss you online?
"The so-called ZabaBlog feature is one of a number of changes ZabaSearch is in the process of making as it tweaks its offerings to attract more visitors. "
[SF Chronicle]
How about that same site adding a blog feature that allows people -- former classmates, ex-lovers, disgruntled co-workers -- to discuss you online?
"The so-called ZabaBlog feature is one of a number of changes ZabaSearch is in the process of making as it tweaks its offerings to attract more visitors. "
[SF Chronicle]
Sunday, August 28, 2005
ID theft creates opportunities for data companies - Reuters
" For its victims, identity theft means worry, headache and countless time spent restoring bad credit. But for some businesses, the collective fear that consumer identities may be stolen can mean opportunity."
A different way of selling clothes / Gap's animated online stripper latest viral ad to get attention as firms seek new ways to reach buyers
In the world of viral advertising, millions of people can strip a computer-animated model down to his boxers, order a man in a chicken suit to dance around his living room and request a frothy beer from a blond barmaid, all without realizing that they have just been lured into a marketing campaign.
[SFGate]
[SFGate]
Do You MySpace? - New York Times
"IT seems a hazy memory, but Keith Wilson, a spiky-haired club promoter, can recall what it was like before MySpace - about two years ago. Back then people had normal names like 'Joe' or 'Keith.' "
Venture Capital: Firm matches investors with entrepreneurs
"Paladin Partners' Janis Machala -- the queen of Seattle's startup scene -- has quietly expanded her 10-year-old consulting business to include a new matchmaking service that connects entrepreneurs with angel investors, venture capitalists and private equity firms. "
[SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER]
[SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER]
WSJ.com - Greenspan Sees an End To U.S. Housing Boom
"Alan Greenspan, the soon-to-be-retiring Federal Reserve Chairman, predicted Saturday the U.S. housing boom will 'inevitably simmer down' and offered some parting wisdom to his yet-unnamed successor:"
Friday, August 26, 2005
Under Armour, Inc. S-1 filing
Under Armour S-1 filing link above. Impressive revenue growth from just $5M in 2000 to $205M in 2004. But Under Armour has faced declining margins due to intense competition, consolidation in the retail industry, and pressure form retailers to reduce costs of products.
NextWeb Receives $3.5 Million in Funding to Support Continued Expansion
"NextWeb, California's largest fixed-wireless Internet service provider for business, has received $3.5 million in funding to continue the expansion of its broadband fixed-wireless
Internet service.
NextWeb's latest round of funding is comprised of Series E equity
financing from existing investors and a revolving line-of-credit from Silicon Valley Bank, totaling $3.5 million. Initiating the equity round were Kaiser Permanente National Ventures and Saints Capital, a leading direct secondary acquirer of venture capital and private equity investments in emerging growth companies around the globe. This brings NextWeb's total funding to date to approximately $10 million."
Internet service.
NextWeb's latest round of funding is comprised of Series E equity
financing from existing investors and a revolving line-of-credit from Silicon Valley Bank, totaling $3.5 million. Initiating the equity round were Kaiser Permanente National Ventures and Saints Capital, a leading direct secondary acquirer of venture capital and private equity investments in emerging growth companies around the globe. This brings NextWeb's total funding to date to approximately $10 million."
Murdoch Hits the Great Wall - Motley Fool
"News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS - News) 74-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch appears to be far from retirement. In fact, in the past few months, he has looked like a 40-something CEO during his spending spree to expand his empire. But now he may have hit a stumbling block in expanding his media presence into that hottest of markets -- China."
SEC probe Pixar over Incredibles DVD -WSJ - Yahoo! News
"The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an informal inquiry into Pixar Animation Studios (Nasdaq:PIXR - news) over the DVD release of hit film 'The Incredibles,' the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. "
Be Warned: Mr. Bubble's Worried Again - New York Times
Mr Irrational Exuburance himself, Robert Schiller has long been predicting the housing crash and its implications. He points to history in this nytimes article:
A history of Norwegian house prices that Mr. Shiller has found shows the same pattern. As does his index of American house prices, until the blastoff of the last decade. In chart form, it looks eerily similar to the stock chart from his 2000 book.
Even so, Mr. Shiller has little company for his radical notion that house prices could fall by 40 percent. Many economists say that interest rates are low enough and demand for housing in big urban areas is high enough to keep from prices from falling very far. Mr. Shiller himself confesses to some doubt.
A history of Norwegian house prices that Mr. Shiller has found shows the same pattern. As does his index of American house prices, until the blastoff of the last decade. In chart form, it looks eerily similar to the stock chart from his 2000 book.
Even so, Mr. Shiller has little company for his radical notion that house prices could fall by 40 percent. Many economists say that interest rates are low enough and demand for housing in big urban areas is high enough to keep from prices from falling very far. Mr. Shiller himself confesses to some doubt.
Profitable Passave Pushes for IPO - Light Reading
Building off a success in Japan, Passave Technologies Inc. is taking its passive optical networking (PON) chips to the public markets.
The business might seem limited, but it's profitable. For the first six months of 2005, Passave recorded net income of $3.3 million, or 10 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $19 million, according to the SEC filing.
Even 2004 was profitable, to the tune of $1.3 million in net income, or 40 cents per share, on revenues of $21.1 million -- and that's after Passave recorded a loss of $1.6 million for the first six months of 2004.
Passave owes pretty much everything to NTT.
Passave's largest shareholders are BRM Capital and EuroFund Partners, each with an 18.6 percent stake in the company. Vaisleib and Maislos each own 7.9 percent, while Intel Corp. owns 7.4 percent.
The business might seem limited, but it's profitable. For the first six months of 2005, Passave recorded net income of $3.3 million, or 10 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $19 million, according to the SEC filing.
Even 2004 was profitable, to the tune of $1.3 million in net income, or 40 cents per share, on revenues of $21.1 million -- and that's after Passave recorded a loss of $1.6 million for the first six months of 2004.
Passave owes pretty much everything to NTT.
Passave's largest shareholders are BRM Capital and EuroFund Partners, each with an 18.6 percent stake in the company. Vaisleib and Maislos each own 7.9 percent, while Intel Corp. owns 7.4 percent.
Who Has Time For This?: Consumer Investing
David Cowan, BVP:
" Look at the uptake of new technologies like Tivo, Google, Firefox and Skype--it is no longer insane to aim for 50 million users within 18 months of launch."
"So what have we done about it so far? In the last three years Bessemer led early rounds at Gracenote, Skype, GoTV, Mforma, and Zensys (the Z-Wave home automation company). We have seeded and incubated about a half dozen consumer startups not yet announced. We increased our stake in Celtel, the largest African cellular operator, which was just acquired for $3.3 billion. Our semiconductor team led rounds at companies leading the way in mixed signal, low power processors for consumer devices, such as PA Semi and Avnera."
" Look at the uptake of new technologies like Tivo, Google, Firefox and Skype--it is no longer insane to aim for 50 million users within 18 months of launch."
"So what have we done about it so far? In the last three years Bessemer led early rounds at Gracenote, Skype, GoTV, Mforma, and Zensys (the Z-Wave home automation company). We have seeded and incubated about a half dozen consumer startups not yet announced. We increased our stake in Celtel, the largest African cellular operator, which was just acquired for $3.3 billion. Our semiconductor team led rounds at companies leading the way in mixed signal, low power processors for consumer devices, such as PA Semi and Avnera."
Rave Wireless Completes Series A Round of Financing from Bain Capital Ventures and Sigma
"Rave Wireless Completes Series A Round of Financing from Bain Capital Ventures and Sigma Partners; $5 Million to Launch New Platform Empowering Youth to Find and Share Location-Based Information with Mobile Phones "
[Directions Magazine]
[Directions Magazine]
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Hawaii to cap cost of gas / State with highest prices in U.S. opts for wholesale controls
"Surrounded by ocean, with just two refineries to make its fuel, Hawaii pays the nation's highest prices for gas. "
Alan Meckler: LightReading.Com Is Sold To CMP Media
In 1999 the two founders, named above, approached me after losing their jobs at the same CMP Media that just acquired them (check out their "history" and selective memory). I gave them hours of my time and coached them on how to launch LightReading.Com --- in turn these two gentlemen made a deal with me and our then VC operation -- we would obtain a 15% interest in the "idea" for $500,000. We shook hands. We met several times. Then these two shafted us and walked out on the deal.
VC predicts eventual rebirth of stock options | CNET News.com
Technology companies may escape the most harmful effects of accounting changes that force the expensing of stock options, one of Silicon Valley's most prominent venture capitalists predicted on Tuesday.
Google Talk
Downloaded the client. User interface is clean and simple - no ads, no smilies, etc. Chat seems to work well, but there's still a lot of catching up to AIM, skype, yim. Goog Talk reminds me of iChat early on.
Lucasfilm Partners With HP for Technology - Yahoo! News
"Lucasfilm Ltd., which created the blockbuster 'Star Wars' film franchise, said Wednesday it will partner with Hewlett-Packard Co. for three years and use the company's software to design film and video game effects. "
Internet climbs aboard suburban Tokyo train - Yahoo! News
"A new high-tech suburban Tokyo train was launched, with the promise of a wireless Internet service allowing passengers to surf the web on the move. "
Internet phone company Vonage plans IPO -WSJ - Yahoo! News
"Vonage Holdings Corp., which provides residential phone services over the Internet, is planning an initial public offering to raise as much as $600 million, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. "
MSN Money - PrimeZone Business News: Wi-Fi TV, Inc.
"Wi-Fi TV, Inc. (Pink Sheets:WTVN) announced today that its new www.wi-fitv.com web page is now fully functional in most countries, including the United States and the nations in Europe, and invited Internet users in all continents with a faster than dial-up connection, such as cable, DSL, satellite and high speed phone line, to demo the site features. A free sign up feature will help track the audience in addition to web statistics. In addition, targeted and dynamic advertising is now online representing most countries and categories featured. "
Pretty Cool. Check it out here
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Relax, Bill Gates; It's Google's Turn as the Villain - New York Times
" For years, Silicon Valley hungered for a company mighty enough to best Microsoft. Now it has one such contender: the phenomenally successful Google. "
New Google Talk Offers Instant Messaging & Voice Chat
"As widely expected, Google waded into the instant messaging space today with the debut of Google Talk, an IM client that also offers the ability to make voice calls between computers."
[SearchEngineWatch]
[SearchEngineWatch]
Google to Launch Messaging, Voice Service
"Further expanding beyond its roots in Internet search, Google Inc. plans to launch a long-rumored program Wednesday that provides both text instant messaging and computer-to-computer voice chat."
[AP]
[AP]
MSN Money - Reuters Business News: Glu Mobile gets $7.5 mln off Time Warner
"Glu Mobile said on Tuesday media conglomerate Time Warner Inc. had made a $7.5 million investment in the privately held mobile gaming company."
The State | 08/23/2005 | CELL PHONE ADVERTISING
"Europe is generally ahead of the United States in cell phone advertising, as more Europeans have video-enabled phones.
However, San Francisco-based WideRay is testing a system in 11 U.S. and U.K. movie theaters over the summer.
It installed transmitters in theaters operated by Loews Cineplex Entertainment so people waiting in the theaters foyers for the next show can download movie trailers recently for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom as well as related ring tones and cell phone wallpaper."
However, San Francisco-based WideRay is testing a system in 11 U.S. and U.K. movie theaters over the summer.
It installed transmitters in theaters operated by Loews Cineplex Entertainment so people waiting in the theaters foyers for the next show can download movie trailers recently for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom as well as related ring tones and cell phone wallpaper."
Japan to promote "Warm Biz" look to save energy - Yahoo! News
"Spurred by the success of a 'Cool Biz' campaign this summer that encouraged men to dress down to save energy, Japan plans to continue conservation efforts this fall and winter by promoting 'Warm Biz' fashion. "
AOL buys admission to ticketing - Yahoo! News
LOS ANGELES (Hollywod Reporter) - America Online is plunging deeper into the growing online business of reselling tickets to rock concerts, sporting events and other live shows.
The Time Warner unit is set to announce Tuesday that it has lined up TicketsNow.com as the second partner in the ticketing endeavor, having previously struck a deal with StubHub.com.
The Time Warner unit is set to announce Tuesday that it has lined up TicketsNow.com as the second partner in the ticketing endeavor, having previously struck a deal with StubHub.com.
Google Revamps Desktop Search Program - Yahoo! News
"Google Inc. updated its software for searching PC hard drives and the Internet, giving the free program a new look and adding tools that deliver personalized information based on a user's Web surfing habits. "
[Yahoo]
Program works well. Like Pointcast of the past
[Yahoo]
Program works well. Like Pointcast of the past
Fashion company sues New York over graffiti party - Yahoo! News
"Fashion company Ecko Unlimited sued New York City and Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday after the city barred the company from holding a street party featuring artists spray-painting graffiti on replicas of subway cars. "
Companies Offer Cell-Phone Comics in Japan - Yahoo! News
" Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. will almost triple the number of comic books it formats for viewing on cell phones in a move that will make it the No. 1 provider of popular Japanese 'manga' comics for cell phones, a company official said Monday. "
Yahoo, Verizon Team Up on Internet Service - Yahoo! News
"Verizon Communications Inc. and Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) have teamed up to launch a cheaper high-speed Internet service designed to compete against cable operators and dial-up service providers."
[Yahoo]
For $14.95, subscribers will be able to subscriber line at speeds of up to 768 kilobits and upload data at 128 kilobits. I wonder how this affects the Yahoo SBC relationship.
[Yahoo]
For $14.95, subscribers will be able to subscriber line at speeds of up to 768 kilobits and upload data at 128 kilobits. I wonder how this affects the Yahoo SBC relationship.
Playing Ball in the People's Republic
"Just say the word 'China,' and investors and companies seem to start frothing at the mouth these days.
But be careful, because investing in China is not for the faint of heart. While the opportunities in a developing nation of 1.3 billion are undoubtedly mammoth, don't forget this is a Communist country, and consequently it presents some unique risks, seasoned experts caution. "
"Investors beware," said Lip-Bu Tan, founder of the venture capital fund Walden International, which has been investing in China since 1994. "I think there is some hype here. People get too overexcited by China."
[The Street]
But be careful, because investing in China is not for the faint of heart. While the opportunities in a developing nation of 1.3 billion are undoubtedly mammoth, don't forget this is a Communist country, and consequently it presents some unique risks, seasoned experts caution. "
"Investors beware," said Lip-Bu Tan, founder of the venture capital fund Walden International, which has been investing in China since 1994. "I think there is some hype here. People get too overexcited by China."
[The Street]
Covergence Banks on SIP Risks
"Massachusetts-based startup Covergence Inc. believes it has cooked up a cure for some of the risks associated with implementing new SIP-based applications (see SIP Guide).
With new session initiation protocol (SIP) applications like VOIP, instant messaging, and audio/video conferencing taking root at service providers, the operators need a way to secure and provide quality of service (QOS) for those applications, according to the startup, which was founded in 2003 and has raised $16 million in venture funding."
[Light Reading]
With new session initiation protocol (SIP) applications like VOIP, instant messaging, and audio/video conferencing taking root at service providers, the operators need a way to secure and provide quality of service (QOS) for those applications, according to the startup, which was founded in 2003 and has raised $16 million in venture funding."
[Light Reading]
MBS consultant ePartners raises $25 million
"Seattle-based ePartners, a consultant for Microsoft Business Solutions, said yesterday that it raised $25 million in venture capital.
The lead investor was Needham Capital Partners. Also participating were previous investors: Mobius Venture Capital, Madrona Venture Group, Austin Ventures, Liberty Mutual, Texas Growth Fund, Rustic Canyon Partners and Capital Resource Partners."
[The Seattle Times: Business & Technology]
The lead investor was Needham Capital Partners. Also participating were previous investors: Mobius Venture Capital, Madrona Venture Group, Austin Ventures, Liberty Mutual, Texas Growth Fund, Rustic Canyon Partners and Capital Resource Partners."
[The Seattle Times: Business & Technology]
Monday, August 22, 2005
Technology - IBM Shares Its Secrets - Intro - FORTUNE
"Crunched by low-cost competition, Big Blue is betting that giveaways of precious technology will expand the market and boost its own prospects."
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Google, Yahoo woo Trader Classified-paper - Yahoo! News
U.S. Internet giants Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG - news) and Yahoo Inc. (YHOO.L) have approached Amsterdam-based Trader Classified Media (TRDC.PA) over a possible takeover or tie-up, the London Sunday Times reported.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Google Techs, Entrepreneurs Match Wits
"Free-flowing beer, live music, karaoke and arcade games kept the party raging at the Googleplex the other night, but the real action was unfolding inside a sterile conference room at Google Inc.'s headquarters."
Software Will Play Podcasts On Cell Phones - Yahoo! News
"Mobile software vendor Melodeo said Friday it is developing software that will locate and download podcasts to cell phones. "
Friday, August 19, 2005
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Women face hurdles in venture-capital world
"If you thought the glass ceiling was bad in the corporate world, take a look at the venture-capital community."
[MercuryNews.com | 08/18/2005]
[MercuryNews.com | 08/18/2005]
Venture capital firms buy into Curry's PodShow
"The business of podcasting has just garnered some of its first serious venture capital. According to a press release from PodShow, Inc., three investment capital firms have bought an undisclosed share of Adam Curry's and Ron Bloom's new business venture that seeks to commercialize podcasting by aggregating the 'large and disenfranchised audience' of podcast listeners. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Sequoia Capital and Sherpalo Ventures have bought into PodShow, Inc., for $8.85 million, according to the press release. "
[Hollywoodreporter.com]
It's late, but it's still news.
[Hollywoodreporter.com]
It's late, but it's still news.
CIOL : News : New Path to invest $ 250m in Indian cos
"New Path Ventures, a fund focused on cross border start ups for developing chips and embedded software, is raising $250 million for early stage funding in Indian companies."
VCs Get All Mushy Over Mesh Networks
"It might be a bit much to call mesh networking this year's en vogue technology for investors, but more investors lately just have to get into a mesh networking startup. "
Venture Capital: Listen and you'll hear Melodeo advancing
"Seattle's Melodeo Inc. is joining the podcasting revolution. The 2-year-old startup plans to introduce software today that will allow some mobile phone users to search through thousands of podcasts and then download the audio programs directly to their phones -- a service that two analysts said no other company has offered before. "
Google Files to Sell 14.2 Million Shares
"Google Inc. on Thursday said it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell 14.2 million shares of class A common stock."
"Google, operator of the leading Internet search engine, said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and possible acquisitions of other businesses or technologies."
[Yahoo]
May be a good time to pick up some goog.
"Google, operator of the leading Internet search engine, said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and possible acquisitions of other businesses or technologies."
[Yahoo]
May be a good time to pick up some goog.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Arrested for Deleting MMORPG Items : Igniq
"A woman in Japan was arrested for logging into her boyfriends Lineage account and deleting his weapons and other items he had collected"
Median county house price slips for 1st time in year - Yahoo! News
"Is Silicon Valley's record-setting real estate market finally cooling off, or just taking an end-of-summer breather? "
"The median price of a single-family home in Santa Clara County declined slightly in July, falling to $700,000 from $705,000 in June, according to DataQuick Information Systems, which gathers data from public records of completed sales. It was the first monthly decline in a year."
"The median price of a single-family home in Santa Clara County declined slightly in July, falling to $700,000 from $705,000 in June, according to DataQuick Information Systems, which gathers data from public records of completed sales. It was the first monthly decline in a year."
Market Pulse: Mamma.com inks new intent letter to purchase Copernic
"Mamma.com Inc. said after Wednesday's closing bell that it and Copernic Technologies have signed a new letter of intent for Mamma.com to acquire Copernic in a cash-and-stock deal. Terms weren't disclosed. Last November, the Montreal-based Internet search company said it planned to purchase Copernic, but Copernic decided to not pursue the transaction in April. If a purchase agreement is signed, the sale is expected to close in the third quarter. Mamma.com said the deal would allow it to reach both Web-based and desktop-based search users using Copernic's desktop-search product."
Intel buys XML router company
"Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Sarvega out of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., posted $7 million in revenue in 2003 and lists Intel as one of the supporters that contributed to Sarvega's $20 million venture capital fund. "
[CNET]
Datapower, Forum Systems are competitors. Sarvega's investors include Bessemer, Blueprint, ComVentures, Interwest, KB, etc. Probably a decent return for investors as the space is finally warming up.
[CNET]
Datapower, Forum Systems are competitors. Sarvega's investors include Bessemer, Blueprint, ComVentures, Interwest, KB, etc. Probably a decent return for investors as the space is finally warming up.
EMC Corp. has agreed to acquire Rainfinity Inc.,
EMC Corp. has agreed to acquire Rainfinity Inc., a provider of virtualization solutions for heterogeneous networked attached storage and file system environments. The deal is valued at less than $100 million. Rainfinity has raised $42 million in VC funding from firms like Carlyle Venture Partners, Alloy Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, Intel Capital and Invesco Private Capital.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Antenova Acquires gigaAnt
"Antenova Ltd, the integrated RF solutions company, announced today the acquisition of gigaAnt short range wireless antenna business from Perlos Corporation. The deal will provide an extended global sales channel for Antenova's High Dielectric Antenna (HDA(TM)) technology and RADIONOVA radio antenna modules and broaden Antenova's product portfolio. "
[Unstrung]
[Unstrung]
M-Qube Secures $10M
"m-Qube, a leading mobile channel enabler, today announced $10 million in new financing led by HarbourVest Partners, LLC, a global private equity investment firm, and with the participation of existing investors. The financing from HarbourVest will support m-Qube's accelerating company growth and technology roadmap. The funds will also be used for strategic acquisitions. "
[Unstrung]
[Unstrung]
Industry panel expects iPod video revolution | News.blog | CNET News.com
"Even Apple's constituents are expecting a new video-enabled iPod by the end of the year."
Media General Buys'advergaming' Business
"As the cartoon kids blow gum bubbles, they begin floating away on your computer screen. With a series of speedy mouseclicks, you must prick the bubbles before the children fly over a rainbow."
[AP]
[AP]
MediaPost Publications - Nielsen//NetRatings: Online Ad Impressions Surge In July; MySpace Again Grows Market Share - 08/16/2005
Last month, MySpace's popularity with advertisers continued to climb. MySpace was responsible for 10.8 percent of online impressions, up from 7.9 percent in June and 6.3 percent in May.
SFGate: Business Resource Center - 5 Key Mistakes Online Stores Make
"We all make mistakes in business -- and hopefully we learn from them. But here are five key mistakes that can quickly spell the end of your online store. "
A ski jacket material for frost and flames | Tech News on ZDNet
"The Northborough, Mass.-based company has found a way to mass produce aerogels, one of the most effective--but also finicky--insulating materials in the industrial world. Aerogels are essentially blankets of air. A 1/4-inch-thick blanket large enough to cover the world might consist of 5 percent fiber and 95 percent air. "
Syndesis Acquires CoManage
"Syndesis Ltd. today announced it has agreed to acquire CoManage Corp., an announcement that confirms what Light Reading reported back in May (see Syndesis to Buy CoManage and Syndesis Makes Its M&A Move)."
"CoManage is a privately-held company that has raised $57 million from backers such as Goldman Sachs & Co., Highland Capital Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Lucent Venture Partners Inc., among others."
[Light Reading]
"CoManage is a privately-held company that has raised $57 million from backers such as Goldman Sachs & Co., Highland Capital Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Lucent Venture Partners Inc., among others."
[Light Reading]
Viv�simo // Corporate Profile
"Vivisimo is dedicated to solving the information overload problem that occurs when users face thousands of results returned by a web or enterprise search by categorizing search results, making them far more meaningful, useful, and actionable. "
Monday, August 15, 2005
business2blog: San Francisco To Announce Free WiFi Initiatives
Word on the San Francisco street is that Mayor Gavin Newsom will hold a press conference tomorrow, detailing his plans for a citywide WiFi network--adding fuel to our speculation that Google is readying a national broadband network with the hopes of giving away WiFi to everyone in America.
Amazon.com Unveils Photo-Mapping Service
"Hoping to become a more popular Internet destination, a small search engine owned by Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. is testing a mapping service that will display street-level photos of the city blocks surrounding a requested address. "
[Yahoo]
Isn't this what Google has been doing all along?
[Yahoo]
Isn't this what Google has been doing all along?
Apple Bucks Tech Selloff
"According to market chatter, Apple is set to announce a deal with Google (GOOG:Nasdaq - news - research - Cramer's Take) calling for Google to offer Apple's iTunes music store through its own site. The rumored deal would pair the nation's leading online music store with its leading search engine."
[TheStreet]
[TheStreet]
Company Infomation | SQUARE ENIX
"In April 2003, two of the video game industry's leading companies, Square Co., Ltd. and Enix Corporation, merged to form a new company, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix). "
A VC: The Alacra Store
Site works ok. A bit slow - slower than goog but what do you expect from an engine that is querying from multiple sources. Usability is awful. Way too much content on the results page and the font is too small.
Businesses like these will likely become profitable very quickly with little required amount of capital into the company. Union Square Ventures will do well with this investment.
InternetRetailer.com - Bogus Brands and the Internet
"The FBI launched Operation Site Down last month to fight Internet piracy of movies, games and software with the arrest of four people and the seizure of hundreds of computers and servers that it claims were distributing counterfeit goods. "
Imeem dials into social networking craze | CNET News.com
There's a new kid on the block in the social networking, blogging, photo sharing and instant-message industry.
Imeem is set to publicly release on Monday software that lets people communicate and share photos with each other in private or semi-private communities.
Imeem is set to publicly release on Monday software that lets people communicate and share photos with each other in private or semi-private communities.
MIVA shares surge on patent settlement with Yahoo
"Shares in MIVA Inc. (MIVA.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rose nearly 10 percent on Monday after the company said it settled a long-standing patent infringement suit on paid search listings with a Yahoo Inc. (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) subsidiary."
"MIVA, formerly known as FindWhat.com, has been locked in a three-year patent dispute with Yahoo's Overture Services over technology that allows advertisers to place listings on a search engine through an automated bidding system."
[Reuters]
"MIVA, formerly known as FindWhat.com, has been locked in a three-year patent dispute with Yahoo's Overture Services over technology that allows advertisers to place listings on a search engine through an automated bidding system."
[Reuters]
In-Q-Tel, CIA's Venture Arm, Invests in Secrets
"When inventors James MacIntyre and David Scherer founded Visual Sciences Inc. in 2000, doing work for the Central Intelligence Agency was not in their plans.
The two men had developed software that could monitor and graphically display patterns in complex information systems. A bank marketing executive using the software could determine which online customers were clicking on links to information about home equity loans, then display information about those customers."
[Washington Post]
The two men had developed software that could monitor and graphically display patterns in complex information systems. A bank marketing executive using the software could determine which online customers were clicking on links to information about home equity loans, then display information about those customers."
[Washington Post]
Warburg Pincus Raises $8 Billion for Latest Investment Fund
"Warburg Pincus LLC, the buyout and venture capital firm, raised $8 billion for its 11th and biggest fund to invest in companies in Asia, Europe and North America. "
[Bloomberg]
[Bloomberg]
EETimes.com - Photonic IC startup adds $1.5 million to finance round
"Alphion Corp. a developer of photonic integrated components, said it has received an additional $1.5 million in its third round of venture financing to complete the round with a total of $12.1 million. This financing brings the total investment in Alphion to $44.1 million. "
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Computerworld | IBM takes startups under wing
"When it comes to selling products to big companies, young software companies face a Catch-22: Most corporations aren't willing to bet on a business application that doesn't have at least a few large customer references, yet those references will never materialize without some brave soul believing enough in a start-up to take a risk on its unproven software. "
Bidding for Register.com - Barron's
"THE REGISTER.COM SAGA TOOK A NEW TWIST last week when the New York-based domain-name registration company accepted a $7.81-a-share bid from Vector Capital, a San Francisco private-equity firm. End of story? Nope. In truth, the deal already is in trouble."
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Ziptronix to use venture capital
"Ziptronix, a semiconductor technology company, said it would use $7.2 million in venture capital to expand sales and marketing and to develop additional partnerships."
EETimes.com - Marvell's Sutardja to VCs: Wake up
" Sehat Sutardja, chairman, president and CEO of Marvell Technology Group Ltd. had a message for venture capitalists during his keynote address Thursday (Aug. 11) time to wake up"
Venture backing attracts interest - The Boston Globe
"The market for buying venture-backed companies appears to be heating up, with the average disclosed value of such acquisitions vaulting 46 percent to a four-year high of $136.7 million in the second quarter, from $93.6 million in the first quarter, industry figures show."
Perkins Coie: Perkins Coie Attorney Michael Bogert Named New EPA Region 10 Administrator
"Perkins Coie attorney, L. Michael Bogert, a member of the firm's national Environment and Natural Resources practice, today was named the new Administrator for Region 10 of the Environmental Protection Agency. Region 10 encompasses the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Bogert has many years of distinguished experience in environmental and natural resources issues in the Pacific Northwest, including his service as counsel to Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. "
TiVo Tests Internet Download Service - Yahoo! News
"Add TiVo Inc. to the list of companies trying to wed the Internet to television. The digital recording company will soon allow customers to download TV shows to their set-top boxes via the Internet even before the shows air on TV. "
Friday, August 12, 2005
F-Secure sees mobile security as mainstream by 2008
"Finnish security software maker F-Secure (FSC1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research) expects its mobile security business to turn profitable during 2006-2008 and also aims to reach a 25 percent group operating margin by then, its chief executive said on Friday."
Light Reading - Is Skype Worth $3B?
Reports of a Skype Technologies SA sale have permeated VOIP circles in recent days, and the $3 billion price tag being bandied about reminds some of headier days (see Skype Rules North American VOIP).
Several reports say that Skype is ready to sell out, and that meetings took place in Europe last month in which Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. tried to buy the VOIP company. Rumors also persist that the firm has hired Morgan Stanley to manage the matchmaking and to help raise funds.
Several reports say that Skype is ready to sell out, and that meetings took place in Europe last month in which Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. tried to buy the VOIP company. Rumors also persist that the firm has hired Morgan Stanley to manage the matchmaking and to help raise funds.
TechWeb | News | German Firm Eyes U.S. Linux Server Market
"Collax, a German company with new venture capital to back its Linux server technology, said Thursday that it is planning to expand in the U.S. after establishing a base in Germany. The firm said its flagship product will be a preconfigured Linux server called the Collax Business Server, which has had a user base of nearly 7,000 �in its previous incarnation�, the firm said. "
RED HERRING | VCs Invest in Podcasting
"High-profile investors pump money into two startups that helped pioneer the grassroots broadcasting medium."
Venture Capital: On a roll, Cascadia eyes overseas opportunities
"Seattle investment bank Cascadia Capital has been on a growth tear in the past two years, structuring more than a dozen acquisitions and helping privately held companies such as Speakeasy, World Wide Packets and Integrated Healthcare Systems attract large rounds of venture capital financing."
[SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER]
[SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER]
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Qualcomm to Buy Flarion in $600M Deal
Qualcomm Inc. has agreed to acquire privately held Flarion Technologies for $600 million in cash and stock, in a deal that will expand its wireless-technology offerings.
San Diego-based Qualcomm, which makes chips used in cell phones, may pay an additional $205 million in cash and stock if the acquired business meets certain milestones in the next few years, the company said Thursday.
[AP]
Flarion's investors include Bessemer, Charles River, Cisco, Lucent, Pequot Ventures, T-Venture Holdings and others. Last round raised in 6/03 N/A.
Previous rounds were in 10/01 for $45M and 2/00 for $12.8M.
San Diego-based Qualcomm, which makes chips used in cell phones, may pay an additional $205 million in cash and stock if the acquired business meets certain milestones in the next few years, the company said Thursday.
[AP]
Flarion's investors include Bessemer, Charles River, Cisco, Lucent, Pequot Ventures, T-Venture Holdings and others. Last round raised in 6/03 N/A.
Previous rounds were in 10/01 for $45M and 2/00 for $12.8M.
ValueClick to Buy Fastclick for Stock
"Online advertising services company ValueClick Inc. said Thursday it agreed to acquire online marketing company Fastclick Inc. in a stock swap transaction valued at about $214 million."
[AP]
Consolidation in the sector starting to happen.
[AP]
Consolidation in the sector starting to happen.
Welcome to Silicon Valley v 2.0
"Venture investors selling their start-ups to buyout firms? That's just one of many changes to Silicon Valley's deal-making landscape that have taken place since the technology boom came to an abrupt and bloody end five years ago."
[IDD]
[IDD]
His latest venture is buy the book - The Boston Globe
His latest venture is buy the book - The Boston Globe: "Almost any newspaper article about Jim Bildner has to remind the reader of the 51-year-old businessman's meteoric rise and fall as the founder of the '80s-era yupscale grocery chain J. Bildner & Sons. Consider yourself reminded. Bildner has long since moved on to other things."
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Oil Prices Rise to $65 a Barrel
"People talked about $60 crude slowing economies around the world. But here in the U.S., (Federal Reserve Chairman) Alan Greenspan is telling us the economy is doing great and getting stronger," said James Cordier, president of Liberty Trading Group in Tampa, Fla. "It bodes well for crude testing the $70 range."
[Yahoo]
[Yahoo]
Register.com agrees to $200 million takeover
"Register.com Inc., a Manhattan-based domain name provider, agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Vector Capital Corp. for about $200 million in cash. "
[NYBusiness]
[NYBusiness]
Yahoo to pay $1 billion for Alibaba stake - Reuters
"Yahoo Inc. is close to paying $1 billion and forking over its China operations for a 35 percent stake of China's second-largest e-commerce operator, Alibaba.com, a source close to the discussions said on Wednesday."
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
S. Korean man dies after 50 hours of computer games - Yahoo! News
"A South Korean man who played computer games for 50 hours almost non-stop died of heart failure minutes after finishing his mammoth session in an Internet cafe, authorities said Tuesday. "
Kayak.com Launches Integrated Car Search
Kayak.com, the award-winning travel site created by
co-founders of Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, launched
the most advanced rental car search on the Web!
http://www.kayak.com/go/0001
co-founders of Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia, launched
the most advanced rental car search on the Web!
http://www.kayak.com/go/0001
SBT.L: Summary for SPORTINGBET - Yahoo! Finance
Sportingbet (home of Partypoker.com) is down 155.79, -42%. Insiders must be liquidating their stock.
Google Now Accounts For 15% Of U.S. Online Ads - Forbes.com
"In a review of the online advertising space, SG Cowen said it remains positive on shares of Yahoo! (nasdaq: YHOO - news - people ) and Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) as the average keyword cost-per-click has decreased 2.2% quarter-to-date. "
As blogging blooms in China, firms aim to cash in - Yahoo! News
"Blogging is blooming in China as the country's vast pool of Web users clamour to make their mark online and ambitious local start-ups battle foreign heavyweights for a piece of the market. "
AOL Founder's Latest Lifestyle Choice
"America Online Inc. founder Steve Case is investing $20 million in a producer and distributor of yoga and Pilates videos, part of his ongoing bet that activities once associated with a new-age lifestyle are going mainstream."
[Washington Post]
[Washington Post]
Monday, August 08, 2005
Daylight-Saving Switch May Cause Tech Woes
"When daylight-saving time starts earlier than usual in the United States come 2007, your VCR or DVD recorder could start recording shows an hour late.
Cell phone companies could give you an extra hour of free weekend calls, and people who depend on online calendars may find themselves late for appointments."
Cell phone companies could give you an extra hour of free weekend calls, and people who depend on online calendars may find themselves late for appointments."
At Advent, they turned down money - The Boston Globe
"Advent International, a buyout firm based in Boston and London, closed on a new $3.3 billion fund in April, one of the largest private equity funds raised this year. The fund was oversubscribed, with limited partners offering to invest more than $5 billion. Douglas A. Kingsley, managing director for Advent, discussed the fund-raising environment with Globe business reporter Robert Weisman."
Amp'd Collects $67M
"Amp'd Mobile, the first mobile entertainment company created specifically to bring next-generation broadband wireless services and applications to 18-to-35-year-olds, announced today investments from Universal Music Group, Highland Capital Partners, Columbia Capital and Redpoint Ventures, bringing their total funding to date to $67 million. "
[Unstrung]
[Unstrung]
Skype investor says firm should stay independent - Yahoo! News
"A top shareholder in Skype said on Monday it wants to see the fast-growing Internet telecoms software firm stay independent after a report of failed takeover talks with media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corp..
ADVERTISEMENT
'The company (Skype) is worth a lot more independent,' said Timothy Draper, managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Californian venture capital firm which he says owns between 10 and 20 percent of Skype."
Britain's Independent on Sunday reported that News Corp. had approached Skype with an offer of just under $3 billion. The paper said talks had collapsed but added Skype could be taken over shortly, without citing sources.
ADVERTISEMENT
'The company (Skype) is worth a lot more independent,' said Timothy Draper, managing director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Californian venture capital firm which he says owns between 10 and 20 percent of Skype."
Britain's Independent on Sunday reported that News Corp. had approached Skype with an offer of just under $3 billion. The paper said talks had collapsed but added Skype could be taken over shortly, without citing sources.
AOL purchases wireless company Wildseed Ltd.
"America Online, the world's largest Internet provider, has purchased a privately held wireless technology company as part of its initiative to more quickly get AOL service onto phones and other wireless devices, the company plans to announce Monday."
[Reuters]
[Reuters]
UTStarcom Provides mVision IPTV Solution to Telemar in Brazil for Successful Trial of Triple Play Services
"UTStarcom, Inc. (Nasdaq: UTSI - News), a global leader in IP-based, end-to-end networking solutions and services, today announced that the company provided its mVision end-to-end IPTV solution for a recently completed trial of triple play services in Brazil with Telemar, which will make IP-based television and multimedia services available to its customers utilizing the IP protocol. Today, Telemar offers 15 million fixed lines of telephony service, 8.1 million cellular lines and almost 700,000 Internet lines to the Brazilian market."
[Yahoo]
More competition in the IPTV space.
[Yahoo]
More competition in the IPTV space.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Yahoo! in Talks on Record China Investment - Forbes.com
"Web media company Yahoo! is in advanced talks to purchase an approximately 35% stake in China�s biggest home-grown e-commerce company for almost $1 billion, in what would be the biggest investment by a foreign company in China�s Internet industry to date, sources close to the negotiations said. "
Cisco mulls buying Nokia-paper - Yahoo! News
"Cisco Systems Inc. is considering buying the world's top mobile handset maker Nokia in a bid to gain its wireless infrastructure technology, the Business newspaper reported on Sunday. "
Friday, August 05, 2005
Doesn't Anyone Want to Manage Harvard's Money? - New York Times
"One of the most prestigious investment management jobs in America is going begging. Nearly eight months after Jack R. Meyer, the manager of Harvard University's $23 billion in assets, announced that he was leaving to start his own money management firm, the university has yet to name a successor."
Gone Clubbing - Mergers and Acquisitions - CFO.com
"When private-equity firms go 'clubbing,' it's not to the latest hot spot. This past March, seven blue-chip private-equity groups announced that, as a syndicate, they would put up close to $11.3 billion to purchase data-processing and business-continuity specialist SunGard Data Systems Inc. in what is known as a 'club' deal."
Thursday, August 04, 2005
China Search Engine Raises IPO Target - Yahoo! News
Baidu.com Inc., an online search engine maker vying to become the Google of China, priced its initial public offering at $27 per share late Thursday, cashing in on the high hopes riding on a startup with a large audience and puny profits.
Baidu's biggest shareholder also is from the United States, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm with a 28.1 percent stake worth $221 million at the IPO price.
Li, the company's 36-year-old chief executive, also hit the jackpot with Thursday's IPO. His 25.8 percent stake is worth $203 million.
[Yahoo]
Call it the GOOG effect. Look for the internet search and China net sector - YHOO, GOOG, SINA, JOBS, etc - to trade up tomorrow.
Baidu's biggest shareholder also is from the United States, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm with a 28.1 percent stake worth $221 million at the IPO price.
Li, the company's 36-year-old chief executive, also hit the jackpot with Thursday's IPO. His 25.8 percent stake is worth $203 million.
[Yahoo]
Call it the GOOG effect. Look for the internet search and China net sector - YHOO, GOOG, SINA, JOBS, etc - to trade up tomorrow.
NPR : Yale Professor Predicts Housing 'Bubble' Will Burst
The housing analyst I mentioned in a previous post was Yale Prof Robert Shiller who predicts the market will collapse. You can listen to the audiocast on NPR's site.
Ballmer and Zander Make Nice In the Name of a Gadget Called Q
"THE SUN MICROSYSTEMS LOVE CONNECTION with Redmond, Washington continues. First, it was Sun CEO Scott McNealy kissing and making up with Microsoft to the tune of about $2 billion in legal settlements. Now, it is McNealy's former second-in-command, Motorola CEO Ed Zander, who is making nice-nice with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer."
[Barron's]
[Barron's]
Venture capitalists pad founders' pockets - Technology - International Herald Tribune
Venture capitalists pad founders' pockets - Technology - International Herald Tribune: "SAN FRANCISCO When Neil Clark Warren and Greg Forgatch, the founders of eHarmony, a popular online dating site, were making the rounds last autumn looking to raise venture capital, they were not merely seeking money to bankroll a big TV marketing blitz for their service."
iRegift.com
Contact
David Palma media@iRegift.com
21346 Saint Andrews Blvd. Suite 208
Boca Raton, Fl 33433
www.iRegift.com
Boca Raton, Florida
July 1st, 2005
iRegift.com is empowering consumers all across the country! The Gift Card was the hottest selling item this holiday season with more than twenty billion spent in the holiday shopping cycle alone. While many consumers will have no trouble spending (and over spending) the value on their gift cards, many will find that they would rather apply the dollar value to something they really want.
iRegift.com will purchase the gift cards from consumers at 70% of face value and provide the consumer with the cash instead. The cash is in the form of a cashiers check or money order.
Founder of iRegift.com, Sean Sullivan explains the genesis of his company.
“A few years ago I received a gift card to a store that I would never shop at and was completely perplexed. I ended up mentioning it to a friend who said that they would buy it from me. I ended up selling the gift card for 80% of the face value.� It was a fair deal in Sullivan’s mind. He unloaded a gift card he had no use for and applied the cash to something he really wanted.
While there are other services that match up the seller and the buyer (much like eBay) for a fee, iRegift.com is unique in that they purchase the gift card direct from the seller. While some may hesitate to give up 30% of the face value of their gift card, consider your options. The consumer could sell the gift card at auction (the value they receive for the card averages out to be about 10 to 25% off of face value). That requires posting an auction, waiting for it to close and receiving payment and then finally shipping the item. Not to mention answering dozens of emails. iRegift.com founder Sean Sullivan feels that the extra amount that they would pay through iRegift.com is worth the convenience. “When you consider the amount of extra effort involved and the fact that through iRegift.com you’ll be paid within 48 hours, it doesn’t make sense to use another service. In the end every consumer should ask themselves, what is my time worth?�
Even more interesting is that iRegift.com not only purchases gift cards, but store credits as well. This offers consumers with an even greater service. How many times have you been gifted with a shirt that’s too big or pants that aren’t to your taste only to have to return or exchange them for a store credit. Now there’s a way to turn that store credit into cash.
The process couldn’t be simpler. You register your information with iRegift.com and then fill out and print the form and mail out your gift card or store credit. Once it’s received at their headquarters they verify the funds and mail out your payment.
“It’s really that easy,� says Sullivan. “I wish this kind of service had been around when I was growing up.�
For additional information or to make any media requests please contact David Palma at media@iRegift.com
Housing markets ranked by risk of price declines - Aug. 4, 2005
"Some of the nation's frothiest housing markets are at growing risk of price declines, according to the most recent survey from PMI Mortgage Insurance Corporation. "
[CNN Money]
On NPR the other day, one of the housing analysts predicted a burst within the next 12-18 months based on China's revaluation and increasing Fed rates. Who knows?
[CNN Money]
On NPR the other day, one of the housing analysts predicted a burst within the next 12-18 months based on China's revaluation and increasing Fed rates. Who knows?
AOL buys online locker provider | CNET News.com
America Online on Thursday announced the acquisition of Xdrive, a privately held company specializing in online storage and backup services.
Xdrive will now operate as wholly owned subsidiary of AOL under its digital services business unit, and will remain at its current location in Santa Monica, Calif. The company's management team and 34 employees will now report to Gio Hunt, senior vice president of new business ventures at AOL.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Xdrive will now operate as wholly owned subsidiary of AOL under its digital services business unit, and will remain at its current location in Santa Monica, Calif. The company's management team and 34 employees will now report to Gio Hunt, senior vice president of new business ventures at AOL.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Fox Interactive Media Buys Scout.com
"News Corporation's recently formed Fox Interactive Media has made its second acquisition in the past month, snatching up Scout Media, publisher of local online sports network Scout.com and 47 local sports magazines."
"It is assumed that Scout.com's claimed audience of more than two million unique users will somehow be integrated with Fox's highly trafficked FoxSports.com, for both users and advertisers."
[MediaWeek]
"It is assumed that Scout.com's claimed audience of more than two million unique users will somehow be integrated with Fox's highly trafficked FoxSports.com, for both users and advertisers."
[MediaWeek]
Advanced Analogic Technologies
Advanced Analogic Technologies Inc., a Sunnyvale, Ca -based provider of power management semiconductors for mobile consumer electronic devices, priced 10.6 million common shares at $10 per share, for an IPO take of approximately $160 million.
It will trade on under ticker symbol AATI, while MS and ML served as lead underwriters for the offering. Advanced Analogic had raised VC funding from such firms as Battery Ventures, Sunsino Ventures, Maton Fund and Vision 2000 Venture Ltd.
It will trade on under ticker symbol AATI, while MS and ML served as lead underwriters for the offering. Advanced Analogic had raised VC funding from such firms as Battery Ventures, Sunsino Ventures, Maton Fund and Vision 2000 Venture Ltd.
TicTap: The money-saving price hunter
What is TicTap?
TicTap is your personal price hunting SMS service that saves you money on product purchases. Using your cell phone anywhere in the US, we search for better prices for you.
According to Alex Choo, one of their co-founders, TicTap also has a Konfabulator widget for download. There's also a TicTap blog
Yahoo Tests New Audio Search Feature - Yahoo! News
"Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) on Thursday will begin testing a new search engine feature that will pore through millions of songs offered by popular Internet music services like iTunes"
"The free service, available at http://audio.search.yahoo.com, boasts an index of more than 50 million audio files, including newscasts, speeches and interviews posted online, as well as the Internet's deepening pool of "podcasts" - recordings made to be played on a computer or digital device like Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod player. "
"The free service, available at http://audio.search.yahoo.com, boasts an index of more than 50 million audio files, including newscasts, speeches and interviews posted online, as well as the Internet's deepening pool of "podcasts" - recordings made to be played on a computer or digital device like Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod player. "
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
TheDeal.com - Oracle to purchase i-flex
"Extending its acquisition spree halfway around the globe, Oracle Corp. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, confirmed plans to acquire its first Indian company in a cash deal that could be worth more than $900 million and that could foreshadow similar deals. "
Visiprise Receives $16 Million in New Funding to Accelerate Growth, Advance SAP Partnership, Fund Future Acquisitions
"Visiprise, Inc., a recognized leader in helping manufacturers manage and control global operations to improve product quality and compliance, today announced it has closed on a $16 million round of funding led by Investor Growth Capital (IGC). This oversubscribed, second round of funding also included RRE Ventures, Morgan Stanley Venture Partners, Canaan Ventures and Wheatley Partners, and it brings total company funding to $18.3 million. In conjunction with the round, IGC's Noah Walley and Phil Dur will join Visiprise's board of directors."
[Yahoo]
[Yahoo]
sandiego.com: Mission Ventures Closes on $210M Fund
"San Diego-based venture capital firm Mission Ventures disclosed Tuesday it has closed on a $210 million fund, to be used for investing in startup information technology and technology-driven service companies in the region."
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Susan Mernit's Blog: Breaking: Feedster to power My AOL?
"Just heard that Feedster's about to announce that they will be powering RSS search and feeds for an improved My AOL.
Guess that means that Feedster is going to power AOL's My Yahoo competitior--does it also mean AOL will buy eventually them?
Hmmnn..."
[Susan Mernit]
Guess that means that Feedster is going to power AOL's My Yahoo competitior--does it also mean AOL will buy eventually them?
Hmmnn..."
[Susan Mernit]
SiliconBeat: Infinera scores $10 million, but apparently not as reported
"Infinera scores $10 million, but apparently not as reported"
[SiliconBeat]
[SiliconBeat]
The China Stock Blog: Baidu releases preliminary Q2 2005 earnings results (BIDU)
In an amended F-1 filed yesterday with the SEC Baidu.com (ticker: BIDU) released preliminary earnings results for Q2 2005.
CommsDesign - Startup to offer software that combines predictive analytics, RFID
"There's a new player in the market for predictive-analytics software, and leading names in the supply-chain business support it.
TrueDemand Software Inc. is building a set of applications for the retail and manufacturing sectors specifically to work with supply chains that use radio-frequency identification, with the goal of helping companies reduce out-of-stock and excess inventory. The startup recently secured $6 million in round A funding from Mayfield Venture Capital and Bay Partners. "
TrueDemand Software Inc. is building a set of applications for the retail and manufacturing sectors specifically to work with supply chains that use radio-frequency identification, with the goal of helping companies reduce out-of-stock and excess inventory. The startup recently secured $6 million in round A funding from Mayfield Venture Capital and Bay Partners. "
Mobile Gambling Devices May Get to Casinos - Yahoo! News
"It won't be long before gamblers are shooting dice while queued up waiting to see their favorite comedian. Or playing poker and roulette under a poolside umbrella. Even a trip to the buffet will no longer keep casino patrons from playing slots. A law signed last month by Gov. Kenny Guinn made Nevada the first U.S. state to approve the use of wireless, handheld gambling devices at its hotel-casinos. "
Monday, August 01, 2005
Google insiders sell $2.9 billion - Yahoo! News
"The biggest sellers have been co-founder Larry Page, $740 million in Google stock; co-founder Sergey Brin, $706.7 million; Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development Omid Kordestani, $315.4 million; and Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, $224.9 million, according to Thomson Financial."
Knovel Announces Financing Led by Credit Suisse First Boston
"Knovel Corporation, a provider of Web-based information services, has announced the closing of its Series C financing round led by Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) on behalf of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, a $120 billion fund. Additional investors include Himalaya Capital Venture Partners, New York Small Business Technology Investment Fund, Silicon Alley Venture Partners, Milestone Venture Partners, Stonehenge Capital, and previous investors. The New York State Common Retirement Fund's investment in Knovel Corporation is managed by CSFB's Customized Fund Investment Group."
[Econtent]
[Econtent]
Carlyle Extends Its Reach In Real Estate With New Fund
"Carlyle Group last week finished raising $950 million for its fourth U.S. real estate fund, its largest by far and one of the largest dedicated private equity real estate funds in the country.
With borrowings, Carlyle said it could invest as much as $4 billion in real estate with this one fund."
[WashingtonPost]
With borrowings, Carlyle said it could invest as much as $4 billion in real estate with this one fund."
[WashingtonPost]
WebEx to buy Intranets.com for $45 million in cash
"WebEx Communications Inc, a provider of online business meetings, on Monday said it agreed to buy privately held Intranets.com for about $45 million in cash, seeking to target small business clients."
[Reuters]
[Reuters]
RED HERRING | VC Returns Smacked Down
"Investors are doing markedly worse this year, with flat-lining valuations driving short-term returns down to about one-fifth 2004 levels."
Accel Wins Prized Piece of IDG Fund
"Accel Partners beat three other 'major' venture capital firms in a heated competition to partner with IDG Ventures on a new VC fund focused on China.
IDG was the first foreign venture firm to set up shop in China and may be the most successful venture investor in that country. After word leaked out four months ago that IDG was considering a proposal by an unnamed VC firm to do a China joint venture, seven other firms put their names in contention for the deal, says Pat McGovern, founder and chairman of International Data Group, the parent of IDG Ventures. "
[Private Equity Week]
IDG was the first foreign venture firm to set up shop in China and may be the most successful venture investor in that country. After word leaked out four months ago that IDG was considering a proposal by an unnamed VC firm to do a China joint venture, seven other firms put their names in contention for the deal, says Pat McGovern, founder and chairman of International Data Group, the parent of IDG Ventures. "
[Private Equity Week]
PluggedIn:Wireless wallets come closer to reality
"About two million customers of Japan's NTT DoCoMo Inc can already use mobile phones with built-in debit cards to pay about 20,000 merchants such as restaurants and supermarkets. "
[Reuters]
[Reuters]
PC World's Techlog - Well, Maybe No Google PayPal Killer After All
"All that speculation earlier this week about a PayPal-like service from Google may have been off the mark. Google CEO Eric Schmidt is saying that the company isn't working on a 'person-to-person stored-value payments system,' which likely means that anything in the works won't be a direct PayPal rival. But Schmidt did refer to 'the payment services we are working on,' so it sounds like Google does indeed plan to get into the e-payment game one way or another. Stay tuned..."
TheDateZone.com Brings Interactive Dating to Mobile Phones
"SmartVideo Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a revenue sharing agreement with TheDateZone.com to bring the world of interactive online dating to mobile devices."
Yahoo to offer video clips from CNN, ABC News
The clips, which will become available in September, will be free to users and supported by advertising revenue.
[Yahoo]
[Yahoo]
Venture funds help brighten future for sun-protection firm
"Barrow is selling shirts, hats, swimwear and other products, such as sunglasses and sunscreen, designed to protect people from the damaging effects of the sun. Perhaps because he and his partners have played the venture-capital game before, his company is one of the 14 Minnesota firms that got $70 million from venture capitalists in the second quarter of 2005."
[Star Tribune]
[Star Tribune]
EETimes.com - UK power amp start-up gets VC funding
"Start-up Nujira Ltd, which is developing and patenting architectures and techniques for creating more efficient power amplifiers for wireless applications, has closed a $7.75 million Series A funding round.
The round was co-led by 3i and Amadeus Capital Partners and included Cambridge Gateway Fund, Cambridge Capital Group and the Cambridge Angels. "
The round was co-led by 3i and Amadeus Capital Partners and included Cambridge Gateway Fund, Cambridge Capital Group and the Cambridge Angels. "
China Search Engine Baidu.com Set for IPO - Yahoo! News
"Little known abroad, 5-year-old Baidu.com says it already is the world's sixth most-visited Internet site, thanks to a strong following from China's 100 million-plus Web surfers.
Now the startup founded by two Chinese veterans of American tech firms is preparing to follow Google's example with an initial public offering in the United States, hoping to raise $45 million."
Now the startup founded by two Chinese veterans of American tech firms is preparing to follow Google's example with an initial public offering in the United States, hoping to raise $45 million."
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