Friday, March 31, 2006
Verizon Adopts Ad Model for Yellow Pages: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"The call routing is handled by eStara Inc., which provides 'click-to-call' services for Web sites, including Verizon's online directory. There, Internet users can click a button next to a company listing, supply their own phone number and immediately receive a call from the listed company."
Will Vonage go public or sell out? - Mar. 30, 2006
"But can Vonage parlay its increased consumer exposure into a lucrative initial public offering? Or is the company, which is hemorrhaging money, actually trying to shop itself to a larger telecom firm?
Vonage filed to go public nearly two months ago but it has yet to file any amended registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That's an unusually long time between filings and has led some telecom industry observers to speculate about whether Vonage might be looking to sell out instead.
'I think they are looking for a buyer. Going public is something in their back pocket,' said Greg Gorbatenko, an analyst with Jackson Securities, a research firm based in Chicago."
Vonage is growing rapidly, with sales during the first three quarters of 2005 more than tripling from the same period in 2004. But expenses have also ballooned, leading the company to report a much bigger loss in the first three quarters of 2005 than it did for the first nine months of 2004.
Marketing costs in particular have skyrocketed. (Woo hoo! Woo hoo hoo!) The company spent $176.3 million on marketing during the first nine months of last year, up from $31.3 million in marketing expenses during the first three quarters of 2004.
Analysts say that if Vonage wants to keep growing, it's going to need a lot more cash.
Vonage filed to go public nearly two months ago but it has yet to file any amended registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That's an unusually long time between filings and has led some telecom industry observers to speculate about whether Vonage might be looking to sell out instead.
'I think they are looking for a buyer. Going public is something in their back pocket,' said Greg Gorbatenko, an analyst with Jackson Securities, a research firm based in Chicago."
Vonage is growing rapidly, with sales during the first three quarters of 2005 more than tripling from the same period in 2004. But expenses have also ballooned, leading the company to report a much bigger loss in the first three quarters of 2005 than it did for the first nine months of 2004.
Marketing costs in particular have skyrocketed. (Woo hoo! Woo hoo hoo!) The company spent $176.3 million on marketing during the first nine months of last year, up from $31.3 million in marketing expenses during the first three quarters of 2004.
Analysts say that if Vonage wants to keep growing, it's going to need a lot more cash.
Visiongain: Apple plans an ‘iPhone’ for Helio | RCRNews.com
"An Apple Computer Inc.-branded mobile phone could hit the market this spring, predicts research and consulting firm Visiongain. The �iPhone� product, which has long been a popular rumor topic, is likely to launch in tandem with mobile virtual network operator Helio�s service in the United States, said Visiongain. "
EETimes.com - Infineon names memory company Qimonda
"Infineon has revealed the name of its memory subsidiary and reiterated that after its formation an IPO remains the favored way to separate it from its parent.
The company is called Qimonda and Wolfgang Ziebart, Infineon's chief executive officer speaking on a press conference webcast from Munich, said its separation from Infineon would be completed on May 1, two months ahead of the company's previous schedule. "
The company is called Qimonda and Wolfgang Ziebart, Infineon's chief executive officer speaking on a press conference webcast from Munich, said its separation from Infineon would be completed on May 1, two months ahead of the company's previous schedule. "
Alloy: MySpace's Little Sister [Fool.com: Motley Fool Take] March 31, 2006
"The MySpace phenomenon certainly demonstrates that there's an enormous business in the youth market. Unfortunately, another teen company, Alloy (Nasdaq: ALOY), isn't doing quite so spectacularly."
Who Has Time For This?: Wikia, Jimmy Wales' Startup
Bessemer's David Cowan:
We're announcing today Bessemer's investment in Wikia, formerly known as Wikicities. Wikia, started by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Wikimedia Foundation director Angela Beesley, is an ad-supported, open source platform for community-based wikis, with (freely licensed) content that falls outside the scope of an encyclopedia. With over 1,000 Wikia already created in 35 languages, content and registered user growth are tracking right along the same growth curve as Wikia's cousin Wikipedia. Here is the full story.
In related news, we also led a $15 million investment round in Zopa, a P2P lending site with much better economics than the banks and credit cards for both lenders and borrowers. In just its first year, Zopa has registered 55,000 members in its network.
We're announcing today Bessemer's investment in Wikia, formerly known as Wikicities. Wikia, started by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Wikimedia Foundation director Angela Beesley, is an ad-supported, open source platform for community-based wikis, with (freely licensed) content that falls outside the scope of an encyclopedia. With over 1,000 Wikia already created in 35 languages, content and registered user growth are tracking right along the same growth curve as Wikia's cousin Wikipedia. Here is the full story.
In related news, we also led a $15 million investment round in Zopa, a P2P lending site with much better economics than the banks and credit cards for both lenders and borrowers. In just its first year, Zopa has registered 55,000 members in its network.
TechCrunch � Wikia Raises $4 Million
"Wikia, formerly called Wikicities, announced a $4 million Series A round today. The financing was led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Omidyar Network, and had participation from angel investors Dan Gillmor, Reid Hoffman, Joichi Ito, and Mitch Kapor."
Bidding On EBay A Safe Bet - Forbes.com
"EBay is quickly becoming �one of the strongest brands in the world,� according to Morgan Stanley analyst Mary Meeker, who said the online auctioneer�s stock remains strong and is still �in early innings of a secular growth cycle that it is leading.�
The analyst also said eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) stock may be undervalued."
The analyst also said eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) stock may be undervalued."
EETimes.com - Intel brings 'community PC' to Mexico
" Intel Corp. on Friday (March 31) announced its so-called 'Discover the PC' initiative in an effort to propel the computer in developing nations. "
WSJ.com - Google Puts Marketers on Map In a Reach for Local Ad Dollars
"Google began letting advertisers buy ads displayed on specific geographic locations on its popular online mapping and local search service. The move further extends the reach of its ad network and potentially lets Google tap into local marketing dollars that traditionally go to phone directories and other media.
The Mountain View, Calif., Internet company has been testing such ads on a limited basis since December with companies such as Barnes & Noble Inc. and late yesterday opened them to all advertisers. The move follows other efforts by Google to strengthen its so-called local search services, which help users find businesses located in specific locations and usually include maps.
Search companies believe local search will become more important as more consumers access the Web from cellphones to find directions and businesses on the go. They also see a potentially rich ad market. Advertising linked to Internet Yellow pages, local search and local search on mobile devices will total $1.6 billion this year and more than $6 billion in 2010, according to estimates from Kelsey Group, a Princeton, N.J., research and consulting firm."
The Mountain View, Calif., Internet company has been testing such ads on a limited basis since December with companies such as Barnes & Noble Inc. and late yesterday opened them to all advertisers. The move follows other efforts by Google to strengthen its so-called local search services, which help users find businesses located in specific locations and usually include maps.
Search companies believe local search will become more important as more consumers access the Web from cellphones to find directions and businesses on the go. They also see a potentially rich ad market. Advertising linked to Internet Yellow pages, local search and local search on mobile devices will total $1.6 billion this year and more than $6 billion in 2010, according to estimates from Kelsey Group, a Princeton, N.J., research and consulting firm."
Thursday, March 30, 2006
PALO ALTO--- H-Stream Wireless Lands $12.55 Million in Series A Funding; Accelerates Hiring Ramp
"H-Stream Wireless, a developer of low power wireless semiconductor solutions, announced today that it has secured $12.55 million in Series A funding from Granite Ventures, Intel Capital, Tallwood Venture Capital and selected angel investors.
H-Stream was seeded by a group of angels which included founders of VLSI Technologies, Netscreen (now Juniper Networks), Omnivision and Spreadtrum.
According to Ron Yara, general partner at Tallwood Venture Capital, 'H-Stream has identified a unique opportunity in the low power wireless space, and pulled together a stellar core team and advisory board to prove its technical and market feasibility. With this cash infusion, we believe that all the right ingredients are in place for them to execute on their vision.'
While H-Stream is still secretive about their product plan, Prof. Dr. Jan Rabaey, co-director of the Berkeley Wireless Research Center and technical advisor to the Company since its inception, did reveal that 'H-Stream's unique approach overcomes key roadblocks in the development of ultra-low power wireless solutions, delivering both silicon and protocol breakthroughs. I am very excited to be closely involved with the team from the very beginning.'
'We are delighted to have attracted some of the savviest investors in the semiconductor industry,' said Lee Stoian, H-Stream's CEO. 'Our near term focus is on attracting the very best engineers to further strengthen our team to bring H-Stream's vision to reality.' "
H-Stream was seeded by a group of angels which included founders of VLSI Technologies, Netscreen (now Juniper Networks), Omnivision and Spreadtrum.
According to Ron Yara, general partner at Tallwood Venture Capital, 'H-Stream has identified a unique opportunity in the low power wireless space, and pulled together a stellar core team and advisory board to prove its technical and market feasibility. With this cash infusion, we believe that all the right ingredients are in place for them to execute on their vision.'
While H-Stream is still secretive about their product plan, Prof. Dr. Jan Rabaey, co-director of the Berkeley Wireless Research Center and technical advisor to the Company since its inception, did reveal that 'H-Stream's unique approach overcomes key roadblocks in the development of ultra-low power wireless solutions, delivering both silicon and protocol breakthroughs. I am very excited to be closely involved with the team from the very beginning.'
'We are delighted to have attracted some of the savviest investors in the semiconductor industry,' said Lee Stoian, H-Stream's CEO. 'Our near term focus is on attracting the very best engineers to further strengthen our team to bring H-Stream's vision to reality.' "
YouTube: The talk of Tinseltown | CNET News.com
YouTube has sped past a host of competitors by tapping the public's thirst for reality programming. By mixing some professionally made clips, including music videos and movie trailers, with homemade content, YouTube has seen the number of viewings on the site shoot up from 3 million a day to 30 million since the Web site's December launch, according to YouTube spokeswoman Julie Supan.
Not everyone at the conference was impressed, however. Plenty of executives wondered how the San Mateo, Calif., company plans to fend off the likes of Google, iFilms and Atom Entertainment, all of which possess far more resources. And nobody knows how YouTube, which has 20 employees, plans to make money.
There is still no advertising on YouTube; it doesn't charge to view or upload videos; and its executives so far have been mum on their business plan.
Not everyone at the conference was impressed, however. Plenty of executives wondered how the San Mateo, Calif., company plans to fend off the likes of Google, iFilms and Atom Entertainment, all of which possess far more resources. And nobody knows how YouTube, which has 20 employees, plans to make money.
There is still no advertising on YouTube; it doesn't charge to view or upload videos; and its executives so far have been mum on their business plan.
AVI BioPharma Up Bird Flu Trial Plan: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Shares of AVI BioPharma Inc. jumped Thursday after the biotech company said it plans to file papers with the Food and Drug Administration this year to begin clinical trials of its Neugene line of antisense drugs.
AVI BioPharma rose 79 cents, or 12 percent, to $7.38 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq at more than double their average volume. Shares have traded between $2.05 and $9.20 over the past 52 weeks."
AVI BioPharma rose 79 cents, or 12 percent, to $7.38 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq at more than double their average volume. Shares have traded between $2.05 and $9.20 over the past 52 weeks."
Tech-Confidential: Internet Brands launches Zillow competitor
It was only a matter of time before a competitor popped up.
Internet Brands: Cars, Mortgage, Real Estate, & Travel
"RealEstateABC.com, a division of Internet Brands, today announced the launch of ABC Values�, a free, powerful and easy-to-use online home valuation tool that complements the expertise offered by local real estate agents.
ABC Values � are derived from a database of approximately 60 million homes in the U.S. and 20 million recent home sale transactions. The no-obligation/no-registration service enables consumers to take control of the valuation of their home, using the latest home sales comparables and easy-to-use, but powerful customization tools.
'Our approach is to empower home owners and buyers with all of the data and tools they need to have a very informed view on the valuation of a property,' said Bob Brisco, CEO of Internet Brands. 'Real estate is often a consumer's largest asset, so it is critical to keep an eye on a home's changing value -- RealEstateABC's combination of precise valuation and owner customization options allows consumers to do just that.' "
ABC Values � are derived from a database of approximately 60 million homes in the U.S. and 20 million recent home sale transactions. The no-obligation/no-registration service enables consumers to take control of the valuation of their home, using the latest home sales comparables and easy-to-use, but powerful customization tools.
'Our approach is to empower home owners and buyers with all of the data and tools they need to have a very informed view on the valuation of a property,' said Bob Brisco, CEO of Internet Brands. 'Real estate is often a consumer's largest asset, so it is critical to keep an eye on a home's changing value -- RealEstateABC's combination of precise valuation and owner customization options allows consumers to do just that.' "
iMedia Connection: Q&A with Sequoia Capital's Mark Kvamme
Thorp: As both an investor and entrepreneur you have seen the rise and fall of good ideas. What advice can you give our next round of developers -- or those going for number two or three -- to help them succeed this time around?
Kvamme: Focus on the users/customers with a unique product attribute that makes their life better. That is it. Most of the “bad� ideas are too complex, too expensive to bring to market, and offer no real benefit to the end user.
Kvamme: Focus on the users/customers with a unique product attribute that makes their life better. That is it. Most of the “bad� ideas are too complex, too expensive to bring to market, and offer no real benefit to the end user.
CRN | VoIP, IP Telephony | Competitors Threaten Skype With A Smackdown
"It's been a good few weeks to be a VoIP user, and a bad one to be Skype.
To a great extent, up until now Skype has had a lock on the consumer P2P VoIP market, and even though its recent move into business VoIP hasn't been universally well-received, things looked rosy for the company in that market as well.
But a trio of competitors makes the future less rosy for Skype. Yahoo, the well-financed startup Jajah, and the big Web site Lycos have all released no-cost or low-cost VoIP P2P solutions within the last few weeks, attempting to muscle in on Skype.
Watch Out for Jajah "
To a great extent, up until now Skype has had a lock on the consumer P2P VoIP market, and even though its recent move into business VoIP hasn't been universally well-received, things looked rosy for the company in that market as well.
But a trio of competitors makes the future less rosy for Skype. Yahoo, the well-financed startup Jajah, and the big Web site Lycos have all released no-cost or low-cost VoIP P2P solutions within the last few weeks, attempting to muscle in on Skype.
Watch Out for Jajah "
H-Stream Wireless raises $12.55M: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"H-Stream Wireless, a semiconductor technology startup, closed its first round of venture funding Thursday after raising $12.55 million.
The Palo Alto company raised money from Granite Ventures, Intel Capital, Tallwood Venture Capital and angel investors.
The company got its original seed money from angel investors who founded VLSI Technologies, Juniper Networks and Omnivision.
The company has not revealed details of its product. H-Stream was founded in December 2004.
H-Stream also said Thursday that it opened an office near Cambridge, England."
The Palo Alto company raised money from Granite Ventures, Intel Capital, Tallwood Venture Capital and angel investors.
The company got its original seed money from angel investors who founded VLSI Technologies, Juniper Networks and Omnivision.
The company has not revealed details of its product. H-Stream was founded in December 2004.
H-Stream also said Thursday that it opened an office near Cambridge, England."
Eye on rival YouTube, Atom overhauls video site | Reuters.com
SAN FRANCISCO, March 30 (Reuters) - Online video and game company Atom Entertainment Inc. on Thursday unveiled a new service to let people upload their own videos and footage taken on mobile phones.
Privately held Atom, formed 5 years ago by the merger of Atom Films and Shockwave.com, hopes the new features on its AddictingClips Web site will draw more users and close the gap with YouTube, a popular site for sharing homemade video clips.
Atom Chief Executive Mika Salmi said YouTube probably receives more than 10 times the number of unique visitors than his site does, but added: "With all these new features we think it's a bit of a horse race."
Salmi said he expected the Atom site's traffic to grow fairly quickly. "Our goal would be to get to the size of YouTube," Salmi told Reuters, "but realistically, we think that in the next three to four months, we're going to be nipping at their heels."
Atom would highlight the best videos on AtomFilms, its Web site for showing independent short films, Salmi said. The new features add to the semiprofessional films and short films currently shown on the site.
Privately held Atom, formed 5 years ago by the merger of Atom Films and Shockwave.com, hopes the new features on its AddictingClips Web site will draw more users and close the gap with YouTube, a popular site for sharing homemade video clips.
Atom Chief Executive Mika Salmi said YouTube probably receives more than 10 times the number of unique visitors than his site does, but added: "With all these new features we think it's a bit of a horse race."
Salmi said he expected the Atom site's traffic to grow fairly quickly. "Our goal would be to get to the size of YouTube," Salmi told Reuters, "but realistically, we think that in the next three to four months, we're going to be nipping at their heels."
Atom would highlight the best videos on AtomFilms, its Web site for showing independent short films, Salmi said. The new features add to the semiprofessional films and short films currently shown on the site.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Internet Stock Blog � United Online, Get Yourselves An Investment Banker (UNTD)
"This is not a standalone business. Period. At $12.65, the company is in the middle of a narrow trading range and has a market capitalization of $800 million. But, someone should tell the board to hire an investment bank."
Business 2.0: VC dollars return to the desktop - Mar. 29, 2006
"There are a host of venture-backed startups taking advantage of this new webtop reality. Hive7, a startup launching today, is building virtual-world environment -- similar to the ones World of Warcraft and Everquest gamers spend hours in -- within a browser.
Fabrik, another recently launched startup, is offering an online file-storage service that offers a click-and-drag graphical interface like Windows Explorer or Mac OS X's Finder for navigating through your files.
Hive7 and Fabrik are joining older startups that have already embraced this model. Goowy, for example, offers a full-featured desktop with e-mail, instant messaging, and other commonly used applications, while Zimbra offers e-mail that looks and feels like Microsoft Outlook."
Fabrik, another recently launched startup, is offering an online file-storage service that offers a click-and-drag graphical interface like Windows Explorer or Mac OS X's Finder for navigating through your files.
Hive7 and Fabrik are joining older startups that have already embraced this model. Goowy, for example, offers a full-featured desktop with e-mail, instant messaging, and other commonly used applications, while Zimbra offers e-mail that looks and feels like Microsoft Outlook."
Tech's Faster Boat to China
"INNOVATION ECONOMY. Microsoft's Beijing engineers are also working on new ways of organizing digital photos and searching online videos, among other cutting-edge projects. Now Shum boasts about the capabilities of his Chinese staff. 'I'm so confident that we can do first-class research in China,' he says. 'In a few years, we've been able to train a generation who can compete on a global stage.'
While Shum and other Microsoft officials have good reason to talk up their Beijing operation -- the hope is that Chinese officials will crack down on software piracy and help boost Windows sales in the world's biggest country -- other companies are similarly bullish about China's potential as an R&D hot spot. As the government pushes to build an innovation economy, its leaders are looking to companies such as Microsoft to help clear the way."
While Shum and other Microsoft officials have good reason to talk up their Beijing operation -- the hope is that Chinese officials will crack down on software piracy and help boost Windows sales in the world's biggest country -- other companies are similarly bullish about China's potential as an R&D hot spot. As the government pushes to build an innovation economy, its leaders are looking to companies such as Microsoft to help clear the way."
West Coast VCs, East Coast Rules
"Azure isn't your typical venture firm. Rather than depending on partners' gut instincts, it relies heavily on the hard-core research its partners learned on Wall Street. Their approach is to conduct in-depth studies, often taking a year or more, to investigate investment possibilities. That has led Azure to place many of its bets on little-known companies in out-of-favor markets. 'They are the quants of the VC world,' says Carl Russo, chief executive at Calix. 'They're either creating a very different model for a venture firm, or there will be a huge waste of money. Azure won't be run-of-the-mill.'
It wasn't always that way. Azure was founded in April, 2000, by First Boston investment bankers Paul Ferris and Cameron Lester, as well as research analysts Michael Kwatinetz and Paul Weinstein. They easily raised $530 million and poured much of it into 20 startups, including some high-profile outfits with sky-high valuations. When the Net collapse came, they got pounded. 'Our mistake was doing what everyone else was doing,' says Kwatinetz.
The partners quickly changed tactics. They made their own research central to their investment strategy, focused on early-stage deals, and put in money only if they could get at least a 25% stake and a seat on the board. They also slowed down, making only four to six deals a year, vs. the 20-deal pace of the first year."
It wasn't always that way. Azure was founded in April, 2000, by First Boston investment bankers Paul Ferris and Cameron Lester, as well as research analysts Michael Kwatinetz and Paul Weinstein. They easily raised $530 million and poured much of it into 20 startups, including some high-profile outfits with sky-high valuations. When the Net collapse came, they got pounded. 'Our mistake was doing what everyone else was doing,' says Kwatinetz.
The partners quickly changed tactics. They made their own research central to their investment strategy, focused on early-stage deals, and put in money only if they could get at least a 25% stake and a seat on the board. They also slowed down, making only four to six deals a year, vs. the 20-deal pace of the first year."
EETimes.com - Intel creates $50 million VC fund for Brazil
"Intel Capital, the investment arm of semiconductor supplier Intel Corp., has created a $50 million venture capital fund to promote technology growth in Brazil.
The fund will be used to invest in companies that can benefit from the rapid growth of technology in Brazil, and provide local businesses with capital to help nurture important technologies and products developed for local use. Examples include hardware, services, local content developers/providers, digital health solutions, IT service providers and software solutions.
'Intel Capital's investments will help stimulate technological innovation and growth of Brazil's rapidly developing entrepreneurial community,' said Intel Corp. CEO Paul Otellini, in a statement.
Intel Capital has been a leading venture capital investor in Brazil since 1999, investing over $35 million in 13 companies. In 2005, Intel Capital announced four local investments in Digitron, TelecomNet, Certsign and Neovia. "
The fund will be used to invest in companies that can benefit from the rapid growth of technology in Brazil, and provide local businesses with capital to help nurture important technologies and products developed for local use. Examples include hardware, services, local content developers/providers, digital health solutions, IT service providers and software solutions.
'Intel Capital's investments will help stimulate technological innovation and growth of Brazil's rapidly developing entrepreneurial community,' said Intel Corp. CEO Paul Otellini, in a statement.
Intel Capital has been a leading venture capital investor in Brazil since 1999, investing over $35 million in 13 companies. In 2005, Intel Capital announced four local investments in Digitron, TelecomNet, Certsign and Neovia. "
In Boomtown, but Still Stuck on a Bubble - New York Times
"One reason McClatchy has decided not to keep The Mercury News is the paper's high operating costs, the company said. The newspaper's profit margin of about 9 percent is well below the average of about 12 percent for the Knight Ridder papers that McClatchy is keeping. Douglas M. Arthur, an analyst for Morgan Stanley, estimates that the newspaper earns less than $22 million a year on revenue of about $235 million."
WSJ.com - Your Space Is Waiting: Reserving a Parking Spot
"MobileParking LLC has a service in which users call 800-PARK-123 to check parking availability and reserve spots at roughly 400 parking facilities in Baltimore, Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, among other cities. The Bowie, Md., company plans a nationwide launch of the service later this year when reservations will be possible at roughly 1,000 facilities around the country.
MY SPACE
See some of the services that allow you to reserve parking spaces online or over the phone.XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., which already provides real-time traffic information to navigation devices, demonstrated a potential service called 'Dynamic Parking Information' last November. The percentage of spaces available at certain parking facilities was represented on navigation-system maps using colored icons. The actual number of spaces available also was depicted.
The data came from sensors in garages in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Detroit. XM is in talks with major parking companies about putting sensors in their garages and providing availability data."
MY SPACE
See some of the services that allow you to reserve parking spaces online or over the phone.XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., which already provides real-time traffic information to navigation devices, demonstrated a potential service called 'Dynamic Parking Information' last November. The percentage of spaces available at certain parking facilities was represented on navigation-system maps using colored icons. The actual number of spaces available also was depicted.
The data came from sensors in garages in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Detroit. XM is in talks with major parking companies about putting sensors in their garages and providing availability data."
CyberWyre � Updated: Highest Paying AdSense Keywords
Google has released a great tool to search for the current CPC for keywords which can be found here. I have used this tool to compile an updated list of some of the current highest paying keywords. It seems that lawyers are still paying the most out of all. It’s a bit concerning that some of the highest paying keywords are for “Wrongful Death�, and “DUI�, but oh well..
$54.33 mesothelioma lawyers
$47.79 what is mesothelioma
$47.72 peritoneal mesothelioma
$47.25 consolidate loans
$47.16 refinancing mortgage
$45.55 tax attorney
$41.22 mesothelioma
$38.86 car accident lawyer
$38.68 ameriquest mortgage
$38.03 mortgage refinance
$37.55 refinancing
$35.99 auto accident attorney
$35.52 equity mortgage
$34.34 mesothelioma texas
$54.33 mesothelioma lawyers
$47.79 what is mesothelioma
$47.72 peritoneal mesothelioma
$47.25 consolidate loans
$47.16 refinancing mortgage
$45.55 tax attorney
$41.22 mesothelioma
$38.86 car accident lawyer
$38.68 ameriquest mortgage
$38.03 mortgage refinance
$37.55 refinancing
$35.99 auto accident attorney
$35.52 equity mortgage
$34.34 mesothelioma texas
Silver Lake rides technology debt wave - MarketWatch
"Private-equity firms have traditionally avoided technology because the industry didn't generate steady enough earnings to pay off the big debt loads that often accompany leveraged buyouts.
But Silver Lake was formed in 1999 on the premise that many tech firms had in fact matured into large corporations, with secure customer bases, capable of taking on much more debt.
The idea has helped Silver Lake's first $2.3 billion fund return more than 30% a year since 1999, during one of the toughest times in the history of the technology industry.`
'Silver Lake has been unquestionably the most successful of the current wave of tech buyout groups,' Josh Lerner, professor of investment banking at Harvard Business School, said. 'They have shown that despite the apparent risks of these deals, considerable money can me made.'
The success of Silver Lake-led deals, like the LBO of disk drive maker Seagate Technology Inc. (STX : seagate technology.."
But Silver Lake was formed in 1999 on the premise that many tech firms had in fact matured into large corporations, with secure customer bases, capable of taking on much more debt.
The idea has helped Silver Lake's first $2.3 billion fund return more than 30% a year since 1999, during one of the toughest times in the history of the technology industry.`
'Silver Lake has been unquestionably the most successful of the current wave of tech buyout groups,' Josh Lerner, professor of investment banking at Harvard Business School, said. 'They have shown that despite the apparent risks of these deals, considerable money can me made.'
The success of Silver Lake-led deals, like the LBO of disk drive maker Seagate Technology Inc. (STX : seagate technology.."
Macworld UK - Rumour watch: Apple 30-year product bonanza?
A new open season of rumour and speculation has begun in advance of Apple's thirtieth anniversary on April 1.
AppleInsider believes the company will invite media to an anniversary bash at which new products will debut, either just before or just after April 1.
The report predicts new Intel-powered iBooks, a larger-screened (17-inch) MacBook Pro, and an "iPod-related" product may debut at the show, should any event take place around April 1.
A recent Wedbush Morgan analyst report suggests Apple may release a "true" video iPod as soon as next month, claiming "independent confirmation from a reliable industry source" to support these claims.
Other speculations claim the company may even launch a Thirtieth Anniversary Mac.
LBO Wire - TA Associates
"TA Associates Inc., which just closed on two funds, has a new sales pitch for its limited partners.
The firm wants its investors to do business with its newest portfolio company, eSecLending, which it has just purchased from U.K.-based financial services concern Old Mutual PLC, said Kenneth Schiciano, a TA managing director. Terms weren't disclosed.
Boston-based eSecLending helps institutional investors make additional money on the stocks and bonds they own by loaning them out for short periods of time to investors like hedge funds who want to engage in short selling or other quick trading strategies."
The firm wants its investors to do business with its newest portfolio company, eSecLending, which it has just purchased from U.K.-based financial services concern Old Mutual PLC, said Kenneth Schiciano, a TA managing director. Terms weren't disclosed.
Boston-based eSecLending helps institutional investors make additional money on the stocks and bonds they own by loaning them out for short periods of time to investors like hedge funds who want to engage in short selling or other quick trading strategies."
TheDeal.com - Virtual reality developer gets $11M
"Although Rosedale would not give Linden Lab's valuation, he said it has more than quadrupled since the October 2004 round. Linden Lab chose from among multiple term sheet offers after briefly shopping the deal early in 2006, he said."
Netscaler 7000 - Citrix's marketing is world class?
"Netscaler 7000 - Citrix's marketing is world class? "
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Alloy, Inc. Acquires Sconex: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Alloy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALOY - News), under the banner of Alloy Media + Marketing (AM+M), a pioneer in nontraditional media and marketing, today announced it has acquired Sconex, Inc. (www.sconex.com), one of the fastest growing online social networking communities connecting high school students.
Sconex is a vibrant social networking site focused on providing a platform for teens to interact with peers via their high school profiles. Sconex also provides a platform for youth advertisers to connect and communicate with young adults in a meaningful, contextually appropriate way.
Pursuant to the transaction, Alloy acquired all the issued and outstanding stock of Sconex in exchange for $6.1 million, plus an additional potential earnout payment and expenses. Comprising the $6.1 million is 273,551 shares of Alloy common stock issuable upon closing, which shares are valued at $12.7945 per share, representing a 20 day average closing price of a share of Alloy common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ National Market, and a minimum earnout payment in the amount of approximately $2.6 million. In addition, depending upon Sconex's financial performance during the 12-month period commencing on April 1, 2006, the former Sconex stockholders might be entitled to an increased earnout payment. A certain portion of any earnout payment payable to each Sconex stockholder will be contingent upon continued employment by such stockholder for an extended period following the closing date. The shares issued in connection with the acquisition will initially be unregistered but will have accompanying registration rights. The earnout payment is payable at Alloy's option in shares of Alloy common stock, cash or a combination of both, subject to certain limitations on the amount o"
Sconex is a vibrant social networking site focused on providing a platform for teens to interact with peers via their high school profiles. Sconex also provides a platform for youth advertisers to connect and communicate with young adults in a meaningful, contextually appropriate way.
Pursuant to the transaction, Alloy acquired all the issued and outstanding stock of Sconex in exchange for $6.1 million, plus an additional potential earnout payment and expenses. Comprising the $6.1 million is 273,551 shares of Alloy common stock issuable upon closing, which shares are valued at $12.7945 per share, representing a 20 day average closing price of a share of Alloy common stock as quoted on the NASDAQ National Market, and a minimum earnout payment in the amount of approximately $2.6 million. In addition, depending upon Sconex's financial performance during the 12-month period commencing on April 1, 2006, the former Sconex stockholders might be entitled to an increased earnout payment. A certain portion of any earnout payment payable to each Sconex stockholder will be contingent upon continued employment by such stockholder for an extended period following the closing date. The shares issued in connection with the acquisition will initially be unregistered but will have accompanying registration rights. The earnout payment is payable at Alloy's option in shares of Alloy common stock, cash or a combination of both, subject to certain limitations on the amount o"
Feld Thoughts: Checkpoint / Sourcefire
"Check Point and Sourcefire announced the cancellation of their deal on Thursday. This was a very nice deal for Sourcefire and its investors, as Check Point was paying $225 million for the company. Sourcefire had raised a total of about $33 million so the early investors, including Sierra Ventures, probably made about 15x, NEA which was a round 2 investor probably made about 10x, and Sequoia � which was a round 3 investor, probably made about 3x."
alarm:clock: Prosper.com's Euro Rival Migrates To The US - Raised $15M More
"London-based Zopa has raised $15M in Series B funding from Bessemer Venture Partners as well as existing investors Benchmark Capital and Wellington Partners. Zopa plans to open its California office this year. The company is just one year old but has a head of steam, claiming 55K members. It pioneered person-to-person lending, which seeks to lower borrows rates and give personal lenders a higher investment rate than savings accounts.
We have posted on Zopa's competitor - Prosper.com - which we assumed borrowed Zopa's business model. Zopa is led by executives who previously launched Egg PLC. Bessemer Venture's Rob Stavis, who led the financing of Skype, will join the Zopa board of directors, so of course Zopa is comparing itself to Skype. "
We have posted on Zopa's competitor - Prosper.com - which we assumed borrowed Zopa's business model. Zopa is led by executives who previously launched Egg PLC. Bessemer Venture's Rob Stavis, who led the financing of Skype, will join the Zopa board of directors, so of course Zopa is comparing itself to Skype. "
Native Java Supporter AmberPoint Secures Additional Financing @ LINUXWORLD MAGAZINE
"AmberPoint announced that it has completed a $10.3 million round of funding. The financing was led by new investor Meritech Capital Partners, with all previous investors � Crosslink Capital, Motorola Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners and Sutter Hill Ventures � participating on a pro-rata basis. This latest round of funding, which raises AmberPoint�s total financing to $41.1 million, was based on a significant increase in valuation.
�Our style of investing targets late-stage companies that are best in class,� said Mark Lockareff, venture partner at Meritech Capital Partners. �We�ve seen AmberPoint�s performance in terms of revenue, customer traction, and their ability to establish the partnerships necessary to win in this market. Having tracked the SOA Web services market for several years now, we�ve evaluated many companies in this space and are very confident in AmberPoint�s ongoing success.�
AmberPoint will use the funding to expand engineering operations, customer support, sales and marketing. It will also continue its worldwide expansion. AmberPoint products are used in 63 countries around the globe and are available in eight languages. AmberPoint leads its market with the most signed customers and the most customers in production of any company in the rapidly growing SOA runtime governance market."
�Our style of investing targets late-stage companies that are best in class,� said Mark Lockareff, venture partner at Meritech Capital Partners. �We�ve seen AmberPoint�s performance in terms of revenue, customer traction, and their ability to establish the partnerships necessary to win in this market. Having tracked the SOA Web services market for several years now, we�ve evaluated many companies in this space and are very confident in AmberPoint�s ongoing success.�
AmberPoint will use the funding to expand engineering operations, customer support, sales and marketing. It will also continue its worldwide expansion. AmberPoint products are used in 63 countries around the globe and are available in eight languages. AmberPoint leads its market with the most signed customers and the most customers in production of any company in the rapidly growing SOA runtime governance market."
OnHollywood 2006 :: AO
"Top Innovator Demo companies presenting at OnHollywood 2006 to date include:
Aleric
Audioblog
Azureus
Blinkx
Castpost
CinemaNow
ClickStar
Dabble
DivX
eMeta
Festoon
GUBA
iLoop Mobile
imeem
Itiva
Kaneva
Maven
MobiTV
Moonstorm
Mozes
MusicGremlin
MusicIP
Navio Systems
Nellymoser
Orb Networks
Podbridge
PodZinger
PumpAudio
Reactrix
Revver
SightSpeed
Solid State Networks
SoonR
Transformedia
VideoEgg
VoiceIndigo
WisdomArk
AlwaysOn Announces the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies
Honoring the most Innovative Companies in Digital Media at OnHollywood
The OnHollywood 100 is a power list of the top digital media and entertainment companies. The AlwaysOn editorial panel selected the 100 most innovative and successful private firms from more than 1,000 companies nominated by venture investors, investment bankers, leading entrepreneurs and industry insiders.
The final OnHollywood 100 have demonstrated significant market traction with game-changing technology, and it is our prediction they will have a big impact for both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. AlwaysOn will honor the OnHollywood 100 on opening night at OnHollywood 2006,Tuesday, May 2.
Congratulations to the OnHollywood 100!
2Wire
Ageia Technologies
Agile TV
Airgo Networks
Akimbo
Amp'd Mobile
Arroyo Video Solutions
Atom Entertainment
Audioblog
Avvenu
Big Fish Games
BigBand Networks
BitTorrent
Blinkx
Blue Frog Mobile
Brightcove
Cellmania
Celltick
CinemaNow
Coding Technologies
Cornice
Danger
Digital Chocolate
DivX Networks
DoubleFusion
eCast
eMeta
Entone
Exent Technologies
FeedBurner
Festoon
Frontier Silicon
Glu Mobile
GoTV
GraceNote
Groove Mobile
GUBA
Handango
Havok
Helio
iBiquity Digital
IGA Worldwide
iLoop Mobile
Innotive
isilon Systems
Linden Lab
ManiaTV!
Massive Incorporated
mBlox
Mediabolic
Melodeo
Mental Images
Mforma
Midasplayer.com
Mobile Media
Mobilitec
MobiTV
MobuzzTV
Modulus Video
Motricity
MovieBeam
Music Gremlin
Navio
Newport Media
Orb Networks
Oregan Networks
Phonebites
PodShow
Qpass
Reactrix Systems
Revver
Ruckus Network
Schematic
Sennari Entertainment
Shutterfly
SightSpeed
Silicon Optix
Simple Star
Sling Media
SnoCap
Sonos
SoonR
Spot Runner
Streaming21
Technorati
Boonty
The NewsMarket
thePlatform
Turbine Entertainment
Umbria Communications
Valista
VG Holdings
VideoEgg
VoiceIndigo
Volantis Systems
Wild Tangent
Xfire
YouTube
Zinio Systems
Aleric
Audioblog
Azureus
Blinkx
Castpost
CinemaNow
ClickStar
Dabble
DivX
eMeta
Festoon
GUBA
iLoop Mobile
imeem
Itiva
Kaneva
Maven
MobiTV
Moonstorm
Mozes
MusicGremlin
MusicIP
Navio Systems
Nellymoser
Orb Networks
Podbridge
PodZinger
PumpAudio
Reactrix
Revver
SightSpeed
Solid State Networks
SoonR
Transformedia
VideoEgg
VoiceIndigo
WisdomArk
AlwaysOn Announces the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies
Honoring the most Innovative Companies in Digital Media at OnHollywood
The OnHollywood 100 is a power list of the top digital media and entertainment companies. The AlwaysOn editorial panel selected the 100 most innovative and successful private firms from more than 1,000 companies nominated by venture investors, investment bankers, leading entrepreneurs and industry insiders.
The final OnHollywood 100 have demonstrated significant market traction with game-changing technology, and it is our prediction they will have a big impact for both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. AlwaysOn will honor the OnHollywood 100 on opening night at OnHollywood 2006,Tuesday, May 2.
Congratulations to the OnHollywood 100!
2Wire
Ageia Technologies
Agile TV
Airgo Networks
Akimbo
Amp'd Mobile
Arroyo Video Solutions
Atom Entertainment
Audioblog
Avvenu
Big Fish Games
BigBand Networks
BitTorrent
Blinkx
Blue Frog Mobile
Brightcove
Cellmania
Celltick
CinemaNow
Coding Technologies
Cornice
Danger
Digital Chocolate
DivX Networks
DoubleFusion
eCast
eMeta
Entone
Exent Technologies
FeedBurner
Festoon
Frontier Silicon
Glu Mobile
GoTV
GraceNote
Groove Mobile
GUBA
Handango
Havok
Helio
iBiquity Digital
IGA Worldwide
iLoop Mobile
Innotive
isilon Systems
Linden Lab
ManiaTV!
Massive Incorporated
mBlox
Mediabolic
Melodeo
Mental Images
Mforma
Midasplayer.com
Mobile Media
Mobilitec
MobiTV
MobuzzTV
Modulus Video
Motricity
MovieBeam
Music Gremlin
Navio
Newport Media
Orb Networks
Oregan Networks
Phonebites
PodShow
Qpass
Reactrix Systems
Revver
Ruckus Network
Schematic
Sennari Entertainment
Shutterfly
SightSpeed
Silicon Optix
Simple Star
Sling Media
SnoCap
Sonos
SoonR
Spot Runner
Streaming21
Technorati
Boonty
The NewsMarket
thePlatform
Turbine Entertainment
Umbria Communications
Valista
VG Holdings
VideoEgg
VoiceIndigo
Volantis Systems
Wild Tangent
Xfire
YouTube
Zinio Systems
Sprint eyes mobile music subscriptions | Reuters.com
"Sprint Nextel Corp. (S.N: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to boost its mobile music business this year with a new subscription scheme for downloading songs onto cellphones, and expand its partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI.O: Quote, Profile, Research), a top executive said on Tuesday.
As the price of making cellular calls declines, U.S. wireless carriers are adding music and video download services, aiming to boost revenue by convincing customers to use their cellphones for more than just talking"
As the price of making cellular calls declines, U.S. wireless carriers are adding music and video download services, aiming to boost revenue by convincing customers to use their cellphones for more than just talking"
CommsDesign - WiQuest secures $18 million in second-round funds
"Other participants in this second round included Menlo Ventures, Palomar Ventures, and ID Ventures America. Sequoia partner Mark Stevens will become a member of the WiQuest board.
WiQuest product marketing manager Pam Johnson said that the company was able to move into product design wins for the first generation of Certified Wireless USB chip sets, the WQST110/101, using only the first round of funding, so 'Series B represents a chance to expand marketing and to move to new product development.'"
WiQuest product marketing manager Pam Johnson said that the company was able to move into product design wins for the first generation of Certified Wireless USB chip sets, the WQST110/101, using only the first round of funding, so 'Series B represents a chance to expand marketing and to move to new product development.'"
Qpass
"Qpass, a leading digital commerce software and solutions company, today announced it has achieved industry optimized status in IBM�s Partner World Industry Networks. Qpass can now take advantage of IBM's sales, marketing and technical expertise to develop and deliver on demand solutions that meet customer requirements in the telecom industry.
Customers are seeking solutions that can help them better integrate processes and applications and allow them to quickly respond to changing market opportunities � all key elements in transforming to an On Demand business. "
Customers are seeking solutions that can help them better integrate processes and applications and allow them to quickly respond to changing market opportunities � all key elements in transforming to an On Demand business. "
Facebook's on the Block
"Facebook, the Web site where students around the world socialize and swap information, has put itself on the block, BusinessWeek Online has learned. The owners of the privately held company have turned down a $750 million offer and hope to fetch as much as $2 billion in a sale, senior industry executives familiar with the matter say.
That may sound like a huge amount of money, especially when you consider that the company was launched just two years ago by a group of sophomores at Harvard University, led by Mark Zuckerberg (see BW Online, 'Under 30, On the Cutting Edge'). But already, www.facebook.com has become the seventh-most heavily trafficked site on the Internet, according to market researcher comScore Media Metrix. It racked up 5.5 billion page views during the month of February, the latest month for which complete data are available. That's more page views than the Web sites of Amazon.com (AMZN ), Ask.com, or Walt Disney (DIS ).
GOOD FIT. It's not clear who would be willing or able to pay that much. Industry analysts think that Facebook might be a good match for Viacom (VIA ), which owns the MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central cable networks. 'I think Facebook would be a great strategic fit for Viacom,' says Troy Young, executive vice-president and chief experience architect at Organic, an online advertising and consulting firm. 'Viacom has people working on social networking. But I think they need to demonstrate to the market, through a major acquisition, that they are on top of the youth marketplace,' Young said. Viacom declined comment. Facebook executives weren't immediately available for comment.
A Facebook deal would help Viacom founder and Executive Chairman Sumner Redstone fend off a growing challenge from News Corp. "
That may sound like a huge amount of money, especially when you consider that the company was launched just two years ago by a group of sophomores at Harvard University, led by Mark Zuckerberg (see BW Online, 'Under 30, On the Cutting Edge'). But already, www.facebook.com has become the seventh-most heavily trafficked site on the Internet, according to market researcher comScore Media Metrix. It racked up 5.5 billion page views during the month of February, the latest month for which complete data are available. That's more page views than the Web sites of Amazon.com (AMZN ), Ask.com, or Walt Disney (DIS ).
GOOD FIT. It's not clear who would be willing or able to pay that much. Industry analysts think that Facebook might be a good match for Viacom (VIA ), which owns the MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central cable networks. 'I think Facebook would be a great strategic fit for Viacom,' says Troy Young, executive vice-president and chief experience architect at Organic, an online advertising and consulting firm. 'Viacom has people working on social networking. But I think they need to demonstrate to the market, through a major acquisition, that they are on top of the youth marketplace,' Young said. Viacom declined comment. Facebook executives weren't immediately available for comment.
A Facebook deal would help Viacom founder and Executive Chairman Sumner Redstone fend off a growing challenge from News Corp. "
RED HERRING | VC Money Finds Local Search
"Insider Pages, a search engine that helps users track down local information such as the location of the nearest hairstylists, say, and get reviews on how talented they are with the scissors, said Monday it raised $8.5 million in venture funding, in yet another sign �local� is the catchword in search.
The funding was a coup for the Pasadena, California-based company that got its start two years ago after a husband and wife looked for contractors in the yellow pages and concluded it was hard to figure out whether the businesses they found were any good.
The news was just one of several announcements that game out of a Kelsey Group conference in San Jose, California focusing on local search. Local businesses, made up of small -and mid-sized companies, make up the last frontier in search, with everybody from the tiny startups to the search giants targeting this still relatively untapped space (see The Power of Mom and Pop).
Insider Pages� funding was led by Sequoia Capital and Softbank. Idealab, the founding investor, also participated. "
The funding was a coup for the Pasadena, California-based company that got its start two years ago after a husband and wife looked for contractors in the yellow pages and concluded it was hard to figure out whether the businesses they found were any good.
The news was just one of several announcements that game out of a Kelsey Group conference in San Jose, California focusing on local search. Local businesses, made up of small -and mid-sized companies, make up the last frontier in search, with everybody from the tiny startups to the search giants targeting this still relatively untapped space (see The Power of Mom and Pop).
Insider Pages� funding was led by Sequoia Capital and Softbank. Idealab, the founding investor, also participated. "
Waterfront Media Completes $6 Million in Series C Financing Funding to Support Additional Consumer Offerings: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterfront Media, the leading online publisher of self-help experts, announced today it has secured $6 million in Series C financing.
New investor NeoCarta Ventures led the round, along with Rho Capital and BEV Capital.
The funds will support Waterfront Media's growing health advertising business as well as its entry into new marketing channels, such as television and radio.
In addition, the company will launch a major new consumer health initiative in the third quarter of 2006, which will enable consumers to create healthier lives for themselves. Over 11 million consumers have created profiles on one of the company's sites and this new initiative will further the company's goals of delivering condition-specific health information and tools to engage consumers while allowing advertisers to reach a large aggregated audience.
In February, comScore Media Metrix ranked Waterfront Media the fourth largest collection of consumer focused health sites with over 4 million unique visitors. comScore ranked the company the third largest collection of women's oriented Web sites with over 5.4 million unique visitors."
New investor NeoCarta Ventures led the round, along with Rho Capital and BEV Capital.
The funds will support Waterfront Media's growing health advertising business as well as its entry into new marketing channels, such as television and radio.
In addition, the company will launch a major new consumer health initiative in the third quarter of 2006, which will enable consumers to create healthier lives for themselves. Over 11 million consumers have created profiles on one of the company's sites and this new initiative will further the company's goals of delivering condition-specific health information and tools to engage consumers while allowing advertisers to reach a large aggregated audience.
In February, comScore Media Metrix ranked Waterfront Media the fourth largest collection of consumer focused health sites with over 4 million unique visitors. comScore ranked the company the third largest collection of women's oriented Web sites with over 5.4 million unique visitors."
Monday, March 27, 2006
AirClic Secures Additional Investment for Expansion Effort: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"AirClic�, a leading provider of business process mobilization solutions, today announced it has closed $2.86 million in an additional round of over-subscribed Series B venture financing. Original investors Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT - News) and Zon Capital Partners participated in the round as well as several individual investors. Proceeds from the financing will be used to expand AirClic's sales, business development, marketing, and client services functions, enabling the company to further expand on its market leadership position. During 2005, AirClic realized more than 300 percent growth in sales and customer acquisitions."
PaidContent.org: January 27, 2006 Archives
"Google's Possible Entry Into Music [by rafat] : It is all speculation and some amount of deductive reasoning, but I suppose it is inevitable that Google will do something more in online music (and hopefully better planned than Google Video). Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck speculated in a report yesterday that it makes sense for Google to create a rival for iTunes.
'We would expect Google to rollout a Beta service within 3 to 6 months. We note that Google has not confirmed our expectations, and that our thinking is based on Mosaic theory [uh, that means common sense, really],' said Peck. 'However, we do think this fits with Google's recent moves and its ultimate goal of organizing the world's information.'
Meanwhile, Gary Price has the breakdown of speculation and some hints around Google's music entry. [by rafat]"
'We would expect Google to rollout a Beta service within 3 to 6 months. We note that Google has not confirmed our expectations, and that our thinking is based on Mosaic theory [uh, that means common sense, really],' said Peck. 'However, we do think this fits with Google's recent moves and its ultimate goal of organizing the world's information.'
Meanwhile, Gary Price has the breakdown of speculation and some hints around Google's music entry. [by rafat]"
HedgeStreet Secures Funding from Norwest Venture Partners: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"HedgeStreet� Inc., the nation's first government-regulated online exchange for binary options and futures, today announced that it has secured $12.5 million from Norwest Venture Partners (NVP), a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm. The funds will be used to bring new innovative products to market, increase liquidity, and accelerate customer acquisition by promoting the exchange to retail and institutional investors as well as hedge funds. This is HedgeStreet's third round of financing, bringing the company's total amount of capital raised to date to $24.9 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
HedgeStreet and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) also recently announced a strategic alliance for the development of new products, technology sharing, distribution, marketing and other initiatives. The alliance also includes an investment in HedgeStreet by CBOE."
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HedgeStreet and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) also recently announced a strategic alliance for the development of new products, technology sharing, distribution, marketing and other initiatives. The alliance also includes an investment in HedgeStreet by CBOE."
Tech-Confidential: Legal troubles for Skype
"San Francisco-based StreamCast Networks, the developer of Morpheus file-sharing software, is suing Luxembourg-based Skype SA, claiming that the popular Internet phone company is using peer-to-peer technology that StreamCast claims it owns, according to published reports. If such allegations are valid, Skype could face a big threat down the road, since its peer-to-peer technology is a key differentiator for the company as it squares off against various Internet telephony rivals."
Cohen, 47, is the most powerful trader on Wall Street you've never heard of.
Cohen, 47, is the most powerful trader on Wall Street you've never heard of. The founder of SAC Capital Advisors, a highly secretive and stupendously successful $4 billion group of hedge funds that bears his initials, is considered to be a market genius by even his harshest critics. His firm routinely accounts for as much as 3% of the New York Stock Exchange's average daily trading, plus up to 1% of the NASDAQ's -- a total of at least 20 million shares a day. And while most of his rivals struggle to keep their trading costs down, "Stevie," as he's known on Wall Street, is one of the few to pay full freight. He hands over about $150 million a year in commissions to Wall Street, making him one of its 10-largest customers.
TheDeal.com - TA Associates raises $4.3B
"Boston private equity firm TA Associates Inc. said Monday, March 27, that it has completed raising $4.3 billion in investment capital, including $3.5 billion for its tenth equity investment fund and $775 million for a subordinated debt fund.
Along with an $800 million offshore fund raised in 2004, TA has drummed up $5.08 billion in third-party money the last two years. That bankroll makes it one of the country�s largest buyout firms.
In Boston, TA ranks third or fourth in actively managed assets, surpassed only by Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital LLC and roughly on a par with Advent International Corp.
The firm�s previous equity fund, raised in 2000, had $2 billion in committed capital.
�The fundraising went well,� said TA partner Brian Conway. �Something like 90% or 95% was people re-upping. The new ones who came in were largely long-term TA relationships who had moved to new institutions.�
As was true with the ninth fund, TA will charge limited partners a 25% �carry,� or cut of gross profits in investments made through the new fund. Most private equity funds have a 20% carry. "
Along with an $800 million offshore fund raised in 2004, TA has drummed up $5.08 billion in third-party money the last two years. That bankroll makes it one of the country�s largest buyout firms.
In Boston, TA ranks third or fourth in actively managed assets, surpassed only by Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital LLC and roughly on a par with Advent International Corp.
The firm�s previous equity fund, raised in 2000, had $2 billion in committed capital.
�The fundraising went well,� said TA partner Brian Conway. �Something like 90% or 95% was people re-upping. The new ones who came in were largely long-term TA relationships who had moved to new institutions.�
As was true with the ninth fund, TA will charge limited partners a 25% �carry,� or cut of gross profits in investments made through the new fund. Most private equity funds have a 20% carry. "
Saturday, March 25, 2006
CNN.com - MySpace used to track down rape and robbery suspects - Mar 25, 2006
"Detectives used profiles posted on the MySpace social networking Web site to identify six suspects in a rape and robbery that began when a party turned violent, leaving blood 'in almost every room of the house,' officials said.
Six men were arrested in connection with the February 23 rampage, and a seventh suspect was being sought, Detective Ali Bartley said Friday."
Six men were arrested in connection with the February 23 rampage, and a seventh suspect was being sought, Detective Ali Bartley said Friday."
Friday, March 24, 2006
Foundation Capital | American Venture Magazine
"Foundation Capital, a venture capital firm committed to supporting entrepreneurs in their quest to create and build successful companies, today announced it has closed a $525 million fund, Foundation Capital Fund V. Participating in the fund are two new limited partners, the Stanford Endowment and Purdue University, as well as an existing base of limited partners that included foundations, pension plans, and diversified fund-of-fund investors, and a group of endowments that already include universities like Harvard, Yale and CalTech.
Foundation Capital will continue to leverage its partners' experience in building successful information technology and communications companies to back top entrepreneurs in enterprise software & on demand services; networking, storage and telecommunications; semiconductor and EDA; and clean tech and consumer. The firm's mission with Fund V is to build on the success of existing investments in established innovators like Atheros (ATHR), Peribit (acquired by Juniper Networks - JNPR) and Netflix (NFLX). Also, the firm has created opportunities to bring its IT experience to new markets including energy and clean tech, via investments in EnerNOC, Novazone and Silver Spring Networks."
Foundation Capital will continue to leverage its partners' experience in building successful information technology and communications companies to back top entrepreneurs in enterprise software & on demand services; networking, storage and telecommunications; semiconductor and EDA; and clean tech and consumer. The firm's mission with Fund V is to build on the success of existing investments in established innovators like Atheros (ATHR), Peribit (acquired by Juniper Networks - JNPR) and Netflix (NFLX). Also, the firm has created opportunities to bring its IT experience to new markets including energy and clean tech, via investments in EnerNOC, Novazone and Silver Spring Networks."
Wal-Mart's Organics Could Shake Up Retail: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is throwing its weight behind organic products, a move that experts say could have the same lasting effect on environmental practices that Wal-Mart has had on prices by forcing suppliers and competitors to keep up."
Fierce Moco Rumor Mill: Amdocs to acquire Qpass
1. Rumor Mill: Amdocs to acquire Qpass
According to insiders, CRM specialist Amdocs is acquiring mobile content enabler Qpass for somewhere in the range of $260 million to $280 million. Amdocs would not comment on rumors and Qpass could not be reached before deadline. Supposedly Lucent also made a bid for Qpass but dropped out of the bidding at the $240 million mark. (Coincidentally, Lucent is also rumored to be acquired by Alcatel today.) Amdocs is a somewhat unexpected suitor to Qpass as its business is largely focused on customer relationship management. But who doesn't want to get into the mobile content business these days? If the rumor proves true, the deal will undoubtedly be compared to VeriSign's recent acquisition of m-Qube, which fetched $250 million. These acquisitions are further evidence of a robust market for MoCo.
QPass' mobile content services enable the buying and selling of digital goods across mobile, VoIP and WiFi networks. The company manages the entire digital commerce transaction process from content sourcing, merchandising and delivery to billing and customer care. QPass' customers include Cingular, T-Mobile International, Vodafone, Sprint, Alltel and Skype. The company says it has processed more than 400 million premium downloads since it launched, which adds up to $900 million in gross retail sales.
Further insider reports claim that Qpass recently acquired Simplewire, a wireless messaging infrastructure company specializing in SMS aggregation. Simplewire powered Verizon Wireless' premium MMS services and has partnered with Sprint for a premium billing system still in beta.
Stay tuned to FierceMoCo for more information on this developing story.
According to insiders, CRM specialist Amdocs is acquiring mobile content enabler Qpass for somewhere in the range of $260 million to $280 million. Amdocs would not comment on rumors and Qpass could not be reached before deadline. Supposedly Lucent also made a bid for Qpass but dropped out of the bidding at the $240 million mark. (Coincidentally, Lucent is also rumored to be acquired by Alcatel today.) Amdocs is a somewhat unexpected suitor to Qpass as its business is largely focused on customer relationship management. But who doesn't want to get into the mobile content business these days? If the rumor proves true, the deal will undoubtedly be compared to VeriSign's recent acquisition of m-Qube, which fetched $250 million. These acquisitions are further evidence of a robust market for MoCo.
QPass' mobile content services enable the buying and selling of digital goods across mobile, VoIP and WiFi networks. The company manages the entire digital commerce transaction process from content sourcing, merchandising and delivery to billing and customer care. QPass' customers include Cingular, T-Mobile International, Vodafone, Sprint, Alltel and Skype. The company says it has processed more than 400 million premium downloads since it launched, which adds up to $900 million in gross retail sales.
Further insider reports claim that Qpass recently acquired Simplewire, a wireless messaging infrastructure company specializing in SMS aggregation. Simplewire powered Verizon Wireless' premium MMS services and has partnered with Sprint for a premium billing system still in beta.
Stay tuned to FierceMoCo for more information on this developing story.
Interfax China: Cgogo
"Cgogo (www.cgogo.com), a Beijing-based mobile search service provider, is set to compete with Internet search engine Google, Yahoo!, and Baidu in the wireless search, Cgogo founder and CEO Zhu Bo told Interfax in an interview.
'Our challengers come from traditional Internet giants, as we entered into head-to-head competition with Google, Yahoo! and Baidu last year,' Zhu said. 'We are confident because our core business model and technology have a distinct advantage.'"
'Our challengers come from traditional Internet giants, as we entered into head-to-head competition with Google, Yahoo! and Baidu last year,' Zhu said. 'We are confident because our core business model and technology have a distinct advantage.'"
Daytrading Eminis Forex trading Swing Trading MOMENTUM - 200918
"Baidu.com Inc. (BIDU | charts | news | Powerrating) climbed to the upside at the open of Wednesday's session and has risen further in the last 15 minutes on increased volume. The stock is now up 2.58 at $51.98. "
Thursday, March 23, 2006
alarm:clock: Ad-based Mobile Co. Upsteed Gets $5M from Sequoia
"Israel's Upsteed raises $5M in first financing round from top-tier VCs Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners. Upsteed is pre-launch so no screen-grabs, but says it has developed a cellular advertising system whereby users get lower costs in exchange for viewing ads.
CEO and Co-founder Zohar Levkovitz was formerly CTO at Comverse and was one of the developers of multimedia messaging (MMS) and push technology."
CEO and Co-founder Zohar Levkovitz was formerly CTO at Comverse and was one of the developers of multimedia messaging (MMS) and push technology."
RedOrbit - Technology - EnterpriseDB's First Customer Buys a Piece of the Action
EnterpriseDB Corp, the open source database company that is pursuing the Oracle market, has announced that its first reference customer is also investing in the company.
The customer, Sony Online Entertainment Inc, one of the largest multi-player gaming sites on the Internet, chose the Postgres-based open source database to lower its operating costs as the site enters a critical period of growth in membership.
Specifically, the database not only processes business transactions, but also handles data that supports gaming, which as it turns out is a highly data-intensive operation. That includes handling, not just subscriber information, but game-specific data pertaining to the characteristics of each player, and their status in each of the games they are playing.
The customer, Sony Online Entertainment Inc, one of the largest multi-player gaming sites on the Internet, chose the Postgres-based open source database to lower its operating costs as the site enters a critical period of growth in membership.
Specifically, the database not only processes business transactions, but also handles data that supports gaming, which as it turns out is a highly data-intensive operation. That includes handling, not just subscriber information, but game-specific data pertaining to the characteristics of each player, and their status in each of the games they are playing.
Idealab Shareholders Agree to Pay CEO's Loan - Los Angeles Times
"Shareholders of Idealab, the Pasadena-based technology incubator that spawned some of the Internet's biggest hits and misses, overwhelmingly agreed Tuesday to pay off a $50-million personal bank loan owed by founder Bill Gross.
Idealab will buy the loan from Bank of America for $20 million. It will collect from Gross the full $50 million plus interest and a $1-million annual fee over four years, according to a proxy statement obtained by The Times"
Idealab will buy the loan from Bank of America for $20 million. It will collect from Gross the full $50 million plus interest and a $1-million annual fee over four years, according to a proxy statement obtained by The Times"
WSJ.com - Check Point Software Withdraws Deal Over U.S. Security Concerns
"Leading Israeli software company Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. abandoned plans to buy smaller U.S. rival Sourcefire Inc. for $225 million because of security objections raised by the Bush administration.
Check Point Ltd. formally withdrew its proposal near the conclusion of a rare, full-blown investigation by a U.S. review panel after the Ramat Gan, Israel-based company was told U.S. officials feared the transaction could endanger some of government's most sensitive computer systems.
The investigation was carried out by the same U.S. review panel that approved the now-abandoned ports deal involving Dubai-owned DP World."
Check Point Ltd. formally withdrew its proposal near the conclusion of a rare, full-blown investigation by a U.S. review panel after the Ramat Gan, Israel-based company was told U.S. officials feared the transaction could endanger some of government's most sensitive computer systems.
The investigation was carried out by the same U.S. review panel that approved the now-abandoned ports deal involving Dubai-owned DP World."
Friendster lost steam. Is MySpace just a fad?
There is no single answer, but there are a lot of factors that must be considered. To an outsider, Friendster and MySpace seem identical. But they are far from that. They are rooted in different cultural practices and values. People use them differently and they relate to them differently. If you want to understand the differences, you need to understand the history, the decisions that were made, and how these decisions affected practice. Let me address some of the most critical components.
Google Base Seen As Key Stock Catalyst - Forbes.com
"Google Base is likely to be the most important new monetization method for Google, according to a report from research firm Piper Jaffray.
'We continue to expect some meaningful, though not yet material, results from Base by the end of 2006 that should serve as catalysts for the stock,' wrote analyst Safa Rashtchy, who maintained an 'outperform' rating and $600 price target on the stock."
'We continue to expect some meaningful, though not yet material, results from Base by the end of 2006 that should serve as catalysts for the stock,' wrote analyst Safa Rashtchy, who maintained an 'outperform' rating and $600 price target on the stock."
Barron's Online - Dell Acquisition May Alienate Intel
"YESTERDAY, DELL ANNOUNCED ITS INTENT to buy Alienware, a privately held computer manufacturer focused on the high-performance consumer PC segment. Alienware shipped roughly 34,000 PCs in 2005, or less than 1% of the PC end market.
?We analyzed the product profile of Alienware's current offerings and estimate Intel processors are used in roughly 60% to 70% of its products, with the remainder utilizing Advanced Micro Devices processors. We believe Intel supplies processors to over 80% of Alienware's notebook lineup and AMD processors are used in roughly 50% of its desktop/workstation products.
We believe this a positive signal for AMD, as it marks the first official use by Dell (or a subsidiary) of AMD processors in its PC portfolio. While Dell has stated the existing management team at Alienware will remain in place and manage its own products, we believe it is possible that AMD processors could end up in Dell machines."
?We analyzed the product profile of Alienware's current offerings and estimate Intel processors are used in roughly 60% to 70% of its products, with the remainder utilizing Advanced Micro Devices processors. We believe Intel supplies processors to over 80% of Alienware's notebook lineup and AMD processors are used in roughly 50% of its desktop/workstation products.
We believe this a positive signal for AMD, as it marks the first official use by Dell (or a subsidiary) of AMD processors in its PC portfolio. While Dell has stated the existing management team at Alienware will remain in place and manage its own products, we believe it is possible that AMD processors could end up in Dell machines."
Filipino releases beta of Friendster/Blogger-like service - INQ7.net
"JASON Banico, former chief technology officer of Yehey.com, is back with his second major 'dotcom' effort dubbed Funchain, an online social networking service inspired by Friendster and blogger.
To be launched in Indonesia and Malaysia, Funchain (http://www.funchain.com) was partly inspired by Friendster and blogging, according to Banico in an e-mail interview."
To be launched in Indonesia and Malaysia, Funchain (http://www.funchain.com) was partly inspired by Friendster and blogging, according to Banico in an e-mail interview."
WSJ.com - PayPal Tests Cellphone Service
"PayPal, the online payment-processing unit of eBay Inc., is testing a service in which consumers can use mobile phones to make purchases or send and receive payments to other people.
Consumers must register with PayPal to be able to send payments through their cellular phones. The new service would let mobile phone users send or receive payments to other people or make purchases directly if the retailer provides a short-text code for that purpose.
The San Jose, Calif., company is testing the capability internally among employees, confirmed a PayPal spokeswoman. It expects to make further announcements about public availability and other details in a few weeks, the spokeswoman said.
PayPal, which boasts more than 100 million accounts, has been looking for ways to expand its business beyond eBay. PayPal generates about 70% of its revenue from users of the eBay auction site.
The new development was reported on weblog MobileCrunch, which is devoted to mobile computing news. "
Consumers must register with PayPal to be able to send payments through their cellular phones. The new service would let mobile phone users send or receive payments to other people or make purchases directly if the retailer provides a short-text code for that purpose.
The San Jose, Calif., company is testing the capability internally among employees, confirmed a PayPal spokeswoman. It expects to make further announcements about public availability and other details in a few weeks, the spokeswoman said.
PayPal, which boasts more than 100 million accounts, has been looking for ways to expand its business beyond eBay. PayPal generates about 70% of its revenue from users of the eBay auction site.
The new development was reported on weblog MobileCrunch, which is devoted to mobile computing news. "
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Mark Pincus Blog: lala - bill nguyen's latest
"my old friend and startup compatriot bill nguyen is at it again with a new music sharing service called lala. i havent tried it yet,... "
Biz not sure how to treat upstart YouTube
Hurley indicated that this is just the beginning, with even bigger brands soon to make joint announcements with YouTube from all over the industry. He also says other programrs are taking a more covert approach, uploading movie trailers and the like without striking any official deals in hopes of starting a faux-organic wildfire of buzz.
And News Corp. isn't the only media giant that recognizes the advertising potential of viral video. Not long after the acquisition of MySpace.com, Viacom grabbed a similar site, iFilm.com. Last week, NBC Universal acquired the female-targeted Web site iVillage, which it plans to seed with video programming as well.
And News Corp. isn't the only media giant that recognizes the advertising potential of viral video. Not long after the acquisition of MySpace.com, Viacom grabbed a similar site, iFilm.com. Last week, NBC Universal acquired the female-targeted Web site iVillage, which it plans to seed with video programming as well.
more on boobtube
"YouTube is starting to see a trickle of established players sign on for promotional partnerships. Matador Records is spreading the word on Pretty Girls Make Graves by allowing viewers to submit music videos for the band's upcoming single. Cable network MTV2 has provided clips from upcoming programming including 'The Andy Milonakis Show' that links back to the MTV2 Web site. Even advertisers are on board, as Nike has seeded the site with video clips promoting its footwear.
This week, Dimension entrusted YouTube with the trailer for its upcoming film 'Scary Movie 4,' which promptly garnered 200,000 streams in its first 15 hours on the site."
Hurley indicated that this is just the beginning, with even bigger brands soon to make joint announcements with YouTube from all over the industry. He also says other programrs are taking a more covert approach, uploading movie trailers and the like without striking any official deals in hopes of starting a faux-organic wildfire of buzz.
This week, Dimension entrusted YouTube with the trailer for its upcoming film 'Scary Movie 4,' which promptly garnered 200,000 streams in its first 15 hours on the site."
Hurley indicated that this is just the beginning, with even bigger brands soon to make joint announcements with YouTube from all over the industry. He also says other programrs are taking a more covert approach, uploading movie trailers and the like without striking any official deals in hopes of starting a faux-organic wildfire of buzz.
Biz not sure how to treat upstart YouTube
"YouTube.com, but will it be more like a hug than a headlock?
In a few short months, the Web site has emerged from the obscure ranks of dozens of online viral-video outposts to dominate even giant portals in the category, including Yahoo! and Google."
But its astonishing growth -- streaming 30 million videos a day -- also has put old-guard media empires on the defensive. NBC Universal and CBS Corp. are just a few of the power players who have clamped down on YouTube recently for hosting copyright-infringing clips snatched from broadcast airwaves.
In a few short months, the Web site has emerged from the obscure ranks of dozens of online viral-video outposts to dominate even giant portals in the category, including Yahoo! and Google."
But its astonishing growth -- streaming 30 million videos a day -- also has put old-guard media empires on the defensive. NBC Universal and CBS Corp. are just a few of the power players who have clamped down on YouTube recently for hosting copyright-infringing clips snatched from broadcast airwaves.
Digital Music News
"Mobile technology provider Groove Mobile has recently grabbed a second round of financing, according to a report just published in Private Equity Week. The round, led by Egan Managed Capital, raised a total of $8.5 million. Charles River Ventures, Kodiak Venture Partners and SVM Star Ventures Management were also involved. Groove Mobile powers the digital music, OTA download service for Sprint, which launched in October, 2005. Since that point, the service has reported delivery of over 1.5 million downloads, though 40 percent of those downloads were promotional. The accomplishment was powered in part by a high-profile, Super Bowl XL advertising campaign, probably raising awareness among consumers and investors alike. Competitors in the US-based OTA music market include Verizon Wireless and Amp'd Mobile.
Digital Music News (3/9/2006) 'Sprint Crosses 1.5 Million OTA Downloads'"
Digital Music News (3/9/2006) 'Sprint Crosses 1.5 Million OTA Downloads'"
Acclaim Signs Massive In-Game Ads Deal / News // TotalVideoGames.com
"Following news at the end of February that Howard Marks' Acclaim Games would be bringing the free MMO B.O.T.S. to Europe and North America in 2006, the re-born company has today announced a deal with Massive Inc. to bring in-game advertising to its gamers.
Acclaim Games has gone out of its way to establish a new business model based on providing free MMO titles adapted from East Asia to Western markets, leaving revenues to emerge from a range of sources, including in-game ads. The deal with Massive Inc., which has already provided ads in a range of titles including Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory on PC, sees Acclaim buy into an area of revenue expected to grow to around $2.5 billion by the end of the decade, at least according to Massive Inc."
Acclaim Games has gone out of its way to establish a new business model based on providing free MMO titles adapted from East Asia to Western markets, leaving revenues to emerge from a range of sources, including in-game ads. The deal with Massive Inc., which has already provided ads in a range of titles including Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory on PC, sees Acclaim buy into an area of revenue expected to grow to around $2.5 billion by the end of the decade, at least according to Massive Inc."
Burnham's Beat: Next Generation Search: Entities, Categories, and Pings
"Vastly Ambitious
The first new entrant emblematic of this evolution is Vast.com, which officially launched its public beta yesterday. Vast is a multi-category vertical search engine with its first three categories being automobiles, jobs, and personals. "
The first new entrant emblematic of this evolution is Vast.com, which officially launched its public beta yesterday. Vast is a multi-category vertical search engine with its first three categories being automobiles, jobs, and personals. "
WSJ.com - Venture Capitalist Breaks Silicon Valley Mold
"So far, Mr. Chao's investments appear to be paying off. Last year, four of Doll Capital's companies completed IPOs in Japan, a market that hasn't been popular with American early-stage investors. Shares of three of the four Doll Capital companies in Japan, including Web-information provider All About Inc. and wireless-communications provider Japan Communications Inc., a company Mr. Chao co-founded eleven years ago, have at least doubled since their debuts. All About's shares have nearly quadrupled. Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock average soared 40% last year, compared with a slightly negative return of minus 0.6% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Not everything has worked out quite so well. Mr. Chao had a bumpy stretch in China for a while with 51job Inc., a Shanghai job-recruiting and advertising company that went public on the Nasdaq in 2004. Last year, 51job was caught off guard by a drop in recruitment-ad sales. Its shares plunged on the news, though they have since rebounded to $14.61 a share from a 52-week intraday low of $9.71. Still, the company has returned about 10 times Doll Capital's original $14 million investment, making it a huge overall winner, says Mr. Chao.
And Doll Capital, despite its presence in China since 1999, missed out on Web-search engine Baidu.com Inc.'s IPO, the hottest Chinese offering on the Nasdaq last year. Mr. Chao says his firm had a chance to invest in Baidu but felt the price was too high."
Not everything has worked out quite so well. Mr. Chao had a bumpy stretch in China for a while with 51job Inc., a Shanghai job-recruiting and advertising company that went public on the Nasdaq in 2004. Last year, 51job was caught off guard by a drop in recruitment-ad sales. Its shares plunged on the news, though they have since rebounded to $14.61 a share from a 52-week intraday low of $9.71. Still, the company has returned about 10 times Doll Capital's original $14 million investment, making it a huge overall winner, says Mr. Chao.
And Doll Capital, despite its presence in China since 1999, missed out on Web-search engine Baidu.com Inc.'s IPO, the hottest Chinese offering on the Nasdaq last year. Mr. Chao says his firm had a chance to invest in Baidu but felt the price was too high."
Monday, March 20, 2006
MercuryNews.com | 03/20/2006 | Google launches financial Web site
"Google launched a financial Web site late Monday, Google Finance, which once again puts the Mountain View search giant in direct competition with Yahoo.The site, http://finance.google.com, provides stock charts, news and chat rooms, much like Yahoo Finance, the most popular finance site on the Web. Analysts say Google Finance makes several improvements over Yahoo's, but the changes aren't so radical as to confuse people who are already familiar with Yahoo Finance."
EETimes.com - Red Bend to upgrade Sharp 3G phones
" Sharp Corp. will use Red Bend Software�s mobile software management technology and its firmware over the air (FOTA) update client suite to allow customers to wirelessly download software upgrades to the Vodafone 904SH handset offered by Vodafone KK in Japan. This function will let Vodafone 904SH customers upgrade their phones without visiting a service facility. "
Yahoo! Eyes Skype Rival
"Yahoo! (YHOO:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) is apparently planning to launch a Web-based phone service to compete with eBay's (EBAY:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) Skype.
The new instant messaging client will allow users to make calls using conventional phones, blogger Om Malik wrote on GigaOm. He says the new offering may begin as early as next week. Yahoo!, which offers PC-to-PC calling through its instant messenger service, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. "
The new instant messaging client will allow users to make calls using conventional phones, blogger Om Malik wrote on GigaOm. He says the new offering may begin as early as next week. Yahoo!, which offers PC-to-PC calling through its instant messenger service, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. "
Investors Buy Into Bird Flu: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"NEW YORK (AP) -- As U.S. health and government officials nervously wait for the bird flu to land on U.S. soil, investors wasted no time in buying up shares of companies working on avian flu vaccines and treatments."
YouTube - Real Life Simpsons Intro
Quite a realistic video, especially the part where Homer is running into the house with his butt crack showing.
everypoint
"After much speculation about a merger with Motricity, M-Qube have sold to VeriSign. Congrats to Jeff Glass, GC, and company. M-Qube certainly went through moments in the early days when it was entirely on the ropes, had to switch business models, had an engineering team in Seattle and management in Boston, and plenty of other twists and turns. There is still a lot to figure out about M-Qube's future (as sms pipes get commoditized, can they get their other value added services off the ground?) but it'll be as part of the amassing mobile empire of VeriSign.
The big question is what this means for Jamba/Jamster. Did the Jamba acquisition only teach VeriSign that it needed a more institutional mobile content player and Jamba was a mistake? Or with the Jamba heads largely chopped off, will Glass and company get a chance to see if they can figure out Jamba themselves."
The big question is what this means for Jamba/Jamster. Did the Jamba acquisition only teach VeriSign that it needed a more institutional mobile content player and Jamba was a mistake? Or with the Jamba heads largely chopped off, will Glass and company get a chance to see if they can figure out Jamba themselves."
WSJ.com - Silicon Valley Start-Ups See Cash Everywhere
"Greg Gretsch, a managing director with venture firm Sigma Partners, visited Sharpcast after hearing about it from an engineer who worked there. When Mr. Gretsch asked if the company was thinking about fund raising, Sharpcast executives said they had just raised money and weren't looking for more.
'I'd like to do a pre-emptive round,' Mr. Thomas recalls Mr. Gretsch saying. Adds Mr. Thomas, 'I didn't even know what a pre-emptive round meant.'
He does now. Sigma recently signed on as the lead investor in a new $13.5 million funding round for Sharpcast, an investment that valued the company at a price more than three times its valuation in August. Sharpcast says Mr. Gretsch says he was so impressed with Sharpcast that 'I was motivated enough to jump through hoops and do a deal with them fairly quickly' at a rich price."
'I'd like to do a pre-emptive round,' Mr. Thomas recalls Mr. Gretsch saying. Adds Mr. Thomas, 'I didn't even know what a pre-emptive round meant.'
He does now. Sigma recently signed on as the lead investor in a new $13.5 million funding round for Sharpcast, an investment that valued the company at a price more than three times its valuation in August. Sharpcast says Mr. Gretsch says he was so impressed with Sharpcast that 'I was motivated enough to jump through hoops and do a deal with them fairly quickly' at a rich price."
TheDeal.com - Adknowledge scores $48M
"Online advertising aggregator Adknowledge Inc. raised the first outside equity investment in its 2-year history, landing $48 million from Palo Alto, Calif.-based Technology Crossover Ventures in a deal that combines growth capital and liquidity for founders.
The company did not disclose a valuation for the deal, but Adknowledge president Brett Brewer said it will retain more than half of the cash for growth and that founders and management will continue to own the majority of shares."
The company did not disclose a valuation for the deal, but Adknowledge president Brett Brewer said it will retain more than half of the cash for growth and that founders and management will continue to own the majority of shares."
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Zopa � Blog Archive � Round �em up
"With all the excitement surrounding the launch of Prosper there has been a rush of blog writing about Zopa (and Prosper) - here are some edited highlights!"
Prosper: Company Overview
"Prosper, America's first people-to-people lending marketplace, was created to make consumer lending more financially and socially rewarding for everyone.
The way Prosper works is intuitive to people who have used eBay. Instead of listing and bidding on items, people list and bid on loans using Prosper's online auction platform.
People who want to lend set the minimum interest rate they are willing to earn and bid in increments of $50 to $25,000 on loan listings they select. People who lend can easily diversify using 'standing orders', which automatically make many small loans to different borrowers. "
The way Prosper works is intuitive to people who have used eBay. Instead of listing and bidding on items, people list and bid on loans using Prosper's online auction platform.
People who want to lend set the minimum interest rate they are willing to earn and bid in increments of $50 to $25,000 on loan listings they select. People who lend can easily diversify using 'standing orders', which automatically make many small loans to different borrowers. "
GigaOM : � Sequoia goes Jajah over VoIP
"For some odd reason, this one simply slipped under the radar. Sequoia Capital has invested in JaJah, an Austrian-VoIP start-up that wants to be what else: a Skype-killer. (Not that Skype needs any help - not when their client sucks up 95% of the CPU power on a MacBook and a PC.) "
YouTube - Xbox360 DVD Firmware Hacked
The Xbox 360 DVD Firmware has been hacked, allowing to boot backups of games.
Read More on
x box scene
Food Companies a Target in Obesity Fight: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"It's tempting to blame big food companies for America's big obesity problem. After all, they're the folks who Supersized our fries, family-portioned our potato chips and Big Gulped our sodas. There's also the billions they've spent keeping their products ever on our minds and in our mouths."
Food Companies a Target in Obesity Fight: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"It's tempting to blame big food companies for America's big obesity problem. After all, they're the folks who Supersized our fries, family-portioned our potato chips and Big Gulped our sodas. There's also the billions they've spent keeping their products ever on our minds and in our mouths."
Search Engine Journal � eBay�s Investment in Meetup.com
"eBay has taken its high profile investments and acquisitions beyond Craigslist and Skype and over to the Meetup.com. Along with other investors including Senator Bill Bradley (you know, the guy who lost to Al Gore in the 2000 Democratic primaries, who is also an investor in QuinStreet) and the Omidyar Network, eBay lead the investors who in all received a 10% equity in Meetup.com."
Saturday, March 18, 2006
MONEY Magazine: Revenge of the nerds - Mar. 18, 2006
"Last year tech's cool kids had their moment in the sun. Google grew into a verb, and its stock price more than doubled. Apple morphed into the music company, and its shares did even better than Google's. Corning spiked nearly 70 percent by selling glass for humongous flat-panel TVs. And Motorola rang up a 30 percent gain with its sleek mobile phones."
MercuryNews.com | 03/17/2006 | Rugs to riches
"Only in Silicon Valley, perhaps, can Persian rug merchants turn into venture capitalists."
dumb story
dumb story
MocoNews.net: mobile content news
Motricity & M-Qube in Merger Talks?
Related Topics: VC/M&A — Permalink - [by rafat]
I have been hearing these rumors for the last couple of weeks, but am getting mixed messages from my sources on whether it will happen. Motricity and M-Qube, both in the mobile content infrastructure market (and competing against the likes of mBlox, Mobile365, Qpass and Verisign) are in talks to merge, then the play from what I have heard will be an IPO late this year.
Motricity might be the lead party in this, and might acquire M-Qube for between $350million-$400 million and if it goes IPO, it might be under its banner, says a story in Boston Business Journal today (not online). NEA, one of the Motricity investors, is said to be chipping in with $270 million to fund this acquisition, and rest will be in Motricity stock.
Both companies have raised large chunks of venture money over their lifespan. M-Qube has about 200 employees while Motricity has about 350, with around $80 million in financing till now.
Related Topics: VC/M&A — Permalink - [by rafat]
I have been hearing these rumors for the last couple of weeks, but am getting mixed messages from my sources on whether it will happen. Motricity and M-Qube, both in the mobile content infrastructure market (and competing against the likes of mBlox, Mobile365, Qpass and Verisign) are in talks to merge, then the play from what I have heard will be an IPO late this year.
Motricity might be the lead party in this, and might acquire M-Qube for between $350million-$400 million and if it goes IPO, it might be under its banner, says a story in Boston Business Journal today (not online). NEA, one of the Motricity investors, is said to be chipping in with $270 million to fund this acquisition, and rest will be in Motricity stock.
Both companies have raised large chunks of venture money over their lifespan. M-Qube has about 200 employees while Motricity has about 350, with around $80 million in financing till now.
Friday, March 17, 2006
C21Media:ESPN offers on-the-go sports video
"ESPN has partnered with MobiTV to launch a mobile sports video service in Mexico as part of the Disney-owned channel's continued expansion of its small screen activities.
The deal puts highlights, commentary and analysis from programmes such as SportsCenter Latin America, Fuero de Juego and Beisbol de la Noche on the handsets of Telcel network subscribers.
ESPN is also working in Latin America with wireless specialist Digital Orchid to broaden the range of its branded content available in the territory, including wallpaper, ringtones and sports icons."
The deal puts highlights, commentary and analysis from programmes such as SportsCenter Latin America, Fuero de Juego and Beisbol de la Noche on the handsets of Telcel network subscribers.
ESPN is also working in Latin America with wireless specialist Digital Orchid to broaden the range of its branded content available in the territory, including wallpaper, ringtones and sports icons."
Thursday, March 16, 2006
MocoNews.net: mobile content news
"Motorola has made three investment in China, and one of them is mobile TV related. It has invested in Legend Silicon Corp., parent company of Legend Silicon Beijing.
Legend Silicon focuses on the design, development, and manufacturing of demodulator chips for the emerging mobile TV businesses. "
Legend Silicon focuses on the design, development, and manufacturing of demodulator chips for the emerging mobile TV businesses. "
Scientists dissect bird flu virus mutations - Bird Flu - MSNBC.com
"WASHINGTON - Scientists said on Thursday they had identified some of the mutations the H5N1 avian influenza virus needs to gain a permanent foothold in the human population, causing a greatly feared pandemic.
They said the test they used, called a glycan microarray, might be useful in monitoring the virus in birds and as it infects people, to see if it is mutating into a form that would allow it to pass easily from person to person."
They said the test they used, called a glycan microarray, might be useful in monitoring the virus in birds and as it infects people, to see if it is mutating into a form that would allow it to pass easily from person to person."
UTStarcom Delays Filing
"UTStarcom (UTSI:Nasdaq - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) says it will miss its deadline for filing its annual report as auditors continue to investigate the timing of some revenue bookings"
The China Stock Blog � Wireless Coverage Company China GrenTech Files for IPO (GRRF)
"China GrenTech (GRRF), a developer of wireless coverage and RF products for the Chinese market, filed to go public. GRRF plans to offer 6.25 million ADSs with a range of $14 to $16. The underwriters on the deal include Bear Stearns, Piper Jaffray and WR Hambrecht."
Industry Pricing a topic in Wall Street Transcript Semiconductors Issue.: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"In the sub-$2 billion market caps, our favorite names are SiRF Technology (SIRF) and Trident. SiRF is a leading GPS chip supplier. This is a very early market today. They sell into TomTom and Garmin, the two leading portable navigation device OEMs. They are obviously looking at the wireless market as a big market opportunity for GPS and turn-by-turn directions as carriers roll out location-based services in late 2006 and into 2007. There are a lot of good catalysts for GPS. Penetration rates for GPS are very low today. Whether you're talking about the PND (Portable Navigation Device) market or in-dash car systems, wireless is a very large opportunity that will grow over the next several years. Then you've got other markets like digital still cameras and laptops, so they're really well positioned with not a whole lot of competition. People will enter this market over the next several years, but they have a big product lead on the market, which is very difficult to do, so I like that name as a defensible technology and a good product cycle that's set up for the next couple of years. "
Monday, March 13, 2006
Barron's Online - Apple Ripe for New Products in April
"WE ARE UPGRADING SHARES of Apple to Buy from Hold with a 12-month price target of $82.
The shares have retrenched from $85 to $63 due to disappointing 2006 first-calendar-quarter revenue and earnings-per-share guidance, flash-memory order cancellations, MacBook Pro supply constraints and a less-fruitful-than-expected product launch on Feb. 28.
While a number of product transitions are conspiring against the company during the March quarter, we expect new products introduced around the company's 30th anniversary in early April to fuel a rebound beginning in second calendar quarter."
The shares have retrenched from $85 to $63 due to disappointing 2006 first-calendar-quarter revenue and earnings-per-share guidance, flash-memory order cancellations, MacBook Pro supply constraints and a less-fruitful-than-expected product launch on Feb. 28.
While a number of product transitions are conspiring against the company during the March quarter, we expect new products introduced around the company's 30th anniversary in early April to fuel a rebound beginning in second calendar quarter."
China Venture News: Focus Media Darling of Analysts & Finance Bloggers
"Focus Media remains the darling of analysts and finance bloggers in China. The high flying advertising company manages a network of flat-panel television displays in high traffic areas, such as in the lobbies of commerical office buildings and in retail chain stores in over 44 major Chinese cities-including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen."
Clean Break :: A closer look at the promise of EEStor...
"My Clean Break column in today's Toronto Star is actually an in-depth feature on Austin, Texas-based battery startup EEStor Inc., which claims to have developed an ultracapacitor with battery storage characteristics that has 10 times the energy density of a lead-acid battery and blows away current lithium-ion technology in all aspects of performance. EEStor also claims it can mass produce its product at a fraction of the cost of its lithium-ion rivals."
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Industry Growth Opportunities a key topic of Wall Street Transcript Semiconductor Issue.: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Longer term, the semiconductor industry looks set for a positive run. There is increased silicon penetration into all kinds of devices. The consumer market is growing strongly. Wi-Fi and other wireless protocols are growing into multiple-end-devices, so there is unit growth compounded by silicon content growth within devices. Topics include: Supply/demand balance, Inventory levels, Distributor consolidation, Strong product cycles, Product lead times, Pricing issues, End market outlook, PC replacement, NAND flash memory, Flat panel TV chip makers, Low end analog companies, Consumer applications, Emerging market demand growth, Sector cyclicality, M&A activity, Industry seasonality, Stock picks, Stocks to avoid. "
Today @ PC World - Whoa, Don't Buy That Sexy Razr Phone Just Yet
"This just in from our friend Bob McMillan of IDG News Service: T-Mobile, Cingular will pull the Motorola Razr due to a glitch.
Bob says T-Mobile and Cingular Wireless have suspended sales of Motorola's Razr cell phones because of a bug that causes some of the ultra-thin mobile phones to drop calls.
The problem affects 'a very limited number of Razr handsets sold for GSM [Global System for Mobile Communications] networks over the last four weeks,' said Alan Buddendeck, a Motorola spokesman. Only T-Mobile and Cingular have suspended sales of the phones, he added.
'A handset that has this issue may disconnect calls, power down and then automatically restart,' he said. Motorola is not saying what component of the Razr is responsible for the problem or what specific Razr models are affected.
Motorola and the wireless carriers have taken steps to ensure that customers can exchange defective phones, according to Buddendeck.
The two carriers suspended sales of the phones earlier this week so that Motorola could go through inventory supplies and recall systems with the affected component, a process that should soon be completed, according to Buddendeck. 'Within the next week, we expected everything to be back to normal with respect to availability,' he said. "
Bob says T-Mobile and Cingular Wireless have suspended sales of Motorola's Razr cell phones because of a bug that causes some of the ultra-thin mobile phones to drop calls.
The problem affects 'a very limited number of Razr handsets sold for GSM [Global System for Mobile Communications] networks over the last four weeks,' said Alan Buddendeck, a Motorola spokesman. Only T-Mobile and Cingular have suspended sales of the phones, he added.
'A handset that has this issue may disconnect calls, power down and then automatically restart,' he said. Motorola is not saying what component of the Razr is responsible for the problem or what specific Razr models are affected.
Motorola and the wireless carriers have taken steps to ensure that customers can exchange defective phones, according to Buddendeck.
The two carriers suspended sales of the phones earlier this week so that Motorola could go through inventory supplies and recall systems with the affected component, a process that should soon be completed, according to Buddendeck. 'Within the next week, we expected everything to be back to normal with respect to availability,' he said. "
eBay's Affinity for Meetup.com
"The online auction colossus has caught a dose of community activism. On Mar. 9, eBay (EBAY ) joined five other investors to purchase a minority share in community Web site Meetup.com.
The investment will total just more than 10% equity interest in Meetup.com, which connects folks to affinity groups like stay-at-home moms or Chihuahua lovers for offline gatherings. Although the companies refuse to reveal the dollar value, estimates put the investment -- in which eBay is joined by Omidyar Network, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Esther Dyson, Allen & Co., and Senator Bill Bradley -- at less than $10 million.
The investment makes sense for eBay as it continues to focus on building communities, says spokesperson Hani Durzy. 'You would never be able to separate the community from the commerce on eBay,' he says.
LOTS OF OVERLAP. Also, eBay is looking to connect to more consumers locally. To that end, Durzy says there is already significant overlap in users. He points to a Dallas Meetup group formed for folks who sell on eBay. Says Durzy, 'We see a similarity in philosophy.' "
The investment will total just more than 10% equity interest in Meetup.com, which connects folks to affinity groups like stay-at-home moms or Chihuahua lovers for offline gatherings. Although the companies refuse to reveal the dollar value, estimates put the investment -- in which eBay is joined by Omidyar Network, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Esther Dyson, Allen & Co., and Senator Bill Bradley -- at less than $10 million.
The investment makes sense for eBay as it continues to focus on building communities, says spokesperson Hani Durzy. 'You would never be able to separate the community from the commerce on eBay,' he says.
LOTS OF OVERLAP. Also, eBay is looking to connect to more consumers locally. To that end, Durzy says there is already significant overlap in users. He points to a Dallas Meetup group formed for folks who sell on eBay. Says Durzy, 'We see a similarity in philosophy.' "
Friday, March 10, 2006
The 411 on Directory Assistance - New York Times
Calling 411 for directory assistance can be maddeningly expensive. Carriers like Sprint and Verizon charge more than $1 and sometimes as much as $2 a call from a cellphone..
"Already, two new services � 800-FREE-411 and 800-411-METRO � offer directory assistance free of charge, though users have to listen to advertisements. "
"Already, two new services � 800-FREE-411 and 800-411-METRO � offer directory assistance free of charge, though users have to listen to advertisements. "
TheDeal.com - VCs stampede photo startups
"'A number of opportunities for these companies to exit exist,' said Peter Daley, an analyst with San Francisco investment bank Rutberg & Co. LLC. 'There will be a lot of interest in these guys if they are successful, either as a new cash-flow engine, a way to differentiate themselves or a way to get new users in a good demographic.'"
Thursday, March 09, 2006
American Airlines subpoenas Google, YouTube | CNET News.com
update American Airlines is demanding that Google and video-sharing site YouTube reveal the name of the person who posted a portion of one of the airline's training videos on their Web sites.
Someone uploaded part of a video used to train flight attendants on YouTube and Google Video. The airline subpoenaed those companies on Feb. 21 under the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), according to airline spokesman Tim Wagner. Under the provisions of the DMCA, companies have the right to request information in the event that their copyright materials are infringed upon.
Someone uploaded part of a video used to train flight attendants on YouTube and Google Video. The airline subpoenaed those companies on Feb. 21 under the controversial Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), according to airline spokesman Tim Wagner. Under the provisions of the DMCA, companies have the right to request information in the event that their copyright materials are infringed upon.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Need jewelry to go with that Gucci rental?
"In less than three years, Bag Borrow or Steal has built a loyal following of female shoppers who pay monthly fees to rent trendy handbags from Chloe, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and other designers.
Now, the Seattle online retailing startup plans to use a new $8.25 million venture capital round to expand into high-end jewelry and watches.
Bag Borrow or Steal Chief Executive Michael Smith, who built Lands' End into a billion-dollar business and led a turnaround at Nordstrom.com, believes that consumers are ready to embrace the concept of luxury borrowing.
And the 40-year-old executive said that Bag Borrow or Steal -- which moved its headquarters from Florida to Seattle last summer -- is poised to lead the way.
'I think we have the potential to be a billion-dollar company, which gives you some idea of how big I think the category can be,' Smith said. 'We are obviously in the very early stages of this segment, but that is what gets me excited.'
The company's prospects also have energized the venture capitalists, including Madrona Venture Group, which led the round."
Now, the Seattle online retailing startup plans to use a new $8.25 million venture capital round to expand into high-end jewelry and watches.
Bag Borrow or Steal Chief Executive Michael Smith, who built Lands' End into a billion-dollar business and led a turnaround at Nordstrom.com, believes that consumers are ready to embrace the concept of luxury borrowing.
And the 40-year-old executive said that Bag Borrow or Steal -- which moved its headquarters from Florida to Seattle last summer -- is poised to lead the way.
'I think we have the potential to be a billion-dollar company, which gives you some idea of how big I think the category can be,' Smith said. 'We are obviously in the very early stages of this segment, but that is what gets me excited.'
The company's prospects also have energized the venture capitalists, including Madrona Venture Group, which led the round."
Exent Technologies: Games-on-Demand. Powered by Exent.
"TEL AVIV, Israel - - March 07, 2006 - Exent Technologies, the global market leader in broadband-based solutions for monetization of PC and video games, today announced investments by Intel and Cisco to further develop its portfolio of digital distribution technologies, video games services and additional game technologies. Terms of the investments were not disclosed.
'Intel and Cisco bring us strong strategic value and solidify our path of expansion beyond broadband value-added services into holistic PC and video gaming entertainment services for media companies,' said Zvi Levgoren, CEO, Exent Technologies. 'In cooperation with all our strategic investors, we are proud to facilitate the evolution of user experiences from the PC into mainstream living room entertainment, through Intel� Viiv� technology-based PCs, set-top boxes and other CE devices.'
Games-on-Demand entertainment powered by Exent is designed to give consumers an unparalleled gaming experience with the choice and flexibility to play the games they like how and when they want. Users have access to hundreds of game titles that are offered through various business models, including services for both 2' and 10' environments, supporting ad-based, subscription, purchase, rental and try-before-you-buy models. "
'Intel and Cisco bring us strong strategic value and solidify our path of expansion beyond broadband value-added services into holistic PC and video gaming entertainment services for media companies,' said Zvi Levgoren, CEO, Exent Technologies. 'In cooperation with all our strategic investors, we are proud to facilitate the evolution of user experiences from the PC into mainstream living room entertainment, through Intel� Viiv� technology-based PCs, set-top boxes and other CE devices.'
Games-on-Demand entertainment powered by Exent is designed to give consumers an unparalleled gaming experience with the choice and flexibility to play the games they like how and when they want. Users have access to hundreds of game titles that are offered through various business models, including services for both 2' and 10' environments, supporting ad-based, subscription, purchase, rental and try-before-you-buy models. "
Micron Technology to Acquire Lexar Media: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Micron Technology Inc. said Wednesday it will acquire flash memory maker Lexar Media Inc. for about $688 million in stock as it tries to leapfrog competitors by moving its products into retail stores."
TheDeal.com - Chinese Internet startup gets $48M
"But the company, which has been operating profitably for nearly a year, does not expect to go to the public markets in the near future. 'With almost $50 million in the coffers, we are not in a hurry to go public, because being public we would have to devote more time to activities that are more quarterly based,' explained Joseph Chen, Oak Pacific's chairman and CEO.
'We are cash flow positive now, but we will invest more in growth and to acquire growth companies,' Chen said. He added that the company would not be 'buying companies for their earnings.'
Chen would not disclose a valuation on the deal, but said it was very attractive for the company, with dilution typical of a late stage deal. He said the company had multiple term sheets for the round, after talking to fewer than 10 potential investors."
'We are cash flow positive now, but we will invest more in growth and to acquire growth companies,' Chen said. He added that the company would not be 'buying companies for their earnings.'
Chen would not disclose a valuation on the deal, but said it was very attractive for the company, with dilution typical of a late stage deal. He said the company had multiple term sheets for the round, after talking to fewer than 10 potential investors."
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Light Reading - Ethernet - Sources: Force10's Prepping Its IPO - Telecom News Analysis
"Force10 Networks Inc. is just a few days away from filing its S-1 paperwork with the SEC and declaring to the world that it wants to be a public company, sources familiar with the situation say.
What's not yet clear is how big an offering Force10 will make, but sources say the company expects to file papers in less than a month and the lead underwriter is expected to be Morgan Stanley ."
What's not yet clear is how big an offering Force10 will make, but sources say the company expects to file papers in less than a month and the lead underwriter is expected to be Morgan Stanley ."
TheDeal.com - 'Ztartup' valuations
TheDeal.com - 'Ztartup' valuations: "In this case, Zillow kills HouseValues Inc.'s eponymous service. The Kirkland, Wash.-based company's shares on Nasdaq dropped more than 10% in the week following Zillow's launch. Over the same period of time, Nasdaq's performance was flat.
HouseValues.com requires users to give up a slew of personal information to get an estimated worth of their own home. They also must agree to be contacted by a real estate agent that pays HouseValues.com for the sales lead.
In contrast, Zillow never stores or shares your personal information and provides you not just with your own home's value, but that of your neighbors, your friends, even your boss. For now, all Zillow does for money is place Google ads next to the map of the homes a user is viewing.
Since Zillow will probably be able to draw oodles of eyeballs, however, it shouldn't be too hard to monetize some of those visitors via targeted ads. Chances are strong that local real estate agents will soon be bidding to sponsor any page that includes houses in their zip code. And discount real estate brokerage companies such as ZipRealty Inc. will soon run site-wide banner ads. "
In short, Zillow could become the eBay of home sales, receiving a small cut of every sale or a fixed price for every lead provided. If it worked, it would be huge, for the company as well as home buyers and sellers — considering the fixed 6% commissions affixed to most home sales in America or even the still-hefty reduced commissions of the discount brokers.
HouseValues.com requires users to give up a slew of personal information to get an estimated worth of their own home. They also must agree to be contacted by a real estate agent that pays HouseValues.com for the sales lead.
In contrast, Zillow never stores or shares your personal information and provides you not just with your own home's value, but that of your neighbors, your friends, even your boss. For now, all Zillow does for money is place Google ads next to the map of the homes a user is viewing.
Since Zillow will probably be able to draw oodles of eyeballs, however, it shouldn't be too hard to monetize some of those visitors via targeted ads. Chances are strong that local real estate agents will soon be bidding to sponsor any page that includes houses in their zip code. And discount real estate brokerage companies such as ZipRealty Inc. will soon run site-wide banner ads. "
In short, Zillow could become the eBay of home sales, receiving a small cut of every sale or a fixed price for every lead provided. If it worked, it would be huge, for the company as well as home buyers and sellers — considering the fixed 6% commissions affixed to most home sales in America or even the still-hefty reduced commissions of the discount brokers.
Tech-Confidential: Report says clean energy is going to explode
"The run-up in the price of oil and other traditional fuels, along with increased public policy focus on alternative fuel development will help fire a quadrupling of the market for clean energy technologies including biofuels, photovoltaics, wind energy, and fuel cells, from $40 billion in 2005 to $167 billion by 2015.
So predicts a new report from energy and environmental technology market researcher Clean Edge Inc. of San Francisco. Clean Edge worked with energy venture capital specialist Nth Power to develop its annual Clean Energy Trends, which for the first time segments different components of the market and projects their growth rates.
The report shows that biofuels revenues surpassed wind power with $15.7 billion in 2005 revenues compared to $11.8 billion, and portends a slight trend, with biofuels growing 234% to $52.5 billion in 2015, and windpower growing 311% to $48.5 billion."
So predicts a new report from energy and environmental technology market researcher Clean Edge Inc. of San Francisco. Clean Edge worked with energy venture capital specialist Nth Power to develop its annual Clean Energy Trends, which for the first time segments different components of the market and projects their growth rates.
The report shows that biofuels revenues surpassed wind power with $15.7 billion in 2005 revenues compared to $11.8 billion, and portends a slight trend, with biofuels growing 234% to $52.5 billion in 2015, and windpower growing 311% to $48.5 billion."
SI.com - MLB - Bonds exposed (cont.) - Tuesday March 7, 2006 1:57PM
"The authors describe how Bonds turned to steroids after the 1998 season because he was jealous of McGwire. Bonds hit 37 home runs in '98 -- a nice total and the fourth most of his career at that point -- but he was ignored by fans and the media who were captivated by McGwire's 70 home runs and his duel for the record with Sammy Sosa, who hit 66 that year."
According to the book, Bonds, in comments to his mistress, Kimberly Bell, often dismissed McGwire with racially-charged remarks such as, "They're just letting him do it because he's a white boy." But Bonds looked at McGwire and his hulking physique and decided he needed to dramatically increase his muscle mass to compete with him.
According to the book, Bonds, in comments to his mistress, Kimberly Bell, often dismissed McGwire with racially-charged remarks such as, "They're just letting him do it because he's a white boy." But Bonds looked at McGwire and his hulking physique and decided he needed to dramatically increase his muscle mass to compete with him.
Google mistakenly releases details of Web-based hard drive - Mar. 7, 2006
"Google Inc. is preparing to offer online storage to Web users, creating a mirror image of data stored on consumer hard drives, according to company documents that were mistakenly released on the Web.
The existence of the previously rumored GDrive online storage service surfaced after a blogger discovered apparent notes in a slide presentation by Google executives published on Google's site after its analysts presentation day last Thursday.
'With infinite storage, we can house all user files, including e-mails, web history, pictures, bookmarks, etc and make it accessible from anywhere (any device, any platform, etc),' the notes in the original Google presentation state."
The existence of the previously rumored GDrive online storage service surfaced after a blogger discovered apparent notes in a slide presentation by Google executives published on Google's site after its analysts presentation day last Thursday.
'With infinite storage, we can house all user files, including e-mails, web history, pictures, bookmarks, etc and make it accessible from anywhere (any device, any platform, etc),' the notes in the original Google presentation state."
About us - Spy Media
"Spy Media International is the first news photo marketplace for everyone. Spy Media is simple and easy to use, as users can upload and sell electronic photos from their cameras and phones in less than 90 seconds. Both consumers and professional photographers alike can then sell their photos at a price they set through Spy Media, which also offers media outlets the quickest route to the largest pool of uncensored news photos. We are headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area."
Pacific Epoch - General Atlantic Mops Up
"The release is finally out. Mop.com's parent company ChinaInterActiveCorp will receive US$48 million in financing from General Atlantic, Doll Capital Management, Technology Crossover Ventures, Accel Partners, and Legend Capital. ChinaInterActiveCorp will now be known as Oak Pacific Interactive. The deal has been the talk of Beijing and China VC circles for a couple of weeks. Silicon Beat's Matt Marshall has a good wrap here."
Cisco buys video surveillance company | CNET News.com
"The networking giant is paying $51 million in cash and options for SyPixx, which has developed software and hardware products that allow existing analog video systems to operate as part of a digital IP network.
Most of the video systems used today are analog, which limits where and how video can be viewed. Digitizing video using the SyPixx technology will make video accessible at any time from any place, so watchers can respond to, investigate and resolve incidents as they happen. That will help companies install and control new security applications and make live and recorded video more valuable to customers, Cisco said."
Most of the video systems used today are analog, which limits where and how video can be viewed. Digitizing video using the SyPixx technology will make video accessible at any time from any place, so watchers can respond to, investigate and resolve incidents as they happen. That will help companies install and control new security applications and make live and recorded video more valuable to customers, Cisco said."
Monday, March 06, 2006
Think Secret - Apple thinks big(ger): video iPod to pack 4-inch display
"Apple thinks big(ger): video iPod to pack 4-inch display"
PaidContent.org: March 06, 2006 Archives
"New Digital Media Fund From Apax Founder [by rafat] : [by James Pearce] Alan Patricof, the co-founder of the private equity firm Apax Partners (which has $20 billion under management) and an original investor in Apple Computer and America Online, plans to announce today that he will leave Apax (although remain an advisor to the company) to start a venture capital fund for emerging wireless, media and entertainment companies. The new fund, Greycroft Partners, was limited to $50 million and high net-worth, sophisticated investors, with the idea that in will invest in small, new companies rather than gather billions together and invest in large, established companies.
From the press release: 'My recent investing experience in this sector at Apax Partners has demonstrated there are young companies with talented managers who have the ability to execute sound business plans. But their expansion is being frustrated by a shortage of available capital for early stage companies, making the investment prospects in this space very attractive,' said Patricof. 'Greycroft Partners will operate directly in this underserved niche, which I believe is poised for dramatic and rapid growth.'
Disclaimer: Apax is a sponsor on our sites. [by rafat] [Mar. 6, 06]"
From the press release: 'My recent investing experience in this sector at Apax Partners has demonstrated there are young companies with talented managers who have the ability to execute sound business plans. But their expansion is being frustrated by a shortage of available capital for early stage companies, making the investment prospects in this space very attractive,' said Patricof. 'Greycroft Partners will operate directly in this underserved niche, which I believe is poised for dramatic and rapid growth.'
Disclaimer: Apax is a sponsor on our sites. [by rafat] [Mar. 6, 06]"
Beceem Communications Receives Substantial Investment From Intel Capital: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"Beceem Communications, a leading provider of chipsets for Mobile WiMAX technology, today announced that it has received a substantial investment from Intel Capital, the venture capital investment arm for Intel Corporation. The two companies will also work together to strengthen the Mobile WiMAX ecosystem and ensure that leading operators will have high-performance terminal solutions available to demonstrate the significant advantages of Mobile WiMAX."
MercuryNews.com | 02/22/2006 | Software services companies get hotter among VCs
"In the past year, venture capitalists had flings with one hot investment idea after another. Now, another promising opportunity could be getting a lot more love in coming months -- software as a service, where customers use software over the Internet.Software-as-a-service companies have already been attracting attention. Venture funds in the United States poured $460 million into them last year."
GigaOM : � VCs Dialing VoIP Startups
"Many industry insiders believe that the Vonage IPO and its after-offering performance will determine the future of VoIP, at least from a financial perspective. A bad IPO could chill the new investments in the entire segment. Nevertheless, the immense potential of VoIP as a transformative technology, continues to lure the VC investors. "
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Snoop Dogg Unveils New Video Game League for Hip Hop Stars
"Today, the Global Gaming League (http://www.GGL.com), experts in online competitive video game tournaments, and Snoop Dogg jointly announced the formation of the Hip Hop Gaming League (www. HHGL.com). Snoop will serve as the league's first commissioner ensuring that all matches played online via Xbox Live for the Xbox 360(TM) are electrifying but fair.
The inaugural season player lineup includes stars such as Proof (D12), Paul Wall, Just Blaze, Krazyie Bone of Grammy winners Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, MLS soccer star Cobi Jones, Murs, Kaine (Ying Yang Twins), NBA Star Jalen Rose, Twista, Fredwreck, BReal of Cypress Hill, Eric V. of the Baka Boyz, and
Wutang Clan founder Method Man. Players were selected based on their reputations for top video game skills, as well as for their prominence in the hip hop community."
Finjan Receives Additional Investment
Finjan Software, a global provider of best-of-breed proactive web security solutions for businesses and organizations, today announced that Cisco has decided to join the recent investment round led by HarbourVest Partners. Finjan will use the proceeds to accelerate growth and strengthen its product portfolio
RED HERRING | TV Search Firm Gets $6.5M
"MeeVee, a television search company, received an infusion of $6.5 million Monday to help it better compete with the likes of Tivo.
This is MeeVee�s second round of funding. It was led by Labrador Ventures and included investments from WaldenVC, Edmond de Rothschild Venture Capital Management, and DEFTA Partners. The company plans to use the money to boost its engineering and marketing efforts.
MeeVee, based in Burlingame, California, is a vertical search company focusing on television listings. Hoping to cash in on the interest in personalized entertainment, MeeVee promises its users a personalized TV guide. Unlike the one-dimensional pages of a TV guide, users get to see promotions and snippets of TV shows when they click on MeeVee�s listings.
�There�s more and more stuff to watch on television, and it�s harder and harder to find it,� said Larry Marcus, a managing director at WaldenVC, which has more than a 20 percent stake in the company. �They have an interesting method and [intellectual property] to help people figure out what to watch.�"
This is MeeVee�s second round of funding. It was led by Labrador Ventures and included investments from WaldenVC, Edmond de Rothschild Venture Capital Management, and DEFTA Partners. The company plans to use the money to boost its engineering and marketing efforts.
MeeVee, based in Burlingame, California, is a vertical search company focusing on television listings. Hoping to cash in on the interest in personalized entertainment, MeeVee promises its users a personalized TV guide. Unlike the one-dimensional pages of a TV guide, users get to see promotions and snippets of TV shows when they click on MeeVee�s listings.
�There�s more and more stuff to watch on television, and it�s harder and harder to find it,� said Larry Marcus, a managing director at WaldenVC, which has more than a 20 percent stake in the company. �They have an interesting method and [intellectual property] to help people figure out what to watch.�"
Hey Neighbor, Stop Piggybacking on My Wireless - New York Times
"For a while, the wireless Internet connection Christine and Randy Brodeur installed last year seemed perfect. They were able to sit in their sunny Los Angeles backyard working on their laptop computers.
But they soon began noticing that their high-speed Internet access had become as slow as rush-hour traffic on the 405 freeway.
'I didn't know whether to blame it on the Santa Ana winds or what,' recalled Mrs. Brodeur, the chief executive of Socket Media, a marketing and public relations agency.
The 'what' turned out to be neighbors who had tapped into their system. The additional online traffic nearly choked out the Brodeurs, who pay a $40 monthly fee for their Internet service, slowing their access until it was practically unusable.
Piggybacking, the usually unauthorized tapping into someone else's wireless Internet connection, is no longer the exclusive domain of pilfering computer geeks or shady hackers cruising for unguarded networks. Ordinarily upstanding people are tapping in. As they do, new sets of Internet behaviors are creeping into America's popular culture.
'I don't think it's stealing,' said Edwin Caroso, a 21-year-old student at Miami Dade College, echoing an often-heard sentiment.
'I always find people out there who aren't protecting their connection, so I just feel free to go ahead and use it,' Mr. Caroso said. He added that he tapped into a stranger's network mainly for Web surfing, keeping up with e-mail, text chatting with friends in foreign countries and doing homework."
But they soon began noticing that their high-speed Internet access had become as slow as rush-hour traffic on the 405 freeway.
'I didn't know whether to blame it on the Santa Ana winds or what,' recalled Mrs. Brodeur, the chief executive of Socket Media, a marketing and public relations agency.
The 'what' turned out to be neighbors who had tapped into their system. The additional online traffic nearly choked out the Brodeurs, who pay a $40 monthly fee for their Internet service, slowing their access until it was practically unusable.
Piggybacking, the usually unauthorized tapping into someone else's wireless Internet connection, is no longer the exclusive domain of pilfering computer geeks or shady hackers cruising for unguarded networks. Ordinarily upstanding people are tapping in. As they do, new sets of Internet behaviors are creeping into America's popular culture.
'I don't think it's stealing,' said Edwin Caroso, a 21-year-old student at Miami Dade College, echoing an often-heard sentiment.
'I always find people out there who aren't protecting their connection, so I just feel free to go ahead and use it,' Mr. Caroso said. He added that he tapped into a stranger's network mainly for Web surfing, keeping up with e-mail, text chatting with friends in foreign countries and doing homework."
Chimps Display a Hallmark of Human Behavior: Cooperation - New York Times
"One of the hallmarks of being human is cooperation. No other primate exhibits the same kind of helpfulness to others. Humans have made even violence a highly cooperative effort, and scientists have wondered how far back in evolution this trait goes.
New studies on chimpanzees suggest that this part of human nature may have already existed millions of years ago, perhaps before the human and ape lineages divided."
New studies on chimpanzees suggest that this part of human nature may have already existed millions of years ago, perhaps before the human and ape lineages divided."
Friday, March 03, 2006
Broadcom Completes Sandburst Deal - 3/2/2006 10:30:00 AM - Wireless Week - CA6312380
"Broadcom completed its proposed acquisition of fabless semiconducor company Sandburst. The total price of the deal was $77 million.
In January Broadcom announced plans to acquire Sandburst in an effort to deliver a complete end-to-end Ethernet switching portfolio.
Broadcom delivers semiconductors to the wireless and wireline sectors. Sandburst specializes in scalable packet switching and routing systems-on-a-chip for Ethernet networks.
Broadcom paid $72 million in cash in exchange for Sandburst's outstanding shares of capital stock and vested stock options. Broadcom also paid $5 million in stock."
In January Broadcom announced plans to acquire Sandburst in an effort to deliver a complete end-to-end Ethernet switching portfolio.
Broadcom delivers semiconductors to the wireless and wireline sectors. Sandburst specializes in scalable packet switching and routing systems-on-a-chip for Ethernet networks.
Broadcom paid $72 million in cash in exchange for Sandburst's outstanding shares of capital stock and vested stock options. Broadcom also paid $5 million in stock."
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Technology News: Wireless venture capital is about to hit an all-time high
"Investments in wireless technology maintained strong growth recently and are bucking the general venture capital investment trends that have witnessed overall decline from 2000 to 2005.
The portion dedicated to wireless investments is on the increase, and will continue to do so, hitting an all-time high in 2006. These are the findings from the latest report by telecoms industry research firm visiongain, entitled 'Venture capital in wireless and telecoms: Funding technology innovation'.
Wireless was a significant growth sector for venture capital investment in 2005. During 2005, 152 wireless-related companies received $1.3 billion in funding, a 24% increase over 2004's $1.1 billion. Wireless accounted for 7% of total VC investment last year, a figure that will rise in 2006 and beyond. The bulk of telecom investment today - around 60% - is in wireless and related technology, including networking, infrastructure, semiconductors, mobile computing"
The portion dedicated to wireless investments is on the increase, and will continue to do so, hitting an all-time high in 2006. These are the findings from the latest report by telecoms industry research firm visiongain, entitled 'Venture capital in wireless and telecoms: Funding technology innovation'.
Wireless was a significant growth sector for venture capital investment in 2005. During 2005, 152 wireless-related companies received $1.3 billion in funding, a 24% increase over 2004's $1.1 billion. Wireless accounted for 7% of total VC investment last year, a figure that will rise in 2006 and beyond. The bulk of telecom investment today - around 60% - is in wireless and related technology, including networking, infrastructure, semiconductors, mobile computing"
CNN.com - Mobile TV�for you and me - Mar 2, 2006
"'In 2006 ... mobile TV is expected to become available in select markets and to reach mass market by 2008,' Nokia said in its 20-F annual regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission."
Google says goal to build $100 billion company: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
"'I'll leave it to you to judge whether that is $100 billion in market capitalization or revenue,' Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said when discussing priorities for 2006."
fuego bea - $85m 6-8x multiple
venture market summary
By VentureWire Staff Reporters
BEA Systems is paying $87.5 million to acquire Fuego, a business process management software developer, in a move aimed at cementing its position in the blistering market for service-oriented architecture software.
Plano, Texas-based Fuego, founded in 1999, is a provider of software designed to help its corporate customers run a variety of business processes across their businesses. The company employed some 100 workers.
Analyst John Rizzuto at Lazard Capital Markets, who estimated that Fuego had revenue of $11 million to $14 million last year, praised BEA's purchase. "We believe that the Fuego acquisition provides a much-needed technology to deepen its technology stack, and it is likely to become more competitive as a result," Rizzuto told clients.
Alfred Chuang, chairman and chief executive of San Jose-based BEA, said: "We are systematically targeting the fastest-growing segments of the red-hot SOA software market." BEA said that the market for business-process management software is one of the fastest-growing segments of infrastructure software, estimated to be worth over $1 billion by 2008.
SOA is a type of architecture used to define the use of independent services across a network that gives software users access to independent services in a standardized way. Earlier this year Mercury Interactive agreed to acquire service-oriented architecture company Systinet Corp. for $105 million in cash, bolstering its SOA offerings.
By VentureWire Staff Reporters
BEA Systems is paying $87.5 million to acquire Fuego, a business process management software developer, in a move aimed at cementing its position in the blistering market for service-oriented architecture software.
Plano, Texas-based Fuego, founded in 1999, is a provider of software designed to help its corporate customers run a variety of business processes across their businesses. The company employed some 100 workers.
Analyst John Rizzuto at Lazard Capital Markets, who estimated that Fuego had revenue of $11 million to $14 million last year, praised BEA's purchase. "We believe that the Fuego acquisition provides a much-needed technology to deepen its technology stack, and it is likely to become more competitive as a result," Rizzuto told clients.
Alfred Chuang, chairman and chief executive of San Jose-based BEA, said: "We are systematically targeting the fastest-growing segments of the red-hot SOA software market." BEA said that the market for business-process management software is one of the fastest-growing segments of infrastructure software, estimated to be worth over $1 billion by 2008.
SOA is a type of architecture used to define the use of independent services across a network that gives software users access to independent services in a standardized way. Earlier this year Mercury Interactive agreed to acquire service-oriented architecture company Systinet Corp. for $105 million in cash, bolstering its SOA offerings.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
IGN: Sony Announces Blu-ray Launch Date
"February 28, 2006 - Sony announced that it will launch Blu-ray disks in North America on May 23rd, less than three months from now. On this day, Sony will make eight titles available from its two major movie studies, Sony Pictures and MGM.
The eight titles are: XXX, Resident Evil Apocalypse, 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, A Knight's Tale, The Last Waltz, Hitch, and House of Flying Daggers.
A second set of titles will follow a few weeks later on June 13th, and will include Robocop, SWAT, Stealth, Species, Legends of the Fall, Terminator, and Kung Fu Hustle.
On the May 23rd launch date, the only available Blu-ray player expected to be available for purchase will be the Samsung BD-P1000. Sony and Pioneer expect to have players available soon afterwards."
The eight titles are: XXX, Resident Evil Apocalypse, 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, A Knight's Tale, The Last Waltz, Hitch, and House of Flying Daggers.
A second set of titles will follow a few weeks later on June 13th, and will include Robocop, SWAT, Stealth, Species, Legends of the Fall, Terminator, and Kung Fu Hustle.
On the May 23rd launch date, the only available Blu-ray player expected to be available for purchase will be the Samsung BD-P1000. Sony and Pioneer expect to have players available soon afterwards."
Light Reading - Chips, Components & Subsystems - Aegis Raises $8M - Telecom News Wire
"Aegis Semiconductor, a leader in cost-effective optical channel monitors for fiber-optic communication networks, today announced the closing of $8 million in Series D financing, bringing the company�s total investment to more than $30 million.
The round of financing was completed with participation from existing investors including Vesbridge Partners, Alta Partners, Technology Venture Partners and Megunticook Management. The capital investment will be used to expand capacity in response to growing customer demand for DWDM channel monitors and to augment the product platform. "
The round of financing was completed with participation from existing investors including Vesbridge Partners, Alta Partners, Technology Venture Partners and Megunticook Management. The capital investment will be used to expand capacity in response to growing customer demand for DWDM channel monitors and to augment the product platform. "
Fenwick Q4 05 survey results | Venture Capital News
"Fenwick & West LLP, one of the nation's premier law firms providing comprehensive legal services to high technology and life science clients, today announced results of its Fourth Quarter 2005 Silicon Valley Venture Capital Survey.
The survey analyzed the valuations and terms of venture financings for 115 technology and life science companies headquartered in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising capital during the fourth quarter of 2005.
The results show that Fenwick & West's Venture Capital Barometer(TM) -- the measurement of change in share price of Silicon Valley companies funded during the quarter compared with their previous financing round -- was up 45%.
'This is the largest increase since the survey began,' said Barry Kramer, partner in the firm and co-author of the survey. 'The results represent a continuation of the strong positive trend in venture valuations that we have seen over the last two years.' "
The survey analyzed the valuations and terms of venture financings for 115 technology and life science companies headquartered in the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay Area that reported raising capital during the fourth quarter of 2005.
The results show that Fenwick & West's Venture Capital Barometer(TM) -- the measurement of change in share price of Silicon Valley companies funded during the quarter compared with their previous financing round -- was up 45%.
'This is the largest increase since the survey began,' said Barry Kramer, partner in the firm and co-author of the survey. 'The results represent a continuation of the strong positive trend in venture valuations that we have seen over the last two years.' "
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