Camille Ricketts
Camille is the lead writer for GreenBeat. She came to VentureBeat from Google where she worked on its traditional platforms team, particularly in TV. Before that, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York and London. Follow her on Twitter at @camillericketts, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
With GreenBeat 2009, VentureBeat's all-star conference on all things Smart Grid, coming up in November, Camille will be expanding coverage of this exciting space. Stay up to date by following @greenbeat2009 on Twitter or by becoming a fan of the event on Facebook here.
Recent Posts
Mercantila takes in $500K for retail site network
Mercantila, a San Francisco-based portal of related specialty retail web sites, has tacked $500,000 onto a now $2.5 million in convertible promissory notes and warrants, according to a filing with the SEC. The company is backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, among others.
CyberHeart raises $3.6M for cardiac radiosurgery
CyberHeart, a company that develops radiosurgical equipment for non-invasive cardiac surgeries (radiosurgery is used to treat benign and malignant tumors), has brought in $3.6 million of a targeted $8.1 million round of debt, rights and securities according to a filing with the SEC. Based in Menlo Park, Calif., the company is backed by Emergent Medical Ventures, Mitsubishi, Venture Select and United Investments.
Cell Biosci takes $15M to examine cell pathways
Cell Biosciences, maker of software and other tools to learn more about how cells move and interact, has brought in $15 million of an anticipated $17.6 million fourth round of funding, according to a filing with the SEC. Based in Santa Clara, Calif., the company is backed by Domain Associates, Latterell Venture Partners, Vertical Group, Wellcome Trust, Novo A/S and the Royal Bank of Canada.
Aperto bags $240K more for Wimax equipment
WiMax equipment provider Aperto Networks has raised $240,000 more in equity, according to a filing with the SEC. It just raised $537,000 at the end of October. Based in Milpitas, Calif., the company is backed by Alliance Ventures, Canaan Partners, GunnAllen Venture Partners, Quicksilver Ventures, Tyco Ventures, Innovacom and Jafco Ventures. It has now raised more than $160 million to date.
Renewable energy policy to result in 1.9M jobs, study says
The Obama administration’s progressive support for renewable energy will result in about 1.9 million green collar jobs, according to a new report published by three U.S. universities. It will also elevate the average household income by more than $1,000 and America’s GDP by $111 billion by 2020.
This sets Obama on track to create 5 million green (not just renewable energy) jobs over the next decade. Granted, he made this promise early in his campaign, all… Continue Reading
Solar panel demand finally catching up with supply
One of the biggest, most depressing stories in the solar industry has been the oversupply of panels, which drove down prices and discouraged investors for most of 2009. Now, new research out of trade research firm iSuppli, suggests that demand will catch up with supply by the end of next year — good news for the growing number of solar panel and component makers.
One of the forces deflating demand was a rollback of solar subsidies… Continue Reading
DOE, USDA hand out $24M to biomass projects
Biomass is often overlooked in favor of sexier renewable energy sources like solar and wind — it’s dirty, capital intensive and not emissions free — but it is one of the only drop-in technologies in the alternative fuel space (meaning that it will work with legacy technology, traditional gas tanks and the like). Finally, it has captured the attention of the Department of Energy, which partnered with the Department of Agriculture to give out $24.4… Continue Reading
Microsoft Hohm launches for Xcel Energy customers
Microsoft Hohm, the software giant’s new home energy management system, is now available for the 3.4 million households served by utility Xcel Energy. This is the second time the tool, which makes energy use and pricing data available via a web interface, has been tested with a mass audience. It went live with Seattle City Light last month.
Xcel provides power to a diverse geographic customer base — spanning Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota,… Continue Reading
GreenBeat 2009: Bringing in the Grid analysts
In order for a conference to be a catalyst for change, it needs to have people asking the right questions. GreenBeat 2009 has recruited a crack team of moderators to execute this task — including two of the most respected analysts speaking and writing about the emerging Super Grid.
Before we introduce them and the other moderators, remember to register for your GreenBeat ticket today. With an all-star lineup including former vice president Al Gore, Cisco’s… Continue Reading
IBM launches smart water tools with three utilities
IBM has become one of the first computing companies to adapt its software for smarter water management — an area of development that has been overlooked with so much attention fixed on the smart electrical grid (an area that IBM has also aggressively pursued). Now it’s landed deals with three utilities.
To prevent water waste and contamination, IBM is offering specifically-designed sensors for utilities to install at different points in their water distribution systems. The Power… Continue Reading
Microchip Biotech eyes launch with new $18.1M
Microchip Biotechnologies, maker of technology used in DNA sequencing, has brought in $18.1 million to launch its product on the market. Based in Pleasanton, Calif., the company is backed by Domain Associates, Samsung Ventures, Western Technology Investment, In-Q-Tel, Rona Syndicates and private individuals.
Caring.com finds $10M to coordinate elderly care
Caring.com, a web site that helps people find caretakers for elderly relatives, has brought in $10 million in a second round of funding, according to Dow Jones VentureWire. Based in San Mateo, Calif., the company is backed by Shasta Ventures, DCM, Split Rock Partners and a handful of private individuals.
GreenBeat2009: Still more Super Grid speakers!
We’re rounding out the agenda for GreenBat 2009, the seminal executive conference on the Super Grid taking place NEXT WEEK on Nov. 18-19. Today, we’re delighted to announce the addition of still more policy, IT and investment experts.
Before we introduce them, remember to register for your GreenBeat ticket today. With an all-star lineup including former vice president Al Gore, Cisco’s Smart Grid guru Laura Ipsen and PG&E’s Andy Tang, tickets are going fast. You can… Continue Reading
GreenBeat 2009: Meet the Super Grid bankers
Investment bankers are another key group helping to give birth to the Super Grid, or the more efficient electrical grid the nation desperately needs in order to lower carbon emissions.
The ibankers are the ones who facilitate the massive financing — including initial public offerings and mergers — which in turn produce profits to investors who back the disruptive startups pushing the Smart Grid.
With investment in bouncing back from the recession and more deals being done,… Continue Reading
GreenBeat 2009: Meet your Innovation Competition judges
GreenBeat 2009, the seminal executive conference on the Smart Grid, is just around the corner on Nov. 18-19. And one of the key pieces of the event — perhaps the one we’re most excited about — is the Innovation Competition, a chance for startups and big companies alike to go head-to-head showcasing their boldest, most disruptive technologies and business models.
We can’t say too much about the more than 30 companies who applied to be a… Continue Reading
NimbleFish swims to $950K for marketing automation
NimbleFish, maker of marketing automation software, has captured $950,000 in debt financing, according to a fling with the SEC. Based in San Francisco, it is backed by Sigma Partners, Cardinal Ventures and QuestMark Partners.
Intransa raises $1.5M for Ethernet storage
Instransa, provider of storage equipment for Ethernet networks, has brought in $1.5 million of a targeted $3 million offering of promissory notes, according to a filing with the SEC. Based in Cupertino, Calif., the company is backed by Entrepia Ventures, Guggenheim Partners, Menlo Ventures, Rho Capital Partners and U.S. Venture Partners.
BridgeWave lands $2.4M for wireless backhauling
BridgeWave Communications, a company that provides wireless backhauling services to free high-traffic networks from congestion, has raised $2.4 million of an anticipated $2.5 million round of equity, according to a filing with the SEC. Based in Santa Clara, Calif., the company is backed by Core Capital Partners, Intel Capital, Ampal-American Insrael, BreezeCOM, Cipio Partners, DRW Venture Partners, Jerusalem Venture Partners, MKS Ventures, Oak Investment Partners, Scientific-Atlanta, SDL Ventures, SeaPoint Ventures and West Steag Partners.
Wi-Fi wants its piece of the Smart Grid
The Wi-Fi Alliance has created a task force to work on setting standards so that Wi-Fi can play a large role in future development of the cleaner, more efficient Smart Grid. Today, this new group released a white paper exploring all of the areas Wi-Fi could aid in communication between the new electric meters, utilities and their customers.
The alliance, which usually reviews new devices for Wi-Fi certification, is very concerned with the standards piece of… Continue Reading
Dems throw in the towel on Climate Bill for 2009
Democratic leaders in the Senate have confirmed suspicions that the controversial Kerry-Boxer climate bill will not make it to a general vote before the end of 2009. After being tabled for months, the legislation — which, would roughly establish a carbon cap and trade system and set national renewable energy targets — saw a flurry of activity last week when it emerged from the Environment and Public Works Committee, only to be shifted to the… Continue Reading