ShotSpotter refines gunshot sensors with QinetiQ buy
ShotSpotter, maker of sensory systems used to detect gunshots, has acquired technology from British defense firm QinetiQ for an undisclosed amount. The deal will extend ShotSpotter’s reach into new markets, including law enforcement and military combat.
The Mountain View, Calif., company provides equipment used to pinpoint the exact location of gunshots, allowing authorities to properly respond. Unsurprisingly, its roster of 40 customers includes city governments, police departments and military groups. Its sensors are currently active in… Continue Reading
Real estate intelligence site SmartZip lands $2M
SmartZip, an early-stage real estate intelligence startup based in Pleasanton, Calif. just brought in $2.05 million in first-round funding from Claremont Creek Ventures, Step5 Venture Partners and Northpoint Financial Group, reports peHUB.
Very little information is available on the company. It has sent out invitations to test its product to select individuals who can sign into its site with their personalized passwords. And it’s still unclear what kind of real estate data it will provide —… Continue Reading
Arcxis pulls in funds to diagnose gene-linked diseases
Arcxis Biotechnologies, a Pleasanton, Calif. biotech tool maker focused on DNA analysis — especially for diagnostic purposes — just closed an undisclosed sum (higher than $8 million) toward an anticipated $15 million second round of funding for commercial development of its lead product (slated to launch two months from now). The company’s technology gauges changes in patients’ genes to detect infectious diseases and other dangerous health conditions; the product in question is used to prepare… Continue Reading
Gene Security Network strings together $6M for in-vitro tech
Gene Security Network, provider of a test used to screen chromosomes in in-vitro fertilization processes, has brought in $6 million in second-round funding to grow its sales and marketing operations. The investment, paired with grants received from the National Institutes of Health, will give the Redwood City, Calif. company a two-year runway, it says.
The test, already being sold, detects chromosomal abnormalities that might lead to Down Syndrome and other conditions. It’s currently being offered at… Continue Reading
Sentilla powers up with $7.5M for energy management
Sentilla, a company that offers hardware and software for facilities to manage their energy use more efficiently, just brought in $7.5 million in second-round funding to continue product development and expand worldwide.
For now, the Redwood City, Calif. firm gives commercial and industrial companies several ways to determine how much energy they consume and how to cut down. Its Java-based software packages work together to let clients create and run their own energy-saving applications in the… Continue Reading
Roc2Loc locks in $2M for wireless security
Roc2Loc, developer of wireless security systems used on construction sites, brought in $2 million of an anticipated $5 million first round of funding. The new money will be used to continue testing sensors that will — if activated by suspicious motion or temperature change — send alert text messages or emails to site managers’ cell phones.
This technology also has applications in the trucking industry, as VentureWire points out. Sensors can be placed so that drivers… Continue Reading
Travel deal finder cFares lands $3.1M, names new CEO
cFares, a search engine that scours the net for airfare and other travel bargains, announced today that it brought in both $3.1 million in second-round financing and a new chief executive to help strengthen its brand.
At first glance, cFares operates pretty similarly to other discount airfare sites like Travel Zoo and Cheap Tickets, but there’s a twist. The Redwood City, Calif. company gives site members access to much cheaper “wholesale” airfares, particularly to international destinations…. Continue Reading
Claremont Creek raises $115M for Fund II
Claremont Creek Ventures, which invests in early-stage information technology and life science companies, has raised almost $115 million towards its second fund, according to VentureWire (citing a regulatory filing). It’s not clear how much the firm wants to raise.
Oakland, Calif.-based Claremont Creek raised a $130 million fund in late 2005. Recent investments including ShotSpotter, whose technology helps police and security forces detect and triangulate gunshots.
ShotSpotter picks up $7.5M for gunshot sensing
ShotSpotter, a Santa Clara, Calif. startup that can help police and other security forces detect and triangulate gunshots in real-time, has raised $7.5 million for sales, marketing, and international expansion, in its fourth funding to date.
The technology ShotSpotter has developed is conceptually simple: A network of audio sensors attached to phone lines or wireless communication devices is spread across an area, generally within a city. When shots are fired, the sensors pick up the sound,… Continue Reading
Gene Security Network aims to bolster IVF genetic tests
(UPDATED: See below.)
Many infertile couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization rely on genetic screening of their fertilized embryos to improve their chances of delivering a healthy baby. But that technique, known as preimplantation genetic screening, has recently taken some hits on the scientific level, with one recent study finding that it not only fails to improve fertility rates, but may actually worsen the odds for older women. (See this WSJ story for details.)
For one thing, the procedure itself,… Continue Reading
Life sciences briefing: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007
Featured companies: Akermin, Fluxion Biosciences, iCardiacTechnologies, Wellocities
UPDATED: Expanded items on Fluxion, Akermin, and Wellocities.
Fluxion Bio draws in $6.9M for cell-analysis tools — Fluxion Biosciences, a San Francisco developer of cellular-analysis tools, raised $6.9 million in a second funding round, VentureWire reports (subscription required). Investors included Kodiak Venture Partners, Claremont Creek Ventures and Life Science Angels.
Fluxion takes the idea of running chemical reactions against living cells — a key step in screening and analyzing the activity of drug… Continue Reading
Life sciences briefing: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007
Featured companies: Apex Radiology, Arcxis Biotechnologies, EKR Therapeutics, Franklin & Seidelmann, Michelson Diagnostics, SensiGen, Vascular Closure Systems
UPDATED: Expanded items on Arcxis, Vascular Closure and Archemix.
Arcxis pulls in $2M for DNA tools — Arcxis Biotechnologies, a Pleasanton, Calif., biotech tool maker focused on analysis of DNA and proteins in biological samples, raised $2 million in a follow-on to its first funding round, VentureWire reports (subscription required). Investors included Kaiser Permanente Ventures and Claremont Creek Ventures.
Arcxis released its first… Continue Reading
CFares raises $4.5M more for wholesale travel ticket offering; Lessno raises $4.1M for Europe
CFares, the Redwood Shores, Calif. company that you could call the “Costco” of travel sites, has raised $4.5 million in a first round of venture capital led by Claremont Creek Ventures, and including existing backer Garage Technology Ventures. The company had raised $1.5 million in seed funding last year, and has been looking to raise money ever since.
We first wrote about them here.
Meanwhile, Lessno.com, a Sofia Bulgaria company with offices in New York and London… Continue Reading
ShotSpotter, gunfire tracking company, raises $12 million
ShotSpotter, a Santa Clara, CA, company that enables police departments and the military to locate the precise source of gunfire, has raised $12 million in its third round of financing.
The technology, which is deployed in neighborhoods throughout 15 American cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, and DC, enabled the capture of a top-10 most wanted fugitive, provided the first physical evidence in the Ohio sniper case, and caused a decrease in gunfire by some 60… Continue Reading
Wireless sensor co., Moteiv, raises $3.85M — for firefighting, among other things
Moteiv., a San Francisco-based developer of wireless sensor networks used in firefighting, among other things, has raised $3.85 million in a first round of funding, according to a regulatory filing cited by PE Week.
Onset Ventures and Claremont Creek Ventures are listed as investors, while existing shareholders include PacRim Venture Partners and Capital Valley Ventures.
Moteiv was featured in the September issue of Wired Magazine. The company’s miniature wireless sensors can do things like monitor the condition… Continue Reading
Tibion raises $3M for knee & other orthopedic devices
VentureWire (sub required) has the story about the Moffett Field-based company, Tibion:
Tibion Corp., a developer of external orthopedic devices, said that it has raised $3.5 million in Series A financing.
Claremont Creek Ventures led the round, joined by Saratoga Ventures, said Kern Bhugra, chief executive of Tibion. Bhugra said that the round is tranched, although he declined to say how much was provided in the first installment…The company’s most advanced device, called the PowerKnee, is an… Continue Reading