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How to survive nuclear winter? Seize the opportunity for success, says veteran S.C. exec
Survival of the Fittest V: 'Never waste a good crisis,' says venture capitalist, economic developer and entrepreneur John Warner. Looking for a job? Start a company, he advises.
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VentureSource: Worst venture liquidity in five years
IPOs, mergers and acquisitions produce 58% less in deals in 2008 from previous year.
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High-tech headsets bring roar of NASCAR racing to videogames
North Carolina-based Track Scan has turned its knowledge of live NASCAR and Indy Car track news into a higher level of sound for game players.
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Strangling Silicon Valley and entrepreneurship – Regulation overkill?
The Angel Connection: Author Michael Malone paints a grim picture about what increased scrutiny is doing to the nation’s entrepreneurial engine in the Valley and elsewhere. Will a new president bring needed freedom?
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Carpooling's social network: The idea is gaining traction
Innovation Exchange: Web site launched in South Carolina looks to streamline the carpooling concept while helping the environment and saving users a few pennies along the way.
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Nuclear winter? Bah. Now is good time to launch a business, says tech survivor
Survival of the Fittest, IV: InCentric Solutions CEO says it’s ‘much easier’ to start a new venture in tough times. Why? Less capital needed, it’s easier to find good employees, and more.
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Maryland VoIP firm BroadSoft merges with rival
BroadSoft acquires California-based Sylantro in combination of two venture-backed startups.
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Surviving nuclear winter: Get lean, innovate through R&D, says iContact chairman
Survival of the Fittest, Part III: While your competition is 'totally paranoid' about the recession, take the opportunity to retool, recruit and grow your venture, advises Aaron Houghton.
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Tech trends for 2009: Watch out for PC, online game growth; emergence of surface computing; and more innovation imports
One highlight: Traditional mouse and keyboard setups will start to be replaced by touch-sensitive screens that allow users to control functions with their fingertips. Hewlett-Packard’s TouchSmart PC is just the beginning.
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New site Telonu lets users review jobs — and layoffs
With the job market as bad as it is, a crummy review may not dissuade you from taking a job, but at least you’ll know what you’re getting into.
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How to survive a nuclear winter? Hibernation is one choice, says top VC lawyer
'Survival of the Fittest': John Yates of Morris, Manning and Martin says coming year will test entrepreneurs with tight funding and a tough economy. Those who survive will be the ones who learn how to 'swim,' he warns.
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Postbox declares war on e-mail overload
Review: Startup doesn’t offer a single overriding feature that will blow away the competition, but rather a bunch of small improvements that, collectively, make for a substantially improved e-mail experience.
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Investors get in on videogame, virtual world action to tune of $500M
2008 is expected to set records for interactive entertainment sales. Backers obviously see opportunities for future growth.
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Investor forms new tech company around RTP-based Integrian assets
More than 50 employees are hired by Digital Safety Technologies, which is led by New York investor Roger Lucas. Integrian had raised some $60 million from investors.
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Big momentum for mobile greetings? Mogreet to find out
Startup signs video clip deal with Fox Searchlight in bid to make multimedia messages more popular in U.S.
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Nuclear Winter '09 – How will you, your company survive or thrive?
"Survival of the Fittest," first in a series: CEO of Sageworks says now is the time to "expand, spend, and grow." Brian Hamilton survived the 2001-02 meltdown. He offers insight on how to emerge from the newest challenge with a stronger company.
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Internet commerce – Weathering the storm
Angel Connection: E-commerce continues to grow, but global financial slowdown poses major problems.
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Internet or sex - Which would you give up?
Innovation Exchange: In survey, 65 percent of adults feel they cannot live without Internet access, and even more – 71 percent – responded that it is important or very important to have Internet-enabled devices. Now that’s important.
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New media, advertising network Glam launches ‘variable pay’
Fixed pay is out, compensation based on advertising sales is in at California firm. Will this be a future trend for similar sites?
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Location, location, location regardless of network via Loopt
With launch on AT&T, local-based social network application reaches across phones and service providers.
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Nearly $1M available in ‘green’ grants from N.C. for 2009
Application to apply for biofuel, alternative energy, clean technology grants is Jan. 9.
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UNC-CH tech transfer executive takes job at Scripps Research Institute
Mark Crowell, head of technology transfer at UNC-Chapel Hill, is leaving the university for a similar position at Scripps Research Institute.
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Outlook 2009: What the VCs are saying – Some insight is positive but most is not
A cross-section of opinions shows some VCs see 2009 as a year of opportunity. But most expect a tough year.
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2009 will be grim year for venture capital, VCs predict
In National Venture Capital Association forecast survey, 92 percent of VCs see sharp drop in funding next year. One top VC says 2009 will be worse than ‘dot com’ implosion. Early stage and startup funding could be especially hard hit. One hot investment sector is clean tech.
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Overture Networks acquires competitor, plans to expand product offerings
Some 20 jobs are being cut. Intersouth-backed Overture buys Texas-based Ceterus Networks. Both firms focus on Ethernet services.
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Zapping decision making? Startup offers e-mail decision making tracking tool
Oregon-based firm emerges from beta mode with product to enable, track group-based decisions online.
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Five startups receive grants up to $50,000 each from NC IDEA
Software, agritech, on-demand fabric printing, medical diagnostic and medical device firm receive funding from economic development group. Next round applications open through Jan. 30.
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What's the deal with ROI now? Immediate return – or no business
Innovation Exchange: If you can't build a credible economic justification that generates fiscal results quickly, it doesn't matter if you have the latest and greatest idea on the planet. You won't make any money on your idea and/or gain any street ‘cred’ if you don't make the ROI argument. It's as simple as that.
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Blogging from ‘Le Web’ – iContact’s Taylor Barr
Advice to remember from a successful CEO: ‘One of the only ways to grow a fundamentally sound business is if you love and listen to your customers. Without that strong relationship, you have absolutely nothing.’
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Angel investing – Slowdown confirmed, but with selective optimism
Angel Connection: The entire private equity food chain is feeling the effects of the economic downturn. The results are the same for angels as they are for venture capital and investment banking.
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The sounds of music, the action of videogames – A Marriage of the future, says Atari exec
‘The future of music and games is obviously online, where you can bring music, music performance, interactive and community, specifically the ability to generate content and download content,’ says Phil Harrison. ‘I think a whole new art form can be created, but don’t get me started because I can talk about that for hours.’
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Halo falls off angel investing – Dollars available, deals done are dropping, survey says
Angel Capital Association reports angel group funding nationally is down 10% this year. Number of deals drops even more – 16%. More bad news could be coming, says Triangle angel advisor.
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Red Hat turns VC, invests in business intelligence software developer
JasperSoft secures $12.5 million in venture financing with red Hat as one of the backers.
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Blogging from ‘Le Web,' Day 2 – iContact’s Taylor Barr
From ‘fireside chats’ to opportunities to use latest technology tools, second day of global conference offers chance to see Web’s future.
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Richard Kent, former Serenex CEO, joins Intersouth Partners
Kent, a doctor, will focus on life-science investments at Durham-based VC firm. He is a former chief medical officer at GSK.
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Blogging from ‘Le Web’ – iContact’s Taylor Barr
Attendees from more than 40 countries gather to discuss the transformation of information. Check out live streaming ...
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Location-based advertising: Place trumps traditional targeting
Just as in real estate, it’s location, location, location for targeted Web advertising.
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Warner Bros. picks RTP firm to get serious about fighting AIDS in Kenya
Virtual Heroes, a developer of serious games technology, works with Warner Bros. Interactive, U.S. government to develop ‘Together in the Hood.’ Aim is to strengthen anti-HIV efforts.
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Durham medical startup Oncoscope lands first venture funding
Using optical technology developed at Duke, Oncoscope plans to use light technology for early cancer detection. IDEA Fund Partners leads round.
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What can’t iPhone do? New app turns it into remote control
Startup Square Connect technology lets iPhone act as control for game console, TV, DVD player – and more.
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Raising capital in these tough times? Then consider seeking federal grants
Angel Connection: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant programs are a very good way to get some early financing to perform your market research and then to perform commercialization on your business idea.
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Techie gift guide: Our top picks for gizmos, gadgets and more
Innovation Exchange: Games, remotes, environmentally friendly batteries, even a Twitter alert for plants are among the top choices. As for Blu-Ray, be a Scrooge.
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Atlanta-based social media startup ThePort lands $4.1M in new funding
American City Business Journals leads round. Newspaper chain Lee Enterprises also invests.
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Triangle-based Integrian is sold; CEO leaves; some 30 people laid off
According to sources, including a company insider, New York-based Catalyst has bought Integrian for undisclosed sum. Integrian backers include Intersouth, Wakefield Group.
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Interested in ‘crowdsourcing’? Check out UTest
Massachusetts-based startup puts new spin on outsourced software testing.
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Atlanta startup Band Metrics lands angel funding
Startup Band Metrics, which provides a variety of sales and performance services to musicians, has closed on an angel investment from Allen Graber, an Atlanta entrepreneur and high-tech investor.
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MySpace aims to bring mobile videos to the masses
MySpace mobile site already draws millions of unique visitors, so new service could provide a major boost for video streaming.
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The apps factor – What devices will do is shaping consumer choices
Analysis: Applications, not the network nor the phones, are reshaping mobile industry competition.
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Sensory Analytics closes on $1 million in new angel financing
Greensboro-based startup is focused on advanced measurement technology.
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The virtual machine tsunami is upon us
Analysis: Reality of movement to new multiple operating system technology is exploding demand – and costs.
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No more 'bad science' in Hollywood?
The Innovation Exchange: National Academy of Sciences teams up with Hollywood to help creators include more science and technology in scripts.
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Angel investing – The rest of the story
The Angel Connection: In ‘Fool’s Gold,’ author Scott Shane offers a condescending but in-depth look at world of angel investors.
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Peace in our time? Turning virtual swords into ploughshares
UniversityTech: Working with RTP-based Virtual Heroes, Duke develops simulation game to train a new generation of peacemakers.
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$ounds of success? UNC student wins entrepreneur ‘Race To BE’ music event
Louisburg native is co-founder of student music label Vinyl Records, which has received funding from Kenan Institute.
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Immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs
Analysis: A new study shows conclusive evidence that immigrants are more likely to start new businesses. And those businesses make significant contributions to U.S. economic activity
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Curiousor and curiousor – the mysterious Zune phone story
Is Microsoft about to launch a counter to Apple’s iPhone under code name ‘Pink’?
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Entrepreneurial spirit leads NouvEon exec away from Wachovia
Theresa Ulyatt, who led big bank’s tech and human resources recruitment for two years, relishes chance to help Queen City-based consulting firm grow. ‘I am joining a company that will be unforgettable in its industry,’ she says.
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PocketGear – formerly part of Motricity – off to smoking fast start
Smartphone application firm launches site for Android apps, is already profitable and is looking to hire additional personnel. Triangle entrepreneur Jud Bowman acquired PocketGear business from Motricity in June.
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Amid iPhone success, rumors of a Microsoft phone
Sources say the Microsoft phone would use the Nvidia Tegra chip. This chip is being aimed at the Internet-enabled handheld device market, and has some serious power when it comes to graphics
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Heads up, investors - Biotech may be moving toward hibernation
Angel Connection: Funding is drying up, leaving more biotechs headed for bankruptcy and development of many new drugs on the fiscal rocks.
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Jud Bowman’s PocketGear off to smokin’ fast start
Smartphone application firm launches site for Android apps, is already profitable and is looking to hire additional personnel. Bowman acquired PocketGear business from Motricity in June.
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Internet Summit - Lots of highs, a few lows
Innovation Exchange: Looking back at the first event, lasting impressions include size and quality of the crowd plus a collective positive attitude. But as with any event, a few tweaks would help improve a 2009 event.
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What do entrepreneurs do now?
Angel Connection: Entrepreneurs might ask if this is the right time to start a company. If asked, I would say yes. Think about it. All of these demands for more scrutiny on the entrepreneur’s business are things that they should be concerned about anyway. The economic mess we are in is simply forcing us to be more disciplined and focused.
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Internet Summit consensus: SaaS is hot!
Innovation Exchange: Better days for business seem to be in future for those who provide software-as-a-service.
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Quit building mansions and focus on execution, Lulu’s Bob Young says
At inaugural Internet Summit, Red Hat co-founder and many other execs say recession still offers opportunity for growth for entrepreneurs and tech startups.
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Interact911 closes on $28M in new financing
Winston-Salem-based startup lands additional backing from Triad investor SilkRoad Equity plus two new investors. Interact911 plans to step up expansion plans, create new products.
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Update 4: Blogging live from ‘Internet Summit’ – A warning from a VC, and marketing in Web 2.0 world …
Free-lance writer Noah Garrett is covering today’s Internet Summit in Chapel Hill for Local Tech Wire. His latest report: VC Kip Frey’s warning plus marketing in a connected world. Earlier reports: SaaS is hot …
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Mark Cuban versus SEC: Insider trading or insider politics?
In a memo posted online, Cuban asks why the SEC stopped a long-running investigation into other Mamma.com securities violations to start interviewing executives about Cuban’s own actions.
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‘Underwater’ stock options and ‘repricing’– The next dilemmas
The Angel Connection: With public and private companies facing downward prices on stock and valuations, what’s a board to do? Keep employees happy by ‘repricing’ options, thus angering existing shareholders? Or let unhappy execs, workers bolt?
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Looking for more meaningful search? Dive deep at DeepDyve
Formerly called Infovell, DeepDyne is designed to deliver detailed responses. It also indexes phrases up to 20 words in length.
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Crowdsourcing - One way to reach holy land of innovation
Innovation Exchange: ‘Crowdsourcing’ is just one way more organizations are now managing diversified portfolios of innovation sources that include not only in-house engineers and product managers but also external customers, suppliers, partners and investors.
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Raising capital – Don’t believe everything you read
Angel Connection: It’s credit crunch time. If reports have not factored in what is now happening, you are in danger of having a very incorrect picture of your chances of getting angel or venture capital financing.
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RTP startup Integrian is considering buyout opportunities
CEO of high-tech video surveillance firm says ‘lot of people’ looking to buy the business. Credit Suisse, Motorola, three VC firms – including two in Triangle – have poured $65M into Integrian.
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High-profile RTP tech firm Hatteras Networks lays off 2 VPs, about a quarter of staff
CEO says the global provider of high-speed communications gear is taken ‘proactive’ steps to deal with a forthcoming global financial ‘hurricane.’
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High-profile RTP tech firm Hatteras Networks lays off 2 VPs, nearly third of staff
CEO says the global provider of high-speed communications gear is taken ‘proactive’ steps to deal with a forthcoming global financial ‘hurricane.’
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Digitalsmiths closes on $12M in new financing
Durham-based startup, which is focused on video indexing and analytics, lands new investor for second round investment.
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Robotic-assisted surgery receives high marks in UNC study
In review of two groups where women received robotic-assisted treatment, doctors reported techniques are ‘feasible and safe.’ Device also led to less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, higher number of lymph nodes, study says.
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California studio to launch games based on Robert Jordan empire
Works in ‘Wheel of Time’ series by ate author, who lived in Charleston, S.C. will be turned into videogames and films by Red Eagle Entertainment. Two former IBM execs lead California-based entertainment company.
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IBM director of research remains bullish about opportunities
Now is the time for entrepreneurs and executives to invest, John Kelly tells CED crowd. IBM certainly will be, he adds. ‘Invest now, this too will pass,’ exec says of current tough climate.
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The T-Mobile G1 keyboard: A lesson in failed ergonomics
Product review: Sure, I could re-teach myself to hit the space bar and some of the other keys closer to the center-left with my left hand, but why should I? I have absolutely no problem with it on the iPhone’s keyboard.
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A ‘Wiimote’ device coming for Apple? Could be
Recent patent filings show Apple may be developing a Wii-like device for use with Apple TV.
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Web 2.0 investments dive in Q3 but cleantech surges
Is love affair with Web 2.0 ending and a new one beginning with environmentally friendly technology? Could be, with solar deals especially hot.
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Judge orders former IBM exec to ‘cease work’ immediately with Apple
Mark Papermaster quit Big Blue post to go to work for Steve Jobs, but IBM sued to block the move.
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Cash panic sweeping VC industry: The ‘capital calls’ problem
Increasingly, some large institutional investors are having trouble meeting their commitments to VC firms. That means less cash for VCs to put into their portfolio firms.
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Raising money? Warning: Private equity is getting tighter
Angel Connection: News is not good for entrepreneurs, especially those who have companies that are strained for cash and in need of additional financing now.
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‘Bilski’ decision and software patents – Good news for free, open source software community
Court declines to settle the issue of when, if ever, software based inventions should be patentable. Even so, the new test in the Bilski case will probably limit the patentability of software. The war is not over, but the odds of success are better.
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Game changer – ‘Gears 2’ symbolizes how videogames are altering pop culture
Immersion and ownership help gaming reshape the entertainment landscape. Devotees are more than fans. They are participants. Their experience is not controlled by a core group of elite creators.
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Despite economic woes, top analyst sees some bright spots for tech economy
'Having lived through a downturn before, companies that add value will survive,' Morgan Stanley's Mary Meeker says at Web 2.0 Conference.
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AT&T acquires WiFi provider Wayport for $275M — Now has 80,000 hot spots
Wayport hot spots also included Wyndham, Marriott Vacation Club and Four Seasons hotels; HealthSouth and Sun Healthcare locations.
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Microsoft looks to spark startups to use its products with a no costs upfront offer
BizSpark package includes software, support and promotion. To qualify, businesses must be less than three years old and generate under $1 million in revenue.
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Due diligence, recession style – It will be tougher
Analysis: As economic woes deepen, forecasts of increased emphasis on due diligence are probably accurate. Historically, investors and beneficiaries have tended to clamp down when the economy has soured.
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CED opens application process for its annual venture conference
Companies from across southeast can participate. Event is set for April 22-23 next year.
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Chips losing luster? Venture investments drop two consecutive quarters
Weak economy and the increased cost and time required to go public as reasons for the weakness in the semiconductor sector, says Global Semiconductor Alliance.
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Will ‘social capital’ be the next big industry to emerge?
Whatever the name, such as social entrepreneurism or ‘double-triple bottom line,’ making money from doing good appears to be generating growing appeal.
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Angel investors want to see decisive action from CEOs
Angel Connection: In these tough times, CEOs at startups need to assess revenue forecasts, tighten belts on costs, conserve cash – and more.
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Hatteras Venture Partners leads $5.2M round in Tennessee medical device firm
Hatteras member Bob Morff takes over as interim CEO at Pathfinder Therapeutics. Startup has FDA-approved device to assist in liver surgery.
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Downturn advice from Silicon Valley VCs: Don’t panic
During panel discussion, VCs acknowledge economy has taken a hammering but opportunities for startups remain for exploitation.
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Model this: Geomagic closes on $8 million in venture financing
3D software firm receives backing from Valhalla Partners, plans to scale up infrastructure, product development.
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Virtual vs. reality: NCSU researcher develops means to measure how ‘real’ virtual worlds are
UniversityTech: Tool to determine how business users ‘feel’ inside these online world environments.
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Service robots? New technology draws inspiration from service dogs
UniversityTech: Mimicking the work of expensive canines could provide less-expensive alternative for the impaired.
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Looking for more apps, BlackBerry Partners Fund picks first three outside investments
Locations-based social network, mobile commerce provider and mobile travel service land deals from $150M fund.
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LinkedIn’s platform opens up to third-party developers
Professional networking web site, which has more than 30 million members, seeks to offer ‘productivity’ applications.
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Web 2.0 application use sweeps across workplace, new study finds
Workplace monitoring software firm FaceTime finds 97 percent of respondents use Web applications. Three of four workers say they use work PCs for personal use.
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Venture capital returns dip but still top other private equity indexes
However, national venture group president sees tougher times ahead as drought on stock offerings drags on.
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Will credit crunch accelerate the ‘cloud’ punch?
Analysis: If necessity is the mother of invention, we might be poised for some truly terrific innovations in the cloud space. Just as the 9/11 meltdown was a catalyst for the adoption of Linux, a similar phenomenon might emerge for the cloud, says founder of Raleigh-based tech startup rPath.
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IBM, NCSU to N.C. students: Get on the 'cloud'
NCSU's Virtual Computing Lab, IBM team up for cloud computing initiative to make available more educational resources, computing power.
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Another honor for UNC computer science pioneer Fred Brooks: His name on a building
Scientist who helped create IBM supercomputers and is leader in 3D software research founded UNC computer sciences department 44 years ago.
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Want effective executive engagement? Leave the 'techie talk' at the office
‘You need to ditch the PowerPoint slides, have real conversations with your executive management team, make them feel comfortable with the information you're sharing, and be respectful of their time and information absorption,’ says former White House CIO.
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Entrepreneurism is key to economic recovery, study finds
However, only one if four of respondents in Kauffmann Foundation survey say they would be willing to start a business.
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Duke explores risks, opportunities in sharing data in a wireless world
UniversityTech: Duke’s Office of Information technology works with researchers to facilitate information while preserving security.
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iContact closes on $5M in new funding
The e-mail marketing firm plans to expand sales and marketing efforts with investment in debt capital from North Atlantic Capital.
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Let battle begin: T-Mobile launches G1 as rival to Apple’s iPhone
First phone that includes Android software from Google attracts a crowd - but nowhere near as big as Apple's second-generation iPhone. Nationwide rollout is Wednesday.
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Looking for backers? Angel investors want disciplined entrepreneurs
The Angel Connection: In tougher economic times, angels will be more selective when making deals.
