State-supported, Pennsylvania venture fund to support early stage software companies
The dearth of early-stage capital available to fund young technology companies in the Philadelphia region is nothing new. It was a source of concern for entrepreneurs and economic-development types in the late ’80s, when I moved here. Hand-wringing resumed early last decade after the bursting of the technology-stock bubble. And since the financial crisis-induced recession, […]
Invest Illinois supports four Champaign-Urbana area start-ups
Four startup companies with ties to the Champaign-Urbana area have been approved to receive equity investments from the state’s new Invest Illinois Venture Fund.
Pure Michigan Venture Development Fund Accepting Applications
LANSING– The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced that the Michigan Strategic Fund is targeting to invest up to $9 million to help grow the venture capital industry in Michigan.
GlobeSherpa, a Portland State student-led venture, moves forward in convenient transit application
Riding TriMet buses and trains in Portland may soon become a paperless, machine-less and generally more convenient experience ifGlobeSherpa has anything to say about it. The 2-year-old company has created a mobile system that lets riders buy tickets on their phones. The completely paperless platform would also give TriMet an easier way to manage operations and even provide […]
Few Awards Lead to Frustrations at Third Frontier Fund, Others Point to Recent Program Changes
Many of the people in charge of the Ohio Third Frontier program aren’t happy. Several members of the Third Frontier Commission and Advisory Board expressed deep frustration over the relatively meager number of awards that the technology-focused economic development program has made during fiscal year 2012, which ends on June 30.
Alaskan 49th State Angel Fund Is Ready to Roll
Alaskans are full of great ideas. We’ve dreamed up making facial cream out of glacial silt and turning salmon into vodka. But to make money, you need money. And that’s where the 49th State Angel Fund comes in. This spring, the Municipality of Anchorage received a $13.2 million federal allocation to establish the 49th State […]
$20 Million W Fund, Focusing on Research Spinouts, Open for Business
We’ve been hearing about a new investment fund for university spinouts in Washington state for close to two years. Starting today, the W Fund is officially ready to start cutting checks—and it’s already started investigating promising research projects from colleges and government R&D labs around the state.
REDI, a University of Missouri-partnered initiative, eyes new seed fund
A “huge issue,” MacLellan said, is establishing a seed fund to help startups. Often, entrepreneurs with ideas need a small amount of capital to test the viability of their idea before they can take it to the bank for a loan or raise investment capital. MacLellan said a fund that could provide seed money in […]
InvestMaryland Forum Draws More Than 200 Entrepreneurs, Venture Capitalists
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Venture Fund Authorityalong with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) hosted a free public forum on InvestMaryland – a state sponsored initiative to invest in the Maryland’s start-up and early stage companies. The forum, held on the Johns Hopkins University Rockville campus, drew more than 200 entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other […]
Kenya Investment Authority creates a state-backed new venture fund
The government plans to buy stakes in small and medium sized start-ups that have no access to credit from banks to accelerate enterprise and jobs growth This will be done through a State-backed venture capital fund, which will provide funding and technical support for businesses that have difficulty accessing loans from banks or capital markets.