Monday, January 21, 2008Venture Investments Rise Nationally, Socal Investments DropPricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association released its quarterly venture capital results Saturday, reporting that venture firms invested $29.4B for last year, a rise of 10.8% over 2006. The investment level nationally was the highest yearly investment since 2001, a six year high. The quarterly PwC/NVCA MoneyTree report, based on data from Thomson Financial, found that the increase in investments in the quarter was driven by record investment levels in clean technology a (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)
INOVA Diagnostics Acquired by Spanish FirmSan Diego-based INOVA Diagnostics, a developer of medical diagnostic tests for autoimmune diseases, has been acquired by Barcelona, Spain-based Werfen Group S.A. Werfen did not disclose financial terms of the deal. According to Werfen, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008. INOVA develops "in viro" diagnostic tests for autoimmune diseases, and was founded in 1987; the firm employes 160 people in San Diego.
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)
Eyeonics Acquired By Bausch & LombBausch & Lomb said Sunday that it is acquiring Aliso Viejo-based Eyeonics, a developer of intraocular lenses for the opthalmic medical device market. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to Bausch & Lomb, Eyeonics will become part of its surgical business, which will be led by Eyeonics founder, Chairman, and CEO J. Andy Corley. Eyeonics' intraocular lens is used for the treatment of cataracts. Eyeonics was founded in 1998.
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)
SEMDirector Becomes CovarioSan Diego-based SEMDirector, a provider of search engine marketing software and services, said today that the firm has changed its name to Covario. According to the firm, the name change was due to an expansion of its business strategy. The firm said it has broadened its focus to include "performance management technology" and display advertising. SEMDirector was previously focused on automating the search engine marketing and search engine optimization business. Covario is venture backed by Voy (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)
Guitar Hero Racks Up $1B In SalesSanta Monica-based video game publisher Activision reported today that its Guitar Hero franchise has racked up more than $1B in North American retail sales, over the last 26 months. Activision cited figures from NPD Group, and also said that Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, the latest in the franchise, was number one in both units and dollars for 2007. Santa Monica-based Activision is a developer, publisher, and distributor of computer games.
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)
Nirvanix Hires ExecsSan Diego-based Nirvanix said today that it has hired Daniel Havens as its Vice President of Sales, and Craig Halliwell as Senior Director of Alliances. The firm, which provides online storage to Internet companies, said that Havens joins from ClearApp. Havens has also served at BEA Systems, Microstrategy, and Boeing. Halliwell joins from IBRIX, and has also served at VERITAS/Symantec, BEA Systems, and Akamai Technologies. Nirvanix is venture backed by Intel Capital, Mission Ventures, Valhalla P (More info...)
posted on Monday, January 21, 2008(Full story)