The Skinny

Raleigh-based PRA International eyes public offering

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:24:35 -0400

Another life science services firm in the Triangle, PRA International, may follow in the footsteps of a bigger rival - Quintiles - by offering stock in order to raise capital. Just two years ago, PRA was at the center of takeover rumors in the range of $1 billion.

Will lightning strike again for veteran entrepreneur Brian Handly at StepLeader?

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:24:34 -0400

As the Raleigh-based apps developer raises its first venture funding, its CEO Brian Handly talks about what's coming next at StepLeader. He has big, big plans. Handly also discusses the state of fundraising, which can be quite difficult these days.

Raleigh app developer StepLeader lands $4.4M in first fund raiser

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:24:05 -0400

The Raleigh-based startup, which is a spinout from Capitol Broadcasting's New Media Group, raises its first round of venture funding with two local firms participating. Its CEO invests as well. And the company has big growth plans. WRALTechWire Insiders can get the full story.

IBM opens Linux center in China, says it will work with Red Hat

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:13:04 -0400

Big Blue is further expanding an already large presence in China with a new Linux-focused center in Beijing. And it says the world's top Linux developer, Red Hat, will be involved as well as Red Hat rival SUSE.

Red-hot Raleigh startup WedPics hauls in $1.1M in funding

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:11:58 -0400

As more people download their app to post wedding photo albums, the WedPics team should consider having a party themselves. But there's no honeymoon at hand for CEO Justin Miller and his growing team. WRALTechWire Insiders get all the details in an exclusive interview with Miller.

New Triangle venture capital firm slowly emerging from shadows

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:33:51 -0400

The two co-founders of the Triangle's newest venture capital firm won't talk - yet - about what they are doing. But we have some salient details about who they are, their focus, and what this means for the capital-starved southeast.

Titans of tech seek to excite UNC, Duke grads about a future beyond themselves

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:15:00 -0400

In graduation speeches at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill respectively, Melinda Gates and Steve Case point to technology as a tool to build a better world. Will the graduates listen?

Triangle politician tries to accelerate crowdfunding; bill passes first hurdle

Mon, 13 May 2013 07:37:12 -0400

Rep. Tom Murry, a businessman and Republican from Morrisville, along with three others, is pushing legislation to help entrepreneurs raise money while the SEC wrestles with implementation of the JOBS Act that was passed last year. Read about the bill, who backs it - and which Republican is a powerful opponent.

ChannelAdvisor seeks $80M, sets share target price for IPO

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:25:20 -0400

Seeking to cash in on the recent run of the bulls to stock market record highs, ChannelAdvisor prices its IPO and looks to sell 5.75 million shares. What's the price range? What would ChannelAdvisor do with the money? We've got the details.

IT job openings 28% below 2012 numbers, report shows

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:59:42 -0400

The latest IT Job Trends report from the North Carolina Technology Association shows a slight uptick in advertised openings across the state for April, but the market remains sluggish compared to a year ago. What skills are in most demand? Where is opportunity declining? We've got the numbers.

As Quintiles' Gillings rings opening bell, SciQuest CEO recalls the feeling

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:46 -0400

Dennis Gillings, who started Quintiles in a trailer more than 30 years ago, rings the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange today to celebrate the giant's return to public markets. Stephen Wiehe, who led SciQuest through a similar private-to-public Odyssey, recalls the "humbling" ringing bell honor.

NC Commerce privatization plan could mean more capital for startups

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:13:00 -0400

Capital is the oxygen business startups need for growth, and in North Carolina it remains in short supply. But help could be coming from an unexpected source: A reorganization plan that calls for the privatization of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Gov. Pat McCrory is not ignoring the need for more money to drive new businesses.

Durham aims to create own South by Southwest with 'Paradoxos' event

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:40:44 -0400

The Bull City, along with help from other partners from across the Triangle, is looking to create a southeast version of SXSX, the music, film, tech and interactive festival that has become an incredibly popular event to showcase Austin, Texas. WRALTechWire Insiders can learn more about the upcoming "Paradoxos."

Former prominent Red Hat execs are out at Massachusetts firm

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:22:33 -0400

Two senior executives who quit Red Hat to join a Massachusetts software firm are now looking for jobs again. WRALTechWire Insiders can get the latest scoop.

Billionaire founder's latest 'gift' to NC Research Campus could be inflection point

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:49:46 -0400

David Murdock, the founder of the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, is announcing another donation today to what Oprah Winfrey has described as his "gift to humanity." Will the endowment he is making secure the NCRC's future as a true hub for health research?

Score one for Sqord: Durham startup lands spot in Chicago Tech Stars

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:51:58 -0400

Convincing kids to live a more active lifestyle is not just a game at Durham startup Sqord. It means better lives. And the Durham startup's founders are banking their financial futures on their emerging business. The team has just landed more funding and a major boost for its hopes. WRALTechWire Insiders can learn the inside story about Sqord's march toward success.

Cisco loses a top tech leader in emerging software defined networking

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:35:26 -0400

A high-profile startup backed by Intel, Goldman Sachs and several high-profile venture capitalists has scored a big victory in the hunt for talent to lead product development for software defined networking, or SDN. And Cisco is the big loser.

Publisher: Triangle Tech Talk is 'pulling back' on news

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:46:19 -0400

Chris Heivly, the publisher of Triangle Tech Talk who helps run Triangle Startup Factory and is always looking for new projects, tells his readers that he is "cutting back" on the web news site.

Charlotte's startup community is booming, survey finds

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:47:11 -0400

The Business Innovation & Growth Council's second survey of the entrepreneurial community in the Queen City uncovers more new and emerging ventures. Plus, companies are looking to hire hundreds this year. We've got the numbers.

Is IBM-Lenovo deal really dead? Insiders say no

Mon, 06 May 2013 07:58:31 -0400

An IBM facility in Research Triangle Park that even Big Blue calls a "Superlab" remains at the center of reports about a possible sale of at least a portion of IBM's server business to Lenovo. What's a SuperLab? What do they do? What are employees there hearing?

NC's broadband network about to receive another major boost

Wed, 01 May 2013 07:55:25 -0400

The North Carolina Research and Education Network, which is operated by MCNC, will soon be a deeper, more reliable network through a new contract being announced today. We've got the details.

E-commerce firm ChannelAdvisor's going public party may be in trouble

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:40:47 -0400

The Morrisville-based company makes several changes in its SEC filing that indicate a proposed offering of stock is not generating traction among investors, sources familiar with IPO filings tell WRALTechWire. What are the changes, and what could they mean?

Greenpeace goofs on IBM, moves Big Blue up 'Cool IT' list

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:29:00 -0400

The folks at Greenpeace were a little red in the face - i.e. a bit embarrassed - Friday, issuing a correction about IBM and moving Big Blue up its annual "Cool IT Leaderboard." What happened?

Why did Nortel fail? Veteran reporter gets the inside story

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:03:08 -0400

So why did Nortel go bankrupt, causing 8,000 job losses in RTP alone? James Bagnall, the associate business editor of The Ottawa Citizen who followed Nortel closely for years, explains how a "rush to judgment" in 2001 sealed the fate of the former telecom giant.

Source: IBM-Lenovo server deal could be announced Friday

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:01:02 -0400

Neither company is talking, but no one should be surprised if Lenovo announces today that it is acquiring at least a portion of IBM's server businesses. A source close to the matter tells WRALTechWire that a deal is in the works, and tech publication CRN reports talks are "moving quickly."

Panic at Big Blue? CEO reprimands workers, reassigns a top exec

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:56:22 -0400

By delivering what the Wall Street Journal describes as a "reprimand" to the entire company through an internal video and in reassigning top hardware executive Rod Adkins - who had been a contender for the CEO job - IBM CEO Ginny Rometty shows that Big Blue is in trouble. Can she right the ship?

Defeat of renewable energy subsidy bill shows 'green' power

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:03:57 -0400

The global fight over the wisdom of "green energy" may very well have hit a pivotal point right here in North Carolina. If a state under conservative Republican control can't repeal legislation that requires utilities to provide sustainable energy and also provides subsidies to the emerging industry then the march to a greener future is likely to continue.

Google, Cisco share top spot in Greenpeace 'Cool IT Leaderboard'

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:07:45 -0400

The global environmental group gives high marks to Google and Cisco for their efforts to adopt sustainable energy. Greenpeace especially likes Google's deal with Duke Energy in providing power to its soon-to-be-expanded data center in Lenoir.

Looking for a job? 87% of startups in survey say they are hiring

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:22:54 -0400

A new survey from Silicon Valley Bank finds that virtually all startups - especially in hardware, software and cleantech - are hiring. Most firms also say they are having trouble finding qualified workers. Note: STEM skills are often required.

GSK bypasses RTP, picks San Diego for $475M investments in drug startups

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:05:37 -0400

Imagine the incredible boost that $465 million in venture capital investment would do for Research Triangle Park's life science industry. Well, just imagine it because GlaxSmithKline, which operates its North American headquarters in RTP, is taking its investment deal to San Diego.

IBM doesn't quite measure up to AT&T, Verizon in data hosting report

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:44:40 -0400

A review of managed hosting services by research firm Gartner gives "leader" status to AT&T, Verizon and two others. IBM comes in as a "visionary." Gartner also rates highly CenturyLink's service and Rackspace.

Southern Capitol backs another startup from Batanga founder

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:33:40 -0400

AudienceFuel, a startup focusing on delivering "premium audiences" to online advertisers, draws financing from Raleigh-based Southern Capitol Ventures, which is very familiar with the firm's CEO.

Layoffs coming? IBM plans $1B in 'workforce rebalancing'

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:36:05 -0400

After an earnings report that missed analysts' expectations for the first time since 2005, IBM's CFO says the tech giant anticipates in $1 billion in costs for "workforce rebalancing." Most of that expense will come over the next two months. The cost-cutting could mean big layoffs, but affected workers are likely to get chances to apply for other positions.

Industry insiders: Lack of VC deals doesn't reflect true state of a lively startup market

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:51:21 -0400

Three separate reports show a few signs of life in North Carolina's venture market. But several VCs and an industry expert say the numbers don't truly reflect the level and quality of startup activity.

Google making big NC expansion news - but don't expect many jobs

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:34:10 -0400

The search engine giant is scheduled to announce a major investment in its huge $600 million Lenoir, N.C. data center. But don't expect Google to hire very many people.

Sale of server business to Lenovo would fit IBM pattern

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:23:58 -0400

Big Blue Chief Financial Officer Mark Loughridge wouldn't discuss a report that IBM is negotiating to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo. But the tech giant has made clear it's intentions of continuing a strategy to dump hardware in favor of software and services. Analysts see IBM selling at least parts of the group.

Sprint's 4G wireless service creeping across Triangle

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:18:44 -0400

Even though Raleigh, Durham and the rest of the Triangle are not listed on the latest 4G LTE rollout announcement by Sprint, the service is here in some spots and growing more pervasive. But no official announcement is set - yet.

Analyst: IBM a 'buy' with its 'cloud,' IT-as-a-service strategy

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:41:10 -0400

Big Blue releases its latest earnings report today, and UBS is expecting good news. Its analysts last week upgraded IBM to a "buy," citing primarily the giant's technology in the IT-as-a-service space, including "cloud" computing.

Cisco CEO Chambers bets 'my future' on India

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:15:55 -0400

John Chambers is already pursuing an acquisition strategy focused outside the U.S. due to his tax dispute on foreign earnings. Now he says he is "betting my future" on India, plans 30 percent of the company's talent to be based there, and is considering an India native to succeed him.

The new WRALTechWire is here - Become an Insider today

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:54:42 -0400

The new WRALTechWire launches today with an expanded lineup of exclusive technology, life science, venture financing, mergers and acquisitions along with insightful opinion and analysis. Our Insiders will get the best news, analysis and commentary every business day. Join today!