DocuSign faces new threat as Adobe inks deal to buy EchoSign GeekWire
Seattle’s DocuSign may have an edge in e-signature science and market share, but Adobe chose Palo Alto rival EchoSign to augment its document exchange service. With its own product upgrade slated for debut, the company co-founded by Tom Gosner sees its rival’s acquisition as confirmation of DocuSign’s methodology and believes focus and platform neutrality can compete against this powerful new alliance.
Winshuttle acquires Calif. software company ShareVis TechFlash
The acquisition of ShareVis by WinShuttle continues the Bothell software developer’s growth trajectory and brings a powerful tool in Microsoft SharePoint. WinShuttle CEO Lewis Carpenter is convinced the two companies are on the same track, while ShareVis will keep its Carlsbad, California operation.
A challenge to Seattle VCs: Back 100 seed-stage startups in 24 months GeekWire
Seattle needs an infusion of seed stage capital in order to foster the next generation of startups and keep venture capital in the Emerald City so investors don’t have to hunt elsewhere for greener pastures. Washington state will continue to trail California, New York and Massachusetts unless investors dare to spread the seed money that will ensure a crop of series A class deals in the seasons ahead and a thriving culture for investors and entrepreneurs.
Concur Makes Strategic Investment in Yapta PR Newswire
Business travelers will reap the benefits of a new partnership between a pair of Seattle-area companies committed to helping clients save on travel costs. An investment in Yapta by Concur brings airline and hotel price tracking technology to its Tripit Pro service, uniting Yapta CEO Tom Romary and Concur chief Rajeev Singh on the same mission.
Add comments to the margins of Web pages or directly in the editorial flow with Highlighter GeekWire
Once limited to WordPress sites, Highlighter is expanding to other content management formats, including Blogger and Tumbler, allowing users to comment within text. Because the Seattle TechStars product enables archiving of text, Highlighter could potentially revolutionize use of digital books, a capability Amazon Kindle cannot boast.
Zillow boosts IPO price as investors bet on tech finesse Seattle Times
With a future tied to the lackluster housing market, Zillow’s IPO launch could seem ill-timed, yet Rich Barton’s company is aiming for the same track taken by Amazon and Expedia instead of HouseValues, another Washington-based real estate data service ultimately derailed by the crash. Shares of the Seattle star startup listed on Nasdaq simply as Z went on sale at a price that far exceeded earlier estimates.
Amazon.com to stream CBS-owned TV shows Seattle Times
Classic CBS programming is now part of the video-streaming lineup offered to Amazon Prime users, while the Seattle e-retailer readies for its tablet debut and vies with rivals Netflix and Google for acquisition of Hulu. Along with its sizable edge in plan members, Netflix boasts greater access to the CBS archives, but Trekkies with Amazon Prime accounts can welcome the news.
MicroVision to bring windshield display technology to mystery automaker GeekWire
The laser display technology created by Redmond-based MicroVision will be featured in an upcoming unnamed automotive model, a first for the company headed by Alexander Tokman. The PicoP windshield projection promises enhanced driver safety by directing focus straight ahead instead of at consoles and instrument panels.
StartUp Northwest Offers Boost to Washington Entrepreneurs Marketwire
Brainchild of Stephen Coles, StartUp Northwest aims to unite entrepreneurs across industries and across the state of Washington to build enduring partnerships between startups and veterans. The social network and web-based resource promises discounts from service providers and perks like free job postings that appeal to bootstrapped new businesses.
The 14 Hot Seattle Startups You Need To Watch Business Insider SAI
From Apptio’s IT cost management in the cloud to Zulily’s family-oriented daily deal site, Seattle is brimming with startups that have the potential to be the next big thing, including Ben Huh’s Cheezburger Network, Swype’s smart screen swipe science and paycheck checker, PayScale. While PopCap makes headlines for its $1.3B snare, the city’s gaming scene also boasts BigFish, new TechStars grad Giant Thinkwell, Wild Tangent and Groundspeak, whose cache owes to the geocaching craze.