Hub Tech Leaders Acknowledge Steve Jobs’ Genius: The sad, though not totally unexpected, news of Steve Jobs’ resignation as CEO of Apple has brought forth memories and plaudits from every corner of the technology industry. In Boston, 3Com founder and Polaris Venture Partners general partner Bob Metcalfe said, “Steve Jobs is on my ‘eternal heroes’ list. He did what he set out to do: create insanely great products. And he did it his way.” High-tech entrepreneur and angel investor John Landry of Wayland said, “He’s the most brilliant software developer and tech business person who’s ever lived. He’s taken his vision and created the most valuable technology company in the world.” The Boston Globe Mass. Unemployment Rate Holds: The unemployment rate here held steady at 7.6 percent for a third month in July, despite the addition of 12,700 seasonal jobs. That puts the state unemployment rate 1.5 percent below the national 9.1 percent rate. “We obviously want to see the rate come down but it’s encouraging that jobs are being added,” Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said after announcing a science, technology, engineering and math initiative. The July job numbers come after a revised gain of 9,400 jobs in June, 1,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. The Boston Herald Another Travel Site Will Call Boston Home: Montreal-based travel website Hopper has received $8 million in new funding from Atlas Venture and Brightspark Ventures and will relocate to Boston. Its new office will include an engineering team that the company expects to double over the next year. A Hopper rep says the company is “eager to build on the local travel technology expertise that’s centered around MIT and to contribute to Boston’s Big Data community.” The company's goal: to build the world’s largest database of travel information. Massachusetts High Tech Embedded System Conference Promises Innovation: The upcoming Embedded Systems Conference Boston, which will run from September 26 through September 29, will be a venue for embedded system developers and hardware designers to share ideas for new tech projects. DesignCon East will also be part of the event. The arrival of both conferences in the area is seen as an indication of a healthy tech ecosystem. EE Times HubSpot Acquires OneForty: Cambridge-based marketing software firm HubSpot has acquired social media firm OneForty. OneForty, also based in Cambridge, is a directory of social media applications. It was launched by social media pioneer Laura Fitton in 2009. The plan is to merge OneForty’s directory into the HubSpot marketplace, an app store for marketing. Boston Business Journal Pixtronix Seeks $20 Million: Portable display developer Pixtronix is looking for a $20 million financing round by the end of the year. The Andover-based company is working on a low-energy, digital display technology, an alternative that consumes 75 percent less energy than LCD displays. Boston Business Journal Brightcove seeks $50 Million: Another video-centric company, Brightcove, is also after additional funding, hoping to raise $50 million through an IPO. The company, which is not yet profitable, serves more than 3,300 customers with its online video platform. Brightcove also says it will relocate from Kendall Square to the Atlantic Wharf Building, Boston’s first LEED certified “green” skyscraper. The company will use two floors. Bostinnovation Boston: Fond Words for Steve Jobs, More Hub Firms Seek Funding
Hub Tech Leaders Acknowledge Steve Jobs’ Genius: The sad, though not totally unexpected, news of Steve Jobs’ resignation as CEO of Apple has brought forth memories and plaudits from every corner of the technology industry. In Boston, 3Com founder and Polaris Venture Partners general partner Bob Metcalfe said, “Steve Jobs is on my ‘eternal heroes’ list. He did what he set out to do: create insanely great products. And he did it his way.” High-tech entrepreneur and angel investor John Landry of Wayland said, “He’s the most brilliant software developer and tech business person who’s ever lived. He’s taken his vision and created the most valuable technology company in the world.” The Boston Globe Mass. Unemployment Rate Holds: The unemployment rate here held steady at 7.6 percent for a third month in July, despite the addition of 12,700 seasonal jobs. That puts the state unemployment rate 1.5 percent below the national 9.1 percent rate. “We obviously want to see the rate come down but it’s encouraging that jobs are being added,” Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said after announcing a science, technology, engineering and math initiative. The July job numbers come after a revised gain of 9,400 jobs in June, 1,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. The Boston Herald Another Travel Site Will Call Boston Home: Montreal-based travel website Hopper has received $8 million in new funding from Atlas Venture and Brightspark Ventures and will relocate to Boston. Its new office will include an engineering team that the company expects to double over the next year. A Hopper rep says the company is “eager to build on the local travel technology expertise that’s centered around MIT and to contribute to Boston’s Big Data community.” The company's goal: to build the world’s largest database of travel information. Massachusetts High Tech Embedded System Conference Promises Innovation: The upcoming Embedded Systems Conference Boston, which will run from September 26 through September 29, will be a venue for embedded system developers and hardware designers to share ideas for new tech projects. DesignCon East will also be part of the event. The arrival of both conferences in the area is seen as an indication of a healthy tech ecosystem. EE Times HubSpot Acquires OneForty: Cambridge-based marketing software firm HubSpot has acquired social media firm OneForty. OneForty, also based in Cambridge, is a directory of social media applications. It was launched by social media pioneer Laura Fitton in 2009. The plan is to merge OneForty’s directory into the HubSpot marketplace, an app store for marketing. Boston Business Journal Pixtronix Seeks $20 Million: Portable display developer Pixtronix is looking for a $20 million financing round by the end of the year. The Andover-based company is working on a low-energy, digital display technology, an alternative that consumes 75 percent less energy than LCD displays. Boston Business Journal Brightcove seeks $50 Million: Another video-centric company, Brightcove, is also after additional funding, hoping to raise $50 million through an IPO. The company, which is not yet profitable, serves more than 3,300 customers with its online video platform. Brightcove also says it will relocate from Kendall Square to the Atlantic Wharf Building, Boston’s first LEED certified “green” skyscraper. The company will use two floors. Bostinnovation 