Caringo, a provider of clustered content storage software, was named among the “25 Coolest Emerging Tech Vendors” in the June 30 issue of CRN magazine for providing “innovative cutting-edge technology backed up by channel programs that pack more margin and support.”

The 25 “Coolest” vendors were selected from 178 companies included in this year’s Emerging Vendors report, an annual list of technology vendors chosen for superior technology, alternative choices to other products in the market and better opportunities for solution providers. Caringo, along with the other Top 25 vendors, were said to be the “sleek red Ferraris of the technology set zooming past your parents’ Volvo.” Final selection to the Emerging Technology list was made at the discretion of the CRN editorial team after a review of the submitted information and conversations with current or targeted partners.

“It is an honor alone to be chosen as one of CRN’s Emerging Tech Vendors but is especially gratifying to hear that we are among the Top 25 ‘Coolest’ ones at that,” said Mark Goros, CEO of Caringo. “We’ve worked diligently to provide resellers with the ability to offer their customers an affordable, high performance and reliable clustered storage solution that is easy to manage and administer. The CAStor software is really a great fit for the channel because it opens new opportunities by leveraging standard x86 server platforms that may already be a part of a distributor’s portfolio.”

Caringo’s CAStor software runs on affordable, standard server platforms (x86) and virtualizes storage across internal disks on every node in a cluster presenting a vast 128-bit flat address space enabling massive scalability. CAStor clusters easily scale from a Terabyte to Petabytes using commodity server hardware with self-managing capabilities along with automated replication, archiving and compliance features that minimize administrative effort.

Technorati Tags: Austin, caringo, Startup

There are only a few more days until the new iPhone 3G hits stores, the new iPhone software will be ready for download, and the iPhone App Store will be open for business. We have yet to find any local developers that have been approved to be in the App Store, but the screenshot shows that there will at least be a couple apps available.

You can see Sega’s Super Monkey Ball, eBay, Twitterific, AOL’s AIM, and TypePad from Six Apart. Along the bottom row you can see Featured, Search by Category, Popular, Search by Name, and see which of your applications have new versions available (that last button).

Once you select an item from the App Store, you can use the big green button to buy it. We’re not exactly sure what the Tell A Friend feature does. If the application is small, the Edge or 3G networks will be used. If the application is large, they’re going to tell you to find a WiFi hotspot for download or to connect to iTunes. Once you start downloading the app, the icon shows up on your iPhone along with a little progress bar. It’s nice to see that you don’t have to use iTunes to buy and install apps, so if you discover something cool while you’re on the road, you can just add it.

Will localization get better with GPS? SkyHook just announced that they’re integrating GPS into the way they figure out your location. SkyHook is the technology used to find your location on Google Maps. The problem with keeping your GPS functions on all the time is that the GPS chipset eats up battery faster than normal. If you’re in your office, your phone probably won’t be able to locate the handful of satellites it needs to fix a position because you’ve have a roof (or more) over your head. It may work if you’re by a window though. We will just have to wait and see.

If GPS turns out to be not that great of a feature, and if the 3G data plan costs an extra $25/month (over the two year contract that would be $600) there may be more interest in the “iPhone Classic.” If there was a killer app that leveraged the GPS and the faster data rate, that could drive more adoption. Maybe something like Qik for the iPhone with geotagging, so that you could search for live video of your friends doing their best hip hop moves at Gruv?

Technorati Tags: Austin, iphone, Startup

Business is booming for Austin, Texas-based identity theft protection company CSIdentity. By offering a comprehensive suite of business and personal security solutions targeting all aspects of identity theft, CSIdentity has grown exponentially since the beginning of the year with no signs of stopping. The company hit the one million mark in the number of lives it is protecting through its suite of products and retail and wholesale relationships. And, as a result, CSIdentity is reporting a positive net income for its first time in the second quarter of 2008.

“CSIdentity has taken a full-service approach to identity theft protection and has separated itself from other identity theft protection companies. We pride ourselves on taking a deeper look to find multi-layered solutions to this ever-growing crime,” CSIdentity Chairman William Morrow said. “Because of our dedication to excellence and use of leading edge technology, our business and consumer customers receive comprehensive identity theft protection that goes beyond credit monitoring and credit freezes.”

CSIdentity’s Security SuiteSM provides businesses with advanced protection against identity theft by offering comprehensive solutions to this crime. The product suite includes CSIdentity SAFESM, an advanced background check and monitoring system; CSIdentity ProtectorSM, a consumer identity theft protection product; identity validation; data breach management and victim protection; and blanket security. Organizations, from locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies, use CSIdentity’s full suite of products, including the Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), IBC Bank, Liberty Hill School District, Rite Aid Pharmacy and CalPERS. CSIdentity’s entire suite of products also is endorsed by the Texas Bankers Association after a lengthy evaluation process against other identity protection companies.

“With the new state and federal laws and regulations that impact every American business, CSIdentity’s comprehensive suite of business solutions are tailored to help companies be compliant with the laws while improving their security and business efficiencies,” Morrow said.

The company’s consumer protection product, CSIdentity ProtectorSM, provides 360 degrees of protection by accessing credit reports, court and criminal records, public records and non-credit loans to provide its customers with reports, alerts and ongoing monitoring of fraudulent activity associated with their personal information. CSIdentity ProtectorSM is offered directly to consumers through CSIdentity’s Web site and to businesses that then offer it as a retail product or employee benefit.

Technorati Tags: Austin, csidentity, Startup

This past weekend was the first ever InnovationCamp Austin held at GSD&M. Done in the “unconference” style of BarCamp, InnovationCamp set out to explore many aspects of innovation in our great city.

• Austin 3.0’s take on the event, Part I and Part II.
• David Giesberg writes about his impressions and posts some pictures.
• A post from Michelle’s Blog.

From all the postings it seems like everybody really enjoyed the event, as well as the after party celebrating the new co-working space at Conjunctured.

Technorati Tags: Austin, barcamp, innovationcamp

Book your tickets now for the Austin stop of Mashable Summer US Tour. When the Mashable folks were making plans for which cities to visit for their US Tour, we told them Austin had a thriving tech scene and had some cool social media companies that were up and coming. The Austin Tech Happy Hour is teaming up with Mashable for this event, so this will officially be the happy hour’s July event.

The event will be Wednesday night July 30th at Buffalo Billiards. The event on Facebook will start to have some RSVP’s show up. Also make sure you buy a ticket ahead of time, as the first 100 tickets are only $15. We’ve got drinks for you, some bar food, and great company.

We’ll see you there!

Technorati Tags: Austin, mashable, Startup

There’s been lots of local conversation about how to unite a group of people with a common interest — those who create technology startups. There are great resources like the Rice Alliance, ProductCamp, Texchange, the Austin Technology Council, and many many more. If you’re not familiar with the grassroots efforts of the folks behind the Startup District, you should be. They just secured a new co-working space, so you’ll be hearing more about that soon (congrats guys).

But if you want to see pushpins on a map for Austin technology companies, check out Startup Warrior which is a mashup of Crunchbase and Google Maps. There’s definitely a big downtown concentration, plus another concentration around the Breaker/Metric area. Browse for yourself. Here’s a screenshot we took.

It would be great to see the Austin Emerging 100 mapped onto Google Maps. If you’re company is not in here, then get yourself into CrunchBase and with the next weekly update, you will be.

Technorati Tags: Austin, district, Startup, startup warrior

MPOWER Ventures, a socially committed venture fund dedicated to investing in solutions that empower the underserved worldwide, today announced its investment in Sapphire Mobile Systems of Philadelphia, PA, a pioneer of mobile banking and payments solutions accessible from any mobile handset via Short Message Service (SMS). Under the terms of the investment, MPOWER Ventures has rebranded the company MPOWER Mobile, Inc. and relocated the company headquarters to Austin, Texas.

Co-founders Moneet Singh and Neeraj Bansal remain executives of the company. Singh oversees daily operations and product development as President and Chief Operating Officer, and Bansal leads and manages MPOWER Mobile’s strategic relationships as Executive Vice President, business development.
Sapphire’s former CEO Richard A. Rasansky now serves as an advisor to the company.

“We are proud to be part of the MPOWER family and see the principals of MPOWER Ventures as partners who wholly share our belief in the power of disruptive technologies to create social change,” commented Singh. “We chose MPOWER Ventures as our investment partner over more traditional firms because the ability to collaborate with MPOWER Labs accelerates our development and allows us to focus where we can create the most value and generate the greatest social impact. That’s with developing innovative products and services that bring financial empowerment to previously inaccessible markets.”

The investment from MPOWER Ventures will support product development and expansion into global markets. The value of the investment was not disclosed. MPOWER Mobile plans to debut its first products in the third quarter of 2008.

“This is a key investment for MPOWER Ventures given the enormous potential for mobile channels to deliver financial empowerment to underserved consumers worldwide,” said Roy Sosa, managing partner, MPOWER Ventures.

Technorati Tags: Austin, mobile, mpower, sapphire, Startup

Austin Ventures today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Sherman Atkinson to form ATCOR Holdings, Inc. The new company will focus on acquiring and operating businesses in high-growth sectors of online advertising, marketing and digital media. AV has committed $50 Million of equity capital to support management’s strategy to build a leading new media franchise through both organic growth and acquisition. Mr. Atkinson will serve as Chief Executive Officer of ATCOR.

“Sherman has played a leading role in two of the most exciting consumer internet success stories. He has a keen understanding of how to build valuable, branded consumer franchises that appeal to their users and online advertisers alike,” said David Lack, AV Partner. “We are excited to be working with Sherman to identify the companies that will play a role in his next digital media enterprise.”

Prior to forming ATCOR, Mr. Atkinson served as the COO of Intermix Media, Inc. (AMEX: MIX), a publicly traded, new media company that owned MySpace.com. During his tenure as COO, its public market capitalization grew from $126 million to over $650 million, when it was acquired by News Corporation (NYSE: NWS) in October 2005. Before joining Intermix Media, Mr. Atkinson served as COO of Buy.com, The Internet Superstore™, and President of its technology spinout, BuyServices, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Buy.com. Previously, Mr. Atkinson spent five years with Booz Allen & Hamilton. Mr. Atkinson has served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps with tours at 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and Marine Aircraft Group 39. Mr. Atkinson is a graduate of Purdue University and the United States Navy’s Nuclear Power Program.

“Austin Ventures has committed significant capital and team resources to this venture, and we’re confident that our combined experience and market knowledge provide the right ingredients to build a successful new media franchise,” said Mr. Atkinson. “We are interested in working with enduring businesses in the New Media sector with high growth potential. When the opportunity presents itself, I want to concentrate ATCOR’s investments in great companies run by strong, trustworthy management. We are already reviewing interesting acquisition opportunities as well as developing an organic growth plan that exploits the deportalization of the web and encompasses content aggregation, analytics and distribution. I look forward to meeting the management teams and entrepreneurs who share our vision.”

Technorati Tags: Austin, Austin Ventures, Startup

Bazaarvoice has raised their next series of financing, closing a $7.1M Series C round. The list of current investors came to the table again for Bazaarvoice, including Austin Ventures, Battery Ventures, First Round Capital, and European Founders Fund. The valuation for this round was not disclosed, of course, but was only described as an “up round” which is not a surprise. This round of financing brings the total amount of capital raised to $19.6M. The company reached profitability a while ago, but raised the Series B to escalate the rate of growth and invest further in new products. With this new round of financing, the company can grow faster on three different fronts. According to Sam Decker, Chief Marketing Officer, the company is growing internationally (France, Germany, UK, and now Asia), vertically in over 15 areas, and is investing in product and program expansion.

Worldwide headcount is at 200 today (mostly in Austin), and at this pace it will double to 400 in the next 12 months. That pace will outgrow their 6th office space in a little over two years. Maybe 7 will be the lucky number! It’s got to be a logistical challenge to move that frequently. I wish those types of problems upon your startup!

Technorati Tags: Austin, AV, battery, bazaarvoice, first round, Startup

The Dallas Cowboys are getting into the social media craze.  Tapping Austin’s Pluck for assistance,  the Dallas Cowboys have announced plans to add social media capabilities across the team’s fan and retail sites.  Given the intersection of sports and technology, this combination makes sense for all football fans out there.  According to Derek Eagleton, internet director for the Dallas Cowboys, their “fans are interested in engaging with our players, staff and each other online more than ever before [and] the Pluck SiteLife platform gives us virtually limitless ways to integrate meaningful interaction and social networking capabilities directly into our online properties so we can fulfil the need for fan engagement online.”  Look for the Pluck influence to start showing up on DallasCowboys.com, DallasCowboysCheerleaders.com, and CowboysFan4Life.com.

Deals like this, and their deal with Film.com and RollingStone.com illustrate the potential that Demand Media obviously saw when they purchased the company in March.