Ignition backs Adam Bosworth's stealthy health startup: Keas |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Brad Silverberg and Adam Bosworth have known one another for a long, long time, stretching back to the days of Borland Software in the mid-1980s. Now, more than two decades later, the two technology executives are working closely together on a stealthy consumer health startup called Keas, Inc.
Ignition Partners -- the Bellevue venture capital firm that Silverberg co-founded after leaving Microsoft -- invested an undisclosed amount in the San Francisco startup along with Atlas Venture last year. You wouldn't know it from Ignition's Web site, which makes no mention of Keas.
I only discovered the information after a tiny nugget appeared in a blog on The Wall Street Journal.
In an email to TechFlash, Silverberg confirmed the investment and his role on the board. But he declined to offer any more details on the startup, which was formed after Bosworth left his executive post at Google nearly two years ago.
At the time of Bosworth's departure, I wondered if he might be jumping back into the startup game. (He previously co-founded Redmond-based Crossgain, which is best known as the company that Microsoft tried to torpedo when it accused several of the employees of violating their non-compete agreements at the software giant.)
After some legal wrangling, Crossgain was sold to BEA in 2001. He later took a job leading Google's online health efforts.
When Bosworth left that job to pursue "new opportunities," I noted that Silverberg would be a natural partner.
"I think the world of Adam," Silverberg told me at the time.
There are some other big names helping out Keas, namely Salesforce.com Marc Benioff and journalist Esther Dyson who are serving as advisors.
So, what's Keas all about?
Bosworth's most recent blog post offers some clues.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
Follow, like, and connect to a broader audience for your company!
The Puget Sound Business Journal announces Social Madness: A Corporate Social Media Challenge, presented by Capital One Spark Business. This a local and national challenge that will spotlight the best social media programs of companies in 43 cities. The local challenge begins (following the nomination period) on June 1, 2012. The promotion will culminate in a national bracket challenge that will crown Social Madness champions in 3 categories based on company size. To see the official rules, visit http://www.socialmadness.com/rules.
For more information on how your company can participate, visit the nomination page here. Nominations are due May 15th.
BizDev Seminar Series - Leadership: Rallying People to a Brighter Future
Join us for this one-of-a-kind seminar series where you hear directly from the experts about hot topics to grow your business.
The skills to be effective as a leader can be learned. What are the skills and attributes needed to be effective top leaders? How do you tell what level your people are at, and what development skills each person needs? Workshop attendees will learn the answers to these questions and more.
Tuesday, May 17, 2012
8:30am - 10:30am
The Harbor Club, Seattle
Register here.