Archive for December, 2010

SilkRoad Technology Partners with SunBridge to create Japan subsidiary

Thursday, December 16th, 2010
Announcement Made at Ceremony in Tokyo, Japan
Chicago, IL
SilkRoad technology, inc., the leading provider of talent management solutions, announced today that it has expanded its global operations by opening a new corporate office in Tokyo, Japan.  The office, which will be led by Japanese technology services veteran Shinichiro Ishibashi, will enable the firm to better meet the demands of the increasing number of corporations throughout Asia that are looking to advance their talent management capabilities.
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SilkRoad Japan is a joint venture between SilkRoad technology inc. as the majority shareholder and SunBridge Corporation, the firm responsible for the Salesforce.com Japan joint venture and whose founders also launched Oracle Japan. The new office was announced by SilkRoad technology Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Andrew J. “Flip” Filipowski, Chief Operating Officer Brian Platz, and SilkRoad Japan CEO, Shinichiro Ishibashi at a standing-room only ceremony in Tokyo on November 9, 2010. An office in Osaka is also in the planning stages.
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This announcement comes on the heels of the firm’s recent closing of a $40 million equity round of capital from new investors Intel Capital, Tenaya Capital, West Summit, SunBridge and existing investors Foundation Capital, Azure Capital and SilkRoad Equity.
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“Cloud computing and talent management is at an inflection point in Japan, representing a huge opportunity for SilkRoad,” said Filipowski.  “With SunBridge Corporation and Ishibashi-san’s deep expertise in building massive cloud computing markets in Japan, SilkRoad couldn’t be better positioned for success.”
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Prior to joining SilkRoad, Shinichiro Ishibashi served as a product manager at IBM Japan and as marketing director for ORACLE Japan, where he was involved in the brand marketing for many major IT companies. He was also a co-founder and CEO of SunBridge Solutions. There are currently 12 employees at the new SilkRoad Japan office, which is continuing to expand staff as an initial wave of customers has already signed on.
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“We are extremely excited to partner with Flip and his team on the launch and growth of SilkRoad Japan,” said Allen Miner, the Founder and CEO of SunBridge.  “We believe SilkRoad has the potential to repeat the success of Oracle and Salesforce.com in establishing strong brand and market leadership in Japan.”
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SilkRoad has already launched the firm’s recruiting management solution, OpenHire, its onboarding and life event product, RedCarpet and a performance management solution specifically tailored to the Japan market. SilkRoad will expand its offerings in Japan to the full suite, including Core HR.
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About SunBridge
SunBridge Corporation is an international venture capital and professional services firm.  SunBridge offers globalization support for both Japanese and US technology companies; is a premier value added reseller of leading international enterprise software products; and, offers a range of custom development and consulting services.  SunBridge’s principals share a rich heritage of having founded Oracle Japan and held senior executive positions with IBM Japan and other leading enterprise software companies. SunBridge successfully co-founded salesforce.com Japan and ITmedia, and invested over $100m in more than 65 portfolio companies, resulting in eight successful IPOs and several major acquisition exits generating over $21 Billion in current market capitalization.  SunBridge offices are located in Tokyo, Osaka, Silicon Valley and Cleveland.  More information is available at www.sunbridge.com and www.sunbridgepartners.com.

Blue Spark Technologies Announces Closing of $7.5 Million Series B Funding

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Westlake, OH (PRWEB) December 15, 2010

Blue Spark Technologies, Inc., the leading producer of thin, flexible, printed power source solutions, has closed a $7.5 million Series B investment. Existing institutional venture investors Early Stage Partners and SunBridge Partners were joined by several private investors.

Gary R. Johnson, Blue Spark President and Chief Executive, said, “The Blue Spark team is delighted to have the support of new investors and the continuing confidence of early backers, who have provided additional resources to enable Blue Spark to continue to prosper. I’m pleased to report that applications enabled by printed batteries are developing rapidly as the early adopters of our battery technology transition from development to successful product introductions.”

John Gannon, General Partner of SunBridge said, “Since leading the Series A round in 2007 we have seen the company achieve important milestones in organizational and market development, including generating initial revenue in huge opportunities. We are very pleased to support Blue Spark in this round, which provides resources for its transition into high volumes and profitability.”

“Early Stage Partners,” according to Managing Director Jim Petras, “has focused on funding young Northeast Ohio companies through development into commercialization. Blue Spark has identified and developed outstanding market opportunities that can be served with its world class printed battery technology. Early Stage has supported Blue Spark since its founding. We are pleased with Blue Spark’s progress and with the contribution that high growth companies we have supported are contributing to economic revitalization in Northeast Ohio.”

Blue Spark will focus its resources on ramping manufacturing to support market successes in multiple projects and to the acceleration of new applications that require thin, printed, disposable batteries.

About Blue Spark Technologies

Blue Spark Technologies, Inc. is the leader in developing flexible, printed, “green,” proprietary power source solutions for battery-powered printed electronic systems. The company was founded as Thin Battery Technologies in 2002 with patented technology and technical leadership from Energizer (Eveready Battery Company). Blue Spark customers include manufacturers, product designers, and integrators across multiple industries including: interactive packaging, RFID, pharmaceutical, powered smart cards, and novelty items. Users of products powered by Blue Spark batteries enjoy increased efficiency, greater convenience and portability, improved safety, lower manufacturing and assembly costs, higher profit margins, and greater environmental responsibility. For more information, visit http://www.bluesparktechnologies.com or call +1 440 249 5400.

About SunBridge Partners

SunBridge Partners is a US-based venture capital firm pursuing a targeted, research-based approach to identifying and investing in private US technology companies pioneering innovations based on advanced technologies in computing, communications and manufacturing, including materials, semiconductors, components, equipment and software. SunBridge Partners’ capacity for strategic guidance based on deep domain expertise, proven track record of assisting portfolio companies, and global network of contacts and partners providing international market insight and revenue opportunities make it a preferred and effective investment partner to the most promising of startup companies. https://sunbridgepartners.com

About Early Stage Partners

Early Stage Partners is an early stage venture capital fund based in Cleveland, Ohio with an office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the largest and most active early stage venture firm in Ohio, with $99 million under management in two funds. Early Stage Partners invests primarily in promising opportunities in the life sciences, cleantech, and information technology. Since inception, Early Stage Partners has invested in over 30 high potential companies in Ohio, Michigan, and elsewhere. The company’s principals have over 90 years combined experience in early stage company formation and development and significant operating experience. http://www.esplp.com.