Mar 25, 2020

Sorse Technology

Seattle-based Sorse Technology formed a partnership with Pascal Biosciences for cannabinoid research programs. Sorse also is acquiring part of the Vancouver, B.C.-based cancer research company. This is Sorse's first move into medical research applications. It sells a water-soluble cannabinoid emulsion used as an ingredient in food items, beverages, topicals and medical applications.

KinderCare

Portland-based KinderCare Education said it will shift its operations to provide child care to first responders, critical health care professionals and families in essential services. KinderCare operates about 1,500 centers around the nation and expects to keep more than 400 open to provide this essential child care during the COVID-19 crisis. The company will reopen additional essential centers as the need arises. Also, KinderCare Education at Work centers at medical facilities will remain open.

Arcimoto

Arcimoto temporarily suspended production of its Fun Utility Vehicle through April 17 at its Eugene, Oregon, factory due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The electric vehicle company is maintaining a work-from-home staff for critical operations such as compliance and reporting, research and development, customer service, and deployment of the recently launched Rapid Responder and Deliverator pilot vehicles.

Mar 24, 2020

Silverback Therapeutics

Seattle-based private biopharmaceutical company Silverback Therapeutics raised $78.5 million in Series B funding and brought on Dr. Jonathan Root and Dr. Thilo Schroeder as board members. U.S. Venture Partners led the financing round, with participation from Nextech Invest, Hunt Investment Group, Pontifax Venture Capital, Colt Ventures, NS Investment, OrbiMed Advisors, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Alexandria Venture Investments. Root is a general partner at U.S. Venture Partners and Schroeder is a partner at Nextech. Silverback is developing ways to eradicate solid tumors.

Warn Industries

Clackamas, Oregon-based Warn Industries acquired Factor 55, a manufacturer of rigging hardware for the vehicle recovery market. Garden City, Idaho-based Factor 55 now operates as a division of Warn, with Factor 55 founder Michael Costa continuing as president. Warn makes off-road equipment and accessories for four-wheel-drive and powersports vehicles.

Arcimoto

Eugene, Oregon-based Arcimoto teamed with nonprofit Carry It Forward on a pilot program to deliver emergency supplies to homeless communities in Eugene and Springfield in an attempt to help flatten the coronavirus curve in that segment of the population. The program, called “Deliverator,” uses Arcimoto's three-wheel electric vehicles to deliver the goods. One of the vehicles was recently put into use and full production is expected to begin later this year.

ARM Insight

Portland-based ARM Insight is launching a new brand and will change its name to Facteus. The company helps financial institutions and payments organizations manage and monetize their data.

Mar 20, 2020

Lytics

Portland marketing data company Lytics hired Jascha Kaykas-Wolff for the newly created role of president. Kaykas-Wolff was chief marketing officer at Mozilla and brings years of high-tech experience and leadership in the security/privacy segment. Prior to Mozilla, he held leadership roles at BitTorrent, Microsoft and Yahoo.

Lamb Weston Holdings

Robert J. Coviello and Robert A. Niblock joined the board of Eagle, Idaho-based Lamb Weston Holdings. Coviello is senior vice president of sustainability and government affairs at Bunge Limited; and Niblock is former chairman, president and CEO of Lowe's Cos. Lamb Weston supplies frozen potato, sweet potato, appetizer and vegetable products to restaurants and retailers around the world.

Maven

Seattle-based Maven acquired Petametrics, which operates as LiftIgniter. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. LiftIgniter uses machine learning algorithms to determine in-the-moment user interest and intent to produce a personalized online experience. Maven is a group media network platform.

NurseGrid

Nashville, Tennessee-based HealthStream acquired Portland health care technology company NurseGrid for about $25 million in cash. NurseGrid developed NurseGrid Mobile, an app that allows nurses to manage and share their schedules, swap shifts, communicate with one another, and to coordinate work and non-work activities. It also has a corollary application for nurse managers called NurseGrid Enterprise. HealthStream provides workforce solutions for the health care industry.

Starbucks

On April 6, Starbucks Coffee Co. will begin providing its U.S. workers and eligible family members free access to 20 sessions a year with a mental health therapist or coach through Lyra Health. Employees may also access self-guided online programs recommended by Lyra based on their specific needs.