Biomeme raises $1M // BFTP invests $2M in 11 firms [Startup Roundup]

WHO’S GETTING FUNDED?

Biomeme, the NextFab Studio-based startup that developed a smartphone DNA lab, raised nearly $1 million, according to an SEC filing. It’s raising $1.9 million. From that $1 million, at least $300,000 came from equity crowdfunding site Microventures and $400,000 came from Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners.

Speaking of BFTP, the state-backed investment firm invested $2 million in 11 local companies, it announced recently. It re-upped its investment in former Project Liberty companies SnipSnap and Cloudmine, as well as made new investments in companies like Biomeme (which received the single largest investment this go-round), recruiting tool gatherDocs, the Science Center-based nanotech company Optofluidics and online ordering platform Zuppler. Find a full list of the companies here.

Versa, formerly political startup ElectNext, raised an additional $700,000 from The Omidyar Network, a venture firm founded by Ebay founder Pierre Omidyar, TechCrunch reported. Versa sells sponsored comments on news articles.

Kartik Hosanagar, a Wharton professor and entrepreneur, invested in Lawdingo, a New York City startup that connects users to lawyers, TechCrunch reported back in October. Hosanagar is the cofounder of edtech startup SmartyPAL and an investor in RJMetrics.

WHO’S MAKING MOVES?

More than 35 Philly companies hiring technologists, including many tech startups, were seeking talent at NET/WORK yesterday, our local tech jobs fair at Union Transfer, as depicted above.

Zuppler, an online ordering platform that did not have a permanent office, moved into an office in Conshohocken, down the street from Monetate, spokesman Jake Wallace told us.

Facebook launched a new app called Paper, The Verge, among others, reported. Loren Brichter, the Bella Vista-dwelling founder of buzzy app Letterpress, contributed to the code.

WHO’S GETTING BUZZ?

SpeSo Health, the DreamIt Health company that connects patients with rare diseases with rare experts, rebranded as CurityMD. The Benjamin’s Desk tenant was recently profiled in the Daily News.

Alejandro Gac Artigas, CEO of Springboard Collaborative, was named in Forbes’ 30 under 30 for education. Artigas developed a summer educational program for students and is a member of Benjamin’s Desk.