Merkle acquires SF-based 500friends [Startup Roundup]

Who’s getting funded?

UM Ventures, a unit of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, made its first investment in Harpoon Medical, as Technical.ly Baltimore reported. The Stevensville firm recently won a patent for a device that could shorten open-heart surgery.
 

Who’s making moves?

Columbia-based CRM company Merkle Group announced it was acquiring San Francisco-based customer loyalty company 500friends.com last week, as TechCrunch first reported. This SEC filing shows Merkle was transferring $2 million in equity in recent days. Perhaps that’s part of the price of the undisclosed deal?
Cisco Systems is leasing 100,000 square feet in Maple Lawn to serve as the headquarters for subsidiary Sourcefire, the Baltimore Business Journal reports.
New York-based Videology, which has offices in Baltimore, added tech veteran Kenneth Tarpey as CFO, the Baltimore Business Journal reports.
 

Who’s getting buzz?

The controversial parking space app Haystack is off the iTunes App Store and Google Play, and its Facebook and Twitter pages are down, as Technical.ly Baltimore reported. “Battling backwards-thinking governments and trying to teach them how to embrace new transportation technology, while an honorable mission, is not a sustainable business model,” founder Eric Meyer said.
Parking Panda is extending a Black Friday and Cyber Monday special to parkers. Drivers can use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY20 from Nov. 27 to 30 or CYBERMONDAY20 from Nov. 27 through Dec. 2 for a one-time 20 percent discount.