James Sun

Pirq, the mobile daily deal startup led by James Sun, the former star on “The Apprentice,” has officially launched its iPhone app. The free app allows users to browse offers at more than 130 restaurants in the Seattle area, including O’Asian, Grand Cru and Utopia. An Android app is in the works, along with an upcoming launch in San Fran and 10 other cities. More on how Sun is taking on Groupon in mobile deals in this GeekWire profile from June.

And speaking of daily deals, a new entrant by the name of Schwaggle is arriving in Seattle today offering discounts on outdoor gear and activities. Developed by the Active Network, Schwaggle currently offers deals on swimming gear and The Gladiator Rock N Roll run.

Dendreon’s shares are getting hammered today after the company said that sales of its prostate cancer treatment aren’t performing well. The stock is down 65 percent — dropping the Seattle biotech’s market value to $1.8 billion.

Geeks in the woods. Get ready for the first annual Startup Campout at Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park.

The Situation

All you Jersey Shore fans out there should pay close attention to tonight’s season premiere. Apparently, cast members on the MTV reality show will use the online language service from Seattle’s Livemocha to learn Italian. How do you say “The Situation” in Italian?

Starbucks just redesigned its online store, StarbucksStore.com, making it easier for coffee geeks to get their morning or mid-day jolts.

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the foundation of the Microsoft co-founder, has announced $2.5 million in grants to 38 non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The recipient list includes a diverse set of groups, from the Skagit River Poetry Festival to the Montana Festival of the Book to the Wing Luke Memorial Foundation. Full list and release here.

Insitu Inc. has launched a new unmanned aircraft system called Inceptor, a rotorcraft which weigh less than four pounds and flies for 20 minutes at speeds up to 24 miles per hour. The Inceptor, equipped with video camera, is designed to help first responders “locate and identify natural and human public safety threats,” said Insitu’s Ryan Hartman.

Check out this cool interactive map tracking the first six months of venture capital activity in the U.S., developed using technology from Seattle’s Tableau Software. (Click on map for more details).


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