Xconomy Report: Get Stupid, Student

By Xconomy.com

Jan. 20, 2012

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — How can students prepare for the world they'll face in 10 years? With a strong work ethic, rigor in their thinking and entrepreneurial energy, says Desh Deshpande, MIT benefactor and founder of Sycamore Networks. He was polled alongside 21 other innovators for a national report on the future of education put together by Xconomy. For Babson College president Len Schlesinger, the answer was “productive stupidity” — which he described as a daring mentality that could lead to big discoveries. You can read the full report at Xconomy.com/education.
 
In other innovation news, Constant Contact, the Waltham-based online marketing firm, has acquired Boston-based CardStar, which makes a mobile app for consolidating membership and rewards cards. The move is Constant Contact's first foray into mobile tech and consumer loyalty.
 
Bedford-based Joule Unlimited raised another $70 million to put toward its technology, which converts sunlight and carbon dioxide into fuels such as diesel and ethanol.
 
Finally for this week, Cambridge-based Constellation Pharmaceuticals has formed a $95 million partnership with Genentech to develop treatments for cancer and other diseases.
 

The weekly roundup of business, technology and life science news from our partners at Xconomy.com airs every Friday on 89.7 Boston Public Radio.