"Creating New Ventures in India: Experiences, Opportunities and Challenges," is part of a technology entrepreneurship lecture series sponsored by Princeton's Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE) and the Jumpstart New Jersey Angel Network, a venture capitalist group.
The panel will be moderated by entrepreneur Ed Zschau, a faculty member in electrical engineering and in operations research and financial engineering. Panelists will be:
Randolph Altschuler and Joseph Sigelman, members of Princeton's class of 1993 and co-presidents of Office Tiger, a company specializing in business process outsourcing services;
Sumir Chadha, also a 1993 Princeton graduate and senior managing director of Sequoia Capital India; and
Bharat Desai, co-founder of Syntel, a global information technology services company.
"We would like to get beyond the clichés about outsourcing and bring an understanding of what's really happening from entrepreneurs who are directly involved," said Bob Monsour, associate director for external affairs for CIEE. "The panel discussion will cover all facets of the entrepreneurial experience in India."
The next event in the lecture series will be an Innovation Forum in early 2007 featuring Princeton scientists and engineers discussing their early-stage entrepreneurial ventures.
CONTACT:http://engineering.princeton.edu/ciee/
Sunday, September 30, 2007
FoundREAD
What Company is Offering:
FoundREAD is where you can share resource, where anyone can contribute, either through their posts, or experiences or comments. You can choose to contribute freely or anonymously. Just like a GPS system helps us drive through a maze of freeways, the founders and entrepreneurs help their peers navigate the twisted, confusing roads of company building.
How It Works:
The site takes the blog approach, but readers may participate by commenting and posting, anonymously or not. The content is divided into seven sections: Aces in which successful entrepreneurs are discussed, Fables which features tales of Job-like trials and tribulations and lessons learned, Edge the place to get tips and advice, Learn where you can learn from others, Om, this is the section for getting bits of wisdom and trivia from Mr. Malik himself, and finally there are Questions and Answers. Check it all out to get informed and keep up with the collective smarts of the biz tribe.
More at:http://foundread.com/
FoundREAD is where you can share resource, where anyone can contribute, either through their posts, or experiences or comments. You can choose to contribute freely or anonymously. Just like a GPS system helps us drive through a maze of freeways, the founders and entrepreneurs help their peers navigate the twisted, confusing roads of company building.
How It Works:
The site takes the blog approach, but readers may participate by commenting and posting, anonymously or not. The content is divided into seven sections: Aces in which successful entrepreneurs are discussed, Fables which features tales of Job-like trials and tribulations and lessons learned, Edge the place to get tips and advice, Learn where you can learn from others, Om, this is the section for getting bits of wisdom and trivia from Mr. Malik himself, and finally there are Questions and Answers. Check it all out to get informed and keep up with the collective smarts of the biz tribe.
More at:http://foundread.com/
Justroutes.com allows users to find all the public transport routes to a specific destination
What Company is Offering:
Justroutes.com allows users to find all the public transport routes to a specific destination.
The site currently only covers Dublin routes, but the site’s founders, Vincent Glennon and David Rooney, are planning to expand the service in the coming weeks to include mapping of the nationwide public transportation network.
Hoe It Works:
The end result for the user is that with three simple mouse clicks on our map, you can find all the routes from your starting point to your destination for free. If there is no direct route between your locations, we will tell you how to get there using connections among all the different types of transport. At the moment, we have over 2,500 stops recorded, including all the Luas, Dart and suburban links for Dublin,” he said.
The site is currently offering a free service, but Glennon said a corporate version would be introduced in the coming weeks. He said that companies would be able to use an embedded map on their website for €100 per month.
They Invited:
The duo will attend the Future of Web Apps conference in London this week. Glennon said that 15,000 people were expected to attend the event, which runs from October 3 to 5.
More at:www.Justroutes.com
Justroutes.com allows users to find all the public transport routes to a specific destination.
The site currently only covers Dublin routes, but the site’s founders, Vincent Glennon and David Rooney, are planning to expand the service in the coming weeks to include mapping of the nationwide public transportation network.
Hoe It Works:
The end result for the user is that with three simple mouse clicks on our map, you can find all the routes from your starting point to your destination for free. If there is no direct route between your locations, we will tell you how to get there using connections among all the different types of transport. At the moment, we have over 2,500 stops recorded, including all the Luas, Dart and suburban links for Dublin,” he said.
The site is currently offering a free service, but Glennon said a corporate version would be introduced in the coming weeks. He said that companies would be able to use an embedded map on their website for €100 per month.
They Invited:
The duo will attend the Future of Web Apps conference in London this week. Glennon said that 15,000 people were expected to attend the event, which runs from October 3 to 5.
More at:www.Justroutes.com
Third Generation Entrepreneurs
Only three short years ago, Justin Kling and Michael Pottern were 25 years old, in between jobs and unsure of their future. Having worked for others, they decided it was time to work for themselves. In 2004, they opened an apartment locating service in the heart of Chicago in an already well-established marketplace. Today, Apartment Savvy is a multi-million dollar business and the fastest growing company in the rental industry. With a wealth of entrepreneurial lessons passed down from their grandfathers and fathers, Pottern and Kling are building the next generation of entrepreneurs in each of their respective families.
Apartment Savvy is a premier apartment locating service headquartered at 2835 North Clark, on the border of Chicago's Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods. At no cost to the tenant, Apartment Savvy is dedicated to providing consumers with the best rental housing options in the Chicago area. Apartment Savvy customizes each search to best fit the needs of the prospective resident in the most efficient and stress-free manner. Experienced agents personally accompany and guide each Apartment Savvy customer free of charge to every property being considered.
For more information, visit http://www.apartmentsavvy.com
Apartment Savvy is a premier apartment locating service headquartered at 2835 North Clark, on the border of Chicago's Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods. At no cost to the tenant, Apartment Savvy is dedicated to providing consumers with the best rental housing options in the Chicago area. Apartment Savvy customizes each search to best fit the needs of the prospective resident in the most efficient and stress-free manner. Experienced agents personally accompany and guide each Apartment Savvy customer free of charge to every property being considered.
For more information, visit http://www.apartmentsavvy.com
Google buys start-up Zingku
Google's quest for devotees in the booming world of mobile online services continues with its purchase of a startup company that streamlines sharing pictures, messages and more via smart phones.
The news comes as the leading Internet search firm vies with Yahoo, Microsoft and America Online to win the loyalty of people accessing the Internet on the move.
"Google has acquired certain assets and technology of Zingku," the California-based firm said Friday in reply to an AFP inquiry.
Google added that it expects the acquisition to help it "provide people worldwide with direct access to Google applications, and ultimately the information they want and need, right from their mobile devices."
Zingku's website says it launched in 2005 after its founders "noticed that teenage/twenty something's and their friends were engaging in rich media conversations drawing upon the full reach of mobile text messaging."
Zingku says its technology makes it easy to share messages, pictures, "mobile flyers," or other creations using mobile devices, according to the firm.
"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalized web site so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile as well as...connect with friends," Zingku's website says.
Zingku will not register new members while the deal is pending and informed existing users that they can cancel their accounts or have them transferred to Google.
The news comes as the leading Internet search firm vies with Yahoo, Microsoft and America Online to win the loyalty of people accessing the Internet on the move.
"Google has acquired certain assets and technology of Zingku," the California-based firm said Friday in reply to an AFP inquiry.
Google added that it expects the acquisition to help it "provide people worldwide with direct access to Google applications, and ultimately the information they want and need, right from their mobile devices."
Zingku's website says it launched in 2005 after its founders "noticed that teenage/twenty something's and their friends were engaging in rich media conversations drawing upon the full reach of mobile text messaging."
Zingku says its technology makes it easy to share messages, pictures, "mobile flyers," or other creations using mobile devices, according to the firm.
"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalized web site so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile as well as...connect with friends," Zingku's website says.
Zingku will not register new members while the deal is pending and informed existing users that they can cancel their accounts or have them transferred to Google.
"Xoom" The Smartest Way To Send Money Worldwide
What Company is Offering:
Xoom offers fast, reliable money transfers at a great price! Send money from the convenience of your computer to friends and family worldwide and in the US.
How It Works:
Enter your contact information, your recipient's information, and the amount you want to send.
We protect your personal information, and share it with our partners only for the purposes of completing your money transfer.
2. Select a delivery method.
Your recipient can pick up the money, have it delivered, or have it deposited directly into their bank account. Available delivery methods vary by country.
3. Select a payment method.
To fund your money transfer, enter your bank account, credit card, or PayPal information. We use state-of-the-art technology to keep your financial information secure.
4. Let your recipient know their money is on the way!
We will email you a receipt containing your unique Xoom Tracking Number. You can use this number to check the status of your money transfer at any time.
More at:https://www.xoom.com/
Xoom offers fast, reliable money transfers at a great price! Send money from the convenience of your computer to friends and family worldwide and in the US.
How It Works:
Enter your contact information, your recipient's information, and the amount you want to send.
We protect your personal information, and share it with our partners only for the purposes of completing your money transfer.
2. Select a delivery method.
Your recipient can pick up the money, have it delivered, or have it deposited directly into their bank account. Available delivery methods vary by country.
3. Select a payment method.
To fund your money transfer, enter your bank account, credit card, or PayPal information. We use state-of-the-art technology to keep your financial information secure.
4. Let your recipient know their money is on the way!
We will email you a receipt containing your unique Xoom Tracking Number. You can use this number to check the status of your money transfer at any time.
More at:https://www.xoom.com/
GameXa is releasing a gamer to gamer marketplace for trading virtual currency
What Company Is Saying:
"We are gamers, playing PCs, consoles and MMORPGs.
It was obvious to us that the trade of in-game currencies was not transparent and is dominated by a few large Gold traders. This doesn’t only have a negative effect on the pricing, but also the delivery time and the level of service. Anyway, the gamer always feels that someone is taking advantage of him/her."
What Its Purpose:
They aim to conquer all of these problems by providing a gamer to gamer platform, where you can trade your excess Gold, without the middle man. This ensures a fair price, a transparent structure and trustworthy trade as you can check the reliability of the trading partner with the revolutionary rating system.
Buying and selling WoW Gold at GameXa – the gamers’ marketplace!
How It Will Benifit:
GameXa is releasing a gamer to gamer marketplace for trading virtual currency. MMOG currencies are currently dominated by a small group of traders, creating an adverse effect on both pricing and customer service. GameXa hopes to remove this problem by allowing excess currency to be transferred without a middle man. Fair prices, a standardized platform, user rankings and other benefits of online marketplaces will hopefully migrate to the gaming economy.
More at:http://www.gamexa.com/
"We are gamers, playing PCs, consoles and MMORPGs.
It was obvious to us that the trade of in-game currencies was not transparent and is dominated by a few large Gold traders. This doesn’t only have a negative effect on the pricing, but also the delivery time and the level of service. Anyway, the gamer always feels that someone is taking advantage of him/her."
What Its Purpose:
They aim to conquer all of these problems by providing a gamer to gamer platform, where you can trade your excess Gold, without the middle man. This ensures a fair price, a transparent structure and trustworthy trade as you can check the reliability of the trading partner with the revolutionary rating system.
Buying and selling WoW Gold at GameXa – the gamers’ marketplace!
How It Will Benifit:
GameXa is releasing a gamer to gamer marketplace for trading virtual currency. MMOG currencies are currently dominated by a small group of traders, creating an adverse effect on both pricing and customer service. GameXa hopes to remove this problem by allowing excess currency to be transferred without a middle man. Fair prices, a standardized platform, user rankings and other benefits of online marketplaces will hopefully migrate to the gaming economy.
More at:http://www.gamexa.com/
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Site24x7 is a simple hosted web site monitoring service that works around the clock making sure that websites are performing flawlessly
What Company is Offering:
Site24x7 checks for the response time and availability of your website. For example, you can add a URL, say http://mycommerce.com, for monitoring. You can set a threshold for a web page such that - if the page load time of that page is more than 3 seconds, you should be notified through EMail, SMS and RSS. This helps you in taking quick action before it affects end users.
How It Works:
Site24x7 is a simple hosted web site monitoring service that works around the clock making sure that websites are performing flawlessly. There are six main functions that Site24x7 takes care of: website availability, tracking website performance, web application monitoring, web page defacement, instant alerts, and reports and trends. Each of these areas are consistently checked, reported, updated and fixed if need be. These reports help the site management see the flaws of their system and help to improve the site experience. One of the most important facets of Site24x7 is that it immediately alerts the manager when their site goes down. The manager is contacted by email, SMS and RSS so they are aware of outages and can react accordingly.
More at:http://site24x7.com/index.html
Site24x7 checks for the response time and availability of your website. For example, you can add a URL, say http://mycommerce.com, for monitoring. You can set a threshold for a web page such that - if the page load time of that page is more than 3 seconds, you should be notified through EMail, SMS and RSS. This helps you in taking quick action before it affects end users.
How It Works:
Site24x7 is a simple hosted web site monitoring service that works around the clock making sure that websites are performing flawlessly. There are six main functions that Site24x7 takes care of: website availability, tracking website performance, web application monitoring, web page defacement, instant alerts, and reports and trends. Each of these areas are consistently checked, reported, updated and fixed if need be. These reports help the site management see the flaws of their system and help to improve the site experience. One of the most important facets of Site24x7 is that it immediately alerts the manager when their site goes down. The manager is contacted by email, SMS and RSS so they are aware of outages and can react accordingly.
More at:http://site24x7.com/index.html
Mint For Money Management
What Company is Offering:
Mint connects nightly to the credit card providers, banks, and/or credit unions you choose to keep your transactions and account balances automatically up-to-date. Mint even auto-balances your checkbook and auto-categorizes your transactions. Set it up once and you’re done.
Mint is a modern, powerful, easy and secure web-based solution for managing your finances. And it’s free. You register anonymously using any valid email address, and then add the log-in information for the online bank, credit union and credit card accounts you want to consolidate in Mint.
Mint connects to over 3,500 US financial institutions. Your account information is updated each night. Mint automatically categorizes all your purchases, showing you how much you spend on gas, groceries, parking, rent, restaurants, DVD rentals and more, with amazing precision. An advanced alerting system highlights any unusual activity, low balances, unwanted fees and charges, and upcoming bills so you’re in constant contact with your money – effortlessly. “
How It Works:
Mint automatically brings together information from your bank, credit union and credit card data and organizes your financial life into a manageable view. Mint is already known for its cool and un-intimidating data displays and suggestions. The suggestions are a huge part of Mint that separates it from the pack. Mint immediately starts to offer money-saving and money-making tips for its users at an average of $1,000 in savings opportunities during the first season. The suggestions are sourced from a patent-pending search algorithm that searches for the best interest rates and lowest prices and best deals in all areas from banking to cable providers. Mint updates your account every night and is “always on” sending alerts on low balances, upcoming bills, or any unusual activity on your account. Finally, Mint can be accessed from anywhere at anytime on the web.
More at:http://www.mint.com/
Mint connects nightly to the credit card providers, banks, and/or credit unions you choose to keep your transactions and account balances automatically up-to-date. Mint even auto-balances your checkbook and auto-categorizes your transactions. Set it up once and you’re done.
Mint is a modern, powerful, easy and secure web-based solution for managing your finances. And it’s free. You register anonymously using any valid email address, and then add the log-in information for the online bank, credit union and credit card accounts you want to consolidate in Mint.
Mint connects to over 3,500 US financial institutions. Your account information is updated each night. Mint automatically categorizes all your purchases, showing you how much you spend on gas, groceries, parking, rent, restaurants, DVD rentals and more, with amazing precision. An advanced alerting system highlights any unusual activity, low balances, unwanted fees and charges, and upcoming bills so you’re in constant contact with your money – effortlessly. “
How It Works:
Mint automatically brings together information from your bank, credit union and credit card data and organizes your financial life into a manageable view. Mint is already known for its cool and un-intimidating data displays and suggestions. The suggestions are a huge part of Mint that separates it from the pack. Mint immediately starts to offer money-saving and money-making tips for its users at an average of $1,000 in savings opportunities during the first season. The suggestions are sourced from a patent-pending search algorithm that searches for the best interest rates and lowest prices and best deals in all areas from banking to cable providers. Mint updates your account every night and is “always on” sending alerts on low balances, upcoming bills, or any unusual activity on your account. Finally, Mint can be accessed from anywhere at anytime on the web.
More at:http://www.mint.com/
MarketWatch Community is a free service that lets you discover, organize and share MarketWatch stories with other readers
What Company Is Offering:
MarketWatch Community is a free service that lets you discover, organize and share MarketWatch stories with other readers. Its new social site from Dow Jones owned financial site MarketWatch.
How It Works:
The community site gives its members the chance to decide what news stories or stocks are particularly worth paying attention to. Its UI is similar to that of its parent site, but with a less rigid newspaper feel and plenty of 2.0 features to capture the attention of old and new users alike. The site offers readers an easy way to give feedback and comment on stories, as well as to share their fav stocks of the day. Other social staples include tags, ratings, friends, and the community controlled Hot Picks page. For recommendations and tips, members can solicit a friend request. They can also display their stock prowess by making picks, and measuring their accuracy.
More at:http://community.marketwatch.com/
MarketWatch Community is a free service that lets you discover, organize and share MarketWatch stories with other readers. Its new social site from Dow Jones owned financial site MarketWatch.
How It Works:
The community site gives its members the chance to decide what news stories or stocks are particularly worth paying attention to. Its UI is similar to that of its parent site, but with a less rigid newspaper feel and plenty of 2.0 features to capture the attention of old and new users alike. The site offers readers an easy way to give feedback and comment on stories, as well as to share their fav stocks of the day. Other social staples include tags, ratings, friends, and the community controlled Hot Picks page. For recommendations and tips, members can solicit a friend request. They can also display their stock prowess by making picks, and measuring their accuracy.
More at:http://community.marketwatch.com/
MicroPledge For free market-testing service to gauge the reception for new software products and features.
What company Says:
Have an idea? Just need funding?
Want to join with others to support to an idea?
This site is for you."microPledge" is sure its site will come to be viewed as a free market-testing service to gauge the reception for new software products and features.
How It Works:
Anyone with an idea for useful software can submit it on the site. Others who like it can then pledge money to help see the vision realized. Developers browsing the site can submit quotes for creating the software; the one with the best quote after two weeks is chosen for the job. Those who pledged, meanwhile, get to have a say in how the product takes form. The New Zealand-based site was launched in August by three business-minded brothers. They explain: "Being people with plenty of ideas, we kept wanting to start projects—the kind we knew people would find interesting. If we could only get people to pledge to support them ... Then one day it dawned on us that we had to run the service ourselves."
more at:http://micropledge.com/
Have an idea? Just need funding?
Want to join with others to support to an idea?
This site is for you."microPledge" is sure its site will come to be viewed as a free market-testing service to gauge the reception for new software products and features.
How It Works:
Anyone with an idea for useful software can submit it on the site. Others who like it can then pledge money to help see the vision realized. Developers browsing the site can submit quotes for creating the software; the one with the best quote after two weeks is chosen for the job. Those who pledged, meanwhile, get to have a say in how the product takes form. The New Zealand-based site was launched in August by three business-minded brothers. They explain: "Being people with plenty of ideas, we kept wanting to start projects—the kind we knew people would find interesting. If we could only get people to pledge to support them ... Then one day it dawned on us that we had to run the service ourselves."
more at:http://micropledge.com/
Brandfame is the premier marketplace connecting brands and producers sharing their videos on video-sharing websites like YouTube
What Company Is Offering:
Brandfame is the premier marketplace connecting brands and producers sharing their videos on video-sharing websites like YouTube, metacafe, AOL Video, Revver, etc ... for live product placement and sponsorship deals.
How It Works:
Advertisers can list products they'd like to have featured in videos, and search for upcoming videos by producers to find a match for their brand. Producers indicate which productions they're willing to integrate products into, and can search for brands or products they'd like to work with. Once a deal has been made, the advertiser pays the producer, and Brandfame takes a cut. The startup is also working on an auction system for advertisers to bid on product placement in new videos by hot producers.
More at: www.brandfame.com
Brandfame is the premier marketplace connecting brands and producers sharing their videos on video-sharing websites like YouTube, metacafe, AOL Video, Revver, etc ... for live product placement and sponsorship deals.
How It Works:
Advertisers can list products they'd like to have featured in videos, and search for upcoming videos by producers to find a match for their brand. Producers indicate which productions they're willing to integrate products into, and can search for brands or products they'd like to work with. Once a deal has been made, the advertiser pays the producer, and Brandfame takes a cut. The startup is also working on an auction system for advertisers to bid on product placement in new videos by hot producers.
More at: www.brandfame.com
Online Receipt Organizer
Shoeboxed.com, a startup based in Durham, North Carolina, promises a way to safely store them. Anyone can sign up for the free service. Once enrolled, users receive an email address which they can give to merchants when buying online. The receipts then go to their Shoeboxed mailbox, where they’re safely stored. Better yet, the service allows members to organize their receipts by creating virtual shoeboxes, for a recent vacation or a series of tax-deductible home-office purchases, for example. Result: no more hunting for receipts in shoeboxes of the cardboard variety, or in a regular email inbox. Shoeboxed recently added a feature that allows users to scan in paper receipts for storage on the site.
All students from Duke University, the Shoeboxed team launched the service from a Soviet-era East Berlin apartment, during a study-abroad stint in Germany. Shoeboxed’s founders hope to eventually sign on 11 million users or 10 percent of US online shoppers. Next step: going global. As the number of users grows, so will the value of their enterprise to potential advertisers and those who wish to offer scaled-up pay versions of the service. Shoeboxed isn’t currently monetizing their product, and is operating on money from their angel investor. In the future, Shoeboxed aims to have several revenue streams (none of which involve selling personal information). They’ll likely offer a premium service at some point, but the core functionality will always be free.
More at: www.shoeboxed.com
Via-Springwise
All students from Duke University, the Shoeboxed team launched the service from a Soviet-era East Berlin apartment, during a study-abroad stint in Germany. Shoeboxed’s founders hope to eventually sign on 11 million users or 10 percent of US online shoppers. Next step: going global. As the number of users grows, so will the value of their enterprise to potential advertisers and those who wish to offer scaled-up pay versions of the service. Shoeboxed isn’t currently monetizing their product, and is operating on money from their angel investor. In the future, Shoeboxed aims to have several revenue streams (none of which involve selling personal information). They’ll likely offer a premium service at some point, but the core functionality will always be free.
More at: www.shoeboxed.com
Via-Springwise
Friday, September 28, 2007
Revolution money Seems Big Business Opportunities For VCs
What Company Says:
We took a good, long look at the world of personal finance and thought to ourselves, "Is this as good as it gets?" The answer was a resounding "No."
At Revolution Money, we think there's a better way. So we decided to shake things up. No tricks. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. Just clear and simple products that make your life easier.
Every product we offer is designed to give you more choice, more control and more convenience. More choice because everyone has a different lifestyle and we believe you should be able to have the product that best suits you. More control means that as our product line expands, you'll have a card that can do as much or as little as you want it to in a more secure PIN-based system. Wow, this really is more than you're used to.
Why It Will Work:
Revolution money provides a money exchange and new alternative secure credit card.
RevolutionCard was designed for the way you live. Giving you more control and greater security.
RevolutionCard does it all.
* Safeguards against identity theft
* Competitive APRs
* No annual fee
How Much They Got From VCs:
Revolution Money received $50 Million from Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank.
More at:http://www.revolutionmoney.com/
Sponsers: Alabama payday loans
We took a good, long look at the world of personal finance and thought to ourselves, "Is this as good as it gets?" The answer was a resounding "No."
At Revolution Money, we think there's a better way. So we decided to shake things up. No tricks. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. Just clear and simple products that make your life easier.
Every product we offer is designed to give you more choice, more control and more convenience. More choice because everyone has a different lifestyle and we believe you should be able to have the product that best suits you. More control means that as our product line expands, you'll have a card that can do as much or as little as you want it to in a more secure PIN-based system. Wow, this really is more than you're used to.
Why It Will Work:
Revolution money provides a money exchange and new alternative secure credit card.
RevolutionCard was designed for the way you live. Giving you more control and greater security.
RevolutionCard does it all.
* Safeguards against identity theft
* Competitive APRs
* No annual fee
How Much They Got From VCs:
Revolution Money received $50 Million from Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank.
More at:http://www.revolutionmoney.com/
Sponsers: Alabama payday loans
Poets Beat Entrepreneurs In Contest For Small Business Idea
A trio of performing poets beat entrepreneurs touting make-your-own-wallpaper, an organic beauty bar and high-end clothing rental service to win a contest for the U.S.'s best small business idea on Tuesday.
The Mayhem Poets, from New Jersey, have been touring the country for about four years performing poetry at schools, jails and corporate functions but won the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) contest with an idea to set up a themed cafe and teaching facility.
One of the founders of the Mayhem Poets, Kyle Sutton, 27, described performance poetry as a mixture of hip-hop, comedy and theater.
"But we want to make this a mainstream feature event," said Sutton, who met fellow poets Mason Granger and Scott Tarazevits at New Jersey's Rutgers University.
The Mayhem Poets beat about 5,000 other entrants to win a prize package of $100,000 in start-up money, a rent-free New York City storefront for a year, and a suite of Microsoft software and services.
"During the daytime we want to do workshops with schools... while weekend workshops will be held for the general public," said Sutton. "In the evening we will have headliner poetry acts."
The poets were chosen by a panel of three judges including Carolyn Kepcher, chief executive of Carolyn & Co. who used to help Donald Trump fire corporate wannabes on "The Apprentice" television show, fashion designer Liz Lange, and a Microsoft vice president, Chris Capossela.
"These guys have been doing this for some time now and the commitment was really strong. It's a viable business idea," said Capossela.
Via-Reuters
The Mayhem Poets, from New Jersey, have been touring the country for about four years performing poetry at schools, jails and corporate functions but won the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) contest with an idea to set up a themed cafe and teaching facility.
One of the founders of the Mayhem Poets, Kyle Sutton, 27, described performance poetry as a mixture of hip-hop, comedy and theater.
"But we want to make this a mainstream feature event," said Sutton, who met fellow poets Mason Granger and Scott Tarazevits at New Jersey's Rutgers University.
The Mayhem Poets beat about 5,000 other entrants to win a prize package of $100,000 in start-up money, a rent-free New York City storefront for a year, and a suite of Microsoft software and services.
"During the daytime we want to do workshops with schools... while weekend workshops will be held for the general public," said Sutton. "In the evening we will have headliner poetry acts."
The poets were chosen by a panel of three judges including Carolyn Kepcher, chief executive of Carolyn & Co. who used to help Donald Trump fire corporate wannabes on "The Apprentice" television show, fashion designer Liz Lange, and a Microsoft vice president, Chris Capossela.
"These guys have been doing this for some time now and the commitment was really strong. It's a viable business idea," said Capossela.
Via-Reuters
Fuser is the coolest way to unify your mail from multiple accounts
What Company Is Ofering:
Fuser is the coolest way to unify your mail from multiple accounts. View your mail and social networking messages in one convenient location. It's easy and secure.
It Features:
Fuser supports AOL, Exchange, Gmail, Hotmail, SquirrelMail, Yahoo and Yahoo Beta, as well as MySpace and Facebook social networks. And, therein lies a flaw: it’s just not enough.
more at:http://www.fuser.com/
Fuser is the coolest way to unify your mail from multiple accounts. View your mail and social networking messages in one convenient location. It's easy and secure.
It Features:
Fuser supports AOL, Exchange, Gmail, Hotmail, SquirrelMail, Yahoo and Yahoo Beta, as well as MySpace and Facebook social networks. And, therein lies a flaw: it’s just not enough.
more at:http://www.fuser.com/
What's Hot In Business Trends?
Want to know more about the trends that affect your business? Or tips on starting each and every one of these business ideas?
Green Products
New!
Even Wal-Mart sells organic cotton T-shirts these days, but you definitely don’t have to be a retailing behemoth to take your business in a green or organic direction. In fact, entrepreneurs have an advantage when it comes to reaching customers who care about the cause as well as the products.
It's a highly underrated opportunity for small business," says Dr. Karel J. Samsom, a specialist in environmental and sustainable entrepreneurship and author of Spirit of Entrepreneurship. A study by the Organic Trade Association shows that nonfood organic product sales reached $744 million in U.S. consumer sales in 2005, with supplements, personal care and household products leading the charge. For green entrepreneurs, passion is key, says Samsom: "People who are imbued with this kind of spirit have an incredible imagination to rebuild the value chain and inspire their customers in the process."
That passion is evident when talking to Jonelle Raffino, 41, of South West Trading Co. Inc., a Tempe, Arizona, business that specializes in earth-friendly, alternative fibers and textiles such as yarns made from bamboo, corn and even recycled crab shells. "This country is seeing that we need to challenge the idea of products that use fossil fuels," says Raffino, who co-founded the company in 2001 with her mother, Jonette Beck. Business is booming so much, they’ve expanded into ready-to-wear items, and they can barely keep up with demand for their line of plush Soy-Silk Pals toys.
Alternative Energy
Years on the list: 2 out of 20
Got grease? Justin Carven of Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems LLC does. The 29-year-old founder’s Easthampton, Massachusetts, business makes conversion kits that allow diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. “Ultimately, it’s the rising fuel prices that are convincing people to get onboard,” says Carven (above). Greasecar sales have grown by more than 200 percent each year over the past couple of years and are expected to reach up to $2.5 million this year. And the company is jumping into the commercial and municipal markets with enthusiasm.
Some major alternative energy growth areas include solar, hydrogen, bio-fuel, fuel cells and energy conservation technologies. Development, installation and creative application of these technologies are all possibilities for entrepreneurs. “It won’t be just one alternative energy source that will be the silver bullet to solve our problems; it will be multiple options,” says Nabil Nasr, director of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Research firm Clean Edge expects the worldwide market for clean energy to reach $167 billion within a decade, up from $40 billion in 2005. Entrepreneurs will have to find their niches and build flexible companies that can react as the energy market changes. Nasr advises businesses to diversify their marketing and selling sources.
“It’s really easy for startups to pop up overnight,” says Carven. “This market is larger than people may think.” --A.C.K.
Dessert-Only Restaurants
New!
Chocolate cafes made our list last year, and while they still offer a tasty opportunity, they’ve spurred an equally tantalizing concept: dessert-only restaurants. A clear indication of America’s growing sweet tooth is in consumers’ dining habits. According to Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC, nearly one in three fine-dining operators reported that consumers bought more desserts this year than two years ago. Fine-dining operators also indicated the strongest growth in desserts.
In January, Stephane Lemagnen and Laurent Lanneau, 31 and 34, respectively, catered to the craving by opening Room 4 Dessert, one of New York City’s first dessert-only establishments. The restaurant offers a variety of dessert-tasting menus to be paired with wines and teas, and culinary masterpieces are created before customers’ very eyes. No wonder curious pastry chefs visit from the West Coast, visitors consider the dessert bar a must-hit spot in New York, and the media--even in Japan--just can’t seem to get enough.
More at:http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2006/december/170426.html
Green Products
New!
Even Wal-Mart sells organic cotton T-shirts these days, but you definitely don’t have to be a retailing behemoth to take your business in a green or organic direction. In fact, entrepreneurs have an advantage when it comes to reaching customers who care about the cause as well as the products.
It's a highly underrated opportunity for small business," says Dr. Karel J. Samsom, a specialist in environmental and sustainable entrepreneurship and author of Spirit of Entrepreneurship. A study by the Organic Trade Association shows that nonfood organic product sales reached $744 million in U.S. consumer sales in 2005, with supplements, personal care and household products leading the charge. For green entrepreneurs, passion is key, says Samsom: "People who are imbued with this kind of spirit have an incredible imagination to rebuild the value chain and inspire their customers in the process."
That passion is evident when talking to Jonelle Raffino, 41, of South West Trading Co. Inc., a Tempe, Arizona, business that specializes in earth-friendly, alternative fibers and textiles such as yarns made from bamboo, corn and even recycled crab shells. "This country is seeing that we need to challenge the idea of products that use fossil fuels," says Raffino, who co-founded the company in 2001 with her mother, Jonette Beck. Business is booming so much, they’ve expanded into ready-to-wear items, and they can barely keep up with demand for their line of plush Soy-Silk Pals toys.
Alternative Energy
Years on the list: 2 out of 20
Got grease? Justin Carven of Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems LLC does. The 29-year-old founder’s Easthampton, Massachusetts, business makes conversion kits that allow diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. “Ultimately, it’s the rising fuel prices that are convincing people to get onboard,” says Carven (above). Greasecar sales have grown by more than 200 percent each year over the past couple of years and are expected to reach up to $2.5 million this year. And the company is jumping into the commercial and municipal markets with enthusiasm.
Some major alternative energy growth areas include solar, hydrogen, bio-fuel, fuel cells and energy conservation technologies. Development, installation and creative application of these technologies are all possibilities for entrepreneurs. “It won’t be just one alternative energy source that will be the silver bullet to solve our problems; it will be multiple options,” says Nabil Nasr, director of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Research firm Clean Edge expects the worldwide market for clean energy to reach $167 billion within a decade, up from $40 billion in 2005. Entrepreneurs will have to find their niches and build flexible companies that can react as the energy market changes. Nasr advises businesses to diversify their marketing and selling sources.
“It’s really easy for startups to pop up overnight,” says Carven. “This market is larger than people may think.” --A.C.K.
Dessert-Only Restaurants
New!
Chocolate cafes made our list last year, and while they still offer a tasty opportunity, they’ve spurred an equally tantalizing concept: dessert-only restaurants. A clear indication of America’s growing sweet tooth is in consumers’ dining habits. According to Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC, nearly one in three fine-dining operators reported that consumers bought more desserts this year than two years ago. Fine-dining operators also indicated the strongest growth in desserts.
In January, Stephane Lemagnen and Laurent Lanneau, 31 and 34, respectively, catered to the craving by opening Room 4 Dessert, one of New York City’s first dessert-only establishments. The restaurant offers a variety of dessert-tasting menus to be paired with wines and teas, and culinary masterpieces are created before customers’ very eyes. No wonder curious pastry chefs visit from the West Coast, visitors consider the dessert bar a must-hit spot in New York, and the media--even in Japan--just can’t seem to get enough.
More at:http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2006/december/170426.html
Think Domain Name And Earn
Can’t come up with a catchy domain name? Put a fifty dollar deposit and let others look for available names for you. When you see a name you like, you simply register it and your $50 is split between a person who came up with the name and the service. If you don’t see any good names, you get your money back.
Guessing from the list of already completed orders, domain contributors are very good at picking both abstract domains and descriptive ones, not to mention ubiquitous web 2.0 names. I can easily picture naming agencies charge hundreds, if not thousands for Pictoma.Com, Deprice.Com or Smartopreneur.Com
PickyDomains.Com lets anyone give it a stab at becoming a contributor (you have to register first). However, all nub suggestions have to pass moderator first. Besides the greed factor (hey, getting $25 deposited to your PayPal account for coming up with a creative domain is pretty cool), I love browsing through orders just to see what kind of websites and web services people are coming up with.
More at:http://www.pickydomains.com/
Guessing from the list of already completed orders, domain contributors are very good at picking both abstract domains and descriptive ones, not to mention ubiquitous web 2.0 names. I can easily picture naming agencies charge hundreds, if not thousands for Pictoma.Com, Deprice.Com or Smartopreneur.Com
PickyDomains.Com lets anyone give it a stab at becoming a contributor (you have to register first). However, all nub suggestions have to pass moderator first. Besides the greed factor (hey, getting $25 deposited to your PayPal account for coming up with a creative domain is pretty cool), I love browsing through orders just to see what kind of websites and web services people are coming up with.
More at:http://www.pickydomains.com/
"At OnForce "connects IT service buyers with the IT consultants
What Company is offering:
At OnForce, we're committed to building a vibrant, interactive community that connects IT service buyers with the IT consultants and highly-skilled technicians they need. We recognize that this marketplace is much more than anonymous buyers and providers of IT services. We spend a great deal of time thinking about how we can become more than just an efficient, transaction- oriented site, and instead become a valuable resource for all members of the IT services community.
How It Works:
Create an account to start taking advantage of the OnForce IT community. Providers fill in an account that lists; company information, certificates, hourly rates and technical skills. After there has been a connection between a buyer and provider and the service is finished, both provider and buyer can leave feedback about each other. There is a six stars rating system, which helps other OnForce users receive more information on the particular buyer or provider. As a user you can use the OnForce marketplace for free. Buyers and providers pay for the services they use. Providers can post to the site for $11 with 10% of the parts and labor taken after completion of the job. Join a vast It marketplace by visiting OnForce.com.
More at:http://www.onforce.com/
At OnForce, we're committed to building a vibrant, interactive community that connects IT service buyers with the IT consultants and highly-skilled technicians they need. We recognize that this marketplace is much more than anonymous buyers and providers of IT services. We spend a great deal of time thinking about how we can become more than just an efficient, transaction- oriented site, and instead become a valuable resource for all members of the IT services community.
How It Works:
Create an account to start taking advantage of the OnForce IT community. Providers fill in an account that lists; company information, certificates, hourly rates and technical skills. After there has been a connection between a buyer and provider and the service is finished, both provider and buyer can leave feedback about each other. There is a six stars rating system, which helps other OnForce users receive more information on the particular buyer or provider. As a user you can use the OnForce marketplace for free. Buyers and providers pay for the services they use. Providers can post to the site for $11 with 10% of the parts and labor taken after completion of the job. Join a vast It marketplace by visiting OnForce.com.
More at:http://www.onforce.com/
At Istylista.com you can find out what looks best on you
What Company Is Offering:
iStylista is a new and revolutionary virtual personal stylist service that will help you define your style within minutes.
It's easy! Complete the registration form opposite then check your inbox for your verification email. Just click on the link within the email then complete the style questionnaire. Follow the instructions to select and download your personalised style guide.
Our style guides are packed full of personalised style secrets that will teach you how to dress for your body shape, enhance your natural features and help you shop more efficiently, saving you a small fortune on unnecessary impulse buys and sale items.
You'll also discover what colours to wear and colour coordination tips, loads of tips and advice on fashion and style, planning a wardrobe on a budget to name just a few features.
How It Works:
At Istylista.com you can find out what looks best on you. Simply register and fill out a detailed questionnaire that outlines all of the factors that will help you find your style. Once you have finished that step you can download your style guide that will give you tips on what style jeans to wear, what colors flatter your skin tone, what types of jewelry go with the shape of your face and much more. Stay in style with Istylista.com.
More at:http://istylista.com/
iStylista is a new and revolutionary virtual personal stylist service that will help you define your style within minutes.
It's easy! Complete the registration form opposite then check your inbox for your verification email. Just click on the link within the email then complete the style questionnaire. Follow the instructions to select and download your personalised style guide.
Our style guides are packed full of personalised style secrets that will teach you how to dress for your body shape, enhance your natural features and help you shop more efficiently, saving you a small fortune on unnecessary impulse buys and sale items.
You'll also discover what colours to wear and colour coordination tips, loads of tips and advice on fashion and style, planning a wardrobe on a budget to name just a few features.
How It Works:
At Istylista.com you can find out what looks best on you. Simply register and fill out a detailed questionnaire that outlines all of the factors that will help you find your style. Once you have finished that step you can download your style guide that will give you tips on what style jeans to wear, what colors flatter your skin tone, what types of jewelry go with the shape of your face and much more. Stay in style with Istylista.com.
More at:http://istylista.com/
AdToll is an Ad Management service providing the necessary tools for Publishers to effectively sell ads on their site
What Company Is Offering:
The AdToll team is dedicated to providing the best service available and to assist customers to achieve their goals. Mission Statement: To be the first choice Ad Management service for web site owners and to provide a healthy return on investment for Advertisers and Publishers.
How It Works:
AdToll gives more back to the Publisher than any similar service out there. Advertisers can purchase ads directly on Publisher sites or can purchase Run of Network ads which appear across the entire network, which can also be targeted. AdToll supports Publishers by offering text ads and banner ads in a plethora of different sizes. In addition, AdToll is known for its ability to, unlike other ad management services, to seamlessly blend advertisements with content to generate more revenue. AdToll is committed to providing the best service and is continually improving their service with new features and enhancements.
More at:http://www.adtoll.com/
The AdToll team is dedicated to providing the best service available and to assist customers to achieve their goals. Mission Statement: To be the first choice Ad Management service for web site owners and to provide a healthy return on investment for Advertisers and Publishers.
How It Works:
AdToll gives more back to the Publisher than any similar service out there. Advertisers can purchase ads directly on Publisher sites or can purchase Run of Network ads which appear across the entire network, which can also be targeted. AdToll supports Publishers by offering text ads and banner ads in a plethora of different sizes. In addition, AdToll is known for its ability to, unlike other ad management services, to seamlessly blend advertisements with content to generate more revenue. AdToll is committed to providing the best service and is continually improving their service with new features and enhancements.
More at:http://www.adtoll.com/
AccuTracking provides a software for your cell phone that runs in the background and sends your positions to the remote server periodically
What Company is offering:
AccuTracking software turns your Motorola iDEN cell phones or RIM BlackBerry phones carried by Nextel, Boost Mobile, SouthernLINC or Telus MIKE (Canada) into a GPS tracking device. The AccuTracking online GPS cell phone tracking service lets you see real-time locations, speed, and headings of your children/family members or cars/vehicles, and receive email or SMS alerts when they move across the designated areas or exceeds speed limit. AccuTracking is your ultimate low cost real-time vehicle locator, child locator.
How It Works;
AccuTracking provides a software for your cell phone that runs in the background and sends your positions to the remote server periodically. Users then can view the real-time and history GPS data on a map at AccuTracking.com or via Microsoft MapPoint software. You can define areas so that when the phone enters or leaves the area, an alert message is sent out via email or SMS. A speed limit can also be set to trigger an alert message.
More at:http://www.accutracking.com/
AccuTracking software turns your Motorola iDEN cell phones or RIM BlackBerry phones carried by Nextel, Boost Mobile, SouthernLINC or Telus MIKE (Canada) into a GPS tracking device. The AccuTracking online GPS cell phone tracking service lets you see real-time locations, speed, and headings of your children/family members or cars/vehicles, and receive email or SMS alerts when they move across the designated areas or exceeds speed limit. AccuTracking is your ultimate low cost real-time vehicle locator, child locator.
How It Works;
AccuTracking provides a software for your cell phone that runs in the background and sends your positions to the remote server periodically. Users then can view the real-time and history GPS data on a map at AccuTracking.com or via Microsoft MapPoint software. You can define areas so that when the phone enters or leaves the area, an alert message is sent out via email or SMS. A speed limit can also be set to trigger an alert message.
More at:http://www.accutracking.com/
Knovial is a complete online business platform
What Company is Offering:
InterScape is a full service web technology firm offering more than a decade of experience in developing innovative solutions, websites and applications. A broad range of businesses -- from modest start-ups to major corporations such as ATT/BellSouth, Siemens, Alltel and Scientific Atlanta -- have come to rely on InterScape’s extraordinary custom software, web-based content management, multimedia management and business intelligence platforms.
How It Works:
Knovial is a complete online business platform that combines online functions to create a single solution for business owners to access reporting, content management, custom forms, CRM, E-commerce, and communications. When it comes to business, your website is the window to the world. Utilize tools to manage all aspects of your business to maximize growth, productivity, and revenue. Very rarely do you have the opportunity to take advantage of a low cost robust solution. Knovial gives you that advantage to be free from webmasters and costly IT departments.
More at:http://www.knovial.com/
InterScape is a full service web technology firm offering more than a decade of experience in developing innovative solutions, websites and applications. A broad range of businesses -- from modest start-ups to major corporations such as ATT/BellSouth, Siemens, Alltel and Scientific Atlanta -- have come to rely on InterScape’s extraordinary custom software, web-based content management, multimedia management and business intelligence platforms.
How It Works:
Knovial is a complete online business platform that combines online functions to create a single solution for business owners to access reporting, content management, custom forms, CRM, E-commerce, and communications. When it comes to business, your website is the window to the world. Utilize tools to manage all aspects of your business to maximize growth, productivity, and revenue. Very rarely do you have the opportunity to take advantage of a low cost robust solution. Knovial gives you that advantage to be free from webmasters and costly IT departments.
More at:http://www.knovial.com/
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Blogging Scholarship?
What Company Is Offering:
Is Your Blog Worthy of a $10,000 Scholarship?
Do you maintain a weblog and attend college? Would you like $10,000 to help pay for books, tuition, or other living costs? If so, read on.
We're giving away $10,000 this year to a college student who blogs. The Blogging Scholarship is awarded annually.
More at:http://www.collegescholarships.org/
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Is Your Blog Worthy of a $10,000 Scholarship?
Do you maintain a weblog and attend college? Would you like $10,000 to help pay for books, tuition, or other living costs? If so, read on.
We're giving away $10,000 this year to a college student who blogs. The Blogging Scholarship is awarded annually.
More at:http://www.collegescholarships.org/
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Play Prediction Games And Win Prizes
What Company is Offering:
Just answer the simple question and the player with the most consecutive right answers from start wins! 100% prize pool payout in every game.
How It Works:
Each game is comprised of 8-10 questions. The answers are revealed after the event occurs . The player with the most consecutive right answers wins the first prize. Games occur daily and there are several categories to select from: celebrity gossip, sports, TV, even the weather. If you want to play for money you’ll need to deposit 2 pounds per ticket, each ticket being good for one game. The minimum withdrawal amount is 20 pounds. UK residents only.
More at:http://www.playtheday.com/
Just answer the simple question and the player with the most consecutive right answers from start wins! 100% prize pool payout in every game.
How It Works:
Each game is comprised of 8-10 questions. The answers are revealed after the event occurs . The player with the most consecutive right answers wins the first prize. Games occur daily and there are several categories to select from: celebrity gossip, sports, TV, even the weather. If you want to play for money you’ll need to deposit 2 pounds per ticket, each ticket being good for one game. The minimum withdrawal amount is 20 pounds. UK residents only.
More at:http://www.playtheday.com/
Get$10,000 For Answering "What Is Meaning Of Life"
What Company Is Offering:
A new website www.TheMeaningOfLife.com is inviting you to answer life's ultimate question, What is the Meaning of Life? The best entry will win $10,000. More than 5,000 people have sent in submissions from around the world (must be 25 words or less and completely original) during the last week alone. Site founder Adam Christing says, We're looking for the most inspiring and memorable statement about the biggest question of them all.
More at:http://www.themeaningoflife.com/
A new website www.TheMeaningOfLife.com is inviting you to answer life's ultimate question, What is the Meaning of Life? The best entry will win $10,000. More than 5,000 people have sent in submissions from around the world (must be 25 words or less and completely original) during the last week alone. Site founder Adam Christing says, We're looking for the most inspiring and memorable statement about the biggest question of them all.
More at:http://www.themeaningoflife.com/
Most Successful VC "Jeff"
Based in Palo Alto, California, Jean-Francois “Jeff” Clavier is the Founder and Managing Partner of SoftTech VC, one of the most active seed stage investors in Web 2.0 startups. Since 2004, Jeff has invested in more than 20 consumer Internet companies developing new concepts (such as social media) or revisiting “old” ideas with a new set of economics and technologies. In 2007, Jeff was recognized as one of the 13 “Web 2.0 King Makers” by Business 2.0, and is often noted for his investments in categories such as “passion-centric communities,” or for having already sold five of his companies in the past two years through successful M&As. Jeff’s 19 years of operational, entrepreneurial and venture capital experience enable him to add relevant perspective and value to the companies in which he invests.
Jeff’s initial investments were in the search, social media, online communities and application infrastructure sectors. Most recently, he added gaming and monetization to his investment focus, and he has been dabbling in Enterprise 2.0, system infrastructure and a few other emerging categories. Jeff invests primarily, but not exclusively, in Silicon Valley-based startups.
A popular speaker and moderator, Jeff participates in dozens of industry events throughout the year. These events range from local Silicon Valley panel discussions to international conferences, where he shares his passion for building Internet startups, angel and VC investing, innovation and entrepreneurship. Jeff has also produced a number of technology conferences and is a founding co-chair of the SDForum Search Special Interest Group.
Jeff’s blog, Software Only, was one of the early venture capital blogs, started in 2004, where he primarily covered social media, search, online communities and investing. After a few years of active posting, Jeff switched to micro-blogging, and a less time consuming production, using Twitter and Pownce.
Prior to founding SoftTech VC, Jeff spent more than 16 years in the enterprise software world as an entrepreneur, senior executive and venture capitalist. Throughout his career, he was exposed to global markets leading development teams in Europe and on Wall Street, designing products sold internationally and investing in software infrastructure startups across the U.S. and Europe.
In 2000, Jeff became President of RVC Capital, the firm managing the Reuters Greenhouse Fund with $600M invested in 82 companies, including Yahoo!, Verisign, Phone.com and Infoseek. He joined the venture arm of Reuters from the company’s product development division, where he was leading a 250+ staff in Paris, London and New York, and was responsible for the Risk Management and Desktop products. Jeff joined Reuters through the acquisition of Effix Systems, a Paris-based startup company he helped develop in 1989 while still in school.
Jeff was born, raised and educated in France, earning a MS in Computer Science and a research degree in Distributed Computing. He has been happily living in Silicon Valley since 2000 with his wife Bernadette and their two children. When he is not busy working, Jeff likes to spend time with his family and friends, cook, collect wine and wander around Outland on his hunter. He also skies, hikes, dives and plays golf so poorly it is not even funny.
website:http://softtechvc.blogs.com/
Jeff’s initial investments were in the search, social media, online communities and application infrastructure sectors. Most recently, he added gaming and monetization to his investment focus, and he has been dabbling in Enterprise 2.0, system infrastructure and a few other emerging categories. Jeff invests primarily, but not exclusively, in Silicon Valley-based startups.
A popular speaker and moderator, Jeff participates in dozens of industry events throughout the year. These events range from local Silicon Valley panel discussions to international conferences, where he shares his passion for building Internet startups, angel and VC investing, innovation and entrepreneurship. Jeff has also produced a number of technology conferences and is a founding co-chair of the SDForum Search Special Interest Group.
Jeff’s blog, Software Only, was one of the early venture capital blogs, started in 2004, where he primarily covered social media, search, online communities and investing. After a few years of active posting, Jeff switched to micro-blogging, and a less time consuming production, using Twitter and Pownce.
Prior to founding SoftTech VC, Jeff spent more than 16 years in the enterprise software world as an entrepreneur, senior executive and venture capitalist. Throughout his career, he was exposed to global markets leading development teams in Europe and on Wall Street, designing products sold internationally and investing in software infrastructure startups across the U.S. and Europe.
In 2000, Jeff became President of RVC Capital, the firm managing the Reuters Greenhouse Fund with $600M invested in 82 companies, including Yahoo!, Verisign, Phone.com and Infoseek. He joined the venture arm of Reuters from the company’s product development division, where he was leading a 250+ staff in Paris, London and New York, and was responsible for the Risk Management and Desktop products. Jeff joined Reuters through the acquisition of Effix Systems, a Paris-based startup company he helped develop in 1989 while still in school.
Jeff was born, raised and educated in France, earning a MS in Computer Science and a research degree in Distributed Computing. He has been happily living in Silicon Valley since 2000 with his wife Bernadette and their two children. When he is not busy working, Jeff likes to spend time with his family and friends, cook, collect wine and wander around Outland on his hunter. He also skies, hikes, dives and plays golf so poorly it is not even funny.
website:http://softtechvc.blogs.com/
BatchBook Is Business Organization Tool
What Company is offering:
BatchBook is an easy-to-use contact management system designed with small businesses in mind. And it can be customized depending on your unique business needs to help you grow and manage your business.
How It Works:
BatchBook will keep track of your contacts, customize your info, log communications and track calls and meetings, and creates a profile of oyur business relationships. The software can also track delivery dates, upcoming events, set up prompts for important meetings and add follow up information to keep in better contact with previous clients. The price is free if there is only one user that uses less than 1GB of memory, if you need more users or more memory, that can be provided for you from $9.99 to $99.99 depending on what you need.
More at:http://batchblue.com/
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BatchBook is an easy-to-use contact management system designed with small businesses in mind. And it can be customized depending on your unique business needs to help you grow and manage your business.
How It Works:
BatchBook will keep track of your contacts, customize your info, log communications and track calls and meetings, and creates a profile of oyur business relationships. The software can also track delivery dates, upcoming events, set up prompts for important meetings and add follow up information to keep in better contact with previous clients. The price is free if there is only one user that uses less than 1GB of memory, if you need more users or more memory, that can be provided for you from $9.99 to $99.99 depending on what you need.
More at:http://batchblue.com/
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biddingBuddies is the only social network exclusively for eBay members
What Company Is Offering:
biddingBuddies is the only social network exclusively for eBay members,certified and integrated with the eBay platform. Founded in 2005, biddingBuddies was created by combining expertise in eBay's Application Programming Interface (API) with social networking experience and software from leading provider, Sparta Social Networks. biddingBuddies is a member of the eBay Developers Program and is certified by eBay as an eBay Compatible Application.
How It Works:
Register with Biddingbuddies.com and network to find all of the greatest deals. BiddingBuddies.com is like other social networks in that you have a profile, with your photo, interests and other information. You can friend other members, and join groups. There are forums for you to participate in and an events section where you can search by zip code and category for events that interest you in your area. Members share the common bond of being eBay members and they can help each other find bargains on what they are looking for. Networks and forums make finding what you want at a reasonable price easier. BiddingBuddies.com is the best of both worlds, social networking and online shopping.
More at:http://www.biddingbuddies.com/
biddingBuddies is the only social network exclusively for eBay members,certified and integrated with the eBay platform. Founded in 2005, biddingBuddies was created by combining expertise in eBay's Application Programming Interface (API) with social networking experience and software from leading provider, Sparta Social Networks. biddingBuddies is a member of the eBay Developers Program and is certified by eBay as an eBay Compatible Application.
How It Works:
Register with Biddingbuddies.com and network to find all of the greatest deals. BiddingBuddies.com is like other social networks in that you have a profile, with your photo, interests and other information. You can friend other members, and join groups. There are forums for you to participate in and an events section where you can search by zip code and category for events that interest you in your area. Members share the common bond of being eBay members and they can help each other find bargains on what they are looking for. Networks and forums make finding what you want at a reasonable price easier. BiddingBuddies.com is the best of both worlds, social networking and online shopping.
More at:http://www.biddingbuddies.com/
GETaBUZ
What Company is Offering:
GETaBUZ is a cool way to communicate with your friends through Web page and cell phone messages (or BUZes) that can be personalized with your voice and favorite music. The first greeting with music you create is free. In fact, all your BUZes can be free - just refer your friends and we'll give you a free greeting for each one that registers on GETaBUZ.
How It works:
The best features of GETaBUZ.com are that site visitors and friends can leave a voicemail just like they used to leave typed messages (which can be listened to right from the website), record messages over uploaded songs, leave a voicemail from a mobile phone and the options of prank calling are very promising. The voice messenger can be embedded into MySpace and Facebook as well as other social networking sites. Messages can be sent with music and even celebrity voices or just with one simple voice. Voicemails can also be set up as welcomes to a personal web page and customized to fit with the site’s previous vibe. GETaBUZ.com is perfect for college kids and post-grads to keep in touch, youngsters to prank call, and parents to hear their child’s voice when they won’t be receiving a call any time soon.
More at:http://getabuz.com/
GETaBUZ is a cool way to communicate with your friends through Web page and cell phone messages (or BUZes) that can be personalized with your voice and favorite music. The first greeting with music you create is free. In fact, all your BUZes can be free - just refer your friends and we'll give you a free greeting for each one that registers on GETaBUZ.
How It works:
The best features of GETaBUZ.com are that site visitors and friends can leave a voicemail just like they used to leave typed messages (which can be listened to right from the website), record messages over uploaded songs, leave a voicemail from a mobile phone and the options of prank calling are very promising. The voice messenger can be embedded into MySpace and Facebook as well as other social networking sites. Messages can be sent with music and even celebrity voices or just with one simple voice. Voicemails can also be set up as welcomes to a personal web page and customized to fit with the site’s previous vibe. GETaBUZ.com is perfect for college kids and post-grads to keep in touch, youngsters to prank call, and parents to hear their child’s voice when they won’t be receiving a call any time soon.
More at:http://getabuz.com/
flauntR
What Company is Offering:
flauntR is created with the vision of enabling consumers to enhance photos or images without reading through heaps of user manuals or purchasing and downloading expensive software.
How It works:
With flaunR.com everyone can create cool looking photos with an individual flare. There are three easy steps to follow and then endless options to explore. All the user has to do is get the photo from Flickr or the PC, click on the desired effect and share wit the world. It really is that easy and flauntR provides thousands of one-click effects. Effects include but are obviously not limited to: color drip, blob view, powder spread. The options are absolutely endless and now photos can be personal again. This site is great news for older family members who are afraid of technology. They love taking pictures and now they have an easy and fool-proof way to spiffy them up. FlauntR is currently working on partnerships so that users can print out their photos.
More at:http://www.flauntr.com/
flauntR is created with the vision of enabling consumers to enhance photos or images without reading through heaps of user manuals or purchasing and downloading expensive software.
How It works:
With flaunR.com everyone can create cool looking photos with an individual flare. There are three easy steps to follow and then endless options to explore. All the user has to do is get the photo from Flickr or the PC, click on the desired effect and share wit the world. It really is that easy and flauntR provides thousands of one-click effects. Effects include but are obviously not limited to: color drip, blob view, powder spread. The options are absolutely endless and now photos can be personal again. This site is great news for older family members who are afraid of technology. They love taking pictures and now they have an easy and fool-proof way to spiffy them up. FlauntR is currently working on partnerships so that users can print out their photos.
More at:http://www.flauntr.com/
InterviewUp is a new Web 2.0 job site with the idea of helping you prep for that next big interview
What Company Is Offering:
InterviewUp is a new Web 2.0 job site with the idea of helping you prep for that next big interview by getting you ready by reading possible questions your interviewer will have for you.
There’s no doubt that going for a job interview can be a nerve-racking experience, and no one in their right mind looks forward to the questions you’re going to be hit with. InterviewUp wants to help get you ready for just that moment by giving you an idea of what to expect before you go in.
How It Works:
The concept is simple enough: go in, search on the type of job you are applying for, and see what sorts of questions people have encountered. Questions get tagged like a blog entry might so you can find like questions quickly and efficiently. If there is a question you’ve encountered, but don’t know the answer to, you can post it for people to answer and receive notifications when someone does submit a reply. If the question is such that there is no factual answer, people can reply with advice on how to best word your answer, and what the interviewer may be looking to hear. If you find a question that seems particularly useful, you can “UP it” to rank it higher.
More at:http://www.interviewup.com/
InterviewUp is a new Web 2.0 job site with the idea of helping you prep for that next big interview by getting you ready by reading possible questions your interviewer will have for you.
There’s no doubt that going for a job interview can be a nerve-racking experience, and no one in their right mind looks forward to the questions you’re going to be hit with. InterviewUp wants to help get you ready for just that moment by giving you an idea of what to expect before you go in.
How It Works:
The concept is simple enough: go in, search on the type of job you are applying for, and see what sorts of questions people have encountered. Questions get tagged like a blog entry might so you can find like questions quickly and efficiently. If there is a question you’ve encountered, but don’t know the answer to, you can post it for people to answer and receive notifications when someone does submit a reply. If the question is such that there is no factual answer, people can reply with advice on how to best word your answer, and what the interviewer may be looking to hear. If you find a question that seems particularly useful, you can “UP it” to rank it higher.
More at:http://www.interviewup.com/
Cellfire and MerchantCircle have partnered so you can get local discounts via your mobile
What Company Is Offering:
Cellfire and MerchantCircle have partnered so you can get local discounts via your mobile instead. Under the deal, MerchantCircle, which provides services for helping small businesses promote themselves online, will be offering Cellfire’s mobile coupon tools to their 200,000+ merchants. Meanwhile, Cellfire users will be able to find the deals via the company’s mobile application, which can be downloaded from their web site.
In addition to the small businesses Cellfire hopes to reach through the partnership with MerchantCircle, the company already offers discounts from major national brands including Papa Johns, Hardees, and Virgin Megastores.
More at:http://www.cellfire.com/
http://www.merchantcircle.com/corporate/
Cellfire and MerchantCircle have partnered so you can get local discounts via your mobile instead. Under the deal, MerchantCircle, which provides services for helping small businesses promote themselves online, will be offering Cellfire’s mobile coupon tools to their 200,000+ merchants. Meanwhile, Cellfire users will be able to find the deals via the company’s mobile application, which can be downloaded from their web site.
In addition to the small businesses Cellfire hopes to reach through the partnership with MerchantCircle, the company already offers discounts from major national brands including Papa Johns, Hardees, and Virgin Megastores.
More at:http://www.cellfire.com/
http://www.merchantcircle.com/corporate/
SpaceTime is a downloadable application which shows up on your desktop in visually appealing 3D fashion
What Company is Offering:
SpaceTime is a downloadable application launching at DEMOfall today, and its primary service is search, which shows up on your desktop in visually appealing 3D fashion. This is a type of desktop display that’s becoming quite popular with several applications, and it lets you sift through “stacks” of information. For search, there are a few default options like Google and eBay that you can choose from for immediate search filtering.
Your search terms are re-purposed as buttons at the bottom of the page, which turns out to be rather helpful as terms are then highlighted on each page. This can also be used for an image search, which pulls data from Google, Yahoo and Flickr. The video search is pretty cool, too. Videos can be played in 3D as well.
There are also 3D browser windows that let you view your browsers in 3D as well. Browsers and images can be moved, flipped and turned in 3D, and you can shuffle through your pages and images in 3D as well. Your timeline, across searches and filters, will be kept at the bottom of your page as well, and offers easy access to your history. The company has indicated that it will be tackling social networks next.
more at:http://spacetime.com/
SpaceTime is a downloadable application launching at DEMOfall today, and its primary service is search, which shows up on your desktop in visually appealing 3D fashion. This is a type of desktop display that’s becoming quite popular with several applications, and it lets you sift through “stacks” of information. For search, there are a few default options like Google and eBay that you can choose from for immediate search filtering.
Your search terms are re-purposed as buttons at the bottom of the page, which turns out to be rather helpful as terms are then highlighted on each page. This can also be used for an image search, which pulls data from Google, Yahoo and Flickr. The video search is pretty cool, too. Videos can be played in 3D as well.
There are also 3D browser windows that let you view your browsers in 3D as well. Browsers and images can be moved, flipped and turned in 3D, and you can shuffle through your pages and images in 3D as well. Your timeline, across searches and filters, will be kept at the bottom of your page as well, and offers easy access to your history. The company has indicated that it will be tackling social networks next.
more at:http://spacetime.com/
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Zenoss provides a complete suite of software and services to help you succeed monitoring your IT infrastructure
What Company Is Offering:
Zenoss provides a complete suite of software and services to help you succeed monitoring your IT infrastructure.
To support your unique needs, we offer several paths to success. Choose the offering(s) that make sense for your situation, budget and expertise.
Everything we do is based on Zenoss Core, our award-winning open source IT management platform. Our software provides a single, integrated solution for monitoring your entire IT infrastructure: network, servers, applications, across the full lifecycle: inventory, configuration, availability, performance, events, logs and alerts.
Through our unique approach our goal is to overcome the common hurdles to achieving effective IT monitoring and management. Read about the successes of Zenoss customers and watch video testimonials here.
Unique Features:
With Zenoss’ latest update you can now use their Google Maps mashup to monitor your network geographically. Updates appear in real time and it’s interactive, so you can draw connections between locations, and check the status of individual locations. The Ajax dashboard uses drag and drop editing for easy control and navigation.
More at:http://www.zenoss.com/
Zenoss provides a complete suite of software and services to help you succeed monitoring your IT infrastructure.
To support your unique needs, we offer several paths to success. Choose the offering(s) that make sense for your situation, budget and expertise.
Everything we do is based on Zenoss Core, our award-winning open source IT management platform. Our software provides a single, integrated solution for monitoring your entire IT infrastructure: network, servers, applications, across the full lifecycle: inventory, configuration, availability, performance, events, logs and alerts.
Through our unique approach our goal is to overcome the common hurdles to achieving effective IT monitoring and management. Read about the successes of Zenoss customers and watch video testimonials here.
Unique Features:
With Zenoss’ latest update you can now use their Google Maps mashup to monitor your network geographically. Updates appear in real time and it’s interactive, so you can draw connections between locations, and check the status of individual locations. The Ajax dashboard uses drag and drop editing for easy control and navigation.
More at:http://www.zenoss.com/
Agendize is an online marketing tool which deals in Click to call and Call to Action solutions
What Company Is Offering:
AgendiZe offers the only complete suite of proven advertising call-to-action tools. With AgendiZe, any business from large online directory publishers to newspaper classifieds, from web megastores to individual small or mid-size businesses can powerfully transform online ads into actionable ads.
Exploiting the new era of the social consumer, AgendiZe makes ads and websites actionable by multiplying social attention points across over 50 communication services and devices.
How It Works:
Agendize has developed a product called AgendizeMe which turns ads into opportunities for customer action. There are eight customizable buttons which gives consumers more possibilities for interaction. For instance, the ‘Call Now’ button lets customers leave their phone number so you can call them back. Customers can also choose where to receive/move content you provide to their agendas, cell phones, PDA’s, IM’s and social networks. All of these buttons are included in the AgendizeMe pack for $49 a year. Solutions for directories, classifieds and other businesses are also available.
More at:http://www.agendize.com/
AgendiZe offers the only complete suite of proven advertising call-to-action tools. With AgendiZe, any business from large online directory publishers to newspaper classifieds, from web megastores to individual small or mid-size businesses can powerfully transform online ads into actionable ads.
Exploiting the new era of the social consumer, AgendiZe makes ads and websites actionable by multiplying social attention points across over 50 communication services and devices.
How It Works:
Agendize has developed a product called AgendizeMe which turns ads into opportunities for customer action. There are eight customizable buttons which gives consumers more possibilities for interaction. For instance, the ‘Call Now’ button lets customers leave their phone number so you can call them back. Customers can also choose where to receive/move content you provide to their agendas, cell phones, PDA’s, IM’s and social networks. All of these buttons are included in the AgendizeMe pack for $49 a year. Solutions for directories, classifieds and other businesses are also available.
More at:http://www.agendize.com/
With LeadsExplorer you can get information on clients and potential buyers
What Company's Purpose:
Getting leads is one of the hardest parts of the sales cycle.
Allowing your sales staff to take advantage of the knowledge about your website visitors.
Currently your website generates leads by the contact form, newsletter or download registration.
Which is great, but only a minority of visitors ver registers for downloads or info.
Many more people visit your site, without you knowing anything about them.
Money has been spent to attract visitors to your website, but most visitors pass without leaving anything trail or indication for you to work on.
You got to analyze their actions, identify them !
Grab the trails they leave by visiting your website.
Find out impact of e-mail campaigns
Find out about reaction of cold calls
Get sales to act, when Companies visit your websit.
How It Works:
With LeadsExplorer you can get information on clients and potential buyers. LeadsExplorer helps you gather information on, customers, ex customers, competitors, financially related aspects such as investors and media such as newspapers and magazine articles about your site. All of this information will help you get a better idea of who your clients are and what they want. LeadsExplorer does not require additional software. Get a better idea of who your clients are by using LeadsExplorer.
More at:http://www.leadsexplorer.com/
Getting leads is one of the hardest parts of the sales cycle.
Allowing your sales staff to take advantage of the knowledge about your website visitors.
Currently your website generates leads by the contact form, newsletter or download registration.
Which is great, but only a minority of visitors ver registers for downloads or info.
Many more people visit your site, without you knowing anything about them.
Money has been spent to attract visitors to your website, but most visitors pass without leaving anything trail or indication for you to work on.
You got to analyze their actions, identify them !
Grab the trails they leave by visiting your website.
Find out impact of e-mail campaigns
Find out about reaction of cold calls
Get sales to act, when Companies visit your websit.
How It Works:
With LeadsExplorer you can get information on clients and potential buyers. LeadsExplorer helps you gather information on, customers, ex customers, competitors, financially related aspects such as investors and media such as newspapers and magazine articles about your site. All of this information will help you get a better idea of who your clients are and what they want. LeadsExplorer does not require additional software. Get a better idea of who your clients are by using LeadsExplorer.
More at:http://www.leadsexplorer.com/
“You Be the VC" Become Your Own CEO
What Company Is Offering:Start networking with other entrepreneurs, inventors, and dreamers like yourself. Brainstorm, get ideas, meet new friends, and maybe even find your future business partner or investor
How It Started And How It Works:
Bang Ventures has launched “You Be the VC,” a new web site where entrepreneurs can submit their Web-based business ideas and the public can vote on the one’s they like best. Ultimately, the public will decide on the three ideas they like best, which Bang Ventures will then fund, in addition to providing programming resources, management support and office space in Cambridge, Mass.
Along the way, the public votes on various tasks that entrepreneurs complete, such as a preliminary analysis and a video pitch. This is designed to model the real investment process, which usually consists of many steps.
The competition is looking specifically for web applications that can be brought to market quickly, so if you’re just one or two people with a cool idea, “You Be the VC” might be worth checking out.
More at:http://www.youbethevc.com/
How It Started And How It Works:
Bang Ventures has launched “You Be the VC,” a new web site where entrepreneurs can submit their Web-based business ideas and the public can vote on the one’s they like best. Ultimately, the public will decide on the three ideas they like best, which Bang Ventures will then fund, in addition to providing programming resources, management support and office space in Cambridge, Mass.
Along the way, the public votes on various tasks that entrepreneurs complete, such as a preliminary analysis and a video pitch. This is designed to model the real investment process, which usually consists of many steps.
The competition is looking specifically for web applications that can be brought to market quickly, so if you’re just one or two people with a cool idea, “You Be the VC” might be worth checking out.
More at:http://www.youbethevc.com/
Google Contest
Google.org, the search giant’s non-profit organization, is launching an initiative called the “Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine Challenge.” The contest aims to encourage inventors to design environmentally friendly bikes that cause zero emissions, and will reward $5,000 to the best invention, and free bikes for the top 5 finalists. Inventors are also asked to submit their inventions via video on a YouTube group that has been setup.
For the contest, Google has partnered with Specialized Bikes and Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
More at:http://www.google.org/
For the contest, Google has partnered with Specialized Bikes and Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
More at:http://www.google.org/
Fortumo For Mobile Or SMS-Based Business
What Company Is Offering:
Fortumo has opened up to invitation holders, and it turns out it’s a wizard generator for creating mobile businesses.
Whether you’ve never even pondered creating an SMS-based business, or you’re an old hand at it, it seems Fortumo can help you get going in a matter of minutes. The focus of the service is currently on four types of SMS tools: SMS-info, SMS-campaign, SMS-chatbox, and Premium SMS-connectivity.
How It Works:
SMS-info and SMS-campaign involve you getting people to send a message to a short code address to receive information and you, in turn, getting paid for each SMS sent. The SMS-chatbox tool allows you to add a paid-chat or advertisement column to your blog for people to send out messages. The premium tool is meant only for those experienced in setting up mobile applications and feel comfortable having more of a free hand in their service’s creation.
With this new app, even a one person operation can get set up and running with their own SMS application and business. For the time being, the services work only with the countries of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
more at:http://www.fortumo.com/
Fortumo has opened up to invitation holders, and it turns out it’s a wizard generator for creating mobile businesses.
Whether you’ve never even pondered creating an SMS-based business, or you’re an old hand at it, it seems Fortumo can help you get going in a matter of minutes. The focus of the service is currently on four types of SMS tools: SMS-info, SMS-campaign, SMS-chatbox, and Premium SMS-connectivity.
How It Works:
SMS-info and SMS-campaign involve you getting people to send a message to a short code address to receive information and you, in turn, getting paid for each SMS sent. The SMS-chatbox tool allows you to add a paid-chat or advertisement column to your blog for people to send out messages. The premium tool is meant only for those experienced in setting up mobile applications and feel comfortable having more of a free hand in their service’s creation.
With this new app, even a one person operation can get set up and running with their own SMS application and business. For the time being, the services work only with the countries of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
more at:http://www.fortumo.com/
ZiiTrend is a new social prediction site
What Company Is Offering:
ZiiTrend is a new social prediction site that wants you to help predict the future on just about any subject you can think of.
Whatever your question or interest may be, you can join up on ZiiTrend and try to work with others to see what the future holds. You can browse for already existing questions and vote on them, or you can create your own question to try to get a prediction.
How It Works:
Questions are grouped in to a number of categories including finance, technology, politics, sports and entertainment. As each Ziibo (their name for users) votes, the site collects that data to make a prediction. Say you think candidate a will win the Presidential election next year, and so do 33% of other users. That candidate will then be assigned a ZiiValue of 33% and this will state the chance of the prediction coming true.
Once the predicted event has passed, the site will be updated to reflect how close the prediction came to being true, letting you know how good you really are at figuring things out. This will also help the software in future ZiiValue calculations in an effort to make it more and more accurate.
So why not put on your Nostradamus costume and give it a try to see how good you are at predicting what the future holds for all of us.
More at:http://www.ziitrend.com/
Via-Mash
ZiiTrend is a new social prediction site that wants you to help predict the future on just about any subject you can think of.
Whatever your question or interest may be, you can join up on ZiiTrend and try to work with others to see what the future holds. You can browse for already existing questions and vote on them, or you can create your own question to try to get a prediction.
How It Works:
Questions are grouped in to a number of categories including finance, technology, politics, sports and entertainment. As each Ziibo (their name for users) votes, the site collects that data to make a prediction. Say you think candidate a will win the Presidential election next year, and so do 33% of other users. That candidate will then be assigned a ZiiValue of 33% and this will state the chance of the prediction coming true.
Once the predicted event has passed, the site will be updated to reflect how close the prediction came to being true, letting you know how good you really are at figuring things out. This will also help the software in future ZiiValue calculations in an effort to make it more and more accurate.
So why not put on your Nostradamus costume and give it a try to see how good you are at predicting what the future holds for all of us.
More at:http://www.ziitrend.com/
Via-Mash
Myxer is a mobile media sharing company for site visitors to mobilize their content
What Company Is Offering:
Myxer is a mobile media sharing company that lets web publishers offer a way for site visitors to mobilize their content, launching here at DEMO. With the Myxer widget, site visitors can send content to their mobile phones with drag’n'drop ease and almost instant results.
How It Works:
There’s a button publishers place on their website inviting site visitors to launch the widget. Content can then be dragged over the widget, and immediately downloaded. Both videos and images can be sent to a mobile phone, and publishers can also use this platform to sell their content. You select the price and description of various content items on your site, like an instructional video, and site visitors have the option of downloading it directly to their mobile phones. There’s also an option for users to keep this as a desktop widget for themselves, collecting various types of media from around th web. You can’t yet mobilze selected text, but this option will be added in the near future, and will show up on your cell phone as a text message. Other ways in which this widget is being used is for downloading ringtones and mobile wallpaper.
Another neat thing that Myxer has don is found a way to distribute its mobile content through Twitter, where a daily ringtone is made available by the company. If you’re receiving your Twitter updates on your ell phone, then you can opt to add Myxer’s Twitter ringtone directly to your cell phone. I like this particular use of Twitter for content distribution, as I think tat Twitter cold be used in many, many was for just this. So it’s always interesting to see what ways this is actually achieved by companies.
More at:http://www.myxertones.com/default/
Myxer is a mobile media sharing company that lets web publishers offer a way for site visitors to mobilize their content, launching here at DEMO. With the Myxer widget, site visitors can send content to their mobile phones with drag’n'drop ease and almost instant results.
How It Works:
There’s a button publishers place on their website inviting site visitors to launch the widget. Content can then be dragged over the widget, and immediately downloaded. Both videos and images can be sent to a mobile phone, and publishers can also use this platform to sell their content. You select the price and description of various content items on your site, like an instructional video, and site visitors have the option of downloading it directly to their mobile phones. There’s also an option for users to keep this as a desktop widget for themselves, collecting various types of media from around th web. You can’t yet mobilze selected text, but this option will be added in the near future, and will show up on your cell phone as a text message. Other ways in which this widget is being used is for downloading ringtones and mobile wallpaper.
Another neat thing that Myxer has don is found a way to distribute its mobile content through Twitter, where a daily ringtone is made available by the company. If you’re receiving your Twitter updates on your ell phone, then you can opt to add Myxer’s Twitter ringtone directly to your cell phone. I like this particular use of Twitter for content distribution, as I think tat Twitter cold be used in many, many was for just this. So it’s always interesting to see what ways this is actually achieved by companies.
More at:http://www.myxertones.com/default/
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Best StartUP Challenge Contest
Amazon Web Services announced that they will be holding a STARTUP Challenge, or a contest of the best startup using their own API. The winner will receive $50,000 cash as well as $50,000 worth of AWS credits.
The grand prize winner will also receive mentoring sessions from an AWS technical expert, and an investment offer from Amazon. Four second place winners will receive $5,000 in AWS credits, and anyone that qualifies in the contest will receive $25 of AWS credits.
Amazon is wanting developers to come up with original ideas while also leveraging the pay-as-you-go technology offered by AWS. I think all of us are looking for originality and this contest may be what is needed to spur at least a little innovation.
More at: aws.amazon.com/startupchallenge no later than 11:59 P.M. (PT) on October 28, 2007.
The grand prize winner will also receive mentoring sessions from an AWS technical expert, and an investment offer from Amazon. Four second place winners will receive $5,000 in AWS credits, and anyone that qualifies in the contest will receive $25 of AWS credits.
Amazon is wanting developers to come up with original ideas while also leveraging the pay-as-you-go technology offered by AWS. I think all of us are looking for originality and this contest may be what is needed to spur at least a little innovation.
More at: aws.amazon.com/startupchallenge no later than 11:59 P.M. (PT) on October 28, 2007.
Why do so many entrepreneurs lose focus?
Why do so many entrepreneurs lose focus? The same reason they became entrepreneurs in the first place: ferocious ambition. Entrepreneurs are dreamers; restraint is unnatural.
When it comes to staying focused, here are some lessons to keep in mind.
Perfect One Idea First
Start-up Internet company Kiko was off to a terrific launch in 2005. The online calendar service was attracting high-profile investors, impressing industry luminaries and garnering fantastic press with its new product. By all accounts, Kiko was ready to take off.
But instead, a year later, the company went from being at the top of its game to being auctioned off on eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) for $258,000. What happened?
Many speculated that Google's (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) new calendar service spelled Kiko's demise. But if you ask the founders and investors behind the company, it wasn't just about losing to Google. It was also about losing focus on their product.
“One of the reasons Kiko died was that the founders spent several months working on another project," says YCombinator's Paul Graham, a Kiko investor. "If they'd spent those months working on Kiko instead, they might have been far enough along to withstand Google calendar when it came out.”
Graham admits that focus alone may not have been enough to survive Google's onslaught, but it would have given Kiko a fighting chance.
Don't Attack Too Many Problems At Once
Face it: You don't have enough money, time, brains and limbs to fix everything that's wrong with your company. That's why you have to focus on the handful of issues that truly demand attention.
Jessica Livingston, author of Founders at Work, has profiled dozens of start-ups. Many have struggled to maintain their focus--even companies that eventually sold shares to the public.
Take TiVo. In its formative years, TiVo (nasdaq: TIVO - news - people ) wanted to build a network server that could provide an array of home-media services, from movies to music. Soon enough, writes Livingston, the company realized its snazzy box would not only be complicated to install, it would be hard for customers to understand. TiVo's decision: Focus on one killer application and branch out later on.
That "killer app" was the digital video recorder, or DVR--now a market unto itself. TiVo's current market cap: nearly $600 million.
Identify The Real Opportunities
Sometimes the challenge is not focusing on one value proposition, but being flexible enough to recognize when another is more compelling. It's not uncommon that entrepreneurs find their greatest opportunities in products they didn't even realize they were building.
Flickr, the popular photo-sharing site, started life as one feature of a totally different concept: a multiplayer online game called “Game Neverending." Soon the developers started noticing that their photo-sharing feature was stealing the show.
The founders knew they didn't have the time and resources to work on both opportunities, so they shifted their focus (with some regret at the time) to Flickr. Good move: In 2005 Yahoo! (nasdaq: YHOO - news - people ) shelled out a reported $20 to $30 million for Flickr, now the cornerstone of the Web portal's popular photo-hosting service.
Stick To What You're Good At
Yes, the world is full of opportunities. But the key to making money is recognizing the thing you can do better than the competition.
In his book, Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It, author Al Ries describes how behemoths like Dell Computer (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ), Home Depot (nyse: HD - news - people ) and Best Buy (nyse: BBY - news - people ) have all built powerful franchises based on one simple concept: being good at one thing.
Like your high school English teacher said: "Keep it simple, stupid."
Via-Forbes
When it comes to staying focused, here are some lessons to keep in mind.
Perfect One Idea First
Start-up Internet company Kiko was off to a terrific launch in 2005. The online calendar service was attracting high-profile investors, impressing industry luminaries and garnering fantastic press with its new product. By all accounts, Kiko was ready to take off.
But instead, a year later, the company went from being at the top of its game to being auctioned off on eBay (nasdaq: EBAY - news - people ) for $258,000. What happened?
Many speculated that Google's (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) new calendar service spelled Kiko's demise. But if you ask the founders and investors behind the company, it wasn't just about losing to Google. It was also about losing focus on their product.
“One of the reasons Kiko died was that the founders spent several months working on another project," says YCombinator's Paul Graham, a Kiko investor. "If they'd spent those months working on Kiko instead, they might have been far enough along to withstand Google calendar when it came out.”
Graham admits that focus alone may not have been enough to survive Google's onslaught, but it would have given Kiko a fighting chance.
Don't Attack Too Many Problems At Once
Face it: You don't have enough money, time, brains and limbs to fix everything that's wrong with your company. That's why you have to focus on the handful of issues that truly demand attention.
Jessica Livingston, author of Founders at Work, has profiled dozens of start-ups. Many have struggled to maintain their focus--even companies that eventually sold shares to the public.
Take TiVo. In its formative years, TiVo (nasdaq: TIVO - news - people ) wanted to build a network server that could provide an array of home-media services, from movies to music. Soon enough, writes Livingston, the company realized its snazzy box would not only be complicated to install, it would be hard for customers to understand. TiVo's decision: Focus on one killer application and branch out later on.
That "killer app" was the digital video recorder, or DVR--now a market unto itself. TiVo's current market cap: nearly $600 million.
Identify The Real Opportunities
Sometimes the challenge is not focusing on one value proposition, but being flexible enough to recognize when another is more compelling. It's not uncommon that entrepreneurs find their greatest opportunities in products they didn't even realize they were building.
Flickr, the popular photo-sharing site, started life as one feature of a totally different concept: a multiplayer online game called “Game Neverending." Soon the developers started noticing that their photo-sharing feature was stealing the show.
The founders knew they didn't have the time and resources to work on both opportunities, so they shifted their focus (with some regret at the time) to Flickr. Good move: In 2005 Yahoo! (nasdaq: YHOO - news - people ) shelled out a reported $20 to $30 million for Flickr, now the cornerstone of the Web portal's popular photo-hosting service.
Stick To What You're Good At
Yes, the world is full of opportunities. But the key to making money is recognizing the thing you can do better than the competition.
In his book, Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It, author Al Ries describes how behemoths like Dell Computer (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ), Home Depot (nyse: HD - news - people ) and Best Buy (nyse: BBY - news - people ) have all built powerful franchises based on one simple concept: being good at one thing.
Like your high school English teacher said: "Keep it simple, stupid."
Via-Forbes
How They Become Billionaire
They've come a long way from their first jobs as gas station attendants, bookstore clerks, short-order cooks and door-to-door garbage-bag salesmen.
In the accompanying slide shows, 14 self-made members of the Forbes 400 gave us an exclusive peek at their childhoods, dreams, mistakes, routines and motivations. The titans weighed in on topics like what it takes to be a stratospherically wealthy entrepreneur, what other vocational paths they might have chosen, how much they read, and if an M.B.A. is worth the paper it's printed on.
In pictures: What was your first job? | What was your biggest mistake? | How many hours a day do you read? | Is there any reason to get an MBA?
For every prosaic answer, there were many more thoughtful, nuanced and even playful ones--and no shortage of insight for the striving throngs who hope to follow in their predecessors' size-15 footsteps.
This year's list demonstrates that you don't have to be born a Walton or a Rockefeller to join the ranks of the country's 400 wealthiest individuals: 261, a shade less than two-thirds of them, are self-made tycoons with an average net worth of $3.1 billion (the same as the average for the list as a whole). They've conquered a gamut of industries, from real estate to oil, although only two of the 14 founded what are now publicly traded companies. (When you're a romping, stomping entrepreneur, who needs shareholders and regulators slowing you down, right?)
Many of these guys were dreamers from the get-go. One aspired to run General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people ), another to play professional baseball. Then there are the conflicted: One self-made mogul confessed that he'd consider an alternative career as a journalist--or perhaps a hobo on tranquilizers.
In pictures: If you could be anything else, what would it be? | What is the best part about being the boss? | What is more important: the idea or the execution?
The world's elite entrepreneurs aren't exactly cut from the same mold. One prays to the "Force" and cites James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise as his mentor. Another says he holds the unofficial world record for most pizza deliveries in a night. (One hint: It didn't go to the founder of Little Caesar's.) As for their mentors, the list included fathers, mothers, Roy Rogers and McDonald's (nyse: MCD - news - people ) founder Ray Kroc. And when it comes to blowing off steam, their methods range from riding motorcycles and playing basketball to watching old Westerns, hanging out on the farm and sipping vodka on the rocks.
For all of their varied perspectives, the group did offer similar responses to some questions. Most eat healthy breakfasts and exercise almost daily. (At age 85, one man still does 90 push-ups and jogs a mile every day.) It's little surprise, too, that many admitted to having a deep desire to make their mark--not to mention a pile of dough. Says casino kingpin Phillip Ruffin: "Money is how you keep score."
In Pictures: What motivates you? | What can't you live without? | What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
They've all made plenty of mistakes along the way, too. For all his riches, Wayne Huizenga, the founder of Blockbuster (nyse: BBI - news - people ) and Waste Management (nyse: WMI - news - people ), says he regrets jumping into baseball and hockey, despite his love for both games. (He currently owns the Miami Dolphins and previously owned the Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers). After getting dinged in tech land, real estate giant Jorge Perez learned to stick with what he knows best: land development.
Were the struggles worth it? Damn right, says financier Richard Rainwater (who didn't fill out our entire questionnaire and is not included in our list of 14). When asked what "success" is to him, the legendary Texas dealmaker simply wrote: "Being me."
See slide show and read more at:http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/2006/09/21/forbes400-walton-mcdonalds-ent-cx_mf_0921selfmade.html
In the accompanying slide shows, 14 self-made members of the Forbes 400 gave us an exclusive peek at their childhoods, dreams, mistakes, routines and motivations. The titans weighed in on topics like what it takes to be a stratospherically wealthy entrepreneur, what other vocational paths they might have chosen, how much they read, and if an M.B.A. is worth the paper it's printed on.
In pictures: What was your first job? | What was your biggest mistake? | How many hours a day do you read? | Is there any reason to get an MBA?
For every prosaic answer, there were many more thoughtful, nuanced and even playful ones--and no shortage of insight for the striving throngs who hope to follow in their predecessors' size-15 footsteps.
This year's list demonstrates that you don't have to be born a Walton or a Rockefeller to join the ranks of the country's 400 wealthiest individuals: 261, a shade less than two-thirds of them, are self-made tycoons with an average net worth of $3.1 billion (the same as the average for the list as a whole). They've conquered a gamut of industries, from real estate to oil, although only two of the 14 founded what are now publicly traded companies. (When you're a romping, stomping entrepreneur, who needs shareholders and regulators slowing you down, right?)
Many of these guys were dreamers from the get-go. One aspired to run General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people ), another to play professional baseball. Then there are the conflicted: One self-made mogul confessed that he'd consider an alternative career as a journalist--or perhaps a hobo on tranquilizers.
In pictures: If you could be anything else, what would it be? | What is the best part about being the boss? | What is more important: the idea or the execution?
The world's elite entrepreneurs aren't exactly cut from the same mold. One prays to the "Force" and cites James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise as his mentor. Another says he holds the unofficial world record for most pizza deliveries in a night. (One hint: It didn't go to the founder of Little Caesar's.) As for their mentors, the list included fathers, mothers, Roy Rogers and McDonald's (nyse: MCD - news - people ) founder Ray Kroc. And when it comes to blowing off steam, their methods range from riding motorcycles and playing basketball to watching old Westerns, hanging out on the farm and sipping vodka on the rocks.
For all of their varied perspectives, the group did offer similar responses to some questions. Most eat healthy breakfasts and exercise almost daily. (At age 85, one man still does 90 push-ups and jogs a mile every day.) It's little surprise, too, that many admitted to having a deep desire to make their mark--not to mention a pile of dough. Says casino kingpin Phillip Ruffin: "Money is how you keep score."
In Pictures: What motivates you? | What can't you live without? | What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
They've all made plenty of mistakes along the way, too. For all his riches, Wayne Huizenga, the founder of Blockbuster (nyse: BBI - news - people ) and Waste Management (nyse: WMI - news - people ), says he regrets jumping into baseball and hockey, despite his love for both games. (He currently owns the Miami Dolphins and previously owned the Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers). After getting dinged in tech land, real estate giant Jorge Perez learned to stick with what he knows best: land development.
Were the struggles worth it? Damn right, says financier Richard Rainwater (who didn't fill out our entire questionnaire and is not included in our list of 14). When asked what "success" is to him, the legendary Texas dealmaker simply wrote: "Being me."
See slide show and read more at:http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/2006/09/21/forbes400-walton-mcdonalds-ent-cx_mf_0921selfmade.html
GoldDigg
What Company Is Offering:
Goldigg.com is a social news site like Digg but this also has an interesting twist to it. The site was started by a young entrepreneur who wanted to create something like the million dollar homepage but with more value to its users. To become a member it costs $100. But once you join you can place advertisements in your posts, charging to vote, selling your profile or almost anything else. The entrepreneur hopes to have sold 5,000 memberships. Half of all profits are going to be donated to charity. And the remaining money after taxes and expenses will be used to fund the entrepreneur’s future endeavors. Goldigg.com is a site that allows users to vote for stories that interest them.
How It Works:
To become a member of Goldigg.com it will cost $100. Once you are a member you can quickly gain that back by placing ads in your story submissions, by charging to submit someone's story, having others pay you to vote, or by selling your account. Almost anything is possible to generate income for yourself. Once 5,000 members is reached no more will be accepted. A limited user base will create more demand for you, adding more money to your pocket.
More at:http://www.goldigg.com/
Goldigg.com is a social news site like Digg but this also has an interesting twist to it. The site was started by a young entrepreneur who wanted to create something like the million dollar homepage but with more value to its users. To become a member it costs $100. But once you join you can place advertisements in your posts, charging to vote, selling your profile or almost anything else. The entrepreneur hopes to have sold 5,000 memberships. Half of all profits are going to be donated to charity. And the remaining money after taxes and expenses will be used to fund the entrepreneur’s future endeavors. Goldigg.com is a site that allows users to vote for stories that interest them.
How It Works:
To become a member of Goldigg.com it will cost $100. Once you are a member you can quickly gain that back by placing ads in your story submissions, by charging to submit someone's story, having others pay you to vote, or by selling your account. Almost anything is possible to generate income for yourself. Once 5,000 members is reached no more will be accepted. A limited user base will create more demand for you, adding more money to your pocket.
More at:http://www.goldigg.com/
NetWebApp is searchable database of web 2.0 application and sites across the internet
What Company Is Offering:
NetWebApp is a thorough directory of everything web 2.0. It’s an enormous, searchable database of web 2.0 application and sites across the internet. You can search by keyword, or choose from one of dozens of categories (they have everything from “Philanthropy” to “RSS”). NetWebApp also features a list of the most newly-added web 2.0 sites on their homepage, complete with screenshots. The site also provides a brief description (appears to be cut and pasted from the site itself) of the web 2.0 site, and users can comment as well.
It Will Benifit All:NetWebApp has an absolutely enormous database, and it’s really easy to find what you’re looking for through their all-encompassing category search.
More at:http://www.netwebapp.com/
NetWebApp is a thorough directory of everything web 2.0. It’s an enormous, searchable database of web 2.0 application and sites across the internet. You can search by keyword, or choose from one of dozens of categories (they have everything from “Philanthropy” to “RSS”). NetWebApp also features a list of the most newly-added web 2.0 sites on their homepage, complete with screenshots. The site also provides a brief description (appears to be cut and pasted from the site itself) of the web 2.0 site, and users can comment as well.
It Will Benifit All:NetWebApp has an absolutely enormous database, and it’s really easy to find what you’re looking for through their all-encompassing category search.
More at:http://www.netwebapp.com/
moowee.tv brings unlimited Internet video content to the living room TV for viewers to watch, share, and interact
What Company Is Offering:
moowee.tv brings unlimited Internet video content to the living room TV for viewers to watch, share, and interact.
This free service can be accessed through an Internet browser device such as the Nintendo Wii game console. The moowee.tv user interface is currently optimized for TV with Nintendo Wii remote control buttons mapped to the application.
How It Works:
You’ll need a browser device like the Nintendo Wii game console (recommended). Find videos using the site’s search engine (featured video sites are Google Videos, YouTube, and DailyMotion), or select from a list of pre-existing channels. Alternately, you can create your own channel from a list of your search results, or through your favorite clip list or archived history. The site also offers some other cool features, including the “moopix” function, which attempts to analyze the videos you’ve been watching in order to suggest similar ones that you may also enjoy.
More at:http://www.moowee.tv/
moowee.tv brings unlimited Internet video content to the living room TV for viewers to watch, share, and interact.
This free service can be accessed through an Internet browser device such as the Nintendo Wii game console. The moowee.tv user interface is currently optimized for TV with Nintendo Wii remote control buttons mapped to the application.
How It Works:
You’ll need a browser device like the Nintendo Wii game console (recommended). Find videos using the site’s search engine (featured video sites are Google Videos, YouTube, and DailyMotion), or select from a list of pre-existing channels. Alternately, you can create your own channel from a list of your search results, or through your favorite clip list or archived history. The site also offers some other cool features, including the “moopix” function, which attempts to analyze the videos you’ve been watching in order to suggest similar ones that you may also enjoy.
More at:http://www.moowee.tv/
Wakenipa Sports Exchange runs fantasy sports competitions. Their first project is the 2007 Rugby World Cup
What Company Is Offering:
Wakenipa Sports Exchange runs fantasy sports competitions. Their first project is the 2007 Rugby World Cup. You will receive a budget of $1.5 million at the start of the game which you can use to purchase players. The players each have a price value (based on their team, position and scoring history) which will remain fixed for the duration of the tournament. A part from rugby, future competitions will include sports such as football, cricket, cycling, tennis and golf. Future competitions will also use an innovative new format that could result in Wakenipa Sports Exchange becoming a leader in the field of online fantasy sport.
How It Works:
Buy a team of 15 real World Cup players with a budget of $1.5 million and show that you've got what it takes to be a World Cup winning manager. You can even form your own challenge group and take on your mates. The top two managers will receive iPod shuffles. The winning manager will also receive the jersey of the World Cup team that they support.”
More at:http://www.wakenipa.com/
Wakenipa Sports Exchange runs fantasy sports competitions. Their first project is the 2007 Rugby World Cup. You will receive a budget of $1.5 million at the start of the game which you can use to purchase players. The players each have a price value (based on their team, position and scoring history) which will remain fixed for the duration of the tournament. A part from rugby, future competitions will include sports such as football, cricket, cycling, tennis and golf. Future competitions will also use an innovative new format that could result in Wakenipa Sports Exchange becoming a leader in the field of online fantasy sport.
How It Works:
Buy a team of 15 real World Cup players with a budget of $1.5 million and show that you've got what it takes to be a World Cup winning manager. You can even form your own challenge group and take on your mates. The top two managers will receive iPod shuffles. The winning manager will also receive the jersey of the World Cup team that they support.”
More at:http://www.wakenipa.com/
Pack And Find is an easy to use web application that allows you to create a personal inventory online
What Company Is Offering:
Pack And Find is an easy to use web application that allows you to create a personal inventory online. You will never need to spend hours wondering which box in the attic contains your favorite Christmas sweater. Never wade through the dust of your storage spaces again without knowing exactly where you are going.
How It Works:
When looking for a stored item, users can find its specific location by using a quick search on Pack and Find instead of spending hours rummaging around a storage space. You can create an inventory of your stuff. You can create labels for keeping your stuff better organized. The site also offers an online store powered by amazon.com. To start using this service, the first thing you’ll have to do is to sign up for a new account.
What Benifits It Has:
It has the potential to save people incredible amounts of wasted time searching through boxes. Everything is organized. You search for what you want using the search box.
More at:http://www.packandfind.com/
Pack And Find is an easy to use web application that allows you to create a personal inventory online. You will never need to spend hours wondering which box in the attic contains your favorite Christmas sweater. Never wade through the dust of your storage spaces again without knowing exactly where you are going.
How It Works:
When looking for a stored item, users can find its specific location by using a quick search on Pack and Find instead of spending hours rummaging around a storage space. You can create an inventory of your stuff. You can create labels for keeping your stuff better organized. The site also offers an online store powered by amazon.com. To start using this service, the first thing you’ll have to do is to sign up for a new account.
What Benifits It Has:
It has the potential to save people incredible amounts of wasted time searching through boxes. Everything is organized. You search for what you want using the search box.
More at:http://www.packandfind.com/
Monday, September 24, 2007
With wibiki you see links to sites that interest you instead of ads that you could care less about.
What Company Is Offering:wibiki replaces ads with a fun social community that lets you post to web pages everywhere.
What For:
Wibiki is developed by the people who believe in web ubiquity and freedom. Wibiki is working to make connectivity between users fun, dynamic and resourceful. In fact, the Internet is underutilized and needs to grow at the "edge". Wibiki is researching new ways to make the Internet easy to use and develop community awareness. We believe "Users Rule" and are developing software to nurture your rights on the Internet! Our downloads are free.
How It Works:
With wibiki you see links to sites that interest you instead of ads that you could care less about. If you want you can take a look and see what other users are posting links to and their comments on the sites. You can either download wibiki or follow the easy instructions on how to use it without having to download. To use wibiki you simple register. It is free and easy to use. Take control over your internet surfing experience and make it your own with wibiki.
More at:http://wibiki.com/
What For:
Wibiki is developed by the people who believe in web ubiquity and freedom. Wibiki is working to make connectivity between users fun, dynamic and resourceful. In fact, the Internet is underutilized and needs to grow at the "edge". Wibiki is researching new ways to make the Internet easy to use and develop community awareness. We believe "Users Rule" and are developing software to nurture your rights on the Internet! Our downloads are free.
How It Works:
With wibiki you see links to sites that interest you instead of ads that you could care less about. If you want you can take a look and see what other users are posting links to and their comments on the sites. You can either download wibiki or follow the easy instructions on how to use it without having to download. To use wibiki you simple register. It is free and easy to use. Take control over your internet surfing experience and make it your own with wibiki.
More at:http://wibiki.com/
Financial Planning Toolkit
These calculators require that you have Java installed on your computer. It is available, without charge, at the Sun Microsystems web site. If your browser displays a blank box in the middle of the screen, you need to install this plug-in.
l this plug-in.
Mortgage Calculators Loan Calculators
Credit Cards and Debt Management Automobile Calculators
Investment Calculators Retirement Savings and Planning
Tax Calculators Savings Calculators
Personal Finance
Business Calculators
Check all:http://www.finance.cch.com/tools/calcs.asp
l this plug-in.
Mortgage Calculators Loan Calculators
Credit Cards and Debt Management Automobile Calculators
Investment Calculators Retirement Savings and Planning
Tax Calculators Savings Calculators
Personal Finance
Business Calculators
Check all:http://www.finance.cch.com/tools/calcs.asp
Are You A Good Leader?
I am my own boss.� That sounds pretty good, right? No wonder so many Americans start businesses every year. Entrepreneurship provides an ideal opportunity to take control of your career, set your own schedule and pursue long-held interests or new opportunities.
Along with the pride and prestige come a number of responsibilities, among the most important of which is leadership. You�re in charge of setting the direction for your firm, inspiring employees to do their best, and coolly handling the good, the bad, and the unexpected. You can�t delegate this role to anybody, nor can you simply allow things to work themselves out. Leadership begins and ends with you, �boss.�
Are you doing everything you can to be a good leader and cultivate an atmosphere that�s conducive to success? Find out by taking this quick quiz.
1) Do you regularly monitor economic and social trends that affect your employees, customers and suppliers?
Yes No
2) Do you encourage employees to try new ideas or assume more responsibility?
Yes No
3) When there�s a problem, do you work with employees on understanding how and why it happened, rather than seeking out a scapegoat?
Yes No
4) Do your company's policies reflect flexibility and consideration of various needs?
Yes No
5) Do you regularly communicate with employees, and do you encourage them to communicate with you?
Yes No
Along with the pride and prestige come a number of responsibilities, among the most important of which is leadership. You�re in charge of setting the direction for your firm, inspiring employees to do their best, and coolly handling the good, the bad, and the unexpected. You can�t delegate this role to anybody, nor can you simply allow things to work themselves out. Leadership begins and ends with you, �boss.�
Are you doing everything you can to be a good leader and cultivate an atmosphere that�s conducive to success? Find out by taking this quick quiz.
1) Do you regularly monitor economic and social trends that affect your employees, customers and suppliers?
Yes No
2) Do you encourage employees to try new ideas or assume more responsibility?
Yes No
3) When there�s a problem, do you work with employees on understanding how and why it happened, rather than seeking out a scapegoat?
Yes No
4) Do your company's policies reflect flexibility and consideration of various needs?
Yes No
5) Do you regularly communicate with employees, and do you encourage them to communicate with you?
Yes No
And Millinoaire Born......
Megan Duckett, 35
Sew What? Inc.,Rancho Dominguez, California
Projected 2007 Sales: $4.6 million
Description: Manufacturer of custom theatrical draperies and distributor of flame-retardant fabrics
Finding her way: After immigrating to the U.S. at age 19, this native Australian found work as a technician for a concert production company--and started sewing in her spare time. Her first gig was sewing fabric coffin linings for a Halloween show. "I rented a [sewing machine] and lined 10 coffins," recalls Megan Duckett. "[I discovered] that I had a talent and an ability to manipulate the fabric in a craftlike way, and I really enjoyed it." Duckett worked evenings and weekends on her craft business, and in 1997 she quit her full-time job, rented a warehouse and officially incorporated.
Building Buzz: Not one to wait for the phone to ring, Duckett used every inexpensive marketing tool she could, such as mailers, fliers and handmade business cards. She also chatted up her company's services every chance she got. "Everyone was a potential customer," she says. That grass-roots marketing led to her making draperies for theater, concerts and special events worldwide.
Creative Coverings: Manufacturing the custom draperies for Rod Stewart's latest concert tour was a highlight for Duckett. "We made about 1,500 yards of the Stewart family tartan," she says. "We made it into this enormous design that would register onstage with the audience--it was totally unique." The work of Sew What? has also graced the tours of such legends as Gwen Stefani, Prince and Fleetwood Mac, to name a few. But despite a packed schedule, she still makes time to help the community: Duckett founded From Stages to Students, a program that provides free or low-cost draperies to school theater programs and community rehabilitation centers that teach sewing.
Follow Her Lead: Chat up your new business every chance you get, as you never know where leads will come from.
More at:http://sewwhatinc.com/
Via-http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/october/184394-3.html
Sew What? Inc.,Rancho Dominguez, California
Projected 2007 Sales: $4.6 million
Description: Manufacturer of custom theatrical draperies and distributor of flame-retardant fabrics
Finding her way: After immigrating to the U.S. at age 19, this native Australian found work as a technician for a concert production company--and started sewing in her spare time. Her first gig was sewing fabric coffin linings for a Halloween show. "I rented a [sewing machine] and lined 10 coffins," recalls Megan Duckett. "[I discovered] that I had a talent and an ability to manipulate the fabric in a craftlike way, and I really enjoyed it." Duckett worked evenings and weekends on her craft business, and in 1997 she quit her full-time job, rented a warehouse and officially incorporated.
Building Buzz: Not one to wait for the phone to ring, Duckett used every inexpensive marketing tool she could, such as mailers, fliers and handmade business cards. She also chatted up her company's services every chance she got. "Everyone was a potential customer," she says. That grass-roots marketing led to her making draperies for theater, concerts and special events worldwide.
Creative Coverings: Manufacturing the custom draperies for Rod Stewart's latest concert tour was a highlight for Duckett. "We made about 1,500 yards of the Stewart family tartan," she says. "We made it into this enormous design that would register onstage with the audience--it was totally unique." The work of Sew What? has also graced the tours of such legends as Gwen Stefani, Prince and Fleetwood Mac, to name a few. But despite a packed schedule, she still makes time to help the community: Duckett founded From Stages to Students, a program that provides free or low-cost draperies to school theater programs and community rehabilitation centers that teach sewing.
Follow Her Lead: Chat up your new business every chance you get, as you never know where leads will come from.
More at:http://sewwhatinc.com/
Via-http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2007/october/184394-3.html
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
Estée Lauder imposed herself on the cosmetics world despite being rebuffed repeatedly when she tried to get her own counter at Saks Fifth Avenue department store.
Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Queens, New York in 1906, Estée Lauder went on to forge the world’s most successful cosmetics empire. Lauder believed she “was growing a nice, little business.” By 2003 her “little” business was worth $10bn and its product range now sells in 130 countries.
The daughter of Hungarian immigrants got her big break at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1948 through sheer persistence. She prospered thereafter thanks to her uncle, a chemist, whose cosmetics she used, and her now legendary sales expertise.
Unable to advertise, Lauder instead offered free gifts to customers, an innovation since replicated across the industry. Customer service was central to her ethos. Even in her autumn years the doyenne of cosmetics would turn up at Saks on a Saturday afternoon and dispense sales advice to staff. “I have never worked a day in my life without selling, she once said. “If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard.”
She also believed in beauty: “Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day they care about how they look. There are no ugly women – only women who don't care or who don't believe they are attractive.”
Just because she stood up for the everywoman, however, it didn’t mean she wanted to hang out with them. When she held extravagant parties, it was rich, beautiful celebrities she invited round. She could be bitchy about her peers though. She derided Elizabeth Arden’s lack of generosity and called another competitor, Charles Revson, her “arch and implacable enemy”.
Up until the age of 87, when she broke her hip, Lauder continued to play an active role. She died, aged 97, in April 2004. Thus, “a chapter from the American business folklore,” – as Time magazine has called the Estée Lauder story – was closed.
Ubops.com The Business Opportunities Marketplace
Estée Lauder imposed herself on the cosmetics world despite being rebuffed repeatedly when she tried to get her own counter at Saks Fifth Avenue department store.
Born Josephine Esther Mentzer in Queens, New York in 1906, Estée Lauder went on to forge the world’s most successful cosmetics empire. Lauder believed she “was growing a nice, little business.” By 2003 her “little” business was worth $10bn and its product range now sells in 130 countries.
The daughter of Hungarian immigrants got her big break at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1948 through sheer persistence. She prospered thereafter thanks to her uncle, a chemist, whose cosmetics she used, and her now legendary sales expertise.
Unable to advertise, Lauder instead offered free gifts to customers, an innovation since replicated across the industry. Customer service was central to her ethos. Even in her autumn years the doyenne of cosmetics would turn up at Saks on a Saturday afternoon and dispense sales advice to staff. “I have never worked a day in my life without selling, she once said. “If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard.”
She also believed in beauty: “Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day they care about how they look. There are no ugly women – only women who don't care or who don't believe they are attractive.”
Just because she stood up for the everywoman, however, it didn’t mean she wanted to hang out with them. When she held extravagant parties, it was rich, beautiful celebrities she invited round. She could be bitchy about her peers though. She derided Elizabeth Arden’s lack of generosity and called another competitor, Charles Revson, her “arch and implacable enemy”.
Up until the age of 87, when she broke her hip, Lauder continued to play an active role. She died, aged 97, in April 2004. Thus, “a chapter from the American business folklore,” – as Time magazine has called the Estée Lauder story – was closed.
Ubops.com The Business Opportunities Marketplace
She Recognized A Business Opportunity After Personally Discovering A Need
Adrienne Simpson, founder of Smooth Mooove, has staked her claim in what could become an attractive new industry. Like so many entrepreneurs, she recognized a business opportunity after personally discovering a need. While moving her parents from Georgia to Michigan, she searched without success for a specialized company that would be able to help. Thanks to Simpson’s hard-knocks lessons, Smooth Mooove’s clients can now choose from a lengthy menu of services within three basic moving plans. Services range from cleaning up vacated homes once all household items have been loaded on a truck, to hanging drapes and shopping for new items for a client’s new home. Although any move is costly, Simpson says Smooth Mooove can actually save time and money. Since family members often have to take time from work to help a parent move, the company isn’t just marketing its program to seniors, but also to corporate clients, as an employee benefit for children of aging boomers.
Smooth Mooove, based in Stone Mountain, Georgia, joins a growing list of concierge-like services focused on seniors, including other moving companies that are starting to serve this market. As populations age throughout the industrialized world, the need for similar services will expand, creating plenty of room for new competitors to differentiate themselves through innovative services or by segmenting the senior market in any number of ways. Plush retirement communities, for example, might contract with a moving service as an added inducement to buyers. In the end, the success or failure of moving companies for seniors—as with any high-touch service enterprise—will hinge on how well they manage the details. And, equally important, on the respect, consideration and care given to their clients in the process.
Website: www.wemoveseniors.com
Via-Springwise
Smooth Mooove, based in Stone Mountain, Georgia, joins a growing list of concierge-like services focused on seniors, including other moving companies that are starting to serve this market. As populations age throughout the industrialized world, the need for similar services will expand, creating plenty of room for new competitors to differentiate themselves through innovative services or by segmenting the senior market in any number of ways. Plush retirement communities, for example, might contract with a moving service as an added inducement to buyers. In the end, the success or failure of moving companies for seniors—as with any high-touch service enterprise—will hinge on how well they manage the details. And, equally important, on the respect, consideration and care given to their clients in the process.
Website: www.wemoveseniors.com
Via-Springwise
Venture Watch
What Company Is About:
Caring.com is a site having assistance and knowledge/experience sharing for those who are care givers.
Who Will Get Benifited:
Those person who will find ourselves caring for others at one point in our life can benefit greatly. Caring for loved ones is not something you are taught, study, or prepare for (unless it is your profession), however it is extremely important for obvious reasons. The idea of others sharing their experiences and still others learning from them when they need to educate themselves as quickly as possible is brilliant and a great use of the knowledge sharing capabilities of the online world.
How Much They Raised:
Caring.com received $6 Million from DCM and Split Rock Partners.
More at:http://www.caring.com/
Caring.com is a site having assistance and knowledge/experience sharing for those who are care givers.
Who Will Get Benifited:
Those person who will find ourselves caring for others at one point in our life can benefit greatly. Caring for loved ones is not something you are taught, study, or prepare for (unless it is your profession), however it is extremely important for obvious reasons. The idea of others sharing their experiences and still others learning from them when they need to educate themselves as quickly as possible is brilliant and a great use of the knowledge sharing capabilities of the online world.
How Much They Raised:
Caring.com received $6 Million from DCM and Split Rock Partners.
More at:http://www.caring.com/
Virtual Currencey
Acebucks, one of the primary virtual currencies on Facebook has just raised $1.5 million from a powerhouse team of investors. Aryeh Goldsmith, the developer of Acebucks, was acquired by Michael Lazerow to form Buddy Media. Buddy Media investors include Howard Lindzon, Peter Thiel, Mark Pincus and James Altucher.
The focus of Buddy Media is to expand the AceBucks application and make it the primary virtual currency on Facebook. Acebucks will soon launch an API which enables developers to integrate the virtual currency into their own applications. For example if you are winning points on a poker application, you can convert those points into Acebucks.
Acebucks can be used to purchase both virtual and physical assets through the new Facebucks store which is about to be launched. Acebucks is being modeled after the AMEX rewards system. Buddy Media plans on launching some creative marketing campaigns via the Acebucks application.
More at:http://www.facebook.com/login.php
The Acebucks application is going to be able to expand into a number of larger applications thanks to their powerhouse investment team and some pretty large partnerships that they are announcing in the coming days. If you want to learn more about Acebucks, go check out the application.
The focus of Buddy Media is to expand the AceBucks application and make it the primary virtual currency on Facebook. Acebucks will soon launch an API which enables developers to integrate the virtual currency into their own applications. For example if you are winning points on a poker application, you can convert those points into Acebucks.
Acebucks can be used to purchase both virtual and physical assets through the new Facebucks store which is about to be launched. Acebucks is being modeled after the AMEX rewards system. Buddy Media plans on launching some creative marketing campaigns via the Acebucks application.
More at:http://www.facebook.com/login.php
The Acebucks application is going to be able to expand into a number of larger applications thanks to their powerhouse investment team and some pretty large partnerships that they are announcing in the coming days. If you want to learn more about Acebucks, go check out the application.
With Snapvine you can put multiple copies of the voice player on different sites
What Company Is Offering:At Snapvine.com you can send and receive audio messages. You can send messages without registering, but if you want to make a profile and set up a voice player on your personal page you must register. Set up a voice player and make an introduction with a photo and instructions on how to use Snapvine so that others can leave you messages. You can send a “shot out” to all of your friends. A shout out is a recording of your voice that you can send to multiple people, either other Snapvine users or other friends whose email addresses you enter. Comments are more fun when you can hear them. You can create a voice blog which is the newest way to keep in touch with friends and family. Make comments and communication more personal by including your voice at Snapvine.com.
Its Unique Features:With Snapvine you can put multiple copies of the voice player on different sites. You can put copies in all of your social networks and your blog and receive the same comments on each site. You can invite people to send you messages, by making an introduction and uploading a photo. People can send you messages without registering with Snapvine. With Snapvine.com you can also receive mobile alerts which notify you when you have received an audio message.
More at:http://www.snapvine.com/
Its Unique Features:With Snapvine you can put multiple copies of the voice player on different sites. You can put copies in all of your social networks and your blog and receive the same comments on each site. You can invite people to send you messages, by making an introduction and uploading a photo. People can send you messages without registering with Snapvine. With Snapvine.com you can also receive mobile alerts which notify you when you have received an audio message.
More at:http://www.snapvine.com/
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The Oxford University 21st Century Challenge Competition is for entrepreneurship competition
The Oxford University 21st Century Challenge Competition is a new international entrepreneurship competition, jointly organized by the Oxford Science Enterprise Centre (OxSEC) and the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilisation (JMI) at the Said Business School, Oxford.
This new competition is open to entrepreneurs world wide, and is looking to encourage innovative new business ideas - from new products and services to innovative operational processes and business models that can help to solve some of the major social, environmental and health challenges of the 21st century.
This year the competition has a total prize fund of £65,000, with £35,000 for the overall winner and three runners-up prizes of £10,000.
Entries can be from individuals, teams, new companies, existing companies creating spin-offs, students, scientists, academics and entrepreneurs. Entries must:
- Be innovative
- Be a for-profit venture
- Address a pressing 21st Century Challenge, within one of the tracks above
- Not have received more than £250K in funding to date
- Demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact as well as a financial return
Entries are welcome any time up to the deadline for submissions, 5pm (GMT) on Friday 12th October 2007. The finalists will be announced in early November, with the Final itself tasking place at Said Business School, Oxford, on Thursday 29th November 2007.
More info;http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/21challenge
This new competition is open to entrepreneurs world wide, and is looking to encourage innovative new business ideas - from new products and services to innovative operational processes and business models that can help to solve some of the major social, environmental and health challenges of the 21st century.
This year the competition has a total prize fund of £65,000, with £35,000 for the overall winner and three runners-up prizes of £10,000.
Entries can be from individuals, teams, new companies, existing companies creating spin-offs, students, scientists, academics and entrepreneurs. Entries must:
- Be innovative
- Be a for-profit venture
- Address a pressing 21st Century Challenge, within one of the tracks above
- Not have received more than £250K in funding to date
- Demonstrate a positive social and/or environmental impact as well as a financial return
Entries are welcome any time up to the deadline for submissions, 5pm (GMT) on Friday 12th October 2007. The finalists will be announced in early November, with the Final itself tasking place at Said Business School, Oxford, on Thursday 29th November 2007.
More info;http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/21challenge
StartUp Which Could Work
What Is Wishpot:
Wishpot, the wishlist creation site, has joined the Seattle incubator Curious Office Partners.
What Company Is Offering:
Wishpot, which allows shoppers to create online wish lists and gift registries from multiple retailers, including items found in physical stores.
Why is it In News:
Wishpot recently got seed investment from a group of angel investors, including Adrian Hanauer, co-founder of Curious Office. What’s more, Kelly Smith of Curious Office has joined Wishpot’s advisory board. Now that Wishpot has angel investors to mentor the company founders, what better way than by signing up for Curious Office Partners?
The announcement follows Wishpot's seed
The organization puts Wishpot in good company, as Curious Office has also invested in Shelfari and SEOmoz. The hope is to get more funding for Wishpot, as an organization like Curious Office can grant access to investors and other resources. Wishpot is reportedly working on a Series A round of investment. Wishpot has recently launched a Facebook application where you can share your wishlists with friends and offer gift recommendations.
More at:http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/venture/archives/122263.asp?source=rss
Wishpot, the wishlist creation site, has joined the Seattle incubator Curious Office Partners.
What Company Is Offering:
Wishpot, which allows shoppers to create online wish lists and gift registries from multiple retailers, including items found in physical stores.
Why is it In News:
Wishpot recently got seed investment from a group of angel investors, including Adrian Hanauer, co-founder of Curious Office. What’s more, Kelly Smith of Curious Office has joined Wishpot’s advisory board. Now that Wishpot has angel investors to mentor the company founders, what better way than by signing up for Curious Office Partners?
The announcement follows Wishpot's seed
The organization puts Wishpot in good company, as Curious Office has also invested in Shelfari and SEOmoz. The hope is to get more funding for Wishpot, as an organization like Curious Office can grant access to investors and other resources. Wishpot is reportedly working on a Series A round of investment. Wishpot has recently launched a Facebook application where you can share your wishlists with friends and offer gift recommendations.
More at:http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/venture/archives/122263.asp?source=rss
YoZone by YoNaturals
YoZone by YoNaturals is a vending machine dedicated to organic products. Based in San Diego, YoNaturals offers an alternative to vending machines that are typically stocked with junk food.
YoNaturals offers a wide range of items, from fresh fruit to products by well-known brands like Tazo (tea), Clif Bar (energy bars), Vitamin (beverages) and Horizon Organic (dairy). Operators and location managers can choose from more than 150 natural and organic foods and beverages, order through an online ordering system, and have the products delivered in less than three days. YoNaturals is actively seeking locations such as schools, shopping centres, offices, hospitals and fitness centres for placement of YoZone machines, seeking to cater to consumers on the go who are interested in healthier food options.
According to the USDA, sales of organic foods in the U.S. have been increasing 20 to 25 percent annually since 1990. Mark Trotter of YoNaturals explains: "We've studied the business models of Whole Foods, Wild Oats and many other healthy retailers, which have demonstrated that consumers are willing to pay two or three times for brands that they want, and believes that a similar healthy foods program can be developed for the automated vending space.” Sounds like a promising business opportunity for anyone with a verve for vending! Next up: a vending machine brand focusing on vegetarian or halal foods?
Website: www.yonaturals.com
Via-Springwise
YoNaturals offers a wide range of items, from fresh fruit to products by well-known brands like Tazo (tea), Clif Bar (energy bars), Vitamin (beverages) and Horizon Organic (dairy). Operators and location managers can choose from more than 150 natural and organic foods and beverages, order through an online ordering system, and have the products delivered in less than three days. YoNaturals is actively seeking locations such as schools, shopping centres, offices, hospitals and fitness centres for placement of YoZone machines, seeking to cater to consumers on the go who are interested in healthier food options.
According to the USDA, sales of organic foods in the U.S. have been increasing 20 to 25 percent annually since 1990. Mark Trotter of YoNaturals explains: "We've studied the business models of Whole Foods, Wild Oats and many other healthy retailers, which have demonstrated that consumers are willing to pay two or three times for brands that they want, and believes that a similar healthy foods program can be developed for the automated vending space.” Sounds like a promising business opportunity for anyone with a verve for vending! Next up: a vending machine brand focusing on vegetarian or halal foods?
Website: www.yonaturals.com
Via-Springwise
Lynksee takes advantage of free internet tools to allow you to create content without paying
What Company is Offering:
Lynksee is a service that groups the best existing applications of free software. So if you are inexperienced, as if you are an experienced user, you will completely be able to control all applications that Lynksee, using the tools that have the programs themselves, and without restrictions. Do not forget that the world of the free software does not stop. Lynksee Lynksee goes in parallel with him and each day will turn up new applications, improvements or modules for your pages.
How It Will Work:
Lynksee takes advantage of free internet tools to allow you to create content without paying even a centavo. You can make a blog using Wordpress, a wiki using Mediawiki, and a forum using PhpBB. And with Lynksee, you can do all of this without having to jump from one site after another. To get started, you’ll first need to set up your account: choose a name, a category and press accept. From there, start creating content. Lynksee is available in English (could use some work there), Spanish, Italian, and Catalan.
More at:http://www.lynksee.com/
Lynksee is a service that groups the best existing applications of free software. So if you are inexperienced, as if you are an experienced user, you will completely be able to control all applications that Lynksee, using the tools that have the programs themselves, and without restrictions. Do not forget that the world of the free software does not stop. Lynksee Lynksee goes in parallel with him and each day will turn up new applications, improvements or modules for your pages.
How It Will Work:
Lynksee takes advantage of free internet tools to allow you to create content without paying even a centavo. You can make a blog using Wordpress, a wiki using Mediawiki, and a forum using PhpBB. And with Lynksee, you can do all of this without having to jump from one site after another. To get started, you’ll first need to set up your account: choose a name, a category and press accept. From there, start creating content. Lynksee is available in English (could use some work there), Spanish, Italian, and Catalan.
More at:http://www.lynksee.com/
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sponsormytalent is a social tool to enable people's talent to be utilized
What Company Is Offering:
Sponsormytalent is a social tool to enable people's talent to be utilized to express idea/concepts and purpose whether be it for one's self, environment or the world as a whole. Share, create and work toward a common purpose with people that share the same ethos, interests, ideas and talent levels as you. Make new friends, access resources and people networks to utilize your talent to its potential.
Why It Should Work? Because.....Everyone has talent but to be successful they need the right blend of people, resources, tools and sponsors. Sponsormytalent is about making connections to the right people and sharing the passion of your talent.
more at:http://www.sponsormytalent.com/
Sponsormytalent is a social tool to enable people's talent to be utilized to express idea/concepts and purpose whether be it for one's self, environment or the world as a whole. Share, create and work toward a common purpose with people that share the same ethos, interests, ideas and talent levels as you. Make new friends, access resources and people networks to utilize your talent to its potential.
Why It Should Work? Because.....Everyone has talent but to be successful they need the right blend of people, resources, tools and sponsors. Sponsormytalent is about making connections to the right people and sharing the passion of your talent.
more at:http://www.sponsormytalent.com/
ClienTelevision is a great resource for consumers and small business
What Company is Offering:
ClienTelevision is a broadband video service producing entertaining and informative videos which provide practical guidance to people seeking solutions. Produced specifically for broadband and cable VOD applications, ClienTelevision videos are organized into a variety of content channels, sharing expert insights on such topics as personal finance, insurance, employment, real estate, criminal justice, business and entrepreneurship, contracts, consumer issues and many other important subjects.
Why It Should Work:
ClienTelevision is a great resource for consumers and small business. But ClienTelevision.com is more than a destination for online viewers. Through its network affiliate program, other web sites may leverage the power of rich media content by seamlessly integrating some or all of these channels into their web sites. Perfect for sites that deal with some or all of the issues featured in ClienTelevision channels.
More at:http://www.clientelevision.com/
ClienTelevision is a broadband video service producing entertaining and informative videos which provide practical guidance to people seeking solutions. Produced specifically for broadband and cable VOD applications, ClienTelevision videos are organized into a variety of content channels, sharing expert insights on such topics as personal finance, insurance, employment, real estate, criminal justice, business and entrepreneurship, contracts, consumer issues and many other important subjects.
Why It Should Work:
ClienTelevision is a great resource for consumers and small business. But ClienTelevision.com is more than a destination for online viewers. Through its network affiliate program, other web sites may leverage the power of rich media content by seamlessly integrating some or all of these channels into their web sites. Perfect for sites that deal with some or all of the issues featured in ClienTelevision channels.
More at:http://www.clientelevision.com/
Sosius.com has created a way for managers to have all important information and news in one easily accessible location
What Company Says: Sosius.com has created a way for managers to have all important information and news in one easily accessible location. Workspaces can be filled with files, folders, contact lists, projects, tasks, calendars and any other important information that is part of your organization or inter-personal life. These workspaces serve as a way to keep all group members aware of current issues, changes and new information no matter where they are. Groups from sports teams to fast paced businesses can take advantage of Sosius to improve communication, community awareness and build a better knowledge base for its members. Managers can arrange for their group members to receive info updates when specific changes are made and can also keep information private or public depending on the subject matter. Individuals can build a workspace on Sosius and send new information to family and friends as well as have private data that no one else sees. Workspaces can also include blogs, chat rooms and discussion boards. Included in a free account is a custom dashboard, contacts, file management, calendars and events, task automation, RSS feeds, web databases and privacy permissioning as well as the previously mentioned communication areas. Join now and build your own collaborative environment.
Will It Work:Sosius provides a great template for group collaboration, personal organization and communication. All important information is kept in one place and it is easily shared with associates or kept private.So it should work.
More at:http://www.sosius.com/
Will It Work:Sosius provides a great template for group collaboration, personal organization and communication. All important information is kept in one place and it is easily shared with associates or kept private.So it should work.
More at:http://www.sosius.com/
Snoopr.net is for great deals found online
What Company is Offering: Snoopr.net is for great deals found online.The site comes from the guys at Proxima Labs and is banking on a voting system which utilizes a "rating threshold" to determine which deals are promoted to the front page. Users can comment on deals, as well as win prizes for participating. Snoopr.net is a site about linking great deals to great people in a new way. Inspired by Web 2.0 and social bookmarking, Snoopr is a refreshing new take on the tedium of deal finding. At Snoopr.net, the users are in charge of the site's content. Users are able to submit deals for their peers to view and take advantage of. Users may also vote to "snoop", or vote, on deals that they like. Monthly contests provide incentive to scour the web for the best deals to share.
Will It Work?Snoopr.net is a new take on searching for deals online.So it should work. The site is combination of many useful web technologies, creating a new "web 2.0" style deal finding tool.
More at:http://snoopr.net/deals
Will It Work?Snoopr.net is a new take on searching for deals online.So it should work. The site is combination of many useful web technologies, creating a new "web 2.0" style deal finding tool.
More at:http://snoopr.net/deals
MyDVDTrader
What Company Says: MyDVDTrader, the DVD trading community for the serious entertainment fan in you. Just sign up for a free account with us and start enjoying our great member service which include trading or renting your dvds,cds or video games.Also when you list your available items,you earn free trade points,good towards any item you request, when you complete a trade,thus no purchase is really necessary.Try it out today,it's that SIMPLE!
MyDVDTrader.com will be transforming itself from its current state of Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 in the next upcoming weeks. It will be the perfect platform for DVD trading.
More at:http://www.mydvdtrader.com/
MyDVDTrader.com will be transforming itself from its current state of Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 in the next upcoming weeks. It will be the perfect platform for DVD trading.
More at:http://www.mydvdtrader.com/
Slifter is a mobile app which helps you find the products at the lowest prices from your computer or from your mobile phone.
What Company Is Offering: Slifter web and a mobile phone application that lets you search for your products and brands from both online and offline stores. Slifter also allows you to see images of those products, and share them with friends or save them to your personal shopping list. You can use Slifter on your cell phone, Blackberry, Treo, or online.
How it Works:There are three ways to use Slifter: 1) send a text message with your product query and your zipcode to 75438 2) use the mobile app which gives you access to a mobile shopping list, product images, maps and sharing, and finally you can opt for option 3) which is going to the Slifter website. Slifter has recently developed a GPS app for Sprint customers which gives them more accurate results than the regular Slifter. Of course, to use any version of Slifter you’ll need a data plan. Slifter itself is free to use.
More at:http://www.slifter.com/
How it Works:There are three ways to use Slifter: 1) send a text message with your product query and your zipcode to 75438 2) use the mobile app which gives you access to a mobile shopping list, product images, maps and sharing, and finally you can opt for option 3) which is going to the Slifter website. Slifter has recently developed a GPS app for Sprint customers which gives them more accurate results than the regular Slifter. Of course, to use any version of Slifter you’ll need a data plan. Slifter itself is free to use.
More at:http://www.slifter.com/
Friday, September 21, 2007
How To Sell Your Business
The internet has changed pretty much everything. Could Al Gore’s invention now be changing how America’s business wealth transitions from retiring business owners?
The search engine became a part of every day speech when Yahoo and iGoogle rewrote the rules for finding stuff. And finding the best deal, no matter what we are shopping for, also happens on the internet. Thanks Hotwire, Ebay and Amazon.com.
Retiring business owners once relied on that kid’s booster seat called the phonebook to find a local business broker. Now business owners go directly to yellowpages.com and search for “business broker” in their city or state and the 1% Business Broker, Inc® pops up everywhere.
Most business owners who are ready to cash in their business chips plan to use those proceeds to fund retirement and implement some kind of wealth planning strategy. And nothing that requires daily management, thank you. Traditionally, business brokers have eaten a good sized chunk of a seller’s proceeds by charging business owners ten percent or more commission for the sale of the business.
After years of hard work and risk, business owners don’t like the idea of giving up ten percent of their hard-earned equity to Johnny-come-lately business broker salesperson. After all, they built it and the retiree has to live off the ROI of those proceeds until the day they die.
The internet long ago reduced the cost using stock brokers, mortgage brokers and now with 1PercentBusinessBrokers.com it has reduced the cost of using a business broker. By charging as little as one percent of the transaction price on midsize and larger transactions the folks at 1% Business Brokers, Inc. have put tens of thousands of dollars back in the pocket of today’s retiring business owner. That would improve anyone’s new lifestyle.
When asked how they provide the same level of service while charging significantly less than traditional business brokers, Mark Huggans of 1% Business Brokers®’ said, “the answer is three-fold, the instant connectivity of the internet and our digital platform technology has automated every part of the mergers and acquisition that can be automated and of course our marketplace savvy”.
Perhaps the internet is not finished helping all of us save more money. Maybe in our life time there will be a OnePercentRealEstateBroker.com? If so, we’d like to say thanks again to the internet.
The search engine became a part of every day speech when Yahoo and iGoogle rewrote the rules for finding stuff. And finding the best deal, no matter what we are shopping for, also happens on the internet. Thanks Hotwire, Ebay and Amazon.com.
Retiring business owners once relied on that kid’s booster seat called the phonebook to find a local business broker. Now business owners go directly to yellowpages.com and search for “business broker” in their city or state and the 1% Business Broker, Inc® pops up everywhere.
Most business owners who are ready to cash in their business chips plan to use those proceeds to fund retirement and implement some kind of wealth planning strategy. And nothing that requires daily management, thank you. Traditionally, business brokers have eaten a good sized chunk of a seller’s proceeds by charging business owners ten percent or more commission for the sale of the business.
After years of hard work and risk, business owners don’t like the idea of giving up ten percent of their hard-earned equity to Johnny-come-lately business broker salesperson. After all, they built it and the retiree has to live off the ROI of those proceeds until the day they die.
The internet long ago reduced the cost using stock brokers, mortgage brokers and now with 1PercentBusinessBrokers.com it has reduced the cost of using a business broker. By charging as little as one percent of the transaction price on midsize and larger transactions the folks at 1% Business Brokers, Inc. have put tens of thousands of dollars back in the pocket of today’s retiring business owner. That would improve anyone’s new lifestyle.
When asked how they provide the same level of service while charging significantly less than traditional business brokers, Mark Huggans of 1% Business Brokers®’ said, “the answer is three-fold, the instant connectivity of the internet and our digital platform technology has automated every part of the mergers and acquisition that can be automated and of course our marketplace savvy”.
Perhaps the internet is not finished helping all of us save more money. Maybe in our life time there will be a OnePercentRealEstateBroker.com? If so, we’d like to say thanks again to the internet.
MatesOdds is the first mate to mate real money sports betting concept
What Company Is Offering:This is the first Web2.0 start up to activate person to person direct betting. Friends can bet on what they choose, set their own prices and offer their own odds. They use all the Web2.0 features, seeing who is online, leaving notes on friends, message boards, start sports discussions, etc.
How It Workes:MatesOdds is the first mate to mate real money sports betting concept since betting on the match with your mates down the pub. Instead of the Nags Head you can now exercise your sporting prowess in an expansive online community and win your mates' hard earned cash for your efforts. Its absolutely free to do so and you can use all the site without any restrictions - apart from betting of course. The site will provide the possibility to bet your mates for real money, set your own price and odds, earn Bragging Rights for all your wins, see when your mates are online, and leave them notes, and more.
More at:http://www.matesodds.com/
How It Workes:MatesOdds is the first mate to mate real money sports betting concept since betting on the match with your mates down the pub. Instead of the Nags Head you can now exercise your sporting prowess in an expansive online community and win your mates' hard earned cash for your efforts. Its absolutely free to do so and you can use all the site without any restrictions - apart from betting of course. The site will provide the possibility to bet your mates for real money, set your own price and odds, earn Bragging Rights for all your wins, see when your mates are online, and leave them notes, and more.
More at:http://www.matesodds.com/
Office Networker
What Company Is Offering:Workclan is an exclusive online community that connects coworkers and colleagues.
How It Works:WorkClan gives you the perfect means to keep in touch. Unlike your standard anything goes social networks, WorkClan offers privacy—users are required to register with a valid work email address to retain the exclusivity. Despite the reqs, WorkClan is hardly all work and no play; you can venture away from boardroom speeches and water cooler chat and take on a more casual, open approach. In fact you may carry on about work room crushes, gossip, office peeves, and you can even admire secretly. Other features include post it notes, groups, blogs, photo albums, and invites.
More at:http://www.workclan.com/
How It Works:WorkClan gives you the perfect means to keep in touch. Unlike your standard anything goes social networks, WorkClan offers privacy—users are required to register with a valid work email address to retain the exclusivity. Despite the reqs, WorkClan is hardly all work and no play; you can venture away from boardroom speeches and water cooler chat and take on a more casual, open approach. In fact you may carry on about work room crushes, gossip, office peeves, and you can even admire secretly. Other features include post it notes, groups, blogs, photo albums, and invites.
More at:http://www.workclan.com/
DotCom Income Secrets
DotCom Income Secrets is a low cost ($9.97 - one time fee) membership site that teaches how to make money online. The core product is a 78 page eBook but there is also a supplemental business plan that is outstanding. Included in the membership are several free software products and other reading/learning material. While lesser quality products are selling for upwards of $100 DotCom Income Secrets charges only pennies on the dollar for the same information. Members are experiencing outstanding results applying the specific methods detailed in this product.
DotCom Income Secrets addresses the main reason people shy away from starting an online business, which is start-up cost. The price to join is low therefore this website has already become hugely popular in a short period of time. This website is one of many from Moore Licensing LLC.
More at:http://www.dotcomincomesecrets.com/
DotCom Income Secrets addresses the main reason people shy away from starting an online business, which is start-up cost. The price to join is low therefore this website has already become hugely popular in a short period of time. This website is one of many from Moore Licensing LLC.
More at:http://www.dotcomincomesecrets.com/
Million$Dig
What Company Says: Using a novel concept based on teaser pages, Million$Dig drives traffic to advertisers' traffic pages from the homepage of Million$Dig.
On Million$Dig, one site subscriber will claim one million dollars. In addition to the million dollar grand prize, each month three subscribers will claim 10% monthly profit. Non-subscribers will also win small prizes.
How It Works:It provides real value to engage site visitors in repeat visits. Using a combination of news popularity site with advertisers' traffic pages, the site brings repeat visitors to send traffic to advertisers' traffic pages. Million$Dig allows anyone to purchase a word based traffic page for a $100 lifetime subscription. Because the pages are fully customizable, they are appropriate for a wide variety of uses, e.g. business, blog, and affiliate program. You can place your ads and keep revenue. Each page is absolutely unique and free of any colors, logos or menus identifying it with Million$Dig. Once a page is sold, the word or name identifying that page is gone forever.
More at:http://www.milliondollardig.com/
On Million$Dig, one site subscriber will claim one million dollars. In addition to the million dollar grand prize, each month three subscribers will claim 10% monthly profit. Non-subscribers will also win small prizes.
How It Works:It provides real value to engage site visitors in repeat visits. Using a combination of news popularity site with advertisers' traffic pages, the site brings repeat visitors to send traffic to advertisers' traffic pages. Million$Dig allows anyone to purchase a word based traffic page for a $100 lifetime subscription. Because the pages are fully customizable, they are appropriate for a wide variety of uses, e.g. business, blog, and affiliate program. You can place your ads and keep revenue. Each page is absolutely unique and free of any colors, logos or menus identifying it with Million$Dig. Once a page is sold, the word or name identifying that page is gone forever.
More at:http://www.milliondollardig.com/
Create Your Own Brand
What Company Says: Create your own personal store in 2 easy steps. It’s easy. It’s free.Become a brand. Start recommending products with your very own store. You did the research, you bought stuff you love. Why not share and recommend your ideas to others? Earn commissions from participating merchants.
How It Works:Users can earn commissions. OblinQ is for the "word of mouth" expert in each of us. Now we can do that professionally. OblinQ is a way any user can create a catalog of their own and become a brand with the possibility of earning referral income. Large online retailers such as Amazon.com and Macys.com are becoming even more mega stores with their huge online catalog. The Internet is making the whole world available to shop.
More at:http://www.oblinq.com/
How It Works:Users can earn commissions. OblinQ is for the "word of mouth" expert in each of us. Now we can do that professionally. OblinQ is a way any user can create a catalog of their own and become a brand with the possibility of earning referral income. Large online retailers such as Amazon.com and Macys.com are becoming even more mega stores with their huge online catalog. The Internet is making the whole world available to shop.
More at:http://www.oblinq.com/
AskProfit provides personalized financial content to lots of questions, and matches users with leading financial experts, worldwide
What Company Says:Financial Professionals: Share Your Expertise. Grow Your Business.
Becoming an Expert on AskProfit.com is Free, and is a great way to establish and grow your business through exposure in our Expert locator and by generating hot leads via our question/answer service.
How It Works:It connects users looking for answers to their personal financial questions with an independent network of financial professionals. You can submit a question for free in a variety of fields, taxes, stocks, retirement planning, and then the financial experts will reply. You can also search for experts or browse the archives of old questions. AskProfit provides personalized financial content to lots of questions, and matches users with leading financial experts, worldwide.
More at:http://www.askprofit.com/
Becoming an Expert on AskProfit.com is Free, and is a great way to establish and grow your business through exposure in our Expert locator and by generating hot leads via our question/answer service.
How It Works:It connects users looking for answers to their personal financial questions with an independent network of financial professionals. You can submit a question for free in a variety of fields, taxes, stocks, retirement planning, and then the financial experts will reply. You can also search for experts or browse the archives of old questions. AskProfit provides personalized financial content to lots of questions, and matches users with leading financial experts, worldwide.
More at:http://www.askprofit.com/
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