Thursday, December 20, 2007

Netcooler is a site that organizes community-generated and rated news, gossip, and Q&A about companies

What Company is offering:
Netcooler is a site that organizes community-generated and rated news, gossip, and Q&A about companies.

Tap into it to find out what people are saying about your company, or one you're thinking about joining!

How It Works:

Netcooler marries the prototypical workplace with some powerful new communication tools.From the moment of launch, folks could interact with their existing contacts and networks to inform, talk, ask, answer, vote… in short, organize information around companies and other places of work. The site is open to all, so with enough people contributing, communities are built around these workplaces. As each community becomes more active and robust, its value as a resource to folks also grows.

A community member posts an article from the press or a blog, to share news with everyone else (like they might do on digg.com, or reddit.com — except that on Netcooler, the principle of organization is the company, as opposed to a news category). Others can comment on how the news is or is not relevant, true, important, etc. Each news item can be promoted or demoted by each user (don’t worry, you can change your mind!); and each comment can likewise be promoted or demoted based on the reader’s agreement or disagreement. Each user’s voice can be heard, and the aggregate vote tallies tell us what the community thinks, as a whole.
More at:http://www.netcooler.com/

A fast growing, carrier-independent, mobile video company delivering web videos to cell phones

What Company Is Offering:
A fast growing, carrier-independent, mobile video company delivering web videos to cell phones. mywaves is the fastest-growing mobile video destination for consumers, driving millions to its mobile site each day. Consumers from around the world can browse through 300,000 channels of professional, user-generated and personal videos and have their favorites automatically updated and delivered to their phones. The service also helps users discover content by connecting them to a vast international mobile community of people with a shared passion for entertainment.

The free service works globally across all 3G, EDGE, BREW and EV-DO carriers as well as most video-capable mobile phones.

How It Works:

You can browse all mywaves channels from your phone. You can even subscribe to new channels, create auto channels, and search!.
mywaves provides advertisers and content owners an entirely new level of reach and engagement with the mobile consumer. In just its first year, mywaves has amassed the largest mobile video audience in the world, with users from over 175 countries accessing the service. Most users tune in to watch mywaves video weekly with average viewing times of 25 minutes per session. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, mywaves is led by a team from Yahoo, Napster, Danger, Palm and TiVo. The company is funded by venture capital firm, Menlo Ventures.
More at:http://www.mywaves.com/

ClearStay.com -- Trusted Source Of Vacation Rentals On The Web

What Company Is Offering:
ClearStay.com is the easiest way to find, choose and book a vacation rental online and the most trusted source of vacation rentals on the Web. They offer thousands of vacation rental homes, condos, cabins, cottages and villas from coast to coast. The rentals on ClearStay.com are from professional vacation rental managers who take great care to ensure that guests have the best possible vacation.

How It Works:

ClearStay provides descriptions, photos, rates and availability information that is always accurate by tightly integrating with the systems that managers use for all their vacation rental bookings. That integration means that the information you see is always correct and up to date.There are two ways that vacation rental managers can have their homes listed on ClearStay:
1.Vacation rental managers who use the EscapiaONE vacation rental software platform can have their units included on ClearStay without any additional work required by them. All of the information on ClearStay is seamlessly integrated with their back office vacation rental software. Managers with a premium listing will get not only email leads from prospective renters but also online bookings.

2.Vacation rental managers using a property management system other than Escapia can also list on ClearStay.com and get email leads from interested renters. We offer easy-to-use web tools that let you add your listings to ClearStay and join the premier directory on the web for vacation rental mangers




Who Is Behind Them:

ClearStay.com is from Escapia, Inc. the leader in online technology solution for vacation rental managers.
More at:http://www.clearstay.com/

sMoneybox is a simple online wallet which enables documentation of your earnings and expenses

What Company Is Offering:
sMoneybox is a simple online wallet which enables documentation of your earnings and expenses.sMoneybox is FREE. sMoneybox enables to handle records via mobile phones. You can find access to mobile version too.sMoneybox enables to set regular payments. You choose a start date of regular payment and recurrence. You can choose from three predefined periods (day, week, month) and one in which you can set a number of days after which regular payment will be repeated. sMoneybox also enables to send notices about regular payments.

How It Works:

There are three ways to display your spending.
1.On the page with records there is a filter on the right side which enables to select only those records you wish to see. The filter control is very simple, though it is a powerful tool. This way enables to display individual records and thus you get exact overview of each item.
2.On the page with statistics it is possible to display charts of earnings, expenses, money flows, money in categories, etc. Charts provide a quality, quick and comprehensive overview. Each chart has an explanation for more precise description. Again, it is possible to use filters to specify your selection.
3.On the page with statistics there are also overviews in purely text form. These overviews are suitable for printing. Moreover, they add new information to charts.



sMoneybox is a very flexible system. It is only up to you how much of it you will use. For example, if you want only one account you won't have to deal with account settings. You can hide the filtering panel in the list of records. Category, budget and regular payment settings doesn't have to be used. The system could offer a very simple tool but also a really complex system which provides you with possibilities to gain total and comprehensible overview over your finance.
More at:http://www.smoneybox.com/

Part of It --They invite artists to design a t-shirt that supports a cause they feel strongly about

What Company Says:
Part of It stems from our belief that artists (and conscientious consumers) can make a positive difference in the world by supporting causes close to their heart. Expressions of protest, simple declarations, moving graphics that encourage conversation and dialogue—there are many ways to enter into and encourage civic discourse. They believe activism can be fun, personal, beautiful and engaging; they can all play a part in making a better world for ourselves, for our communities, and for future generations.
How It Works:

The causes, charities, and nonprofits selected by artists are the heart of Part of It. Whether local, regional, or international, the work of these organizations targets issues that matter to the artists. Consumers are another part of this equation. When you purchase a product, your money goes to supporting the cause and to continuing the Part of It project. We encourage you to learn more about the organization that benefits from your purchase.
They invite artists to design a t-shirt that supports a cause they feel strongly about, a graphic that can stir change, or an image that can raise awareness or perhaps simply start a conversation. We are interested in ripple effects, and in encouraging artists (and consumers) to see how they and their beliefs can play a part in supporting organizations whose work matters to them. The artists participating in Part of It come from diverse backgrounds and their work illuminates the intersection of personal beliefs and artistic expression.
More at:http://www.partofit.org/

Vuze is high-res IPTV platform got $20 million in its C round of funding

What Company Is Offering:
Vuze is the world's most popular entertainment platform for DVD-quality and HD video content.

How Much They Got From VCs:

Vuze, the rapidly growing high-res IPTV platform, announced it has secured $20 million in its C round of funding. This round is led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with existing investors Redpoint Ventures, Greycroft Partners, BV Capital, and Jarl Mohn participating. As a result of the investment, TiVo Co-Founder and former CEO Mike Ramsay joins the Vuze Board of Directors.

How This Company Is Going:
With an installed base of 15 million unique client downloads in its first 11 months, 500,000 new viewers joining per week and more than 100 content partners to date, Vuze is experiencing unprecedented organic growth. Vuze attracts and features high quality content from a growing roster of global television networks, premier production studios and thousands of maverick content creators, on the most advanced, most open entertainment platform ever created. Vuze is a Red Herring 100 Award Winner, recently named one of the top 100 tech startups of 2007. Vuze, Inc, formerly known as Azureus, Inc., is headquartered in Palo Alto, with offices in Los Angeles and New York.

About VCs:

New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has adhered to the same core principles: supporting its entrepreneurs, providing an excellent return to its limited partners, and operating in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and respect. NEA focuses on investments at all stages of a company’s development, from seed stage through IPO. With approximately $8.5 billion in capital committed to its affiliated funds, NEA’s experienced management team has invested in more than 550 companies, of which more than 160 have gone public and more than 230 have been acquired. NEA has U.S.-based offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Chevy Chase, Maryland; and Menlo Park, California. In addition, New Enterprise Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd. has an office in Bangalore, India and New Enterprise Associates (Beijing) Ltd. has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, China. For information, visit www.nea.com.
More at:http://www.vuze.com/

GainSpan is a technology innovator got $20 million in VCs funding

What Company Is Offering:
GainSpan is a technology innovator and leader in Wi-Fi semiconductor and software solutions that provide years of battery life for sensors and other connected devices. GainSpan brings Wi-Fi sensor networks to life with breakthrough technology that leverages the ubiquitous Wi-Fi infrastructure and enables Wi-Fi devices to run up to 10 years on an AA battery. GainSpan solutions enable people to save money, save energy and work smarter.

How Much They Got From VCs:

GainSpan, an innovator in Wi-Fi® sensor network technology, announced it has completed its series B funding round, raising a total of $20 million. The round is being led by Opus Capital with participation from returning investors including Intel Capital, New Venture Partners, OVP Venture Partners and Sigma Partners. Opus General Partner Carl Showalter will join the GainSpan board of directors.

Purpose Of Raising Funds:
GainSpan will use the additional funding for continued technology innovation, global business expansion and new market penetration. The company plans to expand its global sales and marketing force and will target several new and emerging markets beyond its initial industrial and commercial automation focus. Funds will also be used for product development, both to expand its Wi-Fi semiconductor product family and to continue developing solutions around both software and silicon architectures.

About VCs:

Opus Capital is a venture capital firm with more than $1 billion capital under management, investing in committed, high integrity entrepreneurs building early-stage technology companies. The team has participated in the successful outcomes of more than 80 companies (including 50 IPOs) in the U.S. and in Israel including AirGate PCS, Electronics for Imaging, FedEx, Genesys, Harmonic, Precept Software and Vantive. Opus Capital is headquartered on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. For more information, visit http://www.opuscapitalvc.com.

More at:http://www.gainspan.com.

PlayFirst, Inc., a leading publisher of casual games raised $16.5 million in its Series C financing

What Company Is Offering:
PlayFirst is a leading publisher focused on creating shared casual game experiences around lasting original brands. Committed to building casual game play rich in story and character, PlayFirst works with talented internal and external developers to bring mass market games to multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld and console.
The company's portfolio includes the world-renowned Diner Dash® franchise, as well as top-selling games such as Wedding Dash(TM), Chocolatier®, and Dream Chronicles(TM). Founded in 2004, PlayFirst is funded by Mayfield Fund, Trinity Ventures, Rustic Canyon Partners and DCM.

How Much They Got From VCs:

PlayFirst, Inc., a leading publisher of casual games, announced that it has raised $16.5 million in its Series C financing round led by DCM. Existing investors, including Mayfield Fund, Trinity Ventures and Rustic Canyon Partners, also participated in the round. Previously, PlayFirst raised a total of $10 million in its Series A and B rounds, bringing the current total of venture capital raised to $26.5 million.

Purpose Of Raising Funds:

PlayFirst plans to use the funding to accelerate both web and game development and to satisfy the increasing and ever-evolving demand for high-quality casual game experiences. Based on the initial success from new business models and new brands including Chocolatier®, Dream Chronicles(TM) and Wedding Dash(TM), PlayFirst will continue to expand and shape the casual games market.

How Is Market Of That Kind Company:

According to analyst firm DFC Intelligence, the casual games/online games market is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2012. David Cole, analyst, DFC Intelligence, said, "Innovative companies willing to diversify platforms, create quality content, move beyond the $20 business model and introduce innovations like microtransactions to casual games will continue to drive this industry forward."


About VCs:
DCM is an early stage venture capital firm supporting entrepreneurs building world-class technology companies. The firm's partners manage US$1.6 billion and have funded leading technology companies including 2Wire, 51job, @Motion (Openwave), About.com (The New York Times Co.), All About, Arroyo (Cisco), Clearwire, Dang Dang, eDreams (TA), Foundry Networks, HireRight, Internap, IPivot (Intel), JCI, Neopath Networks (Cisco), Neutral Tandem, nQuire (Siebel), PGP Corporation, Recourse Technologies (Symantec), Sigmatel, SMIC, Sling Media (EchoStar), Trion World Network, Inc., and Vimicro. DCM offers hands-on operational guidance and access to an extensive network of resources, including close relationships with many of the Pacific Rim's leading companies and investors.
For more information, at http://www.dcm.com.

For more information visit www.playfirst.com and www.dinerdash.com.

myMapBlog.com --Blog Map For Travellers

What Company Is Offering:
myMapBlog.com is a service for all fellow travellers.

How It Works:
If you are travelling the world or planning to do so, sign up with myMapBlog to let your family and friends know where you are. You will be able to update your own map Blog from every internet café around the globe to show everyone how awesome your trip is.


Just by clicking on the map you will add a ‘dot’ there and write about that place.
It is as easy as it sounds, and the best: it is free!.
More at:http://www.mymapblog.com/

Bitnami--Business Tools Directory

What Company Is Offering:
It refers to the new wave of open source software that will be changing the world of business applications, the same way Linux changed the world of operating systems or MySQL disrupted the proprietary database market.

More at:http://bitnami.org/

My Network Value---Test Your Network Value

What Company Is Offering:
In order to determine your network value, they‘ll be asking you a few short questions about yourself and your current network.
They makes your professional network an active part of your life. Far more than a directory of business contacts, XING enables its members to discover professional people, opportunities and privileges through its unique discovery capability and advanced contact management tools.

How It Works:

By focusing on the target group “business people worldwide”, the company is able to offer tailored features, thereby making networking and contact management simpler. Based on the theory that “No two people are more than six degrees apart”, XING enables members to grow their trusted network by making their contacts’ contacts visible to them.

As an active and productive community, they constantly strive to create real value for the world’s professionals, as an everyday online and live resource – across all countries, languages and industries. XING crosses barriers – for a sustainable world.
More at:http://www.mynetworkvalue.com/

Acquia,the commercial developer of open source publishing platform Drupal, has raised a $7 million first round led by North Bridge Venture Partners

What Company Is Offering:
Drupal is a free software package that allows an individual or a community of users to easily publish, manage and organize a wide variety of content on a website. Tens of thousands of people and organizations have used Drupal to power scores of different web sites.
How Much It Got From VCs:

Acquia,the commercial developer of open source publishing platform Drupal, has raised a $7 million first round led by North Bridge Venture Partners; also participating were Sigma Partners and O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures. Funding will go towards the establishment of value-added software and services around.

About Acquia:

Acquia is a new software company that will provide value-added software products and services for the Drupal web collaboration and publishing platform.

With over two million downloads since inception, Drupal is used by web developers worldwide to deliver a wide variety of Web 2.0 application types including single or multi-user blogs, wikis, forums, portals, and web content management.

Diverse organizations use Drupal as their core social web platform including SonyBMG, Warner Brothers Records, New York Observer, Forbes, The Onion, Harvard University, and Amnesty International. A huge community has grown up around Drupal, with thousands of active committers who contribute to the open source technology, including nearly 2000 community developed modules for extending Drupal functionality.

More at:http://acquia.com/
http://drupal.org/about

Follow Conversation,” Zude’s new feature Is better than Facebook?

What Company Is Offering:
Zude is an “enabling technology” that allows even novice web users to take advantage of the latest web technologies. Zude blurs the line between your personal desktop and the web.
How It Works:
When you visit the Zude home page and sign up for your free account, you instantly become part of the larger Zude community. As a Zuder, you have the ability to create unlimited web pages, so there is no need to try and do it all on a single unmanageable page. We get what you want to do with your profile, so that’s why we extended the flexibility of Zude way beyond that of social networks.

"Zude is the easiest and most powerful way to express yourself on the web. Its innovative use of drag and drop enhances today’s existing web communities while fueling the evolution of next-generation web interaction."
Every page you create can be as public or private as you want. For example, you could create a personal page that just contains links to all your favorite web resources (web sites, search engines, job listings, social networks, etc.) as your personal page to visit every morning. You can also create a private ‘family tree’ page that contains photos, text and relevant web links that only your family can access. Finally, on your Zude site, on a separate page, you can create a public page to show off your talents, promote your favorite band, build your business or drive new prospects to your web site. With Zude, anything is possible, AND for the first time ever, it’s incredibly easy!.


Recent Updates:
“Follow Conversation,” Zude’s new feature is essentially a new way of organizing your guestbook comments.Zude’s Follow Conversation feature can be extended to any number of people, and it becomes a public/private way in which to actually keep track of all those comments left on your profile page.
With Follow Conversation, you can form very focused commenting conversations with several users that respond to a single public message left on your profile’s guestbook. It’s like threading guestbook comments between users, or beginning a group discussion board.


http://zude.com/

Remember The Milk Integrate Into The Gmail

What Company Is Offering:

Remember The Milk is the best way to manage your tasks online.Remember The Milk is free to use.

How It Works:
An intuitive interface makes managing tasks fun. Set due dates easily with next Friday or in 2 weeks. Extensive keyboard shortcuts make task management quicker than ever.Use the map to see where your tasks are located in the real world. See what's nearby or on your way, and plan the best way to get things done.Access your tasks on your web-enabled mobile device. Print your entire list or a handy weekly planner which shows upcoming tasks. View your tasks on your calendar with Apple iCal or Google Calendar. Subscribe to feeds with Atom/RSS.
Receive reminders via email, SMS, and instant messenger (AIM, Gadu-Gadu, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, Skype and Yahoo! are all supported). Share, send and publish tasks and lists with your contacts or the world. Remind your significant other to do their household chores.See what's due today and tomorrow, and the things you've missed. Prioritize, estimate your time, and postpone with ease. Set tasks to repeat every week or after 2 months.
Create as many lists as you need. Into tagging? Use the task cloud to easily see what you have to do. Want to store notes along with your tasks? You can do that too.Adding tasks is as simple as firing off an email (even from your phone). See an important date on the web? Add it to your list with Quick Add.
Recent Updates:
Remember The Milk, which is for finding useful ways in which to integrate its functionality into third-party applications, is now available for Gmail.

More at:http://www.rememberthemilk.com/