Friday, April 11, 2008

Angie's List the nation's leading source for local service provider ratings has raised $35 million

What Company Is Offering:
Angie's List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local service providers in more than 330 different categories. Currently, more than 600,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right professional for the job they need done. Angie's List was cited in U.S. News & World Report's "50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2007"

How Much They Got From VCs:

Angie's List the nation's leading source for local service provider ratings has added Battery Ventures, one of the nation's oldest and most well respected venture capital firms, to its list of investors. Battery invested $35 million in exchange for a minority stake in the company. Angie's List will use the investment to continue its aggressive pattern of growth and service expansion.

"We're very excited to be working so closely with Roger Lee and his partners at Battery," said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "They were helpful even before we finalized the deal, and we know we're going to enjoy working with them as we continue to grow our presence and the services we offer."

Recognized nationally as an Internet pioneer, Angie's List holds a unique position at the intersection of local search, user-generated content and subscription-based services. Further setting the company apart in the local ratings space is its data integrity process, which maximizes the accuracy and reliability of the information available on Angie's List. Angie's List does not allow anonymous postings, and service providers cannot add themselves to the List.

More at: www.angieslist.com

VendorRate helps businesses select great B2B Information Technology & Telecom vendors while avoiding expensive procurement mistakes

What Company Is Offering:
VendorRate helps businesses select great B2B Information Technology & Telecom vendors while avoiding expensive procurement mistakes. VendorRate’s revolutionary confidential rating system scores Vendor performance and gives a collective voice to the customer base of a vendor by publishing numerical ratings on an Overall and Key Performance Indicators basis.VendorRate lets customers evaluate their vendors in a confidential setting. The identity of the Rating Members is kept secret at all times. This means that the name, organization, city, state, and type of business will NEVER be disclosed. When IT professionals enter the VendorRate safe environment with identity safeguards in place, they feel more comfortable in sharing candid and reliable feedback normally not available in public or social networks.

How It Works:

VendorRate measures overall customer satisfaction for B2B vendors in the IT and Telecom industries. VendorRate has identified 10 common areas of vendor performance that can be used evaluate customer satisfaction. Ratings are given by IT professionals with the intent of helping organizations make better decisions prior to selecting an IT vendor for products or services.endor are rated only by professionals in the business community who perform IT related tasks as part of their day to day jobs.VendorRate provides an easy to use rating questionnaire that lets Members rate both quickly and accurately.

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

Quorumbet is a website combining social networking and betting capabilities

What Company Is Offering:
Quorumbet is a website combining social networking and betting capabilities where quorumbet.com is not a bookmaker, but rather provides the technological platform for facilitating betting activities among friends, family and anyone who is passionate about a topic.

The amount of what you win depends on the total amount of the pre-paid stakes. You cannot lose more than your pre-paid stakes. This is also known as the `totalizator system`, pari mutuel or pool betting.

How It Works:
Log in to your QB account. Click on the `New Bet` button on the main menu. Choose the parameters of each bet to suit your needs.Set the bet to be private or public.Set to participate or to simply facilitate the bet.Include the decision source for the outcome of your bet.Invite current users via the website and whoever you would like via email.Set the minimum stake that will be required to participate in the bet. Define the expiration date when placements for your bet are no longer accepted and the outcome will be determined.Upload a picture to represent your bet.Don't forget to check the box that you agree to settle the bet within 48 hours. Click on the Proceed button, which will load a confirmation page. Verify the information and click on the Submit button to place the bet on the QB system.

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

IdeaCrossing----It is intended to help Entrepreneurs find the assistance and investment capital they need to launch promising new business ventures

What Company Is Offering:
IdeaCrossing® is an Internet resource available to all individuals and organizations with an interest in supporting and promoting entrepreneurial activity.

It is intended to help Entrepreneurs find the assistance and investment capital they need to launch promising new business ventures.

How It Works:

IdeaCrossing serves the Angel and Venture Capital Community by identifying and screening new investment opportunities.
IdeaCrossing will provide greater visibility to the many valuable assets located throughout any given region, including universities, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, foundations and professional services providers – each having a vital role in nurturing and accelerating the growth of new companies and industries.

Simply stated, IdeaCrossing is about creating the connections that build businesses.

You have the ability to contact the Entrepreneur you are matched with by clicking the contact link within the Match Detail page. By initiating contact, you will receive the Entrepreneur’s contact information, which will appear at the top of the Match Detail page. In addition to receiving the Entrepreneur’s contact information, initiating contact also authorizes IdeaCrossing to release your contact information to the Entrepreneur. This information will include your name and location, your company’s description, the business experience you have, and your phone number and email address.

More at:https://www.ideacrossing.org/

simplyCricket their aim is to help you (and us!) to play better cricket

About Company:
At simplyCricket their aim is to help you (and us!) to play better cricket. Whether it's advice about how to bowl faster, get more turn on your googlies or what bat to buy, we can help.

The thriving simplyCricket forum has a number of experts, keen players and lovers of the game who can offer feedback, advice and somewhere to bounce ideas around. Failing that you can just come on and have a chat about cricket in general, from test matches to backyard cricket.

They also aim to bring in guest contributors from time to time and also have a few other things in the pipeline; so it's worth checking out from time to time.

So come along to simplyCricket and learn how to play better cricket!

More at:http://www.squidoo.com/simplyCricket

Google using Quattrone as merger adviser

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Former star technology investment banker Frank Quattrone is advising Google Inc as the Web search leader mulls its strategy amid Microsoft Corp's move to buy Yahoo Inc, a source familiar with the arrangement said on Thursday.

Quattrone underwrote some of the biggest initial public offerings during the late-1990s technology boom while at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Luattrone announced that he and some former colleagues had started Qatalyst Group, a tech-focused investment banking boutique based in San Francisco, to provide merger and corporate finance advice to technology companies.

"I look forward to working with him again and am very enthusiastic about Qatalyst's prospects for success," Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt was quoted as saying in the press release announcing the opening of Quattrone's new firm.

"He is advising the company," the source said on Thursday of Google's decision to hire him, offering no further details.

A Google spokesman declined to comment.

Yahoo announced on Wednesday it had agreed to a test of whether it should turn over its Web search advertising sales to Google so it can focus on other efforts. Sources say the test is part of a planned three-way alliance to combine Yahoo with Time Warner Inc's AOL to ward off Microsoft Corp's two-month-old, $42 billion takeover bid.

Many antitrust experts and Wall Street analysts wonder if Google's dominant global share of search -- starting point for many people on the Web -- and its lucrative ad business tied to search will prevent it from joining the Web mega-merger boom.

Continued..

iBloks rich media ad developer, has raised $2.05 million in Series C funding

What Company Is Offering:
iBloks InstantAd
In less than 5 minutes, create and deliver the ads you need with iBloks InstantAd™. You can customize online video ads in minutes by adding your own photos, videos, logo and offers for a powerful online ad campaign, to post your message on your website, or to post as a gadget on social networks. Learn more.

iBloks Custom InstantAds
Need a little more flexibility and want to add a bit more individual flare to your ad? Then choose to make an iBloks Custom InstantAd. You will be able to select each individual feature of your ad including the player border, background and music. It's still just a few more easy steps to create your campaign, and you can create multiple versions of your ad for different audiences.

iBloks Video Messenger

Now the power of online video viewing and instant messenger are brought together for the 300,000,000 Windows Live Instant Messenger audiences. Advertisers and consumers can upload their own ads and videos and get the capability to post their customized iBloks Video Messenger™ on any webpage, as an online ad or on a social networking site like Facebook, Windows Live Spaces, Google and more.

iBloks Live in 3D

This turnkey 3D experience is the only fully interactive 3D experience that works without a download. Now any advertiser or consumer can interact with products and services in a "real world" feeling experience. Utilizing our video messenger technology, now you can explore the latest music and videos in 3D spaces while chatting with your friends.

How Much They Got From VCs:
iBloks, a San Francisco-based rich media ad developer, has raised $2.05 million in Series C funding led by return backer Maveron, according to a regulatory filing.

More at;http://www.ibloks.com/

Jaxtr Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based provider of VoIP services for social networks and blogs, has raised around $6.4 million in Series B funding

What Company Is Offering:
Jaxtr is with the mission to bring voice to social networks and blogs. With the free jaxtr service, users can link their phones with their online network to hear from callers worldwide while keeping their existing phone numbers private.

How It Works:
By adding their jaxtr link to their email signature, global friends can call our users on their phone with the click of the mouse - without downloading any software, incurring international phone charges or even registering for jaxtr.

When users change their work, home or mobile number, they simply add or update their number on jaxtr; incoming calls then get routed to the phone of their choice. They can even block callers from reaching them or specify on a per-caller basis which callers can reach them live and which get routed to voice mail.

How Much They Got From VCs:
Jaxtr Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based provider of VoIP services for social networks and blogs, has raised around $6.4 million in Series B funding led by Lehman Brothers Venture Partners, according to a regulatory filing. The company had previously raised $10 million from August Capital, Draper Richards, Mayfield, Founders Fund, Ron Conway and Reid Hoffman.
More at:http://www.jaxtr.com/

Ustream.TV , the leading internet broadcasting platform, today announced it has secured $11.1 million in Series A funding

What Company Is Offering:
Ustream is the leading internet broadcasting platform. Ustream’s proprietary technology powers an easy-to-use, web-based interface, allowing anyone with a camera, computer and Internet connection to broadcast live to the world. Integrated with a host of interactive tools including chat rooms, co-host, and shout meter, Ustream’s platform delivers real-time, social experiences on the web.

How Much They Got From VCs:
Ustream.TV , the leading internet broadcasting platform, today announced it has secured $11.1 million in Series A funding from leading venture capital firm DCM and existing investors, Labrador Ventures and The Band of Angels. The funding will enable Ustream to accelerate product development and meet growing market demand for an interactive, broadcasting platform.

“A few years ago, it was unimaginable to have interactive broadcasting on the scale that Ustream delivers today. This marks a major shift of online entertainment and it reflects a new desire to interact and be a part of the show, rather than to just consume it,” said Gen Isayama of DCM. “Investing in Ustream was a decision based on the company’s technology, pioneering vision, and track record for consistently delivering enhancements that are attracting broadcasters and engaging millions of viewers.”

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 (Nasdaq:JOBS - News), @Motion (Openwave), About.com (The New York Times Co.), All About (Jasdaq:2454), Arroyo (Cisco), Bittorrent, Clearwire (Nasdaq:CLWR - News), Dang Dang, eDreams (TA), Foundry Networks (Nasdaq:FDRY - News), HireRight (Nasdaq:HIRE - News), Internap (Nasdaq:INAP - News), IPivot (Intel) etc.www.dcm.com.

More at:www.ustream.tv

CiviCRM is an open source and freely downloadable constituent relationship management solution

What Company Is Offering:

CiviCRM is an open source and freely downloadable constituent relationship management solution. CiviCRM is web-based, open source, internationalized, and designed specifically to meet the needs of advocacy, non-profit and non-governmental groups. Integration with both Drupal and Joomla! content management systems gives you the tools to connect, communicate and activate your supporters and constituents.


More at:http://civicrm.org/

AsiaBusinessInvestor.com ---They provide an on-line community and listings service for those wishing to develop business in Asia

What Company Is Offering:
AsiaBusinessInvestor.com is owned and operated by Asia Business Investor Private Limited based in Singapore. They provide an on-line community and listings service for those wishing to develop business in Asia. They do not act as a business broker but simply an on-line meeting place for those keen to further develop business in Asia. They are committed to the economic advancement of the region as their company provides a key facilitation role for businesses to grow and prosper.

How It Works:
Asia provides a vibrant market to acquire a business. If you are looking a buying a business register with Asia Business Investor to help you connect with potential sellers of businesses.

Asia is a franchising hotspot. Whether you are seeking to resell a franchise or provide new franchise opportunities let Asia Business Investor help you to connect.

Asia Business Investor provides a platform for investors and those seeking investment to connect. Search their current listings of investors and seekers of investment.

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

The PE Data Center is a collection of interactive tools allowing investors and companies raising capital to determine where they stand

What Company Is Offering:

The PE Data Center is a collection of interactive tools allowing investors and companies raising capital to determine where they stand in the ever-changing world of private equity and venture capital.

How It Works:

They can provide business intelligence to private equity and venture investors, hedge funds and other debt and equity investors by data mining their proprietary database. Their research analysts, can provide: Investment Trends by Industry and Geographic Locale.Deal Term Comparables.Partnership Standards and Trends.Valuation Metrics.IPOData.

More at:http://pedatacenter.com/

Zicasso is a free personalized online travel service that provides customized itinerary bids from pre-screened leading travel companies

What Company Is Offering:
Zicasso is a free personalized online travel service that provides customized itinerary bids from pre-screened leading travel companies. We are ideally suited for busy, discerning travelers who want a hassle-free experience in planning & booking a trip. Experts from these pre-screened Zicasso Select Travel Companies do the work for you and they compete to get your business. No more spending hours and hours researching on the Internet and travel books on where to go, which accommodations, what transportation, which attractions, who’s a good tour operator or travel agent, etc. No more spending additional hours on booking everything you need either.

How It Works:
With Zicasso, you fill out a simple Trip Request form to describe your trip—destination, preferences, and interests. We match you with up to three pre-screened relevant travel companies (yes, we’ve done the homework for you to find only quality tour operators and travel agents who deliver the best value). These travel companies submit online Trip Plans to you on Zicasso typically within two business days—Trip Plans which are complete with detailed itineraries and pricing for everything you need, so you can easily compare and choose. In essence, you simply describe what you need once and you’ll get multiple quality travel companies, with expert knowledge of your destination, competing to plan and book everything you need, from lodging to flights, car, airport transfer, cruise, rail, tour guides, tickets to attractions, etc. You can work with the travel companies to refine and customize the Trip Plans as necessary. Then choose which company’s Trip Plan you like best and book it.

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

Guitarati is the latest, hot off the oven music store offering legal downloads of DRM free MP3 music

What Company Is Offering:
Guitarati is the latest, hot off the oven music store offering legal downloads of DRM free MP3 music.Their misson is to creat a hangout for musicians and their audience alike and provide them what they need to sell or buy their music. We want to provide more of audience to the artists and more of artists to the audience - in a rich, colorful and fun way.

How It Works:

At Guitarati, you get much better value for the money you spend on music. You can:

With their unconventional way of music discovery, easily find the music that you want to get you in the mood. Its fun and simple. Explore yourselves!
For say every $10 spent, you get to listen to as many as 1000 songs! And these are not samples, these are full length best quality (at least 192Kbps bitrate) songs. That is 1 cent per song. You can always listen to as many samples (heck, even they are 192Kbps or more) as you want for free anyways! So you have a wide range of songs to check out before downloading.

More at:http://guitarati.com/