What Company Is Offering:
Songza is a new music search engine that lets you hear the songs that you search.
How It Works:
You can search for music, choose what you want to hear, and build up a play list. For each song you come across, there are a few options: add to your play list, rate it, play it immediately, or share it with friends. The share option branches off into a few more options, which let you send the song to someone, link it, watch the YouTube video, and embed the clip on your own website.
Songs that are on your playlist can be rearranged with drag’n'drop capabilities, and the current song that’s playing will offer links to the discography and for purchasing the song. These look to all be currently provided by Google links.
It’s clear that Songza is moving in the direction of providing a multimedia experience for your music search, which could be built upon in several different directions, from a social network to a semantic search tree that branches off in multiple directions.
More at:http://songza.com/
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Azaleos -E-Mail Manager Got $10 million in venture funding
What Company is offering:
Azaleos, which helps corporations manage, update and archive e-mail.Azaleos provides enterprise-class managed e-mail solutions that combine an on-premises, physical or virtual appliance with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week remote managed services, ensuring 99.9+% high availability, business continuity and optimized performance of your Microsoft Exchange 2003, Exchange 2007, or Mobile Access environment.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They got $10 million in venture funding and named former Microsoft Corp. Chief Information Officer Rick Devenuti to its board.
The funds were provided by existing investors Ignition Partners and Second Avenue Partners, partly because the company wanted to quickly tap a market that is developing as corporations upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Exchange. Azaleos raised the money in less than 30 days, with Chief Executive Phil van Etten saying that it would have taken six to eight months to attract new investors in Silicon Valley.
What VCs Says:
"The reason we needed to go so quick is that we have recognized that there is a shift in the way folks are approaching e-mail," van Etten said.
Historically, van Etten said, corporations were not interested in outsourcing e-mail systems to third parties. But, he said, the tide has started to shift as millions of customers upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Exchange 2007, which was released late last year. As they upgrade, van Etten said, corporations are looking for ways to make sure that Exchange runs smoothly, patches are installed quickly and e-mails are archived properly for regulatory purposes. Van Etten said the goal is to provide those services in a more cost-effective manner that doesn't consume the time of network administrators.
"If you think of (e-mail) in terms of a utility, like electricity, you wouldn't really have someone making sure the lights are on. You would outsource that," said van Etten, who joined the company last year. "As people think of e-mail, they think of it as more of a utility and something you turn on and use it and pay for it."
How They Are Performing:
To date, Azaleos has delivered more than 100 million messages and is currently managing about 300,000 messages every day. Customers include K2, Coinstar, Zumiez and at least five undisclosed Fortune 1000 companies. Its largest customer is a Pennsylvania-based steel manufacturer.Azaleos charges anywhere from $15,000 to $110,000 for its hardware device, with a $12 monthly service charge for each e-mail address. It then charges an additional $6 per month for mobile e-mail services and $4 per month for e-mail archiving.
More at:http://www.azaleos.com/
Azaleos, which helps corporations manage, update and archive e-mail.Azaleos provides enterprise-class managed e-mail solutions that combine an on-premises, physical or virtual appliance with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week remote managed services, ensuring 99.9+% high availability, business continuity and optimized performance of your Microsoft Exchange 2003, Exchange 2007, or Mobile Access environment.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They got $10 million in venture funding and named former Microsoft Corp. Chief Information Officer Rick Devenuti to its board.
The funds were provided by existing investors Ignition Partners and Second Avenue Partners, partly because the company wanted to quickly tap a market that is developing as corporations upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Exchange. Azaleos raised the money in less than 30 days, with Chief Executive Phil van Etten saying that it would have taken six to eight months to attract new investors in Silicon Valley.
What VCs Says:
"The reason we needed to go so quick is that we have recognized that there is a shift in the way folks are approaching e-mail," van Etten said.
Historically, van Etten said, corporations were not interested in outsourcing e-mail systems to third parties. But, he said, the tide has started to shift as millions of customers upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Exchange 2007, which was released late last year. As they upgrade, van Etten said, corporations are looking for ways to make sure that Exchange runs smoothly, patches are installed quickly and e-mails are archived properly for regulatory purposes. Van Etten said the goal is to provide those services in a more cost-effective manner that doesn't consume the time of network administrators.
"If you think of (e-mail) in terms of a utility, like electricity, you wouldn't really have someone making sure the lights are on. You would outsource that," said van Etten, who joined the company last year. "As people think of e-mail, they think of it as more of a utility and something you turn on and use it and pay for it."
How They Are Performing:
To date, Azaleos has delivered more than 100 million messages and is currently managing about 300,000 messages every day. Customers include K2, Coinstar, Zumiez and at least five undisclosed Fortune 1000 companies. Its largest customer is a Pennsylvania-based steel manufacturer.Azaleos charges anywhere from $15,000 to $110,000 for its hardware device, with a $12 monthly service charge for each e-mail address. It then charges an additional $6 per month for mobile e-mail services and $4 per month for e-mail archiving.
More at:http://www.azaleos.com/
Business Idea With Difference
Last August a New York-based small business called Sooloos started shipping - not showing, but actually shipping - the Sooloos, a custom designed and built, ultra-high-end, digital music system that starts at $12,900. But if you buy one, chances are good you'll spend $15,000 or more for the system you really want. That doesn't include speakers, amplifiers and other indispensable items (throw in another $10,000 minimum for that stuff).
The germ for Sooloos (the name is both palindromic and "ambidromic" - the same back and forth and upside down) was created in 2004 when Sooloos CEO, Enno Vandermeer, a successful Web programmer and engineer, began working with friends who wanted to digitize their collections of 2,000 to 5,000 CDs.
"We quickly found that if we wanted our audio to stay uncompressed, and there were 10,000 records, there was no way to listen to them," says Vandermeer, 36. Existing digital audio could not store the uncompressed music files he insisted on for highest-quality audio. Standard hard drives weren't fast, large or quiet enough.
Components found in most computers, PC and Macs, produced simply awful sound. There were noisy fans to manage. And the music information - track names and such - was difficult to organize and access on such a scale.
To get from idea to business, Vandermeer survived two years of boot-strapped, internally financed R&D - he says a low seven figures has been invested to date. He divided his attention between American and Asian designers and manufacturers and built a prototype: a fanless, diskless, purpose-built audio computer groomed for best-of-breed sound that could sit elegantly into any decor.
And once he saw what he had done, Vandermeer decided to go strictly high-end. "We saw that we could only realistically ship a few hundred units in our first year," he says. "And to get past our hard expenses we had to keep margins very high."
So while there is a chance that Sooloos could find a wider market - the interface could be licensed, for example - Vandermeer decided to target the super high-end, custom audio installer market. Reaching the industry's biggest spenders meant inventing a multi-room feature that can send different feeds to different rooms in a home or office - a must for high cost, custom-installed systems.
I stopped in at Sooloos' New York City showroom to see what Enno was up to. And right away I could sense the appeal. The unit features an elegant, light gray metallic finish and stacks like many better audio components. There are no moving parts, just a 17-inch touch screen, also done in light gray.
Actual album-cover imagery - not text like in an iPod - is the backbone of the interface. I simply browsed the music stored by touching the album images, not unlike the experience of browsing an old-fashioned jukebox or even a record store. I intuitively panned right or left through the collection. It was as if I had magical control over the records.
When I arrived at Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," there was the master himself playing his trumpet on the cover. I touched that cover, and, voila, up came the tracks and then the music in all its uncompressed glory.
To my ears, the sound quality was extraordinary for a digital player but nowhere close to master analog vinyls. Granted I'm a vinyl snob, and I should note that other hardcore audiophiles have embraced Sooloos.
"I believe in what they are doing, says Jeff Joseph, president of Joseph Audio, a manufacturer of premium speakers in Melville, N.Y. "Sooloos has found a way for anybody to find their way through their music without giving up a bit of quality. Not even Apple does that."
More at:http://sooloos.com/
Via-CNNmoney
The germ for Sooloos (the name is both palindromic and "ambidromic" - the same back and forth and upside down) was created in 2004 when Sooloos CEO, Enno Vandermeer, a successful Web programmer and engineer, began working with friends who wanted to digitize their collections of 2,000 to 5,000 CDs.
"We quickly found that if we wanted our audio to stay uncompressed, and there were 10,000 records, there was no way to listen to them," says Vandermeer, 36. Existing digital audio could not store the uncompressed music files he insisted on for highest-quality audio. Standard hard drives weren't fast, large or quiet enough.
Components found in most computers, PC and Macs, produced simply awful sound. There were noisy fans to manage. And the music information - track names and such - was difficult to organize and access on such a scale.
To get from idea to business, Vandermeer survived two years of boot-strapped, internally financed R&D - he says a low seven figures has been invested to date. He divided his attention between American and Asian designers and manufacturers and built a prototype: a fanless, diskless, purpose-built audio computer groomed for best-of-breed sound that could sit elegantly into any decor.
And once he saw what he had done, Vandermeer decided to go strictly high-end. "We saw that we could only realistically ship a few hundred units in our first year," he says. "And to get past our hard expenses we had to keep margins very high."
So while there is a chance that Sooloos could find a wider market - the interface could be licensed, for example - Vandermeer decided to target the super high-end, custom audio installer market. Reaching the industry's biggest spenders meant inventing a multi-room feature that can send different feeds to different rooms in a home or office - a must for high cost, custom-installed systems.
I stopped in at Sooloos' New York City showroom to see what Enno was up to. And right away I could sense the appeal. The unit features an elegant, light gray metallic finish and stacks like many better audio components. There are no moving parts, just a 17-inch touch screen, also done in light gray.
Actual album-cover imagery - not text like in an iPod - is the backbone of the interface. I simply browsed the music stored by touching the album images, not unlike the experience of browsing an old-fashioned jukebox or even a record store. I intuitively panned right or left through the collection. It was as if I had magical control over the records.
When I arrived at Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," there was the master himself playing his trumpet on the cover. I touched that cover, and, voila, up came the tracks and then the music in all its uncompressed glory.
To my ears, the sound quality was extraordinary for a digital player but nowhere close to master analog vinyls. Granted I'm a vinyl snob, and I should note that other hardcore audiophiles have embraced Sooloos.
"I believe in what they are doing, says Jeff Joseph, president of Joseph Audio, a manufacturer of premium speakers in Melville, N.Y. "Sooloos has found a way for anybody to find their way through their music without giving up a bit of quality. Not even Apple does that."
More at:http://sooloos.com/
Via-CNNmoney
Zilok--Centralizd Online Rental Marketplace
What Company Is Offering:
Zilok is a centralized online rental marketplace. Zilok allows anyone, individuals as well as professionals, to rent stuff out or offer for stuff for rent with a few clicks of the mouse.
Whether you need a hand-drill for a weekend, a luxury handbag for an evening or a bike for a week, you simply need to select the item for rent at the most convenient location available.
How It Works:
Through your account, you can register your items that you want to put up for rental, along with their descriptions.
Describe each item precisely (picture, description, location, category, practical details etc). The specific rental contract that you want to include on the website will be done through tab. For each item or product, a calendar shows when it is available for rental at the requested time. You can make a reservation request for times when it is shown to be available. The owner then confirms the reservation by email. You can also search by dates of availability.At the beginning of the rental, go to the pick-up point to get the item(s) and to work out final details of the rental with the owner. This step and whatever follows is strictly between the owner and the renter -- Zilok is no longer part of the process at this point.
More at:http://us.zilok.com/
Zilok is a centralized online rental marketplace. Zilok allows anyone, individuals as well as professionals, to rent stuff out or offer for stuff for rent with a few clicks of the mouse.
Whether you need a hand-drill for a weekend, a luxury handbag for an evening or a bike for a week, you simply need to select the item for rent at the most convenient location available.
How It Works:
Through your account, you can register your items that you want to put up for rental, along with their descriptions.
Describe each item precisely (picture, description, location, category, practical details etc). The specific rental contract that you want to include on the website will be done through tab. For each item or product, a calendar shows when it is available for rental at the requested time. You can make a reservation request for times when it is shown to be available. The owner then confirms the reservation by email. You can also search by dates of availability.At the beginning of the rental, go to the pick-up point to get the item(s) and to work out final details of the rental with the owner. This step and whatever follows is strictly between the owner and the renter -- Zilok is no longer part of the process at this point.
More at:http://us.zilok.com/
ThinkPassenger Got $8.3 Million In VCs Funding
What Company Is Offering:
The Los-Angeles-based technology leader in on-demand customer collaboration.
Think Passenger combines cutting-edge social media, community building and collaboration technologies to enable companies to collaborate with customers within private online communities.
How It Works:
Based on current Web 2.0 technologies, Passenger enables brand marketers to create private and secure communities to generate and refine new product ideas, gain contextual insight and drive customer advocacy like never before. The company's advanced analytics engine allows companies of all sizes to collect, synthesize and distill real world conversations into actionable business decisions.
How Much They Got from Vcs:
StarVest venture capital firm that is funding and building the next generation of technology-enabled business services companies, today announced its participation in an $8.3 million series B financing round in Think Passenger, Inc. , the Los-Angeles-based technology leader in on-demand customer collaboration. StarVest participated with previous investor Shelter Capital Partners and new investor Steamboat Ventures, the venture capital arm of The Walt Disney Company.
VC detail:http://www.starvestpartners.com/
What Vcs says:
StarVest Partners says, "Passenger's differentiated technology and proven success with customers fits perfectly into our investment strategy and we look forward to helping them expand their customer base while continuing to build their brand."
More at:http://www.thinkpassenger.com/
The Los-Angeles-based technology leader in on-demand customer collaboration.
Think Passenger combines cutting-edge social media, community building and collaboration technologies to enable companies to collaborate with customers within private online communities.
How It Works:
Based on current Web 2.0 technologies, Passenger enables brand marketers to create private and secure communities to generate and refine new product ideas, gain contextual insight and drive customer advocacy like never before. The company's advanced analytics engine allows companies of all sizes to collect, synthesize and distill real world conversations into actionable business decisions.
How Much They Got from Vcs:
StarVest venture capital firm that is funding and building the next generation of technology-enabled business services companies, today announced its participation in an $8.3 million series B financing round in Think Passenger, Inc. , the Los-Angeles-based technology leader in on-demand customer collaboration. StarVest participated with previous investor Shelter Capital Partners and new investor Steamboat Ventures, the venture capital arm of The Walt Disney Company.
VC detail:http://www.starvestpartners.com/
What Vcs says:
StarVest Partners says, "Passenger's differentiated technology and proven success with customers fits perfectly into our investment strategy and we look forward to helping them expand their customer base while continuing to build their brand."
More at:http://www.thinkpassenger.com/
MotorsportMad.com--Upload Any Video Clips Of Motorsport
What Company is Offering:
MotorsportMad.com allows users to upload and view motorsport video clips of all categories and from all over the world. Any video clips that are motorsport related can be uploaded allowing users to share their experience of their favourite and most outrageous motorsport video clips. There is a huge range of categories from rally video clips, motorbike video clips, Nascar video clips, F1 video clips, crashes, street racing, models, car shows, and many more motorsport video clips.
How It Works:
There is a vast category list of motor sport videos such as; NASCAR, Rally Cross, Street Racing, Motorbike, GT racing, Drifting, Champ racing, Indy racing and more. You can browse through the videos by category, or the more recently added, or the top rated videos, or most recently viewed videos. If you like a video take a look at the users and see what other videos the user has added or subscribe to the users videos. If you are a user you can rate the other videos, send them a message, or add them as a friend. MotorSportMad.com is simple and easy to use, it is a community to watch cool motor videos, meet some new people and nothing else.
More at:http://www.motorsportmad.com/
MotorsportMad.com allows users to upload and view motorsport video clips of all categories and from all over the world. Any video clips that are motorsport related can be uploaded allowing users to share their experience of their favourite and most outrageous motorsport video clips. There is a huge range of categories from rally video clips, motorbike video clips, Nascar video clips, F1 video clips, crashes, street racing, models, car shows, and many more motorsport video clips.
How It Works:
There is a vast category list of motor sport videos such as; NASCAR, Rally Cross, Street Racing, Motorbike, GT racing, Drifting, Champ racing, Indy racing and more. You can browse through the videos by category, or the more recently added, or the top rated videos, or most recently viewed videos. If you like a video take a look at the users and see what other videos the user has added or subscribe to the users videos. If you are a user you can rate the other videos, send them a message, or add them as a friend. MotorSportMad.com is simple and easy to use, it is a community to watch cool motor videos, meet some new people and nothing else.
More at:http://www.motorsportmad.com/
Figurine Market specializes in the sales of highly collectible figurines
What Company Is Offering:
Figurine Market specializes in the sales of highly collectible figurines. The collectible figurine market is one of the more lucrative collectibles market. It averages 38% annual returns, making it a solid investment for even the beginning investor.
How It Works:
FigurineMarket.com features figurines that are auctioned on eBay. You can search for figurines by browsing through the vast category list which includes figurine categories such as; Coca Cola, Betty Boop, Disney characters, Dolphins, Peanuts characters, frogs, Comic book characters, horses, elephants, and more. Or you can search by typing in a key word and seeing what results the search has. Once you find a figurine that you are interested in buying you click on the image if the figurine and you are directed to eBay, where you get more information on the figurine, place a bid on the figurine or buy it right away.
More at:http://www.figurinemarket.com/
Figurine Market specializes in the sales of highly collectible figurines. The collectible figurine market is one of the more lucrative collectibles market. It averages 38% annual returns, making it a solid investment for even the beginning investor.
How It Works:
FigurineMarket.com features figurines that are auctioned on eBay. You can search for figurines by browsing through the vast category list which includes figurine categories such as; Coca Cola, Betty Boop, Disney characters, Dolphins, Peanuts characters, frogs, Comic book characters, horses, elephants, and more. Or you can search by typing in a key word and seeing what results the search has. Once you find a figurine that you are interested in buying you click on the image if the figurine and you are directed to eBay, where you get more information on the figurine, place a bid on the figurine or buy it right away.
More at:http://www.figurinemarket.com/
eqiyeah.com ---Connecting Professionals
What Company Says:
We had a vision - to create a one-stop solution for seeking, finding, and managing all types of professional relationships. It continues to grow with hundreds and even thousands of new members each and every day. Finally, professionals have a relaxed and safe environment to meet other professionals all over the globe. Best of all, eqiyeah!com is open 24 hours a day, offering a social life that fits anyone's schedule.
How It Works:
To help members make quality connections, they've created extended profile questions that delve further into personalities, likes and dislikes as well as lifestyles. Their team has also added a personalized, interactive Workshop to help members hone their skills most relevant to the relationships they're seeking. The evolution of eqiyeah!com goes on - with changes, improvements and features constantly in the works to make our site the very best in the online professionals industry.
Why is It Different:
eqiyeah!com offers more than a static directory of professionals looking to connect with other professionals. People join for a sense of community - the ability to be amongst other people with similar mindsets and desires. Without the limitations of geography, our members can develop relationships and enjoy all types of encounters with members from around the world.
More at:http://www.eqiyeah.com/
We had a vision - to create a one-stop solution for seeking, finding, and managing all types of professional relationships. It continues to grow with hundreds and even thousands of new members each and every day. Finally, professionals have a relaxed and safe environment to meet other professionals all over the globe. Best of all, eqiyeah!com is open 24 hours a day, offering a social life that fits anyone's schedule.
How It Works:
To help members make quality connections, they've created extended profile questions that delve further into personalities, likes and dislikes as well as lifestyles. Their team has also added a personalized, interactive Workshop to help members hone their skills most relevant to the relationships they're seeking. The evolution of eqiyeah!com goes on - with changes, improvements and features constantly in the works to make our site the very best in the online professionals industry.
Why is It Different:
eqiyeah!com offers more than a static directory of professionals looking to connect with other professionals. People join for a sense of community - the ability to be amongst other people with similar mindsets and desires. Without the limitations of geography, our members can develop relationships and enjoy all types of encounters with members from around the world.
More at:http://www.eqiyeah.com/
TextBack 4 TextBooks to help inform you anytime and anywhere
What Company Is Offering:
TextBack 4 TextBooks to help inform you anytime and anywhere. Save money and spend it on things more fun! No need to wait until you get online to find cheap textbooks. Begin your search while you're at the campus bookstore. Be sure to save 4INFO short code in your phone.
How It Works:
While in the bookstore simply send keyword "ISBN" followed by the 10 digit ISBN number to short code 4INFO (44636). Isn’t it better to text the ISBN to confirm you have the right textbook when you go online? After you send a text message they store the book on the website in a mobile cart so can purchase online from Amazon Market Place. They also send you a text with online pricing and the title. Giving you confidence knowing you have the right textbook. You don't have to sign up or join. More importantly, you don't have to give them your cell phone number. They place a numeric code in their response messages. All you need do is enter the code on the site and they will display all of the books for you. The system is good for any book not just textbooks. Technical professionals can use the system for those expensive tech books too.
More at:http://textback.net/
TextBack 4 TextBooks to help inform you anytime and anywhere. Save money and spend it on things more fun! No need to wait until you get online to find cheap textbooks. Begin your search while you're at the campus bookstore. Be sure to save 4INFO short code in your phone.
How It Works:
While in the bookstore simply send keyword "ISBN" followed by the 10 digit ISBN number to short code 4INFO (44636). Isn’t it better to text the ISBN to confirm you have the right textbook when you go online? After you send a text message they store the book on the website in a mobile cart so can purchase online from Amazon Market Place. They also send you a text with online pricing and the title. Giving you confidence knowing you have the right textbook. You don't have to sign up or join. More importantly, you don't have to give them your cell phone number. They place a numeric code in their response messages. All you need do is enter the code on the site and they will display all of the books for you. The system is good for any book not just textbooks. Technical professionals can use the system for those expensive tech books too.
More at:http://textback.net/
ZoomInfo--For Fresh Organized Information On Industries,Companies,People,Products,Services,Jobs
What Company Is Offering:
ZoomInfo is the premier business information search engine, with profiles on more than 37 million people and 3.5 million companies. ZoomInfo delivers fresh and organized information on industries, companies, people, products, services and jobs
ZoomInfo, the people search engine that gets its data from gathering biographical information on just about everyone, whether you know about it or not.
How It Works:
You’ll need to first visit ZoomInfo in order for it to have your cookie. Additionally, you’ll have to have a general presence on the web, whether this be for social networking, your own website, or any type of e-commerce activity. So when you purchase an item from a company’s website, it could then work with ZoomInfo to compare “cookie notes” in order to provide more targeted ads to you, online, via email, and the next time you visit the company’s website.
Its New Features:
They are launching an advertising network. And in going along with the current trend of tempting fate when it comes to controversial activity with web surfer’s cookies, ZoomInfo will be offering up these cookies to companies looking to provide more targeted ads.
More at:http://zoominfo.com/
ZoomInfo is the premier business information search engine, with profiles on more than 37 million people and 3.5 million companies. ZoomInfo delivers fresh and organized information on industries, companies, people, products, services and jobs
ZoomInfo, the people search engine that gets its data from gathering biographical information on just about everyone, whether you know about it or not.
How It Works:
You’ll need to first visit ZoomInfo in order for it to have your cookie. Additionally, you’ll have to have a general presence on the web, whether this be for social networking, your own website, or any type of e-commerce activity. So when you purchase an item from a company’s website, it could then work with ZoomInfo to compare “cookie notes” in order to provide more targeted ads to you, online, via email, and the next time you visit the company’s website.
Its New Features:
They are launching an advertising network. And in going along with the current trend of tempting fate when it comes to controversial activity with web surfer’s cookies, ZoomInfo will be offering up these cookies to companies looking to provide more targeted ads.
More at:http://zoominfo.com/
Monday, November 5, 2007
Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool
What Company Is Offering:
Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of Mind Maps mixing new technologies like vectorial languages and the power of the whole Web 2.0 concept.
How It Works:
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.
It is an image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within.
A mind map is similar to a semantic network or cognitive map but there are no formal restrictions on the kinds of links used.
The elements are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts and they are organized into groupings, branches, or areas. The uniform graphic formulation of the semantic structure of information on the method of gathering knowledge, may aid recall of existing memories.
How is It Useful For Us:
Users will be able to create and read their mind maps from everywhere whenever it's needed. Once you have your mind map created the features that distinguish WiseMapping appears: Embed it in your own web page, blog or post, "Wise it" linking documents to it, "Share it" to anyone in the world.
More at:http://www.wisemapping.com/
Wise Mapping is the web mind mapping tool that leverages the power of Mind Maps mixing new technologies like vectorial languages and the power of the whole Web 2.0 concept.
How It Works:
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. It is used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, and decision making.
It is an image-centered diagram that represents semantic or other connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach to any given organizational task, eliminating the hurdle of initially establishing an intrinsically appropriate or relevant conceptual framework to work within.
A mind map is similar to a semantic network or cognitive map but there are no formal restrictions on the kinds of links used.
The elements are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts and they are organized into groupings, branches, or areas. The uniform graphic formulation of the semantic structure of information on the method of gathering knowledge, may aid recall of existing memories.
How is It Useful For Us:
Users will be able to create and read their mind maps from everywhere whenever it's needed. Once you have your mind map created the features that distinguish WiseMapping appears: Embed it in your own web page, blog or post, "Wise it" linking documents to it, "Share it" to anyone in the world.
More at:http://www.wisemapping.com/
RVS Ventures, Acquired beRecruited.com
What Company is offering:
beRecruited provides a platform for student athletes to connect and interact with college coaches across the nation, giving students the tools to research and build profiles of verified athletic and academic information, as well as providing coaches with a vast, searchable database of potential recruits. To date, beRecruited has more than 100,000 registered student-athletes, 8,000 college coaches and 7,000 high school & club coaches.
About VCs Deal:
RVS Ventures, Inc., the investment company of entrepreneur Raymond Sozzi, and Madison Parker Capital, LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm, acquired beRecruited.com in October, 2007 and formed beRecruited, Inc. As part of the growth strategy, the Company hired former ESPN.com executive Jeff Cravens as president.
Who Is Behind This Company:
1.
Raymond Sozzi, Chairman
Raymond Sozzi is CEO and Chairman of the Board of RVS Ventures, Inc., a private equity and consulting firm. He also sits on the Board of Directors of several private companies and non-profit organizations. Over the past 10 years, he has orchestrated nearly $200 million in acquisitions and public and private company financings. In 1992, he founded Student Advantage, Inc., a leading youth media and marketing company. For more than 10 years, he served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, charting the company's growth to more than 500 employees and nearly $75 million in revenue. Sozzi has appeared in more than 200 different publications, including the New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and Ad Age. He was featured by BrandWeek as a Marketer of the Next Generation and in Chief Executive Magazine as one of the top 10 up and coming CEO's in America. In 1999, Sozzi was recognized by Ernst and Young, USA Today and Dow Jones as the nation's Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Sozzi, a graduate of Dartmouth College, began his career as an associate consultant for Bain & Company.
2.Jeff Cravens, President
With more than 10 years of executive management in online businesses, Cravens joined beRecruited.com in October 2007. He joined the business after serving as Vice President/General manager of ESPN360.com. Cravens oversaw the successful relaunch of ESPN360.com, with a strategic programming focus on live events and an enhanced user interface. ESPN360.com is ESPN's premier broadband service distributed to more than 17 million homes. Cravens was responsible for overseeing ESPN's programming on other digital platforms, including Video On Demand, Digital Downloads (iTunes),online pay-per-view programming and other emerging digital platforms.
More at:http://www.berecruited.com/
beRecruited provides a platform for student athletes to connect and interact with college coaches across the nation, giving students the tools to research and build profiles of verified athletic and academic information, as well as providing coaches with a vast, searchable database of potential recruits. To date, beRecruited has more than 100,000 registered student-athletes, 8,000 college coaches and 7,000 high school & club coaches.
About VCs Deal:
RVS Ventures, Inc., the investment company of entrepreneur Raymond Sozzi, and Madison Parker Capital, LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm, acquired beRecruited.com in October, 2007 and formed beRecruited, Inc. As part of the growth strategy, the Company hired former ESPN.com executive Jeff Cravens as president.
Who Is Behind This Company:
1.
Raymond Sozzi, Chairman
Raymond Sozzi is CEO and Chairman of the Board of RVS Ventures, Inc., a private equity and consulting firm. He also sits on the Board of Directors of several private companies and non-profit organizations. Over the past 10 years, he has orchestrated nearly $200 million in acquisitions and public and private company financings. In 1992, he founded Student Advantage, Inc., a leading youth media and marketing company. For more than 10 years, he served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, charting the company's growth to more than 500 employees and nearly $75 million in revenue. Sozzi has appeared in more than 200 different publications, including the New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and Ad Age. He was featured by BrandWeek as a Marketer of the Next Generation and in Chief Executive Magazine as one of the top 10 up and coming CEO's in America. In 1999, Sozzi was recognized by Ernst and Young, USA Today and Dow Jones as the nation's Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Sozzi, a graduate of Dartmouth College, began his career as an associate consultant for Bain & Company.
2.Jeff Cravens, President
With more than 10 years of executive management in online businesses, Cravens joined beRecruited.com in October 2007. He joined the business after serving as Vice President/General manager of ESPN360.com. Cravens oversaw the successful relaunch of ESPN360.com, with a strategic programming focus on live events and an enhanced user interface. ESPN360.com is ESPN's premier broadband service distributed to more than 17 million homes. Cravens was responsible for overseeing ESPN's programming on other digital platforms, including Video On Demand, Digital Downloads (iTunes),online pay-per-view programming and other emerging digital platforms.
More at:http://www.berecruited.com/
Wikitravel--Your Complete Holiday Or Travel Guide
What Is Wikitravel:
Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. It is built in collaboration by Wikitravellers from around the globe.
How It Works:
To create Wikitravel we have to use a tool called Wiki which lets any Internet reader create, update, edit, and illustrate any article on the Web site. We all share our pieces of knowledge, edit them, distill them, and assemble them into a pleasing and cohesive whole. The more people that use the Edit link, the better Wikitravel becomes.
What's Its Purpose:
Whenever travellers meet each other on the road, they swap info about the places they came from and ask questions about places they're going. We want to make it easy to share that knowledge and let others share it; our copyleft license means that the facts you know can spread far and wide.
More at:http://wikitravel.org/
Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. It is built in collaboration by Wikitravellers from around the globe.
How It Works:
To create Wikitravel we have to use a tool called Wiki which lets any Internet reader create, update, edit, and illustrate any article on the Web site. We all share our pieces of knowledge, edit them, distill them, and assemble them into a pleasing and cohesive whole. The more people that use the Edit link, the better Wikitravel becomes.
What's Its Purpose:
Whenever travellers meet each other on the road, they swap info about the places they came from and ask questions about places they're going. We want to make it easy to share that knowledge and let others share it; our copyleft license means that the facts you know can spread far and wide.
More at:http://wikitravel.org/
Today's Dreamers Are Tommorrow's Entrepreneurs
Barclays Local Business research reveals untapped potential of today’s workforce. Workers caught staring into space at their desk or ‘away with the fairies’ during business meetings are a mass of untapped, entrepreneurial talent, according to research from Barclays Local Business.
The latest survey by Barclays Local Business reveals how employees showing signs of distraction are likely to get out and start their own business, as nearly half of today’s UK business bosses (44 per cent) admit to having plotted their entrepreneurial future whilst daydreaming in the work place of a previous employer.
Although an increasing number of bosses are paranoid about employees wasting time at work on social networking sites like Facebook, it appears they cannot stop employees from dreaming of a more productive and satisfying future in their working life.
John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business said: “This survey highlights what many bosses have probably suspected for a long time – that for some employees, their current job is the last thing on their mind when they are at work. However, whilst they may be wasting their employer’s time they are not necessarily being idle; as they are planning for their own future. For budding entrepreneurs, the routine of their day-job can spark dreams of going onto bigger and better things.”
These dreamers turned entrepreneurs clearly know the value of downtime with only eight per cent interrupting their holidays to come up with a killer small business idea. Similarly, just six per cent were prepared to think about being their own boss in between pints down the pub. It’s also no surprise then that the survey also reveals that almost 40 per cent of UK business bosses view plain old common sense as the winning ingredient for ongoing success.
Davis added: “For employers there is nothing more frustrating than letting untapped talent slip through the net as staff showing entrepreneurial signs provide huge benefits and help small, medium or larger companies grow. Perhaps it will serve as a warning to any boss that they shouldn’t take their eye off the ball when it comes to keeping their staff interested and engaged and developing their people.”
The survey also uncovers the concerns keeping aspiring entrepreneurs awake at night; just under 40 per cent admit to feeling nervous about giving up the financial stability of a full time job, while nearly one in five (19 per cent) worry about getting into debt. Added pressure on their home life was also a worry for six per cent.
Via-USPR
The latest survey by Barclays Local Business reveals how employees showing signs of distraction are likely to get out and start their own business, as nearly half of today’s UK business bosses (44 per cent) admit to having plotted their entrepreneurial future whilst daydreaming in the work place of a previous employer.
Although an increasing number of bosses are paranoid about employees wasting time at work on social networking sites like Facebook, it appears they cannot stop employees from dreaming of a more productive and satisfying future in their working life.
John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business said: “This survey highlights what many bosses have probably suspected for a long time – that for some employees, their current job is the last thing on their mind when they are at work. However, whilst they may be wasting their employer’s time they are not necessarily being idle; as they are planning for their own future. For budding entrepreneurs, the routine of their day-job can spark dreams of going onto bigger and better things.”
These dreamers turned entrepreneurs clearly know the value of downtime with only eight per cent interrupting their holidays to come up with a killer small business idea. Similarly, just six per cent were prepared to think about being their own boss in between pints down the pub. It’s also no surprise then that the survey also reveals that almost 40 per cent of UK business bosses view plain old common sense as the winning ingredient for ongoing success.
Davis added: “For employers there is nothing more frustrating than letting untapped talent slip through the net as staff showing entrepreneurial signs provide huge benefits and help small, medium or larger companies grow. Perhaps it will serve as a warning to any boss that they shouldn’t take their eye off the ball when it comes to keeping their staff interested and engaged and developing their people.”
The survey also uncovers the concerns keeping aspiring entrepreneurs awake at night; just under 40 per cent admit to feeling nervous about giving up the financial stability of a full time job, while nearly one in five (19 per cent) worry about getting into debt. Added pressure on their home life was also a worry for six per cent.
Via-USPR
Skillfights---A platform for carrying out different kinds of digital competition
What Company Is Offering:
Skillfights.com offers a platform for carrying out different kinds of digital competition, rated by the community through votes.
How It Works:
Users have the possibilities to search, join and create competitions. Those can be of different nature, for example they can search for the best image, flash, video, soundfile or text.
More at:http://skillfights.com/
Skillfights.com offers a platform for carrying out different kinds of digital competition, rated by the community through votes.
How It Works:
Users have the possibilities to search, join and create competitions. Those can be of different nature, for example they can search for the best image, flash, video, soundfile or text.
More at:http://skillfights.com/
BuzzLogic
What Company is Offering:
BuzzLogic’s mission is to unlock the power of influence with applications that help players across the social media ecosystem—businesses, online publishers and the individuals creating influential content themselves—reap the rewards.
How It Works:
The new ad targeting lets advertisers isolate blogs and social media conversations that are going on around specific conversations about products, brands and issues. This offers a way of presented targeted ads towards the audiences and users involved in these online conversations.
This works in a similar manner to a key word search which scans participating sites for the online discussions going on around various topics. A few options for ad placement with this new tool from BuzzLogic include text or display ads from the BuzzLogic dashboard, and ads can be customized for campaigns.
This provides an interesting intersection of ongoing, dynamic content being created by users and web publishers, and ads being created and offered in a similar dynamic manner. The process also lends itself a bit to market research, in some cases regarding both consumer perceptions and public opinion.
Who Is Backing This Company:
Rob Crumpler, President and Chief Executive Officer
1.Rob Crumpler joined BuzzLogic as President and CEO in October 2005, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience with fast growth technology companies, including Microsoft and Intuit. While at Microsoft, Crumpler played a key role in defining the advertising technologies and business models that drove the revenue growth of MSN.
2.Todd Parsons, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer
A co-founder of BuzzLogic, Todd Parsons is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of BuzzLogic’s software products and services. Prior to founding BuzzLogic, Parsons led development of the Knowledge Bank and Online Business Services for Silicon Valley Bank, where he managed development of productivity and business intelligence products for the bank and venture capital community. Previously, Parsons was a co-founder Textus Worldwide, a supply chain management consulting firm .
More at:http://www.buzzlogic.com/
BuzzLogic’s mission is to unlock the power of influence with applications that help players across the social media ecosystem—businesses, online publishers and the individuals creating influential content themselves—reap the rewards.
How It Works:
The new ad targeting lets advertisers isolate blogs and social media conversations that are going on around specific conversations about products, brands and issues. This offers a way of presented targeted ads towards the audiences and users involved in these online conversations.
This works in a similar manner to a key word search which scans participating sites for the online discussions going on around various topics. A few options for ad placement with this new tool from BuzzLogic include text or display ads from the BuzzLogic dashboard, and ads can be customized for campaigns.
This provides an interesting intersection of ongoing, dynamic content being created by users and web publishers, and ads being created and offered in a similar dynamic manner. The process also lends itself a bit to market research, in some cases regarding both consumer perceptions and public opinion.
Who Is Backing This Company:
Rob Crumpler, President and Chief Executive Officer
1.Rob Crumpler joined BuzzLogic as President and CEO in October 2005, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience with fast growth technology companies, including Microsoft and Intuit. While at Microsoft, Crumpler played a key role in defining the advertising technologies and business models that drove the revenue growth of MSN.
2.Todd Parsons, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer
A co-founder of BuzzLogic, Todd Parsons is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of BuzzLogic’s software products and services. Prior to founding BuzzLogic, Parsons led development of the Knowledge Bank and Online Business Services for Silicon Valley Bank, where he managed development of productivity and business intelligence products for the bank and venture capital community. Previously, Parsons was a co-founder Textus Worldwide, a supply chain management consulting firm .
More at:http://www.buzzlogic.com/
Innovate Like Edison
Edison is probably one of the most referenced inventors ever. Not to undermine his great achievements in the act of creation (1% imagination and 99% perspiration as the saying goes), he also did a remarkable job in developing and marketing products for which were innovative That legacy has manifested itself into one of the greatest companies of the world, GE.
A new book by Michael J. Gelb and Sarah Miller Caldicott, Innovate Like Edison, boils down Edison's process to five key steps. Below is an excerpt from the book where the authors " give you a taste of his approach, using the example of Edison's first product, the stock ticker. His system is culled from historical documents and written as Edison might have noted them.
1. Identify trends in the marketplace, observing where and how needs are shifting. In 1868, I read in the newspapers that the rebuilding of the American South after the Civil War has sent commodities prices rising, since demand for lumber, brick, stone, and other building materials has increased and supplies are strained. The reporting of these prices - as well as the price of gold and precious metals - is eagerly sought by American businesses at an increasing rate.
2. Determine if there are any gaps created by these changing needs. I've noted that few efficient machines and few services exist to rapidly - and reliably - report commodities prices, precious-metals prices, and stock prices to businesses around the country.
3. Identify the core insight (the "aha!") or need at the heart of each gap. I think I can apply the principles of -telegraphy to make a machine that reports prices.
4. Link your insights to your capabilities as a company and your strengths and weaknesses in relation to your competitors. I can combine my talents for telegraph equipment assembly and design to develop price--reporting machines that operate rapidly and efficiently.
5. The hypothesis is an "if-then" proposal for a practical experiment about the goal you'd like to fulfill based on the linkage you've created. If I can build an efficient, reliable telegraph-like machine that can help businesses report commodities and metals prices all over the country, then I will make a significant profit.
The result? Edison's stock-reporting machine launched his career as a successful inventor and innovator. "
Via-manyworlds
A new book by Michael J. Gelb and Sarah Miller Caldicott, Innovate Like Edison, boils down Edison's process to five key steps. Below is an excerpt from the book where the authors " give you a taste of his approach, using the example of Edison's first product, the stock ticker. His system is culled from historical documents and written as Edison might have noted them.
1. Identify trends in the marketplace, observing where and how needs are shifting. In 1868, I read in the newspapers that the rebuilding of the American South after the Civil War has sent commodities prices rising, since demand for lumber, brick, stone, and other building materials has increased and supplies are strained. The reporting of these prices - as well as the price of gold and precious metals - is eagerly sought by American businesses at an increasing rate.
2. Determine if there are any gaps created by these changing needs. I've noted that few efficient machines and few services exist to rapidly - and reliably - report commodities prices, precious-metals prices, and stock prices to businesses around the country.
3. Identify the core insight (the "aha!") or need at the heart of each gap. I think I can apply the principles of -telegraphy to make a machine that reports prices.
4. Link your insights to your capabilities as a company and your strengths and weaknesses in relation to your competitors. I can combine my talents for telegraph equipment assembly and design to develop price--reporting machines that operate rapidly and efficiently.
5. The hypothesis is an "if-then" proposal for a practical experiment about the goal you'd like to fulfill based on the linkage you've created. If I can build an efficient, reliable telegraph-like machine that can help businesses report commodities and metals prices all over the country, then I will make a significant profit.
The result? Edison's stock-reporting machine launched his career as a successful inventor and innovator. "
Via-manyworlds
Mediastores--Enables Anyone To Build Their Own Online Store For Free
What Company Is Offering:
Mediastores enables anyone to build their own online store for free, selling their choice from over one million Books, DVDs and CDs and earn 20% commission. The full build your own service will launch in Spring 2008 but the first five mediastores to demonstrate the concept have recently gone live grouped around the charity Double Gift campaign.
How It Works:
You can personalize the color scheme of your online store and add your company’s logo, and the best part is that you earn a 20% commission off of any purchases made from your store. This service will be up and running in 2008, but in the meantime, they’re running a Double Gift campaign staring 5 charities and the help of some celebrities. Each of the five charities has created a mediastore in the same vein that everyone will be able to create in the future. When buying gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, you can purchase them from one of the charities’ online stores. By purchasing through one of their sites, 20% of each purchase goes toward helping that charity. The gift recipients even get a little card in their present showing them that their gift helped a charity in its purchase.
More at:http://mediastores.com/
Mediastores enables anyone to build their own online store for free, selling their choice from over one million Books, DVDs and CDs and earn 20% commission. The full build your own service will launch in Spring 2008 but the first five mediastores to demonstrate the concept have recently gone live grouped around the charity Double Gift campaign.
How It Works:
You can personalize the color scheme of your online store and add your company’s logo, and the best part is that you earn a 20% commission off of any purchases made from your store. This service will be up and running in 2008, but in the meantime, they’re running a Double Gift campaign staring 5 charities and the help of some celebrities. Each of the five charities has created a mediastore in the same vein that everyone will be able to create in the future. When buying gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, you can purchase them from one of the charities’ online stores. By purchasing through one of their sites, 20% of each purchase goes toward helping that charity. The gift recipients even get a little card in their present showing them that their gift helped a charity in its purchase.
More at:http://mediastores.com/
Backtags to assess, analyze and rank the popularity of any website on leading social bookmarking sites
What Company is offering:
Backtags allows users to:assess, analyze and rank the popularity of any website on leading social bookmarking sites ,identify tags used to describe websites ,rank websites according to tag/user popularity ,compare and rank competitors analyze user perception of websites identify and track trends.
How it Works:
Enter a domain name to check the social popularity of any domain or enter a keyword to search for relevant sites.
The domain results will summarize the total references on leading social bookmarking sites and rank in real time.
The keyword or tag results list domains according to user popularity on leading social bookmarking sites.
Enter futher domains to compare and analyse.
More at:http://www.backtags.com/
Backtags allows users to:assess, analyze and rank the popularity of any website on leading social bookmarking sites ,identify tags used to describe websites ,rank websites according to tag/user popularity ,compare and rank competitors analyze user perception of websites identify and track trends.
How it Works:
Enter a domain name to check the social popularity of any domain or enter a keyword to search for relevant sites.
The domain results will summarize the total references on leading social bookmarking sites and rank in real time.
The keyword or tag results list domains according to user popularity on leading social bookmarking sites.
Enter futher domains to compare and analyse.
More at:http://www.backtags.com/
Predictify---Predict And Earn
What Company Is Offering:
Predictify provides a simple, fun way to engage in current and future newsworthy topics. Users can find events that interest them, predict the outcome, build a reputation based on accuracy, and even get paid real money when they’re right and it’s free too – no points or bets required.
How It Works:
Predictify is a prediction platform that taps into the collective wisdom of Internet users. Users can also post questions about future events and collect a large sample of predictions about the outcome. Predictify’s unique system captures the full distribution of beliefs, not just the average, and provides easy-to-use graphical tools to analyze the results. Posting questions is free – or, for a small fee, add predictor profile data and keep the results private.
More at:http://www.predictify.com/
Predictify provides a simple, fun way to engage in current and future newsworthy topics. Users can find events that interest them, predict the outcome, build a reputation based on accuracy, and even get paid real money when they’re right and it’s free too – no points or bets required.
How It Works:
Predictify is a prediction platform that taps into the collective wisdom of Internet users. Users can also post questions about future events and collect a large sample of predictions about the outcome. Predictify’s unique system captures the full distribution of beliefs, not just the average, and provides easy-to-use graphical tools to analyze the results. Posting questions is free – or, for a small fee, add predictor profile data and keep the results private.
More at:http://www.predictify.com/
Ratevegas--Reviews of Las Vegas casinos, hotels, resorts, and restaurants, pictures, photos and trip reports! Gambling Information
What Company Is Offering:
At Ratevegas ,visitors can rate and review hotels, casinos, restaurants, shows and more. Unique data mining technology allows us to make suggestions about new experiences to users accurately.
How It Works:
Reviews of Las Vegas casinos, hotels, resorts, and restaurants, pictures, photos and trip reports! Gambling Information! Cheap Las Vegas Hotels!
Take the RateVegas.com information with you on your PalmOS or PocketPC based PDA, or access it live via a WAP-enabled cellular phone. Never wonder what the best Italian joint on the Strip is again.
More at:http://www.ratevegas.com/
At Ratevegas ,visitors can rate and review hotels, casinos, restaurants, shows and more. Unique data mining technology allows us to make suggestions about new experiences to users accurately.
How It Works:
Reviews of Las Vegas casinos, hotels, resorts, and restaurants, pictures, photos and trip reports! Gambling Information! Cheap Las Vegas Hotels!
Take the RateVegas.com information with you on your PalmOS or PocketPC based PDA, or access it live via a WAP-enabled cellular phone. Never wonder what the best Italian joint on the Strip is again.
More at:http://www.ratevegas.com/
ISPONS--Online Sports Sponsorship Community
What Company Is Offering:
ISPONS is an online sponsorship community, providing a simple solution for athletes and teams to showcase their skills and event results to connect with sponsors .
ISPONS provides companies a streamlined approach for sponsorship programs as well as sport marketing.
How It Works:
ATHLETES
If you are an athlete-novice or pro- there is no doubt that you would probably enjoy having your racing efforts (or career) financed or supported by a sponsor. But ask any one of thousands of competitive athletes out there, sponsorship just does not happen without some old-fashioned, hard work. The more active you, as an athlete, are in the pursuit of your own sponsors, the more likely it is you’ll find the support you need.
ISPONS provides you with a simple solution to connect you to sponsors and manage your profile/ resume online.
Athlete Opportunities
* Create your custom profile.
* Showcase your skills and event results.
* Set yourself apart from the competition by uploading photos, videos and blogs to let sponsors see for themselves!
* Establish your professionalism and gain instant credibility with potential sponsors.
* Give yourself a place to direct potential sponsors, media, fans, friends etc. to find detailed info about you and your athletic accomplishments. (and saves the time and money of having to create and mail/fax this type of info each time you need it)
* Research companies to find what type of athletes and sports they are interested in, as well as, what level of sponsorships they offer.
* Send your resume to one, a few or all ISPONS sponsors.
* Manage your sponsorships online.
* Build a local or national network of sponsors, fellow athletes and fans.
* Receive valuable tips from sponsors and the pros in your sport as to how to make yourself more valuable to sponsors.
* Chat online with ISPONS athletes and Sponsors.
* Buy and Sell products and services from other athletes.
* Receive incidental exposure to other potential sponsors, fans etc. who are directed to the ISPONS website by our agents and other athletes.
* Promote yourself and Get Sponsored!
More at:http://www.i-spons.com/
ISPONS is an online sponsorship community, providing a simple solution for athletes and teams to showcase their skills and event results to connect with sponsors .
ISPONS provides companies a streamlined approach for sponsorship programs as well as sport marketing.
How It Works:
ATHLETES
If you are an athlete-novice or pro- there is no doubt that you would probably enjoy having your racing efforts (or career) financed or supported by a sponsor. But ask any one of thousands of competitive athletes out there, sponsorship just does not happen without some old-fashioned, hard work. The more active you, as an athlete, are in the pursuit of your own sponsors, the more likely it is you’ll find the support you need.
ISPONS provides you with a simple solution to connect you to sponsors and manage your profile/ resume online.
Athlete Opportunities
* Create your custom profile.
* Showcase your skills and event results.
* Set yourself apart from the competition by uploading photos, videos and blogs to let sponsors see for themselves!
* Establish your professionalism and gain instant credibility with potential sponsors.
* Give yourself a place to direct potential sponsors, media, fans, friends etc. to find detailed info about you and your athletic accomplishments. (and saves the time and money of having to create and mail/fax this type of info each time you need it)
* Research companies to find what type of athletes and sports they are interested in, as well as, what level of sponsorships they offer.
* Send your resume to one, a few or all ISPONS sponsors.
* Manage your sponsorships online.
* Build a local or national network of sponsors, fellow athletes and fans.
* Receive valuable tips from sponsors and the pros in your sport as to how to make yourself more valuable to sponsors.
* Chat online with ISPONS athletes and Sponsors.
* Buy and Sell products and services from other athletes.
* Receive incidental exposure to other potential sponsors, fans etc. who are directed to the ISPONS website by our agents and other athletes.
* Promote yourself and Get Sponsored!
More at:http://www.i-spons.com/
Quigo ----Advertise on the web's most recognized brands and local media sites
What Company Is Offering:
AdSonar Exchange is a category-aligned network of publishers and advertisers brought together by Quigo to generate a content-targeted advertising marketplace.
AdSonar Exchange raises the "relevancy" bar. AdSonar borrows from traditional and tested marketing concepts by using content categories to begin matching relevant advertisers and publishers in a highly organized manner.
AdSonar for Publishers gives Web publishers an immediate way to place contextually relevant ads onto their Website, generating additional revenue without investing in costly infrastructure or timely sales calls. AdSonar provides Publishers with a way to add relevant content that enriches and monetizes their site.
How It Works:
AdSonar will give you a simple piece of code to place on the pages where you want ads to appear. Then AdSonar's proprietary algorithms automatically identify, match and deliver the most relevant ads to each page of content.
Set-Up is Easy - You define choices such as ad format and placement. Once users click on AdSonar ads on your site, you start earning money. (AdSonar Supports dynamic and password protected sites *)
Improve Ad Relevancy - Only advertisers in your category can appear on your site.
Gain More Control - You can generate reports at the URL, domain and ad level to see where your ad revenues are originating.
Increase Your Profits - You define your own default ads and even serve ads from your own listings to stop unprofitable "filler ads.
More at:http://www.quigo.com/
AdSonar Exchange is a category-aligned network of publishers and advertisers brought together by Quigo to generate a content-targeted advertising marketplace.
AdSonar Exchange raises the "relevancy" bar. AdSonar borrows from traditional and tested marketing concepts by using content categories to begin matching relevant advertisers and publishers in a highly organized manner.
AdSonar for Publishers gives Web publishers an immediate way to place contextually relevant ads onto their Website, generating additional revenue without investing in costly infrastructure or timely sales calls. AdSonar provides Publishers with a way to add relevant content that enriches and monetizes their site.
How It Works:
AdSonar will give you a simple piece of code to place on the pages where you want ads to appear. Then AdSonar's proprietary algorithms automatically identify, match and deliver the most relevant ads to each page of content.
Set-Up is Easy - You define choices such as ad format and placement. Once users click on AdSonar ads on your site, you start earning money. (AdSonar Supports dynamic and password protected sites *)
Improve Ad Relevancy - Only advertisers in your category can appear on your site.
Gain More Control - You can generate reports at the URL, domain and ad level to see where your ad revenues are originating.
Increase Your Profits - You define your own default ads and even serve ads from your own listings to stop unprofitable "filler ads.
More at:http://www.quigo.com/
Sunday, November 4, 2007
DutyDog is the first and largest home services marketplace in the world
What Company Is Offering:
DutyDog is the first and largest home services marketplace in the world . Their expertise lies in helping homservices marketplace in the worldeowners make good decisions about their home service needs. Their unique service process leverages their vast knowledge of the constantly evolving world of home services and uses the power of the Internet to let homeowners choose from prescreened service providers.
How It Works:
DutyDog gets you unbiased advice about Service Providers in your area - think of us as your own personal advocate! All you have to do is meet with a DutyDog Service Pro once, instead of scheduling numerous appointments and estimates. Meet with a DutyDog Service Pro today – and make a smart decision!
2. create your customized Service Report
DutyDog’s Service Pro will come to your home and create a customized Service Report, which includes an independent estimate, photographs, detailed description of what you need and more. Unbiased data allows you to make an informed decision and compare before you buy!.
3. Qualified Service Providers Bid
After your Service Report is created, pre-screened Service Providers will then review and bid on your project. You then review all the bids while having access to Service Provider reviews. This means you are getting accurate quotes because all the Service Providers are bidding on the exact same information/job. When Service Providers compete…you win!.
4. Your project gets done right!
DutyDog works around the clock as the homeowners personal advocate. If something unexpected happens, call us immediately! Your project gets done right the first time! We quickly settle any disputes you may have with a Service Provider. Consistent quality is guaranteed.
More at:https://dutydog.com/
DutyDog is the first and largest home services marketplace in the world . Their expertise lies in helping homservices marketplace in the worldeowners make good decisions about their home service needs. Their unique service process leverages their vast knowledge of the constantly evolving world of home services and uses the power of the Internet to let homeowners choose from prescreened service providers.
How It Works:
DutyDog gets you unbiased advice about Service Providers in your area - think of us as your own personal advocate! All you have to do is meet with a DutyDog Service Pro once, instead of scheduling numerous appointments and estimates. Meet with a DutyDog Service Pro today – and make a smart decision!
2. create your customized Service Report
DutyDog’s Service Pro will come to your home and create a customized Service Report, which includes an independent estimate, photographs, detailed description of what you need and more. Unbiased data allows you to make an informed decision and compare before you buy!.
3. Qualified Service Providers Bid
After your Service Report is created, pre-screened Service Providers will then review and bid on your project. You then review all the bids while having access to Service Provider reviews. This means you are getting accurate quotes because all the Service Providers are bidding on the exact same information/job. When Service Providers compete…you win!.
4. Your project gets done right!
DutyDog works around the clock as the homeowners personal advocate. If something unexpected happens, call us immediately! Your project gets done right the first time! We quickly settle any disputes you may have with a Service Provider. Consistent quality is guaranteed.
More at:https://dutydog.com/
aniBoom --For Creating And Connecting Animaters
What Company Is Offering:
aniBoom is a cross-media, cross-platform animation content project which addresses wide audiences through a range of genres, techniques and means. In order to get things started we chose the most democratic medium, the Internet.
How It Works:
aniBOOM a place for interaction between you, the mass audience, producers & distributors of the animation field. They will do so by providing easy and efficient tools for Social Networking. Hence the BOOM ZONE.
BOOM ZONE is your own personal zone in which the flicks, sketches or any other creation that you might come up with can be easily displayed for everyone to watch, rate and communicate. Who knows, you might even get an offer from the industry professionals on the look-out for the next hot shot
What's Further Plan:
In their next phase they intend to cross over to other mediums as well as TV, Cellular, PC games etc. They're also deeply proud at the fact that aniBoom is the first content project of its kind which focuses solely on animation in the hyper world of user generated content and Web 2.0.
More at:http://www.aniboom.com/
aniBoom is a cross-media, cross-platform animation content project which addresses wide audiences through a range of genres, techniques and means. In order to get things started we chose the most democratic medium, the Internet.
How It Works:
aniBOOM a place for interaction between you, the mass audience, producers & distributors of the animation field. They will do so by providing easy and efficient tools for Social Networking. Hence the BOOM ZONE.
BOOM ZONE is your own personal zone in which the flicks, sketches or any other creation that you might come up with can be easily displayed for everyone to watch, rate and communicate. Who knows, you might even get an offer from the industry professionals on the look-out for the next hot shot
What's Further Plan:
In their next phase they intend to cross over to other mediums as well as TV, Cellular, PC games etc. They're also deeply proud at the fact that aniBoom is the first content project of its kind which focuses solely on animation in the hyper world of user generated content and Web 2.0.
More at:http://www.aniboom.com/
MyProgress is a Web 2.0 service aimed to bring progress monitoring features into real lives
What Company Is Offering:
MyProgress is a Web 2.0 service aimed to bring progress monitoring features (generally used in computer RPGs) into real lives. It is a family of services theye called Personal Progress Management.
How It Works:
With MyProgress, users can track their personal finances, skills, knowledge, wealth and health dynamics and figure their place in the real word.
Modern life is so complex, supersaturated with all kinds of information, most people have no idea how fast they are progressing, how successful they are, how much they "cost", and what kind of world they built. The problem is, there are no tools - AT ALL - that would help us gather statistical information about our lives, analyze, and display this information in a convenient fashion.MyProgress implements a solution to what we call "life detail clutter". They believe every detail of a human's life can be documented - or rather NEEDS to be documented on a private basis. Certainly, they can not provide for every single bit of information people produce to be tracked, but they managed to try and provide for the most critical and essential areas of our lives - finance, skills, wealth, knowledge, and health - to be secured in a centralized location and available 24/7 online.
More at:https://myprogress.com/
MyProgress is a Web 2.0 service aimed to bring progress monitoring features (generally used in computer RPGs) into real lives. It is a family of services theye called Personal Progress Management.
How It Works:
With MyProgress, users can track their personal finances, skills, knowledge, wealth and health dynamics and figure their place in the real word.
Modern life is so complex, supersaturated with all kinds of information, most people have no idea how fast they are progressing, how successful they are, how much they "cost", and what kind of world they built. The problem is, there are no tools - AT ALL - that would help us gather statistical information about our lives, analyze, and display this information in a convenient fashion.MyProgress implements a solution to what we call "life detail clutter". They believe every detail of a human's life can be documented - or rather NEEDS to be documented on a private basis. Certainly, they can not provide for every single bit of information people produce to be tracked, but they managed to try and provide for the most critical and essential areas of our lives - finance, skills, wealth, knowledge, and health - to be secured in a centralized location and available 24/7 online.
More at:https://myprogress.com/
SezWho ---Online Reputation Builder Got $1.5 Million
What Company is Offering:
SezWho is a distributed context, rating and reputation system for social media sites like blogs, forums, wikis, video/picture sharing sites, discussion boards and anywhere else where people collaborate on the web. SezWho is focused on delivering benefits to all stakeholders in social media interactions:
How Much They Got From VCs:
SezWho Received $1.5 Million for Their Review and Reputation Service from KPG Ventures.
About VCs:
KPG Ventures
KPG Ventures, a San Francisco based venture capital firm founded by Vince Vannelli, brings capital, experience and strategic relationships to early and seed stage companies. KPG is committed to investing in talented people and actively supporting each portfolio company in building their business.
How It Works:
SezWho does not take over commenting or discussion systems, it just makes them more useful by incentivizing participation and making it easy to find quality content.
Unlike other reputation systems, SezWho is fully integrated into the host site. As such, users of a site stay on the site for all operations like rating, viewing profiles and filtering content.
In order to make online community interactions more like real-life, the SezWho rating system mimics the reputation mechanisms of the real world. SezWho takes into account the reputation of the rater, the context of the rating and the timing of the interaction to assign a more accurate and tamper-proof rating.
SezWho enables contributors to build portable reputation. Without SezWho user reputations are confined to a single site. With SezWho users carry their reputation across all sites.
SezWho provides insightful stats for contributors and site-owners. Contributor Stats show how many people are rating and viewing a contributor's profile. Site Stats show how much traffic SezWho is driving and where the traffic coming from.
Identity authentication is the cornerstone of any good reputation system. SezWho supports Reputation Protection which enables users to lock down their profiles. When a profile is Reputation Protected, any new interaction will require explicit user authorization. This allows users to fully control their participation profiles.
Identity authentication is the cornerstone of any good reputation system. SezWho supports Reputation Protection which enables users to lock down their profiles. When a profile is Reputation Protected, any new interaction will require explicit user authorization.
More at:http://www.sezwho.com/
SezWho is a distributed context, rating and reputation system for social media sites like blogs, forums, wikis, video/picture sharing sites, discussion boards and anywhere else where people collaborate on the web. SezWho is focused on delivering benefits to all stakeholders in social media interactions:
How Much They Got From VCs:
SezWho Received $1.5 Million for Their Review and Reputation Service from KPG Ventures.
About VCs:
KPG Ventures
KPG Ventures, a San Francisco based venture capital firm founded by Vince Vannelli, brings capital, experience and strategic relationships to early and seed stage companies. KPG is committed to investing in talented people and actively supporting each portfolio company in building their business.
How It Works:
SezWho does not take over commenting or discussion systems, it just makes them more useful by incentivizing participation and making it easy to find quality content.
Unlike other reputation systems, SezWho is fully integrated into the host site. As such, users of a site stay on the site for all operations like rating, viewing profiles and filtering content.
In order to make online community interactions more like real-life, the SezWho rating system mimics the reputation mechanisms of the real world. SezWho takes into account the reputation of the rater, the context of the rating and the timing of the interaction to assign a more accurate and tamper-proof rating.
SezWho enables contributors to build portable reputation. Without SezWho user reputations are confined to a single site. With SezWho users carry their reputation across all sites.
SezWho provides insightful stats for contributors and site-owners. Contributor Stats show how many people are rating and viewing a contributor's profile. Site Stats show how much traffic SezWho is driving and where the traffic coming from.
Identity authentication is the cornerstone of any good reputation system. SezWho supports Reputation Protection which enables users to lock down their profiles. When a profile is Reputation Protected, any new interaction will require explicit user authorization. This allows users to fully control their participation profiles.
Identity authentication is the cornerstone of any good reputation system. SezWho supports Reputation Protection which enables users to lock down their profiles. When a profile is Reputation Protected, any new interaction will require explicit user authorization.
More at:http://www.sezwho.com/
Special Offer At Arzoo.com
What Company Is Offering:
At Arzoo.com, customers can book Domestic and International Flights, make Hotel Reservations, buy Domestic & International Holiday Packages, and find Exciting Weekend Gateways and also Service Apartments. Apart from offering amongst the best rates in all categories, the unique value proposition of Arzoo.com is that customers have a choice of multiple ways of making travel reservations via the Internet or Mobile Phones or by calling a Toll Free Number (1-800-22 21 20) for 24x7 assistance, or by simply sending an SMS to 567 67 55 mentioning brief travel requirements.Arzoo also specializes in handling regular travel requirements of corporate customers, including group bookings. Through special deals with major hotels in all categories across India and overseas, Arzoo suits the budget and tastes of all types of customers.
Special Offer:
On the festive occasion of Diwali, Arzoo.com, India’s leading travel portal, today announced a special offer where customers can avail guaranteed 10% discount on domestic airfare bookings on Go Air, Spicejet, Indigo, & Indian for travel anywhere within India. Similarly customers can also avail guaranteed 7% discount on International airline bookings to US, Europe and Gulf.
More at:http://us.arzoo.com/
At Arzoo.com, customers can book Domestic and International Flights, make Hotel Reservations, buy Domestic & International Holiday Packages, and find Exciting Weekend Gateways and also Service Apartments. Apart from offering amongst the best rates in all categories, the unique value proposition of Arzoo.com is that customers have a choice of multiple ways of making travel reservations via the Internet or Mobile Phones or by calling a Toll Free Number (1-800-22 21 20) for 24x7 assistance, or by simply sending an SMS to 567 67 55 mentioning brief travel requirements.Arzoo also specializes in handling regular travel requirements of corporate customers, including group bookings. Through special deals with major hotels in all categories across India and overseas, Arzoo suits the budget and tastes of all types of customers.
Special Offer:
On the festive occasion of Diwali, Arzoo.com, India’s leading travel portal, today announced a special offer where customers can avail guaranteed 10% discount on domestic airfare bookings on Go Air, Spicejet, Indigo, & Indian for travel anywhere within India. Similarly customers can also avail guaranteed 7% discount on International airline bookings to US, Europe and Gulf.
More at:http://us.arzoo.com/
mDialog has received $3 million in initial funding from Toronto’s Arthur and Sonia Labatt
What Company Is offering:
mDialog, a Toronto/New York City-based start-up, announced the launch of a new video delivery platform which will provide high resolution image and sound as well as advanced social networking capabilities, enabling users to share video or monetize proprietary content through modular pay-per-download and subscription revenue models.
How Much They Got From VCs:
mDialog has received $3 million in initial funding from Toronto’s Arthur and Sonia Labatt.
Who Is Behind This Site:
1.mDialog was founded by Philpott, a veteran entrepreneur and business process management expert who has consulted for such diverse companies as CB Richard Ellis, nurun inc., Alliance Atlantis, and TVOntario. He has extensive experience in the television industry, and advised a myriad of media and technology companies, helping them maximize their impact in the consumer marketplace.
2.mDialog’s Vice President for Content Development and Acquisition is Byron Speight, an acclaimed new media expert and filmmaker who has produced work for PBS, Comedy Central and the Bravo Channel. A pioneer in streaming video content over the Internet, Speight has served as a technical consultant to networks such as MTV and the Sundance Channel before joining Philpott at mDialog.
Why is It Different:
“In the crowded web video environment, mDialog is different,” said founder Greg Philpott. “First, believing video should be a first-class citizen on the Internet, we offer a state-of-the-art web video platform that enables both professional filmmakers and amateurs to upload and share high quality video online. Second, with advanced social networking functions and an innovative pay structure, we have created an online community that truly connects professional independent filmmakers with their audiences, as well as enables everyone in the user-generated world to post, play and upload video like a pro using mLoader, our groundbreaking, easy-to-use software.”
To guarantee the above, mDialog licensed video encoding technology from Apple, and has gone on to become one of the first in the web video field to adopt the more advanced h.264 standard.
More at:http://www.mdialogue.com/
mDialog, a Toronto/New York City-based start-up, announced the launch of a new video delivery platform which will provide high resolution image and sound as well as advanced social networking capabilities, enabling users to share video or monetize proprietary content through modular pay-per-download and subscription revenue models.
How Much They Got From VCs:
mDialog has received $3 million in initial funding from Toronto’s Arthur and Sonia Labatt.
Who Is Behind This Site:
1.mDialog was founded by Philpott, a veteran entrepreneur and business process management expert who has consulted for such diverse companies as CB Richard Ellis, nurun inc., Alliance Atlantis, and TVOntario. He has extensive experience in the television industry, and advised a myriad of media and technology companies, helping them maximize their impact in the consumer marketplace.
2.mDialog’s Vice President for Content Development and Acquisition is Byron Speight, an acclaimed new media expert and filmmaker who has produced work for PBS, Comedy Central and the Bravo Channel. A pioneer in streaming video content over the Internet, Speight has served as a technical consultant to networks such as MTV and the Sundance Channel before joining Philpott at mDialog.
Why is It Different:
“In the crowded web video environment, mDialog is different,” said founder Greg Philpott. “First, believing video should be a first-class citizen on the Internet, we offer a state-of-the-art web video platform that enables both professional filmmakers and amateurs to upload and share high quality video online. Second, with advanced social networking functions and an innovative pay structure, we have created an online community that truly connects professional independent filmmakers with their audiences, as well as enables everyone in the user-generated world to post, play and upload video like a pro using mLoader, our groundbreaking, easy-to-use software.”
To guarantee the above, mDialog licensed video encoding technology from Apple, and has gone on to become one of the first in the web video field to adopt the more advanced h.264 standard.
More at:http://www.mdialogue.com/
MochiAds ---World's Biggest Advertising Network For Online Games
What company is offering:
MochiAds is the world's largest advertising network for online games, enabling advertisers to deliver their messages across the huge and growing audience playing engaging, virally distributed Flash games. Partnering with a network of independent game developers, consumers are shown pre-game and inter-level ads during natural breaks in game play.
How It Works:
MochiAds.com lets you set up pre game and inter level advertisements. These game ads end up being distributed across blogs, social networks, and sites. There are more than 237 million people who frequent gaming sites so MochiAds.com is tapping into a large audience. The MochiAds dashboard lets you track your games success. There are graphs that show you your games performance level along with traffic statistics. Setting up games is easy. Give a description of your game so it can be pared with an appropriate ad. Choice whether you want a pre or inter level ad, then paste a line of code to your game. You can choose whether you prefer social network ads or custom ads for your game. MochiAds.com helps distribute your game to their growing number of partners.
More at:http://www.mochiads.com/
MochiAds is the world's largest advertising network for online games, enabling advertisers to deliver their messages across the huge and growing audience playing engaging, virally distributed Flash games. Partnering with a network of independent game developers, consumers are shown pre-game and inter-level ads during natural breaks in game play.
How It Works:
MochiAds.com lets you set up pre game and inter level advertisements. These game ads end up being distributed across blogs, social networks, and sites. There are more than 237 million people who frequent gaming sites so MochiAds.com is tapping into a large audience. The MochiAds dashboard lets you track your games success. There are graphs that show you your games performance level along with traffic statistics. Setting up games is easy. Give a description of your game so it can be pared with an appropriate ad. Choice whether you want a pre or inter level ad, then paste a line of code to your game. You can choose whether you prefer social network ads or custom ads for your game. MochiAds.com helps distribute your game to their growing number of partners.
More at:http://www.mochiads.com/
Saturday, November 3, 2007
PicksPal.com has raised another $3 million from Bay Partners and Canaan Partners
What Company is Offering:
PicksPal.com has created a virtual gathering place for sports fans to prove who really knows their American sports.
PicksPal.com is a free, national competition for sports fans to compete daily in a pick'em game, earning points by correctly predicting sports outcomes. PicksPal then displays the picks of the best of the best in its own "Genius Picks" service. In a way, like an "American Idol" for sports fans.Each member's success is tracked to determine the members with the greatest sports IQs. PicksPal honors the best with a Wall of Fame designations and prizes.
How Much They Got From VCs:
Silicon Valley sports fan website PicksPal, has raised another $3 million from previous investors Bay Partners and Canaan Partners.
Who is Behind This Site:
Tom Jessiman, CEO
Tom Jessiman previously helped lead two of the most renowned online sports companies, CBS SportsLine.com and a larger sports portal in Europe. Under his operational direction, CBS SportsLine’s traditional fantasy sports and premium information services became the most popular on the Internet while the European sports portal, which he founded, became Europe’s leading online sports and entertainment portal, with 15 million monthly unique users and revenues of $4 million per month. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Doug Knepper, VP Sales
Doug Knepper has nearly two decades of experience in the sales and marketing field. His expertise lies in online ad sales and business development and he has been successful in turnaround and developmental roles throughout his career. He has sold integrated marketing programs to Worldwide brands such as Coca Cola, General Motors, Pfizer and General Electric. Prior to PicksPal, Knepper has held executive roles at Pulse 360, formerly Kanoodle.com, Publishers Clearing House, iVillage and Intuit Corporation. He graduated from New York University with a BS in Economics.
Tony Karpinski, Director, Odds
Tony Karpinski creates the exclusive lines, odds, and proposition picks at PicksPal.com. He finished 8th out of 505 handicappers in the exclusive Las Vegas Hilton 2005-2006 NFL Super Book Contest, by selecting the highest number of correct picks in football. With 15 years experience providing premium sports information, he is a sought-after sports expert and frequent guest on sports talk radio shows throughout the country.
Hugh Jessiman, Director, Premium Services
Hugh Jessiman is in charge of Premium Services at PicksPal.com. He has extensive experience in the sales and marketing of cable and pay television and interactive services.
Tom Dittmann, Director, Programming
Tom Dittmann is responsible for ongoing development of PicksPal.com. Previously, he was the national sports producer and lead editor/producer at the last three Olympics for Knight Ridder Digital. Additional interactive sports media positions held, include: play-by-play announcer and color analyst for the Interactive Network, producer for cbs.sportsline.com, content manager for AOL Productions, producer for VegasInsider.com and managing sports editor for Excite.com. He is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara.
Joe Green, Director, Content and Programming
Joe Green joined PicksPal.com in 2006 and leads the entertainment division. Joe has more than 12 years of content management, writing, editing, product development, and marketing experience from leading media and Internet companies including Yahoo!, Internet Shopping Network, and Autodesk
More at:http://www.pickspal.com/
PicksPal.com has created a virtual gathering place for sports fans to prove who really knows their American sports.
PicksPal.com is a free, national competition for sports fans to compete daily in a pick'em game, earning points by correctly predicting sports outcomes. PicksPal then displays the picks of the best of the best in its own "Genius Picks" service. In a way, like an "American Idol" for sports fans.Each member's success is tracked to determine the members with the greatest sports IQs. PicksPal honors the best with a Wall of Fame designations and prizes.
How Much They Got From VCs:
Silicon Valley sports fan website PicksPal, has raised another $3 million from previous investors Bay Partners and Canaan Partners.
Who is Behind This Site:
Tom Jessiman, CEO
Tom Jessiman previously helped lead two of the most renowned online sports companies, CBS SportsLine.com and a larger sports portal in Europe. Under his operational direction, CBS SportsLine’s traditional fantasy sports and premium information services became the most popular on the Internet while the European sports portal, which he founded, became Europe’s leading online sports and entertainment portal, with 15 million monthly unique users and revenues of $4 million per month. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Doug Knepper, VP Sales
Doug Knepper has nearly two decades of experience in the sales and marketing field. His expertise lies in online ad sales and business development and he has been successful in turnaround and developmental roles throughout his career. He has sold integrated marketing programs to Worldwide brands such as Coca Cola, General Motors, Pfizer and General Electric. Prior to PicksPal, Knepper has held executive roles at Pulse 360, formerly Kanoodle.com, Publishers Clearing House, iVillage and Intuit Corporation. He graduated from New York University with a BS in Economics.
Tony Karpinski, Director, Odds
Tony Karpinski creates the exclusive lines, odds, and proposition picks at PicksPal.com. He finished 8th out of 505 handicappers in the exclusive Las Vegas Hilton 2005-2006 NFL Super Book Contest, by selecting the highest number of correct picks in football. With 15 years experience providing premium sports information, he is a sought-after sports expert and frequent guest on sports talk radio shows throughout the country.
Hugh Jessiman, Director, Premium Services
Hugh Jessiman is in charge of Premium Services at PicksPal.com. He has extensive experience in the sales and marketing of cable and pay television and interactive services.
Tom Dittmann, Director, Programming
Tom Dittmann is responsible for ongoing development of PicksPal.com. Previously, he was the national sports producer and lead editor/producer at the last three Olympics for Knight Ridder Digital. Additional interactive sports media positions held, include: play-by-play announcer and color analyst for the Interactive Network, producer for cbs.sportsline.com, content manager for AOL Productions, producer for VegasInsider.com and managing sports editor for Excite.com. He is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara.
Joe Green, Director, Content and Programming
Joe Green joined PicksPal.com in 2006 and leads the entertainment division. Joe has more than 12 years of content management, writing, editing, product development, and marketing experience from leading media and Internet companies including Yahoo!, Internet Shopping Network, and Autodesk
More at:http://www.pickspal.com/
InstyMeds---Vending Mchine To Make Getting Medications Easy
What Company Is Offering:
InstyMeds, a US startup, has devised a novel way to make getting medications easy. The company’s vending machines are designed to be placed in doctors’ offices, clinics, emergency rooms and other healthcare facilities. Each holds 100 of some of the most often used medications that can range from pills to drops to creams and so forth.
How It Works:
InstyMeds machines require that physicians create prescriptions electronically, which are then transmitted to the vending location. (Alternately, patients can take printed prescriptions to their regular pharmacists.) The machines include several safeguards to insure patients receive the proper medications their doctors ordered. From the patients’ point of view, however, the ordering process is relatively simple. They enter their prescription number and birthday via a user-friendly touchscreen monitor, then insert either cash or credit cards to cover co-pays, while their insurance companies are billed automatically.
Besides saving time for patients, InstyMeds machines also save pharmacists the slow and potentially error-prone process of counting out medications by hand. Indeed, relieving pharmacists from such routine tasks could turn out to be the machine’s major benefit. With pharmacist salaries in the United States climbing over USD 100,000, the time savings can mean significant cash savings. The vending machines, which are accessible 24/7, likewise could help alleviate a growing shortage of pharmacists. Moreover, InstyMed’s founders note that by handling routine prescriptions the vending machines let pharmacists focus on more important tasks such as counselling patients.
InstyMeds illustrates how entrepreneurs can devise niche products that handily meet customer needs while potentially chipping away at ever-growing healthcare costs.
More at: www.instymeds.com
InstyMeds, a US startup, has devised a novel way to make getting medications easy. The company’s vending machines are designed to be placed in doctors’ offices, clinics, emergency rooms and other healthcare facilities. Each holds 100 of some of the most often used medications that can range from pills to drops to creams and so forth.
How It Works:
InstyMeds machines require that physicians create prescriptions electronically, which are then transmitted to the vending location. (Alternately, patients can take printed prescriptions to their regular pharmacists.) The machines include several safeguards to insure patients receive the proper medications their doctors ordered. From the patients’ point of view, however, the ordering process is relatively simple. They enter their prescription number and birthday via a user-friendly touchscreen monitor, then insert either cash or credit cards to cover co-pays, while their insurance companies are billed automatically.
Besides saving time for patients, InstyMeds machines also save pharmacists the slow and potentially error-prone process of counting out medications by hand. Indeed, relieving pharmacists from such routine tasks could turn out to be the machine’s major benefit. With pharmacist salaries in the United States climbing over USD 100,000, the time savings can mean significant cash savings. The vending machines, which are accessible 24/7, likewise could help alleviate a growing shortage of pharmacists. Moreover, InstyMed’s founders note that by handling routine prescriptions the vending machines let pharmacists focus on more important tasks such as counselling patients.
InstyMeds illustrates how entrepreneurs can devise niche products that handily meet customer needs while potentially chipping away at ever-growing healthcare costs.
More at: www.instymeds.com
AskSunday----Your Virtual Personal Assistance For Everything
What Company is Offering:
Sunday, a request-based service that offers 24/7 personal assistance by internet or phone.
New York-based Sunday lets busy people in the US, Canada and the UK delegate chores as they arise, with monthly fees starting at just USD 29 and no cost to join.
How It Works:
The site's agents are available 24/7 by email or phone, ready to make outbound calls, arrange travel plans, set dinner reservations, enable remote access to numerous websites and take action in emergency situations—virtually anything that can be handled remotely. The proprietary Sunday Portal facilitates interactions between members and agents by saving member information such as contacts and encrypted login details to leading websites such as Yahoo, Google, Seamlessweb, Zipcar and Fandango, to name just a few. Messenger and errand services are also available in New York City.
How Much They Cost:
Sunday's Silver membership plan, priced at USD 29 monthly, includes 30 requests per month, with a charge of USD 2 for each request beyond that. The Gold plan is USD 49 for 50 requests per month, and USD 1.50 for each thereafter; it also gives members the ability to have Sunday make international calls on their behalf. It should come as no surprise that Sunday’s low prices are made possible by outsourcing most of the work to agents in India.
More at: www.asksunday.com
Sunday, a request-based service that offers 24/7 personal assistance by internet or phone.
New York-based Sunday lets busy people in the US, Canada and the UK delegate chores as they arise, with monthly fees starting at just USD 29 and no cost to join.
How It Works:
The site's agents are available 24/7 by email or phone, ready to make outbound calls, arrange travel plans, set dinner reservations, enable remote access to numerous websites and take action in emergency situations—virtually anything that can be handled remotely. The proprietary Sunday Portal facilitates interactions between members and agents by saving member information such as contacts and encrypted login details to leading websites such as Yahoo, Google, Seamlessweb, Zipcar and Fandango, to name just a few. Messenger and errand services are also available in New York City.
How Much They Cost:
Sunday's Silver membership plan, priced at USD 29 monthly, includes 30 requests per month, with a charge of USD 2 for each request beyond that. The Gold plan is USD 49 for 50 requests per month, and USD 1.50 for each thereafter; it also gives members the ability to have Sunday make international calls on their behalf. It should come as no surprise that Sunday’s low prices are made possible by outsourcing most of the work to agents in India.
More at: www.asksunday.com
Loanables----Neighbor To Neighbor Borrowing Network
What Company Is Offering:
The Loanables community brings together people who have worthwhile items to loan out and people who want to borrow them.It's free.
How It Works:
Let's look at an example. Todd has stuff that he hardly ever uses (sound familiar?) Like that pressure washer that he uses once a year, or that camping gear that he hasn't used since 1980. Most of the time, this stuff just sits in his garage or a closet, gathering dust.
On the flip side, there is Jen, who really needs a pressure washer, but doesn't want the expense and hassle of owning one herself. She also realizes that Mother Earth would really like us to consume less stuff.
That's where we come in, and it works like this:
Todd creates an account on loanables.com and posts his items to be borrowed. He gets to decide things like how much to charge and whether or not he requires a security deposit.
Jen searches on loanables.com for a pressure washer and sees that Todd is willing to loan his out, for a small fee. It is cheaper than the big home improvement store down the road is charging, and she can keep it for the whole weekend, not just 4 hours.
Jen chooses her desired pickup & return times and requests to borrow the item online.
Todd receives the Borrow Request by email, and accepts it by clicking a link in the email. (He could also decline it, if he wanted to.) Jen and Todd both agree to a standard loan agreement that is between the two parties. (Loanables provides the agreement, but is not actually part of the borrowing transaction. We simply introduce the two parties and help with the logistics.)
Jen picks up the pressure washer from Todd at the scheduled time. They discover that they actually live in the same part of town, and chat about the neighborhood. Jen pays Todd directly (by cash, check, or PayPal) when she picks up the washer.
When Jen is done using the pressure washer, she returns it to Todd, ready for its next adventure.
Todd puts his cash into his piggy bank, excited about his new source of income.
What happens if a Borrower damages or loses an item?
When you post your item on Loanables, you can choose to require a security deposit in case something happens to your item. The Loaner gets to decide how much to hold as the deposit (or can choose not to require one at all).
Of course, they encourage Loaners and Borrowers to discuss any potential damage themselves before resorting to the security deposit. Often they can work out an arrangement that is fair to both parties. After all, we're all neighbors.
more at:http://www.loanables.com/home/
The Loanables community brings together people who have worthwhile items to loan out and people who want to borrow them.It's free.
How It Works:
Let's look at an example. Todd has stuff that he hardly ever uses (sound familiar?) Like that pressure washer that he uses once a year, or that camping gear that he hasn't used since 1980. Most of the time, this stuff just sits in his garage or a closet, gathering dust.
On the flip side, there is Jen, who really needs a pressure washer, but doesn't want the expense and hassle of owning one herself. She also realizes that Mother Earth would really like us to consume less stuff.
That's where we come in, and it works like this:
Todd creates an account on loanables.com and posts his items to be borrowed. He gets to decide things like how much to charge and whether or not he requires a security deposit.
Jen searches on loanables.com for a pressure washer and sees that Todd is willing to loan his out, for a small fee. It is cheaper than the big home improvement store down the road is charging, and she can keep it for the whole weekend, not just 4 hours.
Jen chooses her desired pickup & return times and requests to borrow the item online.
Todd receives the Borrow Request by email, and accepts it by clicking a link in the email. (He could also decline it, if he wanted to.) Jen and Todd both agree to a standard loan agreement that is between the two parties. (Loanables provides the agreement, but is not actually part of the borrowing transaction. We simply introduce the two parties and help with the logistics.)
Jen picks up the pressure washer from Todd at the scheduled time. They discover that they actually live in the same part of town, and chat about the neighborhood. Jen pays Todd directly (by cash, check, or PayPal) when she picks up the washer.
When Jen is done using the pressure washer, she returns it to Todd, ready for its next adventure.
Todd puts his cash into his piggy bank, excited about his new source of income.
What happens if a Borrower damages or loses an item?
When you post your item on Loanables, you can choose to require a security deposit in case something happens to your item. The Loaner gets to decide how much to hold as the deposit (or can choose not to require one at all).
Of course, they encourage Loaners and Borrowers to discuss any potential damage themselves before resorting to the security deposit. Often they can work out an arrangement that is fair to both parties. After all, we're all neighbors.
more at:http://www.loanables.com/home/
AgentB----Discover a new way to find coupons
What Company Is Offering:
AgentB is a free shopping community where members vote on their favorite deals to move them up the homepage. What does that mean to you? Well, it's a place for you to find and share great deals from across the Internet and save tons of moola. You'll discover new deals that people are taking advantage of and share them with your friends.
How It Works:
The busy bees of the AgentB community search the web every day and post their favorite deals. Members of the community vote, comment, and rate their favorite deals.
More at:http://www.agentb.com/general/
AgentB is a free shopping community where members vote on their favorite deals to move them up the homepage. What does that mean to you? Well, it's a place for you to find and share great deals from across the Internet and save tons of moola. You'll discover new deals that people are taking advantage of and share them with your friends.
How It Works:
The busy bees of the AgentB community search the web every day and post their favorite deals. Members of the community vote, comment, and rate their favorite deals.
More at:http://www.agentb.com/general/
MyShoppingPal.com----Find What's Right Shop For You
What Company is Offering:
MyShoppingPal.com, helps you find what is right for you by combining expert knowledge with user preferences from all online stores, including your favorite ones. The website has access to products from all premium stores and brands for five important product categories: clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry & watches, and health & beauty.
How It Works:
When you shop for clothes or shoes, MyShoppingPal.com gives you the feeling that you have the celebrity stylist to help find what looks on you. When you shop for jewelry , you have gemologists to guide you on the quality and price of the jewelry. When you shop beauty products, you have cosmetologists to analyze the colors and ingredients to find items that will look good on you and suit your skin, hair, etc.
Its Unique Features:
The heart of MyShoppingPal.com's technology is its patent pending intelligent shopping engine that calculates your personal score for every product. The personal score takes into consideration the attractiveness of products for you, your personal style and preferences, fashion and technology trends, and product reviews. They call this personalized score, a FAP (Fashion, Attractiveness, and Preferences) score. Their shopping engine automatically sifts through millions of the products and their reviews looking for products which have high FAP score for you. Their FAP scoring system figures out the attractiveness of a product for you using expert knowledge about a product category and customer ratings. We have consulted well known experts in various fields to incorporate their knowledge and expertise in the rating system. We have bots that crawl the Internet to figure out the overall customer perception for products. We have also taken advanatge of our partnership with Amazon.com and Shopping.com to incorporate their customer review data into the overall customer ratings for products.
In addition to its unique technology that helps user find what is right for them, MyShoppingPal.com also has a unique and very attractive reward program only for beta users. With the help of their technology you can buy from your favorite store and still save some money. They have partnered with all the premium merchants to bring the largest selection of the products to you.
More at:http://www.myshoppingpal.com/
MyShoppingPal.com, helps you find what is right for you by combining expert knowledge with user preferences from all online stores, including your favorite ones. The website has access to products from all premium stores and brands for five important product categories: clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry & watches, and health & beauty.
How It Works:
When you shop for clothes or shoes, MyShoppingPal.com gives you the feeling that you have the celebrity stylist to help find what looks on you. When you shop for jewelry , you have gemologists to guide you on the quality and price of the jewelry. When you shop beauty products, you have cosmetologists to analyze the colors and ingredients to find items that will look good on you and suit your skin, hair, etc.
Its Unique Features:
The heart of MyShoppingPal.com's technology is its patent pending intelligent shopping engine that calculates your personal score for every product. The personal score takes into consideration the attractiveness of products for you, your personal style and preferences, fashion and technology trends, and product reviews. They call this personalized score, a FAP (Fashion, Attractiveness, and Preferences) score. Their shopping engine automatically sifts through millions of the products and their reviews looking for products which have high FAP score for you. Their FAP scoring system figures out the attractiveness of a product for you using expert knowledge about a product category and customer ratings. We have consulted well known experts in various fields to incorporate their knowledge and expertise in the rating system. We have bots that crawl the Internet to figure out the overall customer perception for products. We have also taken advanatge of our partnership with Amazon.com and Shopping.com to incorporate their customer review data into the overall customer ratings for products.
In addition to its unique technology that helps user find what is right for them, MyShoppingPal.com also has a unique and very attractive reward program only for beta users. With the help of their technology you can buy from your favorite store and still save some money. They have partnered with all the premium merchants to bring the largest selection of the products to you.
More at:http://www.myshoppingpal.com/
PickPackGo--Find, compare and book vacation rental homes, villas, condos
what Company is Offering:
They created a specialized vacation rental search site that makes it fast and easy for travelers to find the ideal vacation rental for their dates of travel and conveniently and securely book their rental. Our mission is to expedite and simplify the process of finding, comparing and renting vacation homes.
How It Works:
PickPackGo aggressively acquires renter traffic through targeted marketing programs and popular search engines, including Google and Yahoo!. Travelers visiting their site get the smartest vacation rental search results for location, travel dates and the property requirements they specify. By matching traveler preferences and travel dates with availability, PickPackGo delivers the most qualified inquiries to property managers and owners in the industry.
Property managers and individual owners may post as many detailed property listings as they like at PickPackGo for FREE. There are absolutely no set-up or annual listing fees—ever.
Why Is It Different:
Unlike a classified listing site, we invite owners and property managers to list as many properties as they like for free. Then, we work hard on their behalf to showcase their properties and deliver highly qualified inquiries and bookings that ultimately lead to increased rental income. It's a performance-driven model that really works.
More at :http://www.pickpackgo.com/
They created a specialized vacation rental search site that makes it fast and easy for travelers to find the ideal vacation rental for their dates of travel and conveniently and securely book their rental. Our mission is to expedite and simplify the process of finding, comparing and renting vacation homes.
How It Works:
PickPackGo aggressively acquires renter traffic through targeted marketing programs and popular search engines, including Google and Yahoo!. Travelers visiting their site get the smartest vacation rental search results for location, travel dates and the property requirements they specify. By matching traveler preferences and travel dates with availability, PickPackGo delivers the most qualified inquiries to property managers and owners in the industry.
Property managers and individual owners may post as many detailed property listings as they like at PickPackGo for FREE. There are absolutely no set-up or annual listing fees—ever.
Why Is It Different:
Unlike a classified listing site, we invite owners and property managers to list as many properties as they like for free. Then, we work hard on their behalf to showcase their properties and deliver highly qualified inquiries and bookings that ultimately lead to increased rental income. It's a performance-driven model that really works.
More at :http://www.pickpackgo.com/
Friday, November 2, 2007
Worktopia-Direct Online Booking Engine-Got $5 Million in Series A Funding Led by DFJ Gotham Ventures
What Company is offering:
Worktopia, the first direct online booking engine for meeting space in hotels, airport lounges and other venues.Worktopia enables companies to procure meeting space and office space when they want it, where they want it... On Demand.
How It Works:
At worktopia.com, visitors can search based on their specific requirements, compare live pricing proposals, and even book the workspace from our live database of availability...24/7. Our Service provides the tools you need, to save time and money while enhancing your options and increasing your team's productivity.Worktopia is the first and only global reservation system for short term workspace, including meeting and training rooms as well as instant office space. A perfect procurement service for a distributed workforce. Our supply partners include over 1,800 hotels, conference centers, business centers and traditional office properties around the world.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that it has completed a $5 million financing from a syndicate led by New York-based DFJ Gotham Ventures and including Milestone Venture Partners and High Peaks Venture Partners.
What's The Purpose Of Raising Fund:
Worktopia will deploy the additional capital to drive expansion of its network of hotel partners, to build on its foundation of corporate travel distribution relationships and to extend its leadership position. Worktopia is the first service to allow meeting planners to search, compare and book meeting space, equipment and simple catering online in real-time, a $24 billion market that has until now been conducted over the telephone.
More at:http://www.worktopia.com/
Worktopia, the first direct online booking engine for meeting space in hotels, airport lounges and other venues.Worktopia enables companies to procure meeting space and office space when they want it, where they want it... On Demand.
How It Works:
At worktopia.com, visitors can search based on their specific requirements, compare live pricing proposals, and even book the workspace from our live database of availability...24/7. Our Service provides the tools you need, to save time and money while enhancing your options and increasing your team's productivity.Worktopia is the first and only global reservation system for short term workspace, including meeting and training rooms as well as instant office space. A perfect procurement service for a distributed workforce. Our supply partners include over 1,800 hotels, conference centers, business centers and traditional office properties around the world.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that it has completed a $5 million financing from a syndicate led by New York-based DFJ Gotham Ventures and including Milestone Venture Partners and High Peaks Venture Partners.
What's The Purpose Of Raising Fund:
Worktopia will deploy the additional capital to drive expansion of its network of hotel partners, to build on its foundation of corporate travel distribution relationships and to extend its leadership position. Worktopia is the first service to allow meeting planners to search, compare and book meeting space, equipment and simple catering online in real-time, a $24 billion market that has until now been conducted over the telephone.
More at:http://www.worktopia.com/
Fortumo-For Set Up Of Your Own Sms Business
What Company Is Offering:
Fortumo’s goal is to make creating mobile services as easy as it is to create a blog or a home page. Anyone, from students and home-based workers to web entrepreneurs, can create their own SMS service in 5 minutes and start earning revenue. Moreover, Fortumo services have a number of advanced features and competitive revenue sharing, which makes it a good choice for large-volume mobile services.
How It Works:
At the moment, one user can create up to 30 services. If you need to create more than 30 services, please let them know (support@fortumo.com) and they will find a way how you individually can create additional services.Creating Fortumo services is free of charge and will remain so.You can also delete services on the service settings edit page. History of all deleted services is preserved, so you can always analyse the results of your services and view history.
Where They Are Working:
At the moment, the services function in the following countries: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. They are planning to add new countries on a regular basis. SMS services created by Fortumo users function for the customers of all mobile operators of the above listed countries.
More at:http://www.fortumo.com/
Fortumo’s goal is to make creating mobile services as easy as it is to create a blog or a home page. Anyone, from students and home-based workers to web entrepreneurs, can create their own SMS service in 5 minutes and start earning revenue. Moreover, Fortumo services have a number of advanced features and competitive revenue sharing, which makes it a good choice for large-volume mobile services.
How It Works:
At the moment, one user can create up to 30 services. If you need to create more than 30 services, please let them know (support@fortumo.com) and they will find a way how you individually can create additional services.Creating Fortumo services is free of charge and will remain so.You can also delete services on the service settings edit page. History of all deleted services is preserved, so you can always analyse the results of your services and view history.
Where They Are Working:
At the moment, the services function in the following countries: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. They are planning to add new countries on a regular basis. SMS services created by Fortumo users function for the customers of all mobile operators of the above listed countries.
More at:http://www.fortumo.com/
Complete Targeting Solutions -Specific Media is the only ad network to offer a complete suite of targeting capabilities on one platform.
What Company Is Offering:
Specific Media provides advertisers, marketers and agencies with leading-edge targeting technologies that enable them to reach specific target audiences on the Web.Specific Media offers a suite of services that enable advertisers to reach specific audiences online.
How It Works:
The company develops, targets and places online advertising campaigns that reach advertisers' desired audience segments, while driving advertising revenue for web publishers. The result is a win-win business model that benefits advertisers as well as web publishers. Specific Media delivers these services through its premium and performance ad networks.
Who is Behind The Company:
1.Tim Vanderhook
Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tim Vanderhook co-founded Specific Media in July 1999 when he recognized a need in the industry for an ad network that offered premium-site publishers and delivered efficient ROI results for advertisers.
Tim was largely responsible for creating the pop-under ad unit in 2001, when the dot com fallout began. Web publishers needed a new source of revenue to continue operating their companies and advertisers lost sight of the value traditional banners offered.Since 2002, he has developed one of the most advanced ad serving platforms in the industry, which gives advertisers the unique ability to serve ads to users based on demographic, behavioral, contextual and geographic data across the web's most popular brand publishers. Today, Specific Media's Premium Network boasts the biggest roster of brand publishers on the web with brand names such as Yahoo, Marketwatch, ABCNews, FOX Sports, MLB.com and virtually every other major media company.
2.Chris Vanderhook
Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer
Before assuming his current title, Chris served as the company's Senior Vice President, overseeing day-to-day operations including all aspects of sales, media buying and ad operations.
Prior to joining Specific Media, Chris was a Personal Banker specializing in small business financing at Bank of America. He became a top-ranked associate regionally and nationally for his outstanding achievement in the procurement of new business finance clientele.
For more at:http://www.specificmedia.com/about-us-our-team.php
Website:http://www.specificmedia.com/
Specific Media provides advertisers, marketers and agencies with leading-edge targeting technologies that enable them to reach specific target audiences on the Web.Specific Media offers a suite of services that enable advertisers to reach specific audiences online.
How It Works:
The company develops, targets and places online advertising campaigns that reach advertisers' desired audience segments, while driving advertising revenue for web publishers. The result is a win-win business model that benefits advertisers as well as web publishers. Specific Media delivers these services through its premium and performance ad networks.
Who is Behind The Company:
1.Tim Vanderhook
Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tim Vanderhook co-founded Specific Media in July 1999 when he recognized a need in the industry for an ad network that offered premium-site publishers and delivered efficient ROI results for advertisers.
Tim was largely responsible for creating the pop-under ad unit in 2001, when the dot com fallout began. Web publishers needed a new source of revenue to continue operating their companies and advertisers lost sight of the value traditional banners offered.Since 2002, he has developed one of the most advanced ad serving platforms in the industry, which gives advertisers the unique ability to serve ads to users based on demographic, behavioral, contextual and geographic data across the web's most popular brand publishers. Today, Specific Media's Premium Network boasts the biggest roster of brand publishers on the web with brand names such as Yahoo, Marketwatch, ABCNews, FOX Sports, MLB.com and virtually every other major media company.
2.Chris Vanderhook
Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer
Before assuming his current title, Chris served as the company's Senior Vice President, overseeing day-to-day operations including all aspects of sales, media buying and ad operations.
Prior to joining Specific Media, Chris was a Personal Banker specializing in small business financing at Bank of America. He became a top-ranked associate regionally and nationally for his outstanding achievement in the procurement of new business finance clientele.
For more at:http://www.specificmedia.com/about-us-our-team.php
Website:http://www.specificmedia.com/
DISCUS– Virtual Library
What Company is Offering:
DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library is the “information place” for all South Carolinians. DISCUS – which stands for Digital Information for South Carolina USers – provides free access to an electronic library that’s available 24/7.
How It Works:
DISCUS provides a variety of organized resources, called databases, for individuals of all ages, educational levels and interests. The databases include:
magazine, professional journals, newspapers, encyclopedias ,e-books, reference material,student and teacher resources ,maps, pictures, recommended Web links and much more.
How Is It Different From Google:
DISCUS resources use the Internet merely as a delivery tool to provide accurate information from recognized publishers. The DISCUS databases include high-quality publications and documents that are updated regularly and organized so you can quickly find the information you need. Google and other Internet search engines are designed to search the open Web.
More at:http://www.scdiscus.org/
DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library is the “information place” for all South Carolinians. DISCUS – which stands for Digital Information for South Carolina USers – provides free access to an electronic library that’s available 24/7.
How It Works:
DISCUS provides a variety of organized resources, called databases, for individuals of all ages, educational levels and interests. The databases include:
magazine, professional journals, newspapers, encyclopedias ,e-books, reference material,student and teacher resources ,maps, pictures, recommended Web links and much more.
How Is It Different From Google:
DISCUS resources use the Internet merely as a delivery tool to provide accurate information from recognized publishers. The DISCUS databases include high-quality publications and documents that are updated regularly and organized so you can quickly find the information you need. Google and other Internet search engines are designed to search the open Web.
More at:http://www.scdiscus.org/
Sharedreviews announced funding by Frank Schilling and Monster Venture Partners
What Company Is Offering:
Sharedreviews was born to solve the frustration of content creators in their attempts to monetize their contributions by marrying their efforts with a growing demand for targeted user generated content.
With established third party distribution partners looking to increase value within their advertising networks, SharedReviews is in a unique position to bridge the gap between market demand and content creators in an open, honest, transparency.
How Much They Got FRom VCs:
SharedReviews announced today the closing of a first round investment. The funding round was done by Frank Schilling and Monster Venture Partners. Also participating in the current round of financing is Internet Real Estate Group, a leading developer of premium Internet domain names.
Rob Monster, Managing Director of Monster Venture Partners, said, “The boundary between producers and consumers of digital content is blurring as user-generated content is playing an ever increasing role in influencing attitudes and behaviors of online consumers.
Frank Schilling, founder of Name Administration, is known to many as the world’s most successful domain portfolio manager with a portfolio of hundreds of thousands of high quality generic internet domains. Frank is also viewed as an authority on domain industry trends and is a frequent speaker on topics related to domain monetization.
Internet Real Estate Group rounded out the financing and also brings a network of Internet domains as well as deep knowledge of the Internet domain landscape.
Who Is Behind This Site:
1.Peter brings 13 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience focused solely on technology and the Internet. Having founded multiple startups, he fits the classic definition of a "Serial" Entrepreneur.
His professional experience includes working as the President and Founder of 1001Canada.com, Channel Sales Manager for Tucows.com Inc., Regional Sales Manager for WWWI, Management and Operational Consultant for GoBIGmedia.com, and Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Tele-Global Direct Corp.
2.Frank is an Internet specialist who brings over 12 years of Business & Technology expertise in the Internet vertical, with many accomplishments building and consulting for Web Development projects since 1995.
His professional experience includes President and Founder of Degap Ltd., President and Founder of Cyberteam.com, Senior Sales Engineer at Tucows.com Inc., and publisher of the renowned DomainEditorial.com.
3.Michael started his career in Web development in early 1998 where he quickly began teaching his approach in Web design to college students enrolled in Multimedia.
Speaking more specifically to Community Development, Michael has created, managed and subsequently leveraged niche communities since 2000, where the largest generates approximately 110 million hits per year with an average of 25,000 unique users.
More at:http://www.sharedreviews.com/
Sharedreviews was born to solve the frustration of content creators in their attempts to monetize their contributions by marrying their efforts with a growing demand for targeted user generated content.
With established third party distribution partners looking to increase value within their advertising networks, SharedReviews is in a unique position to bridge the gap between market demand and content creators in an open, honest, transparency.
How Much They Got FRom VCs:
SharedReviews announced today the closing of a first round investment. The funding round was done by Frank Schilling and Monster Venture Partners. Also participating in the current round of financing is Internet Real Estate Group, a leading developer of premium Internet domain names.
Rob Monster, Managing Director of Monster Venture Partners, said, “The boundary between producers and consumers of digital content is blurring as user-generated content is playing an ever increasing role in influencing attitudes and behaviors of online consumers.
Frank Schilling, founder of Name Administration, is known to many as the world’s most successful domain portfolio manager with a portfolio of hundreds of thousands of high quality generic internet domains. Frank is also viewed as an authority on domain industry trends and is a frequent speaker on topics related to domain monetization.
Internet Real Estate Group rounded out the financing and also brings a network of Internet domains as well as deep knowledge of the Internet domain landscape.
Who Is Behind This Site:
1.Peter brings 13 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience focused solely on technology and the Internet. Having founded multiple startups, he fits the classic definition of a "Serial" Entrepreneur.
His professional experience includes working as the President and Founder of 1001Canada.com, Channel Sales Manager for Tucows.com Inc., Regional Sales Manager for WWWI, Management and Operational Consultant for GoBIGmedia.com, and Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Tele-Global Direct Corp.
2.Frank is an Internet specialist who brings over 12 years of Business & Technology expertise in the Internet vertical, with many accomplishments building and consulting for Web Development projects since 1995.
His professional experience includes President and Founder of Degap Ltd., President and Founder of Cyberteam.com, Senior Sales Engineer at Tucows.com Inc., and publisher of the renowned DomainEditorial.com.
3.Michael started his career in Web development in early 1998 where he quickly began teaching his approach in Web design to college students enrolled in Multimedia.
Speaking more specifically to Community Development, Michael has created, managed and subsequently leveraged niche communities since 2000, where the largest generates approximately 110 million hits per year with an average of 25,000 unique users.
More at:http://www.sharedreviews.com/
movingmonkey.co.uk is A one stop shop for individuals wanting to obtain quotations from removal companies free of charge to customers
What company Is offering:
movingmonkey.co.uk is not a removal company, but is a free to client moving brokerage service that can be used by anyone who wants to move within the UK, Europe, or even to another continent. We do not undertake any removals ourselves, but match customers with contractors suited and available to undertake your move.
How It Works;
It will allow you to book your move with the confidence that you know you are getting the best possible price, whether you are moving down the road or around the world. A one stop shop for individuals wanting to obtain quotations from removal companies free of charge to customers. Clients enter details of the address they are moving from, and to, select items of furniture to be moved, and the information is submitted to removal companies who bid on the work. The client selects the contractor to work with, and moves house.Once you have submitted your details to movingmonkey.co.uk, we will automatically request local & national moving contractors who are skilled to undertake the work required, to submit a competitive price to you, so you can then pick the company and price that best suits your requirements and then deal with the selected company directly.
More at;http://movingmonkey.co.uk/
movingmonkey.co.uk is not a removal company, but is a free to client moving brokerage service that can be used by anyone who wants to move within the UK, Europe, or even to another continent. We do not undertake any removals ourselves, but match customers with contractors suited and available to undertake your move.
How It Works;
It will allow you to book your move with the confidence that you know you are getting the best possible price, whether you are moving down the road or around the world. A one stop shop for individuals wanting to obtain quotations from removal companies free of charge to customers. Clients enter details of the address they are moving from, and to, select items of furniture to be moved, and the information is submitted to removal companies who bid on the work. The client selects the contractor to work with, and moves house.Once you have submitted your details to movingmonkey.co.uk, we will automatically request local & national moving contractors who are skilled to undertake the work required, to submit a competitive price to you, so you can then pick the company and price that best suits your requirements and then deal with the selected company directly.
More at;http://movingmonkey.co.uk/
Gaia, the popular anime virtual world, has added a new feature that lets you bring online videos into your Gaia world
What company is offering:
Gaia, the popular anime virtual world, has added a new feature that lets you bring online videos into your Gaia world. The new tool is called Gaia VJ, and it lets you collect web videos to create your own channel of streaming content. This acts in a similar manner to online video aggregators that were oh so popular this year.
How It Works:
Gaia VJ is pulling content from the major video-sharing networks, including YouTube, Metacafe, EyeSpot, iFilm and Break. It’s own collection system has a bit of networking itself: you can find content by checking out playlists that other users have already created. Built on Adobe Flex, it’s pretty easy to make playlists.
You can search by video-sharing network, or keyword. A preview of the clip will play to the right, and just drag the clips you’d like in your playlist to the bottom of the screen. Once you’ve created your playlist, there’s an option to view it directly in a private cinema.
What’s fun about Gaia’s implementation of its VJ video aggregation feature is that it exists within the virtual world of Gaia. So once you’ve got your channel of video content, you can play it in your own, virtual private cinema. From there you can invite friends to join you, and then chat it up with each other for real-time commentary while the videos play on. And for those of you that have always wanted to throw tomatoes or popcorn at the screen when something really sucks, now you can, with Gaia VJ.
more at:http://www.gaiaonline.com/
Gaia, the popular anime virtual world, has added a new feature that lets you bring online videos into your Gaia world. The new tool is called Gaia VJ, and it lets you collect web videos to create your own channel of streaming content. This acts in a similar manner to online video aggregators that were oh so popular this year.
How It Works:
Gaia VJ is pulling content from the major video-sharing networks, including YouTube, Metacafe, EyeSpot, iFilm and Break. It’s own collection system has a bit of networking itself: you can find content by checking out playlists that other users have already created. Built on Adobe Flex, it’s pretty easy to make playlists.
You can search by video-sharing network, or keyword. A preview of the clip will play to the right, and just drag the clips you’d like in your playlist to the bottom of the screen. Once you’ve created your playlist, there’s an option to view it directly in a private cinema.
What’s fun about Gaia’s implementation of its VJ video aggregation feature is that it exists within the virtual world of Gaia. So once you’ve got your channel of video content, you can play it in your own, virtual private cinema. From there you can invite friends to join you, and then chat it up with each other for real-time commentary while the videos play on. And for those of you that have always wanted to throw tomatoes or popcorn at the screen when something really sucks, now you can, with Gaia VJ.
more at:http://www.gaiaonline.com/
FrameChannel is a free web-based tool that lets you select and manage image content for your wireless picture frame or desktop
What Company Is Offering:
FrameChannel is a free web-based tool that lets you select and manage image content for your wireless picture frame or desktop. With over 200 channels of dynamic content, FrameChannel allows you to easily combine your own photos with news and entertainment channels, feeds from popular photo sharing sites, as well as photos sent by your friends and family who you can invite to contribute directly to your frame. You set it up once, tell it your preferences, and it updates every fifteen minutes!
How it works:
It’s service is proposed as a way to create dynamic and interesting content for your digital picture frame, but this works for desktop widgets, web widgets and screen savers as well.
So anything that can be delivered via RSS can be placed on your digital picture frame using this service. That includes social networking items (like weekend recap pictures from Facebook), blog content, and more.
With Frame Media your feed delivery can be scheduled. You can have your weather and stock reports delivered in the morning, and your friends’ photos sent later on in the afternoon.
more at:http://www.framechannel.com/
FrameChannel is a free web-based tool that lets you select and manage image content for your wireless picture frame or desktop. With over 200 channels of dynamic content, FrameChannel allows you to easily combine your own photos with news and entertainment channels, feeds from popular photo sharing sites, as well as photos sent by your friends and family who you can invite to contribute directly to your frame. You set it up once, tell it your preferences, and it updates every fifteen minutes!
How it works:
It’s service is proposed as a way to create dynamic and interesting content for your digital picture frame, but this works for desktop widgets, web widgets and screen savers as well.
So anything that can be delivered via RSS can be placed on your digital picture frame using this service. That includes social networking items (like weekend recap pictures from Facebook), blog content, and more.
With Frame Media your feed delivery can be scheduled. You can have your weather and stock reports delivered in the morning, and your friends’ photos sent later on in the afternoon.
more at:http://www.framechannel.com/
Distillingfinance.com is a venue for the collaborative analysis of finance
What Company is Offering:
They created distillingfinance.com to solve a problem they faced themselves while managing their own personal investments: there's too much financial information out there. No one person can possibly sort through it all. Distillingfinance.com is a venue for the collaborative analysis of it.
How It Works:
They are building an online community with a common interest in understanding economics and the financial markets, two of the most complex fields ever developed in human history. Through this site, they can exchange ideas and views on the vast intricacies of modern finance to all of our mutual benefit. Nobody can possibly know it all; it's only by working together that we can realize our goals and ambitions.
Who Is Backing Them:
Paul Legato, the technical mastermind
Aman Singh, the business intelligence geek
Leroy Ratnayake, the business management guy
Greg Ross-Munro, the graphic designer responsible for our look and feel
More at;http://www.distillingfinance.com/
They created distillingfinance.com to solve a problem they faced themselves while managing their own personal investments: there's too much financial information out there. No one person can possibly sort through it all. Distillingfinance.com is a venue for the collaborative analysis of it.
How It Works:
They are building an online community with a common interest in understanding economics and the financial markets, two of the most complex fields ever developed in human history. Through this site, they can exchange ideas and views on the vast intricacies of modern finance to all of our mutual benefit. Nobody can possibly know it all; it's only by working together that we can realize our goals and ambitions.
Who Is Backing Them:
Paul Legato, the technical mastermind
Aman Singh, the business intelligence geek
Leroy Ratnayake, the business management guy
Greg Ross-Munro, the graphic designer responsible for our look and feel
More at;http://www.distillingfinance.com/
Brijit For Best Content On Net In Short "For Busy People"
What Company is Offering:
Brijit aggregates the world's best long-form content and abstracts it in 100 words or less, providing busy, omnivorous, and increasingly mobile readers with rich, qualitative summaries as well as better guideposts for what to read, watch or listen to now.
Brijit is a privately-owned, angel-financed online media startup with teams based in Washington, DC, Mountain View, CA and Beijing. The Company was founded in 2006 and employs a distributed team of editors and writers.
How It Works:
They produce these abstracts in concert with their readers, as one community of readers, writers and editors. Think of us as your well-read friend who leads you to that can't miss article, video clip or product. Brijit's mission is simple: make it easy for all of us to discover and access the world's best content, quickly, inexpensively and on our own terms.
more at:http://www.brijit.com/
Brijit aggregates the world's best long-form content and abstracts it in 100 words or less, providing busy, omnivorous, and increasingly mobile readers with rich, qualitative summaries as well as better guideposts for what to read, watch or listen to now.
Brijit is a privately-owned, angel-financed online media startup with teams based in Washington, DC, Mountain View, CA and Beijing. The Company was founded in 2006 and employs a distributed team of editors and writers.
How It Works:
They produce these abstracts in concert with their readers, as one community of readers, writers and editors. Think of us as your well-read friend who leads you to that can't miss article, video clip or product. Brijit's mission is simple: make it easy for all of us to discover and access the world's best content, quickly, inexpensively and on our own terms.
more at:http://www.brijit.com/
Easy Projects .NET -----For Managing And Tracking Your Projects
What Company is offering:
Easy Projects .NET — the latest generation web based application for managing and tracking software development, IT, manufacturing, financial and many other types of projects. It is called "Easy Projects" for a good reason - it was specifically designed to make project management hassle free and straightforward.
Easy Projects .NET is a product developed by Logic Software, Inc. - Toronto-based custom software development company. Logic Software has delivered hundreds of cost effective and high-quality software solutions for a wide range of industries and domains, including consumer and business software development, web hosting, retail, manufacturing, real estate, community service, and many others.
How It Works:
Easy Projects .NET has only those tools and features that you need. No bells and whistles. No need to worry about a sophisticated setup process. It is all easy as ABC. An intuitive interface and contextual tips will allow you to concentrate on your project instead of spending time trying to figure out how to use the system.
Its Features:
You will be able to track and organize virtually any type of project by using the following powerful features:
Projects with multi-nested tasks
Detailed statistics and reports
Email notifications and alerts
Issue and request tracking
Message board
Many other useful features
more at:http://www.easyprojects.net/
Easy Projects .NET — the latest generation web based application for managing and tracking software development, IT, manufacturing, financial and many other types of projects. It is called "Easy Projects" for a good reason - it was specifically designed to make project management hassle free and straightforward.
Easy Projects .NET is a product developed by Logic Software, Inc. - Toronto-based custom software development company. Logic Software has delivered hundreds of cost effective and high-quality software solutions for a wide range of industries and domains, including consumer and business software development, web hosting, retail, manufacturing, real estate, community service, and many others.
How It Works:
Easy Projects .NET has only those tools and features that you need. No bells and whistles. No need to worry about a sophisticated setup process. It is all easy as ABC. An intuitive interface and contextual tips will allow you to concentrate on your project instead of spending time trying to figure out how to use the system.
Its Features:
You will be able to track and organize virtually any type of project by using the following powerful features:
Projects with multi-nested tasks
Detailed statistics and reports
Email notifications and alerts
Issue and request tracking
Message board
Many other useful features
more at:http://www.easyprojects.net/
b2bCRM is a web-based CRM system
What Company is offering:
b2bCRM offers web-based CRM systems. b2bCRM is easy to start-up and easy to use in your daily business. Consequently your company can choose b2bCRM with significant benefits and avoid spending a lot of money and human resources to get started. Your b2bCRM system may fulfil only 98% of your requirements, but you may prefer this to a system where you only use 25% of its features and still pay 100%. Once you get started you can create and edit fields, screen images and reports your self - with no need for consultants.
How It Works:
With b2bCRM you get started within a few hours after you have received the link to your system. It is easy to import existing data from Excel or your current CRM system. Fields can be edited and created by yourself in order to match your requirements. You can also design and format reports as you please and all data can be downloaded to Excel as well as other formats.
more at:http://www.b2bcrm.net/
b2bCRM offers web-based CRM systems. b2bCRM is easy to start-up and easy to use in your daily business. Consequently your company can choose b2bCRM with significant benefits and avoid spending a lot of money and human resources to get started. Your b2bCRM system may fulfil only 98% of your requirements, but you may prefer this to a system where you only use 25% of its features and still pay 100%. Once you get started you can create and edit fields, screen images and reports your self - with no need for consultants.
How It Works:
With b2bCRM you get started within a few hours after you have received the link to your system. It is easy to import existing data from Excel or your current CRM system. Fields can be edited and created by yourself in order to match your requirements. You can also design and format reports as you please and all data can be downloaded to Excel as well as other formats.
more at:http://www.b2bcrm.net/
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Use Baynote Recommendations To Elevate Your Company's Business.
What Company is Offering:
Baynote delivers on-demand recommendation technology for websites. Businesses use Baynote to automatically display the best content and products to website visitors. Baynote increases the number of products purchased, impressions on the site and the number of leads generated.Baynote Recommendations tap into the collective wisdom of the silent majority without collecting any explicit feedback.
How It Works:
Based on the silently observed visitor actions, Baynote is able to identify and leverage the virtual communities of like-mided visitors on your site. The virtual community includes every visitor on your site and each visitor is completely anonymous. Baynote identifies emerging patterns among the visitors of your site thereby capturing the collective wisdom of the crowd.
Send them a little information about yourself and they'll put you on the path to experiencing Baynote Recommendations on your site.Over 60 ecommerce, media, and enterprise customers use Baynote Recommendations to elevate their business.
Who Is Backing Them:
Hummer Winblad
1.The firm's goal is to provide the capital, experience, and vision that will enable its companies to become leaders in the new software economy.
John Hummer is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.humwin.com
2.JK&B Capital
K&B was formed with the sponsorship of Charles Wang, the founder of Computer Associates, Inc., and financier George Soros, investing through Soros Fund Management LLC, (the Soros Group). JK&B currently manages $900 million in captial committments in the communications and software markets.
Tasha Seitz is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.jkbcapital.com
3.Steamboat Ventures
Steamboat Ventures is the venture arm of the Walt Disney Company. Steamboat invests in early- to mid-stage, technology-focused companies that are pursuing opportunities in emerging media and entertainment markets.Dan Beldy is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.steamboatvc.com
4.Chess Ventures
Chess Ventures is a private equity firm that invests in earlier-stage technology companies that have direct application to the financial services industry.Charles Schwab, Jr. is an investor with Baynote.
http://www.chessventures.com.
More detail at:http://www.baynote.com/
Baynote delivers on-demand recommendation technology for websites. Businesses use Baynote to automatically display the best content and products to website visitors. Baynote increases the number of products purchased, impressions on the site and the number of leads generated.Baynote Recommendations tap into the collective wisdom of the silent majority without collecting any explicit feedback.
How It Works:
Based on the silently observed visitor actions, Baynote is able to identify and leverage the virtual communities of like-mided visitors on your site. The virtual community includes every visitor on your site and each visitor is completely anonymous. Baynote identifies emerging patterns among the visitors of your site thereby capturing the collective wisdom of the crowd.
Send them a little information about yourself and they'll put you on the path to experiencing Baynote Recommendations on your site.Over 60 ecommerce, media, and enterprise customers use Baynote Recommendations to elevate their business.
Who Is Backing Them:
Hummer Winblad
1.The firm's goal is to provide the capital, experience, and vision that will enable its companies to become leaders in the new software economy.
John Hummer is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.humwin.com
2.JK&B Capital
K&B was formed with the sponsorship of Charles Wang, the founder of Computer Associates, Inc., and financier George Soros, investing through Soros Fund Management LLC, (the Soros Group). JK&B currently manages $900 million in captial committments in the communications and software markets.
Tasha Seitz is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.jkbcapital.com
3.Steamboat Ventures
Steamboat Ventures is the venture arm of the Walt Disney Company. Steamboat invests in early- to mid-stage, technology-focused companies that are pursuing opportunities in emerging media and entertainment markets.Dan Beldy is a member of Baynote's Board of Directors.
http://www.steamboatvc.com
4.Chess Ventures
Chess Ventures is a private equity firm that invests in earlier-stage technology companies that have direct application to the financial services industry.Charles Schwab, Jr. is an investor with Baynote.
http://www.chessventures.com.
More detail at:http://www.baynote.com/
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