What Company Is Offering:
Trusted Opinion is a free online community for sharing ratings and recommendations between trusted individuals, and visually looks a lot like Amazon’s interface.
How It Works:
Instead of going the route of many other online media sellers and reviewers where reviews are aggregated and averaged across the whole user base, Trusted Opinion weights the opinions of people in one’s social network highest, and gradually diminishes the weight of others’ opinions as the degrees of separation increase.
There are plenty of ad hoc ways to work this into other platforms - iLike and the famous Facebook Questions application come to mind - but this is the first application with this unique take on media ratings .
According To Mashable:
Trusted Opinion is set to announce $1.3 million in first round venture capital Wednesday, but the source of the funding is undisclosed Since the official launch of its beta site in February 2007, the company is reported to have had over 350,000 registered members and approximately 3,000 new members added each day.
Proceeds from the funding are supposed to “accelerate Trusted Opinion’s impressive growth.”
More at:http://www.trustedopinion.com/
Via-Mash
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Google Taking Nielsen Data
Determined to sell more television ads, Internet search leader Google Inc. is sharpening its focus on the medium with demographic data from the influential Nielsen Co.
Under an agreement to be announced Wednesday, Google will pay Nielsen an undisclosed amount to obtain detailed information about the kinds of people who watch specific TV shows.
The breakdown, drawn from Nielsen's rating service, typically provides viewers' ages, gender, marital status and other personal data that help advertisers choose the audience most likely to be interested in their product or service.
New York-based Nielsen has been selling demographic data to television stations and advertisers for years.
Google's access to the information is significant because it gives the Mountain View-based company more tools to draw upon as it tries to target television ads as effectively as it has done on the Internet.
Because it processes more than 1 billion search requests per day, Google hasn't needed as much outside help to learn about the interests of its Internet users.
'This is another indication that Google is very serious about selling more ads in the mainstream media,' said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media, which helps advertisers buy television ads.
Since May, Google has been delivering television ads for about 14 million subscribers to EchoStar Communication Corp.'s Dish network and Astound Broadband cable service.
The set-top boxes used by EchoStar and Astound enabled Google to track when commercials were watched and for how long. By drawing on Nielsen's data, Google will now have information on what kinds of viewers are watching the commercial.
'This was a missing piece of puzzle for us,' said Keval Desai, Google's director of product management for TV ads.
Desai said Google is 'thrilled' with its progress so far in TV advertising but declined to provide any financial specifics.
Even as it expands its ad platform into TV, radio and print, Google continues to make most of its money from text-based ad links posted next to search results and other online content.
Google's formula has been so profitable that it now has a market value of about $210 billion, second only to Microsoft Corp. in the high-tech industry.
The Google alliance appeals to Nielsen because the rating firm is trying to develop new measurement techniques and extend its reach into more digital media, such as iPods and mobile phones.
'The relationship with Google...is a prime example of the ways Nielsen is embracing new technologies, platforms and relationships worldwide to serve clients more completely,' Nielsen Chairman David Calhoun said in a statement.
Via-ASP
Under an agreement to be announced Wednesday, Google will pay Nielsen an undisclosed amount to obtain detailed information about the kinds of people who watch specific TV shows.
The breakdown, drawn from Nielsen's rating service, typically provides viewers' ages, gender, marital status and other personal data that help advertisers choose the audience most likely to be interested in their product or service.
New York-based Nielsen has been selling demographic data to television stations and advertisers for years.
Google's access to the information is significant because it gives the Mountain View-based company more tools to draw upon as it tries to target television ads as effectively as it has done on the Internet.
Because it processes more than 1 billion search requests per day, Google hasn't needed as much outside help to learn about the interests of its Internet users.
'This is another indication that Google is very serious about selling more ads in the mainstream media,' said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media, which helps advertisers buy television ads.
Since May, Google has been delivering television ads for about 14 million subscribers to EchoStar Communication Corp.'s Dish network and Astound Broadband cable service.
The set-top boxes used by EchoStar and Astound enabled Google to track when commercials were watched and for how long. By drawing on Nielsen's data, Google will now have information on what kinds of viewers are watching the commercial.
'This was a missing piece of puzzle for us,' said Keval Desai, Google's director of product management for TV ads.
Desai said Google is 'thrilled' with its progress so far in TV advertising but declined to provide any financial specifics.
Even as it expands its ad platform into TV, radio and print, Google continues to make most of its money from text-based ad links posted next to search results and other online content.
Google's formula has been so profitable that it now has a market value of about $210 billion, second only to Microsoft Corp. in the high-tech industry.
The Google alliance appeals to Nielsen because the rating firm is trying to develop new measurement techniques and extend its reach into more digital media, such as iPods and mobile phones.
'The relationship with Google...is a prime example of the ways Nielsen is embracing new technologies, platforms and relationships worldwide to serve clients more completely,' Nielsen Chairman David Calhoun said in a statement.
Via-ASP
Bluestreak Technology have secured US$20 million dollars in Series D financing for its "MachBlue" platform for mobile phones and digital television
What Company is Offering:
Bluestreak Technology, a start-up based in Montrea.The MachBlue platform gives network operators and OEMs the ability to create rich-media user experiences on various devices. Bluestreak Technology is a technology partner with such industry leaders as STMicroelectronics, ACCESS, Orange, KPN, Videotron, Time Warner Cable, Thomson, NDS and OpenTV.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They have secured US$20 million dollars in Series D financing for its "MachBlue" platform for mobile phones and digital television.France's Iris Capital, a new investor, led the round, which also includes internal investors Solidarity Fund QFL, BDC Venture Capital and First Capital Group along with new investor Tomorrow Group from Korea.
More at:http://www.bluestreaktech.com/
Bluestreak Technology, a start-up based in Montrea.The MachBlue platform gives network operators and OEMs the ability to create rich-media user experiences on various devices. Bluestreak Technology is a technology partner with such industry leaders as STMicroelectronics, ACCESS, Orange, KPN, Videotron, Time Warner Cable, Thomson, NDS and OpenTV.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They have secured US$20 million dollars in Series D financing for its "MachBlue" platform for mobile phones and digital television.France's Iris Capital, a new investor, led the round, which also includes internal investors Solidarity Fund QFL, BDC Venture Capital and First Capital Group along with new investor Tomorrow Group from Korea.
More at:http://www.bluestreaktech.com/
EmailBrain has powerful newsletter management features that enable you to easily manage your brand image
What Company is offering:
EmailBrain has powerful newsletter management features that enable you to easily manage your brand image. EmailBrain includes a full suite of tools within the template library for on-line content creation and on-line content storage.
How It Works:
Emailbrain will help you optimize your campaign by giving you the development and tracking tools to make it succeed. Features include WYSIWYG editing, a template library, online image and document hosting, foreign language capabilities, whitelisting status, tracking analytics, and hosted online report archive among others. There are several editions available (corporate, standard and reseller) depending on your needs. EmailBrain works with a range of industries including artists, non-profits, political campaigns, and law firms. There’s a free trial version available. Regular pricing starts at $9.95 a month (for 2,000 sends) and goes as high as about $800 a month (400,000 sends).
More at:http://emailbrain.com/eb/index.shtml
EmailBrain has powerful newsletter management features that enable you to easily manage your brand image. EmailBrain includes a full suite of tools within the template library for on-line content creation and on-line content storage.
How It Works:
Emailbrain will help you optimize your campaign by giving you the development and tracking tools to make it succeed. Features include WYSIWYG editing, a template library, online image and document hosting, foreign language capabilities, whitelisting status, tracking analytics, and hosted online report archive among others. There are several editions available (corporate, standard and reseller) depending on your needs. EmailBrain works with a range of industries including artists, non-profits, political campaigns, and law firms. There’s a free trial version available. Regular pricing starts at $9.95 a month (for 2,000 sends) and goes as high as about $800 a month (400,000 sends).
More at:http://emailbrain.com/eb/index.shtml
Instantbird is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client
What Company is Offering:
Instantbird is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client. Using it, you can connect to all your different IM accounts.
It uses the Mozilla rendering engine to display IMs, and the Pidgin libpurple to connect to the different networks.
Instantbird is a free and open source software. So you are free to use, distribute and modify it.
How It Works:
Users can use the app to connect with other popular chat services such as MSN, ICQ, and AIM, without causing any disruption to any of their previous clients. Based on Mozilla technologies and Pidgin, InstantBird is a fairly light download at around 13 megs, requiring100MB of free disk space for Windows user. The app is available for Mac and Linux as well, although it’s known to be twitchy operating with Ubuntu. Downloading InstantBird runs quickly with a highspeed internet connection, and connecting with all your frequented chat apps should be a breeze.
More at:http://www.instantbird.com/
Instantbird is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client. Using it, you can connect to all your different IM accounts.
It uses the Mozilla rendering engine to display IMs, and the Pidgin libpurple to connect to the different networks.
Instantbird is a free and open source software. So you are free to use, distribute and modify it.
How It Works:
Users can use the app to connect with other popular chat services such as MSN, ICQ, and AIM, without causing any disruption to any of their previous clients. Based on Mozilla technologies and Pidgin, InstantBird is a fairly light download at around 13 megs, requiring100MB of free disk space for Windows user. The app is available for Mac and Linux as well, although it’s known to be twitchy operating with Ubuntu. Downloading InstantBird runs quickly with a highspeed internet connection, and connecting with all your frequented chat apps should be a breeze.
More at:http://www.instantbird.com/
BrightRoll has secured $5 million in Series B funding
What Company is Offering:
BrightRoll helps leading agencies, representing brands such as Walmart, Hewlett-Packard and Sony Pictures, launch and scale video campaigns across the industry's leading publishers. The one-year-old start-up will use the capital to continue to grow its agency and publisher relationships, as well as accelerate product development.
How Much They Got From VCs:
The world's largest video advertising network, announced today that it has secured $5 million in Series B funding from Adams Street Capital, KPG Ventures and, existing investor, TRUE Ventures. This brings the company's total venture funding to $6M since it launched in July 2006.
What VCs Says:
"We increased our investment in BrightRoll because the company is the emerging leader in a revolutionary category," said Jon Callaghan, a partner at TRUE Ventures. "This is my third time working with the founders, Tod Sacerdoti and Dru Nelson, and I could not be more ecstatic about the team they are building."
BrightRoll can execute video campaigns across more than 50% of the top 100 online media properties in the United States. The average BrightRoll video campaign reaches over 50 million unique users over a six week period. A video advertising innovator, BrightRoll is built entirely on proprietary video ad serving, targeting and optimization technology.
More at:http://www.brightroll.com/
BrightRoll helps leading agencies, representing brands such as Walmart, Hewlett-Packard and Sony Pictures, launch and scale video campaigns across the industry's leading publishers. The one-year-old start-up will use the capital to continue to grow its agency and publisher relationships, as well as accelerate product development.
How Much They Got From VCs:
The world's largest video advertising network, announced today that it has secured $5 million in Series B funding from Adams Street Capital, KPG Ventures and, existing investor, TRUE Ventures. This brings the company's total venture funding to $6M since it launched in July 2006.
What VCs Says:
"We increased our investment in BrightRoll because the company is the emerging leader in a revolutionary category," said Jon Callaghan, a partner at TRUE Ventures. "This is my third time working with the founders, Tod Sacerdoti and Dru Nelson, and I could not be more ecstatic about the team they are building."
BrightRoll can execute video campaigns across more than 50% of the top 100 online media properties in the United States. The average BrightRoll video campaign reaches over 50 million unique users over a six week period. A video advertising innovator, BrightRoll is built entirely on proprietary video ad serving, targeting and optimization technology.
More at:http://www.brightroll.com/
MeVu With New Tagging Features
What Company is offering:
MeVu, the site that offers you a profile page for displaying all your web links to various social networks, has added some new features and upgrades.
Additional Features:
Aside from the obligatory bug fixes, there’s also now a secure contact form for enabling others to send an email without seeing your contact information. A new free-form About Me field has also been added, along with a new Location field.
You can set your own meta tags for your profile page in order to make yourself show up in more search engines, and your title, description and keywords are all part of the new meta tag option. Another important addition is the RSS feed subscription options for site visitors to keep up with your ever-changing profile, and internal search has also been improved.
The changes made for better SEO and feed options are probably the most important modifications here, considering the aim of MeVu to provide you with a central site for dispersing visitors to other sites where you have a presence. This is the primary consideration for aggregation tools of this nature–they work best when people actually find them first, during a web search. And there’s a lot to compete with to this end, from other social networks, bookmarking sites, etc.
More at:http://www.mevu.com/
MeVu, the site that offers you a profile page for displaying all your web links to various social networks, has added some new features and upgrades.
Additional Features:
Aside from the obligatory bug fixes, there’s also now a secure contact form for enabling others to send an email without seeing your contact information. A new free-form About Me field has also been added, along with a new Location field.
You can set your own meta tags for your profile page in order to make yourself show up in more search engines, and your title, description and keywords are all part of the new meta tag option. Another important addition is the RSS feed subscription options for site visitors to keep up with your ever-changing profile, and internal search has also been improved.
The changes made for better SEO and feed options are probably the most important modifications here, considering the aim of MeVu to provide you with a central site for dispersing visitors to other sites where you have a presence. This is the primary consideration for aggregation tools of this nature–they work best when people actually find them first, during a web search. And there’s a lot to compete with to this end, from other social networks, bookmarking sites, etc.
More at:http://www.mevu.com/
CapaZoo is a new social network that’s encouraging users to participate on the site by offering them money
What Company is offering:
CapaZoo is a new social network that’s encouraging users to participate on the site by offering them money. Well, you can get tipped for your awesomeness, and then cash out after certain point.
How it Works:
There are a few different types of accounts you can create: business, athlete, individual, arts, or charity. All but business profiles are free (a business account will run you about $35 per year). Once you set up your profile, you can start customizing it and adding media. Businesses will have advertising options throughout the network. You can get tipped for your media, as well as for your profile. So the goal here is to get as much content on the site in order to incur more tips.
You can’t hand them out for free, however. You start out with 25 zoops (CapaZoo’s currency) and go from there. If you’d like to tip someone, you select how many zoops you’ll give them. If you’d like to add zoops to your account, you can pay $10 for 10,000. Likewise, earning 10,000 zoops means you can get $10 on your credit card. You can’t actually cash out, though, unless you’ve upgraded your account. And that will cost you $25 or $35 per year, depending on what type of account you’d like (privileged or VIP).
Why Is It Different:
CapaZoo is finding ways to make money, and hoping it’s enough to get you to heavily participate in the site. Need more of a push? CapaZoo also has retail partners that offer discounts for users. For instance, you can get 15% off of your next Hertz car rental. This is all part of the CapaZoo Savings Program, which will calculate how much money you’ve saved through its discount offers. Again, you’ll need to upgrade your account to take part in the Savings Program. I think I’ll hold out for the CapaZoo credit card with rewards points I can earn with every purchase.
Who Is Backing Them:
CapaZoo is based in Canada and has reportedly raised over $25 million in private capital, without the aid of venture capital funding.
More at:http://www.capazoo.com/
CapaZoo is a new social network that’s encouraging users to participate on the site by offering them money. Well, you can get tipped for your awesomeness, and then cash out after certain point.
How it Works:
There are a few different types of accounts you can create: business, athlete, individual, arts, or charity. All but business profiles are free (a business account will run you about $35 per year). Once you set up your profile, you can start customizing it and adding media. Businesses will have advertising options throughout the network. You can get tipped for your media, as well as for your profile. So the goal here is to get as much content on the site in order to incur more tips.
You can’t hand them out for free, however. You start out with 25 zoops (CapaZoo’s currency) and go from there. If you’d like to tip someone, you select how many zoops you’ll give them. If you’d like to add zoops to your account, you can pay $10 for 10,000. Likewise, earning 10,000 zoops means you can get $10 on your credit card. You can’t actually cash out, though, unless you’ve upgraded your account. And that will cost you $25 or $35 per year, depending on what type of account you’d like (privileged or VIP).
Why Is It Different:
CapaZoo is finding ways to make money, and hoping it’s enough to get you to heavily participate in the site. Need more of a push? CapaZoo also has retail partners that offer discounts for users. For instance, you can get 15% off of your next Hertz car rental. This is all part of the CapaZoo Savings Program, which will calculate how much money you’ve saved through its discount offers. Again, you’ll need to upgrade your account to take part in the Savings Program. I think I’ll hold out for the CapaZoo credit card with rewards points I can earn with every purchase.
Who Is Backing Them:
CapaZoo is based in Canada and has reportedly raised over $25 million in private capital, without the aid of venture capital funding.
More at:http://www.capazoo.com/
Zimbra is open source server and client software for messaging and collaboration
What Company is offering:
Zimbra is open source server and client software for messaging and collaboration - email, group calendaring, contacts, and web document management and authoring
Zimbra provides open standards and a platform for developers, its tools can be integrated with some services that a lot of institutions already have established.
Why Is It Useful:
Considering the huge switching costs of a university with a communications system to support its current and past students, faculty and staff, signing on a new service like Zimbra is a big deal. It looks like Yahoo should be pretty satisfied with its acquisition of Zimbra.
Why It is In News Again:
Zimbra has landed more than a few deals, with some 200 educational institutions in 15 different countries for the Zimbra Collaboration Suite, making it a pretty far-reaching host of applications. That puts the suite in the hands of about 33,000 students, faculty and staff, 600,000 mailboxes.
More at:http://www.zimbra.com/
Zimbra is open source server and client software for messaging and collaboration - email, group calendaring, contacts, and web document management and authoring
Zimbra provides open standards and a platform for developers, its tools can be integrated with some services that a lot of institutions already have established.
Why Is It Useful:
Considering the huge switching costs of a university with a communications system to support its current and past students, faculty and staff, signing on a new service like Zimbra is a big deal. It looks like Yahoo should be pretty satisfied with its acquisition of Zimbra.
Why It is In News Again:
Zimbra has landed more than a few deals, with some 200 educational institutions in 15 different countries for the Zimbra Collaboration Suite, making it a pretty far-reaching host of applications. That puts the suite in the hands of about 33,000 students, faculty and staff, 600,000 mailboxes.
More at:http://www.zimbra.com/
Jango is a new music social search and discovery site
What Company is Offering:
Jango is a new music social search and discovery site.
How It Works:
Jango will automatically start building your playlist from this initial setting, and you vote (smilies or frowns) which songs you like. You can also add individual artists. Similar to SeeqPod and MOG, you’ll also get additional information for each artist, like album art, more songs, videos, etc. Additionally, there is a link for you to purchase each song from iTunes or Amazon.
Jango is also a social network, you can check out other user profiles, send them shoutouts and private messages, bookmark them, and listen to their own stations. The player will also show what other users are listening to a station, so there’s a bit of socialization occurring around each playlist, similar to MxPlay and Yoinkd. Jango appears to be quite a mesh of several music playlist creation and networking sites out there, and there doesn’t seem to be any stand-out features, like Mixaloo’s playlist gifting option, that make Jango particularly better than others in the market.
More at:http://jango.com/
Jango is a new music social search and discovery site.
How It Works:
Jango will automatically start building your playlist from this initial setting, and you vote (smilies or frowns) which songs you like. You can also add individual artists. Similar to SeeqPod and MOG, you’ll also get additional information for each artist, like album art, more songs, videos, etc. Additionally, there is a link for you to purchase each song from iTunes or Amazon.
Jango is also a social network, you can check out other user profiles, send them shoutouts and private messages, bookmark them, and listen to their own stations. The player will also show what other users are listening to a station, so there’s a bit of socialization occurring around each playlist, similar to MxPlay and Yoinkd. Jango appears to be quite a mesh of several music playlist creation and networking sites out there, and there doesn’t seem to be any stand-out features, like Mixaloo’s playlist gifting option, that make Jango particularly better than others in the market.
More at:http://jango.com/
ShredOrDie
What Company is Offering:
ShredOrDie is a new video network from the makers of FunnyOrDie. ShredOrDie features video content about xtreme sports, and Hawk has already lined up a series of interviews, and there are clips with folks like Lance Armstrong, Sean White, Christian Slater and Ryan Sheckler.
How It Works:
With FunnyOrDie facing its own troubles, this new site looks to be a way to help build on the initial momentum that Will Ferrell launched the comic video site some time ago. Ferrell already leveraged his celebrity Rolodex in order to get additional premium content on the site, and the same tactic is being used for ShredOrDie. The expansion of the FunnyOrDie network, which is making good use of its funding and now spawning off various verticals to capture a wider audience, may or may not work. So we’ll see how viewers take to ShredOrDie.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the site is aiming at the skater and biker crowd. There will also be user-generated content included on ShredOrDie.
More at:http://www.shredordie.com/
ShredOrDie is a new video network from the makers of FunnyOrDie. ShredOrDie features video content about xtreme sports, and Hawk has already lined up a series of interviews, and there are clips with folks like Lance Armstrong, Sean White, Christian Slater and Ryan Sheckler.
How It Works:
With FunnyOrDie facing its own troubles, this new site looks to be a way to help build on the initial momentum that Will Ferrell launched the comic video site some time ago. Ferrell already leveraged his celebrity Rolodex in order to get additional premium content on the site, and the same tactic is being used for ShredOrDie. The expansion of the FunnyOrDie network, which is making good use of its funding and now spawning off various verticals to capture a wider audience, may or may not work. So we’ll see how viewers take to ShredOrDie.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the site is aiming at the skater and biker crowd. There will also be user-generated content included on ShredOrDie.
More at:http://www.shredordie.com/
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
"Think City Car" Gives great opportunities for entrepreneurs
What Company is Offering:
Norway’s two-seat, electric-powered Think City car—set to go on sale in the coming months—will come with an owner financing package unheard of in the auto industry.
How It Works:
Consumers will pay an estimated USD 15,000 to 17,000 for the vehicle, but the company plans to lease the Think’s battery. And for good reason: on its own, the battery would cost an estimated USD 34,000, more than the price of a low-end luxury vehicle in most countries. Moreover, the Think battery’s useful life will depend on how the vehicle is used. Meaning: if Think owners were compelled to buy the battery along with the car, they’d be assuming risks few vehicle buyers would tolerate.
The workaround Think has devised is a USD 100-200 per month bundle that will include the battery lease plus other services such as insurance and mobile internet access. The latter will enable the company to remotely monitor the battery’s remaining useful life. As the battery’s ability to recharge declines with age, the company will automatically offer owners the chance to replace it or alternately keep the battery in exchange for a lower monthly leasing fee.
Why It is Different:
Think’s battery-leasing business model differs sharply from that of US electric car maker Tesla Motors. With a batteries-and-all price tag of about USD 100,000, the sporty Tesla is being marketed as status symbol for Hollywood celebrities and Silicon Valley titans. Notwithstanding, under an agreement announced this spring, Tesla will help supply Think with battery packs. Notably, both Think and Tesla are start-ups, aptly illustrating how the switch to alternate fuels will make room for innovative upstarts in an industry dominated by giants. (Related: The going is green—and electric.)
More At www.think.no
Norway’s two-seat, electric-powered Think City car—set to go on sale in the coming months—will come with an owner financing package unheard of in the auto industry.
How It Works:
Consumers will pay an estimated USD 15,000 to 17,000 for the vehicle, but the company plans to lease the Think’s battery. And for good reason: on its own, the battery would cost an estimated USD 34,000, more than the price of a low-end luxury vehicle in most countries. Moreover, the Think battery’s useful life will depend on how the vehicle is used. Meaning: if Think owners were compelled to buy the battery along with the car, they’d be assuming risks few vehicle buyers would tolerate.
The workaround Think has devised is a USD 100-200 per month bundle that will include the battery lease plus other services such as insurance and mobile internet access. The latter will enable the company to remotely monitor the battery’s remaining useful life. As the battery’s ability to recharge declines with age, the company will automatically offer owners the chance to replace it or alternately keep the battery in exchange for a lower monthly leasing fee.
Why It is Different:
Think’s battery-leasing business model differs sharply from that of US electric car maker Tesla Motors. With a batteries-and-all price tag of about USD 100,000, the sporty Tesla is being marketed as status symbol for Hollywood celebrities and Silicon Valley titans. Notwithstanding, under an agreement announced this spring, Tesla will help supply Think with battery packs. Notably, both Think and Tesla are start-ups, aptly illustrating how the switch to alternate fuels will make room for innovative upstarts in an industry dominated by giants. (Related: The going is green—and electric.)
More At www.think.no
Bountii.com For Searching The Best Price On Any Electronics Items
What Company Is Offering:
Bountii.com has a simple, clean interface which doesn’t distract you from your search. Conducting a search is very simple and there are many features that can help you narrow down your search if you need to use them, such as the price range feature. Many times it is difficult to find electronics within your price range and limiting your search to a maximum limit will help you stay focused. The feature that allows you to enter your zip code for pricing purposes is a great feature. Sometimes the shipping and handling costs can make quite a difference in the overall cost. It is nice that you can search for electronics and get the total price instantly.
How It Works:
You use Bountii.com such as any other search engine. Type the name of the electric device you are searching for. A list will appear of different variations and prices for the item you selected. You can choose from a price range located above the results and below the browser. Each listed item from the search has an image, its name, price, a store rating out of 4 stars, and the store or site where it can be purchased. There is a section that lets you put in your zip code so you can get the full price including shipping and handling. Once you have chosen the item you like, click on it to get more information, there will be a link that will direct you to the store site so you can purchase the product. There is also a list of similar items below once you click on the image. When you visit Bountii.com’s homepage there is a section that will bring you to the most popular products if you are interest in taking a look. Bountii.com helps you find the best prices foe electronics.
More at:http://bountii.com/
Bountii.com has a simple, clean interface which doesn’t distract you from your search. Conducting a search is very simple and there are many features that can help you narrow down your search if you need to use them, such as the price range feature. Many times it is difficult to find electronics within your price range and limiting your search to a maximum limit will help you stay focused. The feature that allows you to enter your zip code for pricing purposes is a great feature. Sometimes the shipping and handling costs can make quite a difference in the overall cost. It is nice that you can search for electronics and get the total price instantly.
How It Works:
You use Bountii.com such as any other search engine. Type the name of the electric device you are searching for. A list will appear of different variations and prices for the item you selected. You can choose from a price range located above the results and below the browser. Each listed item from the search has an image, its name, price, a store rating out of 4 stars, and the store or site where it can be purchased. There is a section that lets you put in your zip code so you can get the full price including shipping and handling. Once you have chosen the item you like, click on it to get more information, there will be a link that will direct you to the store site so you can purchase the product. There is also a list of similar items below once you click on the image. When you visit Bountii.com’s homepage there is a section that will bring you to the most popular products if you are interest in taking a look. Bountii.com helps you find the best prices foe electronics.
More at:http://bountii.com/
WebAdClassifieds.com is a free classifieds site for website owners and webmaster to post advertising opportunities
What Company isOffering:
WebAdClassifieds.com is a free classifieds site for website owners and webmaster to post advertising opportunities on thier websites for text links, sponsorships, banner ads, etc. Potential advertisers to these sites are provided a marketplace to review and directly compare online advertising offerings. Unlike many other classifieds sites, webadclassifieds.com is completely free to both place ads and search.
How it Works:
Publishers post their advertising opportunities in the forum. The publisher's domain ranking, traffic information and media kit is easily accessible to potential advertisers, who then can buy directly from individual website or blog publishers rather than through ad networks. Communications between sellers and buyers can be confidential. The site can be used as a stand-alone marketing vehicle or it can be tied in with publisher's other campaigns.
More at:http://www.webadclassifieds.com/
WebAdClassifieds.com is a free classifieds site for website owners and webmaster to post advertising opportunities on thier websites for text links, sponsorships, banner ads, etc. Potential advertisers to these sites are provided a marketplace to review and directly compare online advertising offerings. Unlike many other classifieds sites, webadclassifieds.com is completely free to both place ads and search.
How it Works:
Publishers post their advertising opportunities in the forum. The publisher's domain ranking, traffic information and media kit is easily accessible to potential advertisers, who then can buy directly from individual website or blog publishers rather than through ad networks. Communications between sellers and buyers can be confidential. The site can be used as a stand-alone marketing vehicle or it can be tied in with publisher's other campaigns.
More at:http://www.webadclassifieds.com/
Veodia’s high-end video broadcasting service caters to both professional bloggers and business users
What Company is offering:
Veodia’s high-end video broadcasting service caters to both professional bloggers and business users in search of a simple way of creating and distributing TV-quality video while preserving full control and ownership of their content. That makes it a perfect tool for broadcasting through the Internet: independent TV shows, interviews, music or dance performances, auctions, training sessions, HR and executive announcements, product reviews, marketing events, lectures, conferences, speeches, panels, and many more.
How It Works:
Veodia dynamically optimizes viewing quality so the maximum quality video is published and stored in your private library. Broadcasters retain control over content and, through content management and reporting systems, publish videos for on-demand viewing or podcasting. Training videos, corporate communications, live streams into Second Life, and more can now all be shared without the hassle or upfront costshttp or special technology.
More at:://www.veodia.com/
Veodia’s high-end video broadcasting service caters to both professional bloggers and business users in search of a simple way of creating and distributing TV-quality video while preserving full control and ownership of their content. That makes it a perfect tool for broadcasting through the Internet: independent TV shows, interviews, music or dance performances, auctions, training sessions, HR and executive announcements, product reviews, marketing events, lectures, conferences, speeches, panels, and many more.
How It Works:
Veodia dynamically optimizes viewing quality so the maximum quality video is published and stored in your private library. Broadcasters retain control over content and, through content management and reporting systems, publish videos for on-demand viewing or podcasting. Training videos, corporate communications, live streams into Second Life, and more can now all be shared without the hassle or upfront costshttp or special technology.
More at:://www.veodia.com/
Go-To Site of Internet TV Got Funding From Pond Venture Partners
What Company Is Offering:
TIOTI is a newly-launched social media aggregation site that has quickly become a major destination portal for TV programming, indexing more than 75,000 television shows and more than 500,000 individual episodes for download.
In addition to indexing TV content available across the entirety of the Web, TIOTI adds useful social tools that allow users to recommend shows to friends as well as enabling discussions and shared ‘TV watch lists’. TIOTI also enables the creation of groups to build communities around TV - it allows users to add, edit and expand the information on cast, crew, critics, fan fiction, gossip and trivia surrounding TV shows.
How It Works:
The service enables Web links, photos and videos to be easily integrated from Flickr® and YouTube™ into individual TIOTI groups. The site also includes pertinent links to a wide range of online TV services such as those from Apple®, Amazon®, AOL® and Joost™, among others.
How Much They Got From VCs:
Pond Venture Partners, Europe’s largest early-stage technology venture capital fund with more than $200 million under management, today announced it has successfully
led and closed a significant Series A investment round in TIOTI, Inc.
More at:www.TIOTI.com
TIOTI is a newly-launched social media aggregation site that has quickly become a major destination portal for TV programming, indexing more than 75,000 television shows and more than 500,000 individual episodes for download.
In addition to indexing TV content available across the entirety of the Web, TIOTI adds useful social tools that allow users to recommend shows to friends as well as enabling discussions and shared ‘TV watch lists’. TIOTI also enables the creation of groups to build communities around TV - it allows users to add, edit and expand the information on cast, crew, critics, fan fiction, gossip and trivia surrounding TV shows.
How It Works:
The service enables Web links, photos and videos to be easily integrated from Flickr® and YouTube™ into individual TIOTI groups. The site also includes pertinent links to a wide range of online TV services such as those from Apple®, Amazon®, AOL® and Joost™, among others.
How Much They Got From VCs:
Pond Venture Partners, Europe’s largest early-stage technology venture capital fund with more than $200 million under management, today announced it has successfully
led and closed a significant Series A investment round in TIOTI, Inc.
More at:www.TIOTI.com
Kinset has launched its new 3D shopping service
What Company is Offering:
Kinset has launched its new 3D shopping service and announced it is in the process of building a virtual store for the retailer Brookstone.
How it works:
In order to shop Kinset, which currently offers a bookstore and electronics shop through Amazon, you must first download a browser utility from the company’s web site. You can clearly see book covers, and can then mouse over them to get detailed item descriptions, reviews, and price info. If you would like to buy something, you simply use your credit card.
According to Kinset’s founders, it will allow customers who are familiar with the physical store to more quickly find what they are looking for. Meanwhile, it will allow those unfamiliar with the store to get acquainted with its layout and thus have a better experience when they show up in person.
Overall, 3D shopping experiences like Kinset and Scenecaster are a natural progression of ecommerce as broadband becomes ubiquitous.
More at:http://www.kinset.com/
Kinset has launched its new 3D shopping service and announced it is in the process of building a virtual store for the retailer Brookstone.
How it works:
In order to shop Kinset, which currently offers a bookstore and electronics shop through Amazon, you must first download a browser utility from the company’s web site. You can clearly see book covers, and can then mouse over them to get detailed item descriptions, reviews, and price info. If you would like to buy something, you simply use your credit card.
According to Kinset’s founders, it will allow customers who are familiar with the physical store to more quickly find what they are looking for. Meanwhile, it will allow those unfamiliar with the store to get acquainted with its layout and thus have a better experience when they show up in person.
Overall, 3D shopping experiences like Kinset and Scenecaster are a natural progression of ecommerce as broadband becomes ubiquitous.
More at:http://www.kinset.com/
PlayerBlock.com is the first ever text based service that allows people to look into the dating habits of others
What Company is Offering:
PlayerBlock.com is the first ever text based service that allows people to look into the dating habits of others. Whether you had a good experience or bad, you can post a new encounter online or from the palm of your hand. Did your date go well? Did you get PLAYED? Did they call when they said they would? We want to know! Tell us your innermost thoughts don’t let your neighbors get fooled just as you did
PlayerBlock is an SMS-based service that lets you check up on your date to see if he’s a player. … This service appears to revolve around phone numbers, so in order to find out about your date, you type in their phone number to see if you can dig up any dirt.
How it Works:
All the information found through PlayerBlock is user-generated, so in order to find any information on a date, someone else must have dated them first, and written a report on them. Likewise, you’re encouraged to dish the dirt on your dates. As this is primarily a text-messaging service, it makes it that much easier to get reports and give reports while you’re on the actual date. You can also enter a number to be “watched,” meaning you’ll receive an update on that person once a new entry has been added.
More at:http://www.playerblock.com/
PlayerBlock.com is the first ever text based service that allows people to look into the dating habits of others. Whether you had a good experience or bad, you can post a new encounter online or from the palm of your hand. Did your date go well? Did you get PLAYED? Did they call when they said they would? We want to know! Tell us your innermost thoughts don’t let your neighbors get fooled just as you did
PlayerBlock is an SMS-based service that lets you check up on your date to see if he’s a player. … This service appears to revolve around phone numbers, so in order to find out about your date, you type in their phone number to see if you can dig up any dirt.
How it Works:
All the information found through PlayerBlock is user-generated, so in order to find any information on a date, someone else must have dated them first, and written a report on them. Likewise, you’re encouraged to dish the dirt on your dates. As this is primarily a text-messaging service, it makes it that much easier to get reports and give reports while you’re on the actual date. You can also enter a number to be “watched,” meaning you’ll receive an update on that person once a new entry has been added.
More at:http://www.playerblock.com/
RoyaltyShare have got an additional $4 million in its Series B funding from Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments and Trident Capital
What Company Is offering:
RoyaltyShare, the web-based royalty processing service.
With RoyaltyShare’s focus on the changing face of digital media distribution and Internet culture, RoyaltyShare offers services to allow you to manage your distribution partners that all deliver separate reports in different formats.
How It Works:
It works with mobile, web, and physical distribution, offering a centralized way in which to handle the business of making money with the promotion of your content.
RoyaltyShare also aims to help you evaluate your multiple channels for distribution in order to optimize each, experiment with new pricing models, and better manage more data in one place. If it helps artists market more directly with consumers across the different platforms, then it could become a viable option for those looking to follow in Radiohead’s footsteps.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They have got an additional $4 million in its Series B funding from Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments and Trident Capital. With this addition, the total amount of funding that RoyaltyShare has received amounts to $9 million.
More at:http://www.royaltyshare.com/
RoyaltyShare, the web-based royalty processing service.
With RoyaltyShare’s focus on the changing face of digital media distribution and Internet culture, RoyaltyShare offers services to allow you to manage your distribution partners that all deliver separate reports in different formats.
How It Works:
It works with mobile, web, and physical distribution, offering a centralized way in which to handle the business of making money with the promotion of your content.
RoyaltyShare also aims to help you evaluate your multiple channels for distribution in order to optimize each, experiment with new pricing models, and better manage more data in one place. If it helps artists market more directly with consumers across the different platforms, then it could become a viable option for those looking to follow in Radiohead’s footsteps.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They have got an additional $4 million in its Series B funding from Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments and Trident Capital. With this addition, the total amount of funding that RoyaltyShare has received amounts to $9 million.
More at:http://www.royaltyshare.com/
Monday, October 22, 2007
AIMpromote is the best choice for increasing sales and improving business intelligence
What Company is Offering;
AIMpromote is the best choice for increasing sales and improving business intelligence. Take a free trial and learn for yourself why AIMpromote is changing the way companies look at customer relationship management software.
AIMpromote has a significantly lower cost of implementation and total cost of ownership than our competitors for several reasons. There are no setup fees, and we even integrate your system with your website free of charge. Also, the ease of use and fast learning curve of our lead management system will keep your sales representatives working efficiently.
Its Unique Features:
Their offer is a better price than their two main competitors (leads360 and Salesforce), as well as MANY more features than those of their more established competitors.
Some of those additional features include Lead Attention Meter™, Custom Lead List Display, Lead Reselling, and Unlimited Custom Fields, among many others. What these guys are up to is giving you a “no brainer” service at a “no brainer” price.
More at:http://www.aimpromote.com/
AIMpromote is the best choice for increasing sales and improving business intelligence. Take a free trial and learn for yourself why AIMpromote is changing the way companies look at customer relationship management software.
AIMpromote has a significantly lower cost of implementation and total cost of ownership than our competitors for several reasons. There are no setup fees, and we even integrate your system with your website free of charge. Also, the ease of use and fast learning curve of our lead management system will keep your sales representatives working efficiently.
Its Unique Features:
Their offer is a better price than their two main competitors (leads360 and Salesforce), as well as MANY more features than those of their more established competitors.
Some of those additional features include Lead Attention Meter™, Custom Lead List Display, Lead Reselling, and Unlimited Custom Fields, among many others. What these guys are up to is giving you a “no brainer” service at a “no brainer” price.
More at:http://www.aimpromote.com/
SocialThing has received $300,000
What Company is Offering:
It offer a centralized place to manage your digital life, moving a bit beyond profile aggregators.
How Much They Got From VCs:
SocialThing has received $300,000 in early-stage funding from eonBusiness, as part of a $500,000 convertible note round, which includes investors from both Illinois and Colorado.
How It works:
You can keep your profile information at SocialThing, and update it across your social networking profiles from there. Keep updated with your friends across networks like MySpace and Facebook, and “take them with you” as you visit your various profiles on the web. SocialThing is a way to take your online identity with you across networks. Others in this space include ProfileBuilder, meeCard, and others.
More at:http://www.socialthing.com/
It offer a centralized place to manage your digital life, moving a bit beyond profile aggregators.
How Much They Got From VCs:
SocialThing has received $300,000 in early-stage funding from eonBusiness, as part of a $500,000 convertible note round, which includes investors from both Illinois and Colorado.
How It works:
You can keep your profile information at SocialThing, and update it across your social networking profiles from there. Keep updated with your friends across networks like MySpace and Facebook, and “take them with you” as you visit your various profiles on the web. SocialThing is a way to take your online identity with you across networks. Others in this space include ProfileBuilder, meeCard, and others.
More at:http://www.socialthing.com/
Infusion Software Closes $9 Million Funding Round Led by Mohr Davidow Ventures
What Company is offering:
Infusion Software Inc., provider of the best-selling customer relationship management (CRM) software for small businesses.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced it has secured funding of $9 million from MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm. This round represents Infusion's first round of venture financing.
What's purpose Of raising Fund:
Infusion Software will use the financing to accelerate customer acquisition via increased sales and marketing efforts and to enhance its award-winning CRM software built specifically for true small businesses that want to grow quickly and profitably. True small businesses (TSB) are owner-run organizations with 2-50 employees that have grown organically. These businesses do not have layers like larger organizations, and thus automation of business processes via easy-to-use technology is highly desired.
How They Are Different From Others CRMs:
"Infusion's unique approach to CRM technology, strong customer traction among small businesses, and winning management team have enabled the company to capture a notable share of what we believe to be a very significant market opportunity," said Nancy Schoendorf, MDV general partner and an Infusion Software board member. "What they've done is answered the need among small business owners everywhere for a tool that streamlines and boosts sales and marketing activities without the need to hire additional salesforcAbout MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures
About VCs:
For 25 years MDV, a leading Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, has identified, mentored and developed entrepreneurs and young companies redefining business, technology and medicine. The firm invests around three major business and science concerns: Personalizing Medicine; Powering the Planet; and Driving the Digital World. The firm partners with entrepreneurs who have deep expertise in life sciences, information technology and energy and materials. MDV's team engages very early in the life of a company to impact its long-term success. Category-leading companies funded by MDV include: Agile (ORCL); Broadbase (KANA); Brocade; Energy Innovations; FormFactor; Genius; hi5; Medio Systems; Nanosolar; ONI Systems (CIEN); Panasas; ParAllele (AFFX); Pivotal Technologies (BRCM); Proofpoint; Revenue Science; Shutterfly and Tethys Bioscience.
For more information, please visit www.mdv.com.
Infusion Software Inc., provider of the best-selling customer relationship management (CRM) software for small businesses.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced it has secured funding of $9 million from MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm. This round represents Infusion's first round of venture financing.
What's purpose Of raising Fund:
Infusion Software will use the financing to accelerate customer acquisition via increased sales and marketing efforts and to enhance its award-winning CRM software built specifically for true small businesses that want to grow quickly and profitably. True small businesses (TSB) are owner-run organizations with 2-50 employees that have grown organically. These businesses do not have layers like larger organizations, and thus automation of business processes via easy-to-use technology is highly desired.
How They Are Different From Others CRMs:
"Infusion's unique approach to CRM technology, strong customer traction among small businesses, and winning management team have enabled the company to capture a notable share of what we believe to be a very significant market opportunity," said Nancy Schoendorf, MDV general partner and an Infusion Software board member. "What they've done is answered the need among small business owners everywhere for a tool that streamlines and boosts sales and marketing activities without the need to hire additional salesforcAbout MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures
About VCs:
For 25 years MDV, a leading Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, has identified, mentored and developed entrepreneurs and young companies redefining business, technology and medicine. The firm invests around three major business and science concerns: Personalizing Medicine; Powering the Planet; and Driving the Digital World. The firm partners with entrepreneurs who have deep expertise in life sciences, information technology and energy and materials. MDV's team engages very early in the life of a company to impact its long-term success. Category-leading companies funded by MDV include: Agile (ORCL); Broadbase (KANA); Brocade; Energy Innovations; FormFactor; Genius; hi5; Medio Systems; Nanosolar; ONI Systems (CIEN); Panasas; ParAllele (AFFX); Pivotal Technologies (BRCM); Proofpoint; Revenue Science; Shutterfly and Tethys Bioscience.
For more information, please visit www.mdv.com.
Businesses You Can Start for Under $20
Businesses You Can Start for Under $20
Whether you're starting a business on the side while still employed elsewhere, a student or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time businesses. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20!
1. Webpreneur
It's what everyone who's ever surfed the Web dreams of—just stick a web site up there and watch the cash roll in! Well, that just doesn't happen overnight, but the fact of the matter is it's really not very hard to do. To do it right, start by picking a subject matter you know a lot about.
Then get a domain and create a web site. It doesn't even matter what technology you use—just be totally anal-retentive about it looking good and provide plenty of original content. Now find some appropriate affiliate programs—that's where your revenues are going to come from. Next, learn everything you can about search engine marketing and promote the heck out of your site. Last of all, set aside time every week to put new content on the site, delete dead links, and other maintenance. Now do this three or four times, and you've chosen your topics well, you might actually have some decent income from it.
Spend the $20 on: $8 or less for a domain (see our Online Business Guide's list of cheap domain name registrars) and $12 for a year of hosting (search for "$1 hosting").
2. Consultant
Getting into consulting is relatively simple. All you have to do is know how to do something better than most people do, and be able to either teach people how to do it or be willing to do it for them. Networking is the key to success in this business, so start by making a list of everyone you know and giving them all a call.
Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 buying your first prospect a cup of coffee one morning.
3. Housesitter / Petsitter
Particularly since 9/11, people feel an increased need for security, and housesitting gives them some reassurance while they're out of town. This one's great because it basically requires no particular skills, just trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure to have personal references available, and you'll also need reliable transportation. If you're an animal lover, petsitting is an easy add-on.
Spend the $20 on: $2 on flyers to put up on bulletin boards, and the rest on classified ads in your local neighborhood paper (not a big city-wide one).
4. Professional Organizer
People these days are simply overwhelmed by their "stuff". While there is an ever-growing trend of people wanting to simplify their lives, most of us haven't done it yet. It's not that people really have no clue how to get organized, it just keeps moving to the bottom of the stack, both figuratively and literally. There's a prime opportunity for people to come in at a reasonable rate and get houses organized. And while there is a National Association of Professional Organizers that you can join when you're ready, mostly it takes common sense, organizational skills, and a familiarity with what can be had at your local office supply and The Container Store.
Spend the $20 on: Classified ads.
5. Avon Independent Sales Representative
Cosmetics is a virtually recession-proof business, because it's an inexpensive way for people to feel good about themselves. Avon is the largest consumer direct sales company in the world, with annual sales of nearly $6 billion. In business for well over 100 years, they have both a highly reputable product line and one of the few highly reputable multi-level marketing structures (in fact, they invented it). They also offer fashion and wellness products in addition to their beauty products. And while they bill themselves as "The Company for Women", a fairly substantial number of men have actually been very successful as Avon reps. The secret to making a living at it rather than just a little extra spending money? Build your downline—just like with any other network marketing or direct selling business.
Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples.
More at:http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/businessideas/a/10startupideas.htm
Whether you're starting a business on the side while still employed elsewhere, a student or homemaker looking for extra income, or unemployed and trying to figure out what to do, there are plenty of opportunities for you to start up a side business inexpensively. It's unlikely any of these will make you a living in the first few months, but they all have the potential to grow into full-time businesses. We'll take a look at 10 such opportunities and, most importantly, tell you what to do with the $20!
1. Webpreneur
It's what everyone who's ever surfed the Web dreams of—just stick a web site up there and watch the cash roll in! Well, that just doesn't happen overnight, but the fact of the matter is it's really not very hard to do. To do it right, start by picking a subject matter you know a lot about.
Then get a domain and create a web site. It doesn't even matter what technology you use—just be totally anal-retentive about it looking good and provide plenty of original content. Now find some appropriate affiliate programs—that's where your revenues are going to come from. Next, learn everything you can about search engine marketing and promote the heck out of your site. Last of all, set aside time every week to put new content on the site, delete dead links, and other maintenance. Now do this three or four times, and you've chosen your topics well, you might actually have some decent income from it.
Spend the $20 on: $8 or less for a domain (see our Online Business Guide's list of cheap domain name registrars) and $12 for a year of hosting (search for "$1 hosting").
2. Consultant
Getting into consulting is relatively simple. All you have to do is know how to do something better than most people do, and be able to either teach people how to do it or be willing to do it for them. Networking is the key to success in this business, so start by making a list of everyone you know and giving them all a call.
Spend the $20 on: $14 on a box of clean-edge laser or inkjet business cards and $6 buying your first prospect a cup of coffee one morning.
3. Housesitter / Petsitter
Particularly since 9/11, people feel an increased need for security, and housesitting gives them some reassurance while they're out of town. This one's great because it basically requires no particular skills, just trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure to have personal references available, and you'll also need reliable transportation. If you're an animal lover, petsitting is an easy add-on.
Spend the $20 on: $2 on flyers to put up on bulletin boards, and the rest on classified ads in your local neighborhood paper (not a big city-wide one).
4. Professional Organizer
People these days are simply overwhelmed by their "stuff". While there is an ever-growing trend of people wanting to simplify their lives, most of us haven't done it yet. It's not that people really have no clue how to get organized, it just keeps moving to the bottom of the stack, both figuratively and literally. There's a prime opportunity for people to come in at a reasonable rate and get houses organized. And while there is a National Association of Professional Organizers that you can join when you're ready, mostly it takes common sense, organizational skills, and a familiarity with what can be had at your local office supply and The Container Store.
Spend the $20 on: Classified ads.
5. Avon Independent Sales Representative
Cosmetics is a virtually recession-proof business, because it's an inexpensive way for people to feel good about themselves. Avon is the largest consumer direct sales company in the world, with annual sales of nearly $6 billion. In business for well over 100 years, they have both a highly reputable product line and one of the few highly reputable multi-level marketing structures (in fact, they invented it). They also offer fashion and wellness products in addition to their beauty products. And while they bill themselves as "The Company for Women", a fairly substantial number of men have actually been very successful as Avon reps. The secret to making a living at it rather than just a little extra spending money? Build your downline—just like with any other network marketing or direct selling business.
Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples.
More at:http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/businessideas/a/10startupideas.htm
Free training ,Tools and Software For Small Business in India
SME Toolkit is a project of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. In India ICICI Bank has tied up with IFC to offer free business management information and training for small businesses / small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on accounting and finance, business planning, human resources (HR), marketing and sales, operations, Tenders information, Business News, Draft Agreements, Legal Notifications and information technology (IT). The SME Toolkit India offers a wide range of how-to articles, business forms, free business software, online training, self-assessment exercises, quizzes, and resources to help entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in India to start, finance, formalize, and grow their businesses.
. More at:http://india.smetoolkit.org/india/en/index
. More at:http://india.smetoolkit.org/india/en/index
How To Get Your Big Break
Search all you want, there is no magic formula for fame and fortune.
The truth is, big breaks don't just happen; people make them happen--through hard work, networking, courage, passion and even pain. And as much as modern culture has glorified the notion of the "big break" ( American Idol, anyone?), lasting success has less to do with singular, transcendent moments than it does with incremental progress and unflagging grit.
"We romanticize the idea of a big break, but they aren't always this wonderful, positive thing," says David Dotlich, senior partner at Portland, Ore.-based Delta Executive Learning Center. "Sometimes it's [about] a big loss."
In Pictures: How To Get Your Big Break
Barbara Corcoran knows about spinning loss into opportunity. The founder of The Corcoran Group, New York City's largest residential real estate agency, owes her rise to a painful event: breaking up with her boyfriend . Back in 1973, he lent her $1,000 to start a real estate agency , and took a 51% stake. Seven years later, he ran off with the company's secretary , ultimately giving her full control of the company.
"Thank God, or I never would have been in business on my own and learn I could stand on my own two feet," says Corcoran, who sold her business in 2001 for $71 million, and will soon host her own real-estate talk show on CNBC.
Big breaks can also sneak up on you, even as the rest of the world seems to crumble. "A lot of times, people get their big break and they don't know they're having it," says Dotlich.
Take legendary talk show host David Letterman. The late-night funnyman broke into the business with a flop. After a string of guest appearances on second-tier sitcoms and game shows, Letterman landed a hosting gig for a comedy pilot called The Riddlers. The series was a bust, but Letterman got noticed by the higher-ups at The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He soon became a regular guest, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Rather than wait for his big break, real estate mogul Larry Silverstein built his empire brick by brick. He began his career in the 1950s by converting a Manhattan industrial shack into an office building. "I didn't have a clue what I was doing in the beginning," he says. Indeed, it took myriad deals over five decades to get where Silverstein, 76, is today. "You have to stick with it," he says. He'll need every bit of that conviction to pull off his finale--rebuilding the World Trade Center site, into which he sunk $800 million the summer before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Talent and tenacity notwithstanding, having the right friends helps, too--as pop star Mariah Carey can attest. While working as a backup singer for Puerto Rican performer Brenda Starr in 1988, Carey met Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party. As a favor, Starr gave Carey's demo tape to Mattola. After a listen, he bolted back to the party to track Carey down and sign her on. Good move for everyone: Carey's first five singles hit the Billboard Hot 100.
No matter what, when lady luck comes knocking, you'd better be ready to pounce. Just ask rising actor Michael C. Hall. It took three years after graduating from New York University's Tisch School, but Hall got his break when he met director Sam Mendes at a musical workshop. At the time, Mendes was directing Cabaret on Broadway . When the actor playing the "emcee" stepped down, Mendes called Hall to try out for the role.
By that evening, Hall was practicing with the choreographer, and within days he was on Broadway. Hall has since landed cherry gigs on Dexter, airing on Showtime, and HBO's Six Feet Under. "With that job [in Cabaret], I felt like I crossed some sort of threshold," he says. "Everything that happened beyond that was in this realm I never considered."
Clearly, some industries are tougher to crack in a big way than others. In the entertainment industry, getting any job--no matter how small--is considered a break. "There are myths in our business about the actor who is discovered at the lunch counter," says Michael Taylor, chair of the vaunted film and television division at the University of Southern California. "What's more likely is a combination of luck, timing and who you know."
Unless you're Rosario Dawson, that is. The oldest daughter of East Village squatters got her big acting break by sitting on the stoop of her building. Director Larry Clark and casting agent Harmony Korine were scouting scenes for the 1995 film Kids when they noticed Dawson, who later landed a role in the movie. She has since appeared in 35 films, including the 2006 remake of the Broadway smash Rent.
No, life isn't fair. But with a little effort, you can boost your odds.
Via-Forbes
The truth is, big breaks don't just happen; people make them happen--through hard work, networking, courage, passion and even pain. And as much as modern culture has glorified the notion of the "big break" ( American Idol, anyone?), lasting success has less to do with singular, transcendent moments than it does with incremental progress and unflagging grit.
"We romanticize the idea of a big break, but they aren't always this wonderful, positive thing," says David Dotlich, senior partner at Portland, Ore.-based Delta Executive Learning Center. "Sometimes it's [about] a big loss."
In Pictures: How To Get Your Big Break
Barbara Corcoran knows about spinning loss into opportunity. The founder of The Corcoran Group, New York City's largest residential real estate agency, owes her rise to a painful event: breaking up with her boyfriend . Back in 1973, he lent her $1,000 to start a real estate agency , and took a 51% stake. Seven years later, he ran off with the company's secretary , ultimately giving her full control of the company.
"Thank God, or I never would have been in business on my own and learn I could stand on my own two feet," says Corcoran, who sold her business in 2001 for $71 million, and will soon host her own real-estate talk show on CNBC.
Big breaks can also sneak up on you, even as the rest of the world seems to crumble. "A lot of times, people get their big break and they don't know they're having it," says Dotlich.
Take legendary talk show host David Letterman. The late-night funnyman broke into the business with a flop. After a string of guest appearances on second-tier sitcoms and game shows, Letterman landed a hosting gig for a comedy pilot called The Riddlers. The series was a bust, but Letterman got noticed by the higher-ups at The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He soon became a regular guest, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Rather than wait for his big break, real estate mogul Larry Silverstein built his empire brick by brick. He began his career in the 1950s by converting a Manhattan industrial shack into an office building. "I didn't have a clue what I was doing in the beginning," he says. Indeed, it took myriad deals over five decades to get where Silverstein, 76, is today. "You have to stick with it," he says. He'll need every bit of that conviction to pull off his finale--rebuilding the World Trade Center site, into which he sunk $800 million the summer before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Talent and tenacity notwithstanding, having the right friends helps, too--as pop star Mariah Carey can attest. While working as a backup singer for Puerto Rican performer Brenda Starr in 1988, Carey met Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola at a party. As a favor, Starr gave Carey's demo tape to Mattola. After a listen, he bolted back to the party to track Carey down and sign her on. Good move for everyone: Carey's first five singles hit the Billboard Hot 100.
No matter what, when lady luck comes knocking, you'd better be ready to pounce. Just ask rising actor Michael C. Hall. It took three years after graduating from New York University's Tisch School, but Hall got his break when he met director Sam Mendes at a musical workshop. At the time, Mendes was directing Cabaret on Broadway . When the actor playing the "emcee" stepped down, Mendes called Hall to try out for the role.
By that evening, Hall was practicing with the choreographer, and within days he was on Broadway. Hall has since landed cherry gigs on Dexter, airing on Showtime, and HBO's Six Feet Under. "With that job [in Cabaret], I felt like I crossed some sort of threshold," he says. "Everything that happened beyond that was in this realm I never considered."
Clearly, some industries are tougher to crack in a big way than others. In the entertainment industry, getting any job--no matter how small--is considered a break. "There are myths in our business about the actor who is discovered at the lunch counter," says Michael Taylor, chair of the vaunted film and television division at the University of Southern California. "What's more likely is a combination of luck, timing and who you know."
Unless you're Rosario Dawson, that is. The oldest daughter of East Village squatters got her big acting break by sitting on the stoop of her building. Director Larry Clark and casting agent Harmony Korine were scouting scenes for the 1995 film Kids when they noticed Dawson, who later landed a role in the movie. She has since appeared in 35 films, including the 2006 remake of the Broadway smash Rent.
No, life isn't fair. But with a little effort, you can boost your odds.
Via-Forbes
Pre.vu is offering a digital-age alternative
What Company is Offering:
Pre.vu is offering a digital-age alternative that could make such tasks a little easier by allowing consumers to record a personalised message onto a CD case or gift tag instead.
How It Works:
Voice, music and sound effects can be included in a 60-second message that’s incorporated in a credit card-sized gift tag or CD case to accompany a set of holiday photos, for example. The resulting recordings can be played back hundreds of times at the touch of a button. Shockwave is required for online recording, but consumers can also record their messages by phoning in to Pre.vu. Pricing is GBP 5.50 for a gift tag or GBP 2.50 for a talking CD case. Pre.vu, operated by U.-based Origgio Ltd., sells its Talking Messages products direct to consumers via its own site, but it also offers the functionality to e-commerce retailers, which in turn can offer the service to consumers much like gift-wrapping or regular, printed gift tags.
In addition to the possibilities in online retail, Pre.vu also markets its Talking Messages products for enterprise packaging applications and direct marketing--one message can be recorded on multiple tags or CD cases, for example. Feels like the sky's the limit on the global possibilities for this one in both the B-to-B and B-to-C worlds. Novelty and personalisation tend to be a winning combination, and in this case, the language barriers take care of themselves. Now how about taking it a step further with Moving Messages, a video equivalent...? Let us know when you're done!
More at: www.pre.vu
Pre.vu is offering a digital-age alternative that could make such tasks a little easier by allowing consumers to record a personalised message onto a CD case or gift tag instead.
How It Works:
Voice, music and sound effects can be included in a 60-second message that’s incorporated in a credit card-sized gift tag or CD case to accompany a set of holiday photos, for example. The resulting recordings can be played back hundreds of times at the touch of a button. Shockwave is required for online recording, but consumers can also record their messages by phoning in to Pre.vu. Pricing is GBP 5.50 for a gift tag or GBP 2.50 for a talking CD case. Pre.vu, operated by U.-based Origgio Ltd., sells its Talking Messages products direct to consumers via its own site, but it also offers the functionality to e-commerce retailers, which in turn can offer the service to consumers much like gift-wrapping or regular, printed gift tags.
In addition to the possibilities in online retail, Pre.vu also markets its Talking Messages products for enterprise packaging applications and direct marketing--one message can be recorded on multiple tags or CD cases, for example. Feels like the sky's the limit on the global possibilities for this one in both the B-to-B and B-to-C worlds. Novelty and personalisation tend to be a winning combination, and in this case, the language barriers take care of themselves. Now how about taking it a step further with Moving Messages, a video equivalent...? Let us know when you're done!
More at: www.pre.vu
I Want Sandy is a virtual personal assistant that’s integrated with your email
What Company is Offering:
I Want Sandy is a virtual personal assistant that’s integrated with your email so that keeping track of appointments and such is a slightly less stressful fact of every day life. Currently in private beta, I got a chance to take it for a spin this weekend.
How It Works:
This service works with text messages as well, so you can still keep track of your life and add things to your account while you’re on the go. I Want Sandy works by offering you your own email address. This is good because it means you can send something to your account from any email address, and it doesn’t need to come directly from your registered email address in order to add items. Likewise, CC’ing Sandy on an email sent to another person will also be integrated for your account.
There are a few things that you can ask Sandy to do, like remind you of a project that needs to be turned in next Friday, add items to your to-do list, or add things to your calendar. It will filter most of this information, which provides easy access via your I Want Sandy account. Anyone you send an email to with Sandy CC’ed will be added to your Friends list, and items for the current day will be displayed, along with all of your reminders, your to-do list, and your calendar. I Want Sandy can also be used to search your emails that it’s keeping track of–to this end, there’s also a tag cloud that shows on your account details.
As with similar services like IMified, there’s shorthand you can use for sending items to Sandy, as well as a help menu that can be accessed via email or text message. There doesn’t seem to be any integration with third-party tools, like your iCal.
More at:http://iwantsandy.com/
I Want Sandy is a virtual personal assistant that’s integrated with your email so that keeping track of appointments and such is a slightly less stressful fact of every day life. Currently in private beta, I got a chance to take it for a spin this weekend.
How It Works:
This service works with text messages as well, so you can still keep track of your life and add things to your account while you’re on the go. I Want Sandy works by offering you your own email address. This is good because it means you can send something to your account from any email address, and it doesn’t need to come directly from your registered email address in order to add items. Likewise, CC’ing Sandy on an email sent to another person will also be integrated for your account.
There are a few things that you can ask Sandy to do, like remind you of a project that needs to be turned in next Friday, add items to your to-do list, or add things to your calendar. It will filter most of this information, which provides easy access via your I Want Sandy account. Anyone you send an email to with Sandy CC’ed will be added to your Friends list, and items for the current day will be displayed, along with all of your reminders, your to-do list, and your calendar. I Want Sandy can also be used to search your emails that it’s keeping track of–to this end, there’s also a tag cloud that shows on your account details.
As with similar services like IMified, there’s shorthand you can use for sending items to Sandy, as well as a help menu that can be accessed via email or text message. There doesn’t seem to be any integration with third-party tools, like your iCal.
More at:http://iwantsandy.com/
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Teenpreneurs
Age: 17
Business started: 2006
Initial investment: $850
Education: Currently attending Montgomery Blair High School
Sacks got the inspiration for his business when his parents printed cards for his brother's bar mitzvah party. He developed his idea for a customized card business during his NFTE entrepreneurship class.
Today his business prints custom images such as a company's logo or a personal photo on the backs of playing cards, so that the decks can be used as a marketing tool or mementos at weddings and birthday parties. While making samples for his class, a Xerox (XRX) distributor asked to buy some cards. "When I made my first sale, I really knew I had a good product because he raised his original order from 5 decks to 75 decks once he saw the product."
More at:http://yodcards.com/
Via-UCB
Business started: 2006
Initial investment: $850
Education: Currently attending Montgomery Blair High School
Sacks got the inspiration for his business when his parents printed cards for his brother's bar mitzvah party. He developed his idea for a customized card business during his NFTE entrepreneurship class.
Today his business prints custom images such as a company's logo or a personal photo on the backs of playing cards, so that the decks can be used as a marketing tool or mementos at weddings and birthday parties. While making samples for his class, a Xerox (XRX) distributor asked to buy some cards. "When I made my first sale, I really knew I had a good product because he raised his original order from 5 decks to 75 decks once he saw the product."
More at:http://yodcards.com/
Via-UCB
How To Get Noticed Small Business
One of the oldest and most effective ways to market yourself online is through local small business directory listings. Small business Internet marketing requires starting with a listing of your small business in the major general directories then listing them in niche and industry-specific directories appropriate to your small business. It is a time consuming process to list your small business in the right directories, but a necessary one to ensure good rankings for your website.
The most essential directory for your small business to be listed in is DMOZ, also called the Open Directory Project. All the major search engines, and most of the minor ones, rely on DMOZ, located at www.dmoz.org, for information on websites. Google gets information on every website it crawls from DMOZ.
You should also list your small business in Google Local and Yahoo Local. All you need to do to get listed with Google is to go to Google, click on the Local link and find the "add your business link." For Yahoo, go to Yahoo, click on "Directory," then click on "Submit Your Site" at the bottom of the page.
You can find other directories online by using Google or Yahoo. Type in "directory of directories" and you'll get a list of small business directories, both paid and free, listed by state, industry, niche, and other categorizations. I recommend that you list in every directory that applies to your business. Here is a short list of local small business directory opportunities to help you attract local customers for your business:
• www.dmoz.org
• http://dir.yahoo.com
• www.joeant.com
• www.jayde.com
• www.avivadirectory.com
• www.goguides.com
• www.botw.org
Some directories, like the Yahoo directory, charge, but it is well worth what you pay to be listed. Once you are included in Yahoo's small business directory, you can bet your website will be indexed in the search engine as well.
There are three primary considerations for your small business when listing in directories online:
• The directory's PageRank
• The directory's age
• Is your small business category available?
PageRank is important for SEO purposes. Internet marketing pros all recommend getting inbound links from websites with high PR. A website with a PR higher than yours will benefit you with valuable inbound links that will give you a boost in the search engines as well. The age of the directory makes it more valuable because you know that if the directory has been around for more than two years then it will likely be around next year. You can get information on PageRank and the age of various directories at http://www.seocompany.ca/directory/web-directories.html.
Don't waste your time trying to get listed in a directory that doesn't offer a category you'll fit into. Be sure to browse the categories at any small business directories you consider before you list your business.
Two great sources for finding web directories for your small business Internet marketing efforts are www.dir-search.com and www.best-web-directories.com. The Best Web Directories website is perhaps the most comprehensive website for finding business directories online. If you want to find local customers through small business directories then I recommend these two resources for finding the best places online for finding small business directories for your Internet marketing efforts.
Via-AVM
The most essential directory for your small business to be listed in is DMOZ, also called the Open Directory Project. All the major search engines, and most of the minor ones, rely on DMOZ, located at www.dmoz.org, for information on websites. Google gets information on every website it crawls from DMOZ.
You should also list your small business in Google Local and Yahoo Local. All you need to do to get listed with Google is to go to Google, click on the Local link and find the "add your business link." For Yahoo, go to Yahoo, click on "Directory," then click on "Submit Your Site" at the bottom of the page.
You can find other directories online by using Google or Yahoo. Type in "directory of directories" and you'll get a list of small business directories, both paid and free, listed by state, industry, niche, and other categorizations. I recommend that you list in every directory that applies to your business. Here is a short list of local small business directory opportunities to help you attract local customers for your business:
• www.dmoz.org
• http://dir.yahoo.com
• www.joeant.com
• www.jayde.com
• www.avivadirectory.com
• www.goguides.com
• www.botw.org
Some directories, like the Yahoo directory, charge, but it is well worth what you pay to be listed. Once you are included in Yahoo's small business directory, you can bet your website will be indexed in the search engine as well.
There are three primary considerations for your small business when listing in directories online:
• The directory's PageRank
• The directory's age
• Is your small business category available?
PageRank is important for SEO purposes. Internet marketing pros all recommend getting inbound links from websites with high PR. A website with a PR higher than yours will benefit you with valuable inbound links that will give you a boost in the search engines as well. The age of the directory makes it more valuable because you know that if the directory has been around for more than two years then it will likely be around next year. You can get information on PageRank and the age of various directories at http://www.seocompany.ca/directory/web-directories.html.
Don't waste your time trying to get listed in a directory that doesn't offer a category you'll fit into. Be sure to browse the categories at any small business directories you consider before you list your business.
Two great sources for finding web directories for your small business Internet marketing efforts are www.dir-search.com and www.best-web-directories.com. The Best Web Directories website is perhaps the most comprehensive website for finding business directories online. If you want to find local customers through small business directories then I recommend these two resources for finding the best places online for finding small business directories for your Internet marketing efforts.
Via-AVM
Six groups enables you to start your own community for free
What Company is Offering:
Six groups enables you to start your own community for free, about every topic, available to everyone. Choose your design from a large variety of templates and define the data fields for your members' profiles. For the start of your community, basic features such as a group blog and a photo and media gallery are available to members, allowing you to organize private or professional social networks online.
How It Works:
At SixGroups.com you can create your own social network that can revolve around any theme you choose. You can make a community dedicated to Punk Rock or Outdoor sports. As manager you have complete control over the design of the layout, contact management, messaging, file management, photo gallery and weblog. You can choose what features you want your community users to have, you are in complete control of your community. Your community will be connected to the SixGroups network. All you have to do to start your own community is hit “start your own community” and you are on your way.
More at:http://sixgroups.com/
Six groups enables you to start your own community for free, about every topic, available to everyone. Choose your design from a large variety of templates and define the data fields for your members' profiles. For the start of your community, basic features such as a group blog and a photo and media gallery are available to members, allowing you to organize private or professional social networks online.
How It Works:
At SixGroups.com you can create your own social network that can revolve around any theme you choose. You can make a community dedicated to Punk Rock or Outdoor sports. As manager you have complete control over the design of the layout, contact management, messaging, file management, photo gallery and weblog. You can choose what features you want your community users to have, you are in complete control of your community. Your community will be connected to the SixGroups network. All you have to do to start your own community is hit “start your own community” and you are on your way.
More at:http://sixgroups.com/
Share Photos And Get Paid
What Company is Offering:
Photrade makes it easy to share prints with your friends and family. Uploading is easy with our multi-photo uploader, and you can email the photos to friends and family, or post the photos directly in your blog or myspace. Your friends and family can even order prints of their favorite photos! Your photos will also be added to our library (if you choose) and you can share your photos with the world! People can also tag, rate & comment on your photos.
How It Works:
Create an account with Photrade.com and you can easily upload as many photos as you want. You can email you photos to your friends or post them on your blog or social network. Family and friends can pay for prints of your photos. You can earn revenue every time a different person visits your page or clicks on your photo. In order to earn revenue you must make sure that the Ad Revenue button is on in your preferences. People may be interested in buying your photos. In this case you can also choose how much you think your photo is worth and sell them accordingly. Photrade.com has many features which make displaying your photos easy and attractive to others. Other users can comment on your photos, tag them and rate them.
More at:http://photrade.com/
Photrade makes it easy to share prints with your friends and family. Uploading is easy with our multi-photo uploader, and you can email the photos to friends and family, or post the photos directly in your blog or myspace. Your friends and family can even order prints of their favorite photos! Your photos will also be added to our library (if you choose) and you can share your photos with the world! People can also tag, rate & comment on your photos.
How It Works:
Create an account with Photrade.com and you can easily upload as many photos as you want. You can email you photos to your friends or post them on your blog or social network. Family and friends can pay for prints of your photos. You can earn revenue every time a different person visits your page or clicks on your photo. In order to earn revenue you must make sure that the Ad Revenue button is on in your preferences. People may be interested in buying your photos. In this case you can also choose how much you think your photo is worth and sell them accordingly. Photrade.com has many features which make displaying your photos easy and attractive to others. Other users can comment on your photos, tag them and rate them.
More at:http://photrade.com/
LittleEngine is a new small-business social network
What Company is Offering:
The aim of LittleEngine is to simply replicate the very actions that people demonstrate on a daily basis: locating small businesses that can provide them with the products or services they need. "We facilitate this by providing the resources to find and check out businesses that might have been unknown to consumers and business owners alike. LittleEngine provides the tools for business owners to reach out to consumers and consumers to find businesses that satisfy their interests. For information about our services check out the Take The Tour section on our homepage, and you can see what we are all about".
How It Works:
LittleEngine is a new small-business social network which brings this notion to the net; on this site you can sign up your small business and create a profile for it. Be sure to use LittleEngine’s tagging service to make it easier for potential customers to find you in searches. Like any social network, you can invite and add friends on LittleEngine to help promote your business There are numerous other features you can choose to take advantage of, including but not limited to: photo uploads, commercial uploads, offers and deals for your customers, multiple business profiles, . There are several levels of membership on LittleEngine; trial (free), basic (US $90/month) and Pro (US $140/month).
More at:http://www.littleengine.com/
The aim of LittleEngine is to simply replicate the very actions that people demonstrate on a daily basis: locating small businesses that can provide them with the products or services they need. "We facilitate this by providing the resources to find and check out businesses that might have been unknown to consumers and business owners alike. LittleEngine provides the tools for business owners to reach out to consumers and consumers to find businesses that satisfy their interests. For information about our services check out the Take The Tour section on our homepage, and you can see what we are all about".
How It Works:
LittleEngine is a new small-business social network which brings this notion to the net; on this site you can sign up your small business and create a profile for it. Be sure to use LittleEngine’s tagging service to make it easier for potential customers to find you in searches. Like any social network, you can invite and add friends on LittleEngine to help promote your business There are numerous other features you can choose to take advantage of, including but not limited to: photo uploads, commercial uploads, offers and deals for your customers, multiple business profiles, . There are several levels of membership on LittleEngine; trial (free), basic (US $90/month) and Pro (US $140/month).
More at:http://www.littleengine.com/
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Lootpig is "one deal a day" website selling stuff at prices below retail
What Company is Offering:
Lootpig is "one deal a day" website selling stuff at prices below retail by getting our items directly from the source or wholesaler and cutting out the middleman. Thus saving you money! We list a new item everyday at 6:00am EST and this item is available until its sold out or 5:59am the following day. Should the item be a popular hit and we have lots in stock we might decide to sell it for another 24 hours.
How It works:
Lootpig features a new product every day that’s available for your purchase, which will only remain so for 24 hours. The site is run by Bright Sparks Group LLC, a marketing/sales company which claims it has connections to wholesalers, thus being able to provide you with the product at a reduced price. You can also accumulate Pig Point by logging into the site and making purchases. These Pig Points can be redeemed for merchandise, and in addition Lootpig makes special offers for select members (the site features Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of membership based on how many Pig Points you have accumulated). Site registration is free.
More at:http://www.lootpig.com/
Lootpig is "one deal a day" website selling stuff at prices below retail by getting our items directly from the source or wholesaler and cutting out the middleman. Thus saving you money! We list a new item everyday at 6:00am EST and this item is available until its sold out or 5:59am the following day. Should the item be a popular hit and we have lots in stock we might decide to sell it for another 24 hours.
How It works:
Lootpig features a new product every day that’s available for your purchase, which will only remain so for 24 hours. The site is run by Bright Sparks Group LLC, a marketing/sales company which claims it has connections to wholesalers, thus being able to provide you with the product at a reduced price. You can also accumulate Pig Point by logging into the site and making purchases. These Pig Points can be redeemed for merchandise, and in addition Lootpig makes special offers for select members (the site features Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of membership based on how many Pig Points you have accumulated). Site registration is free.
More at:http://www.lootpig.com/
He Made Millions With Ducttape
It’s sticky, and many Americans have a roll, just in case, but a number of resourceful entrepreneurs have made duct tape the focus of their businesses.
Garett Croft Stenson was broke and living with his parents in Portland, Ore., after college when he crafted a few wallets out of duct tape — a hobby he had learned in his dorm room. Mr. Stenson brought them to a local market to sell for $8 to $15.
The small, thin, brightly colored wallets were a hit, to the point where demand was outpacing supply. Soon Mr. Stenson was hearing from stores interested in selling his product and selling his wares at art shows nationwide.
“I thought, this could be a real business,” said Mr. Stenson, who was spending up to 90 hours a week making wallets. “I made the decision to take on an S.B.A. loan and hire people to help produce them. It evolved from something handmade for a street market to, ‘Let’s go big with this.’ ”
Five years later, Mr. Stenson’s business, DB Clay, is manufacturing a thicker type of duct tape in China and hoping to make at least $500,000 in sales this year. And he is not alone.
Dozens of small businesses make wallets, handbags, jewelry and other products out of duct tape.
More at:More at:http://www.dbclay.com/
Via-Uncommonblog
Garett Croft Stenson was broke and living with his parents in Portland, Ore., after college when he crafted a few wallets out of duct tape — a hobby he had learned in his dorm room. Mr. Stenson brought them to a local market to sell for $8 to $15.
The small, thin, brightly colored wallets were a hit, to the point where demand was outpacing supply. Soon Mr. Stenson was hearing from stores interested in selling his product and selling his wares at art shows nationwide.
“I thought, this could be a real business,” said Mr. Stenson, who was spending up to 90 hours a week making wallets. “I made the decision to take on an S.B.A. loan and hire people to help produce them. It evolved from something handmade for a street market to, ‘Let’s go big with this.’ ”
Five years later, Mr. Stenson’s business, DB Clay, is manufacturing a thicker type of duct tape in China and hoping to make at least $500,000 in sales this year. And he is not alone.
Dozens of small businesses make wallets, handbags, jewelry and other products out of duct tape.
More at:More at:http://www.dbclay.com/
Via-Uncommonblog
Vocalocity has raised $8 million
About Company:
For cost conscious small business owners who need a new expandable phone system and want to save money, Vocalocity has an affordable, no maintenance PBX that can be set up in minutes. Unlike expensive traditional systems, our solution ties together high quality voice services and features once only affordable to big companies -- the only equipment you need is phones.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that they have raised $8 million in Series A financing. Noro-Moseley Partners was lead investor with added participation from Pittco Capital Partners, Imlay Partners and Vocalocity management.
Who Will Get Benifit Their Service:
Micro enterprises gain a full set of voice communications tools from Vocalocity including auto-attendant, voicemail to e-mail, follow me roaming, music on hold, simultaneous ring, conference calling and call queuing. This feature-rich phone system is as easy to set up and administer as e-mail and with self-configuring VoIP phones and online management, businesses can have a new phone system up and running in minutes, not hours or days.
More at:http://www.vocalocity.net/
For cost conscious small business owners who need a new expandable phone system and want to save money, Vocalocity has an affordable, no maintenance PBX that can be set up in minutes. Unlike expensive traditional systems, our solution ties together high quality voice services and features once only affordable to big companies -- the only equipment you need is phones.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that they have raised $8 million in Series A financing. Noro-Moseley Partners was lead investor with added participation from Pittco Capital Partners, Imlay Partners and Vocalocity management.
Who Will Get Benifit Their Service:
Micro enterprises gain a full set of voice communications tools from Vocalocity including auto-attendant, voicemail to e-mail, follow me roaming, music on hold, simultaneous ring, conference calling and call queuing. This feature-rich phone system is as easy to set up and administer as e-mail and with self-configuring VoIP phones and online management, businesses can have a new phone system up and running in minutes, not hours or days.
More at:http://www.vocalocity.net/
SocialMedia has raised $3.5 Million In VCs Funding
What Company is Offering:
SocialMedia Networks provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services for developers building applications that run on open social platforms, including Facebook and MySpace. By fusing social analytics, monetization, and promotion into one product, SocialMedia Networks is ushering in the era of ad networks and platforms. Developers of social applications take advantage of SocialMedia Networks services, and advertisers can use the proprietary self-serve marketplace to start and manage their campaigns 24/7.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that they have secured Series A financing of $3.5 million. The investment was led by Charles River Ventures, and additional investors include: Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape and Jeff Clavier, founder and managing partner of SoftTech VC.
More at:http://www.socialmedia.com/
SocialMedia Networks provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services for developers building applications that run on open social platforms, including Facebook and MySpace. By fusing social analytics, monetization, and promotion into one product, SocialMedia Networks is ushering in the era of ad networks and platforms. Developers of social applications take advantage of SocialMedia Networks services, and advertisers can use the proprietary self-serve marketplace to start and manage their campaigns 24/7.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced that they have secured Series A financing of $3.5 million. The investment was led by Charles River Ventures, and additional investors include: Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape and Jeff Clavier, founder and managing partner of SoftTech VC.
More at:http://www.socialmedia.com/
With "HelloTxt" send one message To All, Twitter, Jaiku, Yappd, Meemi, Beemood and Tumblr
What Company is Offering:
HelloTxt is an aggregated messaging system that lets you compose one message and send it out to most popular micro-blogging services, including Twitter, Jaiku, Yappd, Meemi, Beemood and Tumblr, which was recently funded.
How It Works:
As soon as you go to the homepage, there’s a text box for you to insert your message. The right side bar lets you choose which services you’d like to send your message to. You’ll need to provide a username and password for each service. There don’t seem to be any actual HelloTxt accounts, so your messages won’t be saved on HelloTxt, and you’ll essentially need to go to the homepage, sign on, and agree to the terms and conditions every time you go to the site.
More at:http://www.hellotxt.com/
HelloTxt is an aggregated messaging system that lets you compose one message and send it out to most popular micro-blogging services, including Twitter, Jaiku, Yappd, Meemi, Beemood and Tumblr, which was recently funded.
How It Works:
As soon as you go to the homepage, there’s a text box for you to insert your message. The right side bar lets you choose which services you’d like to send your message to. You’ll need to provide a username and password for each service. There don’t seem to be any actual HelloTxt accounts, so your messages won’t be saved on HelloTxt, and you’ll essentially need to go to the homepage, sign on, and agree to the terms and conditions every time you go to the site.
More at:http://www.hellotxt.com/
ReverbNation
What Company says:
"We bring together artists, fans, venues, and record labels to forge relationships around the music that sustains us. Even in the age of the internet, music is still enjoyed both live and recorded, and still travels from fan to fan. ReverbNation is here to provide the online environment in which those relationships can thrive".
New Features:
ReverbNation now has a new profile option just for marketing purposes. The new profiles are to be used by Record Labels and Management Companies for the promotion of all the artists on their label. ReverbNation offers tracking and metrics as well, so you can see how the online marketing is going.
Offered with these profiles are free FanReach email management tools, a way to set up an Artists Roster with their associated songs, a consolidated show schedule for all your artists, a New Releases area, a Street Team function for encouraging web users to help you spread the word, and a customizable widget for the promotion of your artists.
This widget offering is TuneWidget, which ReverbNation launched about a month ago. It includes a cross-promotional tool that lets you display a recommended artist at the bottom of the widget. This plays into the whole new profile that ReverbNation is now releasing now.
More at:http://www.reverbnation.com/
"We bring together artists, fans, venues, and record labels to forge relationships around the music that sustains us. Even in the age of the internet, music is still enjoyed both live and recorded, and still travels from fan to fan. ReverbNation is here to provide the online environment in which those relationships can thrive".
New Features:
ReverbNation now has a new profile option just for marketing purposes. The new profiles are to be used by Record Labels and Management Companies for the promotion of all the artists on their label. ReverbNation offers tracking and metrics as well, so you can see how the online marketing is going.
Offered with these profiles are free FanReach email management tools, a way to set up an Artists Roster with their associated songs, a consolidated show schedule for all your artists, a New Releases area, a Street Team function for encouraging web users to help you spread the word, and a customizable widget for the promotion of your artists.
This widget offering is TuneWidget, which ReverbNation launched about a month ago. It includes a cross-promotional tool that lets you display a recommended artist at the bottom of the widget. This plays into the whole new profile that ReverbNation is now releasing now.
More at:http://www.reverbnation.com/
Wuala is a new way of storing, sharing, and publishing files on the internet
What Company is Offering:
Wuala is a new way of storing, sharing, and publishing files on the internet. It's a free desktop application for Windows and Mac that brings you a convenient and secure online storage. Unlike traditional online storage systems, Wuala is decentralized and can harness idle resources of participating computers to build a large, secure, and reliable online storage. This new technology has a number of advantages and it allows us to provide you a better service for free.
How It Works:
Wuala is decentralized and uses the hard drives of its members to store all their files. Of course it’s not as brute as it sounds; the concept is indeed novel and smartly executed. Wuala users agree to share some of their hard disk space in exchange for space on other people’s idle drives. All data is partitioned and encrypted, to dispel concerns about privacy or irresponsibility. Each file, moreover, is stretched across multiple hard drives, thereby insuring that fragments couldn’t possibly be pieced together and retrieved. Users start out with 1 gig but can more space on their hard drive to get more storage. Files can be accessed even if your computer’s offline and there’s a public area for sharing your documents with the world. Wuala works with Mac and PC.
More At:http://wua.la/
Wuala is a new way of storing, sharing, and publishing files on the internet. It's a free desktop application for Windows and Mac that brings you a convenient and secure online storage. Unlike traditional online storage systems, Wuala is decentralized and can harness idle resources of participating computers to build a large, secure, and reliable online storage. This new technology has a number of advantages and it allows us to provide you a better service for free.
How It Works:
Wuala is decentralized and uses the hard drives of its members to store all their files. Of course it’s not as brute as it sounds; the concept is indeed novel and smartly executed. Wuala users agree to share some of their hard disk space in exchange for space on other people’s idle drives. All data is partitioned and encrypted, to dispel concerns about privacy or irresponsibility. Each file, moreover, is stretched across multiple hard drives, thereby insuring that fragments couldn’t possibly be pieced together and retrieved. Users start out with 1 gig but can more space on their hard drive to get more storage. Files can be accessed even if your computer’s offline and there’s a public area for sharing your documents with the world. Wuala works with Mac and PC.
More At:http://wua.la/
Create Your Own World And Rule It With "VastPark"
What Company is Offering:
VastPark is a virtual content platform that enables you to create and deploy your own 3D virtual world within minutes. Play with ideas, add physics, trial concepts and publish them online. You might not have used 3D before, but you can do this.
How It Works:
VastPark is free for everyone, you can purchase for $19 a Pro Creator account, giving you 1GB of storage and bandwidth for two years. As a member, you can create your own world and tap into other worlds within one seamless framework. This means virtual content can be transported across different communities without the necessity of downloading different software. VastPark incorporates metagames, widgets, 3D building functions, scripting tools, and texture mapping. There’s no currency lock-in either, so creators can make up their own marketplace and economic systems. VastPark is currently in beta, and it’s free to download.
More at:http://www.vastpark.com/
VastPark is a virtual content platform that enables you to create and deploy your own 3D virtual world within minutes. Play with ideas, add physics, trial concepts and publish them online. You might not have used 3D before, but you can do this.
How It Works:
VastPark is free for everyone, you can purchase for $19 a Pro Creator account, giving you 1GB of storage and bandwidth for two years. As a member, you can create your own world and tap into other worlds within one seamless framework. This means virtual content can be transported across different communities without the necessity of downloading different software. VastPark incorporates metagames, widgets, 3D building functions, scripting tools, and texture mapping. There’s no currency lock-in either, so creators can make up their own marketplace and economic systems. VastPark is currently in beta, and it’s free to download.
More at:http://www.vastpark.com/
Friday, October 19, 2007
Debt-burdened students are matched with companies interested in sponsoring them to do charity work
How the Company Started:
The site was founded by recent graduate Ian Wallace, who finished his law studies with GBP 14,000 in debt. While working at a local factory to pay off some of it, Wallace explains, he heard the owner of the business bemoaning the way most charitable contributions never produce visible results for the donor. The proverbial lightbulb went on, and Wallace printed up a brochure explaining his idea. Soon after, he was sponsored by three companies. At the conclusion of his charity assignment, he presented a report to his sponsors to show how his work had helped. Meanwhile, his debts were paid off and he had gained valuable work experience.
How It Works:
It works like this: debt-burdened students are matched with companies interested in sponsoring them to do charity work. They then choose from among a few different participating charities to work for over a period of up to 6 months following graduation. At the completion of each set milestone during the assignment, the student's corporate sponsor pays off a chunk of the outstanding debt.
Membership costs GBP 16 and is open to anyone struggling with debt—not just students. The maximum amount of debt that can be paid off is GBP 9,000. The site won't launch officially until January, but four companies and 100 students have already signed up—Wallace is aiming for a maximum of 500 to begin with. Currently Do Good 4 Debt serves only the UK, but it hopes to recruit ambassadors in different countries over the next year. It's a concept that sounds like a win-win for everyone involved—one to bring to an area near you?
More at: www.dogood4debt.com
The site was founded by recent graduate Ian Wallace, who finished his law studies with GBP 14,000 in debt. While working at a local factory to pay off some of it, Wallace explains, he heard the owner of the business bemoaning the way most charitable contributions never produce visible results for the donor. The proverbial lightbulb went on, and Wallace printed up a brochure explaining his idea. Soon after, he was sponsored by three companies. At the conclusion of his charity assignment, he presented a report to his sponsors to show how his work had helped. Meanwhile, his debts were paid off and he had gained valuable work experience.
How It Works:
It works like this: debt-burdened students are matched with companies interested in sponsoring them to do charity work. They then choose from among a few different participating charities to work for over a period of up to 6 months following graduation. At the completion of each set milestone during the assignment, the student's corporate sponsor pays off a chunk of the outstanding debt.
Membership costs GBP 16 and is open to anyone struggling with debt—not just students. The maximum amount of debt that can be paid off is GBP 9,000. The site won't launch officially until January, but four companies and 100 students have already signed up—Wallace is aiming for a maximum of 500 to begin with. Currently Do Good 4 Debt serves only the UK, but it hopes to recruit ambassadors in different countries over the next year. It's a concept that sounds like a win-win for everyone involved—one to bring to an area near you?
More at: www.dogood4debt.com
Salesconx is an online marketplace for experienced sales professionals to buy and sell valuable introductions
What Company Is Offering:
Salesconx is an online marketplace that allows qualified, experienced sales professionals to buy and sell valuable introductions key decision makers looking for the products and services that they offer.
How It Works:
If you want to make a pitch to a certain manager for a particular company , you can put in a request at Salesconx. Someone else with that information can put it up for sale. Money is made only when the introduction is completed and confirmed so by the buyer. All members are subjected to a qualification process which requires a minimum of three years of sales experience and the reception of an invitation by a current Salesconx member. Member generated rankings and ratings are in place to keep the service clear and honest. Membership is free but Salesconx takes around 20% from transactions that occur on the site.
More at:http://www.salesconx.com/
Salesconx is an online marketplace that allows qualified, experienced sales professionals to buy and sell valuable introductions key decision makers looking for the products and services that they offer.
How It Works:
If you want to make a pitch to a certain manager for a particular company , you can put in a request at Salesconx. Someone else with that information can put it up for sale. Money is made only when the introduction is completed and confirmed so by the buyer. All members are subjected to a qualification process which requires a minimum of three years of sales experience and the reception of an invitation by a current Salesconx member. Member generated rankings and ratings are in place to keep the service clear and honest. Membership is free but Salesconx takes around 20% from transactions that occur on the site.
More at:http://www.salesconx.com/
Start Up Business School By Entrepreneurs For Entrepreneurs
Have you heared about startup business school..?Here...
What Is It?
The school has been founded out of the experiences of real entrepreneurs with real problems and not only on the whiteboards of academia. Unlike traditional schools, there are no assumptions and perfect economies to level the playing field. This is the real world where actual examples are turned into lessons for the next enthusiastic entrepreneur to learn from. Our planning process will guide you through the real world requirements of getting your business going while still providing you with the flexibility to circle back and revise your plan at any time.
We also know that planning and running a Startup is a collaborative process and not the domain of one person. It is impossible to build a business in isolation and our school brings a host of ways to network, blend, collaborate and question several audiences to find the answers you need. We'll help you connect to the people that will help you start and grow your business.
How It Works:
StartupBusinessSchool.com helps you create a business plan for your startup and there are helpful lessons provided by experienced owners, that are dedicated for each step of the business plan. You can find lessons that apply to the situation you are facing at the moment. StartupBusinessSchool.com lists 12 steps for creating a startup business. The 12 steps are divided into 4 categories; creating your company, rapid prototyping, operations and launch, and marketing and sales. You get real world guidance from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and signing up is free. Sign up at StartupBusinessSchool.com and make your start up business a reality.
More at:http://www.startupbusinessschool.com/
What Is It?
The school has been founded out of the experiences of real entrepreneurs with real problems and not only on the whiteboards of academia. Unlike traditional schools, there are no assumptions and perfect economies to level the playing field. This is the real world where actual examples are turned into lessons for the next enthusiastic entrepreneur to learn from. Our planning process will guide you through the real world requirements of getting your business going while still providing you with the flexibility to circle back and revise your plan at any time.
We also know that planning and running a Startup is a collaborative process and not the domain of one person. It is impossible to build a business in isolation and our school brings a host of ways to network, blend, collaborate and question several audiences to find the answers you need. We'll help you connect to the people that will help you start and grow your business.
How It Works:
StartupBusinessSchool.com helps you create a business plan for your startup and there are helpful lessons provided by experienced owners, that are dedicated for each step of the business plan. You can find lessons that apply to the situation you are facing at the moment. StartupBusinessSchool.com lists 12 steps for creating a startup business. The 12 steps are divided into 4 categories; creating your company, rapid prototyping, operations and launch, and marketing and sales. You get real world guidance from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and signing up is free. Sign up at StartupBusinessSchool.com and make your start up business a reality.
More at:http://www.startupbusinessschool.com/
Revionics, a leading provider of price optimization software for retailers
What Company is About:
Revionics, a leading provider of price optimization software for retailers.
Revionics offers proprietary Price and Promotion Optimization technology, empowering retailers with advanced pricing science and analytics designed to leverage consumer demand data. The Revionics offering predicts consumer reaction to anticipated price changes, making optimized price recommendations in alignment with the retailer’s strategies. Offered as an affordable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, Revionics has seen rapidly growing adoption with retailers seeking profitable growth in the face of increasing competition.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced the successful completion of a Series B round of investment capital bringing the total funding raised by the company to over $10 million. The Series B financing round was led by Sierra Ventures, a Menlo Park, California based venture capital firm with more than $1.5 billion under management The firm has a strong track record of success during its near 25 year tenure that includes several enterprise software and Software-as-a-Service bellwethers.
What Its Purpose For Raising Fund:
Revionics will use the new funds to further expand its sales team, accelerate product development and build out its services infrastructure. David Schwab and Vispi Daver of Sierra Ventures will join Revionics board of directors.
What VCs Says:
Sierra Ventures invested in Revionics because "we believe that they have a unique approach to delivering advanced price optimization technology to retailers through a Software-as-a-Services deployment model,” said Vispi Daver, Partner at Sierra Ventures, “Revionics offers an innovative combination of retail pricing science and technology that differentiates their service from the traditional pricing software providers. We also believe that Revionics has a very strong management team with relevant industry experience, and focused on delivering compelling results. ”
More at:http://www.revionics.com/
Revionics, a leading provider of price optimization software for retailers.
Revionics offers proprietary Price and Promotion Optimization technology, empowering retailers with advanced pricing science and analytics designed to leverage consumer demand data. The Revionics offering predicts consumer reaction to anticipated price changes, making optimized price recommendations in alignment with the retailer’s strategies. Offered as an affordable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, Revionics has seen rapidly growing adoption with retailers seeking profitable growth in the face of increasing competition.
How Much They Got From VCs:
They announced the successful completion of a Series B round of investment capital bringing the total funding raised by the company to over $10 million. The Series B financing round was led by Sierra Ventures, a Menlo Park, California based venture capital firm with more than $1.5 billion under management The firm has a strong track record of success during its near 25 year tenure that includes several enterprise software and Software-as-a-Service bellwethers.
What Its Purpose For Raising Fund:
Revionics will use the new funds to further expand its sales team, accelerate product development and build out its services infrastructure. David Schwab and Vispi Daver of Sierra Ventures will join Revionics board of directors.
What VCs Says:
Sierra Ventures invested in Revionics because "we believe that they have a unique approach to delivering advanced price optimization technology to retailers through a Software-as-a-Services deployment model,” said Vispi Daver, Partner at Sierra Ventures, “Revionics offers an innovative combination of retail pricing science and technology that differentiates their service from the traditional pricing software providers. We also believe that Revionics has a very strong management team with relevant industry experience, and focused on delivering compelling results. ”
More at:http://www.revionics.com/
Hobnob is a new application that offers professional networking tools for Facebook users
What company is offering:
Hobnob is a new application that offers professional networking tools for Facebook users. The service allows you to reach out to your Facebook network with a request and then have your friends get back to you with recommended contacts. Hobnob is being launched by a company called Area 444, who also operates user-generated audio joke site Comic Wonder
How It works:
The application keeps things fairly open-ended, letting you fill in the blank after “I Want to Hobnob with: …” This means you can enter either the name of the specific person you are looking to connect with, or just enter a generic description such as “talented computer programmer.” You can then choose the friends from your network that you would like to send the request to.
Additionally, Hobnob features a “Global Connection Requests” area where you can see requests that have been broadcast to the public. This is a similar idea to LinkedIn Answers, where by helping out a stranger with their request you can gain a new professional contact. Of course, not all of the requests are strictly professional – some users appear to be using the service so far in hopes of being introduced to celebrities or for dating purposes. Hobnob is completely free.
Log at:http://apps.facebook.com/login.php?next=http%3A%2F%2Fapps.facebook.com%2Fhobnobbing%2F
Hobnob is a new application that offers professional networking tools for Facebook users. The service allows you to reach out to your Facebook network with a request and then have your friends get back to you with recommended contacts. Hobnob is being launched by a company called Area 444, who also operates user-generated audio joke site Comic Wonder
How It works:
The application keeps things fairly open-ended, letting you fill in the blank after “I Want to Hobnob with: …” This means you can enter either the name of the specific person you are looking to connect with, or just enter a generic description such as “talented computer programmer.” You can then choose the friends from your network that you would like to send the request to.
Additionally, Hobnob features a “Global Connection Requests” area where you can see requests that have been broadcast to the public. This is a similar idea to LinkedIn Answers, where by helping out a stranger with their request you can gain a new professional contact. Of course, not all of the requests are strictly professional – some users appear to be using the service so far in hopes of being introduced to celebrities or for dating purposes. Hobnob is completely free.
Log at:http://apps.facebook.com/login.php?next=http%3A%2F%2Fapps.facebook.com%2Fhobnobbing%2F
Use Jumpchart to plan your website information architecture
What Company is Offering:
Use Jumpchart to plan your website information architecture.
Jumpchart is a new, online interactive sitemap . It lets you create mockups for websites in an interactive, collaborative environment online.
What's Idea Behind Creating It:
The design behind Jumpchart is to make it easier for graphic designers, web publishers and developers to create sitemaps for themselves and clients. Some of its features include the ability to add pages, sub-pages, and content. Move entire sections of a webpage around, and interlink different pages to offer a better mockup that leaves little to the imagination.
You can then get feedback from others involved, as well as your client, in order to make decisions faster. Jumpchart offers export tools so CSS and XHTML can be incorporated into your sitemap, so it’s faster and easier to begin building your website.
More at:http://www.jumpchart.com/
Use Jumpchart to plan your website information architecture.
Jumpchart is a new, online interactive sitemap . It lets you create mockups for websites in an interactive, collaborative environment online.
What's Idea Behind Creating It:
The design behind Jumpchart is to make it easier for graphic designers, web publishers and developers to create sitemaps for themselves and clients. Some of its features include the ability to add pages, sub-pages, and content. Move entire sections of a webpage around, and interlink different pages to offer a better mockup that leaves little to the imagination.
You can then get feedback from others involved, as well as your client, in order to make decisions faster. Jumpchart offers export tools so CSS and XHTML can be incorporated into your sitemap, so it’s faster and easier to begin building your website.
More at:http://www.jumpchart.com/
Melodeo, the company behind mobile iTunes access tool nuTsie, has raised another $7.9 million in funding
What Company is Offering:
Melodeo is dedicated to bringing consumers the best selection of on-demand audio and video programs for the Web and mobile phone. Their integrated system of a phone client, back-end operations and a huge content library makes us a turn-key partner able to seamlessly deliver music, news, weather and much more.
How It Works:
nuTsie lets you export your iTunes metadata to its servers, and your iTunes library is matched up to music in nuTsie’s own database. The service is free, and was only supported by a handful of Nokia phones and a couple other brands when it launched. Hopefully the funding will allow the nuTsie service to expand to other devices.
How Much they Got From VCs:
Melodeo, the company behind mobile iTunes access tool nuTsie, has raised another $7.9 million in funding. The round was led by existing investors Voyager Capital and Ignition Partners. The funding will go primarily towards nuTsie, which we first mentioned here when the service launched in beta earlier this year.
More at:http://www.melodeo.com/
Melodeo is dedicated to bringing consumers the best selection of on-demand audio and video programs for the Web and mobile phone. Their integrated system of a phone client, back-end operations and a huge content library makes us a turn-key partner able to seamlessly deliver music, news, weather and much more.
How It Works:
nuTsie lets you export your iTunes metadata to its servers, and your iTunes library is matched up to music in nuTsie’s own database. The service is free, and was only supported by a handful of Nokia phones and a couple other brands when it launched. Hopefully the funding will allow the nuTsie service to expand to other devices.
How Much they Got From VCs:
Melodeo, the company behind mobile iTunes access tool nuTsie, has raised another $7.9 million in funding. The round was led by existing investors Voyager Capital and Ignition Partners. The funding will go primarily towards nuTsie, which we first mentioned here when the service launched in beta earlier this year.
More at:http://www.melodeo.com/
LG 's video contest called “Life’s Good When…” For$30,000
LG is currently holding a video contest called “Life’s Good When…” The contest is hosted by YouTube, and LG will be dishing out $30,000 worth of LG merchandise to the winners.
Create a 15 to 30-second video that answers the question “life is good when…” and submit it via LG’s contest page on YouTube. The top 20 finalists will be chosen by LG and given a Chocoloate phone. Their videos will then be left to the YouTube audience to pick the first, second and third-place winners.
More at:http://www.lgvideocontest.com/
Via-Mash
Create a 15 to 30-second video that answers the question “life is good when…” and submit it via LG’s contest page on YouTube. The top 20 finalists will be chosen by LG and given a Chocoloate phone. Their videos will then be left to the YouTube audience to pick the first, second and third-place winners.
More at:http://www.lgvideocontest.com/
Via-Mash
MyGame, the social site for user-generated games recently launched by King.com, is adding 1,000+ games through King as well as ads through the Mochi
What company is offering:
Create your very own games in less than 2 minutes. It´s easy and fun, all you have to do is upload a photo, adjust it and then publish it to the world.
Why It is Again In News:
MyGame, the social site for user-generated games recently launched by King.com, is adding 1,000+ games through King as well as ads through the recently funded Mochi. This enables game developers to earn advertising revenue for the games they’ve deployed on the MyGame network. Ads will be displayed before the game, and during the game, between levels and natural breaks in game play.
MyGame has also changed up its homepage so gamers can more easily find games. There are more categories displayed on the homepage for the most popular games, and the most recent games, categorized by genre. Additional tools have been added for developers to better track their games.
More at:http://www.mygame.com/
http://www.king.com/
Create your very own games in less than 2 minutes. It´s easy and fun, all you have to do is upload a photo, adjust it and then publish it to the world.
Why It is Again In News:
MyGame, the social site for user-generated games recently launched by King.com, is adding 1,000+ games through King as well as ads through the recently funded Mochi. This enables game developers to earn advertising revenue for the games they’ve deployed on the MyGame network. Ads will be displayed before the game, and during the game, between levels and natural breaks in game play.
MyGame has also changed up its homepage so gamers can more easily find games. There are more categories displayed on the homepage for the most popular games, and the most recent games, categorized by genre. Additional tools have been added for developers to better track their games.
More at:http://www.mygame.com/
http://www.king.com/
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