Facebook threw a big party for all the folks in the SF Valley this past week and I missed it. Facebook to take on Google!? That is fairly ambitious...this brings up the question: Do all web roads lead to SEARCH?
Anyone who was anyone was at this developer conference and it seems that Facebook could have made a quieter splash but I guess there is nothing stealthy about the fact that they are looking to allow completely open widget capable user profiles. This is somehow supposed to change the web and have more people using Facebook for search???
I'm not convinced...Open html for custom profiles and open APIs are nothing new since many other social networking sites like TagWorld have been allowing users to do this for years. I guess it will be interesting because they are the 6th most visited website in the US or maybe it was because they were able to hold a conference about it...
This move though has allowed a bigger question...how will Social Aggregator websites like socialURL take advantage of such moves? I sense some new releases coming for SocialURL members - this is truly exciting and its only the beginning...
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Angel FundRaising Hell...or maybe more like Pergatory
So I've been spending the last 3 months chasing around angel investors and here is what i've learned.
1. Even if you have the background and experience, the team, the product, the traction...doesn't guarantee you anything...
2. No matter how prepared you think you are...its not enough
3. Don't try it if you have a family...it is already difficult enough to try to raise capital while you are single.
4. find as many partners as you can
5. find as many advisors as you can
6. Its ok to say No to partners
7. Save enough to live off of for 12 months
Be aware of things unseen...things that are not so obvious...read, read, read or invest in an ipod to listen to ebooks while you are working
1. Even if you have the background and experience, the team, the product, the traction...doesn't guarantee you anything...
2. No matter how prepared you think you are...its not enough
3. Don't try it if you have a family...it is already difficult enough to try to raise capital while you are single.
4. find as many partners as you can
5. find as many advisors as you can
6. Its ok to say No to partners
7. Save enough to live off of for 12 months
Be aware of things unseen...things that are not so obvious...read, read, read or invest in an ipod to listen to ebooks while you are working
Monday, May 14, 2007
Vertical Social Networks
May 13th, 2007
Big or Bullshit: Vertical Social Networks by David Cohen
"...So what happens when there are just too many social sites for a regular guy deal with? Perhaps we’ll see the emergence of social aggregators and the centralization of identity and trust (these last things need to happen anyway). You see some examples already. Sites like Profilactic, SocialURL and soon, we hear, the much anticipated product from Jared Polis’s new company Confluence Commons are trying to help by aggregating existing social content. But as these social networks proliferate, one thing that would be incredibly helpful would be a “write once, use many” centralized user profile. I would love to see OpenID go in this direction (or someone leveraging OpenID) by allowing users to create their base profile in one place rather than having to constantly enter it into every network they want to check out. Tools like these will abound, and the key is that these tools should be in a unique position to truly understand each users preferences, affinities, and social webs. This may even be the way that the attention economy initially develops: rather than getting users to volunteer their click-streams, it’s far easier to simply study what they’re already telling you.
I don’t believe that MySpace, Bebo, and FaceBook have yet fully harnessed the profile information freely offered by their users for laser targeted advertising, but they will. If you believe that, just imagine for a second what the aggregators can do! Of course, they’ll need the users, but I believe that there are enough benefits to users in this scenario that they’ll flock to the aggregators.
When I think about what’s likely to happen, I think that the vertical social networks will proliferate and become a useful part of the web. But in terms of their potential as an investment - I guess I’ll have to call Bullshit. Look to the aggregators and the toolsets that emerge around identity - I think that will be Big.
We’ll know what Brad thinks soon. But pick a limb and come hang out with me. What do you think about vertical social networks?"
http://coloradostartups.com/2007/05/13/big-or-bullshit-vertical-social-networks/#comments
I think David is right on for the most part and that aggregators will have most of the true opportunities for "BIG" but there will be specific brands that will come out of the vertical social networks that will also be "BIG" simply because of certain founders involved. Thanks David for mentioning SocialURL on ColoradoStartups.com
Big or Bullshit: Vertical Social Networks by David Cohen
"...So what happens when there are just too many social sites for a regular guy deal with? Perhaps we’ll see the emergence of social aggregators and the centralization of identity and trust (these last things need to happen anyway). You see some examples already. Sites like Profilactic, SocialURL and soon, we hear, the much anticipated product from Jared Polis’s new company Confluence Commons are trying to help by aggregating existing social content. But as these social networks proliferate, one thing that would be incredibly helpful would be a “write once, use many” centralized user profile. I would love to see OpenID go in this direction (or someone leveraging OpenID) by allowing users to create their base profile in one place rather than having to constantly enter it into every network they want to check out. Tools like these will abound, and the key is that these tools should be in a unique position to truly understand each users preferences, affinities, and social webs. This may even be the way that the attention economy initially develops: rather than getting users to volunteer their click-streams, it’s far easier to simply study what they’re already telling you.
I don’t believe that MySpace, Bebo, and FaceBook have yet fully harnessed the profile information freely offered by their users for laser targeted advertising, but they will. If you believe that, just imagine for a second what the aggregators can do! Of course, they’ll need the users, but I believe that there are enough benefits to users in this scenario that they’ll flock to the aggregators.
When I think about what’s likely to happen, I think that the vertical social networks will proliferate and become a useful part of the web. But in terms of their potential as an investment - I guess I’ll have to call Bullshit. Look to the aggregators and the toolsets that emerge around identity - I think that will be Big.
We’ll know what Brad thinks soon. But pick a limb and come hang out with me. What do you think about vertical social networks?"
http://coloradostartups.com/2007/05/13/big-or-bullshit-vertical-social-networks/#comments
I think David is right on for the most part and that aggregators will have most of the true opportunities for "BIG" but there will be specific brands that will come out of the vertical social networks that will also be "BIG" simply because of certain founders involved. Thanks David for mentioning SocialURL on ColoradoStartups.com
Thursday, May 10, 2007
SocialURL Video brings you daily popular videos from YouTube, Google, Grouper, Metacafe, Break and iFilm.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could just get your favorite top 10 videos from your favorite online Video sites? Stop wondering and go to www.socialURL.com/video and get more out of your web life:)
SocialURL Gains Three New Acquisitions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SocialURL Gains Three New Acquisitions
Company joins forces with three business tycoons as they assemble the board of advisors
Los Angeles, California, April 30, 2006 – SocialURL, a leader in online social networking, is pleased to announce the arrival of three new board of advisors. Established in 2007, SocialURL is determined to help young audiences manage their multiple social networks and profiles in one organized location.
Donald Maycott, currently the VP of Operations and Professional Services at Universal Business Solutions LLC, will be assisting in SocialURL’s endeavors. With over twenty four years of expertise in the start up world, it is apparent that Maycott’s knowledge and technical skills will be positive to the board. Maycott is also known for his talent in building IT service organizations for an array of successful companies. RedHat INC (which sold for $47 million) and International Network Services have both led him to generate extraordinary results.
Joe Hurd, an additional business professional with a plethora of experience, is also joining the SocialURL board of advisors. Currently the VP of Business Development at VideoEgg; Hurd is responsible for settling distribution deals with outstanding social networking websites. In addition, Hurd is the Founder and Managing Partner of Katama Group. Focusing on international strategy and business development techniques for consumer websites, it is evident that Hurd will make a lasting impact on this expanding company.
SocialURL is also pleased to greet Travis Savo, presently CEO of Verse Studios Incorporated. With more than twenty years of experience in Computer Programming, Project Management, and Computer Science, Savo is ready to tackle upcoming endeavors. Moreover, his position as Chief Technologist at The Sindome Group, has allowed him to contribute to establishing its technology for remarkable role playing text games. Past roles such as Lead Technological Engineer at IFilm and SpaceQuest7 have certainly put his skills and expertise on SocialURL’s radar.
About SocialURL
SOCIALURL is a social community platform which enables users to organize their online identities. Currently known as a trend setter in the media realm, SocialURL offers free photo uploads, and the ability to form networks. For additional information, please visit: www.SocialURL.com
CONTACT:
Henri Duong, CEO/Co-founder
SOCIALURL
720-985-9282
SocialURL Gains Three New Acquisitions
Company joins forces with three business tycoons as they assemble the board of advisors
Los Angeles, California, April 30, 2006 – SocialURL, a leader in online social networking, is pleased to announce the arrival of three new board of advisors. Established in 2007, SocialURL is determined to help young audiences manage their multiple social networks and profiles in one organized location.
Donald Maycott, currently the VP of Operations and Professional Services at Universal Business Solutions LLC, will be assisting in SocialURL’s endeavors. With over twenty four years of expertise in the start up world, it is apparent that Maycott’s knowledge and technical skills will be positive to the board. Maycott is also known for his talent in building IT service organizations for an array of successful companies. RedHat INC (which sold for $47 million) and International Network Services have both led him to generate extraordinary results.
Joe Hurd, an additional business professional with a plethora of experience, is also joining the SocialURL board of advisors. Currently the VP of Business Development at VideoEgg; Hurd is responsible for settling distribution deals with outstanding social networking websites. In addition, Hurd is the Founder and Managing Partner of Katama Group. Focusing on international strategy and business development techniques for consumer websites, it is evident that Hurd will make a lasting impact on this expanding company.
SocialURL is also pleased to greet Travis Savo, presently CEO of Verse Studios Incorporated. With more than twenty years of experience in Computer Programming, Project Management, and Computer Science, Savo is ready to tackle upcoming endeavors. Moreover, his position as Chief Technologist at The Sindome Group, has allowed him to contribute to establishing its technology for remarkable role playing text games. Past roles such as Lead Technological Engineer at IFilm and SpaceQuest7 have certainly put his skills and expertise on SocialURL’s radar.
About SocialURL
SOCIALURL is a social community platform which enables users to organize their online identities. Currently known as a trend setter in the media realm, SocialURL offers free photo uploads, and the ability to form networks. For additional information, please visit: www.SocialURL.com
CONTACT:
Henri Duong, CEO/Co-founder
SOCIALURL
720-985-9282
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)