Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2023

With the success of Facebook and Twitter, I still see new social media startups almost every day, with most destined to fail. Just because you would have loved to have your groceries picked out and delivered, doesn’t mean the mainstream customer was ready for Webvan in 1999. Relying on an old formula for success. Fail fast and pivot.

Intellectual Property 314

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Bankruptcy Viral 314

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2020

With the success of Facebook and Twitter, I still see new social media startups almost every day, with most destined to fail. Just because you would have loved to have your groceries picked out and delivered, doesn’t mean the mainstream customer was ready for Webvan in 1999. Relying on an old formula for success. Fail fast and pivot.

Intellectual Property 310

Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy Viral 310

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

In 1998 it was 150 million, 1999 250 million and by 2000 it had crossed 350 million. By the end of 2011 the Internet population was estimated at 2.3 billion, with 275 million in North America alone (source: Internet World Stats) and an astounding global penetration of 33% of the world’s population.

Venture Capital 347

Venture Capital Technical Review LP Mobile 347

thebarefootvc

DECEMBER 16, 2011

2011 was finally the year when the media spotlight shone on how under-represented women are in almost all power structures in business, government, technology and media – and how crucial it is that we leverage the leadership skill set that they bring to the table to tackle the problems facing the world today.

Technical Review 110

Technical Review India Mobile Hockey Stick 110

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2016

With the success of Facebook and Twitter, I still see new social media startups almost every day, with most destined to fail. Just because you would have loved to have your groceries picked out and delivered, doesn’t mean the mainstream customer was ready for Webvan in 1999. Relying on an old formula for success. Fail fast and pivot.

Business Model 120

Business Model Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2015

With the success of Facebook and Twitter, I still see new social media startups almost every day, with most destined to fail. Just because you would have loved to have your groceries picked out and delivered, doesn’t mean the mainstream customer was ready for Webvan in 1999. Relying on an old formula for success. Fail fast and pivot.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Startup Bankruptcy Viral 120

abovethecrowd.com

JUNE 2, 2021

Paypal famously offered customers $5 to invite a friend, who would then also get $5 as part of a highly successful viral marketing campaign (they actually started at $20, and then reduced it to $10 and then ended at $5). They have an obvious trade-off between a big “pop” (great media coverage and morale boost) versus more cash proceeds.

IPO 82

IPO Customer Matching Silicon Valley 82