The initial public offering market for venture-backed companies in the first quarter was the strongest since 2007, according to a report by Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association.
Fourteen VC-backed IPOs occurred in the first quarter, with companies raising an average of $98.3 million. The total amount raised was $1.37 billion. Coupled with a strong acquisition market, the results showed that venture capitalists are finally getting some decent exits as the tech industry recovers from the recession.
During the quarter, 109 venture-backed companies were acquired. Of the 45 deals where the acquisition price was disclosed, the total purchase prices added up to $5.9 billion.
More about venture billions deals http://vsocial.livejournal.com/133851.html
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Google's new +1 service
The version of +1 service which is beginning today is not the toolbar version that we first got a glimpse of in December, that’s apparently a different version that was being tested. This version of +1 actually launching is a small button that will reside next to each and every Google Search result. If you like the result, you click the +1 button and it gets shared with your social circle — and the public (more on that in a bit).
The button also works on the ads that appear in Google Search. If you like those and think they can be useful to friends, you can also hit the button there to highlight them. That may sound like something no one would ever do, but the implementation is actually pretty smart. You see, since the pages that are linked to in Google ads also appear in Google’s regular index, if a page has ever been +1′d as a regular result, it will also show up as +1′d in the ad.
But let’s take a step back for a second. Google +1 is an extension of what Google has been doing for a while with Social Search, Google’s Matt Cutts tells us. In their most recent update to that feature, results were surfaced and highlighted when someone in your social circle shared something on a social network like Twitter or Buzz. “People really like this aspect of social search,” Cutts says.
At the same time, the current social mechanisms require some work to be useful — you have to explicitly share a link somewhere. You might not want to do that with every link you like. And that’s where the +1 button comes in, it’s a simple way to indicate you like a page and think it might be useful to others. Again, basically a “like” button.
Cutts wants to be very clear that this +1 data is public. While a big aspect of +1 is sharing results with your social graph (which is still sort of confusing given that Google isn’t an actual social network, so it’s Gmail chat contacts, Reader and Buzz friends, etc) , it is also about using that data in aggregate to highlight better results for everyone. For example, on a result that has been +1′d, you’ll see if any of your friends have +1′d it (in a similar way to the current Social Search look with people’s tiny profile icons under the result itself). But you’ll also see that X number of other people that aren’t in your social circle +1′d it as well.
http://www.businessinsider.com/political-infighting-overlapping-projects-slowing-googles-facebook-killer-2010-12
The button also works on the ads that appear in Google Search. If you like those and think they can be useful to friends, you can also hit the button there to highlight them. That may sound like something no one would ever do, but the implementation is actually pretty smart. You see, since the pages that are linked to in Google ads also appear in Google’s regular index, if a page has ever been +1′d as a regular result, it will also show up as +1′d in the ad.
But let’s take a step back for a second. Google +1 is an extension of what Google has been doing for a while with Social Search, Google’s Matt Cutts tells us. In their most recent update to that feature, results were surfaced and highlighted when someone in your social circle shared something on a social network like Twitter or Buzz. “People really like this aspect of social search,” Cutts says.
At the same time, the current social mechanisms require some work to be useful — you have to explicitly share a link somewhere. You might not want to do that with every link you like. And that’s where the +1 button comes in, it’s a simple way to indicate you like a page and think it might be useful to others. Again, basically a “like” button.
Cutts wants to be very clear that this +1 data is public. While a big aspect of +1 is sharing results with your social graph (which is still sort of confusing given that Google isn’t an actual social network, so it’s Gmail chat contacts, Reader and Buzz friends, etc) , it is also about using that data in aggregate to highlight better results for everyone. For example, on a result that has been +1′d, you’ll see if any of your friends have +1′d it (in a similar way to the current Social Search look with people’s tiny profile icons under the result itself). But you’ll also see that X number of other people that aren’t in your social circle +1′d it as well.
http://www.businessinsider.com/political-infighting-overlapping-projects-slowing-googles-facebook-killer-2010-12
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tips to raise funding
Where to Look for Startup Funding
Here are some places where you may be more likely to secure the money you need for a new venture.
Creative savings. Carefully analyze all your money needs and think creatively about how you can get things for nothing or at a lower cost. This review may not be as difficult as it sounds. For instance, consider bartering and ways to lower your overhead expenses. Look for ways to outsource tasks since this can convert a fixed expense into a variable one and you'll pay for it only when you make a sale. Accomplishing things without using cash is the same as getting money -- with the advantage of not paying interest or giving up equity.
Angel investors. These backers tend to invest smaller sums and take less equity than venture capitalists and usually make a more meaningful non-cash contribution to your survival and growth, such as advice and introductions to others who can help you.
Partner suppliers and customers.
No equity is involved in these deals, but your objectives are achieved without paying cash. For example, if you have a product that you sell through retailers or work with regular suppliers, make them an exclusive offer, such as a specific time period for free advertising or an agreement to purchase on extended payment terms.
Reinvested profits. Scale back on your plans for quick growth and focus your efforts on organic growth where your profits are reinvested in the business as a substitute for raising capital. It is a slower approach, but it can be more profitable and less of a strain on you and your company's well-being.
Tip number 1 – Create a feasible project
Feasibility study, as long as may be, may not always convince the reader your project is feasible and viable.
A feasible project must show, easily, clearly and simply that your project can generate great sources of incomes, keeping the project safe for the owner and for the investor.
Highlight your potential and abilities to become market leader in your niche.
Use professional experts services company for preparing the Feasibility study or prepare it yourself subordinated to an approved acceptable template.
Tip number 2- No Room for Mistakes
The fact there is no room for mistakes, will not leave you any options for modifying your concept or plan after applying to a financier.
Take into consideration that, it doesn’t matter if it’s a bank, fund or a private investor, the financiers analysts are analyzing tens of applications per day having the immediate instincts to find your mistakes and immediately disqualify the file.
Sometimes, when observing the file, simple mistakes will deny the file from financing, without even giving you any explanation for their negative answer.
Remember, you can’t correct the study, or the strategy chosen when you apply. This can be made only BEFORE you start any application process.
When your file is rejected by a financier, probably, it won’t have the chance to apply again, and if it does, it will probably not have the chance to succeed due to the bad impression that the financier already has about the file.
Summarizing this Tip, prepare your Project file and financial structure BEFORE you apply to the Financiers.
Tip number 3 – strong management
Having a strong project management is crucial for your success.
Actually, one of the lessons taught from the last global crisis was based on weak management structures and the fact that financiers were not putting enough attention to this area when analyzing their chosen projects.
Gathering a strong management team, with relevant years of experience, will make the financiers trust your company and the success of your project.
In case you are a startup company, or located in developing countries where strong management are not very accessible, we may find together creative solutions to create a strong local team backed with some external help.
other tips see on http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/startups-opportunities.html
Here are some places where you may be more likely to secure the money you need for a new venture.
Creative savings. Carefully analyze all your money needs and think creatively about how you can get things for nothing or at a lower cost. This review may not be as difficult as it sounds. For instance, consider bartering and ways to lower your overhead expenses. Look for ways to outsource tasks since this can convert a fixed expense into a variable one and you'll pay for it only when you make a sale. Accomplishing things without using cash is the same as getting money -- with the advantage of not paying interest or giving up equity.
Angel investors. These backers tend to invest smaller sums and take less equity than venture capitalists and usually make a more meaningful non-cash contribution to your survival and growth, such as advice and introductions to others who can help you.
Partner suppliers and customers.
No equity is involved in these deals, but your objectives are achieved without paying cash. For example, if you have a product that you sell through retailers or work with regular suppliers, make them an exclusive offer, such as a specific time period for free advertising or an agreement to purchase on extended payment terms.
Reinvested profits. Scale back on your plans for quick growth and focus your efforts on organic growth where your profits are reinvested in the business as a substitute for raising capital. It is a slower approach, but it can be more profitable and less of a strain on you and your company's well-being.
Tip number 1 – Create a feasible project
Feasibility study, as long as may be, may not always convince the reader your project is feasible and viable.
A feasible project must show, easily, clearly and simply that your project can generate great sources of incomes, keeping the project safe for the owner and for the investor.
Highlight your potential and abilities to become market leader in your niche.
Use professional experts services company for preparing the Feasibility study or prepare it yourself subordinated to an approved acceptable template.
Tip number 2- No Room for Mistakes
The fact there is no room for mistakes, will not leave you any options for modifying your concept or plan after applying to a financier.
Take into consideration that, it doesn’t matter if it’s a bank, fund or a private investor, the financiers analysts are analyzing tens of applications per day having the immediate instincts to find your mistakes and immediately disqualify the file.
Sometimes, when observing the file, simple mistakes will deny the file from financing, without even giving you any explanation for their negative answer.
Remember, you can’t correct the study, or the strategy chosen when you apply. This can be made only BEFORE you start any application process.
When your file is rejected by a financier, probably, it won’t have the chance to apply again, and if it does, it will probably not have the chance to succeed due to the bad impression that the financier already has about the file.
Summarizing this Tip, prepare your Project file and financial structure BEFORE you apply to the Financiers.
Tip number 3 – strong management
Having a strong project management is crucial for your success.
Actually, one of the lessons taught from the last global crisis was based on weak management structures and the fact that financiers were not putting enough attention to this area when analyzing their chosen projects.
Gathering a strong management team, with relevant years of experience, will make the financiers trust your company and the success of your project.
In case you are a startup company, or located in developing countries where strong management are not very accessible, we may find together creative solutions to create a strong local team backed with some external help.
other tips see on http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/startups-opportunities.html
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Web, Store, Mobile, Social Come Together
2010 was a turning point for mobile shopping with 44% of smartphone users downloading shopping apps and mobile commerce
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/social-commerce-will-be-1.html
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/social-commerce-will-be-1.html
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Mobile service bubble or future of internet?
New venture bubble predicted by John Connor
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-bubble-arise.html
will be in the mobile sector.
Foursquare just wrapped up the biggest product launch in its history.
Up next, likely starting soon: A third financing round that could potentially value the mobile/social company at $1 billion or more.
After launching Foursquare 3.0 two weeks ago, Foursquare held an all-staff brainstorm session today at its NYC headquarters. There was an amazing looking lunch catered by chef Sarah Simmons. And they even got some work done! "We filled up 15 sheets with Q2 ideas," CEO Dennis Crowley tweeted.
After those plans are firmed up, look for Crowley to kick into fundraising mode.
With positive reviews of Foursquare's new app, and a good growth story to tell -- 7.5 million users, up from 500,000 a year ago -- Crowley could potentially field funding or acquisition offers nearing or topping $1 billion.
Why raise money now? Because it can (and that's the first rule of fund-raising: Raise money when you can, not when you have to). And because it will eventually have to.
The company raised $15 million last spring from Andreessen Horowitz, with founders taking home another $5 million. That's a nice war-chest for a small company, but it won't last forever. Foursquare recently released a new self-serve tool for merchants to offer deals, but it's not currently generating any revenue from that. Also, it's probably time to step on the spending gas.
Eventually, if Foursquare is going to print money the way Groupon has, it's probably going to need a sales team. That, combined with the company's need for engineering resources, is going to require more money. And raising it could keep Crowley busy for a while.
He will have plenty of options.
Top VC firms, eager to invest in one of the big-and-growing social companies, could write big checks at big valuations. It wouldn't surprise us to see Foursquare raise anywhere from $50 million to $200 million at a valuation ranging from $500 million to $1 billion or more.
Union Square Ventures, which led Foursquare's $1.35 million Series A in 2009, could double down via its new "opportunity fund," which exists in part to allow the company to "continue to invest in our most established and successful companies."
Kleiner Perkins, which recently wrote big checks to Twitter and Groupon, could be a potential investor. So could any of the Valley's big firms, really.
And during the fundraising process, Crowley could easily run into some acquisition offers, too. Recall that last year, while he was raising money, Crowley also talked to Yahoo and Facebook about potential deals.
Google is one potential acquirer. We've heard rumors that Google cofounder Larry Page, returning soon to his old post as CEO, is considering buying a social network.
Google has still not been able to figure out "social," and Foursquare is a social product that works. Better yet, it's already mobile, so Google wouldn't have to figure out how to tailor it for phones. Plus, a big enough check -- maybe $1 billion or more -- could rid Crowley of the bad memories from working at Google the last time it bought his startup, Dodgeball, and eventually closed it down.
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-bubble-arise.html
will be in the mobile sector.
Foursquare just wrapped up the biggest product launch in its history.
Up next, likely starting soon: A third financing round that could potentially value the mobile/social company at $1 billion or more.
After launching Foursquare 3.0 two weeks ago, Foursquare held an all-staff brainstorm session today at its NYC headquarters. There was an amazing looking lunch catered by chef Sarah Simmons. And they even got some work done! "We filled up 15 sheets with Q2 ideas," CEO Dennis Crowley tweeted.
After those plans are firmed up, look for Crowley to kick into fundraising mode.
With positive reviews of Foursquare's new app, and a good growth story to tell -- 7.5 million users, up from 500,000 a year ago -- Crowley could potentially field funding or acquisition offers nearing or topping $1 billion.
Why raise money now? Because it can (and that's the first rule of fund-raising: Raise money when you can, not when you have to). And because it will eventually have to.
The company raised $15 million last spring from Andreessen Horowitz, with founders taking home another $5 million. That's a nice war-chest for a small company, but it won't last forever. Foursquare recently released a new self-serve tool for merchants to offer deals, but it's not currently generating any revenue from that. Also, it's probably time to step on the spending gas.
Eventually, if Foursquare is going to print money the way Groupon has, it's probably going to need a sales team. That, combined with the company's need for engineering resources, is going to require more money. And raising it could keep Crowley busy for a while.
He will have plenty of options.
Top VC firms, eager to invest in one of the big-and-growing social companies, could write big checks at big valuations. It wouldn't surprise us to see Foursquare raise anywhere from $50 million to $200 million at a valuation ranging from $500 million to $1 billion or more.
Union Square Ventures, which led Foursquare's $1.35 million Series A in 2009, could double down via its new "opportunity fund," which exists in part to allow the company to "continue to invest in our most established and successful companies."
Kleiner Perkins, which recently wrote big checks to Twitter and Groupon, could be a potential investor. So could any of the Valley's big firms, really.
And during the fundraising process, Crowley could easily run into some acquisition offers, too. Recall that last year, while he was raising money, Crowley also talked to Yahoo and Facebook about potential deals.
Google is one potential acquirer. We've heard rumors that Google cofounder Larry Page, returning soon to his old post as CEO, is considering buying a social network.
Google has still not been able to figure out "social," and Foursquare is a social product that works. Better yet, it's already mobile, so Google wouldn't have to figure out how to tailor it for phones. Plus, a big enough check -- maybe $1 billion or more -- could rid Crowley of the bad memories from working at Google the last time it bought his startup, Dodgeball, and eventually closed it down.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Investment without limits
LIMITLESS movie released simultaneously with the Libya action provides the idea
Who controls Libya - controls oil market
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/limitless-investment.html
For those wishing to profit on market volatility - this recipe is from the movie:
gather all the information about the players of the sector of the market (especially information about what people think about this the other investors)
trade against the trend (in which all fold paper because of the rumors - buy on fact).
Who controls Libya - controls oil market
http://futurerating.blogspot.com/2011/03/limitless-investment.html
For those wishing to profit on market volatility - this recipe is from the movie:
gather all the information about the players of the sector of the market (especially information about what people think about this the other investors)
trade against the trend (in which all fold paper because of the rumors - buy on fact).
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Venture investment went online
New tool for venture investor SecondMarket have succeed how it was predicted by leading foresight expert Edward Mushinsky http://ierarhia.blogspot.com/2011/03/secondmarket-boost-startups-market.html
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