VentureMash Blog http://blog.venturemash.net Most recent posts at VentureMash Blog posterous.com Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:30:22 -0700 Kathy Sierra on User Superpowers http://blog.venturemash.net/kathy-sierra-on-user-superpowers http://blog.venturemash.net/kathy-sierra-on-user-superpowers

We missed this one last year but we're glad we finally got to it. We love the focus on creating users and giving them "superpowers." We haven't implemented a WTF button yet, but it's tempting. If you have seen Kathy Sierra's keynotes, not all of this will be new, but if you haven't this is a great intro to her approach to the product development process and where you should focus your attention. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:33:24 -0700 Dropbox at Startup Lessons Learned http://blog.venturemash.net/dropbox-at-startup-lessons-learned http://blog.venturemash.net/dropbox-at-startup-lessons-learned There are several good videos from the Startup Lessons Learned conference. This one about Dropbox's experience does a great fly by of their exploration of various marketing programs and how the settled on the referral program as the key to their customer acquisition process. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:39:59 -0700 Sivers on Hiring a Programmer http://blog.venturemash.net/sivers-on-hiring-a-programmer http://blog.venturemash.net/sivers-on-hiring-a-programmer Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, provides some advice for hiring a programmer to help develop a prototype. Check out Derek's post on his blog. I've heard of others struggling with similar issues. How do you hire someone to help make your idea into a prototype. What features do you cut? Do you focus on finding a co-founder or just a contractor?

If you are a developer, what would make you help someone build a prototype? Is it just the cash or something else?

If you are the non-technical entrepreneur, how have you solved this problem?

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:26:03 -0700 Making Freemium Work - Panel at Google I/O http://blog.venturemash.net/making-freemium-work-panel-at-google-io http://blog.venturemash.net/making-freemium-work-panel-at-google-io

For those entrepreneurs exploring SaaS applications and freemium models, this panel from Google I/O covers a lot of good territory. Here are a few of the highlights:
  • People often choose the plan that optimizes for least surprise rather lowest price
  • Understanding value of product comes before understanding pricing
  • Based on the panel's experience conversion rates typically fall in the 2-5% range
  • Most people won't pay you for features in the paid version, but they will pay for more usage of that same feature set

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/361968/hal_200.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1brkyo5bUhr halnewton halnewton Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:54:42 -0700 Dorsey on Three Keys to Twitter http://blog.venturemash.net/dorsey-on-three-keys-to-twitter http://blog.venturemash.net/dorsey-on-three-keys-to-twitter

Worth the 15 minutes to hear about the origin of Twitter and especially for the emphasis on being able to draw your idea when you are still in the concept phase. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/361968/hal_200.jpg http://posterous.com/users/1brkyo5bUhr halnewton halnewton Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:34:00 -0800 Angel Oregon kicks off http://blog.venturemash.net/12769888 http://blog.venturemash.net/12769888

Northest area entrepreneurs and investors are converging today at OEN's Angel Oregon.  Angel Oregon is an annual conference that allows a few chosen companies the chance to show their stuff and compete for an award prize of up $175,000.

For innovators, investors and networkers alike, OEN’s Angel Oregon is more than the nation’s premier angel investment prize conference; it’s where breakthrough ideas are nurtured, new markets are tapped, and invaluable business connections are made.

This year's selected companies cover a wide range of industries and you can begin to learn more about them on VentureMash:

 

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:05:00 -0700 Venture Northwest 2009 company profiles on VentureMash http://blog.venturemash.net/learn-more-about-venture-northwest-companies http://blog.venturemash.net/learn-more-about-venture-northwest-companies

Today, OEN is hosting Venture Northwest, its annual investor conference.  The list of presenting companies looks quite impressive, and it will be interesting to see the results of the conference both in terms of who wins and to get a general gauge on what the investing climate is like right now in Oregon and the greater Northwest.

But, what if you're interested in learning more about the companies presenting?  The launch of VentureMash this week presents an opportunity to introduce these companies and give a jumping off point for further discovery.  Let's start with the list of presenting companies:

Each venture profile page features a brief overview of the company, all of their relevant links, a discussion area if you want to leave your thoughts on the venture, and a custom Google news widget where you can read latest about the venture from a number of local news sources.

We've also created a profile for Venture Northwest so you can easily dive in as well as follow the twitter conversation about Venture Northwest.

Good luck to all those presenting and happy venturing.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:27:55 -0700 Need help with your venture? http://blog.venturemash.net/need-help-with-your-venture http://blog.venturemash.net/need-help-with-your-venture

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/100252/vm_logo_crop.jpg http://posterous.com/users/kemD9lLxYd venturemash venturemash