The Internet is rife with would-be solutions for our thoroughly modern, tech-centric lives. From proprietary web-surfing bookmark apps to yet another third-party Tweeting client, the promise of many of these products deliver more micro-management options than they do practical functionality or purpose. Sherif Shalaby and his team at The Stashbox hope they’re building a web […]
Building Forward: Small Crafts are Beginning to Hit Big Markets
As many localized Internet-based businesses – those responsible for everything from your eco-friendly, hand-varnished bamboo iPhone case to your custom-ordered monthly shaving kit – continue to produce some of the most enviable commodities on the market, their throwback sensibilities are clashing with modern industrial growing pains. While these businesses tout their meticulous, artisanal production techniques […]
A Chat with Foursquare’s Eric Friedman: How Staying Uncharted Keeps You on the Map
The ability to monetize a product remains a central problem/conflict for many a startup. The ability to live off infusions of investor money is a luxury only afforded to the companies that captured mainstream attention and fervor early and managed to build massive social brands and user services around them. While Foursquare may be one […]
When Disruption Isn’t Enough
Last week’s Ultra Light Startups Investor Forum proved another exercise in highlighting the importance of understanding not just how your company started, but where it’s going. Investors John Ason, Bradley Harrison, Habib Kairouz, and Mediabistro founder-turned-angel-investor Laurel Touby repeatedly asked (and jovially quarreled over) how the evening’s presenting entrepreneurs were turning their ideas into grounded […]
Who Are You? – An Entrepreneur’s Toughest Question
Entrepreneur Roundtable hosted another evening of business advice and pitches at Microsoft’s offices, with a focus on telling the story of why your startup matters– specifically to investors. The program’s guest speakers were the founders of startup accelerator Women Innovate Mobile: Deborah Jackson, Kelly Hoey, and Veronika Sonsev, all of whom were eager to hear […]
Rethinking the Music Business: New Services for New Audiences
Not surprisingly, monetizing music remains a mystery for the old industry gatekeepers in this age of technology. While music purchases reached new highs in the digital sector over the last year, album sales are still losing momentum. With a need to reconnect with their audiences, LeadDog marketing recently hosted a panel of startup innovators at […]
ZenoRadio Nails It: Going Viral is the New American Dream
A pair of neon blue and green sneakers stood out through the three-quarters shaded glass outer door of ZenoRadio’s office, belying the personality of their yet unknown wearer. An actor was about to take the stage. Without missing a beat, Baruch Herzfeld briskly entered the office and shook my hand as he walked past […]
The State of Angel Investment [Infographic]
![The State of Angel Investment [Infographic]](https://cdn.alleywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Angel-Investors-38x300.jpg){kind=small}
Wondering how you can reach out to angel investors? According to Startups.co, doing so might be easier than you think. Angel investors spend $20 billion dollars a year on businesses, with 80% of those funds being invested in seed or early stage ventures. There are 258,000 angel investors in the United States alone, and New […]
For Programmers, South Street Seaport is Code for Summer Escape
Downtown Alliance and Control Group inaugurated their collaborative “Tech Tuesdays” in style. As tourists filtered out of South Street Seaport Tuesday evening, the cabana chairs they abandoned were quickly occupied by a different type of visitor. Instead of cameras and cocktails, they wielded MacBooks, sitting in circles with their peers and co-workers as they typed. […]
Show, Don’t Tell: Is Your Startup Ready to Pitch?
Last Monday, Entrepreneurs Roundtable’s latest pitch event hosted an eclectic group of startup hopefuls at Microsoft’s midtown office, each intrepid brand reaching for niche markets that might leave some investors bewildered. Prada dog accessories? Smartphone ads that pay their consumers? Most of the night’s entrepreneurs rooted their unconventional ideas in current multi-billion dollar industries and […]
The Cult of Personality: Building a Strong Brand Begins With You
‘Creative vision’ largely defined Women Innovate Mobile’s latest roundtable discussion at the SoHo-based Apple store recently. The event featured a diverse panel of entrepreneurs who have committed themselves — and their careers — to following the beat of their own respective drums. WIM managing director Kelly Hoey hosted NASCAR racer Julia Landauer, CollegePrepster blog creator […]