BLOG STARTUPS, VENTURE AND THE TECH BUSINESS
February 5 2010
by Scott Johnson
An Apple/iPhone Rant
I love Apple’s products, and choose them over competitors despite higher prices (the Apple Tax) because they are better by far. The iPhone is a great value. But Apple is beginning to screw up, as they always do, by controlling the experience too much. Here are three reasons they will, in five years, have handed ...
January 29 2010
by Thanasis Delistathis
iPad and the amazing Apple PR machine
So the Apple tablet is finally out and it is called the iPad, to the amusement of most females who think they should have been consulted on the name. I have been following the rumours and hype surrounding the lead up to the announcement and I was having a tough time thinking of another product ...
January 28 2010
by Thanasis Delistathis
“Checking in” on the hyper-local opportunity
There is a new term that is quickly gaining popularity in the lexicon of social media: “checking in.” You can think of it as letting the world know where you are. Many apps have begun enabling this new functionality. And it has now made its way on my facebook page. On almost a daily basis ...
January 26 2010
by Scott Johnson
Fostering Innovation
I recently sat on a panel to discuss how to create an innovation economy with a high-level delegation from an Eastern European country. To prepare for this discussion, I sat down with a clean sheet of paper and outlined the necessary conditions for innovation to occur, and the attributes innovation hubs tend to share.
I ...
January 19 2010
by Scott Johnson
Beware Of The “No Question About It” Advisor
Advising and taking advice are a true art – particularly when it comes to questions of strategy. There is no advisor who can give a team of executives an unqualified point of view on a strategic issue. Yet such resolute advice is quite abundant. I am as guilty as anyone. It is so clear to ...
January 12 2010
by Scott Johnson
We Have Very Little To Whine About
I was wandering through stock chart land and decided to compare Art Technology Group against the Nasdaq since its IPO in 1999 as I hadn’t checked in on that company since 2001 or so. I noticed that the Nasdaq was flat since the ATG IPO, and that ARTG under-performed the Nasdaq but is still alive ...
January 11 2010
by Scott Johnson
Follow-on Capital
I see seed stage investing happening all around me. Angels appear to me to be very active as individuals although I have nothing but anecdotal data to support that. Dedicated funds doing seed investing are gaining traction with LPs who want their piece of the next super-deal. We at NAV do the occasional seed deal, ...
January 11 2010
by Thanasis Delistathis
Themes from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
I had a chance to walk the floor of CES in the past few days and thought I would share what stood out for me. This of course is not meant in any way as a conclusive list and there has been plenty of coverage in the press about all things interesting. My summary is ...
January 8 2010
by Todd Hixon
The Power of Tying Services to Products
Consumer marketers speak of “Moments of Truth”. I had one last night. I walked the dog in the evening and, later, when I went to put my iPhone on the charger, the phone and its holster were gone. The phone was set to silent. Merde! I retraced my steps with another ...
January 5 2010
by Scott Johnson
The Fourth Screen – Are Tablets for Real?
I am seeing startups that are using “tween” computers (essentially ipod touch look-alikes running android or linux with a 5×7” screen) for a variety of new applications. The price point is at $300 and declining for a fully performant connected machine, and I wanted to come right out and say that I am a believer in this category.
