BLOG STARTUPS, VENTURE AND THE TECH BUSINESS
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 phone and a flashlight, ...
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.
January 4 2010
by Todd Hixon
Sizzle and Steak: The Importance of Profitability
The management team of one of my venture capital backed companies (pseudonym “Hermes”) recently floated this trial balloon: “We’re now profitable at reasonable scale [Ed: after years of hard work and much investment]. We have the beginnings of a great company. We should raise a big venture round and use the money to develop new ...
December 22 2009
by Thanasis Delistathis
The changing landscape of internet TV
I have argued in a past blog entry that getting your TV through the internet is inevitable. The big question is “how will it unfold”? Who is likely to lead this revolution? In numerous blogs and articles, it appears likely that Apple is trying to play a role. Here is an article from today’s Wall ...
November 30 2009
by Scott Johnson
Tom Tom and Garmin In Serious Trouble
Personal Navigation is being disrupted. Garmin and Tom Tom, as their share prices show, are being Googled. That is, their expensive consumer service is suddenly free from Google. Can they survive? There is a great deal of speculation about this in the press. So I thought I would add mine, as I am an investor ...
