Angel-List

How do you take over the busiest street in Seattle? How about...

startupfsu — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:55:58 -0700

How do you take over the busiest street in Seattle? How about with a little guerrilla marketing by tred.com #seattle #spreadthetred

Who: Angel.co “AngelList” Update: Startups can now...

startupfsu — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:55:00 -0800

Who: Angel.co “AngelList”

Update: Startups can now receive investments online. Individuals can invest as little as $1K and the funds are released once the company reaches $150K in commitments.

*Non-accredited crowdfunding coming Spring 2013!

Who: Chalkable App Store What: A web based store for schools to...

startupfsu — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:06:23 -0700

Who: Chalkable App Store

What: A web based store for schools to gain access to the best tools and content on the web. Every user has an app budget with real dollars ready to be spent on educationally relevant web apps.

Why? Founders Zoli and Michael set out to create a better platform for education after seeing huge pitfalls in platforms such as Blackboard and Angel like they used in college.

Traction: Fresh off of funding and advisement from 500 Startups and others, Chalkable has expanded from a private beta to 50 schools since launch (September 2012).

Pros: Focus on a platform and app store rather than just another social learning network like Schoology and Edmodo. Beautiful design and easy to setup an account and get started even without the help of a sales or technical rep.

Cons: Crowded space, but lots of upside potential. Building districtwide partnerships and contracts will be difficult with such a small team and early stage company.

Keys to Success: Investors and advisors such as Luke Shepard (brains behind Facebook Connect and Mobile Platform) will surely help with the product side of things and bring creditability to an otherwise early stage startup

Future: Look for a soon to launch feature rich iPhone app that incorporates useful analytics on each student and more seamless approach for developers to build apps on the Chalkable platform.

Follow: @Chalkable or https://angel.co/chalkable

Who: LooksForBooks (LFB.me) What: It’s like Kayak.com for...

startupfsu — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:31:29 -0700

Who: LooksForBooks (LFB.me)

What: It’s like Kayak.com for Books

In their own words: “Price comparison engine for textbooks or any book new, used, or e-books!”

Pros: Works seamlessly - simply search, compare, and pick the best price from book sites across the web all in one place. As a bonus they provide exclusive coupons and deals on top of the best prices! Get an instant quote to sell your old books back as well!

Cons: No iOS app, but works on mobile as web based app… J

Funding: Angel(s) seeking to close seed round of $250k

Bottom line: Cool branding, great site, and useful to any college student looking to save cash towards their textbooks. Early traction has been promising and they look to scale very quickly after closing on a seed round.

Invest @ https://angel.co/looksforbooks

Who: Presentate What: Youtube for HTML5 presentations - build,...

startupfsu — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:44:51 -0700

Who: Presentate

What: Youtube for HTML5 presentations - build, present, and share seamlessly!

In their own words: “Great HTML5 presentations”

Take away from interview w/ co-founders: The technical duo learned from personal experience that presentations via other products are compromising, leading them to create a high fidelity experience on the web to solve this issue. With previous experience at companies such as Apple and a handful of other startups, they are well equipped to take on their own startup. They believe their solution will solve three key issues with presentations: creation, delivery/sharing, and accessibility.

Pros: This approach allows the web to live in your presentation, simply import links, documents, and videos within the presentation. According to their research, there are over 75 million desktop users of presentation software, and 20 million users of cloud-based presentation software, so they believe the potential market is huge.

Cons: A lot of hype behind it, but yet to launch out of Alpha for the world to use. In this space they will need to be speedy to market.

Funding: Bootstrapping for now

Bottom line: A formidable startup in the presentation space. With it’s web-based format simplicity will be key for its success. Recently named to the list of 25 Hot Silicon Valley Startups You Need To Watch by BusinessInsider. Given a solid launch, growth, and execution - perhaps along the way catch the eyes of potential acquisition players such as Google, LinkedIn, etc…We shall wait and see. Follow them at https://angel.co/four53

Who: PowToon What: Easiest way to create professional quality...

startupfsu — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 07:58:39 -0700

Who: PowToon

What: Easiest way to create professional quality animation based videos or presentations for business, education, and everything in between!

In their own words: “DIY Software to Create Animated Demo Videos & Awesome Presentations!”

Take away from interview w/ CEO Ilya Spitalnik: His enthusiasm for startups and entrepreneurs was instantly apparent from the moment we spoke. Thoroughly impressed by his planning and execution of the product. He made a great reference to this quote during our discussion, “ideas are just a multiplier of execution” (a concept originally discussed here)

Pros: Product learning curve is minimal - get started within minutes of signing up! Powtoon’s marketplace is a bonus for those needing an expert touch, execution is in place and concept is naturally viral from the exposure of user generated videos. Great potential synergies (perhaps acquisition play) with the likes of YouTube or Vimeo down the road

Cons: Not all the features are fully active yet, currently invite only beta, however here is a special invite to get started today!

Funding: Seed funded by Jeremie Berrebi with surely more to come as traction builds

Bottom line: A game changer for those with great ideas looking for a way to express their startup concept, business pitch, or tell their story in a more engaging format. Check out PowToon’s youtube channel for some great examples of what users have created.

Follow PowToon:

@Twitter

@Angel.co

Who: Coursemodo What: Interactive Learning Platform (with suite...

startupfsu — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:06:44 -0700

Who: Coursemodo

What: Interactive Learning Platform (with suite of engagement tools)

In their own words: “designed to empower educators and increase classroom engagement through real-time response tools”

Take away from interview: The entire team is well rounded and includes former faculty, leading educators, and innovators with various skill sets and experience

Pros: EdTech is hot and so is Coursemodo; fresh off a round of angel funding (with deeper VC pockets to come), monetization from day one, a platform focused model with room to grow beyond their core “modo” apps, early traction in higher ed both in US and Canada

Cons: Space is crowded, other well funded ventures: Lore, Piazza, Schoology

Funding: Seeking Series A funding, currently backed by Scott Banister + angels

Twitter: @coursemodo

Angel: Eric Ries Overview: A Silicon Valley entrepreneur and...

startupfsu — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:18:00 -0700

Angel: Eric Ries

Overview: A Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author recognized for pioneering the “Lean Startup” movement, a new-business strategy which directs startup companies to allocate their resources as efficiently as possible. He is also a well-known blogger within the technology entrepreneur community, angel investor, and startup advisor.

Invested in: 500 Startups (Fund), Gaston Labs, SendHub, Tout, Unbounce, Votizen

Pros: A brand name, failed but learned from it, great at turning vision into action

Cons: Invests in small amounts at seed level, more of an advisor than true angel investor

“Eric has taught me the most out of any person I’ve met in Silicon Valley. He continues to push the art of entrepreneurship and if you’re lucky enough to get 5 minutes talking with him, you’ll know exactly what I mean.”— Founder of a company Eric advised

Who: Chewse What: Catering service portal for easy online...

startupfsu — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:04:32 -0700

Who: Chewse

What: Catering service portal for easy online ordering for your next event

In their own words: “Chewse makes it easy to order catering, from menu to delivery.”

Take away from interview: Co-founders Tracy and Jeff are a dynamic duo and are learning quickly what it takes to make Chewse a household name for all the foodies out there.

Pros: With a solid bootsrapping effort they have proven the concept works with over 100k in revenue with something that started on a college campus and now grown to larger events such as TEDx, along with a growing list of corporate clients.

Cons: Competition in the space, but Chewse has cut out a great niche making it a solid acquisition play for those looking to expand their offerings like a grubhub or opentable service.

Funding: Offers from Incubator(s), but for now bootstrapping…A great service looking to capitalize on the $14 billion catering market making it a solid pick with lots of upside, especially if you can get in on a round of funding at the seed stage.

AngelList: http://angel.co/chewse

Twitter: @chewse

Who: Grappple What: A Shared Bucket-list In their own words:...

startupfsu — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:42:07 -0700

Who: Grappple

What: A Shared Bucket-list

In their own words: “…Inspirational social bucket list…Quora around experiences”

Take away from interview: Founder Garrett Lauringson - young, motivated, and sincere in his goal to “help the world accomplish more”

Pros: Pinterest like feel of site is clean and team is well-rounded with advisor(s) such as the Co-Founder of Punchd, which was acquired by Google.

Cons:Triple “ppp” in Grappple, but hey it works for Dribbble

Funding: Offers from Incubator(s), but for now bootstrapping

AngelList: http://angel.co/grappple

Twitter: @grappple

Angel: Reid Hoffman (@quixotic) Overview: Founder of...

startupfsu — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:24:00 -0700

Angel: Reid Hoffman (@quixotic)

Overview: Founder of LinkedIn

Value: I invest in 20 startups @ 250,000 a year

Invested in: Facebook, Zynga, Flickr, Digg, and others

Pros: Well established network, billionaire aka deep pockets, well educated

Cons: He’s not a pretty boy by any means, however his experience makes up for his couch potato presence. He’s a teddy bear who instead of hibernating is always roaming around looking to pick his next company to take a bite out of

Known as the “the most connected person in Silicon Valley” - Wall Street Journal

Profile @Angel.co: http://angel.co/reid-hoffman

Who: Everest (evr.st) What: A Shared Bucket-list In their own...

startupfsu — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:00 -0700

Who: Everest (evr.st)

What: A Shared Bucket-list

In their own words: Plan your steps, invite guides and allies to take part in your journey, and capture moments along the way. Everyone’s got their Everest, climb yours!

Pros: Founders & advisers come from social driven startups, Similar to “Highlight” app with purpose, Market = everyone!

Cons: News Years resolutions never stick so will this?

Funding: Previous investments from Scott Belsky, Bruno Bowden, Dave Kashen, Tabreez Verjee, and others

AngelList: http://angel.co/everest

Twitter: @everestapp

Angel: Naval Ravikant (@naval) Overview: Founded AngelList,...

startupfsu — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:25:00 -0700

Angel: Naval Ravikant (@naval)

Overview: Founded AngelList, Venture Hacks, Epinions, Vast

Value: I invest in 4-6 startups @ $50K - $500K a year

Invested in: Zaarly, MightyText, Twitter

Pros: He reinvented how angels and startups connect, approachable, invested in so many companies there are bound to be synergies between them and yours

Cons: Startupboy is his self proclaimed nickname & personal website, sounds like an IM username lol…but seriously he’s the man, if you get him on board rock on!

Brilliant, caring, connected, and passionate. He’s a force of nature; an ideal Valley man. — Founder of a company Naval invested in

Profile @Angel.co: http://angel.co/naval

Who: Rentabilities What: Rent Anything. Anywhere! (Airbnb for...

startupfsu — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:25:00 -0700

Who: Rentabilities

What: Rent Anything. Anywhere! (Airbnb for Rentals)

Incubator: MassChallenge

Pros: It’s like Amazon + Airbnb for rentals, solid investors and advisors, scrappy team with lots of upside

Cons: Could use a URL shortcut or easier to spell name

Funding: Previous investments from Andrew McCollum, Dharmesh Shah, Ludlow Ventures, & MI Ventures AngelList Profile: angel.co/rentabilities

AngelList: http://angel.co/rentabilities

Who: Pair (trypair.com) What: Private Mobile Sharing Platform...

startupfsu — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:34:59 -0700

Who: Pair (trypair.com)

What: Private Mobile Sharing Platform For You and Your Significant Other…AKA the perfect “sexting” app

Pros: Solid team, YC-backed, 50k Downloads + 1M messages in just 4 days leading up to YC Demo Day, likely acquisition play

Cons: Women seem to be downloading it by the masses, but not their boyfriends. Founded by all men, a little estrogen in the mix couldn’t hurt. Current competitor “Path” could easily pivot to mirror Pair app.

Funding: Previous investments from SV Angel, David Lee & Felix Shpilman

AngelList Profile: http://angel.co/pair

Angel: Mark Cuban Overview: Owner of the Dallas Mavericks,...

startupfsu — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 00:51:00 -0700

Angel: Mark Cuban

Overview: Owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theaters, Magnolia Pictures, and the chairman of HDNet. He is also a “shark” investor on Shark Tank

Invested in: SlideShare, Goowy, RedSwoosh, Box.net, Weblogs, Inc., and Mahalo

Pros: Sold a company for $5 billion, will invest in good ideas even without meeting the founders, well Connected, PR w/ investment because of his celebrity status

Cons: Likes to invest $ with a hands off approach. However, don’t let him down he is a competitor and tells it how it is. With Mark be ready for anything.

“super smart, super positive and never afraid to speak his mind.”

— Co-investor in company Mark invested in

Angel: Mitch Kapor Overview: Lotus founder, built from 0 to...

startupfsu — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:55:27 -0700

Angel: Mitch Kapor

Overview: Lotus founder, built from 0 to $200MM in 3 yrs. Co-founder EFF. Founding Chair Mozilla. I invest in 18 startups @ $100,000-$250,000 a year

Invested in: Twilio, Uber, Inkling, bit.ly, MindSnacks, Socialize

Pros: Very humble and approachable individual, Resume, Likes Education Startups

Cons: Lots of hype around this guy, but if you can get him on board kudos!

“Mitch is a classy and incredibly supportive investor. It’s clear from his style that he’s engaged in his own form of investing philanthropy. How often can you get one of the legends of the software industry to advise you?” - Co-investor in company Mitch invested in

Who: GoSpotCheck What: Crowdsourced mobile...

startupfsu — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:41:42 -0700

Who: GoSpotCheck

What: Crowdsourced mobile mystery shopping

Pros: TechStars Alumni, Retail & Tech Founders, Disruptive to current market

Cons: Will need to move fast (copy cats sure to follow)..think “GigWalk”

Funding: Raised over 500k from founders of companies such as Chegg, TechStars, etc…

AngelList Profile: http://angel.co/gospotcheck

Homepage: http://www.gospotcheck.com/

Angel: Chris Sacca Overview: Founder of lowercase capital...

startupfsu — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:19:58 -0700

Angel: Chris Sacca

Overview: Founder of lowercase capital Invests in 40 startups @75k-300k a year

Invested in: Twitter, Kickstarter, Bit.ly, Heroku, and more…

Pros: Ex-Googler who has been from the bottom to the top and has a keen sense of what a billion dollar company looks like as a startup

Cons: Watch the video…he takes risks most would shy away from..it has paid off, but given the high number of startups he invests in 1-on-1 time is likely scarce

“His cowboy shirts always close the deal” - Advisor of company Chris invested in

Who: SendHub What: SendHub is SMS for organizations Pros: Solid...

startupfsu — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:47:16 -0700

Who: SendHub

What: SendHub is SMS for organizations

Pros: Solid Founders, YC-backed, Generating Revenue, Mobile App Launching Soon

Cons: Crowded SMS Space with competitors such as Remind101

Funding: Roughly $300,000 from Y Combinator, StartFund, Howard Lindzon and Tom McInerney. Looking to close a round of roughly 1m in next two weeks.

AngelList Profile: http://angel.co/sendhub

Homepage: SendHub.com