Comments on: 2009 May Smile on Disruptive Startups

By: The Amplify Clog » A POV on Startups in the Recession

The Amplify Clog » A POV on Startups in the Recession — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:06:46 +0000

[...] POV on Startups in the Recession January 4, 2009 – 7:48 pm by Dave Grossman Clipped from gigaom.comRecently Richard Moross, CEO of UK startup Moo.com, on the Guardian UK site outlined the kind of [...]

By: Pavan K

Pavan K — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:19:55 +0000

Another motivational and practical article on GigaOm. Particularly appreciate the reference to Richard Moross:

“Today your idea needs to be super-relevant: do people actually need this, or are you just a solution looking for a problem?”

Where the larger companies ignore their customers and clients (such as the well know terrible customer service from T-Mobile that continues despite having huge talented teams that are tied up in either red tape or excuses), then small start-ups, or even the huge companies like Vodafone or Virgin that care, can prosper.

Kawasaki says focus on the Customer not the Competition. The Art of Driving your Competition Crazy:

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/03/the_art_of_driv.html

By: 2009 May Smile on Disruptive Startups « Blog of Intellectual Capital

2009 May Smile on Disruptive Startups « Blog of Intellectual Capital — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:33:23 +0000

[...] here to read the whole article at [...]

By: Tips for tough times: design in an economic depression « Fredzimny’s Blog

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:45:23 +0000

[...] 2009 May Smile on Disruptive Startups Kevin Kelleher from GigaOm.com talks about how startups that are original and disruptive have a chance of thriving in an economic downturn: “In an economy where risk is shunned, boldness is a risk that still offers a shot at success. It’s much easier to say this than to make it happen. But there is reason to believe that 2009 will allow original ideas, and companies behind them to come forth. Recessions dry up funding for innovation, but often innovation goes underground — or rather, back into the garage. For those that produce successful innovations, there may be fewer competitors around to copy their successes.” [...]

By: Obama Stimulus, Gaza Conflict, Richardson Withdrawal Blurbs | MarketBlurbs.com

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:04:09 +0000

[...] Kevin Kelleher, GigaOM.com on new technology startups: “Years of complacency have left many an apple cart ready to be tipped over. Startups that disrupt in a way that resonates with consumers and companies could emerge from this recession stronger than ever.” [...]

By: Cutter Mitchell

Cutter Mitchell — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:27:11 +0000

This is great. Good Article. Well written and it makes the point, now is the time for a start up. Not when the economy turns, now right now. It is also well take, make sure you have a good idea and by god people have a business model. The other problem will all these company X plus Company Y makes my company is they dont have a business model. Even things as successful as Twitter dont have a business model, when those guys at twitter should have been making money right out of the gates. This is no climate not to have a plan to make money.

By: Kevin Kelleher

Kevin Kelleher — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:20:02 +0000

@Ari: I agree that the rules don’t change but that the circumstances now may make it easier for some to stand out.

By: Kevin Kelleher

Kevin Kelleher — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:17:58 +0000

@charlie. Thanks for pointing that out. It does take a while for these cycles to work themselves through.

By: Victor Lund

Victor Lund — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:41:43 +0000

To the contrary, we have found that early stage companies are a great place for investors to focus. Today the traditional capital markets available to the public are trading at risk profiles that are not far afield of venture markets. However, the opportunity for return as a ratio to risk is much higher in the venture funds than the public markets.

Many high net worth investors have maintained a disciplined approach to investing 10% of their investment capital into VC funds. Today, many non-institutional investors are actually investing higher percentages as the public market is no longer a “safe” investment, and low interest rates deter fixed income investments. The corporate bond market is almost as risky as funding an early stage company today.

By taking on 20% more risk by investing in a seed round of an emerging technology company, the investor is afforded stronger opportunities for 500% to 2000% returns. Your ability to pick the right start up is likely to be as good or better than your ability to pick a stock – and the public markets rarely deliver triple digit returns.

By: Jitendra

Jitendra — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:44:41 +0000

Duisruption at this time may go unnoticed, esp without deep pockets to market.

Jitu