Is the startup boom an illusion?
If you're avid reader of blogs like this one, chances are you can't go a day without hearing of a new startup that is seeking to revolutionize an industry, that just raised a round of funding, or that was acquired by a major company.
The global economic outlook may be uncertain, but startups are thriving. Or at least so it appears.
SEOmoz raises $18m, reveals everything about the deal
If you're an SEO, chances are you're familiar with SEOmoz.
The Seattle-based company is a brand name in the SEO space, and the company's CEO, Rand Fishkin, a highly-visible figure in the industry.
Is the end of the acquihire near?
If you're a tech titan with lots of cash and a healthy stock price, one of the best ways to fill your ranks with talented employees in the latest boom has been to acquire small young startups before they become the next big thing.
The founders of targeted startups get an exit on their resume and a retention package that will ensure financial comfort, and investors in the startups get, well, the shaft as most of the money in the deal comes in the form of those employee retention packages.
Crowdfunding: four things entrepreneurs should consider
Crowdfunding may soon be a reality in the United States, giving entrepreneurs and would-be mom-and-pop startup investors reason for celebration.
And make no mistake about it: crowdfunding could be one of the most significant changes to hit the startup world in a long time, providing entrepreneurs with a much larger market in which to raise capital for their companies.
Yahoo's Facebook patent lawsuit: hate the game, not the player
While the violent and depressing patent wars that are being waged in the technology industry aren't new, Yahoo's patent infringement lawsuit against Facebook has created a firestorm in Silicon Valley.
From bloggers to venture capitalists to former employees, individuals are lashing out at the once-dominant portal, criticizing it for being desperate, evil or some combination of other less-than-nice words.
Loopt gets acquired by prepaid debit card company
What do prepaid debit cards and location-based services (LBS) have in common? If a company called Green Dot is right, the answer is 'a lot more than you might think.'
The company, which is a major player in the prepaid debit card space, today announced that it has acquired mobile LBS startup Loopt for $43.4m in cash.
Are today's startups generating revenue faster?
Are we in a new .com bubble? It seems quite likely, but that doesn't mean that many of today's startups aren't better at generating actual revenue than their now-defunct counterparts of the late 1990s.
According to venture capitalist, Josh Kopelman, whose First Round Capital operates seed stage funds, about 60% of the companies in his firm's portfolio have generated over $250,000 in revenue in the 18 months following their financing. The percentage in 2005: just 21%.
Ten signs we're in a tech bubble
Are we in a tech bubble?
There debate is only growing, and while it may not really matter to most of us, there are ten particularly worrying signs for those who have expoure to companies that are running on VC fuel and may need to go public in the near future.
Dispelling the TechCrunch myth
The debates over what constitutes journalism, and what the future of journalism will look like, rages on.
Last week, a firestorm erupted when TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington announced that he was launching a fund to invest in technology startups.
TechCrunch, of course, which is now owned by AOL, is a blog focused on technology startups, and while Arrington will apparently be off the editorial payroll, he'll still be able to contribute as an unpaid blogger.
Adding fuel to the firestorm: the fact that AOL itself is investing in Arrington's fund.
Color and the importance of managing expectations
If a new startup called Color has its way, photo sharing will never be the same. The company is creating a completely smart phone-based 'social network' of sorts for photos, but instead of focusing on people, it's focusing on location, a concept some have likened to Twitter-for-pics.
Interesting? Maybe. Innovative? Questionable. But Color is already attracting lots of attention having already raised $41m before launch. Color's backers include notable investors, including preeminent venture capital firm Sequoia Capital.
