ServePath Blog

Today I attended an event put on by SVASE, an organization “empowering entrepreneurs to realize their vision,” that had a very pertinent topic for Web 2.0 companies and start-ups. The topic was understanding how to validate whether your value proposition meets the need of a demanding market.

IT was a “round table” discussion headed by a 3 person invited panel. Jonathan Cobb, Founder and CTO of Kiptronic, was a member of the 3 person panel. (Kiptronic is a hosting client of ServePath’s.) The other two members of the panel were Skip Glass (Operating Partner of Foundation Capital) and Julie Wainwrite (former CEO of Pets.com, Reel.com, Bellamax, and Berkeley Systems).

The discussion was lively and very engaging, with seasoned and new entrepreneurs asking and answering questions. What I have compiled below is a list of 15 items that stood out in the discussions as offered by the panel members.

1. Listen to your customers
2. Have metrics showing how your compare to others in the same or similar market in a measurable way (like price per click or similar measurement)
3. Get some market research done for unbiased analysis
4. Be sure to evaluate the size and magnitude of the problem
5. Test your proposition with people who don’t have a vested interest
6. Don’t underestimate the number of people who will want to help you
7. Release your product early, release it often
8. Don’t go for a media/press push until your product, company and team are honed and fine tuned
9. Best way to kill a BAD product is with GOOD advertising
10. Skew your offering towards your largest target market; don’t try to hit everyone
11. People want to associate with a group; understand that group
12. Read any early adopter feedback through a lens or filter
13. Consider channel deals as they may be less expensive and faster to market
14. When finding a VC, build up a stellar advisory board of leaders; it will add value to your proposition
15. Find a good hosting provider, like ServePath, when you are ready to go to market (Ok, I added that one myself, sorry)

Here are some photos from the event.

The Panel (Left to Right) – Skip Glass, Jonathan Cobb and Julie Wainwrite

The Roundtable – at DLA Piper

ServePath client – Jonathan Cobb (Founder/CTO – Kiptronic) & Steven Buelow (Servepath)

More photos of this event can be found on the ServePath Flickr set.

Another solid SF New Tech meetup took place last night at Mighty in San Francisco, and once again, ServePath was there, and, as a sponsor. Companies doing demos included: Utterz, Triggit, Blogbard, ClickTale, Tripit and YowTrip.

A full photostream is now live on Flickr and here are some highlights.

Myles Weissleder (founder of SF New Tech) getting ready for the demos

Paul Lancaster & Steven Buelow (ServePath) talking to Devin Holmes (Startupers.com)

Denise Vardakas (TheConversationGroup) and Alexandre de Boni (ServePath)

Harris Loeser (ServePath) & Zach Coelius (Triggit – a ServePath customer)

A captivated audience

Zach Coelius (CEO – Triggit) giving a very impressive demo of the technology

Paul Lancaster gets interviewed by Vator.tv

Paul talks with Meliza Solan (Associate Producer – Vator.tv)

After a successful interview!

Check out the rest of the photos on Flickr.