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.

SFBeta was a hit last night with several companies presenting their services and offerings. ServePath was there, strategically positioned in front of a wall of photos that I will refrain from commenting on. I spoke a bit with Christian Perry, who told me he was “impressed” with the turnout.

Below is a selection of “amateur” photos that I snapped throughout the event. Enjoy!

The Crowd - at the peak of the event

Seero - very impressive demo linking GPS and Live Video Streams

MadeIt.com - the next generation of eVite

Dipity.com - View your Facebook activity in a timeline

The “Art” - the wall of photos behind the ServePath table; censored by yours truly

Christian Perry (SFBeta founder) & yours truly

The Crowd #2 - more shots

Paul Lappas & Steven Buelow - working the ServePath table; shouting is the only way to communicate at SFBeta

Stephanie Gausby & Steven Buelow - talking about ServePath products and services

Steven & The Wall - admiring the Art

Mosio - ask/answer questions using SMS

Christian & Steven - pointing out the camera

SFBeta, produced by Christian Perry and sponsored by ServePath, is happening tonight, January 29th, 2008 from 6:00 pm PT to 9:00 pm PT at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. Tickets are $15 online and $25 at the door. If you haven’t heard of SFBeta, here is what it is about:

SF Beta is San Francisco’s largest monthly startup mixer. Since launching in September, 2006, our event has brought together thousands of people from hundreds of startups, creating innumerable connections along the way.

Some people come to our event to be social, some come to make business connections, and many come to do both. Our event, called the “king of Web 2.0 mixers,” offers something of everything.

As of this writing, over 150 people have responded as attending, representing a wide variety of companies including (and in no particular order): Google, CNet, Intuit, Joyent, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Valleywag, Gracenote, Digg, Intel Research, Sun Microsystems, Yahoo!, Facebook, Heidrick & Struggles, Justin.tv, Buzzlogic and many other established as well as up-and-coming companies.

Here are the companies that have signed up to give a demo:

• Mosio - “mobile questions. answers. people.”
• Seero - geo-broadcasting platform
• BlogBard - listen to your favourite blogs on your iPod or iPhone
• PlaceShout - “what places make you want to shout?
• MadeIt - “invitations that keep the party going”
• Dipity - “All the Time” Facebook application
• SanFran Music Tech - summit for music/tech community
• Hictu - “changing your perspective”
• UserSuggest
• NextDB - “revolutionary hosted database”

I will personally be roving around taking pictures of the event. Others from ServePath will be present as well to answer any questions you may have.

Come have a drink with us and share some of your stories. Hope to see you there!