Business 2.0 Magazine asked in September issue to dozen of venture capitalists for great startup ideas they would like to back with their money. Among them there are some related to online video business. So Steve Krausz, general partner of U.S. Venture Partner would invest $2 million in a ad site that could offer to major advertisers opportunities to place short trailers in video blogs. The vloggers could receive fees based on impression, clic-throughs, or both. Nothing like this exists yet.
Jim Breyer, partner of Accel Partners says will invest $10 million in a international networking site for indie artists, filmmakers, musicians, authors, designers, and other creative types which would operate as a marketplace, with members buying and selling their own creations as much as they blog, link and post. "They might be a Chinese student filmmaker with a five-minute film who wants to reach a niche of U.S. users. He could find people willing to buy his films, and maybe a producer willing to bankroll more", says.
Video mashups online is what is seeking investor Tood Dagres. A web-based service that allows users to combine their own videos with a library of licensable clips and music to create video mashups online. Ths ideal startup should build first a video-editing program that's as easy to use with a browser as iMovie is with a Mac. Second is inking enough licensing deals to create a video library big enough to get the concept off the ground. Studios have all this content that they would love to monetize. He has $4 million for a working site and editing software.
Any brilliant solution? Just send your pitch to above emails addresses.
Over 500,000 user have subscribed to a new video channels free software
Take a look to this free Internet TV software. It is called Instant Media (I'M), and it is pioneered by a Palo Alto's startup. Since it was launched in May of 2006, over 500,000 users have subscribed to their free software, which provides access to 550 channels, including programs covering the latest in news, sports, entertainment and technology. I'M integrates catalog of videos, videocast, audiocasts, and news feeds.
Once the player is installed (only works in Windows XP), consumers can browse an integrated directory of channels, subscribe to their favorite channels, and then continue working on their PC while shows download in the background. New shows appear automatically, and are ready to watch instantly.
Almost half of Internet users watch video once a month
"Achieving this number of users so quickly demonstrates that I'M is rapidly growing as the entertainment destination of choice," said Andy Leak, CEO of Instant Media. "The market for online video is exploding, and we have shown that for hundreds of thousands of users, the best destination for on-demand entertainment is right on their desktop using Instant Media to watch full-screen video."
According to a study by the Online Publishers Association (OPA), 46 percent of all Internet users watch video at least once a month. The study also found that half of all video viewers return to a specific Web site to find video, and a strong majority of video viewers (58 percent) say they rely on two to five sites.
CNN presents its citizen journalism site but it gets a limited answer
CNN has launched its citizen journalism video site, called CNN Exchange. Critics say that if a gatekeeper like CNN can really make it work a site devoted to user-submitted videos. CNN presents the service in this way:
"What's happening where you are? Is news happening in front of your eyes? Pull out your camera and I-Report it for CNN. Use the form on this page to send files from your computer. Send cell phone video and photos to ireport@cnn.com. "
Anyone can see that the service has had a very limited answer from the public.
NBC launches user video site
Another user video site from a network, but this time smarter than the one of CNN. It comes from NBC, it is called ItsYourShowTV.com, and it encourages user to submit original video for cash prizes, from $1,000 to $100,000. Some of the winning clips will be aired on NBC with Carson Daly hosting.
The site allows you to download tools such as video, music and sound effect to use in your editing. “We know you like to mix it up so we’re giving out some ingredients,” reads the site. Weekly challenges keeps the user generated content focused.
Only the stubborn determination guarantees the success
Want to succeed in business? "All the brains and connections in the world won't mater unless you also have the bullheaded determination it takes to get things done", says columnist and Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University. The don't-give-up mentality is the most crucial ingredient to the success. This stubborn determination cannot be learnt in business school.
"Many MBAs are geared to the intellectual rigors of running a company but can be reluctant to get their hands dirty, believing that smart and connections will open doors so they won't need to do the actual work. You need the persistence", adds. That resilience is crucial.
