Pivoting for Profit

Just build a _____ profitable business! – David Heinemeier Hansson, This Week in Startups #46 (1:10:45) Reflection In the spirit of Agile, here’s my retrospective on when we realized the primary objective is to build a business & not to get funded. Inflating Our Own Bubble Back in June 2009, I read about the TechCrunch50 2009 contest & while we barely had any running code, submitted an entry. My collaborators thought it was a bit of a stretch, but we all agreed it’s nice to set goals. So while trying to get a grip on what was required of us, I immersed myself in TechCrunch stuff. From what I understood, there was a...

My First Pitch to Mo...

In fine company last night among QuantumWhisper, SoleiraSun, SolidWild at Montreal NEWTECH’s Demo Night. Just demo! – Jason Calacanis, TechCrunch50 2009 Twetailer semi-finalist demo. In 140 characters, or, less Twetailer: Brokering Consumer Demand with local Retailers’...

The Start-Up Chronic...

Partnering, building communities and pitching social software to Sara’s elementary school. Cut win-win deals. A partnership seldom takes place between equals. As a result, the more powerful side is tempted to squeeze the other party. The weaker side, for its part, will begrudgingly...

Homage to TechCrunch50 2009, its Organizers and Pa...

As a TechCrunch50 2009 Semi-finalist who chose legal services over Demo-Pit costs, I empathized every moment with the presenters and salute all of you. LBS is just gonna get, sorry Location Based Services, is just going to become more and more important. – Dick Costolo,  Panelist & Judge http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2169088 Background June 2009 with only the bare bones of running code, I submitted our TechCrunch50 2009 application. My contributors (The Start-Up Chronicles: Chapter 2. Who, Part 2), while suggesting I was being too aggressive, agreed that it’s always nice to have Milestones, and agreed to try. July 27,...