Exit Strategies for Startups

What kind of a webapp can lure Yahoo into buying it? Here, We focus on Google/Yahoo to provide an exit strategy for web startups.

Analyze what Google offers, and create a service/product that rivals any of Google's product line-up. There is a huge market for products that compete against Google. Of-course, you will at once get into Yahoo's good books. But then, survival of your product becomes tough when there is no buy-out, and you stand against a big-shot like Google.

Another strategy is to create a complementary service/product that adds incredible value to the existing products of Yahoo/Google. Your product should be able to capture a substantial market share of the internet browser community. Example, Google Docs have equivalents of MS-Word & Excel, but no Powerpoint, etc... Similarly, Yahoo has every kind of search engine except Blog-search. Try to fill-in the gaps of the Big-shots.

Finally, A total innovative approach that generates a huge user-base will be a likely candidate too. Further, it becomes easier to capture the market share as there are no competitors for innovative products.

But think...! May be you don't have to exit. If your product can make enough revenue to make you happy at end of the day, there is no reason to exit. Challenge your competitors, enhance your product features, move on with your product line-up...

Buy-Me Banners

Found these cute images while browsing... I wana create a webapp just to use these.

BStir widget for Blogger

Stuff-a-Blog's BStir now offers a widget for Blogger(new) users. Hence, you can add a BStir module (random previous musings) to your blog with a click of a button.

Phones serve as credit cards

Visa, the world's biggest credit card payment system, has partnered with Nokia handset makers to make mobile phones serve as credit cards. Here is an excerpt of the news...

Users can pay for groceries and other purchases by swiping a phone over a reader that electronically communicates with a microchip on the phone. Phone owners confirm the purchase with the push of a button and the deal is complete.

This opens the door for more security issues, stolen cell-phone cases, identity thefts, etc... This sure makes the cellphone a digital wallet, and hence more valuable than ever. I believe, the more valuable it gets, the less freedom I will have in my careless usage.

How to make brand India glitter?

Here are of my thoughts on some key factors to see brand India glittering... In short, they touch upon 6 key topics that include consumer-sectors, culture, education, social-security, politics-independent growth, and uplift masses.



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Great entrepreneurs & visionaries like Ratan Tata are the key for a self-sufficient India. Truly, his vision to see India as a self-reliant developed country requires privatization of various sectors. Thus, capable dynamic entrepreneurs can lead the development in every consumer sector. Tata's dive into consumer industries from autos and steel to software and telecom is highly appreciable. Thankfully, Ambani brothers are heading in the direction of Tata to share the face of INDIA. More such entrepreneurs should invest in the products of a layman's life.

The core of our Indian culture should be preserved at all times. The culture is the backbone to India's greatness, and will be the key to her progress in today's world too. The social concepts, family life, and traditional values of Indian culture has been proved to be among the best, and should be given utmost importance. For instance, we should never let go Religion-tolerance, unity in diversity, service to god & the poor, respect for women & elders, meditation, yoga, etc...

The educational system should be inline with our ancient gurukula system. The present education system has overemphasized the cultivation of the intellect at the cost of the general well-being of humanity. We often see a lack of morality & character among the educated privileged ones. As Swami Vivekananda recommends, we should have an all-round development of human beings. All elements of philosophy, mysticism, emotion, intellect (creativity), and knowledge should be equally present in full. That is the ideal of a perfect man. This way, we can increase the ratio of good people in the society, and thus reducing corruption, depression, etc in a natural way.

When I came to US to do my Masters, one of the first things I noticed and appreciated is the increased security force (police) to keep its people safe at all times. The police force in India is far from being decent. Corruption is like a synonym to Indian police force, from traffic constables to senior law-enforcement officers. Further, the police-population ratio in India is very poor - 1 to 728 as against western countries, for instance Russia having the ratio of 1 to 82. Hence, an increased honest police force that can really ensure people safety, and maintain law is what India needs at the moment. People should be able to go up to them, seek help, and report corruption and abuse that they witness or experience. Without this security assurance, no social reforms can be truly implemented to its full extent.

Growth independent of Politics... Hmm~ why not? Here is an article that convinced me that we should not let ideology or politics come in the way of growth. An independent body of highly talented economic experts can design the growth of India, and make 10-year / 15-year plans to transform India into a developed nation. I really don't see why politics should get involved. The distribution of funds, administration, governance and there is a whole lot of other stuff the political leaders can do (play with).

Finally, I'd like to share with you the vision of Swami Vivekananda, and quote from some of his works. Unless there is uniform circulation of national blood all over the body, the nation could not rise. A nation is advanced only to the extent that education and culture reaches the masses. The alienation of any kind from the masses of society (who are mainly poor), whether it be alienation through learning, through wealth or through force of arms shall weaken the leadership of a country (India). The uplift of women and the masses should receive the highest priority in social development.

Shivarathri

Today is Shivarathri, a special day (night) for the worshipers of Lord Shiva, and basically all hindus. Shivarathri is a sanskrit phrase which can be literally translated as "The Night of Shiva". People are expected to fast on this day, be awake the whole night, and worship the lord in the form of Shiva-lingam. Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia.

This day is determined according to Vedic calendar system. People are expected to fast throughout the day and worship Shiva. During Night the worshippers practice abstinence from all bad habits and are supposed to regularly worship Shiva if possible throughout the night until dawn. It is strongly believed that Lord Shiva blesses his worshippers on this day and grants moksha to his sincere devotees.

For those who want to know all about Shivarathri and lord Shiva, check this site (MahaShivaratri.org). I find that comprehensive enough. Also check out the below links to learn more about Shivarathri from my fellow blogger...

• Thoughts on the Origin of Shiva Worship
• What to do on Shivaratri day?
• Shivaratri Myths
• Importance of Shivratri
• Worship of Linga
• Why is Shivratri celebrated during night?

Top 150 All-Time i-Technology Heroes

Wana hear some Techie Geeky Professional Podcasts? ? ? On Digg, I came across a site that lists the Top 150 All-Time i-Technology Heroes according to SYS-CON's globe-girdling network. Some of those names are hyperlinked to their brief biographies added in time. Browsing a little more, I found a nice compilation by Niels Mäkel... a collection of podcasts that highlight some of the interviews and presentations. Nice to listen to the views of the I.T legends!

Here are some podcast sites that serve a similar purpose. Go ahead, and hear the legends speak.
IT Conversations
Open Source Conversations
Podcast Academy

Top 25 Web 2.0 Search Engines

Web-Search~ A Multi-Billion dollar idea I'm sure you've heard of Google's earning of $3.21 billion for the fourth quarter. Two days ago, I received an email stating that my mashup search-site (FundooWeb) has been selected to be one of the Top 25 Web.2.0 Search Engines listed by OEDb (Online Education Database). I'm honored, and feel privileged to get my search-mashup counted upon. Not surprisingly, this site got into Digg's front page, and currently stands at 850 diggs.

I should honestly say... its a thoughtfully composed list of web2.0 search tools that we may not be aware of. Hmmm! I know whats crossing your mind... Why bother when we have Google. Am I right? Trust me! Its lot more fun using these cool search tools than the plain interface of Google. Give each of them a try, and have fun. However, Google is definitely the answer for some serious search, but no fun.

Once again, my sincere thanks to the selectors and editors of the article for counting upon FundooWeb.