Archive for the ‘innovation’ Category

4 Important Factors when Raising Funds

Thursday, July 8th, 2010
  1. Market. This is possibly the most important factor to consider: is there market demand for your product? If there isn’t you will have a chance even with a mediocre product, however, if there is already a strong market, even an extraordinary product might not do the trick.
  2. Momentum. You have to continuously show that you are working on your product. You need to have people using your product, not just once, but also coming and a good marketing strategy. This will indicate that you have some traction in the market.
  3. Team. You need to have a reliable team around you. Only hire people you know and that will stand behind your product and work on it with 100% effort.
  4. Naysayers. If people are saying what you are attempting can’t be done, that is a good sign. It means that they don’t know how to do it and as a result you know you have discovered something new.

For a more detailed account please see http://bit.ly/d99jDF

Silicon Valley in Europe?

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

The Russian president ordered the setting up of an international centre for technological innovation earlier this year. Through this, he hopes to attract young entrepreneurs and venture capital and private equity companies to the region. Construction on offices flats and labs will be started shortly, just west of the capital Moscow.

It seems that Russia wants to build its own Silicon Valley and it is clear that they are doing their best to attract both capital and intellect. They will be offering low rents, income tax exemptions and other perks to those willing to settle down in the area. The organizers are using the following pitch to attract companies: “Come, live, create and do good for yourself, Russia and the whole of civilization” (WSJ, 2010). For the moment, the main focus will be on ICT, Biotech, energy efficiency and nuclear technology.

If you want to read more on the topic, please visit: http://bit.ly/9IHDyu