vc

Salesforce bets on independent developers

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

As SAP gobbles up Business Objects, Salesforce took a dramatic step to position the company as a viable alternative to the traditional pillars of the enterprise software space. On Friday, Salesforce took the wraps off of a $25 million fund that will underwrite software developers and third party vendors. The move was made with VC partners Bay Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners. The money will be distributed to some 50 software start-up companies, where teams will be given $500,000 to develop on-demand applications on Salesforce's platform, Force.com. This represents a major initial effort to establish the platform as a financial opportunity for third-party developers, and to create a broader variety of applications and capabilities for the enterprise. Australia-based Sqware Peg, for instance, has created an SMS (short-message service) marketing application using the platform. This is a big opportunity for the VC partners as well. Startups that develop innovative offerings on the platform may be terrific investment opportunities.

For more on the deal:
- check out the article by CNET

ALSO NOTED: Microsoft to ship new version of Windows in three years; When should a CIO think and act like a VC?;

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> Microsoft to ship new version of Windows in three years. Article

> Acer responds to two HP lawsuits with patent counterclaim. Article

> When should a CIO think and act like a VC? Article

> A closer look at the facts and myths behind the H-1B debate. Article

> What happens when Indian outsourcers set up shop in America? Article

And Finally... Forget the Ghostbusters: Ghost hunters go high-tech. Article

Why VCs are good for your career

Wed, 30 May 2007 20:01:36 -0400

Don't overlook the venture capitalist community as you look to grow your career. And don't forget that it's a two way street: "CIOs have much to offer a VC in need of customer feedback on the product potential of their portfolio companies," says Martha Heller, managing director of the IT Leadership Practice at ZRG. From a CIO's standpoint, VCs can be great resources when it comes to learning about technology, gaining board of directors experience and getting access to potential startup general manager roles. It also gives CIOs a great opportunity to explore a career as a VC. But best of all, it keeps CIOs close to the money, should they be interested in funding a new business idea or potential technology breakthrough.

For more on the relationship between VCs and CIOs:
- see this article from CIO

Innovating via the VC model

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 20:01:35 -0400

There are a number of choices when it comes to building an innovation strategy. One is taking a page from the venture capitalist (VC) playbook. The genesis is two-fold: make sure you assess both risks and benefits and take a portfolio strategy to implementation. The goal is to have the new IT effort stand on its own once it's running so that it doesn't draw resources from an organization's core IT program. According to one expert, using the VC model requires a disciplined governance process and a strong ability to manage outsourcing activity.

For more on the VC innovation approach:
- check out this column at Optimize

ALSO NOTED: After data breaches, veterans agency goes whole hog with encryption; Yahoo opens its campus to a hack-a-thon event;

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 20:01:33 -0400

> After data breaches, veterans agency goes whole hog with encryption. Article

> Yahoo opens its campus to a hack-a-thon event. Article

> A new certification for outsourcing experts. Article

> Utah turns to WAN solution to stop liquor thieves. Article

> Cheap calls, social networking lead the VC charge. Article

And Finally... Extra set of legs doesn't help a chicken cross the road any faster. Article

India city on track to become the next Valley

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 19:01:35 -0500

Bangalore is set to become the Silicon Valley of India, thanks to the thousands of tech workers, cheaper costs and enthusiastic venture capitalists eager to find the next great technology. The startup mavericks seeking to invest in the new firms cropping up like wild fire aren't just from the U.S., but from all over the world. Yet as some innovators and start-up founders note, it'll be a while before Bangalore achieves par with the Valley; but it's on the right path.

For more on why Bangalore is a VC paradise:
- read this article at CIO Today

How thinking like a VC can prove valuable

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:01:35 -0500

It may seem a bit contradictory to the nature of an IT leader, but taking the vantage point, and the strategy, of a venture capitalist when it comes to managing and deploying new technologies can prove worthwhile. As one expert maps it out, there are some great best practices from the VC environment that can play out well for tech leaders--such as getting additional budget and buying from internal business units to move a technology effort ahead (VCs often grab outside funding for support), and realizing that no one technology can 'boil the ocean.' Strategic decision making, as in investing, can be incredibly rewarding for a CIO.

For more on thinking like a VC with technology decisions:
- read this article at Optimize