rebelutionary / 2.0

Web 2.0 LaunchPad Form Guide / 2006 Nov 08

Sitting in the pitch session at Web 2.0 right now, there are some clear winners and losers (see Rafe's post for a full list) to me.

In light of the Melbourne Cup, here's my "form guide" predictions.

(Remember, I'm a realist - some might say cynic)

The Favourites

Favourite - Stikkit - This is just neat. Just type a simple note, and they 'interpolate' a lot of details from it (ie "This looks like a todo list?"). It sounds like Clippy-on-Ajax-hell but it actually looked great in the demo. As Rael Dornfest said, "Simple but not simplistic, smart but not clever". My pick of the bunch.

Good Value Chance - oDesk - these guys are neat, a clever evolution of the old 1997 idea of connecting developers with projects (Antz, HotDispatch, eLance etc). Smart VC, solid features, seems to have size which these networks need. The traditional problem with these services is that you use them as a cheap recruitment tool. Find someone smart, then just hire them outside of the service to stop paying the middle man fees. As I see it their platform is stickier than previous solutions (that said I just talked to Nik next to me and he said Omnidrive hired one of their contractors outside the service - so perhaps it's not that sticky).

Last Past The Post

Zero Dollar Bet - 3B - what the hell? It's ugly, slow and they have avatars. Oh god. Haven't we realised time and again that 3D interfaces tacked onto applications just don't work. I don't see anything compelling here. In today's climate, someone will fund it but it certainly won't be smart money. Seems like a donkey got lost in a horse race.

The Rest Of The Field

• Omnidrive - Demo problems but interesting possibilities. Tough competition. Possible place finisher.
• Turn - Slick, automatic advertising network. Automation seems scary. Could challenge.
• Adify - Yawn. Yet another ad network. Middle of the field.
• In The Chair - Fantastic. Great demo, slick product but uncertain model. Front runner.
• Sphere - Blog search with embeddable Ajax widget. Good publisher support. Strong finisher.
• TimeBridge - Calendar synchronisation. Utterly boring. Been tried before. Short distance runner.
• SharpCast - FusionOne redone. Syncs data everywhere. Demo failed. Outside chance.
• Klostu - Message board aggregation and social network. One to watch.
• Instructables - User generated instructions with related good sales. Commercial wikihow? Late starter.
• Venyo - Web 2.0 distributed reputation. Too hard to pull off. Save your money.

People, place your bets!

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