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Business Dating for Entrepreneurs: FounderDating.com
It’s a conundrum that many people face when starting a business – how to meet the right partner. For those lucky entrepreneurs amongst us, this has never been an issue. You had a friend or a business associate who shared the same passion or business idea as you and your venture was born. For some of us, however, beyond the great idea is the need and desire to have that partner who shares the joint vision.
The solution:
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Co-Founders, Jessica Alter and Saar Gur, recognised the hole for this new niche in the dating industry:
‘Like so many good ideas, FounderDating was born out of a cup of coffee (or maybe it was diet coke) and personal frustration. We have met countless uber talented people who want to become entrepreneurs, but haven’t yet found the right co-founder(s)/team or idea to work on. We started FounderDating to help introduce smart, dedicated and inspired people, start making matches and lower the hurdles to company creation.’
Identifying a person who brings with them a killer combination – say, coding skills or other the traits that would make a strong co-founder – is challenging, especially for people without established connections from say, previous work in business development at Bebo or business school. So in partnering with venture capitalist Saar Gur last year, Jessica co-founded an event series that works to bring people passionate about starting their own endeavours together with other entrepreneurs displaying complimentary skill sets.
The process is very simple, with three basic rules:
- Be Committed
- Don’t Meet and Tell
- Be Prompt
Currently running in San Fransisco and Seattle, they are soon to go global, starting with Israel.
Female Tech Start-up, Completely Novel, Shortlisted for the Young Publishing Entrepreneur Award 2010
The British Council has just announced its shortlist for the UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur Award 2010, in which 3 of the 6 finalists are female and one from a technology start-up – Anna Lewis of Completely Novel. Launched in 2004, the British Council’s Creative Economy Unit first pioneered the IYCE awards – International Young Creative Entrepreneur – to ‘celebrate the achievements and develop the potential of young creative entrepreneurs from emerging economies.’
The International Process
Initially focusing on publishing, they have since announced awards for design, music, screen (film and television), fashion, communications, interactive, performing and visual arts. Run annually, and open to young creative entrepreneurs from emerging economies, 8-10 countries are selected each year to take part from which one national finalist from each country is selected to enter the international competition. Once finalists are selected, they visit the UK on a 10 day tour during which they learn from their UK sector and judgement is made on the overall winner.
Born from the Success of an International Programme
Since its inception, over 45 countries have taken part – including Oman, India and Yemen – and as a direct result of this success, the UK compatriot programme was launched in 2007 with its initial award, again in publishing. In partnership with NESTA and The Cultural Leadership Programme, the list of awards is now equal to that of the International Programme. As for finalists of the International awards, the UK finalists take a tour of their sector in an emerging economy after which they share their experiences at a number of events.
This year’s publishing finalists, who are set to tour South Africa at the end of February, are:
• Anna Lewis, Co-founder and COO of Completely Novel Read more
Claire Lemer and Emma Stanton Hope Their Social Enterprise, Diagnosis, Will Help Improve the NHS
Claire Lemer and Emma Stanton
In 2009 NHS junior doctors, Claire Lemer and Emma Stanton, edited a book called “Clinical Leadership: Bridging the divide” (Quay Books), which documents the increasing appetite amongst junior doctors to learn about healthcare policy and management, alongside treating the patient sitting in front of them. Despite this passion, Claire and Emma have found that many junior doctors lacked the opportunity to put this energy back into improving the healthcare system.
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‘As individuals, these doctors felt they lacked the power to make change happen. When these agents for change tried to improve things, too often there was little recognition, encouragement or support from the system.’
To fill this void, in December 2009, Claire and Emma set up a social enterprise called Diagnosis. In January 2010, they secured their first six-month contract for a strategic review of a national healthcare charitable foundation. Diagnosis positions itself as a healthcare consultancy for organisations such as the NHS, Department of Health and arms length bodies such as the Health Foundation. Rather than employ staff, Diagnosis invites high potential junior doctors, medical students and allied health professionals into a virtual talent pool. Individuals are paid a daily rate to contribute towards a portfolio of projects that can be carried out alongside clinical and other professional commitments.
The Nature of Embryonic Organisations
As with all embryonic organisations, Diagnosis is currently operating on a shoestring. They are exploiting Read more
Expert Interview: Opportunistic Female Entrepreneur Georgia Hall On Mixed Marketing Strategies
In a rapidly growing Digital world we shouldn’t forget the powerful marketing tools provided to us by offline mediums. People still walk past buses, sit on tubes, read the paper and watch television. Here, self-proclaimed ‘opportunistic entrepreneur’ Georgia Hall, formerly of Zinc Digital Agency, Yo! Sushi and now Searcys, highlights how on- and offline marketing strategies are not mutually exclusive, and how her first child was the catalyst she needed to make a very dynamic career move.
I am definitely an opportunistic entrepreneur, I like to take an existing project on and then really make it work.
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When you started Zinc in 1996 did you ever think the business would grow to over 100 staff and have clients such as Virgin, Microsoft and Vodafone?
When I first started Zinc, I set it up in partnership with one of the UK’s leading direct marketing agencies, Evans Hunt Scott, who had clients including Microsoft, BMW, Tesco etc. So my brief was to introduce their clients to digital media and the business plan was to organically grow the business. Within the first 6 months it became very apparent that the business was on a fast moving curve, in tandem with the digital revolution beginning back in 1996, and yes I absolutely knew that the company would be successful with such a great business backing and access to a great portfolio of world class clients.
You originally studied fashion before running advertising campaigns for the likes of Max Factor, joining Tower Records as Marketing Director and finally selling touch-screen music kiosks with Ken Frakes. Where did the idea for Zinc eventually come from? Were you fuelled by a desire to be an entrepreneur or by the online revolution you could see ahead of you?
I was fuelled by the desire to push this new medium into a major interest. My first job ever after completing my fashion degree in Newcastle was as a designer for a trend prediction company in New York. I have always wanted to do new things, work in untried areas and work on projects that are ground breaking.
I first met Ken Frakes when I was Marketing Director for Tower Records, I was his client and he came to see me with an idea to launch interactive multimedia kiosk systems into retail stores. He was working, as a designer, with multimedia designers and an IT company who had a range of touch-screens. This was back in 1993 and it was so exciting, internet and email was still only an academic communication tool and the concept of showing video, audio and information on a touch-screen to the mass market via the internet had not been conceived at all.
I started talking to all the record companies I knew about this idea and they all expressed a huge commercial interest. I joined forces with Ken and we set up some prototype kiosks in Tower Records, soon after Coca Cola, HMV and other major corporates wanted to trial this technology. I resigned from my day job at Tower Records to market and launch digital media and was then asked by Terry Hunt, the chairman of Evans Hunt Scott, to set up a digital agency for him which I named Zinc.
Did you have an extensive online and/or technical background before setting up Zinc – an interactive consultancy – or were you a forward thinker who could see the need?
I am simply a marketing person who can identify a gap in the market and likes to work on new concepts and challenges. Digital growth over the last 15 years is one of the most exciting communication revolutions we have ever experienced and I am very proud to have been one of the innovators.
Considering you had only just had a child, did you think twice about entering the world of start-ups or did the agency Evans Hunter Scott provide you with financial security and support you required? Read more
The 49 Most Notable Female Internet Heroes of 2009
2009 has endured the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and yet female start-ups are growing in numbers as more of our lives are spent online. We have compiled our list of notable 2009 Female Internet Hero achievements. Far from exhaustive, if you feel you should be added to the list let us know as we will be adding to the list:
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The Digital Government Hero
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Martha Lane Fox is appointed the Government’s Digital Inclusion Champion
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The Launch Heroes
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Sarah Prevette launches SprouterWhich asks entrepreneurs the question “What are you working on?” |
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Paola de Leo and Co-Founder Colin Firth launch Brightwide
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Penelope Trunk of Brazen Careerist launches a professional social network for Generation Y
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Mr and Mrs Tom Harrow (Former Microsoft programmer) relaunches Findababysitter.com
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Deirdre Bounds launches Parties Around the World
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Sarah Beeny launches Tepilo
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Rajeeb Dey and Leah Magoye (Africa Representative) launches Enternships
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Michelle Dewberry launches Chiconomise
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Natasha Friis Saxberg launches Mentory
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Stephanie Phair and Net-A-Porter launch TheOutnet.com
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Michelle Gallen launches Talk Irisha social network for Irish language learners. |
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Anja Beerepoot launches Female FactorA network for women who like to share and show their talents |
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The Queen relaunches the Royal websitewith a Buckingham Palace reception and guests including Sir Tim-Berners Lee.
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Kim Mance of Galavanting launches travelblogexchangeA platform where travel bloggers can congregate, offer tips, advice and support to each other. |
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Shaa Wasmund launches SmartaA combination of Linkedin, Eventbrite and Meetup for UK entrepreneurs |
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Sophie Cox and brother Charlie launch WorldekaA social network with a conscience. |
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The Fundraising Heroes
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Dr Fran Crawford secures £500k investment from the Aspire Fund for Altacor
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Polly Gowers secures £350k investment from the Aspire Fund for Everyclick
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Gina Bianchini and Ning raise $15m and named as one of Fastcompanys 20 Most Influential Women in Tech
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Marina Tognetti and Myngle secure €950,000 fundingThe online platform linking teachers and people achieves government backed funding totally almost €1m |
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Jana Eggers and Spreadshirt Announce €10 million investmentfrom Accel and Kennet Partners.
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Alicia Navarro and Skimlinks raises two rounds of fundingLed by Sussex Place Ventures, the first round was believed to be in the region of £700k and the second £900,000c |
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Lesley Eccles of Hubdub achieves £810, 000 in fundingfrom Pentech Ventures, Scottish Co-Investment Fund and additional Angel Investors.
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The Career Heroes Read more
Founder of Zinc Digital Agency, Georgia Hall Joins Catering Giant Searcys
Georgia Hall – of Zinc digital agency and Yo! Sushi – has joined Searcys as their Sales & Marketing Director.
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Georgia Hall cc: mad.co.uk
After successfully starting Zinc, a leading digital agency whose clients have included: Virgin Atlantic, Microsoft and Vodafone, Hall sold to Havas advertising in 2002 before moving to YO! Sushi as Head of Marketing. Proving that success online can lead to success in equal measures offline, she helped build the Asian fast food brand to £52m worth at March 2008.
Searcys, one of the oldest established catering firms in the world, was founded in 1847 and now runs iconic catering and retail establishments at locations including The Gherkin, St Pancras Grand, Pavilion Road Knightsbridge, the National Portrait Gallery and the hugely successful Searcys Champagne Bars at Westfield and St Pancras.
With the brand already well established at the most socially glamorous venues in London, the company has briefed Georgia to focus on its core brand as well as launching a series of champagne bars to attract a younger clientele with large disposable incomes in a challenging economic climate.
Georgia sees this as a remarkable opportunity to raise the profile of the Searcys brand and her mission is to make sure that Searcys becomes known again as the leading brand behind Britain’s best restaurants, bars and events.
Talking of her move, Georgia said: Read more
TNW Spotlight on female founders: Sisters Chloe and Sophie Tostevin of eco-friendly Bamboo Baby
Founded in London in 2006 by sisters Chloe and Sophie, Bamboo baBy is a unique and contemporary brand that aims to have minimum negative impact on the environment. Their fashion led baby and children’s clothing collections are beautifully designed and beautifully natural. Bamboo fabric is organic, sustainable and super eco-friendly whilst being gorgeously soft.
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The Beginning
Sisters, Sophie and Chloe Tostevin always dreamt of starting a company together. Sophie studied fashion design at Kingston University where she specialised in children’s clothing in her final year. When she graduated it seemed there was no doubt that the business they should start would sell children’s clothing, and hence Bamboo baBy was born.
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Working with a Sister
Based in Camberwell in South East London, the ladies have only good things to say about working with a sibling: ‘we are both very different and have complementary skills and we have always been the best of friends.’
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Why Bamboo Fabric?
Bamboo was chosen as from the outset they knew they wanted to have an eco-clothing company and one with a difference. Most companies focusing on the same agenda gravitate towards organic cotton and so the sisters instead went for bamboo. Nobody else seemed to be using the fabric and yet it has so many great eco-credentials.
It’s organically grown (certified by OCIA) and being a grass, after it’s cut it regenerates without the need for replanting/reharvesting. Bamboo can be grown almost anywhere – even on hillsides where nothing else can grow, it needs very little water, and produces a yield 10 times that from cotton. It also takes in more carbon dioxide and gives out more oxygen than other plants and to top it off it makes a super soft fabric. It really was the perfect choice. Read more
The NextWomen Announce Their 2010 Strategy Day for Female Entrepreneurs
The NextWomen Networking at Sun
The CBC Centre at Sun Microsystems is set to host its second event in partnership with The NextWomen on Wednesday January, 27th 2010. Female entrepreneurs, managers, consultants and investors in the internet industry will welcome in the New Year with a day devoted to Strategy, including top web trends, and the key priorities and challenges entrepreneurs will face in the 21st century.
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BOOK NOW for tickets.
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The event, that is split into two constituent parts (a Strategy workshop and the evening event) includes:
Full-Day Program (3pm-10pm)
- Welcome to workshop attendees
- Blue Ocean Strategy Workshop from Natalie Turner of Entheo (4 Hands-On Modules)
- Evening Program (see below)
Evening Program (6pm-10pm)
- Welcome to evening cocktail reception attendees
- Web Marketing & Social Media Strategies
- Funding Strategies by Reshma Sohoni, CEO of Seedcamp
- Growth, Scalability and Consumer Strategy by panel of Entrepreneurs, including Wendy Tan-White, Founder and CEO of Moonfruit
- Networking with drinks and sushi
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The Details
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Evening Program
Enjoy a cocktail reception of drinks and sushi with your fellow female internet heroes, investors, business leaders and service providers while watching keynotes – on web marketing, social media, funding, growth, scalability and consumer strategies – and a panel of entrepreneurs.
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Reshma Sohoni |
Wendy Tan White |
Reshma Sohoni, who joined Seedcamp as CEO from the Venture team at 3i, previously worked on the commercial strategy team of Vodafone where she worked across Europe and Japan developing marketing strategies and pricing functions. Wendy Tan White, founder, CEO and serial entrepreneur of Moonfruit and Gandi.net, has a degree in Computer Sciences and comes from a family steeped in IT history. Not only did both her parents work within the industry, but at 64 her mother still does.
Full-Day Program
As well as the ‘Strategy Workshop – Focus on Value’ delivered by Natalie Turner of Entheo, the full-day program also includes full access to the evening’s events (see above). Read more
Female Internet Hero: Audio Interview with Eileen Gittins of Blurb
As part of their Female Internet Heroes series, and in conjunction with NCWIT (the National Center for Women & Information Technology), The NextWomen will be publishing audio interviews highlighting a diverse group of women innovators from small companies, larger corporations, and non-profits, whose ideas and products are changing the way we think, work, play, and communicate. Listen as these women discuss how they first became involved with tech, why they chose to be entrepreneurs and what advice they would give to young people interested in IT or entrepreneurship.
Eileen Gittins – Founder, President and CEO of Blurb
Listen to the NCWIT Entrepreneurial Interview with Eileen Gittins.
Eileen Gittins of Blurb
Throughout her career, Eileen Gittins has been at the intersection of the Internet, consumer and enterprise software, imaging systems, search, and digital photography. A passionate advocate for enabling technologies that offer new ways to do valuable things, Eileen is now democratising publishing for the rest of us with her company, Blurb, a software and services company that passionately believes in the power of books: making, reading, sharing and selling them.
Eileen has served as CEO of several pre-IPO venture-backed companies in Silicon Valley, including Personify, an e-commerce data mining and analytics company; and Verb, a context-based search engine company. Each was acquired by Accrue and Attenza, respectively. At Qbiquity, a viral marketing platform company, Eileen served as Board Chairman and interim CEO, where she was instrumental in negotiating the merger of Qbiquity into Collabrys. Read more
TNW Spotlight on Female Founders: Fiona Price and her Community for Horse Lovers
The NextWomen are always looking to make female founders and leaders notable and quotable. In our new series – ‘TNW Spotlight on Female Founders’ we look at ventures that are making waves online and the women that are leading them. Here we look at Horse Hero – Paradise for Horse Lovers on film – and its founder Fiona Price.
‘I thought I was the Only MBA Graduate Who Couldn’t Read a Balance Sheet’
I started out in the financial sector, having graduated with a degree in Psychology and an MBA. It was a shock to find myself in the City as I believed I was the only MBA graduate who couldn’t read a balance sheet! However, having begun my career at the same time as the first women’s networks were starting, I felt drawn to pioneer the concept of financial advice for women, something which was unheard of at the time. In fact, Harpers & Queen described me as “The first woman of finance”. I set up my own business at the age of 28 and sold it 18 years later with a staff of around 35.
It had been amazing creating something from scratch with no business experience and no finance, I’d won a lot of awards which I’m sure were due to the novelty value, but for someone with a short attention span, it was way too long a chapter! For the next few years, I had a more varied career as a non-executive director on a variety of Boards which gave me a new perspective on business. I felt I was finally being paid for turning up – a long term career aspiration! But it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and again, I felt it was time to do my own thing, even though I had said I would never set up another business. It’s amazing how time erases pain from your memory!
Fiona Price – The ‘Financial Expert’
Media was where I wanted to be, especially TV or video. In my years in the financial sector, I have done all the PR myself and latterly, it occupied a large part of my work doing TV and radio interviews each week, from the Today Programme and News at 10 to Women’s Hour! The term financial ‘expert’ was not one I was ever comfortable with. Maybe that’s a woman’s thing?
The Human Nature of Business Read more
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