Vator.tv, a new venture by Bambi Francisco, was launched yesterday. The site enables entrepreneurs to pitch their startups in an open forum using video sharing, as well as add information about the company and founders. The site also has social network element, as you can add connections to your pitch.
The concept itself is impressive, as it answers a need of startups to showcase their concepts. The integration of social network and crowd sourcing to evaluate ideas can be an interesting twist to the regular mechanisms out there. The execution is also very good – the site is clear, easy to use, and the video streaming works like a charm (though stronger RSS integration is still missing).
I am certain I will use this site not only to find new and engaging companies, products and services, but also to create a hype index – using amount of videos per category as a signal regarding the amount of entrepreneurs seeing a specific field as lucrative.
For entrepreneurs, it is invaluable “improve your pitch and learn about your competition” source. Every entrepreneur can easily learn about what is happening in her sector, refine her pitch and find new ways to present her concept. It can be also a good sanity check tool.
Which brings me to the question if entrepreneurs aren’t harming their own efforts in presenting their ideas on this site. Would all startups be happy if their first VC meeting was broadcasted? Not sure about that. Another important question is who would watch this site. If there is an A list of investors watching this channel – this is site is of great value.
Other coverage of vator.tv can be found at webware, Beet.TV, Mashable, Howard Lindzon and VentureBeat
You can find vator.tv coverage of online video here.
Technorati Tags: online video, vator.tv, bambi francisco, entrepreneurship, VC,
3 Comments
Bambi Fransico has done a terrific job with Vator.tv. It is a great idea executed well.
TJ,
Completely agree – it helps entrepreneurs to get exposure, and get feedback from the community re their concepts, and as you mentioned – the execution is brilliant.
The interesting question is if this concept would have been more effective in a closed circle of investors, or friends. How do you see it?
I thought Bambi Fransico was the heart and soul of WSJ Video. There she was featuring small startups on a daily basis. Some were VC funded, others not but regardless this developed interest in their companies. I think Vator.tv can do the same. It is almost an online forum for startups looking for funding. It gives startups an opportunity to pitch somewhere other than the local breakfast meetings.