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startupsearch.org

11 pointsbootload12 comments

A Niall Kennedy startup ( http://evhead.com/2007/05/startupsearch.asp ). I wonder about these metric collectors in startups. Hollywood also uses a setup like this ... a private cosy little web chat site for insiders that measures (and decides) the confidence of how a movie is progressing. One bad review there ... a bit of bad gossip, the group confidence drops and the bears start running.

I like it. It's the kind of database I'm sure some investors already maintain internally. It's neat someone is creating an open site like this. It doesn't accept user contributions though, which seems like an obvious mistake.

'... Startup Search is a community site for everyone interested in tracking our growing industry. ... Members of the Startup Search editorial team often know more data than they are able to report, limiting our profiles to publicly disclosed data, or data provided by affected companies and investors with the explicit intention on inclusion on this site. ...'

It's a sponsored site (trueventures). While that's ok. This is a business. But it's not entirely free as you pointed out is the contributions. Thinking about this it smacks more of a PR front for investors ( http://www.startupsearch.org/investor/ ) trying to get in on the action now Web2 is officially safe.

Now if they really get the Web2 bit they would add a RSS/ATOM data feed for fee or free. So you could digest this information with software and not just humans.

RSS feeds are available for each object listing in the system: company, product, person, investor, and investment parter. They are exposed as link alternates within each of those pages. I know my way around RSS, Atom, and widgets, so you'll see more syndicated content added over time.

True Ventures sponsors the site in the same way National Geographic might sponsor a show about African safaris. There's an overlap in interests the brand gains from a run-of-site advertisement, and True is interested enough in the product's development to offset some of its costs.

'... True Ventures sponsors the site in the same way National Geographic might sponsor a show about African safaris. ...'

That's understandable. I didn't see this as a problem mainly because there is ample notice.

'... There's an overlap in interests the brand gains from a run-of-site advertisement, and True is interested enough in the product's development to offset some of its costs. ...'

Ads, no problems. In fact I'm surprised that a paid option for more detailed information isn't there. Then again maybe the .org should tip me off as to the slant of the site.

'... RSS feeds are available for each object listing in the system: company, product, person, investor, and investment parter. ...'

Hey Niall. I take it back, well done. Having access to the data, for fee or free makes this a worthwhile site to use.

I think the site is impressive and the concept is fascinating. I just wish that they had more than 6 women on their list of 107 people they are tracking. It's not that the guys don't deserve all the credit they are getting - just that I wish sites like these would do more to balance who and what they are featuring.

To me it looks like women are over represented on the site, unless you think that women run 5.6+ percent of high growth startups. The last I checked the number was more like 2%. I could be wrong though, and if I am I would appreciate it if someone would provide the cite.

From the site: "About Startup Search - Startup Search tracks the web technology ecosystem commonly referenced as "Web 2.0." We collect facts and figures about new web products, startup companies, key startup employees, and the funding dollars powering their growth."

I see no mention of "high growth startups". I could be wrong though, and if I am I would appreciate it if someone would provide the cite. :P

Hi, I wrote the site and I am responsible for choosing companies listed on the site.

Startup Search reports facts as they may occur. I start out with a product of interest, discovering the parent company key employees, investment rounds and other relevant information.

Any bias or non-bias towards women, a skin color, or a location is a reflection on the state of the industry or at least the subsection inside the United States currently tracked in the database. I will keep adding new data, reflecting a more complete picture with each new data point.

We changed the web?

Its all about...

Me.

Arrogant - Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self importance...

yawn....

Basecamp is one of the "traffic gainers"... Is 37s really a startup at this point?

What's a startup? Easy classifications are any company who has raised enough money to build a nice soccer stadium or has an employee count approaching Dunbar. 37signals is a small team launching cool and interesting products so I decided to track their products and growth. Basecamp has been around for a few years and resulted in a few spinoff products, but Highrise is totally new and going after sites such as Salesforce.com.

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