A View on View :: The Power of DEMO

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The Power of DEMO

by Mark Evans on Wed 08 Mar 2006 07:12 AM EST | Permanent Link

Sharpcast, which is developing technology to synchronize information such as photos on different devices, does a six-minute song and dance at DEMO last month - and just like that it secures $13.5-million from Sigma Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Selby Venture Partners. Of course, there were likely a few more steps in between but it does show how hot start-ups can leverage a high-profile event like DEMO. Another company receiving plenty of attention post-DEMO is Ottawa-based Iotum, which has inundated with entreaties from VCs after it won a DEMO God award. Iotum's Howard Thaw and Alec Saunders were so confident in the power of DEMO, they decided to not pursue venture capital until after the show because they believe a good performance could mean more VC interest and a higher valuation. While I'm pleased Sharpcast got its VC dough, it would also be nice to see some Canadian Web 2.0 start-ups get some growth capital as well.

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Re: The Power of DEMO

by Stuart MacDonald on Wed 08 Mar 2006 10:05 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

It would be nice to see more Canadian Web 2.0 start-ups, period. Ya know, it would be *great* if somebody put together some event, where people in Toronto, say, could talk about this stuff and maybe some momentum might fall out of it.

Oh, wait...that's us.

:-)

- Stuart

Re: Re: The Power of DEMO

by Mark Evans on Wed 08 Mar 2006 11:44 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

great idea!

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