It seems like bathroom locators are all the rage these days. We reviewed Diaroogle this past summer and there's the popular MizPee as well. Today we have learned about a new NY-based startup that is joining the toilet-finder bunch. It's called SitOrSquat and it has the best interface of all of the sites we've tried so far. The map function shows you not only toilet locations but also which locations are currently open.
There's a variety of mobile functionality for the iPhone and Blackberry and I assume it works on Windows Mobile as well. What I like is that they provide directions to the toilet - this helps you remain covert as many places in NYC won't allow you just to use the facilities. The only issue I noticed while using the site is that you can't pick up a link for a toilet based on the url structure they are using. They should offer this as an option so that their pages could be ranked in Google - no sense in losing the SEO credit.
Currently they have data for NYC, San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Dallas, Miami and Chicago.
The company has posted for "toilet finders" in NYC and will pay $1/toilet found. They are looking to house data on 3,000 toilets in Manhattan - this would provide pretty decent coverage. It appears that their business model is based on selling ads to hotels and tourism companies for spaces on the map along with possible sponsored toilets. Could be an interesting business model - get new business by allowing people to use the toilet.
Back in September Google launched Google Maps with NYC public transportation and subway directions. They have been heavily advertising the new option, even grabbing a special place on the MTA home page (something I am not sure if HopStop ever received).
Today I found the following images of a "wrapped" Times Square shuttle train via SubChat. I thought the little AIM guy was dead... guess not! The shuttle is running a variety of wrapped cars as a test to see if they will go systemwide to help generate more revenue for the MTA.
Car 1953 pushes the entire url complete with http://!
Car 1946 shows off the markers
Some Subchatters are wondering what's going on in the red circle. Apparently parts of the AIM people are "behind" the windows...
I was recently interviewed by Mary Flynn of The Deal and profiled in the magazine as well. It's going to be awesome press for us, so we're really excited, but I did want to add one thing to the article.
Andrea Orr wrote:
"Path 101 doesn't operate in Silicon Valley, where even in today's tough funding climate, there's a strong fellowship in the startup community that provides at least some moral support when no financial backing is forthcoming."
Oh Andrea...Why the New York community knock? Actually, we're glad we don't operate in Silicon Valley! Instead, we're operating right where every startup should be in a difficult environment--right in the middle of where our existing network is, surrounded by supportive people who know us well.
Just the other day, we had an investor meeting with the New York based folks who have supported us from the beginning and I said to Alex, "Jeez, can you imagine if we didn't have the investors that we did. How tough would that be to just have some random angels that don't know you very well?"
If anything, there's a stronger fellowship in the New York community, because we constantly get dinged by mainstream media as a "sad assed backwater" of a tech community. We feel like we're all in it together--NYC tech against the world!
VC term sheets provide the investors with a fixed amount of time to conduct additional due diligence on the company before the deal closes. In this due diligence window the VC can opt to terminate the deal.
VCs vary in the way in which they use this diligence period - some use this period for the bulk of their diligence, others only use it for the final diligence considerations. As a result, there are two points in the investment process when VCs typically issue term sheets: before due diligence or before confirmatory due diligence.
VC funds that issue term sheets before the due diligence process typically do a deep dive into their external diligence on the company after the term sheet is issued. The external research that I am referring to here includes, market evaluation, a review of the competitive landscape, customer calls and a testing of other unique considerations (e.g., regulatory reform).
However, VCs that issue term sheets after they complete (or nearly complete) their external due diligence still conduct confirmatory due diligence after the term sheet is issued. Confirmatory due diligence might include management reference calls and a review of the company’s actual financials, patents and contracts. Confirmatory due diligence is by-in-large a review of the claims management made which are likely to be less subjective in nature.
While exceptions exist, most funds are consistent about issuing their term sheets at the same point in the process. Each fund either typically issues term sheets before any due diligence or after the external due diligence but before the confirmatory due diligence.
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
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By Peter at Web2NewYork
Location-based social network Unype is preparing the launch of iPhone and Android apps next month. Founder Murat Aktihanoglu talks about his vision for geoweb.
For Your Imagination, a leading
online media company specializing in the development, marketing,
distribution and sales of high quality online sponsored and branded
entertainment, announces the completion of a bridge capital round of
financing for an undisclosed amount with OmniReliant Holdings, Inc (OTC
BB: ORHI.OB). The round gives OmniReliant an equity interest in For
Your Imagination and brings the company into its family of
multi-industry product and media companies that will define the future
of direct response marketing.
"For Your Imagination has shown the
way for online branded entertainment that not only entertains and
engages an audience but also delivers a powerful marketing message, "
says Paul W. Morrison, CEO of OmniReliant Holdings, Inc. "We recognize
that brands can use the internet for more than just advertising with
publishers – brands can now become the publisher and truly engage their
customers and For Your Imagination knows how to do it successfully."
"OmniReliant is building a great
network of companies that can affect the direct response market and we
are proud to be part of the family," says Paul Kontonis, CEO and
co-founder of For Your Imagination. "The round will provide the company
with working capital to as we complete our Series A round."
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It seems like bathroom locators are all the rage these days. We reviewed Diaroogle this past summer and there's the popular MizPee as well. Today we have learned about a new NY-based startup that is joining the toilet-finder bunch. It's called SitOrSquat and it has the best interface of all of the sites we've tried so far. The map function shows you not only toilet locations but also which locations are currently open.
Back in September Google launched Google Maps with NYC 
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