tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post7785668104624795507..comments2019-11-16T16:11:47.165+02:00Comments on OutThink: Calling all the real players in SA - put your money where your mouth is!Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-88205154378525348152007-12-01T20:45:00.000+02:002007-12-01T20:45:00.000+02:00There is a paradox, to gain, succeed you need to a...There is a paradox, to gain, succeed you need to appeal to the local people if you start a business.<BR/><BR/>But to be really expand and grow you need to go global. That is what an African web startup facesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-10030816292841586832007-11-13T23:37:00.000+02:002007-11-13T23:37:00.000+02:00Grant - thanks for revisiting with some valuable i...Grant - thanks for revisiting with some valuable info! That's a good link and much appreciated, as we're trying to find solutions here.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-52243072698974076932007-11-13T22:43:00.000+02:002007-11-13T22:43:00.000+02:00Darren- It's not exactly a creative solution but n...Darren- It's not exactly a creative solution but not many people are aware of them- business incubators... they offer more than just VC, they bring processes and infrastructure to the party. At a cost of course. <BR/>http://tinylink.co.za/108be3Grant Sidwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196631869534290664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-50281596969356128692007-11-13T16:08:00.000+02:002007-11-13T16:08:00.000+02:00Wellingtons - thanks. FYI I am writing this more f...Wellingtons - thanks. FYI I am writing this more from an observational perspective - I used to be what you call a "bean-counter" [my technical skills leave much to be desired] and I'm not looking for someone to fund my projects.<BR/><BR/>This is my independent observation of the state of affairs - so how come it takes an "outsider" to get upset about the way things are when it just doesn't make sense?<BR/><BR/>What I was hoping to get out of this was some creative solutions [come on, would someone at least try?] - as I said this is not about one "little" business opportunity, its about someone doing something insanely different to make the world sit up and take notice!Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-54915284344220622462007-11-13T13:22:00.000+02:002007-11-13T13:22:00.000+02:00I am sorry but this seems like a whine, no-one wil...I am sorry but this seems like a whine, no-one will help. If you really really wanted to do it - late nights and plenty of hard work will get you a lot closer to funding than this kind of thinking. <BR/><BR/>I do understand what you say and i do agree with it, i just feel that this without funding we are fooked attitude is a bit negative. <BR/><BR/>Never forget that bean counters don't care unless it gives them more beans to count. <BR/><BR/>Sad but trueMedusa ain't got nothing on mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03765885980680391584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-74732366842729130812007-11-12T16:01:00.000+02:002007-11-12T16:01:00.000+02:00Christopher - I hear you on the time and skills si...Christopher - I hear you on the time and skills side of things. All the best with your idea - don't give up the search... there is strength in team!<BR/><BR/>Anonymous - you tell it like it is, and I can't argue with that - again, bottom line in that scenario is profit/money for me right now, forget the intangible benefits on a bigger scale. My point is that in order to improve the current status quo - to create an environment where these things can flourish [are they right now? Personally I don't think so] we need to change things up a bit. As for the bucket of cash... that's tangible cash, which is all most people understand - what about the intangible value [but still REAL value] being lost everyday through lost opportunities or genius being squashed into submission by corporate red-tape and 'people who know better' - and I'd venture to guess that the lost value for SA would far outweigh any tangible financial losses suffered to date.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-11324581021291338832007-11-12T14:59:00.000+02:002007-11-12T14:59:00.000+02:00I have a more pragmatic approach on the issue. If...I have a more pragmatic approach on the issue. If there is a viable opportunity for investors they will invest. Period. The same argument as yours – and maybe even more compelling – can be directed at the local marketing and advertising industry which is not willing to throw money at local websites despite it being the most cost effective opportunity available to them.<BR/><BR/>SA has tremendous online opportunities, but most of these do not need money. Develop the site/project, put it online and market it cheaply. If it takes off you will get money in no time. If it does not take off I doubt that a bag full of cash will make much of a difference…Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-39750252432578437382007-11-12T14:57:00.000+02:002007-11-12T14:57:00.000+02:00You make a good point Grant. Thanks for noting the...You make a good point Grant. Thanks for noting the VC perspective [being profit/money driven] and as much as I can understand it, I can see also see why it can't work. But that's where I propose a new solution is required [its not all about the money] - one which is feasible but where the people who are currently able to do it just aren't bothered.<BR/><BR/>If I have a couple of million to spend on a new M6 [my M5 is showing its age with a whole 4,000km on it] why not rather 'spend' the cash on young talent and let them just go for it. Sure, the structuring can be an issue [% ownership] and so can the feasability [generating any sort of revenue] but both can be addressed fairly sensibly and with a little bit of creativity.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, though, still no takers.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-27184571584624307092007-11-12T14:44:00.000+02:002007-11-12T14:44:00.000+02:00I have a great idea for a website, but have no ide...I have a great idea for a website, but have no idea who to turn to. Will my idea be stolen, would someone bother investing, would I be exploited?<BR/><BR/>The same questions over and over. I sit in a 9-5 job, which I do love, but I would love to have more time to run with this project, but I cannot afford to hire a designer and a developer :(<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post!ChrisMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10989529599131591379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-72952321039416850242007-11-12T13:25:00.000+02:002007-11-12T13:25:00.000+02:00Darren, I agree with you in principle.However to p...Darren, I agree with you in principle.<BR/><BR/>However to play devils advocate here- As Justin has pointed out localisation is the future of the web, however is the local online environment in SA at a point where there is enough revenue opportunity to warrant investment on the scale you are talking about?<BR/><BR/>On the point of entrepreneurs stuck in 9-5 jobs stifling ideas. This is a point I have had many heated discussions on. Many entrepreneurs use this excuse and it really gets to me. "All I need is some VC so I can quit my job and focus on my project"- rubbish. VC money won't replace your salary, and many VC's I've met only allow for a small subsistence to ensure the entrepreneur doesn't starve (literally). If you want people to invest in you, you need to demonstrate an equal commitment. Goodbye nice car, you'll need to use those repayment 'holidays' on your bond, in fact you'll have to trim your lifestyle down completely. Quite simply... goodbye life. This is not the dream scenario investment seekers were looking for.<BR/><BR/>Devils advocate over.<BR/><BR/>Personally I'm of the opinion that VC should be a last and final resort. As much as I'd like a bunch of cash to get my ideas out into the open, it's not at the expense of handing a fat percentage over.Grant Sidwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196631869534290664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-19183408929857228072007-11-12T10:26:00.000+02:002007-11-12T10:26:00.000+02:00Thanks Justin. Yes, I'm also hoping for some const...Thanks Justin. Yes, I'm also hoping for some constructive comments that can help bridge this great divide, or at least bring a better understanding of it.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754655807460068112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4756438316330088612.post-16993054309564701352007-11-12T10:14:00.000+02:002007-11-12T10:14:00.000+02:00I'm with you on this. I grow tired of hearing that...I'm with you on this. I grow tired of hearing that we don't think global enough when I truly believe that localising is a part of our future growth on the net.<BR/><BR/>It will be interesting to see if anyone actually responds to this or not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com