Comments on: Big, Big Round of Funding For Ning http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:12:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: AUTO REVIEWS BLOG » Blog Archive » ning ning. Q. who there’s ? A. 200k social networks. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-2134103 AUTO REVIEWS BLOG » Blog Archive » ning ning. Q. who there’s ? A. 200k social networks. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:46:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-2134103 [...] way of business model performance and how many social networks you have to create in order to get a 10x return for private equity investors that came in at a 9 figure valuation : “We’re experiencing 0.5%+ day-over-day growth of [...] [...] way of business model performance and how many social networks you have to create in order to get a 10x return for private equity investors that came in at a 9 figure valuation : “We’re experiencing 0.5%+ day-over-day growth of [...]

]]> By: Will Google’s OpenSocial API Program Kill Ning? « TechBizWatch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1721773 Will Google’s OpenSocial API Program Kill Ning? « TechBizWatch Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:21:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1721773 [...] let users create and manage their own social networks. Ning has been around since 2004 and it has a list of big Silicon Valley boosters and investors, including Marc Andreessen of Netscape [...] [...] let users create and manage their own social networks. Ning has been around since 2004 and it has a list of big Silicon Valley boosters and investors, including Marc Andreessen of Netscape [...]

]]> By: Zillow Raises $30 Million More, Up To $87 Million in Venture Capital http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1632885 Zillow Raises $30 Million More, Up To $87 Million in Venture Capital Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:09:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1632885 [...] consumer facing web services - In addition to this round, they recently led Ning’s July 2007$44 million venture [...] [...] consumer facing web services - In addition to this round, they recently led Ning’s July 2007$44 million venture [...]

]]> By: New Playboy Social Network Built On Ning http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1568281 New Playboy Social Network Built On Ning Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:08:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1568281 [...] this is a big win for build-your-own-social-network Ning, which just raised a massive round of funding. The new Playboy social network we covered earlier today is actually built on Ning, not self-built [...] [...] this is a big win for build-your-own-social-network Ning, which just raised a massive round of funding. The new Playboy social network we covered earlier today is actually built on Ning, not self-built [...]

]]> By: Ning « Tech Lunch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1558899 Ning « Tech Lunch Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:37:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1558899 [...] Ning Remember Marc Andreessen? Perhaps not. But he played his part in the history of the Internet. Way back in 1993 he built X Mosaic, the first widely used Web browser. He’s now involved in social networking - building the software that is, rather than the actual getting out and meeting people. Ning is his latest project and TechCrunch, a blog that devotes itself to news of deals in the computer world, reports that it has just secured major funding. [...] [...] Ning Remember Marc Andreessen? Perhaps not. But he played his part in the history of the Internet. Way back in 1993 he built X Mosaic, the first widely used Web browser. He’s now involved in social networking - building the software that is, rather than the actual getting out and meeting people. Ning is his latest project and TechCrunch, a blog that devotes itself to news of deals in the computer world, reports that it has just secured major funding. [...]

]]> By: WebZweiPunktNull.de » Blog Archive » Zum eigenen Social Network an einem Wochenende http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1525817 WebZweiPunktNull.de » Blog Archive » Zum eigenen Social Network an einem Wochenende Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:52:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1525817 [...] Ning?Nach einiger Recherche habe ich www.Ning.com entdeckt. Ning ist ein amerikanischer Anbieter für Social Networks, die sich quasi Jeder online in wenigen Schritten per Drag’n'Drop zusammenbauen kann. Die Networks werden von Ning gehostet. Ähnliche Ansätzte verfolgen derzeit auch deutsche Anbieter, wie www.mixxt.de und ein paar Hamburger Jungs (noch in Gründung). Die amerikanischen Kollegen sind derzeit jedoch weit voraus. Ning wartet schon jetzt mit mächtigen Funktionen auf während deutsche Lösungen noch beta testen. Nach der Closed Beta startet Ning im Februar diesen Jahres einen Relaunch mit einer fetten Finanzspritze. [...] [...] Ning?Nach einiger Recherche habe ich http://www.Ning.com entdeckt. Ning ist ein amerikanischer Anbieter für Social Networks, die sich quasi Jeder online in wenigen Schritten per Drag’n’Drop zusammenbauen kann. Die Networks werden von Ning gehostet. Ähnliche Ansätzte verfolgen derzeit auch deutsche Anbieter, wie http://www.mixxt.de und ein paar Hamburger Jungs (noch in Gründung). Die amerikanischen Kollegen sind derzeit jedoch weit voraus. Ning wartet schon jetzt mit mächtigen Funktionen auf während deutsche Lösungen noch beta testen. Nach der Closed Beta startet Ning im Februar diesen Jahres einen Relaunch mit einer fetten Finanzspritze. [...]

]]> By: Prior blogando » Blog Archive » Redes sociais são a nova paixão do Capital de Risco http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1513171 Prior blogando » Blog Archive » Redes sociais são a nova paixão do Capital de Risco Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:40:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1513171 [...] neste mês de Julho, já foram anunciados grandes investimentos em 3 redes: Ning - 44 milhões de dólares em investimentos Hi5 - 20 milhões de dólares em investimentos Tagged - 20 milhões de dólares em [...] [...] neste mês de Julho, já foram anunciados grandes investimentos em 3 redes: Ning - 44 milhões de dólares em investimentos Hi5 - 20 milhões de dólares em investimentos Tagged - 20 milhões de dólares em [...]

]]> By: Web Strategy by Jeremiah » Who’s getting the money? Social networks http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1513118 Web Strategy by Jeremiah » Who’s getting the money? Social networks Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:42:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1513118 [...] the space, so others rush out to keep up? Investments are at an all time high since 2001. Ning gets 44 Million Hi5 gets 20 Million Tagged gets 20 Million Reunion.com gets 25 [...] [...] the space, so others rush out to keep up? Investments are at an all time high since 2001. Ning gets 44 Million Hi5 gets 20 Million Tagged gets 20 Million Reunion.com gets 25 [...]

]]> By: David http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492762 David Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:41:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492762 Oh c'mon - call Ning for what it is: bubble. I think you hit the nail on the head when you were looking for them a year or so ago. Maybe having a meeting with the hottie CEO changed your mind? :-p Oh c’mon - call Ning for what it is: bubble. I think you hit the nail on the head when you were looking for them a year or so ago. Maybe having a meeting with the hottie CEO changed your mind? :-p

]]> By: Jeremiah Owyang http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492700 Jeremiah Owyang Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:54:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492700 This is somewhat amazing! I've been keeping track of this market industry, Ning has 60 competitors See this list of Companies that provide White Label Social Networking platforms http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2007/02/12/list-of-white-label-social-networking-platforms/ This is somewhat amazing!

I’ve been keeping track of this market industry, Ning has 60 competitors

See this list of Companies that provide White Label Social Networking platforms

http://www.web-strategist.com/.....platforms/

]]> By: Clay Cook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492168 Clay Cook Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:08:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492168 wow - congrats to the Ning team. wow - congrats to the Ning team.

]]> By: SorenG http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492020 SorenG Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:11:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1492020 Thanks Dar -- and Diego for help at Ning. Thanks Dar — and Diego for help at Ning.

]]> By: DAR http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491949 DAR Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:41:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491949 SorenG: > Curious how Marc Andreessen stopped allowing comments on his blog. It was there, then gone. Did I miss an announcement? See: http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/07/comments-trackb.html SorenG:

> Curious how Marc Andreessen stopped allowing comments on his blog. It was there, then gone. Did I miss an announcement?

See: http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/07.....rackb.html

]]> By: Concrete Stain http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491944 Concrete Stain Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:38:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491944 This doesnt look good - that is too much money. This doesnt look good - that is too much money.

]]> By: John Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491887 John Smith Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:54:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491887 Back in 1999 a friend of mine left his job to start an online music company, with no funding and no technology. A few weeks later I met him at a party and he told me he had just raised 140 million dollars in VC money. He wasn't joking, either. At that point I knew the bubble was on its last legs- a blowoff top. Four months later the entire market started to collapse. This smells and feels exactly like then. Back in 1999 a friend of mine left his job to start an online music company, with no funding and no technology. A few weeks later I met him at a party and he told me he had just raised 140 million dollars in VC money.

He wasn’t joking, either.

At that point I knew the bubble was on its last legs- a blowoff top. Four months later the entire market started to collapse.

This smells and feels exactly like then.

]]> By: rick http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491820 rick Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:00:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491820 Hey, I'm just glad to see Marc is true to his advice on his blog. He said to raise a liberal amount of money and this is something he has done. Ever since Marc's put out his blog I've been a big big fan of his, so more power to him. Hey, I’m just glad to see Marc is true to his advice on his blog. He said to raise a liberal amount of money and this is something he has done. Ever since Marc’s put out his blog I’ve been a big big fan of his, so more power to him.

]]> By: chrisco http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491661 chrisco Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:53:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491661 Wow is right... There is a lot of money chasing yesterday's dreams. Wow is right… There is a lot of money chasing yesterday’s dreams.

]]> By: SIG http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491511 SIG Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:38:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491511 You don't need $44M for a consumer software company, unless they are looking to acquire companies/content (e.g. HomeAway - Redpoint deal). Until LPs decide to cut back their allocations in PE/VC sector we will continue to see rediculous valuation such as this. I signed up for the site several weeks and was able to create a social network within a few minutes. Very easy to use and has most of the features needed to build a cool social site and has great functionality as well. I would definitely recommend this site. You don’t need $44M for a consumer software company, unless they are looking to acquire companies/content (e.g. HomeAway - Redpoint deal). Until LPs decide to cut back their allocations in PE/VC sector we will continue to see rediculous valuation such as this.

I signed up for the site several weeks and was able to create a social network within a few minutes. Very easy to use and has most of the features needed to build a cool social site and has great functionality as well. I would definitely recommend this site.

]]> By: Diego Doval http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491505 Diego Doval Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:30:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491505 Hi SorenG, we typically respond to emails within 48 hours but as you note we've been busy of late. :) We will look into your problem and make sure we get back to you as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience! Hi SorenG, we typically respond to emails within 48 hours but as you note we’ve been busy of late. :) We will look into your problem and make sure we get back to you as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience!

]]> By: cdo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491494 cdo Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:16:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491494 Might be wrong but methinks it speaks volumes that marc's path to this round of funding appears quite long winded (and maybe generated a few ff miles). According to his blog post, he used a banker (allen & co - last I checked, they usually don't work for free) and the deal was led by a non-conventional funding source (certainly as far as consumer internet plays go)....what happened to all the valley VCs? Or was this ostensibly a 'strategic' round? Pleased for the Ning team and hope this sets the bar low enough for a worthwhile exit for the ning founders/employees AND all the investors. And even if it turns out to be a shortsale (unlikely?), legg mason can absorb a complete loss - they are big boys over there. :) Might be wrong but methinks it speaks volumes that marc’s path to this round of funding appears quite long winded (and maybe generated a few ff miles). According to his blog post, he used a banker (allen & co - last I checked, they usually don’t work for free) and the deal was led by a non-conventional funding source (certainly as far as consumer internet plays go)….what happened to all the valley VCs? Or was this ostensibly a ’strategic’ round?

Pleased for the Ning team and hope this sets the bar low enough for a worthwhile exit for the ning founders/employees AND all the investors. And even if it turns out to be a shortsale (unlikely?), legg mason can absorb a complete loss - they are big boys over there. :)

]]> By: Junto Boyz http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491484 Junto Boyz Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:10:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491484 <strong>NING RAISES $44 MILLION... GOOD OR BAD NEWS FOR GOINGON?...</strong> GoingOn Networks is straddled between other private-label social media platforms targeting companies/enterprise (i.e. Pluck), who we consider our primary competitors, and Ning, which primarily targets social groups and smaller organizations, since we a... NING RAISES $44 MILLION… GOOD OR BAD NEWS FOR GOINGON?…

GoingOn Networks is straddled between other private-label social media platforms targeting companies/enterprise (i.e. Pluck), who we consider our primary competitors, and Ning, which primarily targets social groups and smaller organizations, since we a…

]]> By: Shocked http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491476 Shocked Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:56:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491476 This is really outrageous and if there's any doubt in anyone's mind that we're on the verge of a serious market correction, just reread this announcement. This is not a very sophisticated site. It wasn't that long ago that Ning was trying to be a roll your own Craig's List and that didn't stick. Legg Mason, the VC company, is making a huge mistake. MySpace.com or Facebook could kill this site in minutes -- it's far too fragmented. This is really outrageous and if there’s any doubt in anyone’s mind that we’re on the verge of a serious market correction, just reread this announcement.

This is not a very sophisticated site. It wasn’t that long ago that Ning was trying to be a roll your own Craig’s List and that didn’t stick. Legg Mason, the VC company, is making a huge mistake. MySpace.com or Facebook could kill this site in minutes — it’s far too fragmented.

]]> By: Drama 2.0 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491460 Drama 2.0 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:25:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491460 "That puts the current value of Ning at a healthy $214 million." I don't think it's healthy. As other posters have pointed out, it borders on the ridiculous. I commented in previous posts about Ning that the service is simply the Web 2.0 version of ezboard or Yahoo Groups. To my knowledge, ezboard runs a decent business, but it's certainly not worth nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, and neither is Ning no matter how you evaluate the business. Ning will face the same problems as ezboard and Yahoo Groups (lots of failed and neglected communities create a virtual ghost town, successful communities outgrow the service and move on, etc.) and is likely to develop into a similar type of business. As several other posters have theorized, the funding likely has something to do with Marc's status as a Silicon Valley luminary. And while investors invest in people more than they invest in businesses, guys like Marc are not the Silicon Valley equivalents of Jesus. In other words, they can't perform miracles. The insane valuations given to Geni and now to Ning reflect irrational exuberance 2.0. http://www.drama20show.com/2007/07/10/what-the-ning/ “That puts the current value of Ning at a healthy $214 million.”

I don’t think it’s healthy. As other posters have pointed out, it borders on the ridiculous. I commented in previous posts about Ning that the service is simply the Web 2.0 version of ezboard or Yahoo Groups. To my knowledge, ezboard runs a decent business, but it’s certainly not worth nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, and neither is Ning no matter how you evaluate the business. Ning will face the same problems as ezboard and Yahoo Groups (lots of failed and neglected communities create a virtual ghost town, successful communities outgrow the service and move on, etc.) and is likely to develop into a similar type of business.

As several other posters have theorized, the funding likely has something to do with Marc’s status as a Silicon Valley luminary. And while investors invest in people more than they invest in businesses, guys like Marc are not the Silicon Valley equivalents of Jesus. In other words, they can’t perform miracles. The insane valuations given to Geni and now to Ning reflect irrational exuberance 2.0.

http://www.drama20show.com/200.....-the-ning/

]]> By: SorenG http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491429 SorenG Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:38:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491429 Curious how Marc Andreessen stopped allowing comments on his blog. It was there, then gone. Did I miss an announcement? I have been impressed with Ning, but the money is their because Marc Andreessen is. Money comes to those who have it. I have been waiting three days to get a response back from one of their staff on a problem I was having with their technology, so maybe they are busy. But I have yet to be asked to join any group there, though I did create one mainly for fun. Curious how Marc Andreessen stopped allowing comments on his blog. It was there, then gone. Did I miss an announcement?

I have been impressed with Ning, but the money is their because Marc Andreessen is. Money comes to those who have it.

I have been waiting three days to get a response back from one of their staff on a problem I was having with their technology, so maybe they are busy. But I have yet to be asked to join any group there, though I did create one mainly for fun.

]]> By: Danilo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491422 Danilo Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:25:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/09/big-big-round-of-funding-for-ning/#comment-1491422 I don't have a community there yet, haven't thought about a nice excuse to create one yet but theres quite a bit of people active throughout the communities. Whats wrong with the business model running on ads? There is quite a lot of money to be made here, TechCrunch readers are too tech savvy to click on a link but again, what we see here doesn't correspond to the real bulk of internet users. Plus, Ning has some monthly subscriptions as well for businesses. Its quite expensive I think, but at least they are doing it. I don’t have a community there yet, haven’t thought about a nice excuse to create one yet but theres quite a bit of people active throughout the communities.

Whats wrong with the business model running on ads? There is quite a lot of money to be made here, TechCrunch readers are too tech savvy to click on a link but again, what we see here doesn’t correspond to the real bulk of internet users.

Plus, Ning has some monthly subscriptions as well for businesses. Its quite expensive I think, but at least they are doing it.

]]>