Comments on: Why Are Founders and Execs Leaving Second Tier Social Networks? http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/ Startup and Technology News Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:22:16 -0800 hourly 1 By: Bebo’s Big Push Into Video http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-2017217 Bebo’s Big Push Into Video Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:00:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-2017217 [...] slowing down. Or it may not. The video push was not enough to keep at least one key Bebo executive, who left the company this past [...] [...] slowing down. Or it may not. The video push was not enough to keep at least one key Bebo executive, who left the company this past [...]

]]> By: alex http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1780500 alex Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:29:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1780500 Will there be a common platform or a body or a standard, which will network all the social networking website, for the interest of the public to be connected across sites, to the common interest across globe. Will there be a common platform or a body or a standard, which will network all the social networking website, for the interest of the public to be connected across sites, to the common interest across globe.

]]> By: kurtlar vadisi pusu http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1776708 kurtlar vadisi pusu Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:49:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1776708 Speaking of EIRs at CRV Speaking of EIRs at CRV

]]> By: TechCrunch en français » Bebo se lance aussi dans la bataille de la vidéo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1762570 TechCrunch en français » Bebo se lance aussi dans la bataille de la vidéo Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:01:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1762570 [...] pas, l’entrée de la vidéo n’ayant pas empêché un dirigeant clé de Bebo de quitter la societe, le week-end [...] [...] pas, l’entrée de la vidéo n’ayant pas empêché un dirigeant clé de Bebo de quitter la societe, le week-end [...]

]]> By: David Scott Lewis http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1756028 David Scott Lewis Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:45:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1756028 Twine: Social networking done right ... and painlessly. Ladies and gents, the game is only beginning ... Twine: Social networking done right … and painlessly. Ladies and gents, the game is only beginning …

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1753411 David Mackey Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:03:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1753411 Not sure two would make a trend... Not sure two would make a trend…

]]> By: preet http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752915 preet Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:52:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752915 Its not about monetizing. Its the rush inside them. They want to launch companies. They want to be number 1 not number 2, 3 or x for that matter. The guy who has launched http://www.CurryPlanet.com an Indian bookmarking site left a well known online automotive company in Seattle right when they were talking about acquiring another company and going public. He could have stayed there and probably make some good money. But he instead wanted to run his own venture. Most of those how launch businesses usually are not part of the pack. They will assume management roles with other companies just to gain some expreince but they always have their true goal in the sight. For example, take Steve Jobs. He was working at Atari when he launched Apple. He would have hit it big at Atari too but wanted to go on his own. Its not about monetizing. Its the rush inside them. They want to launch companies. They want to be number 1 not number 2, 3 or x for that matter. The guy who has launched http://www.CurryPlanet.com an Indian bookmarking site left a well known online automotive company in Seattle right when they were talking about acquiring another company and going public. He could have stayed there and probably make some good money. But he instead wanted to run his own venture. Most of those how launch businesses usually are not part of the pack. They will assume management roles with other companies just to gain some expreince but they always have their true goal in the sight. For example, take Steve Jobs. He was working at Atari when he launched Apple. He would have hit it big at Atari too but wanted to go on his own.

]]> By: Bob Warfield http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752787 Bob Warfield Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:35:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752787 There seems to be more and more evidence that these sites are going to be hard to monetize. Look at some of the data you get back when you look at targeted Facebook ads on how many folks can really be targeted: http://smoothspan.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/facebooks-audience-and-advertising-very-few-to-target/ Unless there's reason to believe the also rans are bucking that sort of trend, it's going to be very hard for them. There seems to be more and more evidence that these sites are going to be hard to monetize. Look at some of the data you get back when you look at targeted Facebook ads on how many folks can really be targeted:

http://smoothsp...-few-to-target/

Unless there’s reason to believe the also rans are bucking that sort of trend, it’s going to be very hard for them.

]]> By: Scott Bauman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752380 Scott Bauman Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:56:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752380 Jeanine - I'm more intrigued by Livehit. Love to hear more - can you put me on "the list" -- sbauman@greenoughcom.com. Good luck! Jeanine – I’m more intrigued by Livehit. Love to hear more – can you put me on “the list” — sbauman@greenoughcom.com.

Good luck!

]]> By: JS http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752360 JS Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:41:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752360 The answer is fairly obvious. There's a national recession on the way (or already started depending on where you live). The dot-com bubble is about to burst again. Smart people are going to leave the companies that don't make money and have no realistic business plan. Same deal as 2000-2001. Nothing is happening that didn't already happen and can't be easily predicted. The answer is fairly obvious. There’s a national recession on the way (or already started depending on where you live). The dot-com bubble is about to burst again. Smart people are going to leave the companies that don’t make money and have no realistic business plan. Same deal as 2000-2001. Nothing is happening that didn’t already happen and can’t be easily predicted.

]]> By: Bob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752237 Bob Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:05:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752237 People leave startups for all sorts of reasons; and start ups can be a difficult places to work with lots of stress, pressure, long housr, etc. Many times there is a difference of opinions, etc.; And if you are not drinking the company coolaide you can get ousted. I was at two start - ups and they started off fine, but in both cases the CEO's got "Founders" disease and did not take good advice and drove the companies into the ground. People leave startups for all sorts of reasons; and start ups can be a difficult places to work with lots of stress, pressure, long housr, etc. Many times there is a difference of opinions, etc.; And if you are not drinking the company coolaide you can get ousted. I was at two start – ups and they started off fine, but in both cases the CEO’s got “Founders” disease and did not take good advice and drove the companies into the ground.

]]> By: Shiv Singh http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752224 Shiv Singh Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:55:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752224 We saw it happen to search and to the portal space as well, its natural for some consolidation to take place. But nevertheless, I don't believe that Facebook, MySpace and Orkut are for everyone. There will always be room for niche social networks that target specific communities. We saw it happen to search and to the portal space as well, its natural for some consolidation to take place. But nevertheless, I don’t believe that Facebook, MySpace and Orkut are for everyone. There will always be room for niche social networks that target specific communities.

]]> By: Alan Wilensky http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752201 Alan Wilensky Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:44:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752201 I told you so! Even an angel group that I met with expressed their displeasure over all the redundant investment in me-too social sites and YAVSS (Yet Another Video Sharing Site). http://bizcast.typepad.com/clients/2007/11/a-sleigh-full-o.html I told you so! Even an angel group that I met with expressed their displeasure over all the redundant investment in me-too social sites and YAVSS (Yet Another Video Sharing Site).

http://bizcast....igh-full-o.html

]]> By: Jeanine LeFlore http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752180 Jeanine LeFlore Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:29:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752180 Hi, this is Jeanine from LiveHit - Thanks for the mention, Michael! And to alleviate any doubt, Michael is correct that I left on very good terms. Jeremy was very supportive of my starting my own venture, and I also remain on the Piczo Board of Advisors to help in Piczo’s continued success. It's bittersweet to leave someplace I greatly care about. But as "Jon" above says... entrepreneurship is about seizing an opportunity, and sometime you just have to follow your passions and pursue your dreams. :) Jeanine LeFlore Founder and CEO, LiveHit www.livehit.com Hi, this is Jeanine from LiveHit – Thanks for the mention, Michael!

And to alleviate any doubt, Michael is correct that I left on very good terms. Jeremy was very supportive of my starting my own venture, and I also remain on the Piczo Board of Advisors to help in Piczo’s continued success. It’s bittersweet to leave someplace I greatly care about. But as “Jon” above says… entrepreneurship is about seizing an opportunity, and sometime you just have to follow your passions and pursue your dreams. :)

Jeanine LeFlore
Founder and CEO, LiveHit
http://www.livehit.com

]]> By: Scott Bauman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1752069 Scott Bauman Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:34:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1752069 A social networking "shakeout" shouldn't surprise anyone. But, let's be clear, shakeout doesn't have to mean "bubble burst" (and Michael didn't say that). When an apple falls off the tree, its seeds can produce a new tree and, who knows, with the right cross-pollenation it could make all surrounding trees more fruitful. I suspect that what we're seeing isn't the first wrinkles on the bubble (sorry you doom and gloomers). Instead we're seeing the logical progression of a new industry, albeit faster than other industries in the past. But isn't that what we've come to expect? A social networking “shakeout” shouldn’t surprise anyone. But, let’s be clear, shakeout doesn’t have to mean “bubble burst” (and Michael didn’t say that). When an apple falls off the tree, its seeds can produce a new tree and, who knows, with the right cross-pollenation it could make all surrounding trees more fruitful. I suspect that what we’re seeing isn’t the first wrinkles on the bubble (sorry you doom and gloomers). Instead we’re seeing the logical progression of a new industry, albeit faster than other industries in the past. But isn’t that what we’ve come to expect?

]]> By: jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751993 jason Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:43:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751993 i'm not sure i'd consider 2 people leaving the social networking space to be the bellwether of an impending shake-out. can you site some additional examples of "founders and execs leaving second tier social networks"? if you can't, i'd say this is pretty much a non-story. i’m not sure i’d consider 2 people leaving the social networking space to be the bellwether of an impending shake-out. can you site some additional examples of “founders and execs leaving second tier social networks”?

if you can’t, i’d say this is pretty much a non-story.

]]> By: dave mcclure http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751960 dave mcclure Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:24:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751960 mike: dude WTF up with your comments functionality? everything is getting clipped... mike: dude WTF up with your comments functionality?

everything is getting clipped…

]]> By: dave mcclure http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751959 dave mcclure Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:23:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751959 (continuing) a) 1yr, 2yrs, 3yrs, (continuing)
a) 1yr, 2yrs, 3yrs,

]]> By: dave mcclure http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751956 dave mcclure Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:22:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751956 i dunno if there's a huge story here, except to consider some basic vesting math, and perhaps a perspective on initial & subsequent option allocations. guessing jim was fully vested or close to it, and while Bebo looks like a solid win i'm not sure if their growth is beating out FB adoption in the UK. in any case, if he's mostly / fully vested he probably would consider leaving unless there were additional equity allocations made to keep him. looks like jeanine was only at Piczo for slightly under 2 years, but she's also doing her own startup. after 2 years, you could certainly make the case that equity diversification is a reason to leave... especially if you're confident in your own ability, and you know you'll get a founder's stake at your own venture. assuming a standard 4-year vesting cycle with a 1-year cliff, (and no incremental allocations) consider the motivations for staying an incremental year given how long you've been at a startup: a) 1yr, 2yrs, 3yrs, i dunno if there’s a huge story here, except to consider some basic vesting math, and perhaps a perspective on initial & subsequent option allocations.

guessing jim was fully vested or close to it, and while Bebo looks like a solid win i’m not sure if their growth is beating out FB adoption in the UK. in any case, if he’s mostly / fully vested he probably would consider leaving unless there were additional equity allocations made to keep him.

looks like jeanine was only at Piczo for slightly under 2 years, but she’s also doing her own startup. after 2 years, you could certainly make the case that equity diversification is a reason to leave… especially if you’re confident in your own ability, and you know you’ll get a founder’s stake at your own venture.

assuming a standard 4-year vesting cycle with a 1-year cliff, (and no incremental allocations) consider the motivations for staying an incremental year given how long you’ve been at a startup:
a) 1yr, 2yrs, 3yrs,

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751880 Jon Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:27:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751880 #15: Entrepreneurship is about seizing an opportunity, no matter how dim or crazy and running with it. It's a heck of a long shot to say the least... but I have beaten the odds before. At the very least, I possibly gain another friend to run through some ideas with (after a NDA and non-comp of course). Jon #15: Entrepreneurship is about seizing an opportunity, no matter how dim or crazy and running with it. It’s a heck of a long shot to say the least… but I have beaten the odds before.

At the very least, I possibly gain another friend to run through some ideas with (after a NDA and non-comp of course).

Jon

]]> By: Blendah Tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751867 Blendah Tom Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:21:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751867 @5 -Steve I think that the Niche based sites are just getting going and we haven't seen the crossover to them yet as they are still Forum/BB based.. I think once the tools are out there that can allow that kind of crossover (Web 2.0) things will shift quickly and OpenSocial will become incredibly powerful tool. @5 -Steve

I think that the Niche based sites are just getting going and we haven’t seen the crossover to them yet as they are still Forum/BB based.. I think once the tools are out there that can allow that kind of crossover (Web 2.0) things will shift quickly and OpenSocial will become incredibly powerful tool.

]]> By: You missed point http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751839 You missed point Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:06:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751839 This is simply a story of folks who dont have the business skills to contribute to a growing company, they are 'idea only' founders..they either quit or most likely got pushed out for a smart HBS grad to do the new job right. This is simply a story of folks who dont have the business skills to contribute to a growing company, they are ‘idea only’ founders..they either quit or most likely got pushed out for a smart HBS grad to do the new job right.

]]> By: TechCrunch social networking http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751786 TechCrunch social networking Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:33:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751786 #10: Innovative use of TechCrunch as a social network. Michael, when do you launch TechMatch.com? #10: Innovative use of TechCrunch as a social network. Michael, when do you launch TechMatch.com?

]]> By: Support this story on Stirrdup http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751759 Support this story on Stirrdup Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:19:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751759 <strong>Why Are Founders and Execs Leaving Second Tier Social Networks?...</strong> This story has been submitted to Stirrdup. Your support can help it become hot.... Why Are Founders and Execs Leaving Second Tier Social Networks?…

This story has been submitted to Stirrdup. Your support can help it become hot….

]]> By: eukhost blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/comment-page-1/#comment-1751697 eukhost blog Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:38:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/12/why-are-founders-and-execs-leaving-second-tier-social-networks/#comment-1751697 Window Live Spaces lacks in many features that many other social networking sites are providing however I agree they could have been the biggest social networking site, but let them compete first with Yahoo! forthcoming Mosh their nearest competitor. -Paul Window Live Spaces lacks in many features that many other social networking sites are providing however I agree they could have been the biggest social networking site, but let them compete first with Yahoo! forthcoming Mosh their nearest competitor.
-Paul

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