Comments on: Slide Gets Their Huge Valuation And Raises $50 million http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/ Startup and Tech News Mon, 12 May 2008 08:54:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Ning Worth Half A Billion Dollars http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2192990 Ning Worth Half A Billion Dollars Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:41:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2192990 [...] joined Slide in the Half Billion Club by raising $60 million (after banker fees) on a $500 million pre-money valuation. Like Slide, Ning [...] […] joined Slide in the Half Billion Club by raising $60 million (after banker fees) on a $500 million pre-money valuation. Like Slide, Ning […]

]]> By: Chart Me Up: Web 2.0 Venture Deals · ordaso.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2046716 Chart Me Up: Web 2.0 Venture Deals · ordaso.com Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:20:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2046716 [...] venture financings of 2007, including ones for Facebook, Ning, Zillow, Veoh, MyStrands, and Hi5. Slide’s $50 million isn’t included because that was in 2008. Hey, maybe things haven’t peaked after [...] […] venture financings of 2007, including ones for Facebook, Ning, Zillow, Veoh, MyStrands, and Hi5. Slide’s $50 million isn’t included because that was in 2008. Hey, maybe things haven’t peaked after […]

]]> By: Is Meebo Worth Half a Slide? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2043830 Is Meebo Worth Half a Slide? Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:05:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2043830 [...] they pull it off, they’ll set Meebo’s value at half of the $500 million Slide was recently able to talk the markets into. That Slide deal had Montgomery & Co. [...] […] they pull it off, they’ll set Meebo’s value at half of the $500 million Slide was recently able to talk the markets into. That Slide deal had Montgomery & Co. […]

]]> By: Google, Microsoft Bidding For Digg http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2019110 Google, Microsoft Bidding For Digg Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:20:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2019110 [...] Digg has been working with influential investment bank Allen & Co. (the ones that recently got Slide a half billion dollar valuation on little revenue) for a few months now, and pitching big tech and media companies on a [...] […] Digg has been working with influential investment bank Allen & Co. (the ones that recently got Slide a half billion dollar valuation on little revenue) for a few months now, and pitching big tech and media companies on a […]

]]> By: Life Insurance blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2017174 Life Insurance blog Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:19:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-2017174 <strong>the insurance companies don't want you to know...</strong> Information on the life insurance industry... the insurance companies don’t want you to know…

Information on the life insurance industry…

]]> By: Give Me Break http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1936458 Give Me Break Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:43:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1936458 These guys are still going to be "pre-revenue" after their series Z funding round. (I heard Citigroup is at the table for the next one....) Why is everybody throwing money at this thing? They'd be better off hoarding empty soda cans. These guys are still going to be “pre-revenue” after their series Z funding round. (I heard Citigroup is at the table for the next one….) Why is everybody throwing money at this thing? They’d be better off hoarding empty soda cans.

]]> By: The Simon George fund http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1933623 The Simon George fund Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:24:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1933623 As NY Times puts it "Slide Slides into Some Cash". http://simongeorgeinc.googlepages.com As NY Times puts it “Slide Slides into Some Cash”.

http://simongeorgeinc.googlepages.com

]]> By: Bali http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1933572 Bali Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:37:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1933572 Its the same thing, social networking is “Just a game”…….and tons are playing………either be a player or rake in the cash. This is the year of near Its the same thing, social networking is “Just a game”…….and tons are playing………either be a player or rake in the cash. This is the year of near

]]> By: Marc http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1930460 Marc Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:56:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1930460 Folks, heres the deal. Facebook is in beta for its own "PayPal" like system. Facebook aslo sold 24million $1 gifts last year. NOW...think of how slide can leverage that especially if Facebook's fees are low. If you think people paying $10-$14/month to play world of warcraft is down right silly (9 million people world wide now to be exact) just imagine the cash that people will fork over just to have the coolest and rarest slide for only $1 extra. Its the same thing, social networking is "Just a game".......and tons are playing.........either be a player or rake in the cash. This is the year of near micropayments for digital goods. Damm I need a blog already. @Jaisen, I thought the same thing as well, however, without the "?". Folks, heres the deal. Facebook is in beta for its own “PayPal” like system. Facebook aslo sold 24million $1 gifts last year. NOW…think of how slide can leverage that especially if Facebook’s fees are low. If you think people paying $10-$14/month to play world of warcraft is down right silly (9 million people world wide now to be exact) just imagine the cash that people will fork over just to have the coolest and rarest slide for only $1 extra. Its the same thing, social networking is “Just a game”…….and tons are playing………either be a player or rake in the cash. This is the year of near micropayments for digital goods. Damm I need a blog already.

@Jaisen, I thought the same thing as well, however, without the “?”.

]]> By: Ron Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929900 Ron Paul Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:58:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929900 Does anyone know Slide's revenue figures? Is it zippo? Does anyone know Slide’s revenue figures? Is it zippo?

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929238 Peter Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:16:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929238 Why would Facebook and Myspace allow ads from Slide in there network? Why would Facebook and Myspace allow ads from Slide in there network?

]]> By: George http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929107 George Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:30:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1929107 Problems with monetizing widgets. 0. The only way Slide can generate revenue is advertising. Paid or freemium memberships will not work, or at best be a tiny fraction of the gross. 1. You cannot push ads to the user. Nobody is going to be happy to wake up and see that their "best friends" slide show had a "Norbit" background/border pushed on top of it. (No, you can't solve this by targeting the user's tastes. You only need to get it wrong once to piss off the user forever.) 2. Going from no. 2, users will have to pull the branded widgets themselves. There are a few problems with this. First, not everyone will do it if it's opt-in. Remember Beacon? Second, Even those users that will download branded widgets will not update them in a timely fashion. If someone likes The Lord of the Rings, they will use that branding for a long time. Who cares it it's not the current studio promotion. You could try to implement some sort of branding timeout and suggest alternatives (The Hobbit is coming out), but again, you risk annoying the user. Remember, this is supposed to be personalization. 3. Brand identification. I can see people wanting to brand their stuff with movies and cars, but those will be the bulk. Who is going to add Revlon lipstick to as their branding? Limited ad inventory. 4. Nobody will brand their slide shows with the new Ford Taurus, and marketing Ferraris to 16 year olds is a waste of money. Same thing with other luxury brands - high voluntary adoption, but limited value to the advertiser. 5. Limited market segment. I don't know what the age breakdown of widget adoption is but I'm willing to bet the bulk of it is under 25. A lucrative market, but a limited one, especially considering the brand identification of this group is way out of their price range. (See #4) Addendum: I can see some value with pushing ads to widgets that have been branded with dynamic promotions. Consider music albums. If a user brands their widget with 50 Cents or some other (sigh) artist, than their new album, concert appearance dates, etc. can be pushed to the widget with very little annoyance. This is a very limited, but lucrative domain that Slide can specialize it. I'm afraid though that their high valuation will push them to want to be everything to everybody and not let them focus on their strengths. Best of luck to them anyway. If Max cashes out big I will only get that sick feeling in my stomach if Slide is dumped on somebody without any revenue sources. If however they manage to make a profitable business out of this, my hat is off. Problems with monetizing widgets.

0. The only way Slide can generate revenue is advertising. Paid or freemium memberships will not work, or at best be a tiny fraction of the gross.

1. You cannot push ads to the user. Nobody is going to be happy to wake up and see that their “best friends” slide show had a “Norbit” background/border pushed on top of it. (No, you can’t solve this by targeting the user’s tastes. You only need to get it wrong once to piss off the user forever.)

2. Going from no. 2, users will have to pull the branded widgets themselves. There are a few problems with this. First, not everyone will do it if it’s opt-in. Remember Beacon? Second, Even those users that will download branded widgets will not update them in a timely fashion. If someone likes The Lord of the Rings, they will use that branding for a long time. Who cares it it’s not the current studio promotion. You could try to implement some sort of branding timeout and suggest alternatives (The Hobbit is coming out), but again, you risk annoying the user. Remember, this is supposed to be personalization.

3. Brand identification. I can see people wanting to brand their stuff with movies and cars, but those will be the bulk. Who is going to add Revlon lipstick to as their branding? Limited ad inventory.

4. Nobody will brand their slide shows with the new Ford Taurus, and marketing Ferraris to 16 year olds is a waste of money. Same thing with other luxury brands - high voluntary adoption, but limited value to the advertiser.

5. Limited market segment. I don’t know what the age breakdown of widget adoption is but I’m willing to bet the bulk of it is under 25. A lucrative market, but a limited one, especially considering the brand identification of this group is way out of their price range. (See #4)

Addendum:

I can see some value with pushing ads to widgets that have been branded with dynamic promotions. Consider music albums. If a user brands their widget with 50 Cents or some other (sigh) artist, than their new album, concert appearance dates, etc. can be pushed to the widget with very little annoyance. This is a very limited, but lucrative domain that Slide can specialize it. I’m afraid though that their high valuation will push them to want to be everything to everybody and not let them focus on their strengths.

Best of luck to them anyway. If Max cashes out big I will only get that sick feeling in my stomach if Slide is dumped on somebody without any revenue sources. If however they manage to make a profitable business out of this, my hat is off.

]]> By: Max L. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928891 Max L. Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:38:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928891 You want our real plan? We're launching a new personal body lubricating gel to compete with KY. And we're going to call it.... Slide. Or Slide Lube if you prefer. Over 6 billion people a year have sex. Of those approximately 33% are prone to "dry spells." That is where our product comes into play. Imagine if you will that these 2 billion customers each are worth $6, that is only 20 cents more than a MySpace customer and we consider this to be very conservative. We instantly have created a $12B company. But wait, there is more. Our market research has indicated that our Facebook and MySpace widget customers copulate 3x more frequently than married people. And because they typically do so while intoxicated they require even more of our "Slide" personal lubricant. Now you're beginning to seeing how this all comes together. We're brilliantly building and spreading our viral widgets to a market of customers which will use 3x more lubricant than our competitors target market. Unfortunately there are risks. Just in the past few days MySpace announced some plans to keep some of our best potential customers, off their site. http://www.redherring.com/Home/23460 We consider this just a small setback. Also you heard it here on Tech Crunch first: we plan on providing each investor in our IPO with one free bottle of Slide Lube. We have a feeling you're going to be needing it. Respectfully, Max L. You want our real plan?

We’re launching a new personal body lubricating gel to compete with KY. And we’re going to call it…. Slide. Or Slide Lube if you prefer.

Over 6 billion people a year have sex. Of those approximately 33% are prone to “dry spells.” That is where our product comes into play. Imagine if you will that these 2 billion customers each are worth $6, that is only 20 cents more than a MySpace customer and we consider this to be very conservative. We instantly have created a $12B company.

But wait, there is more. Our market research has indicated that our Facebook and MySpace widget customers copulate 3x more frequently than married people. And because they typically do so while intoxicated they require even more of our “Slide” personal lubricant. Now you’re beginning to seeing how this all comes together. We’re brilliantly building and spreading our viral widgets to a market of customers which will use 3x more lubricant than our competitors target market.

Unfortunately there are risks. Just in the past few days MySpace announced some plans to keep some of our best potential customers, off their site. http://www.redherring.com/Home/23460 We consider this just a small setback.

Also you heard it here on Tech Crunch first: we plan on providing each investor in our IPO with one free bottle of Slide Lube. We have a feeling you’re going to be needing it.

Respectfully,

Max L.

]]> By: Speech Girl http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928874 Speech Girl Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:21:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928874 This is just bizarre - 150 million users but how many people know about Slide as a company? This is just bizarre - 150 million users but how many people know about Slide as a company?

]]> By: Hustle Strategy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928419 Hustle Strategy Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:01:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928419 Crazy. Seems users/traffic is king, no matter what you do. Crazy. Seems users/traffic is king, no matter what you do.

]]> By: arnold http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928393 arnold Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:19:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928393 hey @37, just tried graphita. nice ui. very smooth. but the 'share' button tries to make me buy mugs or spam my friends without just giving me a link to the picture -- lame. hey @37, just tried graphita. nice ui. very smooth. but the ’share’ button tries to make me buy mugs or spam my friends without just giving me a link to the picture — lame.

]]> By: internet user from the 90's http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928384 internet user from the 90's Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:04:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928384 this valuation per user thing is amazing. lets see. i am a member of: $5.80 myspace.com (lots of hot chicks wanna be my friend there) $200 facebook.com (those dorks i went to school with are there) $44 youtube.com (haha, funny video LOLZ!) $2 friendster (Brazil is such a cool place!) $3 slide.com (look me, look me! picturez!) somebody give me $200 cash and I'll stop using the Internet. this valuation per user thing is amazing. lets see. i am a member of:

$5.80 myspace.com (lots of hot chicks wanna be my friend there)
$200 facebook.com (those dorks i went to school with are there)
$44 youtube.com (haha, funny video LOLZ!)
$2 friendster (Brazil is such a cool place!)
$3 slide.com (look me, look me! picturez!)

somebody give me $200 cash and I’ll stop using the Internet.

]]> By: Jackson http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928379 Jackson Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:03:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928379 Slide is the #1 company on the web. Slide is the #1 company on the web.

]]> By: David Shantz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928353 David Shantz Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:20:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928353 Simple truth here is that there are lots of communities that need cool applications to make their sites compelling and to drive interaction. Slide apps are in many ways the glue that holds Facebook together. Here's some simple math: 150M users, valued at $3.30 each, is about $500M. $3 is average valuation for an audience like this, and with billions of potential users worldwide -they may just be getting started... There is a bright future for companies that create expressive applications that are easy to use and connect with millions of people. Anyone looking at early stage applications, there is one we have going which has a much lower valuation... www.graphita.com Simple truth here is that there are lots of communities that need cool applications to make their sites compelling and to drive interaction. Slide apps are in many ways the glue that holds Facebook together. Here’s some simple math: 150M users, valued at $3.30 each, is about $500M. $3 is average valuation for an audience like this, and with billions of potential users worldwide -they may just be getting started… There is a bright future for companies that create expressive applications that are easy to use and connect with millions of people.

Anyone looking at early stage applications, there is one we have going which has a much lower valuation… http://www.graphita.com

]]> By: chrisw http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928347 chrisw Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:08:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928347 @ #31 I agree. It sounds ridiculous. They make flash slide shows for crying out loud! $500M valuation is just nuts! @ #31

I agree. It sounds ridiculous. They make flash slide shows for crying out loud! $500M valuation is just nuts!

]]> By: Don Jones http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928346 Don Jones Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:07:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928346 The valuation inflation is getting pretty hot. Some investments will pay off and some will be colossal failures...e.g., Ampd. The valuation inflation is getting pretty hot. Some investments will pay off and some will be colossal failures…e.g., Ampd.

]]> By: Jaisen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928343 Jaisen Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:05:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928343 500,000,000 / 150,000,000 = 3.33. Over $3 per user of a free service? 500,000,000 / 150,000,000 = 3.33. Over $3 per user of a free service?

]]> By: Faramarz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928342 Faramarz Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:03:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928342 The website is down it appears. <blockquote>Page Not Found Sorry, the page you tried to visit was not found. You may want to return to the home page and try again. </blockquote> The website is down it appears.

Page Not Found

Sorry, the page you tried to visit was not found. You may want to return to the home page and try again.

]]> By: etavitom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928327 etavitom Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:47:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928327 Very high valuation, but a phenomenal company! Very high valuation, but a phenomenal company!

]]> By: Technology Recruiter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928320 Technology Recruiter Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:40:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/18/slide-gets-their-huge-valuation-and-raises-50-million/#comment-1928320 OMG. Is anybody else having flashbacks to the late nineties, again? Investors haven't learned their lessons from prior experiences. It's the same mistakes over and over again. Lets hold on and wait for the next tech-wreck to happen again. Wasn't there a lot of grief over Skype being acquired for $2.6B. Ebay later admits they significantly paid too much and took a $900m impairment charge. Who was the investment banker who brokered that deal to Ebay, they obviously got it wrong, but got a great commission in the end. Wasn't Myspace the place to be with the soaring valuations this time last year? It's like Myspace went out of style as quick as acid washed jeans. From what I can tell people believe slide-shows (Slide.com) are going to change the landscape of the world more than push-technology (Pointcast) in the late nineties - my sarcasm. How much did Youtube add to GOOG's financial bottom-line for $1.775BB? Can GOOG honestly say that they're a better brand with increasing profits because of Youtube? Investor strategy 101, jump (late) on anything that might be in vogue, cross your fingers and hope for that one GOOG to happen. Considering that 9 out of 10 start-ups fail, how could Slide, with no real revenue or business-model, be valued at $500M? OMG. Is anybody else having flashbacks to the late nineties, again? Investors haven’t learned their lessons from prior experiences. It’s the same mistakes over and over again. Lets hold on and wait for the next tech-wreck to happen again. Wasn’t there a lot of grief over Skype being acquired for $2.6B. Ebay later admits they significantly paid too much and took a $900m impairment charge. Who was the investment banker who brokered that deal to Ebay, they obviously got it wrong, but got a great commission in the end. Wasn’t Myspace the place to be with the soaring valuations this time last year? It’s like Myspace went out of style as quick as acid washed jeans. From what I can tell people believe slide-shows (Slide.com) are going to change the landscape of the world more than push-technology (Pointcast) in the late nineties - my sarcasm. How much did Youtube add to GOOG’s financial bottom-line for $1.775BB? Can GOOG honestly say that they’re a better brand with increasing profits because of Youtube? Investor strategy 101, jump (late) on anything that might be in vogue, cross your fingers and hope for that one GOOG to happen. Considering that 9 out of 10 start-ups fail, how could Slide, with no real revenue or business-model, be valued at $500M?

]]>