Comments on: Meebo Can’t Get Their Price, Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:12:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Marc’s Voice » Blog Archive » How to build the mesh - #4: the Live Web http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2235434 Marc’s Voice » Blog Archive » How to build the mesh - #4: the Live Web Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:30:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2235434 [...] as with each new generation of technology, comes a new cadre of startups, brands and acquisitions. Meebo is out hustling itself and Skype is available for purchase. Wherever there is money to be made - somebody will figure out [...] [...] as with each new generation of technology, comes a new cadre of startups, brands and acquisitions. Meebo is out hustling itself and Skype is available for purchase. Wherever there is money to be made - somebody will figure out [...]

]]> By: Meebo close to raising large round, starts to focus on making money » VentureBeat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2186579 Meebo close to raising large round, starts to focus on making money » VentureBeat Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:27:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2186579 [...] startup Meebo is closing a round that will value it at between $175 million and $200 million, according to a Techcrunch rumor, which says the company has only made $1 million since launching in 2005. And the company’s [...] [...] startup Meebo is closing a round that will value it at between $175 million and $200 million, according to a Techcrunch rumor, which says the company has only made $1 million since launching in 2005. And the company’s [...]

]]> By: chrisco http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161632 chrisco Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:51:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161632 @34: Nice reference to that interesting NYT article from the other day: And Behind Door No. 1, a Fatal Flaw: http://twurl.nl/8vw5yw. For anyone who hasn't read it yet, it's worht a look, especially the interactive version: http://twurl.nl/qkyekq. @34: Nice reference to that interesting NYT article from the other day: And Behind Door No. 1, a Fatal Flaw: http://twurl.nl/8vw5yw. For anyone who hasn’t read it yet, it’s worht a look, especially the interactive version: http://twurl.nl/qkyekq.

]]> By: Hoser’s Perspective » Blog Archive » You shall not pass!!! (or IPO) http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161278 Hoser’s Perspective » Blog Archive » You shall not pass!!! (or IPO) Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:06:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161278 [...] in need of cash and therefore have decided to raise another round of financing (TechCrunch coverage here).  This financing though will not likely come from venture capital and may involve a strategic [...] [...] in need of cash and therefore have decided to raise another round of financing (TechCrunch coverage here).  This financing though will not likely come from venture capital and may involve a strategic [...]

]]> By: Meebo Hires Carter Brokaw As Chief Revenue Officer; Seeking Additional Funding http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161073 Meebo Hires Carter Brokaw As Chief Revenue Officer; Seeking Additional Funding Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:41:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2161073 [...] Kirkpatrick [2] CenterNetworks: Interview with Seth Sternberg, Founder Meebo by Allen Stern [3] TechCrunch: Meebo Can’t Get Their Price, Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale by Michael [...] [...] Kirkpatrick [2] CenterNetworks: Interview with Seth Sternberg, Founder Meebo by Allen Stern [3] TechCrunch: Meebo Can’t Get Their Price, Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale by Michael [...]

]]> By: LOL @ Silly People http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160945 LOL @ Silly People Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:07:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160945 There are three doors to choose from. One of them has a business model. The other two have the next Web 2.0 bomb. The VC reveals that one door (acquisition) was a bust. Basically, if you're as big as Meebo is, this round of financing was to let the founders take some cash off the table. What's Meebo going to do? Advertise it's free service so that it can sell advertising on it? Please. The founders basically said, look VCs, we trusted you and rather than staying small and creating a nice lifestyle business, we went for the home run. The acquisition failed and the market for high cash burn companies is gone, give us some cash if you want us to stick with it. The VCs or PE firms or whomever wanted in, probably bought some of the founders' equity. There are three doors to choose from. One of them has a business model. The other two have the next Web 2.0 bomb. The VC reveals that one door (acquisition) was a bust.

Basically, if you’re as big as Meebo is, this round of financing was to let the founders take some cash off the table. What’s Meebo going to do? Advertise it’s free service so that it can sell advertising on it? Please.

The founders basically said, look VCs, we trusted you and rather than staying small and creating a nice lifestyle business, we went for the home run. The acquisition failed and the market for high cash burn companies is gone, give us some cash if you want us to stick with it. The VCs or PE firms or whomever wanted in, probably bought some of the founders’ equity.

]]> By: joshlazar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160450 joshlazar Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:14:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160450 Maybe we should think of meebo as a channel...Aren't there 55million reg or uniques? (don't remember which). That's a good chunk of audience. We could all build our own YouTube in a weekend, but we still need the viewers. If I were a large media co that aggregation of eyeballs would be attractive Maybe we should think of meebo as a channel…Aren’t there 55million reg or uniques? (don’t remember which).

That’s a good chunk of audience. We could all build our own YouTube in a weekend, but we still need the viewers. If I were a large media co that aggregation of eyeballs would be attractive

]]> By: vijay http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160193 vijay Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:22:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2160193 Some of you are confused between the company valuation and the actual $$ potential investors are willing to shell out. Some of you are confused between the company valuation and the actual $$ potential investors are willing to shell out.

]]> By: Meebo Hires a Chief Revenue Officer Based in NYC  »TechAddress http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159965 Meebo Hires a Chief Revenue Officer Based in NYC  »TechAddress Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:43:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159965 [...] There were reports yesterday that Meebo wasn’t able to sell themselves so they are now pursuing raising another round of funding. [...] [...] There were reports yesterday that Meebo wasn’t able to sell themselves so they are now pursuing raising another round of funding. [...]

]]> By: StartupNewz.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159925 StartupNewz.com Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:26:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159925 <strong>Meebo Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale...</strong> Rumors said that at one point they looked for a valuation of $250 Million but could not find a buyer and therefore, web chat startup Meebo has gone in for another round of funding, says TechCrunch's Michael Arrington. Meebo seems to have revenues of ... Meebo Goes For Fundraising Instead Of Sale…

Rumors said that at one point they looked for a valuation of $250 Million but could not find a buyer and therefore, web chat startup Meebo has gone in for another round of funding, says TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington. Meebo seems to have revenues of …

]]> By: Marketing 2.0: Can Meebo Make it Real? - BuzzYA! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159880 Marketing 2.0: Can Meebo Make it Real? - BuzzYA! Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:07:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159880 [...] their huge traffic numbers, and this new ad model could be it. As things stand, the company is reported to be struggling to either sell itself at a huge valuation or raise more investor money. We've written that they're [...] [...] their huge traffic numbers, and this new ad model could be it. As things stand, the company is reported to be struggling to either sell itself at a huge valuation or raise more investor money. We’ve written that they’re [...]

]]> By: steve http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159852 steve Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:52:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159852 whooshhhh... thats the sound of capital being sucked away from venture capital into distressed bonds. whooshhhh… thats the sound of capital being
sucked away from venture capital into
distressed bonds.

]]> By: chrisco http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159836 chrisco Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:44:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159836 If the big boys wanted something like Meebo, it seems eBuddy, over in Amsterdam, might be better. I mean if I'm a big USA player I would want the strongest competitor OUTSIDE the USA. Then I get that footprint + I have my USA distribution channels to blowout Mebo (with eBuddy) here in the USA. Cheers. -chrisco PS: What's up JJ, did you get my email yesterday? Nice having dinner with you Friday night at Odeon. Ping me back. If the big boys wanted something like Meebo, it seems eBuddy, over in Amsterdam, might be better. I mean if I’m a big USA player I would want the strongest competitor OUTSIDE the USA. Then I get that footprint + I have my USA distribution channels to blowout Mebo (with eBuddy) here in the USA. Cheers. -chrisco

PS: What’s up JJ, did you get my email yesterday? Nice having dinner with you Friday night at Odeon. Ping me back.

]]> By: Adotas » Meebo Snags Warner Chief To Revamp Strategy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159830 Adotas » Meebo Snags Warner Chief To Revamp Strategy Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:43:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159830 [...] monetization plan has been under a great deal of scrutiny of late with blogs like TechCrunch reporting that Meebo has teamed up with Montgomery & Co. to find a buyer or raise a new round [...] [...] monetization plan has been under a great deal of scrutiny of late with blogs like TechCrunch reporting that Meebo has teamed up with Montgomery & Co. to find a buyer or raise a new round [...]

]]> By: Frederick http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159814 Frederick Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:37:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159814 http://www.soashable.com/ http://www.soashable.com/

]]> By: Meebo = Opensource http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159811 Meebo = Opensource Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:36:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159811 Mike all I can see is : Open Source Meebo - http://www.soashable.com/ Full client, fully open source. Any business could take this and "clone meebo" in an instance. For $250 mil - what a joke. Mike all I can see is :

Open Source Meebo - http://www.soashable.com/

Full client, fully open source. Any business could take this and “clone meebo” in an instance.

For $250 mil - what a joke.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159551 Tommy Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:23:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159551 What everyone seems to miss is that Meebo doesn't have it's own IM-solution. Meebo does not stand on it's own. For a user to be able to use Meebo you still have to register with MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk or Jabber for a chat-account. Then you have to come back to Meebo and log in to Meebo and start chatting through Meebo instead of using the MSN-client or ICQ-software. Meebo's model relies heavily on the use of other companies IP and the user can walk away from Meebo extremely easily any time they choose. Furthermore, what Meebo have done can easily be copied by someone else at any time and investors tend to not favor those kind of business models that can be easily copied. On the upside, Meebo is trying to incorporate advertising in it's UI in an innovative way. Compared to all the other chat-clients, Meebos big advantage with the advertisers is that they have the same screen-estate as the browser window. How much space does the ICQ- or MSN-client offer up for ads? Meebo seems to be geared towards promoting record-artists. If they can manage to get a couple of good deals with the music industry, they might be on their way of approaching a $250 million valuation, but as I see it, they are far from there yet... What everyone seems to miss is that Meebo doesn’t have it’s own IM-solution.
Meebo does not stand on it’s own. For a user to be able to use Meebo you still have to register with MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk or Jabber for a chat-account. Then you have to come back to Meebo and log in to Meebo and start chatting through Meebo instead of using the MSN-client or ICQ-software. Meebo’s model relies heavily on the use of other companies IP and the user can walk away from Meebo extremely easily any time they choose.

Furthermore, what Meebo have done can easily be copied by someone else at any time and investors tend to not favor those kind of business models that can be easily copied.

On the upside, Meebo is trying to incorporate advertising in it’s UI in an innovative way. Compared to all the other chat-clients, Meebos big advantage with the advertisers is that they have the same screen-estate as the browser window. How much space does the ICQ- or MSN-client offer up for ads? Meebo seems to be geared towards promoting record-artists. If they can manage to get a couple of good deals with the music industry, they might be on their way of approaching a $250 million valuation, but as I see it, they are far from there yet…

]]> By: Nhim http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159479 Nhim Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:50:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159479 I think 200 million USDs be meetly, i love Meebo I think 200 million USDs be meetly, i love Meebo

]]> By: Rushabh Choksi http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159461 Rushabh Choksi Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:40:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159461 Meebo is certainly over valued. I dont think that it deserves $250 million. Meebo is certainly over valued. I dont think that it deserves $250 million.

]]> By: web hosting http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159392 web hosting Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:12:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159392 @ Guk, people still prefer to give that much high price due to the large user base and the popularity of specific website, marketing & branding also cost money. I think meebo deserve $250 million valuation. @ Guk, people still prefer to give that much high price due to the large user base and the popularity of specific website, marketing & branding also cost money. I think meebo deserve $250 million valuation.

]]> By: Aadaam http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159387 Aadaam Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:11:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159387 It's a good question where does a free communication system, currently an IM-system like meebo has its ad- or revenue possibilities. I've worked on a such project in Hungary as a consultant, and it's still a hard question Usually such an IM system needs an own community, and sometimes it seems meebo lacks one. Probably it would be preferred if they would become to an OFFICIAL IM-client of a social network - bebo, myspace, facebook are taken, what's left? Where's the community meebo could take its hands on? The wonderful technology of Meebo, what I admire, is the "platform" and hey, if some of you from the team read this, please join the API mailing list of XMPP Foundation, we would need your help :) Together, standardized, maybe Meebo's platform could gather significant share... But if Facebook reveals an IM API, and Meebo would be still a lonely player, it would be a sad story. Besides, Meebo has a wonderful, young team behind that, and I'm always thrilled when I log in to see that they still enjoy what they're doing :) And maybe it's much-much more important than fundraising, even if not from Michael Arrington's obvious and rational standpoint as an investor. It’s a good question where does a free communication system, currently an IM-system like meebo has its ad- or revenue possibilities. I’ve worked on a such project in Hungary as a consultant, and it’s still a hard question

Usually such an IM system needs an own community, and sometimes it seems meebo lacks one. Probably it would be preferred if they would become to an OFFICIAL IM-client of a social network - bebo, myspace, facebook are taken, what’s left? Where’s the community meebo could take its hands on?

The wonderful technology of Meebo, what I admire, is the “platform” and hey, if some of you from the team read this, please join the API mailing list of XMPP Foundation, we would need your help :) Together, standardized, maybe Meebo’s platform could gather significant share… But if Facebook reveals an IM API, and Meebo would be still a lonely player, it would be a sad story.

Besides, Meebo has a wonderful, young team behind that, and I’m always thrilled when I log in to see that they still enjoy what they’re doing :) And maybe it’s much-much more important than fundraising, even if not from Michael Arrington’s obvious and rational standpoint as an investor.

]]> By: Guk http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159238 Guk Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:14:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159238 A big company can build meebo with less than $1m. Afterwards, they can spend $100 million in markeing the site. So, why spend 250mm when you can spend $101 million to create a similar product? A big company can build meebo with less than $1m. Afterwards, they can spend $100 million in markeing the site. So, why spend 250mm when you can spend $101 million to create a similar product?

]]> By: velioncho http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159033 velioncho Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:29:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159033 Please dont make new bubbles. It is okay technology, they should be happy that they are not out of business.I am going to short the stock that buys them for $250mil. Please dont make new bubbles. It is okay technology, they should be happy that they are not out of business.I am going to short the stock that buys them for $250mil.

]]> By: TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » Meeboに買い手つかず―代わり資金調達を試みる http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159032 TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » Meeboに買い手つかず―代わり資金調達を試みる Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:29:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159032 [...] [原文へ] [...] [...] [原文へ] [...]

]]> By: Shafqat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159014 Shafqat Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:21:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/09/meebo-cant-get-their-price-go-for-a-fundraising-instead-of-sale/#comment-2159014 Meebo is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. Whether its 250K or 250M, it comes down to the market's perception and demand. If the deal gets done at 250M, then they are worth 250M regardless if we think its a laughable sum or not (which I agree it is!) Meebo is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. Whether its 250K or 250M, it comes down to the market’s perception and demand. If the deal gets done at 250M, then they are worth 250M regardless if we think its a laughable sum or not (which I agree it is!)

]]>