Comments on: mKhoj Rings in $7.1 Million in Series A funding from KPCB and Sherpalo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:01:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Vishal http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2211830 Vishal Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:17:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2211830 Google's mobile adsense will kill them. Plus dozens of other global open market ad auction companies - will drive in a more efficient pricing model - essentially shutting these guys and smaller players out. Google’s mobile adsense will kill them. Plus dozens of other global open market ad auction companies - will drive in a more efficient pricing model - essentially shutting these guys and smaller players out.

]]> By: Anand http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2204028 Anand Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:20:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2204028 Kiruba, you forgot to mention the other competitor to MKhoj - 160by2.com. Though the business models of MKhoj, Mginger and 160by2 are all marginally different, I would tend to think 160by2 is closer to what Mkhoj is.. Kiruba, you forgot to mention the other competitor to MKhoj - 160by2.com. Though the business models of MKhoj, Mginger and 160by2 are all marginally different, I would tend to think 160by2 is closer to what Mkhoj is..

]]> By: korde http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2199412 korde Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:34:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2199412 What a lame post - mKhoj competing with mGinger? Hows that? Mobile ad network competing with permission marketeer? In that case you should also mention that mKhoj is competing with every damn mobile co. which is trying to bring in advertisers and distribute ads within it's OWN network! :D Is TC going the regular media way? i.e. posts without any depth/thought process? Gladly, yes! What a lame post - mKhoj competing with mGinger? Hows that?
Mobile ad network competing with permission marketeer? In that case you should also mention that mKhoj is competing with every damn mobile co. which is trying to bring in advertisers and distribute ads within it’s OWN network! :D

Is TC going the regular media way? i.e. posts without any depth/thought process?

Gladly, yes!

]]> By: sarah http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2197101 sarah Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:26:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2197101 Mkhoj is very well positioned for the Asia market where the mobile penetration is much stronger than US.It has a top quality collection of people, all having relevant experience.I am sure it will do wonders in the upcoming mobile market. Good luck guys!!! Mkhoj is very well positioned for the Asia market where the mobile penetration is much stronger than US.It has a top quality collection of people, all having relevant experience.I am sure it will do wonders in the upcoming mobile market. Good luck guys!!!

]]> By: Nicholas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2194721 Nicholas Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:14:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2194721 I think these guys are well positioned - they are in regions that need mobile adv, not like here in US where there are other successful digital avenues. They would do well if they can scale up the business in that region (read: entry barrier). I tested them out and they worked well & technology is only a barrier when it has amazing R&D barriers, else it all boils down to scale. Admob needed a competitor in India/Asia, so it will be an interesting battle to watch out for. I think these guys are well positioned - they are in regions that need mobile adv, not like here in US where there are other successful digital avenues. They would do well if they can scale up the business in that region (read: entry barrier). I tested them out and they worked well & technology is only a barrier when it has amazing R&D barriers, else it all boils down to scale. Admob needed a competitor in India/Asia, so it will be an interesting battle to watch out for.

]]> By: April 17, 2008 | next media update http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2189690 April 17, 2008 | next media update Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:01:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2189690 [...] Mobile Ad Firm mKhoj Raises $7.1 Million from KPCB and Other TECHCRUNCH Kleiner Perkins, Caufield & Byers and Sherpalo Ventures have ploughed $7.1 Million into mKhoj , a mobile advertising company based in Mumbai, India. It’s quite a “healthy” investment considering that its competitor mGinger received only $2 Million in funding last year. The mKhoj platform lets companies advertise on mobile phones by reaching out to targeted consumers. It also lets publishers monetize their traffic via contextual ads.mKhoj began in November 2006 as a local search service that helped mobile users search for attractive shopping deals in their vicinity. (khoj in Hindi means “search”). When this did not take off as expected, the founders quickly transitioned the company into a “Mobile Advertising Marketplace”. Source> [...] [...] Mobile Ad Firm mKhoj Raises $7.1 Million from KPCB and Other TECHCRUNCH Kleiner Perkins, Caufield & Byers and Sherpalo Ventures have ploughed $7.1 Million into mKhoj , a mobile advertising company based in Mumbai, India. It’s quite a “healthy” investment considering that its competitor mGinger received only $2 Million in funding last year. The mKhoj platform lets companies advertise on mobile phones by reaching out to targeted consumers. It also lets publishers monetize their traffic via contextual ads.mKhoj began in November 2006 as a local search service that helped mobile users search for attractive shopping deals in their vicinity. (khoj in Hindi means “search”). When this did not take off as expected, the founders quickly transitioned the company into a “Mobile Advertising Marketplace”. Source> [...]

]]> By: Roald Cyberath http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186033 Roald Cyberath Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:36:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186033 Other than that, would Michael please be a gentleman, and introduce TC readers to Kiruba Shankar, new writer here ? Of course, I checked, and <a href="http://www.kiruba.com/aboutme.html" rel="nofollow">Kiruba</a> is apparently a prominent entrepreneur/blogger in India (which explains some indian excitement here). Still, no mention of TC on his page, nor vice-versa. Other than that, would Michael please be a gentleman, and introduce TC readers to Kiruba Shankar, new writer here ?
Of course, I checked, and Kiruba is apparently a prominent entrepreneur/blogger in India (which explains some indian excitement here). Still, no mention of TC on his page, nor vice-versa.

]]> By: Roald Cyberath http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186026 Roald Cyberath Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:32:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186026 I would disagree with most of the first comments ("won't work", "stick to your idea", "deadpool move"). On occasion, it might be good to move your strategy where the money flows actually are. See VC Paul Fisher's series on <a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopsofmayfair.com/2007/11/why-most-web2-b.html" rel="nofollow">Advertising 2.0</a>. I would disagree with most of the first comments (”won’t work”, “stick to your idea”, “deadpool move”). On occasion, it might be good to move your strategy where the money flows actually are. See VC Paul Fisher’s series on Advertising 2.0.

]]> By: Roald Cyberath http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186020 Roald Cyberath Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:29:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2186020 I would disagree with most of the first comments ("won't work", "should stick with one idea", "deadpool move"). On occasion, it might be extremely worthwhile to move your strategy where the money flows actually are. See VC Paul Fisher's series on <a href="http://www.thecoffeeshopsofmayfair.com/2007/11/why-most-web2-b.html" rel="nofollow">Advertising 2.0</a>. Other than that, would Michael be a gentleman, and introduce the TC readers to Kiruba Shankar, new writer here ? (of course, I checked: <a href="http://www.kiruba.com/aboutme.html" rel="nofollow">Kiruba</a> is a prominent blogger/entrepreneur in India, which is why the indian blogosphere seems excited here ;-), but no mention of TechCrunch on his pages, nor the other way around... I would disagree with most of the first comments (”won’t work”, “should stick with one idea”, “deadpool move”). On occasion, it might be extremely worthwhile to move your strategy where the money flows actually are. See VC Paul Fisher’s series on Advertising 2.0.

Other than that, would Michael be a gentleman, and introduce the TC readers to Kiruba Shankar, new writer here ? (of course, I checked: Kiruba is a prominent blogger/entrepreneur in India, which is why the indian blogosphere seems excited here ;-), but no mention of TechCrunch on his pages, nor the other way around…

]]> By: MakingSense http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185940 MakingSense Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:55:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185940 I would say there is no pride in sticking to one idea that is not working and be dead with it. Successful are those who change accroding to the time and business needs and mKhoj has proven that in a great way. My suggestion to them is to keep working hard and utilize the funding to improve themselves. I would say there is no pride in sticking to one idea that is not working and be dead with it. Successful are those who change accroding to the time and business needs and mKhoj has proven that in a great way. My suggestion to them is to keep working hard and utilize the funding to improve themselves.

]]> By: K.Kaviraj http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185782 K.Kaviraj Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:47:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185782 wwoowWWWW ... Kiruba .. congrats ... u r in TC now .. cool :-) wwoowWWWW … Kiruba .. congrats … u r in TC now .. cool :-)

]]> By: jaydeep http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185449 jaydeep Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:19:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185449 Mkhoj is providing extra functionalities other than any wap advertising sites . That is make it different. Mkhoj really working hard. Mkhoj is providing extra functionalities other than any wap advertising sites . That is make it different. Mkhoj really working hard.

]]> By: Vipsy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185272 Vipsy Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:55:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2185272 Congrats Kiruba. Happy to see you writing TC post. Congrats Kiruba.
Happy to see you writing TC post.

]]> By: TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » インドのmKhojがKPCBとSherpaloからシリーズAで$7.1M調達 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184800 TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » インドのmKhojがKPCBとSherpaloからシリーズAで$7.1M調達 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:56:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184800 [...] [原文へ] [...] [...] [原文へ] [...]

]]> By: indianObserver http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184786 indianObserver Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:45:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184786 So, techcrunch hired Kiruba Shankar !!! So, techcrunch hired Kiruba Shankar !!!

]]> By: Alex P http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184684 Alex P Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:52:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184684 (Offtopic) - What font is it in their logo ? (Offtopic) - What font is it in their logo ?

]]> By: Gustaf Alstromer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184566 Gustaf Alstromer Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:50:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184566 What's special about these guys? Their website is not great (It gives me errors and is written in ASP), they are not the cheapest, they give no data about traffic etc. You need to try harder. Leaders in this space: Admob & Buzz City Gustaf What’s special about these guys? Their website is not great (It gives me errors and is written in ASP), they are not the cheapest, they give no data about traffic etc.

You need to try harder.

Leaders in this space: Admob & Buzz City

Gustaf

]]> By: Pierre http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184546 Pierre Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:39:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184546 This won't work. Their platform lets companies advertise on mobile phones by reaching out to targeted consumers. The problem is that no-body wants mobile ads that can reach you wherever you are, especially if the ads are pushed to the mobile. And nobody will sign up to receive these ads, so pushing the ads (read spamming) is the only way to go. It was tried with SMS in the 90s in Europe, and the result was SMS ad spam, a lot of it, which had to be stopped at the operator level, and a lot of it was coming out of Asia (seen that first hand). This won’t work.

Their platform lets companies advertise on mobile phones by reaching out to targeted consumers.

The problem is that no-body wants mobile ads that can reach you wherever you are, especially if the ads are pushed to the mobile.

And nobody will sign up to receive these ads, so pushing the ads (read spamming) is the only way to go.

It was tried with SMS in the 90s in Europe, and the result was SMS ad spam, a lot of it, which had to be stopped at the operator level, and a lot of it was coming out of Asia (seen that first hand).

]]> By: DaveS http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184526 DaveS Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:33:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184526 What are their barriers to entry? What's it to prevent some other ad network from jumping into mobile? None. PS: Absolutely horrible name. What are their barriers to entry? What’s it to prevent some other ad network from jumping into mobile? None.

PS: Absolutely horrible name.

]]> By: mike http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184521 mike Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:28:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184521 I love it how they had one idea but when that did not work they tried another. What happened to coming out with one idea and dedicated yourself to it. I love it how they had one idea but when that did not work they tried another. What happened to coming out with one idea and dedicated yourself to it.

]]> By: Howard http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184507 Howard Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:20:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184507 FTA: "mKhoj began in November 2006 as a local search service that helped mobile users search for attractive shopping deals in their vicinity. (khoj in Hindi means “search”). When this did not take off as expected, the founders quickly transitioned the company into a “Mobile Advertising Marketplace”." This is a classic deadpool move. Funding just postpones the obvious. FTA: “mKhoj began in November 2006 as a local search service that helped mobile users search for attractive shopping deals in their vicinity. (khoj in Hindi means “search”). When this did not take off as expected, the founders quickly transitioned the company into a “Mobile Advertising Marketplace”.”

This is a classic deadpool move. Funding just postpones the obvious.

]]> By: Bababui http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184504 Bababui Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:19:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/16/mkhoj-rings-in-71-million-in-series-a-funding-from-kpcb-and-sherpalo/#comment-2184504 0 technology = Lame. 0 technology = Lame.

]]>