Comments on: The iFund Has Competition: $150 Million Blackberry Fund To Be Announced Soon http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:38:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By:   The iFund Has Competition: $150 Million Blackberry Fund To Be Announced Soon — Instant Web Meetings.COM - Video Conference, Collaboration, E Learning, Unified Communications http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2335384   The iFund Has Competition: $150 Million Blackberry Fund To Be Announced Soon — Instant Web Meetings.COM - Video Conference, Collaboration, E Learning, Unified Communications Thu, 29 May 2008 08:55:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2335384 [...] The iFund Has Competition: $150 Million Blackberry Fund To Be Announced Soon [...] [...] The iFund Has Competition: $150 Million Blackberry Fund To Be Announced Soon [...]

]]> By: Digital Design Blog » Blog Archive » Disruptive Mobility Roundup: Blackberry, MSFT and AT&T Join Contest Fray http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2293197 Digital Design Blog » Blog Archive » Disruptive Mobility Roundup: Blackberry, MSFT and AT&T Join Contest Fray Tue, 13 May 2008 09:10:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2293197 [...] It all began with Nokia and its MobileRules contest. Then Google announced the Android Developer Challenge with $10 million in prizes in late 2007 (which has since drawn in 1,788 entries from over 70 countries), followed soon after that by Kleiner Perkins and the $100 million i-Fund set to coincide with the release of the new iPhone software development kit. Now the american idolization of mobile application development has reached a new milestone with the announcement by Research In Motion of a new $150 million Blackberry Partner Fund. (Via Tech Crunch) [...] [...] It all began with Nokia and its MobileRules contest. Then Google announced the Android Developer Challenge with $10 million in prizes in late 2007 (which has since drawn in 1,788 entries from over 70 countries), followed soon after that by Kleiner Perkins and the $100 million i-Fund set to coincide with the release of the new iPhone software development kit. Now the american idolization of mobile application development has reached a new milestone with the announcement by Research In Motion of a new $150 million Blackberry Partner Fund. (Via Tech Crunch) [...]

]]> By: » BlackBerry Partners Fund Mr.Gadget Australia: Personal Technology Gadget Specialists http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2292350 » BlackBerry Partners Fund Mr.Gadget Australia: Personal Technology Gadget Specialists Mon, 12 May 2008 22:40:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2292350 [...] via TechCrunch [...] [...] via TechCrunch [...]

]]> By: Pete Field http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2291997 Pete Field Mon, 12 May 2008 19:28:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2291997 I think some of you are missing the point on this, as I read on Rick's blog http://ricksegal.typepad.com/pmv/2008/05/mobile-fund-how.html , this is to fund mobile development independent of platform. Like apple, rim builds device, OS, and possibly most important SERVICES which makes it all useful. Buy funding companies on any platform, they get foot in the door of the big stuff coming out, and possibly a bit of direction to make sure this stuff is built with RIM in mind. Why are we rehashing the 'OS is so important' debate again, when we are realizing the strength of connected services. Tony F is on the right track. I think some of you are missing the point on this, as I read on Rick’s blog http://ricksegal.typepad.com/p.....d-how.html , this is to fund mobile development independent of platform. Like apple, rim builds device, OS, and possibly most important SERVICES which makes it all useful.
Buy funding companies on any platform, they get foot in the door of the big stuff coming out, and possibly a bit of direction to make sure this stuff is built with RIM in mind.
Why are we rehashing the ‘OS is so important’ debate again, when we are realizing the strength of connected services.

Tony F is on the right track.

]]> By: The Bold and the Beautiful (New Blackberry Fund) | Mark Evans http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2291078 The Bold and the Beautiful (New Blackberry Fund) | Mark Evans Mon, 12 May 2008 11:08:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2291078 [...] coverage of the Blackbery Partners Fund can be seen on TechCrunch and VentureBeat, which has an interview with JLA’s Rick [...] [...] coverage of the Blackbery Partners Fund can be seen on TechCrunch and VentureBeat, which has an interview with JLA’s Rick [...]

]]> By: Wellington Financial Blog - News, Views & Purviews » Blog Archives » BlackBerry Partners Fund a coup for JLA and RBC http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290972 Wellington Financial Blog - News, Views & Purviews » Blog Archives » BlackBerry Partners Fund a coup for JLA and RBC Mon, 12 May 2008 10:03:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290972 [...] on their end - who says the online media understand the traditional media rules? - so sites such as TechCrunch and Techvibes have been spinning it all [...] [...] on their end - who says the online media understand the traditional media rules? - so sites such as TechCrunch and Techvibes have been spinning it all [...]

]]> By: Tony Fish http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290952 Tony Fish Mon, 12 May 2008 09:49:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290952 Interesting to see that the world comes full circle. The operators put together loads of funds back in 1999, 2000 to invest into loads of really innovative application companies as they would all go bust before the operator could sign a deal.. or was it that they saw this as a route to prevent value leaking out of the door ! ( I ran one!) Here we are again, great platforms, top devices, but still apps are a way off. As a developer, why would I want to back a single platform, I want (need) my application to work on all platforms (web, tv and mobile and all mobile) because if it does, then I will get loads of users, viral effects and a great exit valuation ( the reason for investing). Single platforms limits my user reach and my exit opportunity. Developers - are you attracted to distribution and users or money that may (will) restrict your ability to grow and exit...... Tony F Mobile Web 2.0 thinking www.mobileweb20.com Interesting to see that the world comes full circle. The operators put together loads of funds back in 1999, 2000 to invest into loads of really innovative application companies as they would all go bust before the operator could sign a deal.. or was it that they saw this as a route to prevent value leaking out of the door ! ( I ran one!)

Here we are again, great platforms, top devices, but still apps are a way off. As a developer, why would I want to back a single platform, I want (need) my application to work on all platforms (web, tv and mobile and all mobile) because if it does, then I will get loads of users, viral effects and a great exit valuation ( the reason for investing). Single platforms limits my user reach and my exit opportunity.

Developers - are you attracted to distribution and users or money that may (will) restrict your ability to grow and exit……

Tony F
Mobile Web 2.0 thinking
http://www.mobileweb20.com

]]> By: Blackberry Apps — Please Be Free | INDEX // mb http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290470 Blackberry Apps — Please Be Free | INDEX // mb Mon, 12 May 2008 05:07:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290470 [...] And I can’t use txt files without downloading a $50 app suite. Here is to hoping that this spurs some innovation. Blackberry needs to get some decent and free apps in the pipeline soon. [...] [...] And I can’t use txt files without downloading a $50 app suite. Here is to hoping that this spurs some innovation. Blackberry needs to get some decent and free apps in the pipeline soon. [...]

]]> By: Chris W. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290091 Chris W. Mon, 12 May 2008 01:19:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2290091 @Rajiv I don't own anything Apple other than an iPod Touch. I just know that with their recent moves to make owning a Mac easier on a Windows-integrated business professional it makes it hard to ignore. Plus, they already have a product that is kicking ass on the market and a new iteration of that product which will kick double-ass when it is released. By that time, they will have 50% of the market locked into 2 year contracts. Which buys them 2 years of time to release a new kickass product. @Rajiv I don’t own anything Apple other than an iPod Touch. I just know that with their recent moves to make owning a Mac easier on a Windows-integrated business professional it makes it hard to ignore. Plus, they already have a product that is kicking ass on the market and a new iteration of that product which will kick double-ass when it is released. By that time, they will have 50% of the market locked into 2 year contracts. Which buys them 2 years of time to release a new kickass product.

]]> By: Peter Antypas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289673 Peter Antypas Sun, 11 May 2008 19:46:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289673 MS should forget about the Internet and buy RIM instead. The future is in mobile, the web is old news. MS should forget about the Internet and buy RIM instead. The future is in mobile, the web is old news.

]]> By: 1ft Startup » Blog Archive » Waging proxy wars for handset manufacturers http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289653 1ft Startup » Blog Archive » Waging proxy wars for handset manufacturers Sun, 11 May 2008 19:22:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289653 [...] has the iFund, Google has the Android Developer Challenge, and now RIM/Thompson Reuters is starting up their own BlackBerry fund. Doesn’t it feel a little like they’re trying to heat up the platform wars with money [...] [...] has the iFund, Google has the Android Developer Challenge, and now RIM/Thompson Reuters is starting up their own BlackBerry fund. Doesn’t it feel a little like they’re trying to heat up the platform wars with money [...]

]]> By: dubc http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289596 dubc Sun, 11 May 2008 17:57:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289596 So funny that this turns into an iPhone bashing thread. @Mike :"Iphone is OK, but not a lot of people out there are interested in getting into Apple Dev Mode, as it’s pretty narrow." - Actually, Developing on the OS X platform is much more pleasant than Windows. Number of developers does not translate to chance of success. Look at the number of App devs right now vs. windows, but look at the high quality of the 3rd party apps. @New York City Wedding Photographer: "Apple users will support the iphone. Some non users will get a mac. All in all, the PC based interfaces will most likely win out. But the will never be as cool (or chic) as the sexy iPhone. That’s my .02 cents." - Most iPhone owners are not Apple users(unless you count iPod owners). Additionally, the iPhone is currently the most successful smartphone on the market. Not sure where your 2 cents is coming from... @Erick Schonfeld - I dont think the winner will have the most broad applications. I think the winner will have the best apps in the verticals that matter the most. Most smartphones are feature stacked but don't do the features that matter the most really well. There's a million 3rd party apps for windows mobile, etc.. yet people flocked to a phone with no 3rd party apps, the Iphone. So funny that this turns into an iPhone bashing thread.

@Mike :”Iphone is OK, but not a lot of people out there are interested in getting into Apple Dev Mode, as it’s pretty narrow.”
- Actually, Developing on the OS X platform is much more pleasant than Windows. Number of developers does not translate to chance of success. Look at the number of App devs right now vs. windows, but look at the high quality of the 3rd party apps.

@New York City Wedding Photographer: “Apple users will support the iphone. Some non users will get a mac. All in all, the PC based interfaces will most likely win out. But the will never be as cool (or chic) as the sexy iPhone. That’s my .02 cents.”
- Most iPhone owners are not Apple users(unless you count iPod owners). Additionally, the iPhone is currently the most successful smartphone on the market. Not sure where your 2 cents is coming from…

@Erick Schonfeld -
I dont think the winner will have the most broad applications. I think the winner will have the best apps in the verticals that matter the most. Most smartphones are feature stacked but don’t do the features that matter the most really well. There’s a million 3rd party apps for windows mobile, etc.. yet people flocked to a phone with no 3rd party apps, the Iphone.

]]> By: OTRA ZANAHORIA PARA LOS DESARROLLADORES. « NEW ECONOMY http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289595 OTRA ZANAHORIA PARA LOS DESARROLLADORES. « NEW ECONOMY Sun, 11 May 2008 17:55:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289595 [...] en TechCrunch , este artículo publicado por Erick Schonfeld y titulado The iFund Has Competition: 150 Million Blackberry Fund to Be Announced Soon , el lanzamiento por parte de Blackberry de un nueva iniciativa para atraer a los desarrolladores [...] [...] en TechCrunch , este artículo publicado por Erick Schonfeld y titulado The iFund Has Competition: 150 Million Blackberry Fund to Be Announced Soon , el lanzamiento por parte de Blackberry de un nueva iniciativa para atraer a los desarrolladores [...]

]]> By: Bernardo Rodriguez http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289590 Bernardo Rodriguez Sun, 11 May 2008 17:46:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289590 We are developing iphone and android apps. It is obvious that Apple likes walls and tolls and controls, and Google likes to empower developers to do great open apps. I hope that the BB takes the Google approach. We are developing iphone and android apps. It is obvious that Apple likes walls and tolls and controls, and Google likes to empower developers to do great open apps. I hope that the BB takes the Google approach.

]]> By: Mogilny http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289589 Mogilny Sun, 11 May 2008 17:44:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289589 @AW. The ifund and this "fund" is not free money. This fund is an investment therefore, you give them a stake of your company. Google just gives you the cash. @AW. The ifund and this “fund” is not free money. This fund is an investment therefore, you give them a stake of your company. Google just gives you the cash.

]]> By: AW http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289579 AW Sun, 11 May 2008 17:32:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289579 Google's 10 million is a pittance compared to this. But, Google has sustainable hype surrounding Android + the general ferocity of the OSS community, so the barrier they need to scale is not as high as it is for the iPhone (no background applications!) and the BlackBerry (existing applications are so entrenched it's insane) I suppose. As for why money talks in this funding stuff... Well, I use to write a lot of hobbyist software a long time ago. Now I don't, because I'm busy with life and a government that pretends we're not in a recession. The $10M/$100M/$150M is a big incentive to people who would like to but otherwise couldn't / can't play with a platform and develop that awesome new idea they had for it. Google’s 10 million is a pittance compared to this.

But, Google has sustainable hype surrounding Android + the general ferocity of the OSS community, so the barrier they need to scale is not as high as it is for the iPhone (no background applications!) and the BlackBerry (existing applications are so entrenched it’s insane) I suppose.

As for why money talks in this funding stuff…

Well, I use to write a lot of hobbyist software a long time ago.

Now I don’t, because I’m busy with life and a government that pretends we’re not in a recession. The $10M/$100M/$150M is a big incentive to people who would like to but otherwise couldn’t / can’t play with a platform and develop that awesome new idea they had for it.

]]> By: Thusenth http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289475 Thusenth Sun, 11 May 2008 15:57:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289475 Rick Segal of JLA just did a cross-Canada VC round table talks around VC and he mentioned that JLA was opening a new fund May 12 (or 13) and he mentioned that the firm was SERIOUS about localisation applications. I guess this was what he was referring to. Rick Segal of JLA just did a cross-Canada VC round table talks around VC and he mentioned that JLA was opening a new fund May 12 (or 13) and he mentioned that the firm was SERIOUS about localisation applications. I guess this was what he was referring to.

]]> By: Web News http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289124 Web News Sun, 11 May 2008 11:53:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289124 Wow, this is great. It was about time for RIM to do something. Wow, this is great. It was about time for RIM to do something.

]]> By: Ghaus http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289087 Ghaus Sun, 11 May 2008 11:31:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2289087 I love Blackberry because you can type email faster than iPhone. and this is what business wants ! I love Blackberry because you can type email faster than iPhone. and this is what business wants !

]]> By: Don C http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288726 Don C Sun, 11 May 2008 06:59:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288726 If you're designing a website or app for the iPhone, check out this comprehensive PSD file at http://www.320480.com If you’re designing a website or app for the iPhone, check out this comprehensive PSD file at http://www.320480.com

]]> By: Rajiv Singh http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288704 Rajiv Singh Sun, 11 May 2008 06:40:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288704 Chris W. is a dumbass Mactard. Chris W. is a dumbass Mactard.

]]> By: BlackBerry Partners Fund Slipped | Techvibes Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288616 BlackBerry Partners Fund Slipped | Techvibes Blog Sun, 11 May 2008 05:37:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288616 [...] post shortly after it was published but many found the announcement in their RSS Reader including Techcrunch and Techvibes. The fund will be used to invest in both applications and services for the BlackBerry [...] [...] post shortly after it was published but many found the announcement in their RSS Reader including Techcrunch and Techvibes. The fund will be used to invest in both applications and services for the BlackBerry [...]

]]> By: New York City Wedding Photographer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288512 New York City Wedding Photographer Sun, 11 May 2008 04:16:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288512 Apple users will support the iphone. Some non users will get a mac. All in all, the PC based interfaces will most likely win out. But the will never be as cool (or chic) as the sexy iPhone. That's my .02 cents. Apple users will support the iphone. Some non users will get a mac. All in all, the PC based interfaces will most likely win out. But the will never be as cool (or chic) as the sexy iPhone. That’s my .02 cents.

]]> By: DaveS http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288510 DaveS Sun, 11 May 2008 04:16:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288510 @N: "Just as the US would beat Canada in a real war" That's debatable. Last war US and Canada fought, Canada won. @N: “Just as the US would beat Canada in a real war”

That’s debatable. Last war US and Canada fought, Canada won.

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288459 Paul Sun, 11 May 2008 03:50:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/10/the-ifund-has-competition-150-million-blackberry-fund-to-be-announced-soon/#comment-2288459 "What ever happened to simply building the best damn platform in the world and letting the app developers come to you because that’s where all the users are?" Simple, network effects. You can have the best technical platform out there, but the network effects are very strong with platforms. Developers flock to where the users are, and users flock to where the applications are. More users begets more developers which begets more users... ect. (and vice versa). Remember the Ballmer monkey-boy/"GIVE IT UP FOR ME!, YEEEAAHH!"/"Developers!, developers!, developers!, developers!" video? That was the point he was trying to drive home. The best platform doesn't always win. See: Betamax and the original Mac OS. So that is why these funds are set up, to help feed the pig and get the cycle started. “What ever happened to simply building the best damn platform in the world and letting the app developers come to you because that’s where all the users are?”

Simple, network effects. You can have the best technical platform out there, but the network effects are very strong with platforms. Developers flock to where the users are, and users flock to where the applications are. More users begets more developers which begets more users… ect. (and vice versa).

Remember the Ballmer monkey-boy/”GIVE IT UP FOR ME!, YEEEAAHH!”/”Developers!, developers!, developers!, developers!” video? That was the point he was trying to drive home.

The best platform doesn’t always win. See: Betamax and the original Mac OS.

So that is why these funds are set up, to help feed the pig and get the cycle started.

]]>