Tuesday, June 24, 2008 by Lincoln Murphy
One last post today and then back to work. Alexander Muse has announced the creation of the Dallas Startup Happy Hour with the inaugural event taking place on July 7, 2008, with subsequent events every other week thereafter). Here is what he sent me and a link to his original blog post.I am hosting a regular 'startup happy hour' every other week (starting July 7th) and would love for you to attend. The idea is fairly simple, get entrepreneurial people together on a regular basis to facilitate the creation of a vibrant 'startup community' here in Dallas.
The event is completely free (i.e. no one is going to make money, EVER) and is being sponsored by SpringStage (the startup blog network that owns the Texas Startup Blog). If you can't attend, please help me get the word out.
We held the first event at the Ritz last week (between 16-25 people attended), but we have decided to move the happy hour to The High Tech Bar in the INFOMART (I35 and Oaklawn). Here are the details:
Event: Startup Happy Hour
Place: High Tech Bar at the INFOMART (I-35 and Oaklawn)
Date: Monday, July 7, 2008
Time: 5PM - 8PM (drinks are free from 5PM-6PM)
Host: Alexander Muse, Scott Ryan and Brad Merritt
For more information or to RSVP:
http://www.texasstartupblog.com/2008/06/23/announcing-springstage-startup-happy-hour-dallas/
Make sure you check out his entire thread on the Dallas Startup scene and how we can improve it. Note the "we"... this isn't all on Alex, its on all of us. Either help or stop complaining!Labels: dallas, entrepreneurship, networking, startup, technology, venture capital
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Tuesday, March 4, 2008 by Lincoln Murphy
On December 31, 2007 I wrote a post about what 2008 will hold for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). In that article I stated that 2008 will be the year the small ISV enters the SaaS market in a big way. It was, and is, my opinion that in order for this to happen, certain barriers to entry had to be removed. For instance, it is one thing to build an application, and it is yet another altogether to architect that system properly for scalability and business continuity. Additionally, existing Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings, especially those that resemble RAD tools in deployed software, require developers to learn and program around proprietary APIs or even worse, learn an entire, also proprietary, programming language. Finally, pricing is generally such that an entrepreneur or start-up that builds a SaaS product and wants to launch into a production-ready environment must shell out a lot of money for dedicated systems at a host or "virtual" systems at a SaaS enabler or other "clustered" type of host.
What if there was a system that SaaS application developers could leverage without changing the way they build their software, that would allow them to rapidly deploy their SaaS or Web 2.0 solution on a platform that can grow with them (elastic) and provide the business continuity that their clients require? What if the pricing structure was such that you can start for free, deploy a prototype, expand and contract your available resources on-demand, allowing you to instantly scale to handle whatever load is required, always paying only for what you use and nothing more. If this type of system existed, this would be the key to lowering those barriers to entry for small ISVs and would allow that large influx of vertically focused and tight horizontal niche SaaS to come to market as I predicted.
Guess what? It does exist and I've decided to put my money where my mouth is! I've joined Morph Labs, the creators of the Morph Application Platform. Morph Application Platform allows Ruby on Rails developers to quickly (it takes 6 minutes... see this video) deploy an application that leverages grid computing technology (currently using Amazon S3 and EC2) and provides the afore mentioned benefits.
My role with Morph Labs is Business Development Manager and I am going to be building out the user community and affiliate network in the United States. If you are a Ruby on Rails developer, ISV that builds applications in Rails, an offshore/near shore development company, or anyone else that would like to participate in our Beta program, please sign up here. This is your chance to test the system and tell us what you think, request features that don't exist, and generally have a hand in building something necessary for the industry.
Also, if you have a Ruby on Rails or SaaS group and would like us to come show you what the Morph Application Platform is all about and how we believe it can help your developers and entrepreneurs, please give me a shout at lincoln //at// morphlabs //dot// com. Labels: development, entrepreneurship, SaaS, software, web
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008 by Lincoln Murphy
At the first Southwest Venture Forum meeting of 2008, the official topic was "Venture Capital Update: 2008", but the unofficial topic, when speaking with those in attendance, was all SaaS. First, I spoke to a banker who said his client is a SaaS vendor (technically an ASP, but I forgive him) and the company handing out a 3-fold pamphlet for their MySpace killer (guerrilla style) have a "SaaS Guru" as their CTO. Finally, the two companies that presented their investor pitches (Red Oxygen and 2Go Software) made sure to use the SaaS buzzword in their presentations, even though they don't seem to have SaaS products at all. Red Oxygen definitely has a hosted solution and I think 2Go said they do as well. Don't forget, however, that hosted is not the same as SaaS.This was interesting, especially given the fact that this was a non-tech event. I do think that we need to re-define what SaaS is, but at least its out there, and technology start-ups in North Texas apparently see enough value in the term to use it in their pitches. I'm going to begin work cataloging the true SaaS start-ups in North Texas. If you have a SaaS start-up in this neck of the woods, drop me a line… lincoln [at] lincolnmurphy [dot] comLabels: entrepreneurship, SaaS, start-up, swvf, venture capital
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Monday, April 23, 2007 by Lincoln Murphy
Dallas CEO Magazine claims that the entrepreneur and start-up scene in big D is on fire. While that is not up for debate, what is would be the claimed "helpers" of this improved scene: University incubators!Right. For only $200 a month (give, mostly, or take a bunch), and 3% of your company, you can have your own office in a rundown building with an Internet connection and telephone. Or for nothing you can stay home (or go to Starbucks) and not have to put up with university politics, promised "assistance" that just doesn't materialize, and keep everything you build, since you did it all yourself anyway.What Dallas needs is a shared work space like they have in San Francisco or New York. While I am sure there are shared work spaces in other cities, there are two specific examples that I want to cite, and those are the cities in which they are located.The Shared Work Spaces I have referenced in my research are:By the way, I do not agree with everything they do, but I think they have some interesting points that could work in a Dallas Shared Work Space. They also have stuff that would never fly here.Now, I am very familiar with Office Business Centers, or "Executive Suites" as they are commonly known. These are fine for people that just need an office to go to to complete paperwork or get away from the family. They are certainly not conducive to the kind of networking and brainstorming a new start-up so desperately needs. In fact, the times I've been to an Executive Suite, I felt like I needed to walk around on tippy toes so I didn't bother anyone.So I've been sitting on the idea of a Shared Workspace in Dallas for the past couple of months, spurred on by Darren Herman's post at the beginning of this month. Last night, I found out I missed DallasDemoCamp2 and went to the wiki to sign up for DallasBarCamp4 in August so I can make sure I am in the loop. While there, I discovered that in fact, I am not the only one who would like a Shared Work Space in Dallas. In fact, it turns out there are some very energetic people looking for a solution right now. This needs to be explored further.I will begin to contribute to the cause at the DallasCoworking wiki, but I wanted to post my own background on this topic, along with my vision here, first. I believe the space should be a loft space, very open with high ceilings. There should be private offices for use when privacy is required, such as for sales calls or confidential meetings. The majority of the space should be designed to be open, with areas for people to sit in small teams, and areas for people to work together at a white board. There should be at least one conference room for sales meetings or board meetings.The logistics of managing private office and conference room requests will not be simple, but could be established via bylaws, agreements from coworkers, and a human being who is in charge of everything (like a landlord/administrative assistant). As for technology infrastructure, I believe there should be a huge, fat pipe to the Internet and a wireless network to connect to it internally. That is it. This is Web 2.0 after all, right? But what are the qualifications for acceptance into the Shared Work Space? I think there needs to be something, but this cannot be a fraternity of the elite, only letting in those that they know. Rather, there are plenty of places like that; this should be for anyone who wants in. Perhaps the only qualifications would be some interviews by randomly selected coworkers to test personality. Since this is a shared workspace, we must be able to get along; more than that, we must thrive in each other's company. If you are not into that game, don't play. Simple as that. The only other thing that might be applied to "screen" applicants would be the industry they are in; it would make sense to not have multiple companies competing in the same industry sharing office space. That could get messy and kill everyone's buzz. In fact, by having companies from all different verticals, and consultants in different areas, a fantastic synergy or network effect would take place.Finally, I don't believe the company that controls the space should get any equity from the companies that "office" there. Now, if that means it is a for-profit venture, then so be it. I would rather pay a for-profit entity, knowing that they are making money off of me, and knowing it might be a bit more than if they weren't, than to give up equity in my venture so I can pay to use their space. That said, if it is a for-profit venture, the charge still cannot be on-par with dedicated office space. It is a fine-line to walk, and I am sure there is much more to it than meets the eye. I believe it is worthwhile to explore it further, at least.- LincolnLabels: coworking, entrepreneurship, ideas
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 by Lincoln Murphy
I just posted a new idea to Cambrian House... Regional Domain Name Sublet. It is a way for an owner of a domain name to "share" the domain, without giving up total control of it, potentially making some money off of it, and helping others around the world that might benefit from the domain name.There are a lot of technical and legal issues with it, but that is why it is just an idea...- LincolnLabels: entrepreneurship, ideas
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Monday, March 5, 2007 by Lincoln Murphy
Here is my $.025 worth of ideas posted at Cambrian House:I decided to post these to Cambrian House because I figured if they do get picked up and taken to market, at least I would get a little something out of it rather than just posting it on my site for the world to take. Sure, the world could take it from Cambrian House, too... but there are at least a couple of people there who might be motivated to work on thisBut what is very interesting is the title of my post; Ideas Are a Dime-a-Dozen. That couldn't be more true. Everyone has at least one good idea in their life, but few act on them. Even when they have a good idea and act on them, often the result is failure. Why? Its not the idea, but the execution that matters. And execution is much, much more difficult than you might imagine.- LincolnLabels: entrepreneurship, ideas
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by Lincoln Murphy
Is it a Skill? Can Entrepreneurship be learned? Can it be taught? Those are two different questions. In fact, I would say that even if it could be taught, a true entrepreneur would be unable to teach the class and a true entrepreneur would be unable to learn from it! Most of the entrepreneurship classes offered by universities are more along the lines of "how to run a small business" mixed with some management and/or finance classes. If you are lucky, you get a few marketing classes thrown in. Is this information valuable to an entrepreneur? Absolutely. Is it entrepreneurship? No.Is it a Sickness?Yes. And it is terminal. I'm sorry to have to break this to you. If you have it, you will always have it and it might actually kill you. If you don't have it, do not fear; it is rarely, if ever, contagious. In fact, as a carrier, if you try to infect others, you will fail miserably. It is best to mix with those who already have it. I am talking about entrepreneurship here, right?Is it a Blessing?It is great to be optimistic, to see opportunity every time you turn around. Oooh, I just had an idea, what if... Wouldn't it be cool if... Dude, how awesome would it be if we could... Yes, it is a blessing. When an entrepreneur walks down the street, they can see a million ways to make a million dollars. This is *not* something most people can do, and probably something "mere mortals" should not try at home.Is it a Curse?It is great to be optimistic, to see opportunity every time you turn around... but sometimes it would be nice to not. To turn it off. Stop thinking about all the different ways you could develop a new business model for that widget. In fact, even if you aren't one of the entrepreneurs who doesn't sleep at night because their brain won't turn off, you still might be so full of ideas that you never execute. There are lots of people who "execute" on business ventures, but are not entrepreneurs. Think real estate investors and small-time franchisees who keep their "day jobs". Those aren't entrepreneurs, those are investors.
Reid Hoffman, Chairman of LinkedIn, said it best in this podcast from the Stanford Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders series:I'm going to jump off a cliff and assemble the plane on the way down That does not sound like the words of a sane individual... I'm going with "yes", it is a curse.- LincolnLabels: entrepreneurship
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I help companies bring their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Web applications to market by leveraging the Morph Application Platform and Morph AppSpaces, the first Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for Ruby on Rails.
I am located in Dallas, Texas. Contact me via email.
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