Dreams

In an interview with Brewster Kale in ‘Founders at Work’ the Cambridge ex pat, X Thinking Machiner, and founder of WAIS and Alexa, he mentioned that one of the reasons he moved to the west coast was that there were more dreamers there. Boston had an environment that was too conservative and prone to thinking why things were not possible instead of anything is possible.

Got me to thinking that this was one of the great things Y-Combinator is doing for theHub area (Boston/Cambridge and environs).

Paul Graham is re-enforcing creativity, innovation and thinking outside of the (container of your choice), required for a thriving start up market place.

This is a good thing. Especially, if you look at the VCs from the area. The top tier, are very good, but very conservative and more comfortable with Communications and Enterprise Software. When it comes to web properties, one fund is heads above the rest, General Catalyst. The rest are lacking significant next generation Web offerings. You would think the angels might be taking up the slack but one look at the CommonAngels profolio, shows that their thing isn’t the WEB 2.0 type company. Old money, old thinking I guess.

More power to PG and anyone else that can help create a more vibrant environment for fostering start up companies in theHub.

Third Screen Media Inc., Acquired by AOL

Company Name: Third Screen Media Inc.
Company URL: http://www.thirdscreenmedia.com

Citation URL: http://www.bizreport.com/2007/03/third_screen_media_to_power_fox_news_mobile_ads.html
Formation Date: Q3 2005
Funding Status: Acquired for profit
Investors: TD Capital Ventures, Blue Chip Venture Company.

Founders or Execs past companies: M-Qube, Britemoon, Fast Channel, CollegeLink.com

Industry: Mobile Advertising
Offering Descripton: TSM|Network, the world’s largest, single-source mobile ad network and MADX, the only web-based, mobile ad management and delivery platform that connects agencies, publishers and carriers.

Care.com

Company Name: Care.com

Company URL: http://www.care.com/

Citation URL: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/05/05/local_net_firm_aims_to_match_families_with_tutors_sitters/

Formation Date: 2006

Funding Status: Series A

Investors: Matrix Partners

Founders or Execs past companies: Upromise, theladders.com

Industry: Consumer Internet

Offering Descripton: We understand the difficulties and struggles you face when trying to find the right care and services for your families, yourself, and your home.

Quattro Wireless

Company Name: Quattro Wireless

Company URL: http://www.quattrowireless.com/

Citation URL: http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/FREE/70503009/1012

Formation Date: Late 2006

Funding Status: Series A $ 6 M

Investors: Highland Capital

Founders or Execs past companies: M-Qube

Industry: Mobile Application Advertising

Offering Descripton: hopes to help publishers create mobile Web sites that offer compelling content as well as interactive advertisements.

StartupAddict.com

Company Name: StartupAddict.com

Company URL: http://www.startupaddict.com/

Citation URL:

Formation Date: 2-2007

Funding Status: Bootstrap

Investors:

Founders or Execs past companies: Scout Productions

Industry: Micro Finance,  Start Up Marketplace

Offering Descripton: Social Networking Platform for Startups, Post your Idea and get funding, buy and sell start up companies