maxim
A3: Crowd Sourced Archeology App
By maxim on August 2, 2014
Hi Everyone, I would like to introduce you to SUNKEN KNOWLEDGE, the worlds first crowd sourced archaeology app: Here is the Pitch: Click Here to Launch Main Presentation Enjoy! Maxim
Start Up Considerations
By maxim on July 18, 2014
For those of us who are interested in moving forward with a start up after this course, please consider the following article from the BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28331659 This article interviews three venture capitalists as to what qualities a new venture should have to get their attention. A must read. An interesting point they raise is that […]
Crowdsource Funding: Considerations
By maxim on July 8, 2014
Here is a link to an interesting article regarding issues and limitations in regards to crowdsource funding. http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2013/04/17/the-trouble-with-crowdfunding/ I think we all hear stories (like this one about Potato Salad) and imagine that raising capital through these tools is simple and a solution to all of our problems in funding new ideas. However, the Forbes […]
Assignment#1: EVA Report on SumTotal LMS
By maxim on June 21, 2014
My Education Venture Analysis will be on the possible acquisition of the SumTotal LMS by St.Michael’s Hospital. I wanted to use this opportunity to develop an idea for an actual proposal that could be used when this organization decides to acquire a new LMS. Please share your thoughts regarding this examination. http://prezi.com/zoevuvnitt4t/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share Best Wishes Maxim
Mind Snacks: Founder’s Parade
By maxim on June 5, 2014
As my personal interest lies in the nexus between Education and Gaming, I was drawn to Mind Snacks, a smart startup who blends gameplay elements with learning new languages. Jesse Pickard Founder and CEO of Mind Snacks. Jesse has attended Syracuse University and has focused worked with digital ad agency Razorfish before being tapped for funding […]
Hello from Toronto
By maxim on May 15, 2014
Hi Everyone, I’m very glad to make everyone’s acquaintance in this course. It promises to be very interesting and I look forward to working with everyone! This will be my 5th MET course; its been a very stimulating experience so far and I don’t doubt that it will continue I currently work as Learning Technology […]

FEEDBACK: The elevator pitch is interesting, but it would have been great to include a live voice to explain the product. The music was strong and in a strange way it made ready the text hard, probably because the senses are not sure what to focus on. Using a voice would direct the user to the information more immediately. The main presentation itself had a lot of scrolling and I was running around getting information. I think a good question to ask from an investors point of view: how much will this cost and what will I get out of it. I'm not sure venture investors do what they do out of altruism, even though you do raise some legitimate points of pain for teachers. Well delivered.
FEEDBACK: The elevator pitch is interesting, but it would have been great to include a live voice to explain the product. The music was strong and in a strange way it made ready the text hard, probably because the senses are not sure what to focus on. Using a voice would direct the user to the information more immediately. The main presentation itself had a lot of scrolling and I was running around getting information. I think a good question to ask from an investors point of view: how much will this cost and what will I get out of it. I'm not sure venture investors do what they do out of altruism, even though you do raise some legitimate points of pain for teachers. Well delivered.
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- in reply to Venture Pitch A3

FEEDBACK: I think it was a good idea to integrate the video with the investment piece. However, the investment piece, although full of ideas, required the user to scroll a lot to find the relevant sections. It would be interesting to divide the content in some ways as to allow more rapid access to key parts of the document. I am wondering if the amount you are looking for is a bit low for what you hope to accomplish. A product such as yours would require at least a million to get off the ground as there would be substancial Research and Development costs.
FEEDBACK: I think it was a good idea to integrate the video with the investment piece. However, the investment piece, although full of ideas, required the user to scroll a lot to find the relevant sections. It would be interesting to divide the content in some ways as to allow more rapid access to key parts of the document. I am wondering if the amount you are looking for is a bit low for what you hope to accomplish. A product such as yours would require at least a million to get off the ground as there would be substancial Research and Development costs.
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- in reply to A3: LevelUP!

FEEDBACK: I think this project stood out because of its use of graphics which made it easy to follow. In terms of site design, it would be ideal for the user (or investor) not to have to scroll to access more information. I understand from other comments that the instructors were not looking for financial/revenue information, however, if I was acting as an investor, the financials would be a key component on whether a pitch was successful or not. Great feature adding your team...this added depth to the company you've created. Very nice work.
FEEDBACK: I think this project stood out because of its use of graphics which made it easy to follow. In terms of site design, it would be ideal for the user (or investor) not to have to scroll to access more information. I understand from other comments that the instructors were not looking for financial/revenue information, however, if I was acting as an investor, the financials would be a key component on whether a pitch was successful or not. Great feature adding your team...this added depth to the company you've created. Very nice work.
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- in reply to A3 Submission – BLEND

FEEDBACK: The elevator presentation was well done and caught my attention as it used multiple voices and good use of animation. I think it would be good to go into more detail regarding what the return to the investor will be? What are the revenue streams that your company will generate? What are you forecasting? This would be a good compliment to a good presentation.
FEEDBACK: The elevator presentation was well done and caught my attention as it used multiple voices and good use of animation. I think it would be good to go into more detail regarding what the return to the investor will be? What are the revenue streams that your company will generate? What are you forecasting? This would be a good compliment to a good presentation.
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- in reply to Venture Pitch : BridgET

FEEDBACK: This presentation is quite comprehensive and its great that you've taken the time to present the entire proposal. Your argument is pretty clear and easy to understand. If I were an investor I would like to know how I would make money on this project; what are the potential revenue that you foresee. While the need, as you identify it, is apparent and your product will provide a solution, its not immediately clear what I (as an investor) get out of it....other than helping the greater good. Good job.
FEEDBACK: This presentation is quite comprehensive and its great that you've taken the time to present the entire proposal. Your argument is pretty clear and easy to understand. If I were an investor I would like to know how I would make money on this project; what are the potential revenue that you foresee. While the need, as you identify it, is apparent and your product will provide a solution, its not immediately clear what I (as an investor) get out of it....other than helping the greater good. Good job.
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- in reply to A3 – Digital Migrators

Feedback: Very easy to understand pitch and elevator speech. Your directness is a strength. I think it would be interesting to include some mention of how the money is to be used as well as what the possible returns to the investors are. The site was easy to understand and navigate through. Perhaps some more images of the management team or even 'mock' product images would give an even more easier way to understand the product. Good job.
Feedback: Very easy to understand pitch and elevator speech. Your directness is a strength. I think it would be interesting to include some mention of how the money is to be used as well as what the possible returns to the investors are. The site was easy to understand and navigate through. Perhaps some more images of the management team or even 'mock' product images would give an even more easier way to understand the product. Good job.
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- in reply to A3 – Originator Inc. – by Tiffany Tseng

Feedback: Good to put yourself out there in the pitch! I think it says a lot about your confidence that you are speaking directly to the camera. From an investment standpoint, it was good you laid out a marketing plan and strategy; it made it easier to gage the potential of the product. There is a thoughtful comparison between your product and others which is very helpful. I do think that without sales, a 25% stake for an investor is too small. Given the risk, they would likely require a much larger portion of the ownership.
Feedback: Good to put yourself out there in the pitch! I think it says a lot about your confidence that you are speaking directly to the camera. From an investment standpoint, it was good you laid out a marketing plan and strategy; it made it easier to gage the potential of the product. There is a thoughtful comparison between your product and others which is very helpful. I do think that without sales, a 25% stake for an investor is too small. Given the risk, they would likely require a much larger portion of the ownership.
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- in reply to A3: Remind-E Productivity App

Feedback: I enjoyed this presentation as it had an financial plan included that showed expenses and projected revenue. As an investor, this information is probably the first think to look at. You have outlined effectively how this project will improve the situation for users. I am actually glad you asked for 10 million as its always better to ask for more than less. A smaller number may lead the the investor question: will the project actually be completed? Well done!
Feedback: I enjoyed this presentation as it had an financial plan included that showed expenses and projected revenue. As an investor, this information is probably the first think to look at. You have outlined effectively how this project will improve the situation for users. I am actually glad you asked for 10 million as its always better to ask for more than less. A smaller number may lead the the investor question: will the project actually be completed? Well done!
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- in reply to Venture Pitch for Trello LMS Plug-in

Feedback: I enjoyed your presentation as it outlined clearly what your goals were and especially your investment requirements. I think it was a good idea to set a reasonable investment target including the way it would be spent. It would be great to see when an investor would be able to re-coup their initial investment, but that may be out of the scope of this initial presentation.
Feedback: I enjoyed your presentation as it outlined clearly what your goals were and especially your investment requirements. I think it was a good idea to set a reasonable investment target including the way it would be spent. It would be great to see when an investor would be able to re-coup their initial investment, but that may be out of the scope of this initial presentation.
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- in reply to Reading Buddy

Feedback: Hi Shane, Thank you very much for the elevator pitch. On a presentation note, I found the background audio a bit loud which led to some competition between it and your voice. I would much rather hear you! The venture pitch was colorful and animated but also asked too many questions of the audience which took time and were left for the audience to answer. Perhaps a more direct approach would demonstrate the idea by outlining the whole idea clearly in the intro to the main presentation. As an investor I am not sure how this would make a return on my investment. This information would need to be added.
Feedback: Hi Shane, Thank you very much for the elevator pitch. On a presentation note, I found the background audio a bit loud which led to some competition between it and your voice. I would much rather hear you! The venture pitch was colorful and animated but also asked too many questions of the audience which took time and were left for the audience to answer. Perhaps a more direct approach would demonstrate the idea by outlining the whole idea clearly in the intro to the main presentation. As an investor I am not sure how this would make a return on my investment. This information would need to be added.
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- in reply to Visi Journals – A3 Venture pitch
