STRATiCOM

 

Venture capitalists believe the worst of the financial crisis is behind them but are not expecting a rapid recovery in initial public offerings and deals this year, a quarterly survey released on Wednesday showed.

Of the 42 venture capitalists who responded to a survey for this quarter's Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index, some expected a gradual resumption of M&A, investment and initial share float activity in the second half.

(July 9, 2009 - Reuters)

Private-equity firms have struggled in this recession to close on new funds and get deals done. But Stone Arch Capital has managed to do both in recent months, raising a $175 million fund and wrapping up a deal for a controlling stake in a Twin Cities company, Asset Marketing Services Inc.

The Obama administration is considering using money from the $700 billion financial bailout fund to provide further assistance to the nation's struggling small businesses, in a continuing attempt to find a way to make up for clogged credit. Officials said Friday that no plan had emerged although small business has been a subject of staff level talks in Obama's economic team.  But the officials stressed that the plans underscore that the White House and Treasury Departments, together with the Small Business Administration, are aware of the problems confronting main street America.
(July 11, 2009 - AP)

Small business owners are holding off on selling their companies as they wait for a more favorable market when they can make a profit, and have a more qualified pool of buyers with cash in hand.
(July 10, 2009 - Nashville Business Journal)

Small businesses having difficulty securing private equity or venture capital may find it easier to get funding as a result of changes made through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The changes, which were implemented Friday, will affect the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Investment Company program.
(July 13, 2009 - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal)

 

Google's Web-Based Operating System Could Benefit Start-Ups
Start-ups developing lightweight Web-based applications stand to benefit from more acceptance of the browser as a full-scale operating system. These start-ups include makers of business-oriented collaboration tools such as Jive Software Inc. and Socialtext Inc., office-productivity application providers like Zoho Corp. and communication tools developers such as DimDim Inc., all of which rely on the Web as a platform to distribute and operate their applications.
The Chrome announcement is a direct swipe at Microsoft's desktop software such as Office, because Google gives its browser-based office and spreadsheet software away for free. Browser-based applications, which are often free to try or charge a subscription, typically employ a different business model than traditional off-the-shelf software that Microsoft pioneered.
(July 8, 2009 - Wall Street Journal)

Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) will unveil the Office 2010 beta and Office Web Applications at its Worldwide Partner Conference next week in New Orleans, the Microsoft enthusiast blog Neowin reported Thursday. First unveiled last October at Microsoft's Professional Developer Conference, Office Web Applications are lightweight versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint that are designed to run inside a Web browser. They're part of Microsoft's goal of offering a consistent Office experience that spans PCs, mobile devices, and browsers. Microsoft plans to deliver Office Web applications to consumers through its Office Live service, which includes both ad-funded and subscription-based versions. Business customers will be able to obtain Office Web applications as a hosted subscription service and via volume licensing agreements.

 

Amazon.com has announced its third annual Amazon Web Services Start-Up Challenge, a contest for entrepreneurs and start-ups.  The winner of the contest will receive $50,000 in cash, $50,000 in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits, mentoring sessions, and premium gold support for one year. The winner may also receive an investment from Amazon.  All finalists will receive $5,000 in AWS credits and all qualified participants will receive $25 in AWS credits.
Contestants will be judged on originality, potential and how their business uses the pay-as-you-go platform offered by AWS. The challenge is open to people in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Israel.
(July 9, 2009 - WebProNews)

Xcel Energy Inc. said Monday it will offer rebates to companies who want to study ways to make their data centers more energy efficient.  Minneapolis-based Xcel will pay as much as half the cost of a study, in an amount not to exceed $15,000. A business must use an Xcel-approved vendor to conduct the study. The energy assessment could cover an existing data center, or plans for building a new facility. The program also allows businesses to receive rebates on energy savings once projects wrap up.

(July 13, 2009 - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal)