Their first product, SkyGene, intends to give people a method to share genetically relevant information about themselves in a completely social context.  With the purchase of a SkyGene package, you’d get a small device capable of storing genetic information about you that you can choose to share with other people.  Some obvious traits, such as hair color and eye color, can be stored, but even information about athletic ability, personality, likes and dislikes can be captured.  You can compare your profile against someone else who has the device, and determine if you’re a match for a friendship…or more.  Perhaps it’s no surprise that the first group they’re targeting is the 20-35 “singles” and 35-60 “newly single” crowd, but they lay the foundation for more interesting applications of this technology in the future on their web site.

What’s the concept?

Leveraging gene information as a social tool, and perhaps using it in the future to truly customize products for consumers.

Why should you care?

Because this may be the next “hot thing” you see popularized in coffee shops and nightclubs if it catches on with young up-and-coming singles.

How do they make money?

They’re seeking funding to execute their first round of products, and currently anyone who wants to participate in the “beta” program will have to pay for the device that stores their gene information.

Will this company last 5 years?

Tough to say.  In this economic environment, it isn’t easy to see a scenario in which this type of technology is adopted quickly among budget-conscious consumers.  If their true target is singles in their 20s, it may be necessary to get an aggressive advertising campaign and for that, venture funding will be key.

Suggestions for improvements?

None that I can think of.  This is such a novel device that there is really no precedent on which I can base a comparison.  I just think they’ll need some serious advertising and networking to generate buzz and interest in this product. 

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As the web site says in its company info page, “Flock was founded on the vision that the web browser can and should enable the richest user experience possible across information-gathering, sharing, communication, self-expression and interaction.”  Basically, the company seems to have tasked itself with building a new web browser, based on the Mozilla platform, that will better integrate with some of the Web 2.0 services out there such as Facebook, MySpace, Digg, YouTube and Flickr, and do so in such a way that you have constant, consistent access to your accounts on any of these pages.

Flock is currently available on any platform that can run Firefox 3 — that’s the core of the browser code.  So if you get a chance, download it and check it out…you might like it.

What’s the concept?

A browser that actively attempts to organize your social networking tools and accounts on web 2.0 media web sites such as Flickr and Twitter.  It also has a blog editor, and it even is able to check online web mail for you and lets you know when new messages are received.

Why should you care?

Because as more social networking sites begin to appear, you’ll need some way to organize all that information!

How do they make money?

Right now they’re funded by venture capital.  In the future, they may be funded by search clicks, much like Mozilla-based browsers like Firefox are.

Will this company last 5 years?

It’s likely that they will, but I think that it will greatly depend on the adoption of their web browser and whether others, such as Microsoft or Apple, see Flock’s unique attributes as something worth copying into their own browsers (IE and Safari, respectively).

Suggestions for improvements?

Though powerful, I feel like the interface is a little overwhelming right now, and maybe it’s because I’m a relatively new user.  Perhaps as I get used to it I’ll be able to use it more effectively.

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You just go to Wakozi.Com, select one of the stores, or pick your favorite store, and order the item or items that you want delivered to your house, and then they basically take care of the rest. Wakozi adds new stores all the time, and eventually, they do plan to expand their stores to other neighbourhoods, so hopefully they may even spread their services towards other states –particularly mine, and then maybe yours.

What’s the concept?

Fast delivery of convenience store items.

Why should you care?

Because it takes the hassle and possible mistakes out of phone orders.

How do they make money?

From convenience store affiliates, presumably.

Will this company last 5 years?

Definitely, at least if they keep expanding.

Suggestions for improvements?

Keep expanding! Wakozi needs to be everywhere!

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Wakerupper is definitely worth the wait. All you have to do is schedule the time and date for them to call, the timezone that you’re in, and then give them the message or reminder text in the little box. Confirm the security text, and then there you are, wake up call, and reminder set! Very convenient, for just about anyone with a phone. Plus they’ve got a mobile version of the site, and are now accepting beta testers.

What’s the concept?

Free wake up calls, and reminders of all kinds.

Why should you care?

Because almost -everyone- needs a wake up call, or a phone reminder at some point.

How do they make money?

As of now, it’s a free service without advertisers, so no money is coming in right now.

Will this company last 5 years?

Definitely, I’ll be using this service myself soon.

Suggestions for improvements?

International service; currently it’s only available in English, through Canada and the United States.

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Basically, how it works is, you sign up, and then you play this sort of game, where you choose which photo you “like better”; the one on the right or left. After you’ve chose a few pictures, the little image of the brain below turns pink. At this point, that means the brain thinks something about you. Then you click on it, and answer the sort of true or false conclusion it has come to, based on which photos you did, or did not like. It has about a 70% accuracy rate, so far that I’ve seen. Would I sign up? Definitely.

What’s the concept?

A social network, with a primary focus on personality, based on which photo you like better.

Why should you care?

Because it’s fun! Pure and simple. Go to the site and check it out.

How do they make money?

Google ads, so far.

Will this company last 5 years?

Like the other recent Twitter sites that are being developed, as sort of a Twitter family, yes, definitely.

Suggestions for improvements?

I’d like to see more little conclusions from the brain; right now they only come two at a time.

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The Snaptalent ads are unique, because they don’t lead readers off the webpage after they’ve been clicked; which might be a virtue, or might not, depending on the perspective. They also give real details, and information, instead of just a line or two of bs. Several start-up websites looking to attract staff have begun using Snaptalent in their ad campaigns, if not as the central core of their campaigns. The ads can be presented in the old-fashion text format, or with images, or “preferred text”; it’s all a matter of the webmaster’s whim.

What’s the concept?

Job ads that generate higher revenue without detracting from the site they’re on.

Why should you care?

If you’ve ever looked for a job online, then you’ll definitely care.

How do they make money?

Subscriptions and fees for ad campaigns.

Will this company last 5 years?

Based on the sparkling reviews found online, definitely. More people are switching every day.

Suggestions for improvements?

Those that have used the Snaptalent ads on their sites agree that Snaptalent is a great ad service, and naturally, want more revenue!

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GPS location is a major convenience when it comes to social meetings, getting directions to a particular event, and even responding to an friend’s need, or even emergency. However, to be fair, there’s still that creepy edge to it; many are concerned with the possibility that this might make it easier for stalkers to corner victims, after all, with just a phone number, they’ll be locating someone. It’s a bit disconcerting that someone might actually know exactly where you are. All in all, despite the one negative aspect, Loopt presents a very convenient and useful social tool.

What’s the concept?

Using GPS to locate friends, and chat with them.

Why should you care?

Ever been lost on the way to a party? This will make finding friends or even meetings much easier.

How do they make money?

Through monthly subscription plans, being bundled with other phone plans.

Will this company last 5 years?

Definitely; as the new 3G mobile phones start appearing more and more, this and so many more applications are going to enter the industry and be staying for a very long time.

Suggestions for improvements?

The only concern of mine is privacy issues, and they seem to be confident that their methods of privacy for their customers are up to par, but you can never be too safe, so hopefully, they’ll stay committed to updating their protective practices.

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This is also an amazing tool for businesses that want to help guide their customers to navigating their website.  I can definitely see this being the next LivePerson.com!

What’s the concept?

Browser screen sharing!

Why should you care?

Because you don’t want to surf the web alone.

How do they make money?

They generate revenue by driving traffic to a site through friends inviting friends.  It’s pretty brilliant actually!

Will this company last 5 years?

I spoke with Todd only briefly, but he drips with success.  They’ll definitely last 5 years.  They have a great concept and with Todd at the helm, things can’t go wrong.

Suggestions for improvements?

Incorporate VOIP technology or institute some sort of chatting mechanism.  Along with surfing, it’d be great to actually talk to my friend / customer.

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Nutrigenomics is the study of how foods and their bioactives, which we more commonly know as vitamins and minerals, interact with the human body at the genetic level to affect health.  The theory is that the more we know about these interactions, the better we’ll be able to customize treatments for different ailments based on our intake of a naturally occurring component in food.  Their first product, WG0401,is a patented extraction process that takes the beneficial phytonutrients (nutrients of plant origin) found in black tea and applies them to the human body to (primarily) reduce inflammation in the muscles.

What’s the concept?

Finding ways to treat disease and discomfort based on substances already found in nature.

Why should you care?

If successful, it would mean better drugs with fewer side effects.

How do they make money?

In the sale of their products and techniques to companies who have the muscle to get them out on the market.

Will this company last 5 years?

Given the recent trends towards better health and less of a reliance on drug companies who make compounds that have serious side effects, I would say this company has a great chance of surviving well beyond 5 years.

Suggestions for improvements?

Not at the moment.  I’m not as well-versed in what needs to happen for this company to market its product appropriately, given restrictions they may have to satisfy with the FDA.  I say, however, it’s a great concept and the market is ripe for a company that can provide innovative drugs that can lay to rest any fears one might have about side effects.

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This is how it works: you register, make your account with MyHound, and then begin putting all your favorites in there, so that MyHound can update and alert you when something new pops up. The site was featured in NewsWeek and TechJournal as being one of the big new up-and-comers, so apparently it’s been creating quite a large scale response from media and all the crowds.

What’s the concept?

Getting all your alerts, favorites, and news delivered in a timely manner.

Why should you care?

It depends on whether or not you’re into the latest new sites to organize your favorites.

How do they make money?

From affiliates.

Will this company last 5 years?

Possibly; I see this as a flash in the pan fad site, most of the hysteria being PR from their investors.

Suggestions for improvements?

MyHound is upating their site almost daily; I hope to see a little bit more than just alerts from them in the future.

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