Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Points and Figures (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

What We Will See In The Future

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Been reading around the web about the WhatsApp purchase by Facebook.  WhatsApp had one investor, Sequoia.  The VC only owned 20% of the company based on what I could find.  That means 50 employees owned 80% of a $19B transaction.

Start a company or buy a lotto ticket?  (answer, start a company)

It’s never good for your soul to count someone else’s money.  But, money does send signals.  What’s important to learn about WhatsApp is not how much money they made.  It’s the strategy behind executing it.  While everyone fought for market share in the United States, WhatsApp concentrated on India.  That forced them into mobile platforms that dominated India-not iOS and Android initially.  Interesting.

A company I am invested in is Brilliant.  A lot of their users come from outside the United States.   If you go there, they have a well developed social network of people from all over the world.  They work together to solve problems.  It’s really cool. If you have a person in your home that is a teen, turn them on to Brilliant.

So often, entrepreneurs focus on the US market because it’s so big.  It’s familiar and easier to target.  In the future, entrepreneurs will turn their eyes and focus on other markets.  They have $19B reasons to do it.  Africa and India have huge amounts of people, all with mobile phones.  Those are potential customers.  Especially if you are an app like WhatsApp that doesn’t have a revenue model built in.

How many pitches will VCs hear that say I am “WhatsApp for X”?  How many times will pitches involve an international component now?

One thing is clear to me.  When we think about innovation like cryptocurrency, we ought to think internationally in scope.  If you are only thinking about the US, you are missing the entire point.  Designing products for the US market is fruitless today because the opportunity costs don’t outweigh the convenience yet.  But, when you think about other places on the earth, virtual currency is huge.

If your mission is to become a company with an international footprint, ignoring the use of cryptocurrency in your business model is suicidal.  It’s not much today, but ten years from now it might be an integral part of your supply and consumer payment chain.  Incumbent companies ought to pay close attention.  Ones that are being created today that look like minnows will become whales that consume them.

WhatsApp was on the way to doing that with Facebook.

The post What We Will See In The Future appeared first on Points and Figures.


Source: http://pointsandfigures.com/2014/02/20/will-see-future/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!


Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST


Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser!  Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover -  Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.