Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for May, 2013

logo-1

NEW APP   Applications » Tools

Spotflux Introduces Advanced Security And Privacy Solution For Mobile Devices, Protecting Consumers And Small/Medium Businesses From Malicious Activity On The Internet

Malicious software targeting mobile devices has risen 185 percent in less than a year, according to a 2012 report from the Government Accountability Office. Published reports have also warned that 2013 is the year in which mobile security threats will increase. To combat this issue, Spotflux,a leader in security and privacy solutions for the Internet, today announced the completion of the worldwide roll out of its proprietary cloud-based advanced security and privacy solution for Apple iOS mobile devices now available in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. This simple-to-use and affordable download protects consumers and small and medium-sized businesses from malicious activity with the same rigor once reserved only for large corporations. The Spotflux mobile solution for Android devices will be available this June.

Spotflux integrates advanced technologies, including a worldwide geographically dispersed VPN; a robust security stack that identifies and blocks malware, viruses, identity thieves, and unwanted tracking; privacy tools that detect and remove tracking code; and a bandwidth compression paradigm that saves users cost on their data plans.

“Spotflux provides a safe connection to the Internet that immediately reacts to and protects against malicious activity and unwanted tracking before it lands on your mobile device, all while guarding your privacy,” said Chris Naegelin, CEO and co-founder of Spotflux. “Reports have warned that 2013 is the year in which mobile security threats will increase, especially as we see the rise in employees bringing their own device to work. It’s critical that consumers and small and medium-sized businesses throughout the world have an affordable way to protect themselves from all types of malicious activity on their mobile devices.”

Spotflux’s mobile and desktop solutions are now available worldwide and can be downloaded at www.spotflux.com. There is a free trial for the mobile solution followed by a minimal charge of $1.99/month or $5.99/year. The desktop version is free.

Spotflux was conceived and launched by a team of passionate software visionaries who anticipated the evolution of increasingly sophisticated threats that would emerge in the wake of exploding wireless Internet availability on mobile devices. By taking rigorous enterprise grade security technologies typically available on costly appliances and adapting them to a scalable and proprietary cloud architecture, Spotflux brings the unification of threat management and privacy protection into the hands of consumers and SMBs. The Spotflux service provides a managed and trusted connection to the internet that immediately reacts to and protects against emerging threats and unwanted tracking that affect mobile devices and desktop computers. Since its launch in March 2012, the service has acquired more than a million users around the world.

Read Full Post »

  • NYC Needs More Iconic Companies, Fewer Early Exits, VC Says

    By Yuliya Chernova

    Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

    New York.

    Bill Gurley, partner at Benchmark Capital, leveled a number of serious charges at a ballroom full of New Yorkers this week–the city has yet to produce an iconic venture-backed company, he said. And, he added, people here are more likely to sell early rather than create a true home-run for a venture firm via an IPO.

    Out of the 50 venture-backed companies that raised the most money via sales or IPOs over the years, none were located in New York City and only five were based in the New York region–that is in New Jersey or Connecticut, according to data from Dow Jones VentureSource.

    “What New York needs is more iconic companies that last over a long time,” said Gurley, on stage at Disrupt NY 2013, a conference organized by TechCrunch. Gurley, who said that Benchmark has made two investments in New York recently, compared the city to Seattle, where the top four businesses, MicrosoftAmazonCostco and Starbucks, were all backed by venture capital.

Read Full Post »

April 5 2013
by Scott Johnson

5 Habits of Great Startup CEOs

Being CEO of a startup is quite similar to being the parent of a newborn.  The neighbors see a clean cooing newborn with smiling proud parents.  But we all know what goes on inside the house.  Sleepless nights, stress, no time to attend to other relationships.  You are a slave to the new creature.  It is ultimately incredibly rewarding, but parenting is very hard work and not at all glamourous.  And just the way not everyone handles parenting well, not everyone is a good candidate to run a startup.  As a matter of fact, a great startup CEO is as rare as a 70 degree day in March in Boston.

I have compiled the qualities that great startup CEOs share – you know – the CEOs that actually get multiple B-round term sheets in down markets and get that marquis exit at an unusually high multiple.  These are the ones that consistently surprise their board on the upside, investors love to back, and that acquirers pay up to bring in-house.  If you are a founder looking for a CEO to really grow your company, here are the five personal attributes you should look for:

1) Attracts Great Talent.  This is the best indicator of success, as it really encompasses all of the other attributes.  If A+ talent flocks to work for someone, that person has got something special.  Be careful though.  An orangutan could be CEO of super fast growing startup and attract great talent.  So, make sure it is the CEO who can attract talent, not someone riding the wave at a hot company.

2) Networking God.  A good CEO shortens sales cycles with contacts, shortens hiring time with contacts, and shortens fundraising time with contacts.  A CEO who networks well can hence shorten time to exit and massively reduce dilution to founders.  Give 8% to a great CEO, prevent 20-30% or more in downstream dilution.

3) High Intelligence.  The CEO is usually not the highest IQ in the room.  But he needs to be in the conversation.  At high tech startups, a certain acumen is needed to keep the respect of the troops, and gain the respect of customers and investors.

4) Strategic Thinker.  The trick with startups is to channel all of the companies limited resources in the optimal direction.  And to quickly alter course as markets dictate so not a single moment is wasted by indecision.  This requires strategic thinking, not tactical execution.  Many line executives from larger companies struggle as CEOs of startups because they  have not had the opportunity to deviate from a strategy that was handed down to them from above.

5) Stamina, Energy and Productivity.  This gets back to my point at the top about parenting a newborn.  The CEO needs to be all-in, and one of those productive people that doesn’t waste a second of his or her day.  The CEO sets the culture at a company, and that should be one of reward for achievement, productivity, hard work, and accountability.

So, there you go.  Every founder CEO should be very honest in his or her self assessment, and then when they see someone with the above profile, move quickly to hire them.  But do your diligence.  Hiring the wrong CEO can be every bit as costly as hiring the right one can be helpful.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts