Deal Radar 2008: Cake Financial

Cake Financial is an online social investing network that enables individuals to improve their portfolio’s performance. >>>

Oracle Still Not Keen on SaaS

Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) reported its Q4 and FY 08 results on June 25. In a typically strong quarter, Q4 revenue was up 24% to $7.2 billion and net income was up 27% to $2.0 billion. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.47; analysts had estimated $0.44 on revenue of $6.88 billion. >>>

Infineon: Future and Strategy

By Vijay Nagarajan, Guest Author

Over the past two weeks, we have looked at Infineon’s financials and various business units. Before we proceed to its valuation, it will be useful to examine the company’s key strategic initiatives and growth possibilities if we exclude Qimonda from the picture. >>>

Welcome Problem, Unwelcome Time

It has been a bit of a logistical nightmare these last few days …

I had to make a quick trip to India to attend a funeral. In the midst of travel, mourning, and juggling various professional and family commitments, our website was suspended due to “too much traffic.” It’s most certainly a welcome problem, but at an unwelcome time. >>>

Building A Vertical Ad Network Powerhouse: Glam Media CEO Samir Arora (Part 6)

SM: My position on this dichotomy between content destination and ad network is that in the future, all media companies will have to do both.

SA: We believe we are redefining what a media company is. We epitomize what you just said. All media companies have to recognize that pre-web 2.0, you could own and control all of your assets. Today, fragmentation is so wide that you can’t. If you are a small to medium business, it is better to have a site you completely control. But major media companies must do both destination and ad network. >>>

Building A Vertical Ad Network Powerhouse: Glam Media CEO Samir Arora (Part 5)

SM: I always like it when a pioneering company takes a new approach with a solid business model already in place.

SA: I will tell you something about Glam’s history we have not talked about before. Most startups come to a decision point in the first two or three years after launch, where the original vision needs to be focused to survive. Typically, once they have used most or all of their venture capital, they try to find and solidify their business model. They then have to either re-start or focus. This is what I call the “startup wiggle” to find the business model “nugget”. >>>

Building A Vertical Ad Network Powerhouse: Glam Media CEO Samir Arora (Part 2)

SM: Was Rae a successful venture for you?

SA: Rae did well. We created navigational applications for Apple, then PCs, and later
worked with Wells Fargo and American Express. Interestingly enough, they introduced us to a small company called Mosaic. Once I saw what Mosaic was doing, I knew we had the legs to deliver our technology. I went back to the team and we made a decision to create a new company called NetObjects as opposed to continuing to make Rae evolve. >>>

Building A Vertical Ad Network Powerhouse: Glam Media CEO Samir Arora (Part 1)

Samir Arora is a serial entrepreneur with a history that includes Rae Technology and NetObjects. Aside from being chairman and CEO of Glam Media, he is chairman (and founder) of Information Capital LLC. Glam Media offers a self-coined ‘vertical content network’ platform. The Glam Media network includes over 400 publishers, all of whom receive an extensive platform of services through their relationship with Glam. Here I discuss Samir’s entrepreneurial roots and his current efforts.

SM: Samir, where does your journey begin?

SA: I was born in New Delhi. I had traditional schooling but was also very serious about acting. I was on stage as early as six and have been in 30 productions. I also wrote some plays and musicals. In school I had a very strong focus on math and physics. My family is filled with business entrepreneurs, which is where I get my passion for business. >>>