The Me2Cam and FunFair CD product was developed by Interval funded startup ePlanet. I was the Assistant Producer. There were many challenges in creating that product. I'm not going to go into detail here, but I wanted to say that ePlanet was devoted to expanding the scope of computer-human interface.
To the team's credit, the Me2Cam and Funfair CD won 2000 Bolonga New Media Prize for Most Innovative Product: "Despite the limited set of activities, this video camera/software package represents an amazing breakthrough in the way that children can interact with a computer. The software is effective in letting children control the experience with their whole body, instead of the mouse."
You may be interested in our former CTO's research. We were just ahead of our time.
Do structure your cap table so that it will be appealing to the VC's. (if vc funding/ipo is your goal)
Don't staff up before you really know you can fully utilize those people. I think there are many parts of any business that can be handled by outside help, like agencies or contractors. Keep your internal people working on the core technologies and core business.
Keep your workforce diverse. Too many of any of the following groups can lead to uneven communication: former co-workers, friends, family, college buddies, too many people from one recruiter or reference.
Don't say you'll build everything yourself. Keep in mind that for most goals you have 3 choices --use existing technologies (off the shelf) --partner with another company (pro services) --go it alone Take a few extra cycles to evaluate the pro's and con's of each approach. Prioritze the wheels that you wish to reinvent.
Slashdot Mirror
To the team's credit, the Me2Cam and Funfair CD won 2000 Bolonga New Media Prize for Most Innovative Product: "Despite the limited set of activities, this video camera/software package represents an amazing breakthrough in the way that children can interact with a computer. The software is effective in letting children control the experience with their whole body, instead of the mouse."
You may be interested in our former CTO's research. We were just ahead of our time.
Katy
Do structure your cap table so that it will be appealing to the VC's. (if vc funding/ipo is your goal)
Don't staff up before you really know you can fully utilize those people. I think there are many parts of any business that can be handled by outside help, like agencies or contractors. Keep your internal people working on the core technologies and core business.
Keep your workforce diverse. Too many of any of the following groups can lead to uneven communication: former co-workers, friends, family, college buddies, too many people from one recruiter or reference.
Don't say you'll build everything yourself. Keep in mind that for most goals you have 3 choices
--use existing technologies (off the shelf)
--partner with another company (pro services)
--go it alone
Take a few extra cycles to evaluate the pro's and con's of each approach. Prioritze the wheels that you wish to reinvent.