Episode 15: Web 2.0 Startups
Listen (27 min, 40 seconds)In this weeks episode we take a look at Web 2.0 in South Africa to see where we are in comparison to the rest of the world. Web 2.0 is a very rough definition for the new breed of websites online which ascribe to the ethos of "You make the content, we keep the money". With our local market still tiny in comparison to the rest of the world we've historically been left making copies of international Web 2.0 services with a local stance. We take a look at four entrepreneurs that are blazing a trail for unique services in South Africa and get their take on the local market.
Our first guest is a South African now residing in Silicon Valley, Vinny Lingham. Vinny founded the startup Yola (previously Synthasite) around two years ago and recently received 20 million dollars in venture capital to grow the service. We spoke to Vinny to get an international perspective on the local market.
We also speak to Charl Norman of Blueworld communities and Justin Hartman of Afrigator. Blueworld is a unique social network that works both offline and online. Afrigator is a blog aggregator that provides an overview of the burgeoning African blogosphere. Both companies were acquired by Media24 and MIH Africa respectively, and are thus part of the Naspers group. Finally we're joined by Barbara Mallinson of startup Obami, a social network that gets parents and students involved in the happenings of their school.
For our regular feature, agency of the week, we're joined by Donna McCallum of Fairy Godmother Inc. She waves her wand and tells us about her business. Our Top 10 is the ten best South African political gaffes from the campaign trail. We're also joined as always by Kerry-Anne Gilowey of Cape Town Daily Photo with the news roundup. Finally the show features Mike Stopforth of Cerebra in his fourth and last "Tips and Tricks" on Social Media.
Guests:
Vinny Lingham:
Vinny Lingham is the CEO of Web 2.0 startup, Synthasite. Vinny is the founder of global search marketing experts, incuBeta and it's subsidiary, Clicks2Customers. incuBeta's principal business is Clicks2Customers, with offices in the US, UK & Cape Town.
Charl Norman:
Charl Norman is a 24yr old internet entrepreneur and blogger currently holding the position as Operations Manager (Co-Founder) for Blueworld Communities. BWCOM owns leading social networks in South Africa and was acquired by Naspers in a land mark internet deal early in 2008. Charl has been instrumental in creating four niche social networks based in South Africa such as Blueworld, Zoopedup, Speakerbox and GayPeers.
Justin Hartman:
Justin's day job and passion involves running Afrigator, a startup which he co-founded in April 2007 and later sold a stake to MIH Print Africa.
Prior to moving to Cape Town to work on Afrigator full time he was the Digital Innovation Manager of Avusa’s (formerly Johncom) online and mobile excellence unit known as the iLab where he managed a small team of dedicated and enthusiastic Web 2.0 gurus.
Barbara Mallinson:
Barbara Mallinson is the founder of Obami, a communications platform for pupils, teachers and parents of Southern Africa's schools.
Donna McCalum:
Donna McCallum is a Fantastically Fabulous and Magical Fairy Godmother. She is an inspirational communicator with a passion for people, turning vision into reality, business, making things happen, connection and making a difference.
Links:
Vinny Lingham: http://www.vinnylingham.com/
Charl Norman: http://www.charlnorman.com/
Justin Hartman: http://justinhartman.com/
Obami: http://www.obami.com/
Fairy Godmother Inc: http://www.fairygodmotherinc.com/
Mike Stopforth: http://www.mikestopforth.com/
Cape Town Daily Photo: http://www.capetowndailyphoto.com/
Jarred Cinman: http://jarredcinman.com
Saul Kropman: http://saulk.co.za
Comments:
Is this it? There are many more candidates for this list.
Synthasite (which doesn't even exist in that name anymore) can't be included if the intention (as you put it in the first paragraph) is to "take a look at Web 2.0 in South Africa to . .more
by Advocate on April 20 2009, 17:02
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haha. you guys just jumped the shark by including the fairy godmother in your lineup.
by podhead on April 20 2009, 19:21
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Advocate: Yola is a great example of what we can do if we try to compete on a local level. Yola (Synthasite) started in South Africa, a fact that cannot be denied. Unfortunately we cannot cover everyone but if we ever have a followup then Yeigo and . .more
by Saul on April 21 2009, 17:18
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