Benchmark's Rich Barton: Twitter will succeed as a business |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Zillow, tech groups join companies heading to the White House
- One reporter joins TechFlash, and another takes vacation
- Fannie Mae expands online sales
- More turmoil for Yahoo: Chairman steps down
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen 2011's most generous living donor
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- Top Congressional stock picks: Microsoft beats Apple
- What women really want (online): MoonTango aims to deliver
- Renters, buyers (and lookers) continue to flock to Zillow
- 'Fast Pitch Forum' to debut May 27 with some familiar names
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- First a deal with Verizon; now Coinstar buys a competitor
- Buuteeq rounds up $3.5M to help hotels 'put heads in beds'
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
Mass High Tech
Benchmark's Rich Barton: Twitter will succeed as a business
Rich Barton isn't sure what money-making business model will click for Twitter, but he's confident that the San Francisco micro-messaging service will figure something out.
"I think price and value always converge over time, and clearly Twitter is highly valuable to the millions who are now using it every day," said Barton in an interview with TechFlash. "I know the Twitter team has an abundance of business model ideas, some will work, most won’t, but I’m absolutely sure it will succeed not just from a user perspective, but also as a business."
The former Expedia CEO is best known as the leader of Zillow.com. But he's also a venture partner at Benchmark Capital, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm that just participated in Twitter's $35 million venture round. As part of that funding, the Seattle technology executive will be working with Benchmark's Peter Fenton to help figure out how to make money off the latest Web phenomenon.
"I’m sure I’ll be spending more time with the Twitter crew as a result of the Benchmark investment," said Barton, who oversaw the online travel agency Expedia during its hyper-growth phase.
Barton started actively using Twitter about a month ago and since then he's become "addicted." He recently started using TweetDeck and Tweety, and now has 162 followers,
"I’m convinced it is something very important," says Barton. "I think it will become my second inbox."
In addition to Benchmark, Twitter is backed by Institutional Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures and Spark Capital. Bezos Expeditions, the personal investment vehicle for Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, also is an investor.
Figuring out a business model for Twitter or one that builds off the momentum of the service has become somewhat of a sport in the startup community. Silicon Alley Insider recently held a Twitter business plan competition. At the recent Seattle Startup Weekend, several of the proposals (TweetReporterts, TweetSum) were connected to the microblogging service. I also met with a Seattle Internet company on Friday that recently purchased a site in order to aggregate Twitter content. (More to come on that later.)
Internet entrepreneurs are certainly intrigued by the concept. So what advice would you give to Barton to make money off it?
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Who's creating today's energy efficient buildings? Find out at the BetterBricks Awards, Feb. 16
BetterBricks Awards salute the individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Join us as we recognize these standout green building professionals.
Award categories include: Advocate; Architect/Designer; Facility Manager/Operator; and Owner/Developer.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kampschroer, Director of U.S. GSA's Office of Federal High Performance Buildings. Kevin leads the U.S. General Services Administration's efforts in building sustainability and accelerating industry adoption of sustainable principles across all aspects of a building's life.
Register here by February 10!
If you are interested in buying a table, email Monica Alquist or call her at 206-876-5404.
The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"
Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music
"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?
BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:
• Increased client confidence
• Improved competitive advantage
• Minimization of frequent audits
• Streamlined business processes and controls
• Enhanced risk management
For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.
