| VENTURE ANALYSIS |
| Item Examined |
Blackboard |
D2L |
Digication |
Mahara |
FolioSpaces |
|
| CEO and Management Team |
Michael Chasen President & CEO –open disclosure of team members with bio provided for each; majority are white, males |
John Baker, President & CEO; Jeremy Auger, CTO & Executive VP |
Jeffrey Yan – Co-founder & CEO |
Governance structure through Kineo Pacific and Catalyst IT – developed by university group in NZ and Australia |
Ian Knox – founder; recently opened US sales office in New Jersey |
|
| Venture Concept |
“Build on everyone’s best – we improve your story”; international locations; hosting, best service in multiple markets with multiple products |
“Passionate about solutions that transform learning”; “ignite the desire to learn”; focus on creativity, passion, collaboration; international for multiple ed market levels; |
Designed by educators; digital portfolios for learners |
Verb meaning ‘to think, thinking, thought”; guiding principle is ‘learner centered’; file repository, blogging tool, social network system, resume builder; administration customization; scalability, security, |
Hosting service for open access to eportfolio product using Mahara platform; free and premium service; |
|
| Marketability(opportunity space, competitive edge) |
If already using Blackboard, links within systems makes this a good choiceWebDAV compliance; mobile apps |
Partnership with IBM; mobile app integration; accessibility focused; leadership in teaching & learning, design & flexibility, engagement model; modular org learning structure |
Links to AMS (assessment management system); listed in Google Apps marketplace; access through Google open id system; |
Modular, extensible architecture; single sign on through ‘sister application’ Moodle; interoperability with Web 2.0 tools; open demo site to trial product; |
Individual as client; organization option; business, education and personal marketplace |
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| Venture Plan(market readiness, exit strategy, investor affinity) |
Current product fully engaged; supports community initiatives; funds for open source options |
Current educational markets in N.A.; branching into corporate, international markets |
Primary market is eportfolios but branching out to AMS; not linked to LMS; market share is limited |
Primary market is users through partners or hosting sites; international base of partners; one Canadian partner |
Recent news item announcing US sales office opening; |
|
| Story within the company |
Focused on improving education; dedication; since June, 1997; recent partnerships with Moodle providers in US, Australia |
Since 1999; Waterloo, Ont.; values posted on web info; David vs. Goliath case in US supreme court; personal contact with company has been fast and friendly |
Partnership with Google; most recent blog post was April 2011; in marketplace in 2008; must be Google Apps for Ed subscriber; |
Since 2006; community of supporters, forums, blogs, wikis, newsletters, how-to videos on YouTube; becoming more prevalent in N.A. markets; Canadian partner for hosting options |
Four years, since April 2009, offers free hosting and access to individuals, companies, education organizations |
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