ETEC 522 – Sept. 2011

Kristopher 11:56 pm on November 27, 2011

5 votes

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  jarvise 10:19 am on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Clear pitch. I got an idea of what the product is, and the fact that there is a demand for it. No financial stats were provided. However, it was clear that the idea was a solicitation. When I read through your proposal, it was more evident that this was being marketed to schools and teachers. I would be hesitant to invest, as I question whether a school or board would make this enough of a priority to invest in it in today’s cash-strapped market. I like how you have developed this – it may work as a free online sharing space. I question how much buying power teachers have.

  Emily

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    Kristopher 11:25 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Hi Emily!

    Thank you for the feedback. I think you identify very valid concerns with the venture. It is something that I would like to provide free of charge, but have had a hard time wrapping my head around not making money on a new venture.

    Cheers,

    Kristopher

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  Angela Novoa 1:47 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi Kristopher,

  I really enjoyed your Elevator and Venture Pitch. Your Venture Pitch seems strategic for investment. It offers an innovative product that meets a real concern for educators. Today, being interconnected and sharing learning experiences around common ideals is a relevant issue to address. I think that you have a target and a market for your product. Your Venture Pitch provides information about the benefits that the product offers and how it is different from other ventures. It clearly shows the competency level of the venture’s leaders and provides an overview of competitors. However, it is not clear how and where buyers will be reached (marketing), how much money is required for investing on the project, and how much or how soon the investor will be recompensed. As an EVA, I would suggest to provide more information about these issues in order to decide whether investing on the product or not. Overall, you have provided an innovative venture and I think that you will capture a large number of clients.

  Angela.

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    Kristopher 11:27 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Hi Angela,

    I had a real hard time identifying how much money is required (specifically how to come up with a number); it reminded me a little of Dragon’s Den where someone presents a pitch and then asks for a certain amount of money invested for the exchange of a share of the company– I just wasn’t sure how to crunch those numbers. The result is that it is lacking from my pitch, which serves to weaken the entire pitch.

    I am glad that you liked the idea; it was good fun to think it through and try and find an untapped niche. Thanks for the thoughts!

    Kristopher

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      jarvise 11:58 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

      Hi Kristopher,

      I totally agree with having no idea about financial aspects. I did a lot of research in this area, and ended up just doing a quick estimate of what I might need. Doing the projections, though, is tough too. I saw a presentation online where they had a graph showing the growth curves for different types of ventures. I couldn’t for the life of me find that information in all my searching, and the graph in the presentation was blurry so I couldn’t get the reference info on it. I found that aspect of this assignment particularly difficult, and to be honest, I am suspect of the financials I see in other people’s presentations. My spidey sense is attuned to this issue now. It seems that you can get general ideas of growth from similar businesses in the industry you’re targeting, but there is a lot of speculation. As a math teacher, I find it all a little hokey. (but I don’t have a business background – maybe there’s an appropriate technique out there…)

      Emily

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  mcquaid 11:57 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi, Kris.
  I liked your logo and overall presentation – some quality work there! It was apparent you put some thought and time into the graphics, including your mock-ups of what the program would look like on devices. My only technical criticisms about the pitch are:
  – how the timing of your audio introduction and your pop-up name don’t match
  – the slow pan animation blocks the view by times
  – sometimes the speech may be a bit hurried

  As much as it was well done, slick, and had some great ideas, I couldn’t help but wonder if the same task / job could not be done with other existing (and possibly free programs). What sets this apart from setting up a group on Facebook or Ning? Does it afford anything Moodle wouldn’t? Maybe I just didn’t cull enough information as a viewer, but, after a couple of views, I wondered if the venture was that different from existing things.

  Still, all-in-all – a very good, professional pitch!

  Cheers,

  Stephen

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    Kristopher 6:50 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Thanks for the feedback Stephen! I decided that because I was doing a mock venture that I should try and make it seem as real as possible, that’s why I spent a little time throwing together the images. I struggled with the audio quite a bit and never was quite happy (I had no idea that reading a script aloud, that the script would have to be so short!).

    I have been thinking over your thoughts on other tools doing the same function. I see where you are coming from because I have felt the same about the other ventures that I have read about. I think the uniqueness comes in how you match it to the audience and honestly, how you sell it.

    Thanks for the thoughts,

    Kristopher

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  Deb Kim 1:55 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi Kristopher,

  I love your venture idea. While watching and reading about your venture, I came up with an idea that we can collaborate to create a venture together because your venture idea connects to mine. 🙂
  I also value collaboration very importantly. As global learning has been emphasized since education pays its attention to the 21st century learning, why not collaborate globally through network?
  Just like others, I liked your logo and presentation. I especially liked your elevator pitch as it grabs the audience’s attention and has all the important information on Think, Act… connect.

  I also liked the use of geographic web browsing to display organizations by categories.
  You mentioned the annual fee for TAC and I wonder how you’d convince people to purchase your product. I mean, what are some unique features of your product that are different from your competitors?

  Deb

  Deb

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    Kristopher 6:58 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Hi Deb,

    I am a firm believer that collaboration is the key. The annual fee was a bit of a second thought as I was still very much stuck in the mindset that I needed to make money for the venture to have value; I know that is a fallacy, but it still stuck that I wanted to add something in. In the end, I decided that a collaborative space for an annual fee was a nice way of doing so, but ultimately, that is nothing more than a host server.

    Thanks for the thoughts,

    Kristopher

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  andrea 8:16 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi Kristopher,

  Great concept, and a very polished presentation! Your concept has heart (if that makes sense), and I think everyone can relate to the ideas you present about the value of connecting people and creating a network for local and international citizenship.

  You really covered a lot of content in your elevator pitch, and from it I got an excellent picture of your venture. However, I’m kind of a *slow processor* so I needed to listen to it a few times before it really sunk in. I’d like to add to Stephen’s comments about the possibility of doing this same thing with existing tools. Your venture brings together the affordances of a number of tools, but I guess the challenge is making it so convenient or effective that it couldn’t be replicated simply by pulling together the tools independently, and adding value through the unique combination or functionality?

  By the way, I thought your venture pitch was really well-written — great flow and had a very straightforward yet business-like tone. 🙂

  Andrea

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    Kristopher 7:00 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Hey Andrea,

    I struggled with making it sound sincere while still hitting the professional note, but upon listening to it again a couple days later, it sounded wordy and a little confusing– it wasn’t you:) Thanks for the feedback on both pitches!

    Kristopher

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  verenanz 11:03 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi Kris!
  I love and really apprecaite your idea- as a human. Thank you.

  I couldn’t watch your pitch (China) so I read your about your idea. I thought your writing was clear and engaging. I knew exactly what you were selling. Very well done.
  I was just at a Free Virtual Conference last week though, on this very topic…they key word being free….I think the App idea is great, but educators are great networkers….I think you alluded to the point that it would not just be for educators though…
  Anyway, here is the website on the virtual conference.
  http://globaleducation.ning.com/page/2011-conference

  I really appreciated your idea!
  Verena:)

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    Kristopher 7:02 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

    Hi Verena,

    I find what you mention here to always be a struggle with teachers specifically: teachers a go-getters, when there is something they need, they seek or create; at the same time, they are overloaded and very busy people. It is tough to create a venture that will speak to the teacher and show value in that it lightens their load, without constraining them or requiring hours and hours to get functional. That was one of the concepts behind my venture.

    Thanks for the link! It’s impressive how these things come together and even more so that they can be free. All the best in your travels!

    Kristopher

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  murray12 9:08 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hello Kristopher,

  I very much enjoyed reading through your pitch. Your product sounds like a very positive addition to helping to improve the world. I found your writing clearly stated what you’re offering educators, but as an investor I might have some reservations. As someone mentioned before, as an investor I might be worried whether schools would really make the product a priority in their budget. Also, as an educator I may want to be involved in your product, but, as you mention, an already full workload tends to bog teachers down. Perhaps explaining to teachers how your product meets particular PLOs could increase interest (just a thought). Otherwise, a great product for the world, but the lack of facts, figures, and financial strategy might turn me away as an investor.

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  khenry 6:23 am on December 2, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hello Kristopher,
  Well done on your pitch. I also echo comments by McQuaid and Jarvise. However, in terms of attracting investors you could think of targeting investment from NGOs or Government agencies that align themselves with Millennium Development goals, http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html. Your venture rests strongly here. They could be great partners and also carry their own network of persons.
  If you wanted to go commercial, then you could think of connecting teachers who develop learning/other ventures within your aims and objectives and market them within TAC. Subscription fees apply and other potential earnings are introduced.

  Kerry-Ann

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  Deb Giesbrecht 4:57 pm on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply

  Hi Kristopher – great elevator pitch – loved the graphics and voice over was very clear and concise. Very intrapreneurial concept. I also really like your acronym. You were very calm, cool and collected. You certainly have a very noteworthy cause. Your market is expansive– globally (literally), and you have identified a significant gap in the market and have come up with a very plausible, feasible and doable solution – made me want to learn more. Your venture appears well thought out and researched – certainly something that I would look further into investing. You have identified a few key strengths and demonstrated a concise and clear plan. Excellent job!