Finally . . .
Feeling a little out of my league here but enjoying everyone else’s!
ClickView Venture Pitch
Elevator Pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Pc9idfg5I
Once upon a time, before the internet, people used to watch videos on things called videocassettes. These videocassettes gradually fell to the wayside to make room for the DVD. As we have progressed, many people now watch videos on the internet. As the demand for faster access and load times for these videos occur within the school system, the problems of sufficient bandwidth and network power start to infringe on the accessibility of these videos. ClickView is designed to provide a simple solution for watching digital video within a school system where students and teachers are no longer restricted by the availability of audio visual equipment and are free to access all of the digital videos from any computer in the school.
- world’s only patented non-streaming digital video delivery system
- library of over 1,000 educational titles ready for the Canadian schools sector
- provides DVD quality video on every computer on a school network and provides portable/online copies for home use
- built in lesson builder for the creation of local customized lessons
- extract video content for use in other resources and programs
- searchable and customizable metadata
- URL and HTML embeddable into other learning management systems
- soon to have iPad and iPhone player support
- licensed in over 3,000 sites in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Asia
ClickView is one of the first of its type to offer this type of service. With many schools dealing with network and bandwidth issues, this service certainly solves that dilemma with some added features. Peter Crooke, General Manager of ClickView Canada, describes ClickViews access to the network as more dropping in and out of it rather than a steady pull. Add to this the fact that digital video is then able to be accessed from any computer on the school network, this product becomes invaluable.
The company, originally from Australia, is just emerging into the Canadian market and has been approaching school districts offering free trials of its product. Sutherland Secondary School in North Vancouver School District will be a pilot school with ClickView. Over 55% of Australian secondary schools are using ClickView. If school districts can see the educational and financial benefits of using such a service, I would venture to say that many school districts would be willing to use this service.
ClickView seems like a very simple straight forward concept that allows users to not only watch DVD quality digital video, but it also has hooked into the educational aspect for teachers and allows for lesson plans and worksheets to be accessible from the same page as the video. The advantages of having ClickView include excellent educational videos available at all times to all students on any computer, less of a drain on bandwidth as compared to streaming video, ease of use and functionality of the service. One disadvantage is the financial cost.
However, one of the strongest points in ClickView’s favour at this particular time is its team that is willing to come out to support schools. The demonstration of the program showed the ease and relative quickness of accessing videos. The 45 minute presentation to staff at a professional development day had many excited by the idea and there was even spontaneous applause when it was announced that Sutherland would be a pilot school. Peter Crooke, General Manager of ClickView Canada and the presenter to Sutherland, is a former educator and promised hands on support for any staff. The ClickView website is well organized and has an extensive support section.
ClickView is an innovative product geared towards the school systems. It has found a certain niche in Australia but it is a relatively young company that has yet to prove itself here. I am looking forward to using ClickView and am optimistic about its success.
Posted in: Week 13: Venture Forum
Kristopher 12:24 pm on November 28, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi!
This sounds like a really innovative way to solve problems faced by many educators (availability of resources, bandwidth). I found that after the pitch was finished, I had many questions as to how exactly the project worked– which I guess is the intention of the pitch, to engage and stir interest. Having said that, perhaps there is a way to include some more concrete examples of how to incorporate this tool into the classroom.
Thanks for the pitch!
Kristopher
Julie S 2:32 pm on November 28, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Michelle,
I like some of the features of this software such as the ability to provide a complete view of lesson information related to the video. Like Kristopher I had lots of questions about how it worked but I thought I would start with getting a little bit more clarity about the venture itself. This looks like a product that is already in existance so from an EVA perspective I’m curious about what you are looking for. e.g. are you involved in this company and are looking to market the product in Canada or something along those lines?
ashleyross 4:29 pm on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi!
I enjoyed your elevator pitch, the use of narration and text worked well together and the timing of your text is very clear and easy to read. Clickview sounds like an interesting product and if it does solve the problem of bandwidth and networking while allowing educators the ability to access material from any computer, I think schools would be excited to invest in this product. After watching your elevator pitch I was left wondering how the product works. Specifically, how do you access the material without streaming through a bandwidth or networked system? Regardless, it seems like a really interesting product and your elevator pitch left me wanting to know more.
Doug Smith 2:11 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Michelle,
It is an interesting product, and is one that our school is looking into for future use. There are a lot of questions surrounding the issue of VHS tapes and DVDs. It sounds like the VSB is thinking that DVDs may not be available in the near future. But I’m not very clear from the pitch as to what your venture is. I already know a bit about the product so I’m wondering where a new investor would fit in with its development or marketing?
cheers
Doug
Angela Novoa 5:35 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Michelle,
You have presented an interesting and innovative product. It addresses the needs of a number of educators and students. As a teacher of Social Studies, I think I would be interested in trying it. As it has been mentioned before in this discussion forum, I would like to know more about how does ClickView works. As Julie, I am curious too about your relationship with the company as it is a venture that seems to already exist.
Cheers,
Angela.
David William Price 10:49 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Elevator pitch assessment
Michelle Workman (themusicwoman) – Clickview
First Impression: no face, very little voice, mostly music and slides,
CEO Credibility: The CEO does not appear at all – very little voice, no image or appearance. I have nothing to judge CEO credibility on. I might take a negative inference based on the fact the CEO is unwilling to appear and be heard.
Management Team: No team is mentioned, so I have no way to judge. I might take a negative inference based on the fact the CEO is unwilling to talk about the team.
Venture Concept: Apparently some way of allowing watching digital video in a school without using AV equipment (but it doesn’t say how the video is consumed, presumably on computers? Wouldn’t there still be a computer and projector? Does everyone have to use a computer to see it?). It doesn’t use streaming but doesn’t explain why that is important or how it does work. Apparently there are over 1000 of existing titles but we don’t know what they are or who they are targeted at. Apparently video can be added or edited but it doesn’t say who can add or edit or how or why. Apparently video can be saved to a USB key but it doesn’t say who would do this or why.
Opportunity Space: No description of the intended market beyond “schools”. No description of the market share or pricing.
Market Readiness: Appears to already exist as a product but o indication of switching costs for schools to switch to the new concept, and no indication of existing sales or market penetration or pilots.
Competitive Edge: Apparently they have a patent but it’s not clear what their non-streaming technology is or why it is desirable. No indication of where patents are held (Australia only?).
Exit Strategy: No indication of their target market, its size, or how they will capture it. No indication of what money they want or how I will be repaid.
Overall Investment Status: I don’t see the CEO or the team, I don’t know who the targeted market is. I don’t know the intended pricing. I don’t know how this will be marketed. I consider this high risk and would not pursue.
themusicwoman 7:19 pm on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Dear David,
Thank you for the very clear and concise assessment! I totally appreciate it 🙂 Now, if only there was a way to re do it . . .
Jay 2:36 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Michelle,
I think you have proposed an interesting idea for Canadian schools and one that appears to see investment in other regions. I understand the idea of a video database that includes lesson plans and worksheets. What I am unclear on is how this is better than AV equipment. This will still require access to a computer even if there is no projector. How do students view the videos? from one central computer used by the teacher? In a lab setting where all students are at there own system? I am unclear where this provides benefits.
It appears that your are advocating that Canadian schools invest in an existing venture. Do you have any relation to the venture? I think one very strong feature of Clickview is the willingness to give a trial at schools. This would answer any questions schools might have and would allow an investor to see first-hand how and if the product fit their needs; A strong component.