More team get funding

I accidentally turn to NTV7 last night and discover that more team among Rock star get funding on Malaysia TV reality show "Make The pitch".

First, Chew Kai Feng of Cloudstat get RM500,000 funding for 35% equity on Malaysia TV reality show "Make The pitch".

It seem MyEg requested 35% of equity regardless of how much funding you request. While Chew seem to get the lowest funding among the participant. However, he get RM100,000 more than his request. And it seem he is the youngest and the only fresh graduate among participant.

Another team Fashion Valet, who have a chance to meet Youtube co-founder Jawed Karim last year get RM1million for 30% equity after some counter offer.

Congratulation.to both team above.

Melvin of FanXT initially accepted RM1million for 30% equity. However, Melvin change his mind after that and decline the offer.

It seem maximum MyEG offer is RM1million and minimum equity they want is 30%. Thus, do not participate next season if you aim more than RM1million or you willing to give up less than 29% equity only for less than RM1million.

Good luck Melvin

Soft launch of our eBay store in Australia

Please be informed that we just soft launch our new ebay's store in Australia http://stores.ebay.com.au/ArbirageOz

We urge our customer in Australia, Australasia. Oceanias and Asia area to order from our new ebay store in Australia, to help our new store to achieved Powerseller Status and Top Rated Seller status. We will slowly transfer our product in AUD from our existing eBay store to our eBay store in Australia.

We hope customer in other country continue to support our existing eBay store http://stores.ebay.com/arbirage to help us to maintain our Top Rated Seller Status in UK and Power Seller Status.

Our present store has been move to ebay UK http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Arbirage to take advantage of store discount provided by eBay to store in UK and Australia respectively

This is in line with our company mission to set up a chain of online hypermarket. The separation also ensure that negative feedback from buyer of one country would not affect our Top Rated Seller status in other country.

We will started doing same thing with our online store with esty.com after this exercise with eBay. Then will move to Bonanza and Addoway.

New page owner and admin of our facebook fan page

I have attended Silicon Valley Come to Malaysia Conference last year (2011). Linkedin's co-founder Konstantin Guericke was keynote speaker at the event. Konstantin Guericke created a Linkedin group Silicon Valley come to Malaysia, which is a sub-goup of Startup Malaysia, to continue communicate with Malaysian participant of the conference.

Being an alumni of Stanford University and guess lecture of Stanford University.  Konstantin Guericke recommended an online course offer by Stanford University, Technology Entrepreneurship E145 to startup entrepreneur in Malaysia. The course have approximately 30,000 online student worldwide to date.

I enroll in the course to learn more about enterpreneurship. The course operates according to the flipped class, where team-based, experiential education (learning by doing) is central and video lectures and readings are there for support.

Iván Doel are my course mate at Technology Entrepreneurship of Stanford University. Ivan Doeal has assigned to my team and we have worked on two assignment together and we are in our third assignment now.

I have made Ivan page owner and admin of our facebook fan page . Ivan might post some survey to study preference of our customer for our course assignment. Please participate in the survey to help us to understand our customer better.

The online course also recommended us to participate in Start up compass . To evaluate our company, whether our company in premature scaling or determine how we reach Product/Market fit to scale.

In order to reach Product/Market fit. The company must have a killer product. This mean we must have a product customer will feel upset if we no longer in business. That customer cannot live without it. Please help our company find our killer product.

Alternatively, we also want to know whether we able to reach Product/Market fir if we become online hypermarket. Where we sell everything under the sun. Please tell us whether you will feel disappointed if an online hypermarket close down it business and you unable to buy product from us again.

In order not to violated ebay privacy policy, which I cannot shares customer email address with Ivan. I will also email the survey  to our previous customer to survey. Please participate in the survey to help us to understand more of our customer

Update : Result of survey

| Get your Presentation Pack

Below are excerpt from 南洋商报 

190国16万人报读 网上免费史丹福课程

（旧金山13日综合电）谷歌研究实验室主管特龙去年试验推出美国史丹福大学网上免费课程，一年间共有16万人报读，约2.3万人考试及格。

他期望此计划可让名牌大学平民化，跟随名教授读书，不再是天才尖子或富二代专利。特龙本在史丹福任教的电脑科学学士课程，一年学费要5.34万美元（约16.4万令吉）。

去年他将人工智能课放上网，结果这免费课程影响无远弗届，16万学生遍及全球190个国家，包括战区美军。成绩最好的410位学生，全部并非来自史丹福。

“可能我在史丹福也不能接触最好的学生。”
特龙辞史丹福教职，成立网上教育机构Udacity，学生只需付1美元（约3令吉），就可修读史丹福收取约3000美元（约9217令吉）的课程。

著名学者教授
另一方面，哈佛大学和马萨诸塞州理工学院最近也耗资6000万美元（约1.8亿令吉），为网上教学公司Coursera制作免费网上课程，当中很多课程都由著名学者教授。
史丹福大学、密歇根大学等院校都是Coursera的合作伙伴。Coursera学生虽不会获大学学分，但会获证书证明。

去年一名修读电脑科学的学生原来是日本福岛核电厂工程师，更将从课程学到的新知识应用在处理海啸危机上，这些课程料逐渐获雇主认可。

Why Alvin Woon not invest in Malaysia

Co-founder of Plurk.com Alvin Woon said Plurk.com has consider to invest in Malaysia to expand 3 years ago. However, due to lack of talent and incentive from government, he has give up Malaysia and invest in Taiwan eventually.

Great potential in internet Startup

He said, in fact, there is great potential for Start up in Malaysia. Standard of product launch here are on bar with product in US. Unfortnately, investment environment here not condusive to nurture such industry.

Whether government would give tax incentive and availability of talent, are important consideration on whether or not to set up a base here. As there is no such advantage at that point. We have to give up Malaysia.

Alvin Woon is responding to a question on whether Plurk.com would set up a branch here after a conference on Entrepreneurship at University Tunku Abdul Rahman.

He said frankly that , as a Malaysian, he would like to set up a base in Malaysia so that he able to "go home" very often. But he has to face reality eventualy : " I can't told other co-founder, I am a Malaysian, so we have to choose Malaysia (to set up company) " (Translator note: Alvin Woon split shares equally among 3 co-founder before Angel investor come in)

Alvin still observing government effort in attracting investment and talent

As to Malaysia current transformation in attracting foreign investment and talent. Alvin said he will observed.

In restrospect, 90% of internet startup are by Chinese. But they rarely get funding from government.

"In fact, we can't expect to attract overseas talent to come back just by slogan. Some has come back, but unable to find neccessary manpower talent to complete the task, mission required. You have to fill up a lot of form if need funding and been through a lot of challenge.......

"Some people do come back 10 years ago, Maybe they find it difficult to stay ( in Malaysia ), have to leave and never come back again. I don't want my first experience back to Malaysia to be like this. I never give up Malaysia from the beginning until now, hope able to lend a hand to Malaysia, especially in internet startup."

He know deeply government effort in attracting overseas talent. and understand someone must make the first move " I just hope this is not a difficult first step"

Youth must venture into business earlier

Alvin Woon advised young people to venture into business earlier as youth has advantage. Not afraid to fail and can fail early. If not, you will lack time and energy when you grow older and just regret.

He has few wisdom on  his journey in entrepreneurship startup. first is "Don't care about copy or compare, don't waste your time in care about what other people doing. What you did on yourself is more important.

In order to venture Plurk.com. Alvin Woon when to Toronto from US alone to set up a base. Just give up his existing job and girl friend. It is tough initially, but base on determination, he able to venture his own success.

Plurk.com launch on November 2007, have more than 20 language version and expand quickly in Asia country like Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. It has 6 million to 7 million member now. with 50% of it member in Taiwan.

Venture Capital important in internet Startup

Alvin Woon said he has to understand internet business in Malaysia market first before deciding to contribute in which area.

On how to incubate & nurture internet startup. He said funding is important. Many Malaysia have programming capability, but they unable to move next step, if lack working capital. You need money in marketing and networking. It is difficult to consider your next move if lack capital.

He stress, startup capital requirment are lower in Malaysia compare to US, plus you get higher return on capital. Many people don't understand internet startup, They don't invest even they have capital. They rather invest in property or gold. This required change in mindset.

Excerpt and translated from Nanyang dated 16 March 2012

 

云惟彬揭噗浪弃马投台原因 “网络市场缺奖掖人才”

（八打灵再也16日讯）“噗浪”网（Plurk.com）联合创办人云惟彬说，该公司3年前曾考虑回马设公司扩大网络创投市场，碍于本地缺乏政府奖掖优惠及人才，最后只好“放弃大马转投台湾”。

网络创业潜能大

他说，其实大马的网络创业潜能甚大，它们所推出的“产品”不输美国相关市场，只可惜大马的投资环境未能良好孕育这行业。

“政府是否给予扣税奖掖及当地有否人才，都是设立据点的重要考量，本地当时没有这些优惠，为了公司，我们只好放弃大马。”

云惟彬今日在拉曼大学主持企业座谈后，就是否考虑把噗浪网经营模式从外国搬回大马一事，这么回应。

他坦言，身为大马人，本身很想在大马设立据点，以便“多回家”，但最终仍需面对现实考量：“我总不能跟其他创办人说，我是大马人，就要选择大马（创办公司）。”

政府吸资及挽留人才 云惟彬持观望态度

对于目前大马政府制定改革措施吸引外资及要求人才回流，云惟彬指他将观望。

回顾过去，90%的大马网络创业由华人起步，他们却不曾获政府援助。

“其实不能光靠口号就要求海外人才回流，一些人已回来，却找不到足够人才；要做东西由找不到人，要钱的话又要填一大堆表格，过很多关……

“10年前也有一些人回流，也许发现真的很难留（在大马发展），只好离开，再也不回来了。我不希望自己的首次经验也如此。我由始至终未放弃大马，很希望以不同管道帮助大马，尤其是网络创业。”

他深知政府鼓励人才回流用意，也了解总需有人抛砖引玉踏出第一步：“但我希望这一步不会太难跨出去。”

年轻人创业要趁早 “做好自己最重要”

云惟彬劝勉时下年轻人，创业要趁早，因为年轻就是本钱，不怕失败也经得起失败，否则年老了连动力及时间都欠奉，只徒留遗憾。

他在创业路上有几个至理名言，其一就是“别在意模仿及比较，别把时间放在关心别人在做些什么，做好自己才最重要。”

为了发展“噗浪”网，云惟彬独自从美国到加拿大多伦多设立公司据点，把原有工作及在美国的女朋友都抛诸脑后，虽然当时很难熬，但凭着本身理念，最后还是闯出一片天。

噗浪网在2007年11月上线，拥有20多种语言界面，在台湾、大马、菲律宾、新加坡等亚洲国家迅速窜起，目前全球会员达600万至700万人，台湾用户占其中50%。

网络创投钱最重要

云惟彬表明现在要先了解大马网络创业市场，才能决定在大马为什么领域出力。

提到如何培养网络创投能力，他指足够资金不可或缺：“很多大马人会写（网络）程式，但他们走不到下一步，因为缺乏资金，市场推广及建立人脉关系都需要钱，没钱什么都不敢多想。”

他强调，大马创业资本远比美国低，投资报酬率却很高。很多人不了解网络创业，即使有资金也不敢投入，宁可投资房地产或买金，这需再教育。

第三届中小企业大会•云惟彬：强硬推销引反感 网上软销更有效

（吉隆坡15日讯）如何把社交网站当经商利器？

噗浪网（Plurk.com)创办人云惟彬“教路”，他说，使用社群媒体不能强硬推销公司的产品，而是以真诚的心慢慢接触顾客，让使用者了解你的产品。

他指出，大家使用社群媒体主要是与朋友交流，若强硬推销产品将引起使用者反感。

他举例，一些艺人使用社群媒体与粉丝交流，做的很好。

“就如许茹芸、戴佩妮就是很好的例子，她们每天都会将自己的日常生活点滴及心情贴上网，真诚与粉丝交流。

社群网打广告会被骂

“一些艺人很明显是经纪人协助管理其网页，常常会推销本身的电影及唱片，粉丝完全没有感受到艺人的亲切感。”

云惟彬今日在马来西亚中华总商会第3届中小企业大会主讲“网络时代的品牌/市场：社交媒体如何改变我们的营运方式”时强调，若使用社群媒体打广告，必须有“会被人骂”的心理准备。

做得不好传得更快

“你做得好会传出去，你做的不好会传得更快。”

他劝请业者，即使本身有道理，也不能在网络上与投诉者争论，因为不管输赢，大家都在看。

“使用社群媒体打广告可以专注你的顾客群，也可以知道顾客的回馈，再加以改善。”

他说，现在每个人都在使用社群媒体，年轻人花很多时间在网上，因此不管想不想都要经营。

“网络时代品牌/市场:社交媒体如何改变营运方式”

主讲：噗浪网（Plurk.com)创办人云惟彬
主持：中华总商会资讯与通讯工艺组主任黄哲强

Kickstarter Vs Crowdcube

Crowd funding getting popular. 

The advantage of crowd funding over Angel and Venture Capital (VC) is no investor via Crowd funding will demand a seat on board of your company. Leaving entrepreneur more freedom to manage their company compare to getting funds from Angel and VC.

Kickstarter in US was restricted by US Regulation D and entrepreneur cannot give shares in return of investment.

Crowdcube in UK not restricted by Regulation D and company in UK have ability to offer for shares in return.

This make Kickstarter in a very disadvantage position over Crowdcube.

Not anymore. US government is planning to amend it law to provide exemption on Regulation D. This put Kickstarter in same level playing field with Crowdcube.

Given a choice, which one do you choose? Kickstarter or Crowdcube?


Comparatively, listing in Nasdaq is much more difficult compare to Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Thus, funding via Crowdcube is much more attractive as it can later listed the company via AIM as exit strategy. Company also can follow Velti footstep by transfer from AIM to Nasdaq later. It is much more difficult to follow Kickstarter direct to Nasdaq.

Alternatively, company can separately raise fund for operation in US via Kickstarter and operation in UK via Crowdcube respectively. But it is a bit difficult to plan for exit strategy in such scenario unless both can scale to very large company respectively.

Update : Startups are now able to get crowdfunding from US investors : Senate passes crowdfunding bill, wisely adds protections for less sophisticated investors

New blog on tumblr.com

Please be informed that we have set up a new blog on tumblr.com . We still analysing whether we able to used Google
Adsense with tumblr.com or not before we fully move our blog to tumblr.com .

Customer who operate a blog with tumblr.com can start to link to us http://arbirage.tumblr.com/ so that we able to re post your post like retweet on tweeter to benefit our other customer so that the whole community able to link up.