Ujogo

Innovative free online games site, initially focused on poker.  Players play in tournaments for prizes or in "ring games" for points, which are redeemable at the Ujogo Store.  Revenue comes from advertising, sponsorships, market research and premium services (such as training tools).  A significant portion of revenue is funneled back into prizes and store items that players compete for. 

Eric Gonzales, CEO and Co-Founder:  General Partner, DCM - Doll Capital Management, 2000-05, Product Manager, CIsco Systems, 1995-2000, Product Manager, Hewlett-Packard, 1992-95.  BA Economics, Harvard, 1988.  MBA Stanford 1993.

Revenue from online advertising, sponsorships, market data and premium services (such as training tools).  A significant portion of revenue is funneled back to players in the form of prizes and store items that players compete for.

Almost all free online poker play, at portals, casual games sites, and ".net" gambling sites, is with nothing at stake.  Therefore, play is not very competitive or realistic.   Ujogo puts prizes at stake and gives players a reason to play well.  It also integrates social networking features which make it the most social poker experience on the web.  Portals and casual games sites are unlikely to adopt this business model because their focus is on breadth of games, not poker in particular.  ".net" sites are unlikely to adopt this business model because their focus is on getting their players to move to the ".com" site and gamble with real money.