All contestants:
Vator, Inc.
Location: San Francisco, California 94123, United States United States
Founded in: 2007
Stage: Beta (public testing)
Number of employees: 6-15
Funding history:
- Date: 09/2010, Series A: $400 k
Investors: Barry Silbert, Drew Curtis, Andrew Kurtzig, Georges Harik, Anu Nigam, Peter Thiel, Anurag Nigam, Andy Kurtzig, Mike Ackrell, Drew Curtis, Bambi Francisco Roizen
- Date: 05/2008, Seed: $850 k
Investors: Peter Thiel, Richard Rosenblatt, Jeff Peterson, Georges Harik, VentureFarm, Anu Nigam
Profitable year: 2010
Short URL: vator.co/vator
Admins (2)
Testimonials

Vator has the best b-plan competition platform around which we use to source deals and to simply stay on top of new ideas and startup trends. And Vator News has the best 'short and to the point' startup/entrepreneur interviews anywhere. You can find out what you need to know quickly so that you can move on to tackling the rest of the day.

From David Graham (Partner, Greenstart)

Vator has been great for eCareDiary and is a tremendous help to start-ups in so many ways. We have connected with a potential investor through Vator so I can't state how valuable this site has been to us.

From John Mills (Founder and CEO, eCareDiary)

Vator's competition platform made it simple to judge contestants by accessing video, PPT, ratings, executive summaries all in one place. It's the most efficient solution to judging competitions and it makes the process of judging a lot more fun! And the Vator Splash competition makes it easy and efficient to review a large number of early-stage startups that I would not otherwise have been exposed to

From Jeremy Liew (Managing Director, Lightspeed Venture Partners)

Udemy was the winner of the May 2010 Vator Splash, and it was perhaps the most important award we've won to-date. Vator Splash is an incredible event in which entrepreneurs are given a chance to showcase their wares in front of a huge crowd of investors, advisors, executives and fellow entrepreneurs. Bambi and team do a great job running the event and bring in top-quality speakers and judges. The event provides results: a significant number of investors, advisors and business development opportunities arose after we won Vator Splash in front of a crowd of more than 200. Furthermore, one of the judges - Dave McClure - ended up investing in our company. Finally, VatorSplash was a great momentum-builder for us as we were getting ready to fundraise. The victory provided social proof to prospective investors and increased our chances of successfully attracting investment. We went on to raise $1M from a great group of angel investors!

If you are lucky enough to get in front of the real Vator community (including investors and coaches and CEOs who have been though the wars) you can reap the benefits of their company and advice in no uncertain terms. To the point, unflinching reality, invaluable side notes, and a few musical notes thrown in for levity. A GREAT resource for ANY fledgling start-up, restart, or new CEO who thinks they've heard it all... Highly recommended.

From Colleen Aylward (Founder, Recruitment, Inc. (dba InterviewStudio.com))

Vator was an excellent way for Breakthrough.com to gain exposure. A half-dozen investors wanted to talk with us after winning and one of the Valley's highest profile angels committed to invest three days later. We are grateful because internet health care startups are under-appreciated and under-funded. Vator helped us breakthrough (no pun intended).

From Mark Goldenson (CEO, Breakthrough.com)

Since my company Cohuman competed at Splash (great event - perfect for startups) in the fall of 2010 we've been steadily and consistently getting followers on Vator.tv to the tune of 1-6 per day, more than twitter or Facebook. It's quite remarkable. Thank you Vator and Bambi!

From Ronan Dunlop (Vice President of Marketing, Cohuman)

The Vator experience was great for our company, LaborVoices, especially in raising our profile among our existing supporters and broadening our network. I would recommend it to any early-stage startup. Social entrepreneurs, especially, shouldn't shy away! Thanks, Team Vator!

From Kohl Gill (President, LaborVoices, Inc)

Vator has nailed vertical discovery of startups across their vast social network of entrepreneurs and investors. Social networks are all about discovery and how to best leverage technology to find what you're looking for, Vator's find a friend or colleague's startup tool does exactly that and it's dead simple to use; KISS.

From Mark Evans (Managing Principal, Bancroft Research Group)

Vator has been an incredible resource for me as a first-time entrepreneur, helping me learn about how to pitch my ideas, potential questions, and notable investors to look out for.. And that's just to name a few!

Gonna go sign up for Vator Splash now. Little late.. But I'm hopeful~

From Shawn Poh (founder, ceo, lovtoo)

Bambi has always been tireless in her efforts to spread the word and the wealth. She did it at CNNfn, she did it at MarketWatch and she is doing it now.

Vator.tv, of course, is more than Bambi. At some point, any venture, any successful venture, becomes more than its CEO. We're not there yet with Vator.tv. Most of us, after all, want to see a Vator platform precisely because Bambi has shaped it.

Still, the time is fast approaching when the newsroom that John Shinal is building will reach out to tens of thousands of people: entrepreneurs, investors like me, artists, technologists, even soccer moms and dads. Cyril Brignone's banging of the gong for video will perpetuate itself until Vator.tv's database of interviews/profiles/stories/spiels/newsletters will give search algorithims a full workout. And so on.

I believe Vator.tv is already its own channel, one that CNBC and CNET and MarketWatch and even my friends in Canada at Stockhouse will find a worthy challenger and a noble contributor to the world of biz media. In my bok, Vator does it all: educates, entertains and enhances. Anything that fulfills my '3 Es' requirement gets the platinum star.

Go forward my friends and spread the Vator as if it were a chutney sauce delivered from the heavens.

Thom Calandra at thomcalandra.com

From Thom Calandra (Writer, editor, ThomCalandra.com)

Vator really is the voice of the entrepreneur. As a startup founder who just launched a company 3 weeks ago, I can vouch for this because Vator has been there every step of the way. First by providing a venue for my company to go-live, on-stage to an audience of 300 in Silicon Valley (The Juice Pitcher). Then by helping my company get press in great publications, like CNET and ReadWriteWeb. Now Vator helps me get the word out on a daily basis with company updates through vator.tv and other social media channels. I already have 500 followers and continue to expand my reach. Above all, the Vator Team is a great group and I've enjoyed getting to know them. Thanks, Vator. Keep up the great work!

From Tim Hyer (Co-Founder, Getable)

Vator is a truly valuable service to start-ups. In the short time that QLess has been on it since we were selected one of the ten Juice Pitcher winners, we've been featured on CNET, approached by top-tier investors and successful entrepreneurs, received many qualified job applicants, and accrued hundreds of fans with whom Vator allows us to stay in touch via updates. Combine that with the fact it's free, and the ROI is hard to beat. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

From Alex Backer (CEO, Ab Inventio, LLC)

Vator has acted as a launchpad for my startup in terms of awareness and exposure. As a winner of a Vator competition, my startup enjoyed early traction and buzz. Vator has kept my business relevant in the minds of investors, entrepreneurs and potential employees. I've made many invaluable connections to the investor and entrepreneur community.

From Tim Hyer

DogVacay.com won Vator Splash LA in June 2012. The competition allowed us an opportunity to meet and pitch against some of the great Los Angeles startups and further foster our entrepreneurial community. There was such a positive energy with so many great minds providing insightful feedback throughout the night. Two paws up, Vator!

From Aaron Hirschhorn (Founder & Top Dog, Dog Vacay)

Vator, Inc.

Voice of the Entrepreneur
Startup/business
California, United States United States United States
http://vator.tv

Vator (short for innovator) aims to help great entrepreneurs find funding, and for investors to get in on the ground floor of tomorrow's leading companies. Founded and run by award-winning journalist Bambi Francisco, Vator has a vibrant social network, events and news platform.

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5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
i'm judging #vatorsplash LA - application deadline is tomorrow - http://bit.ly/WlECV1 - for event, register here: http://bit.ly/Ys9mBq on May 14
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Vator, Inc. was featured in a article: "Mother's Day special: Tips from top mom founders/CEOs"
Seven moms do the impossible: run companies while raising kids Read more
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
#vator splash LA is on May 30. Demo tables going for $375 (includes 2 tickets)! register here: http://vatorsplashla2013.eventbrite.com/ on April 26
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
Get your founders' bundle for #vatorsplash LA! Just a few founders and you get a group discount. http://vatorsplashla2013.eventbrite.com/ on April 16
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
March Madness tickets expire in a day! Better get your discounted #vatorsplash LA tickets soon! http://vatorsplashla2013.eventbrite.com/ on April 08
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
March Madness tickets still on sale for #vatorsplash LA - http://vatorsplashla2013.eventbrite.com/ on April 03
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Vator Ventures confirmed Vator, Inc. as an investment.
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
We apologize for the big snafu this morning on VatorNews when stories were inadvertently published and distributed. on March 01
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
#ventureshift tickets are now on sale! Get the Early bird tickets now - http://ventureshift2013.eventbrite.com/ on February 28
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
Silicon Valley Asshole theory #vatorsplash Late Night, w/ @davidhornik, @salsop, @annimaniac, @rajil, @julesmaltz http://vator.tv/n/2d9c on February 15
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
popular voting round is now over for #vatorsplash on February 13
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
the #vatorsplash competition was intense; now we have the top 10 - be sure to attend to support your favorite! - http://on.fb.me/WRagXp" on February 06
Thumbs_up_green Michelle Ritchie liked this update
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
anyone interested in being a beverage sponsor at #vatorsplash? super great deal. let us know on January 30
5
Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
about 30 minutes before the popular round ends for Splash SF - http://vator.tv/competition/vator-splash-sf-february-2013 on January 29
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
See Coverflow's newest band member Kristian (co-founder of Playfish) at #vatorsplash - http://vator.tv/person/kristian-segerstr-le " on January 24
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Faith Merino (Reporter)
VatorNews also stung by Google false positive on @isocket ads; trying to get resolved ASAP - http://vator.tv/n/2cf0 on January 15
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
Just released. You can now follow "people" on Vator! on January 09
Thumbs_up_green Kristin Karaoglu liked this update
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
I'm judging @vatortv #vatorsplash SF on Feb 13 - startups apply here! http://bit.ly/W9imLG and register here: http://bit.ly/TxjvO7 on January 03
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
One more day to get #vatorsplash holiday sale tickets. hear @evernote, @lendingclub CEOs lessons - http://vatorsplashsf2013.eventbrite.com/ on January 02
Thumbs_up_green Kristin Karaoglu liked this update
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Bambi Francisco Roizen (CEO and Founder)
#vatorsplash early bird tickets for 2/13 sold out! we extended more; get them before they expire - http://vatorsplashsf2013.eventbrite.com/ on December 20
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