Today's Entrepreneur: Ari Jacoby

Meliza Solan Surdi · March 11, 2011 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/1803

No. 1 mistake: Not identifying and addressing a true market need...

Entrepreneurs embrace being at the forefront of change. And, just by being there, they make a difference.

They often live unstable lives. But as they boldly take risks, they'll make several mistakes which become valuable lessons for the rest of us.

Just this year, we've created new profiles, specifically for innovators, to express themselves by sharing their interests, lessons learned, as well as bits and pieces of their unique journey.

Today's entrepreneur is Ari Jacoby, CEO and founder of Newsletters.com, VoiceStar, and Solve Media. According to his VEQ, he is good at fundraising, product management and he is a thought leader.

I am: An Entrepreneur

Name companies you've founded or co-founded:

Newsletters.com, VoiceStar, Solve Media

Name companies you've invested in:

Heyzap, Thesis Fund Management, LiveIntent, First Round Capital, 500 Startups

Name startups you worked for:

Only startup I've helped found--Newsletters.com, VoiceStar, Solve Media

If you are an entrepreneur, why?

I thrive on trying to solve big problems, and the start-up environment allows us to build products and change things everyday. There's immediacy and control over innovation.

List your favorite startups:

Buddy Media, Uber, Tynt

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

Resource constraints; everything else is rewarding!

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?

Not identifying and addressing a true market need and as such, having an overly complex story.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1) If you can't sell your product yourself, no one else can.
2) Always hire people with good senses of humor; the hours are just too long to do otherwise.
3) Measure everything and trust your instruments.

Meliza Solan Surdi

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Related Companies, Investors, and Entrepreneurs

Solve Media

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on February 17, 2011

Solve Media was founded by veteran entrepreneurs and technologists focused on innovative Internet advertising solutions. The Company's proprietary online advertising system, the TYPE-IN™ was designed to create new and highly-effective opportunities for brands to advertise online. The platform leverages CAPTCHA authentication for brand messaging to bring unprecedented consumer engagement. With the platform, Solve Media: guarantees brand message delivery and increases recall rates and return on investment for advertisers; creates new revenue opportunities for publishers; and simplifies the authentication process for consumers. Backed by First Round Capital, New Atlantic Ventures, AOL Ventures and prominent angel investors, Solve Media is based in New York City and Philadelphia.http://www.solvemedia.com