I recently sat down with Thomas Korte, a former Google-evangelist-and-marketing-executive-turned-venture-capitalist. Thomas' new firm, AngelPad, is a San Francisco-based incubator started by seven ex-Googlers, that provides funding, mentorship and office space. Before I dive into our interview, keep in mind that applications for the incubator's 10-week program are due Tuesday, December 7. It's actually already over, but AngelPad is extending the application period for Vator readers.
Apply here: AngelPad.
Here are some highlights from our interview:
- Thomas talks about why AngelPad started and why it's different from other early-stage investor funds or incubators, such as Y Combinator, TechStars and Founders Institute. "The idea that everyone can do it themselves is like saying we don't need universities," Thomas said, explaining that incubators are helpful in providing needed advice and guidance, beyond financial support. There's not as many incubators as there are firms that just provide the capital, he added.
- AngelPad invests anywhere between $25,000 and $40,000 in startups. They take somewhere around a 5% ownerhips in the startup. For that ownership stake, the partners also provide mentorship and office space for 10 weeks.
- What kind of entrepreneurs and startups is AngelPad interested in? "Web technologies in the broadest sense," said Thomas. "Anything Facebook, Google, Microsoft could launch is something we could look at."
Here's a list of AngelPad's first graduating class, consisting of Adku, Alltrails, Curated.by, EggCartel, Hug Energy, MoPub, RollCall and Sniply.
[Editor's note: Thomas will be one of the VC/judges at our upcoming Vator Splash SF event held this February 3 at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco. Be sure to get early-bird tickets now or join the competition to get onstage. Also, Thomas was our guest host, along with Dave McClure, in a recent Vator Box segment, where we look at Tripping and Everloop. Be sure to stay tuned for those segments.]
Founder and CEO of Vator, a media and research firm for entrepreneurs and investors; Managing Director of Vator Health Fund; Co-Founder of Invent Health; Author and award-winning journalist.
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Everloop provides kids under 13 a free, safe space where they can connect with friends, play games, share pictures and music, send messages, discover new talents and learn. Everloop’s unique patent-pending “looping” technology introduces state-of-the-art privacy protection and monitoring that guards young users against bullying, bad language and sharing private information. Everloop partners with leading innovators to provide both tween-focused entertainment and educational activities. Kids get to be in the loop and parents get peace of mind. For more information visit http://www.everloop.com.
Awards:
-CEO Hilary DeCesare: AlwaysOn’s “2010 Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch”
-2010 DEMOgod Award for Social Media
-AlwaysOnGlobal2010
-AlwaysOnHollywood 100
-Board of Directors of The Max Cure Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Causes
- Board of Advisory for The Max Cure Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
-Speaker at 2011 Youth Mega Mash Up Event
-Invited to Innovator Spotlight at Pii 2010
-CEO Hilary DeCesare invited to speak at President Obama's Cyber Safety Summit
-2010 Winner of Global Entrepreneurship 50
-2010 Winner Best in Class Social Media
Startup/Business
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Tripping gives travelers a safe and easy way to connect with local people for tips, shared cups of coffee and even home stays.
We launched in January and already have thousands of members from 100+ countries. Our partners include Ivy League universities, study abroad programs, major rock bands and international volunteer organizations.
To learn more, visit https://www.tripping.com.
Angel group/VC
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AngelPad is a mentorship program founded by a team of ex-Googlers to help web-technology startups build better products, attract additional funding and ultimately grow more successful businesses.
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