Today
'Ask the CEO' features Sam Shank from Dealbase located in San Mateo, California, USA (Silicon Valley again again and again!).
1. What problem (s) your company is trying to solve? (quick snapshot of the company)
We founded DealBase to build a better way to find the best travel deals,
initially focusing on hotels. The three key ares we're innovating on are
Comprehensiveness - we include all the best hotel deals, not just advertorial
deals; Analysis - we show you if a deal is really a deal, giving you context to
understand if it's right for you; Personalization - our deal alerts let you
"build your own top deals newsletter" for the types of hotels and destinations
you want to visit.
2. How did you finance your venture?
2. How did you finance your venture?
The founders contributed startup funds and we raised additional capital
from Silicon Valley angel investors. We raised about $1m total.
3. In a difficult climate of uncertainty, how do you attract talents to join you adventure?
3. In a difficult climate of uncertainty, how do you attract talents to join you adventure?
We're fortunate to have a very solid founding team - collectively we've run
over 20 companies and had multiple exits, and we have a product with momentum -
we're growing at 30% per month, and have topped 150,000 visitors after only 9
months since launch.
4. Could you explain your revenue model
We get paid a per-click fee when users click on sponsored deals. In return for paying the click, the advertiser receives enhanced placement and exposure within DealBase.
5. Who gives you inspiration when you feel down whilst leading your company?
4. Could you explain your revenue model
We get paid a per-click fee when users click on sponsored deals. In return for paying the click, the advertiser receives enhanced placement and exposure within DealBase.
5. Who gives you inspiration when you feel down whilst leading your company?
Having done startups before, I know it's always "darkest before sunrise",
so difficult times actually are motivating to me. I tend to worry when things
are going "too well," as there is risk in complacency.
and 5 Trivial questions...
a/ Fave hotel experience
and 5 Trivial questions...
a/ Fave hotel experience
The view of the Pacific from the soaking tub at the Post Ranch Inn, Big
Sur.
b/ Mac or PC?
b/ Mac or PC?
Macs at the office. I have a Vista machine at home and every time I use it,
I'm reminded why I have switched to Mac.
c/ Explorer or Firefox?
c/ Explorer or Firefox?
Firefox and Safari
d/ MP3 or CD?
d/ MP3 or CD?
Neither - I use Pandora
e/ Twitter or Facebook?
Both - but @dealbase on Twitter is where we see far more activity.
e/ Twitter or Facebook?
Both - but @dealbase on Twitter is where we see far more activity.
If you'd like to read more other interviews with CEOs just click on the logo "Ask the CEO on the right of the site, otherwise it's here.
Tourist will entertain DealBase services and deals because no one is offering such type of service. Thanks for great stuff.
Posted by: Sheheryar | Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 10:59 PM