Today, in order to share a video or a slideshow with friends, users have to copy a link and either post it on a social network or paste in an email. The sender has no idea on whether his contacts actually consumed the content, nor can he tell what was their immediate reaction.
Qlipso (formerly known as iContaqt) is working on a new tool for real-time sharing of flash-based content (videos, games, slideshows and music) while simultaneusly interacting with social network contacts through webcams, voice and text chat.
The product is essentially a browser client (available for free download). Users are able to share content with contacts from their social networks (Facebook and Myspace) with the click of a button – contacts do not need to download Qlipso to be able to view the content. The company’s business model is going to be a combination of virtual good sales, premium advertising (exclusive movie trailers, etc) as well as a premium client with additional features.
The company is still in stealth, but its website suggests it is preparing to launch soon on TechCrunch. Founded in Dec 2007 by Pnueli Ishay, Qlipso went through several small investment rounds led by JVP. In its previous encarnation as iContaqt, the company developed “a web based 3D social platform that can enable existing web applications to seamlessly integrate in fully immersive virtual experiences, accessible to the mainstream user“. As the company states on its homepage: stay tuned for great products from Qlipso.
NOTE: We originally wrote the post a week ago but held on friendly embargo in order not to damage Qlipso’s launch. Want to get featured on VC Cafe? Contact us at eze@vccafe.com
I'm a former general partner at google ventures, head of Google for Entrepreneurs in Europe and founding head of Campus London, Google's first physical hub for startups.
I'm also the founder of Techbikers, a non-profit bringing together the startup ecosystem on cycling challenges in support of Room to Read. Since inception in 2012 we've built 11 schools and 50 libraries in the developing world.
