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[keep-it-cool]

Very Interesting. Went to this www.sixer.com - they are still at a Beta phase and nowhere close to where we are on Cricketvoice. May be an option to evaluate, if we want to take this platform to the next level. Cant see why we cant, if they can!!

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http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/05/08/1641135.htm

US-BASED LINUS CAPITAL INVESTS IN INDIAN CRICKET WEBSITE

(Asia Pulse Businesswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)MUMBAI, May 8 Asia Pulse - LINUS Capital, a US based boutique investment and advisory firm, has decided to invest in social-networking site, 'Sixer'.

The Hyderabad-based website, www.sixer.in, targets cricket fans in the country.

"We hope that 'Sixer' will be an online platform where millions of cricket fans could connect with other fans in the country. The investment will help us build 'Sixer' into a leading online brand. This will also help us make other acquisitions and investments in the Internet space," Linus managing director Sunny Burra said.

 

He however, did not disclose the amount Linus would invest in 'Sixer'.

This will be the company's second investment in the country. "Our first investment was Linus Infotech, a Business Process Outsourcing company," Burra said.

Linus capital is also planning for investments and buyout in the internet and the BPO space in India.

"We primarily focus on investments or buyouts in Internet Wireless Services, and BPO space. Currently, we are looking for investment opportunities in mobile content services along with add-on acquisitions for Linus Infotech in the BPO space," Burra said.

LINUS Capital is a boutique investment and buyout group focused on investing in cross-border opportunities in both the US and in India.

The company has operations in San Francisco and in Hyderabad. (PTI)

[fineleg]

After these several, several months I've spent on prem  blog, purdue DG and cricketvoice, you know I wish well for the DG - so hope you don't mistake me saying this.

I sorta like this "small town" feeling and am bit scared if we go 'private investment' - return on investment, corporate approach, we will lose this laid back 'small town' enjoyment here.

[keep-it-cool]

I agree with you fineleg .. it is always a dilemma .. and it is not just for folks like us; even small companies are faced with the same situation - do we give up some of the flexibility, control, family like feeling that we have now in the pursuit of growth? And, so, as long as they can make the business self financing, they continue on that path ... it is only if they want to take a quantum leap in terms of scale that they look at external sources

It is a call we (or rather those like dex, who are involved in the day to day running of the site and underwriting the costs) have to take at some point ... coz growth will not come free; there will be costs involved ... as long as they are manageable, fine. But at some point, we may have to look at options. This may be one of them. Else, we take a call to maintain this one as a small set up - something niche and for a smaller group. Which is also fine.

Both options have their merits and demerits. At the end of the day, it depends on what we course we choose to take - and we need not even take a call right now or in the near future.

[dextrous]

In order for a site like this to keep growing, there needs to be constant influx of new visitors per month. Right now, without SightScreen linking back to the site (as was the case with Purdue DG) we are fully dependant on word-of-mouth (notwithstanding the miniscule amount of money coming in from google ads, not a cent of which can be gained before the total in the account reaches $100, which won't happen for a long time). It's fine for now, as we have a 'core' group but whether or not, in a few months, a lot of people will stick around, remains to be seen (i.e. they find another site, lose interest after GC/SG saga ends, etc.).

In any case, at some point in the very near future we will need an advertising budget if we are to at all grow. Without much money, we can depend on new innovative ideas (like the one proposed in another threads about using t-shirts with cricketvoice.com logo during WC matches, banners, etc.) -- but at some point must target google, yahoo, etc. I'd much prefer that investments come in forms of other sites advertising on cricketvoice, rather than cricketvoice becoming a major part of rediff or something. Also, if someone is very interested and has some time (which, I sadly do not right now) it will be worthwhile to contact some other sites to get them to advertise here.

[keep-it-cool]

In a sense, we should actually be with the BCCI on the burn out issue ... let those who want rest, rest ... let the cricket continue ... leading to more action on the site and forum ..