“You be the VC” launches

September 25, 2007 | Matt Marshall | Comments | |

See the video above (or click here if you’re reading in RSS) for information about YouBeTheVC.com, a new site where users get to select who gets funded.

youbethevc.jpgY Combinator, TechStars, Plug and Play and now PARC are just some of the organizations that pair investing with an incubator environment for small startups. New York-based Bang Ventures, a self-styled investment firm, not a VC, is launching a online social network called “You Be The VC,” where startups submit their business plans then compete for funding. The public can vote on their favorite companies, then Bang will fund the top three companies with $15,000 and a host of other incubator services. It also includes social networking features so contestants can also meet each other and network.

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Matt Marshall is editor and CEO of VentureBeat. Follow him on Twitter at @mmarshall, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.

  • Can the venture capital community say "bubble"?
  • rexsolomon
    Asking the PUBLIC to judge "Web 2.0" startups?
    i.e. no expertise or visionary is required? Anyone can understand the technologies involved? Everyone is aware of a multitude of tech trends in-depth?

    The real truth behind this scam is: Ignorant people watching TV will pay with their online and cellphone votes at about $1 per person, one or two companies get funded for a 'staggering' sum of $15k, and the millions from ads are pocketed by these opportunists playing on the hopes and dreams of young entrepreneurs who are either eager for 15 minutes of fame or just plain desperate.

    Some people have no conscience.
  • Paul
    RexSolomon seems to completely miss the point.

    1. first round voting is by a panel of really reputable judges. Only the best ideas will ever get to the public.

    2. I don't see where youbethevc is charging anyone to vote.

    3. youbethevc is offering $15k for living expenses during the first summer of development in Boston, PLUS an office, a programming team, a legal team, an admin team, and a marketing team. That's worth a lot more than the stipend. Mark Modzelewski managed to get his launch covered by CNBC, TechCrunch, and lots of top blogs. What's it worth to have him pitch your idea?