Stanford CIS

Report from Israeli Venture Association: some future Internet applications

By Stuart Soffer on

Last week I attended the Israeli Venture Association conference in Tel Aviv.  Featured was a demonstration pavilion presenting progress on 30 startups seeking venture capital.  The big eye catcher (for me) was 'Ticket2Final', an online marketplace where you can purchase options on a ticket to a future sports event.  For example, you can buy an option today for a ticket to Stanford in the Final Four.  Should your pick be successful, you can buy a ticket at the face price, avoiding the scalpers’ mark-up.  However, how does this relate to online gambling?  Is it gambling, or is it an 'option' like a stock option?  See http://www.ticket2final.com.

Another group is TicTacTi (http://www.tictacti.com), who has technology to overlay interactive video ads over another broadband video stream, although I don't need to see more advertising on the web.  Applications are polling and surveys.

Finally, in keeping an eye out for green companies, there is Leviathan Energy (http://www.leviathaneneregy.com) designer of some big (10 meter diameter) wind and wave turbines.