While the dot-com era of the nineties is often discussed in terms of the bubble it created, excitement about small technology companies is as high as ever. It seems as if new interesting apps and software, as well as social networks, are created every day. The technology environment is alive and prospering and populated by startups that it’s every techie’s dream to work for.
The technology startups of today, are, however, aware of the errors that tech companies of yore, who didn’t survive, made. They’re less eager to be the next big thing and more committed to maintaining long-term relevance. Everyone in the startup culture admires Zuckerberg’s incredible ascent, but the following five companies don’t seem to be rushing to conquer the world as much as they are working to occupy their unique niches.
DoubleDutch
With offices in Amsterdam and San Francisco, DoubleDutch helps improve the conference experience for both companies and attendees. Their mobile device applications are designed to facilitate navigating large exhibit spaces. They’ve identified a real need to keep visitors engaged with vendors through digital solutions that personalize large impersonal trade shows and events. http://doubledutch.me/about.html
Evernote
The app that helps users manage the many sites and apps they use every day, Evernote takes functionality to a higher level. Located in Redwood City, California, Evernote is the creation of a group of computer science people from Boston University. The company has had its struggles, yet it has survived them all to recently receive $200 million in funding. http://news.cnet.com/8301-32973_3-57608309-296/evernote-ceo-on-how-company-was-saved-at-%20eleventh-hour/
IFTTT
IFTTT is also known as “if this then that.” A web utility that enables you to connect apps, IFTTT not only responds to the need to simplify our relationship with technology, it has the catchiness and personality of a real brand. IFTTT gets rave reviews because it stands out in a market cluttered with lots of unmemorable apps. The San Francisco company has developed a number of strategic partnerships. http://www.fastcompany.com/3014440/tech-forecast/ifttt-puts-the-internet-of-things-in-your-pocket
Dropbox
A startup dedicated to promoting the sharing of web-based files, Dropbox was initially consumer focused but is now targeting businesses. A San Francisco based company, they are not shy about their global ambitions. After recently hiring management talent from Salesforce and Google, Dropbox is working on seizing the European market. http://gigaom.com/2013/08/09/dropbox-hires-top-vmware-techie-with-an-eye-on-the-enterprise/
Udemy
Serving a growing market for online education, Udemy joins together educators and students. Building on the DIY tendencies of the digital era, they bypass more formal academic models to sponsor peer learning and practical curricula via video that would be hard to find in traditional universities. http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/07/schools-out-udemy-nabs-12m-to-drive-down-the-cost-of-higher-ed/
If there’s any commonality between these companies as well as other successful technology startups, it’s the focus they put on providing solutions to busy people. Concentrating on getting rich and taking the world by storm is not what these startups live for. They all seem to understand the importance of establishing meaningful relationships between themselves and the world’s internet users.
Even with the risks of doing business too informally, these five ground-up technology companies demonstrate a commitment to looking at the small, as opposed to big picture. In many ways, they’re run like crafts studios. It’s hard to believe sometimes that there are high-tech thinkers driving them. They have offices that are more laid-back than you’ll find in the traditional corporate world. Of course, these startups realize that their appeal is based on the fact that they’re one-of-a-kind.
Author Dominick Rogers enjoys blogging about startup business and has a huge passion for all things tech. For more great information on emerging tech jobs, Dominick recommends readers check out this article.
