
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Pitch
Wiggio plans to ease group work online
By Mass High Tech Staff
Wiggio.com
Headquarters: Cambridge
Employees: 8
Founded: 2008
Web: www.wiggio.com
E-mail: dana@wiggio.com
Phone: 978-430-3654
The Pitch: Wiggio is seeking $1.5 million in funding.
PITCHING THE TECHNOLOGY
Wiggio is a web application intended to make it easier to work in groups online. The company says it was formed in response to the frustration of using several websites and services to perform collaboration functions. The company’s service allows users to share links, calendars and files, conduct polls and conference calls, chat online, and send text, voice and Twitter-like messages to collaborators. The company is initially focusing on college students but says its website could also be used by small businesses, nonprofits, clubs, families, religious groups, neighborhood groups, alumni associations, PTAs, scout troops and other groups. Wiggio said that its service is free, and it will be serving Facebook-style advertisements.
PITCHING THE PEOPLE
Who is on the management team? Dana Lampert, CEO, formerly of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Lampert graduated from Cornell University in 2008 and developed the concept for Wiggio at Cornell’s Student Agencies Entrepreneurship Lab. Rob Doyle, software programmer.
Have executives been involved in a cashout prior to this venture? No.
Who is on the board of advisers? Bob Doyle, formerly of NASA. In the 1970s, Doyle invented the electronic game Merlin, which was acquired by Parker Bros. In 2003, Doyle built an MP3 recording studio for former WBUR host Christopher Lydon, which helped popularize podcasts.
PITCHING THE BUSINESS
How much money is being sought? Wiggio says it is looking for a $1.5 million investment in exchange for equity.
What partnerships, collaborations or affiliations are already in place? The company says it has about 130,000 users at more than 500 colleges.
List any federal or state grants, contracts or awards received: None.
What’s the market size being pursued? Wiggio describes its market as the 30 million students in the United States.
Who are the likely competitors, direct or indirect? The company says its competition comes from Google Inc.’s Google Groups, and Yahoo Inc.’s Yahoo Groups.
Is the company profitable? No.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the number of users. Wiggio.com has 130,000 users at more than 500 colleges.






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