Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Pitch

U for Life aims to make the college yearbook more interactive

By Lynette F. Cornell

U For Life Inc.
Headquarters: Needham
Phone: 781-492-7039
Email: rob@uforlife.com
URL: www.uforlife.com
Founded: 2010
Employees: 4


In the company’s own words:
“Traditional yearbooks are dead. Why send two students with cameras around campus to take pictures of their friends and then wonder why nobody wants to buy the book? Enter the next-generation, digital yearbook. Today, every student carries a camera with their phone. U For Life provides a social publishing application built on the Facebook platform to crowd-source yearbooks and other memory books. U for Life then publishes photos and content into a patent-pending digital reader on Facebook that includes ‘social’ capabilities. As readers browse pages, tag articles, photos, names and faces, post comments and ‘like’ items, their interactions proliferate virally across the Facebook newsfeeds of friends and classmates, continuously attracting new readers.”

About the technology:
U For Life has developed interactive modules based on Facebook’s platform that allow colleges and universities to publish online content that alumni can interact with and share with their friends on Facebook. Schools can digitize and publish historic yearbooks, magazines, sports guides, newsletters and other content in the online viewer. The schools can also keep track of alumni using the platform’s Data Collection and Validation tool, which allows schools to compare existing alumni directory data to current alumni Facebook profile information. According to the company, this system makes it easier and more affordable for schools to keep their alumni directories current and accurate. Schools pay for the application and the profile data associated with each user.

People behind the company:
Rob White, founder and president, was formerly the executive vice president of products for web-based information service company Generate Inc., which was acquired by Dow Jones & Co. in 2008. Michael Howard, founder and chief technology officer, co-founded InterActive Workplace, a pioneering Internet company later acquired by Siebel CRM Systems Inc. Lita Young, chief financial officer, was previously the president of specialty food company Lita’s Gourmet LLC and formerly the chief financial officer at Backyard Farms LLC, a year-round tomato distributor. Andy Thompson serves as vice president of business development and strategic partnerships.

The pitch:
The company is currently seeking $1 million for its first phase to build out its yearbook replacement concept; enhance its data collection, validation and integration services for schools and universities; and expand its offerings to include digital, interactive company and event books. Ultimately, the company plans to raise $2.5 million. The company is also seeking business partnerships and is currently in discussions with several CRM providers focused on the higher education market. U For Life is associated with the University of Massachusetts Boston Venture Development Center.

The market:
The company is pursuing the education IT market, which it estimates is $12 billion for colleges and university and $9 billion for primary and secondary institutions, based on figures by IT consulting firm Gartner Inc.

The competition:
U For Life’s competition includes other social engagement companies and social crowdsourcing applications.