Monday, December 16, 2013

Dec 8-15 Week in Review (Bullied Comics, KDK Fund, Bitcoin, 3D Printing, Blog Readership and More)

It was another good week for Keane Venture Capital and Consulting.

Bitcoin and 3D Printing continue to make disruptive actions within many different markets. The blog entry included GigaOM's story on doctors' ability to draw cells on bone as well as Andreesen Horowitz's investment into Coinbase.

Bullied Comics has released its second comic on its facebook page (facebook.com/bulliedcomics).

KDK Fund continues to develop its investment strategy. There is a Gold options trade that expires on the 20th.

The KVCC Person/Group of the week was AngelList. The post is here.

The blogs had a 15% readership bump this week from last week.

Are you or someone you know looking for help in developing your business? Send an email to kvcc@gmail.com and an analysis will be done to see if KVCC can help.


Happy Holidays

Friday, December 13, 2013

KVCC Person/Group of The Week - AngelList

Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group. 

This week's Person/Group of The Week is AngelList. This company is simply a platform for startups. The key to AngelList's success is that it has found a way to give value to all parties interested in startups at a minimal cost to all. It has opened up the door to investing in startups for small investors. It has given startup companies access to investors and job applicants. Job applicants looking specifically to work at a startup can now have access to thousands of opportunities. 

This company is currently disrupting the entire startup culture by simply giving access to pertinent information to interested parties. This surely will assist in economic development.  Congrats AngelList!


Friday, December 6, 2013

A Special Person - Nelson Mandela

Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group.  

This article is dedicated to the great Nelson Mandela. On December 5, 2013, Mr. Mandela passed away at the age of 95. As his story has been well documented, this article will focus on his positive nature when collaborating for a greater good. As an example, the actions Mr. Mandela took while president with The Springboks. Organizations that are able to use this ability in their dealing will regularly have a competitive advantage over its rivals. 

Mr. Mandela was able to not only overcome the racial injustices that occurred in South Africa, he was able to overcome the separatist attitudes that consumed most segments of the nation. He did not lash out at the white population while in power. He did not give in to the hatred that some in the black community had for the white community in South Africa. His vision started with how to be human, then worked its way down to being South African. 

No better example of this attitude happened than his involvement with the Springboks. The integration of the rugby team was very difficult for all involved. Many stereotype walls had to be broken down in order for this team to succeed. South Africa was chosen to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Mr. Mandela knew this was a big showcase for the nation and wanted to do whatever was necessary to have a successful tournament. The team not only showed well, they won the whole tournament. The team did it by first breaking massive time built cultural barriers. Then they played the tournament as one team for all of South Africa. Mr. Mandela was able to use his leadership to get the South African Rugby Association to institute a policy for the team that demanded both integration and excellence. 

The story is a glowing example of how when collaboration is used by leadership instead of ego when accomplishing a goal, success is most often the result. With Mr. Mandela's passing, an active participant in collaboration has also passed. Continuing on this legacy will be important for all of humanity. 

KVCC Person/Group of The Week (Dec 6) - Patagonia


Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group. 

This week's Person/Group of The Week is Patagonia and its founder Yvon Chouinard. This company's business processes goes beyond just doing good. They even show you what they are doing bad. In Patagonia's business, that means bad materials being used or processes not friendly to the environment. On its website, you can see how each item is made and what materials are included in making each item. This includes materials and chemicals that the company wishes not to use but do so to create the product. One of the explanations for the large amount of disclosure is the devotion to transparency that the company's ethos demands.  

Showing how your business really works allows customers to make a stronger decision as to purchasing your product. Patagonia feels transparency is an important tool to increase business. More honest feedback and customer loyalty can come from being transparent as a company. It is clear as to how Patagonia is successful in its business model precisely because they are clear as to what materials and processes are used for their products. 




Friday, November 22, 2013

KVCC Person/Group of The Week

Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group.

This week's Person of The Week is Larry Fink. Mr. Fink is the CEO and founder of The Blackrock Group. His leadership of the firm as well as outlook on the global economy is second to none. He recently was on Bloomberg's Market Makers with Eric Shatzker and Stephanie Ruhle (link here) and spoke about macro events that will shape the global economy in the next year. It was brought up in the interview that he is still advising 100% stake in equities for the current time and has been of this opinion for at least two years. Imagine the return if you followed his advice. 

At one point this year, Mr. Fink was considered for top governmental posts such as Treasury Secretary or head of the Federal Reserve. He does work very well with government officials on both sides of the aisle. When looking for a leader in the finance industry, the search stops when Mr. Fink is found. He doesn't put himself or his ego in front of his company or business. This puts his opinion in good standing with analysts and customers. There is a trust level that is rarely seen. 

   

Saturday, November 16, 2013

KVCC Person/Group of The Week



This week's Person/Group of the week is every human being working to bring some comfort to those affected by Hurricane Haiyan. This week saw every resource available put to work to help those who were negatively impacted by the storm. Even though the response has not been perfect, the ability to help and create or improve ways of helping others not in your community is encouraging.

Here in Chicago, the local Phillipino Community Center has been overrun with donations. So much so that when the Governor of Illinois Patrick Quinn came to visit, he was moved enough to contact the federal government to see if the state's C130 Cargo plane could be used to transport relief materials to the Philippines. This happened because human drive coupled with technological power brought Chicagoland community together to help those in need.

KVCC recommends calling your local red cross office to find out how you can help with Hurricane Haiyan recovery efforts. You can also go online at www.redcross.org. You might also try and get a hold of your local Filipino community center. They would be a great resource as to how to help. As always, make sure you know who is taking your donations and that they have a great reputation.

It is KVCC's opinion that a collaborative effort can be used to solve many issues on every micro and macro level. Whether it is getting local government to put in a stop sign on a corner, or getting tons of supplies shipped halfway around the world to save lives, the act of collaboration seems to regularly be one of the important pieces to success. This unfortunate occurrence will hopefully bring a better process to how the global community can come together to help.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

This Week's Person/Group of The Week


Hey

Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group.

Twitter is this week's person/group of the week. It was chosen mainly because it had its IPO this week. Thoughts of Twitter from the beginning back in 2007 have come to mind. Thoughts of the future with Twitter also come to mind. 

Twitter has been used by many to have an amazing impact on most every demographic and its users continue to find new and better ways to impact the world. From politics back in 2008 to now being used in entertainment and everywhere else, Twitter has been used to impact the world more so than any other communication tool around. The ability to get information out to those looking for it at a moment's notice on a global scale has changed the "way of doing things". 

When you can change entire ways of thinking, you have done something right. Congratulations Twitter, keep up the good work. KVCC has no relationship with Twitter and has not purchased shares......yet:). 

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Happenings for November



This month looks to be fairly busy. KVCC is continuing its work with Bullied Comics. You can find Bullied Comics facebook page here. Its Twitter handle is @bulliedcomics.

Development of the KDK Fund is also taking place. You can follow the developments of the KDK Fund by checking out the blog here

Would you or anyone else you know benefit from assistance analyzing a specific problem that your business is currently encountering? Are you looking to expand further into your current market or enter into another market? Contact us at keanevcc@gmail.com for more information on how we can provide a top quality service to your business or activity.

KVCC Person of The Week

Hey all

Each week, a person or group is promoted for their work in creating or improving a product or service. If Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has any relationship with the person or group, it will be disclosed. The weekly highlight does not mean that KVCC is recommending a purchase of a product or service. The article is not sanctioned by the individual or group.

This week, we are highlighting Nest CEO Tony Fadell. Tony is a former Apple employee that worked on the original design of the ipod. In 2010, he started Nest. Its first product, a thermometer, brought today's technology into managing heating and cooling in the household. Now, Nest is releasing a new smoke detector named Protect that has technology that will bound to change the industry surrounding the home smoke detector. There is a story in Wired magazine that covers the release of the product.

Tony Fadell is being promoted because of his ability to disrupt the status quo on products he and the companies he has worked on have developed. Even with design accolades, articles highlighting his success, and many patents, he still is an unfamiliar name in regular America. KVCC feels that he is up there with the likes of Elon Musk and Johnny Ive. Mr. Fadell was a major contributor to Apple's ipod design. Now, with Nest, he's now worked on a couple of products within the home that matter to a family's security and safety.

It would seem that if you are looking to disrupt an industry with a certain product in mind, getting into Mr. Fadell's circle would be beneficial. The experience that Mr. Fadell and his team have should be very helpful and inspirational for those aspiring disruptors. If you know of anyone you would like

Please check out the following links for more information on Tony and Nest:

Nest
Tony Fadell - Wikipedia

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Project for Bullied Comix

Keane Venture Capital and Consulting has taken on Bullied Comix for help in growing traction and eyeballs on the comic. The comic deals with overcoming bullying. The process has started with getting the blog bulliesarelame.blogspot.com started.


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Introduction to Keane Venture Capital and Consulting

Hello

Welcome to Keane Venture Capital and Consulting's blog. This arena will be used as a sounding board for the company.


** The mission of Keane Venture Capital and Consulting is to provide companies and individuals with ideas and planning for growth and profitability. If you or anyone you know might benefit from a meeting, please contact keanevcc@gmail.com for more information. **