Website URL

http://www.sofvue.com/

Date of Launch:

June 2010

Tell us about your startup business:

Sofvue, an Internet development firm, has been developing software and Internet apps for twenty years. Our latest offering, "City Connect", is a citywide Internet business portal using Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and other state-of-the-art technologies riding atop our proprietary TITAN1 Application Engine.

City Connect is a zero-install, instantly accessible technology that turns your web browser into a powerful, high performance business tool that lets consumers connect to businesses and businesses connect to one another using one standardized User Interface (UI).

It is technology that underwent three years of design, scoping, development and testing in order to provide local businesses a better and more cost efficient way to market and brand their businesses, exclusively in any city of your choosing.

It is technology that allows businesses to join free of charge. It is a place where regional and national companies can advertise on the site, even when they are ineligible to join. It is a place where local businesses are given preferential treatment, and in doing so, allows City Connect to establish brand loyalty using fewer dollars and less effort.

City Connect also allows local businesses to control and manage their own Online Business Profile (OBP) with no restrictions, giving them the control they need to deliver the message they want. Other features allow members to post jobs, create classified ads, update discount coupons, add Calendar of Events and become a Featured Business of the Week. Members also receive customer testimonials, verified business status and can become a TOP 100 Business, exclusively in whatever city you choose.

How are you funding your startup?

Loan

Startup Launch Budget:

$1,000,000+

Looking for additional funding?

No

What are some of the future goals for your startup?

We are already licensing cities and are seeking more business savvy entrepreneurs and business owners who want to either (a) license and operate their own 'City Connect' portal in any of the nations 3,000 + cities or (b) add the 'City Connect' technology to their existing product offerings. A 'City Connect' portal can be up and running in less than 30 days. Cash flow can begin as early as 60 days after launch.

Advice for other startups? Favourite Quotes?

Tip 1 -- No can predict the future state of the economy. If they could, why are they still working?
Tip 2 -- What goes up will come back down...guaranteed. I've lived through three recessions and three expansions. Hopefully, I'm smart enough to stop working during an expansion period.
Tip 3 -- Hire people...not skills. There's a lot educated idiots in the world. Focus on people who can give back, grow and maybe, if you're lucky, replace you.

Favorite Quote: "When the horse is dead, get off."