Reality TV Show for Startups Announced; RWW Editor a Judge
In the tradition of American Idol, The Apprentice, Top Chef, and Dragons' Den, a new TV show is in development in New Zealand that will bring the 'Elimination/Game show' format of reality TV to the world of startups. I will be one of the 3 judges.
The TV show, to be called Start Up (not to be confused with the 2001 movie Startup.com) is being produced by a kiwi company called Start-UP Media, alongside Wellington hi-tech cluster Silicon Welly. The aim is "to take one kiwi online company from startup through to launch in Silicon Valley and hopefully on to international success."
Aspiring kiwi startups are invited to apply to be part of the TV show. The TV series will select 10 startups and put them through 3 months of challenges.
As reported on the NZ Herald, Start-UP Media says the focus is on finding startups with an international focus:
"We're looking for companies with an international focus from day 1. The minimum entry requirements will be that they will have a product in development or beta phase however we may make an exception for someone that has an exceptional idea supported by market validation."
We here at RWW fully support the notion of Web innovation and success happening on an international scale. While the hub of Web technology is still Silicon Valley, this TV show aims to encourage aspiring kiwi entrepreneurs to make the first step - and the best of them will be promoted over in the Valley.
As for which American Idol judge I will be... I think it's fair to say I'm not nasty enough to be Simon Cowell. I'd like to think I'm not the other extreme either (Paula), so I guess that makes me Randy Jackson! I like Randy, so I can live with that ("it was pitchy for me, dawg"). The other judges are Tim Norton from PlanHQ (an online business planning startup) and Rod Drury from Xero (an online accounting app with global ambitions).
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Aw man, wish I could apply!
is starting a start up not enough work in itself? now you need challenges.
This is great news, I personally hate reality tv but this sounds like it could work. Can only hope they have one in Australia now.
starting a start up is work and challenge. but getting out of bed is a challenge some days!
Hey, Richard.
Congratulatoins! It's always great to see you still advancing with both passion and vision. I'm sure the show will rock. Is there any way to watch it outside New Zealand? :)
Congrats, though you just confirmed we in Bubble 2.0 ;)
Hey Richard - congratulations. I'm sure you'll be excellent.
The show will be on TVNZ, the main tv network here. And they have a pretty good online TV section on their website, so I'd hope it turns up there. But certainly would be good to have it online, I'll follow up on that.
This sounds like it's going to be a great show, I really hope that there will be a legal way to watch the show here in the states.
i want to see a video today of richard saying "whatup dawg" or "you brought it dawg" :)
You got to be kidding me! All of you think this is great news? I remember we had these shows 10 years ago... Do i need to remind you what happened?
I know, i know, everybody is like: "This is not a bubble... etc." Let´s hope so.
It is at least not in my interest that it becomes "cool & trendy" again to have a startup and lot´s of attention and all that BS that comes with it!
Cashmore already ads enough noise with his parties all over the world!
Well, then on the other hand, maybe it is just me.
BJM
I like it as an alternative to VC money!
Hi All - thanks for this post Richard. Quick response to a couple of the questions that have popped up.
1. Yes the series will be available to view online (I don't know if we'll be able to get Richard saying Dawg on camera though).
2. We've done a lot of work on the format to ensure that the program will not end up "Noise". NZ is an extremely early stage online market, through the series we hope to encourage growth and investment into the local sector. We're not in it to flame a whole bunch of aspiring online entrepreneurs but rather assist them in getting a world-class product to market. Which is why we have Richard on-board, to provide the necessary international expertise and experience.
Very nice!
I second Allen's comment, I want a video of Richard saying "whatup dawg":).
Richard?
Great idea. Pity it is only for kiwis. I agree the idea is a bit dated but hey my kids still watch Big Brother too. We might even open an office in Wellington(NZ) soon just so we can go on the show! ;-)
Cheers, Peter.
Congratulations, Richard :)!
To Allen and Gabriel, I think I am far too nerdy to get away with using the term "dawg" (unless I am attempting to attain some kind of Napolean Dynamite version of coolness). Randy is way cooler than me :-)
I'll be sure to tune in Richard - I'm sure it will be great!
thanks :)