Online Video Is HOT: Why 500 Loves Video Startups

Check out why 500 invests in video startups, and why we're looking for more companies for our Spring Accelerator. Apply today: http://bit.ly/Applyfor500

[music plays]

Go!

I'm George Kellerman. I'm a venture partner at 500 Startups.

I'm primarily responsible for fund-raising and investments in Japan,

but another area of interest for me is video.

One of the reasons why I'm interested in video personally

is because I watch the way my daughters ages twelve and fourteen

interact with YouTube and the way they use video.

They were sitting in the living room with a laptop on their lap,

not even paying attention to what's going on on the TV.

So they're using video to find their own favorite content,

to use it as a radio source, they didn't even listen to the radio

and they hardly use their iPods anymore.

Video has been tremendously transformative over the last few years.

We've seen YouTube develop as a platform,

that it's a place where people interact with content,

create content, share content,

and we've seen new forms of content consumption come out of YouTube.

It really made me realize that this is a very very powerful platform

and here at 500 Startups we really like video,

we're actually looking to invest more in video.

We currently have about thirty companies in our portfolio that are video related.

We've got companies such as Virool, Switchcam, Highlight Cam.

We're also seeing companies like Ipsy

which are using video as a way to sell their products and to make a connection with their users.

So, if you've got a product, service, or idea

that you think will transform the way that users use video,

then you should really consider applying to our accelerator.

We're currently accepting applications.

Go to angel.co/500startups

We'd love to see more products and services in this space.

It's an area where we really want to invest in more.

So show us what you can do.

500 startups, out! [music rises, then fades]