Venture Strategy Partners

Borderfree is a provider of cross-border e-commerce solutions, enabling retailers in the United States to connect with consumers in around 100 countries and territories. Established in 1999 and headquartered in New York, the company offers a proprietary technology and services platform that manages the entire international e-commerce order lifecycle. This includes multi-currency pricing, payment processing, landed cost calculation, customs clearance, global logistics orchestration, and international fraud management. Borderfree serves a diverse clientele, including retailers, department stores, and brands in sectors such as apparel, jewelry, sporting goods, and home decor. Initially founded as FiftyOne, the company rebranded to Borderfree in 2013, reflecting its commitment to facilitating global retail opportunities and enhancing customer experience across borders.

Branders.com is an online retailer specializing in customizable promotional items such as pens, hats, and various other products for marketing, sales, and event planning. The platform serves as a comprehensive resource for users to locate, design, order, and track promotional merchandise efficiently. It offers advanced search and recommendation services to assist in product selection, enabling customers to personalize and decorate items in real-time. Additionally, Branders.com streamlines the fulfillment process and enhances corporate identity management, making it a convenient option for businesses seeking effective promotional solutions.

AccountNow is a prominent provider of prepaid card financial solutions, catering to the 40 million consumers in the United States who lack established credit or traditional banking relationships. The company offers an alternative to conventional checking accounts, allowing users to access financial and payment systems through its prepaid Visa and MasterCard cards. AccountNow’s services include online bill payment, card-to-card transfers, and FDIC-insured deposits, enabling customers to deposit paychecks directly and make purchases wherever Visa debit or MasterCard is accepted. The prepaid cards are issued by The Bancorp Bank or MetaBank, ensuring secure and reliable financial services for individuals seeking accessible banking alternatives.

Mirra, Inc. is a privately held company based in Mountain View, California, specializing in personal digital content protection and management. The company offers the Mirra Personal Server, aimed at consumers and small office/home office (SOHO) professionals who require an efficient and cost-effective solution for safeguarding, remotely accessing, and sharing their digital files, photos, and emails. Launched in 2003, the Mirra Personal Server addresses the growing need for reliable data protection as digital content becomes increasingly valuable. With the rise of digital cameras and broadband adoption, users are seeking straightforward methods to manage their expanding digital assets. Mirra's solution eliminates the complexities often associated with data management, making it accessible to users without requiring technical expertise.

Mirra, Inc. is a privately held company based in Mountain View, California, specializing in personal digital content protection and management. The company offers the Mirra Personal Server, aimed at consumers and small office/home office (SOHO) professionals who require an efficient and cost-effective solution for safeguarding, remotely accessing, and sharing their digital files, photos, and emails. Launched in 2003, the Mirra Personal Server addresses the growing need for reliable data protection as digital content becomes increasingly valuable. With the rise of digital cameras and broadband adoption, users are seeking straightforward methods to manage their expanding digital assets. Mirra's solution eliminates the complexities often associated with data management, making it accessible to users without requiring technical expertise.

A Milipitas, Calif.-based provider of storage solutions for IT infrastructures

Iconoculture, Inc. is a provider of consumer trend and market research services based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1992, the company offers a range of products and services aimed at helping businesses understand consumer behaviors and market dynamics. Key offerings include the U.S. Advisory Service, which grants access to a cultural research database and trend reports, and Global View, designed to assist global brands and agencies in navigating strategic challenges. Additionally, Iconoculture features Custom View, an interactive content hub, and IconoCommunities, which are social networks that capture consumer sentiments and motivations. The company also hosts the annual cultural trend conference, Iconosphere, and provides Consumer Outlooks and Custom Research and Consulting services to inform clients about demographic trends and consumer segments. As of May 2010, Iconoculture operates as a subsidiary of Corporate Executive Board Co.

Borderfree is a provider of cross-border e-commerce solutions, enabling retailers in the United States to connect with consumers in around 100 countries and territories. Established in 1999 and headquartered in New York, the company offers a proprietary technology and services platform that manages the entire international e-commerce order lifecycle. This includes multi-currency pricing, payment processing, landed cost calculation, customs clearance, global logistics orchestration, and international fraud management. Borderfree serves a diverse clientele, including retailers, department stores, and brands in sectors such as apparel, jewelry, sporting goods, and home decor. Initially founded as FiftyOne, the company rebranded to Borderfree in 2013, reflecting its commitment to facilitating global retail opportunities and enhancing customer experience across borders.

MusicNow is an online digital music service that enables users to browse, discover, and download tracks through a subscription-based model. Founded by Chris Gladwin in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, MusicNow focuses on providing a personalized music experience, allowing customers to access a customized library. In November 2005, the company was acquired by AOL, which subsequently rebranded it as the AOLMusicNow product.

Omniva Policy Systems specializes in secure messaging solutions designed to enhance the safety of email communications for businesses. Its flagship product, Omniva Policy Manager, offers centralized protection and control over email distribution, ensuring compliance with regulations while reducing the costs associated with email discovery and retrieval. The system operates seamlessly with existing email clients, allowing companies to securely exchange confidential communications with external parties, regardless of the email systems in use, without any special software or additional steps required for recipients. By applying protection automatically at the email gateway based on established corporate policies, Omniva empowers enterprises to manage their email communications effectively, addressing the legal risks associated with unmanaged email archives.

Danger was a technology company that specialized in providing software and hardware solutions, particularly known for powering T-Mobile's Sidekick phone. This device was geared towards younger users and was notable for its robust messaging capabilities, handling over 4,000 messages and 400 pageviews per user each month at its peak. In 2008, Microsoft acquired Danger, but the company faced significant challenges, including a major server issue in 2009 that resulted in data loss for users. By May 2011, the cloud data service for Danger-powered Sidekick devices was discontinued, marking the end of an era for the product. Throughout its operations, Danger offered integrated solutions that enabled mobile operators to deliver data and internet services effectively to their subscribers.

Centive is dedicated to providing technology solutions that automate incentive compensation management. The company aims to transform traditional sales compensation processes, which often involve basic commission calculations, into strategic tools that enhance sales performance. By offering on-demand solutions for sales compensation and performance management, Centive seeks to streamline these processes, enabling organizations to better align their compensation strategies with overall business goals.

Sabrix, Inc. specializes in transaction tax management, offering solutions that assist finance, tax, and IT professionals in achieving accurate and timely compliance with various tax types, including sales tax, use tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and industry-specific taxes. Its flagship product, the Sabrix Application Suite, is designed for global enterprises and integrates seamlessly with existing financial applications to determine, calculate, and record transaction taxes. Additionally, Sabrix provides the Managed Tax Service (MTS), an outsourced compliance service aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. This service helps clients streamline their tax processes, reduce audit exposure, and lower compliance costs by managing all aspects of tax compliance, from address validation to returns preparation and filing. Sabrix operates as an extension of the finance department, ensuring comprehensive tax management solutions tailored to the needs of various organizations.

MusicNow is an online digital music service that enables users to browse, discover, and download tracks through a subscription-based model. Founded by Chris Gladwin in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, MusicNow focuses on providing a personalized music experience, allowing customers to access a customized library. In November 2005, the company was acquired by AOL, which subsequently rebranded it as the AOLMusicNow product.

A Milpitas, Calif.-based data storage management network, came out of stealth mode

MusicNow is an online digital music service that enables users to browse, discover, and download tracks through a subscription-based model. Founded by Chris Gladwin in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, MusicNow focuses on providing a personalized music experience, allowing customers to access a customized library. In November 2005, the company was acquired by AOL, which subsequently rebranded it as the AOLMusicNow product.

Privia LLC specializes in proposal management and bid capture solutions designed to enhance collaboration among organizations participating in various contracting opportunities. Based in Herndon, Virginia, the company offers the Privia Suite, which includes integrated document management, productivity tools, and best practice workflows to facilitate the proposal process. Its products cater to different client needs, featuring Privia Enterprise for improving government contracting market share, Privia Small Business for opportunity management and proposal customization, and Privia Resume Manager for organizing team resumes. Additionally, Privia provides professional services such as proposal management, training, and administrative support. The company has established strategic alliances with various organizations to enhance its service offerings and was founded in 2001. Privia operates as a subsidiary of SpringCM Inc.

iVast International specializes in digital media creation and delivery software, aimed at expanding brand reach and generating new revenue streams. Over five years, the company has developed a robust media integration and distribution network across Asia Pacific, Australia, Europe, South America, and the United States. Its software adheres to international standards for distributing interactive audio, video, 2D or 3D graphics, and animation through broadband and broadcast networks. This enables content owners and service providers to deliver enhanced media experiences to various end-user devices, including personal computers and set-top boxes. iVast has established a significant client base, which includes notable organizations such as NetHome Japan, China Telecom, and Sony, among others.

CentrPort is the creator of Brand Interaction Management software. Their suite of software products was designed to enable businesses to receive continuous return on their digital marketing investment. They provide the means by which Their clients effectively integrate cumulative, multi-system data into a single profile of each potential customer. This integrated data forms the basis for the proactive management of all interactions between their customers and their brand.

Flooz.com is an online platform that facilitates gift giving by allowing users to send electronic greeting cards and online gift currency to recipients with an email address. The service aims to simplify the process of gifting by providing a convenient and accessible way to express sentiments and offer gifts digitally. Through this platform, users can enhance their gifting experience by choosing from a variety of electronic cards and gift currencies, making it easier to connect with friends and family.

Angara Database Systems is a provider of online marketing services for consumer-centric e-businesses.

MusicNow is an online digital music service that enables users to browse, discover, and download tracks through a subscription-based model. Founded by Chris Gladwin in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, MusicNow focuses on providing a personalized music experience, allowing customers to access a customized library. In November 2005, the company was acquired by AOL, which subsequently rebranded it as the AOLMusicNow product.

Quovera, Inc. is a business consulting and technology integration firm that specializes in a wide range of services designed to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement. The company provides customer relationship management services, which encompass sales force automation, marketing automation, and customer support. It also offers business performance management, including financial and operational intelligence, as well as sales incentive compensation services. Additionally, Quovera delivers product knowledge management and enterprise resource management solutions, addressing needs in areas such as manufacturing, distribution, and human resources. Their supply chain management services cover procurement, logistics, and trade management. The company further specializes in advanced planning and scheduling services, including demand planning and supply chain execution. Quovera serves clients across various sectors, including high tech, semiconductor, software and services, financial services, and retail industries. Founded in 1995 and originally known as Millennia Vision Corporation, Quovera is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

BarterTrust.com, established in 1999, is the largest online business-to-business barter exchange in North America, serving over 7,000 clients. Combining traditional barter practices with e-commerce, the company offers a platform for clients to trade online or with the assistance of experienced trade brokers. With 12 regional offices in the United States, BarterTrust.com facilitated $120 million in barter transactions in 1999, resulting in annual revenues of $10 million. Operating from its headquarters in San Francisco, California, the company has received strong investor backing, including funding from Argus Capital, Draper Richards, El Dorado Ventures, and Vector Capital. Recently, BarterTrust.com secured additional financing from investors like General Motors Investments, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, and MSC Industrial Direct, further solidifying its position in the market.

AdSavers.com, Inc. is a privately held Internet company based in Northern Virginia in the Washington, DC metro area.

eStyle provides retailer solutions, manufacturer solutions, and e-style connect services. They also provide estyle central database, order writing app, and estyle central program to update websites.

Flooz.com is an online platform that facilitates gift giving by allowing users to send electronic greeting cards and online gift currency to recipients with an email address. The service aims to simplify the process of gifting by providing a convenient and accessible way to express sentiments and offer gifts digitally. Through this platform, users can enhance their gifting experience by choosing from a variety of electronic cards and gift currencies, making it easier to connect with friends and family.

Post Communications provides customized email marketing services. It is a marketing company that engages in the design, development, implementation, and operations of internet marketing solutions. It offers its users with a wide range of promotional campaigns. Post Communications was founded in 1996 and it was acquired by Yesmail on December 5, 2001.

Recommender.com is a business-to-business-to-consumer company that specializes in developing interactive recommendation systems based on natural language processing. The company provides an application that enables consumers to share their experiences with a wide range of products and services, including cosmetics, electronics, cars, hotels, books, and movies. This platform allows users to find and write reviews, facilitating informed decision-making for potential buyers. Additionally, users can earn rewards through their contributions, enhancing engagement and promoting a community of shared experiences.

ShoppingList is a Fashion company.