In the end this deal just makes perfect business sense for Microsoft. Gaming is a huge and profitable industry, in which Microsoft is already deeply involved in through Xbox, and they’re sitting on top of a $140 billion cash pile. Why not use half of that to buy a growing business that will generate lots of revenues and opportunities for many years to come?
Read MoreThe single most important job of the Chief Product Officer
One way to build a successful company – perhaps the best way – is to solve a big and relevant problem in the real world. For software companies, the solution to the problem is almost always deployed as a product, which customers hopefully will find useful and valuable enough so that they are willing to buy it. Given the importance of the product, it’s no surprise that most tech companies have a C-level executive who is responsible for the strategy and execution of all product-related activities, the Chief Product Officer (CPO). Whether the title is CPO, Head of Product, VP of Product, or something else, doesn’t much matter. There needs to be someone who is responsible for the strategic product direction and who leads the product organization.
Read MoreCan't wait to try out mmhmm and pimp my Zoom meetings
When you work for a VC firm focusing on software, you’ll see a lot of product demos. I mean, a lot. They come in various formats, usually with some demo effects, and can be performed live in a conference room or in a cafe, or virtually over Zoom or something similar. Sometimes you’ll see a recorded demo video. Well, today a colleague shared a demo video, which immediately grabbed my attention and felt very fresh and cool.
Read MoreLooking for Data
We believe that smart aggregation and deep usage of data are essential building blocks for fast-growing successful software companies.
Read MoreHow to cut through the AI hype
Unless you’ve been living on a desert island you can’t have avoided the recent hype around Artificial Intelligence, AI. Everybody is talking about the importance of it: business leaders, politicians, technologists, startup founders, and investors. Consequently almost all startup pitches contain some references to AI, and more or less all investors claim to be looking for AI opportunities.
Read MoreFrom Vitamins To Painkillers
Many successful software products have started out as being vitamins but eventually evolved into being painkillers. What’s the difference and what should you aim for as a software entrepreneur?
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