Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten

How Patrick and I managed to get free iPhones!

Patrick and I gambled that Apple's stock would rise based on the iPhones success. I had this theory that, if the iPhones would not disappoint, Apple shares would go to $180 a share. Based on my theory Patrick suggested we invest €250 in options.I thought this would be fun and we ended up buying them when APPL was trading at $122. Our options were worth about $2 at the time and it meant that they would have to go up to $5.60 to earn us free iPhones. Yesterday we sold our options at $6.40...

Twones: Developer/CTO wanted!

Diederik and Tim are the founders of Twones. Twones is a very exciting company with a bright future and they are looking for a technical partner. Check out this text they just posted on LinkedIn and if you fit the profile do contact them (Diederik or Tim) right away because they are in a hurry! Seeking developer-architect and co-founder for high profile music 2.0 start-up, based in Amsterdam Twones, an Amsterdam based internet start-up, is embarking upon a new project which has a...

FON & HubHop

Yesterday I received a Fon router. In case you don't know; Fon is a company that gives away free Wi-Fi wireless networking routers to anyone who wants to install one and make it accessible to other Fon users. FON received $21.7 million (in 2006) from Google, Skype, and Sequoia Capital to build a free network of Wi-Fi hotspots all over the world. The idea is that you set-up the Fon Access Point in your window and allow other users to access your Hotspot. If they also make their hotspot available...

Bunch of iPhones

We ended up buying 15 iPhones in San Francisco earlier today. Then we went straight to the airport to catch our flight to Amsterdam. We carried three extra bags with 5 iPhones in each bag to distribute the weight evenly. When we loaded the iPhones into the x-ray machine the operator of the machine called over another security person who stared into the screen and then yelled "Oh my god, RUN!!!!". First time ever that I met a security guy with a sense of humor. The stewardesses gave...

Workshop: Strategic Venture Capital Funding

This Thursday I will be giving a workshop during E.day in Rotterdam. Attending the workshop is actually cheaper than buying a ticket for the conference so this is a great deal. The workshop is invitation only which means you have to apply for a seat but we do have a few spots available so if you are interested in learning all about Strategic VC Funding do apply directly at Waddameeting or let me know, so I can forward your interest to Waddameeting. Here is the official invitation in...

iPhone Love

the main reason for our trip to San Francisco next week (just between you and me) isn't Techcrunch20 or Fleck promotion... The real reason is we need to get our own iPhone! We plan to take a cab straight from the airport to the nearest Apple Store and buy 2 iPhones. So, if you have any tips for us about hacks, special software to install or other ways to get more fun out of our iPhones please let us know. PS: yes, that is an iPhone she is holding. It is one of the first...

Deserted Island Strategy

The Deserted Island post was first published on April 23, 2006 at the Fleck.com Blog. Since then I have talked about it often. Today I found out that I never published it here on my personal blog. So here it is. It is a common mistake for start-ups (and people in general) to presume that if they would have more [anything] their product would be much better. More money, more people, more clients, more anything. People complain 'If only I had the resources' or 'If only my boss would support...

PlanHQ.com – A Major Breakthrough

"Battle is a highly fluid situation. You plan on your contingencies, and I have. You keep your initiatives, and I will." Vic Deakins The reason why I picked this quote is because I applies so well to being in a start-up. It IS a highly fluid situation where nothing goes as planned and all you can do is expect contingencies and keep the initiative. That is also the reason why most business-plans are completely useless. A business-plan is a fixed plan that has to apply to a fluid,...