New Features At ArcticIndex
ArcticIndex, our database and a network of Nordic and Baltic startups, service providers and investors, has been growing steadily with new members. We have also added some new features together with Kisko Labs that have been asked for every now and then. Here's a little run down on what we've released and some plans where we intend to go with the service.
Some new additions to the service include:
- Availability to set a location for your company - this means you can choose a Nordic or a Baltic country from the drop down list to mark the home turf your company. This will come in handy in the future as we bring in more localised services to ArcticIndex.
- Possibility to filter out companies and people based on their nationality - this feature has been asked for quite a bit and we agree, it is only the beginning in adding better ways to drill down to the database with keywords of filters of your choice. However, now when you go to either the companies page or people page, you are able to filter the nationalities with the tool on the left hand side.
- Company specific URLs - this will help those smaller companies get more visibility through Google and other search engines. Unfortunately we can't write about every startup there is, but that is no barrier for good online visibility. Just enter your company name as it should be in the field provided and the service will render the company page URL so that it matches your company name. A small step towards better SEO.
- Company specific ArcticStartup blog posts - we matched the companies in the database together with the blog posts in ArcticStartup through tags. This means that, for example on Spotify's page you will now be able to see the latest ArcticStartup blog posts regarding Spotify. This will make the content more relevant for everyone and useful.
We have a roadmap of new features that are going to be implemented in the near future, but what are the things you'd like to see in the service - where would you like us to take it? We're going to be releasing embeddable boxes (like the one you see about Spotify and Kisko Labs below this post) to everyone in a bit, so other startup bloggers can also share the love. We've also been playing with the idea of bringing in tools for startups to take better control over their own page and start using it as a marketing platform, or a recruiting service. But now's your chance - give us your input, where would you like us to take the service and what are the features you'd like to see implemented?
Nokia's Smartphone Roadmap Leaked?
Seems that Engadget Mobile got its hands on at least a partial roadmap or a list of S60 prototype devices available within Nokia or for the third-party developers. Roadmap starting from 2007 through 2009 lists product codes and codenames, operating system versions, prototype availability, development status and some of the actual features.
For example, list includes a upcoming Qwerty-slider model for AT&T and model with a 3 inch sized VGA display. See the full list.
Some ideas for the future
I'm writing this from our summer cottage in Punkaharju, looking at the lake and pondering about the future. Looking back at the last six months, I must say they've been excellent, challenging and very rewarding with regards to Arctic Startup. We've had two events, which were magnificent successes, tens of blogposts which have gathered tens of comments from Finland and abroad. We've also had Ville and Tomi join our ranks after we launched the site last autumn with Miikka.
All of us have been working at our day jobs while putting this together and needless to say, it takes a lot of energy. Nevertheless I've talked to the guys and we're all looking forward to putting in another 100% this coming autumn (I know I know, let's get through the summer first!). There are a lot of plans put down to paper and I'm now going to share some of them with you.
With organising the two events during last spring we really noticed that there is a lot of demand for a grassroots level, bottom up, type of a forum where the concept is built in co-operation with the entrepreneurs working with the issues. Due to this, we're going to be having at least two other events this coming fall. They're going to be bigger and better with more interesting people.
To make this happen, we're looking towards incorporating ArcticStartup and getting some sponsors on board with us to make the events more worthwhile and interesting to all of us. For the incorporation, we're not looking for any funding but we will be putting up more information regarding the possible sponsorship packages that many have been asking for.
Furthermore, amidst of all the blogging, we will be participating in a bunch of events during the fall so do follow us to get possible discounts and tips regardging these conferences. We will be co-operating closely with the organisers to bring the best possible experience for the startups and third parties as we really want to shift gears in the Finnish entrepreneurship scene this autumn.
Talking about Finland - we're hungry and never settle for something that can be reached easily. Having said that, our Finland only focus will be left behind and we'll be broadening our view to other Nordic countries including Estonia. This is due to the fact that there simply isn't an organisation that will cover the news and events at these latitudes in a way we would like them to be covered - hence the broadening view.
There's a lot of things on the roadmap for the autumn, but we really want to work together on these with you the readers, entrepreneurs and vc's to make all this happen in the right way. As you all know, a good idea only gets you 10% of the way, while a perfect execution will push you the last 90% towards the goal.
What do you think, are we heading the right way? Anything obvious we've missed?
Image credits to openDemocracy
