Open Business Club

Filed in archive Entrepreneurship on October 25, 2003

The first German clone of Ryze and LinkedIn is up and running. Lars Hinrichs has done a good job setting up a first version and push some initial PR. The functionality seems very comparable with LinkedIn. It features photos but does not have a free beta period and already charges for the premium membership.
I like the fact that they have an implemented revenue model from the start. It limits the risk to invest in features, which might bring no conversion. On the other hand it took dating sites more than three years to introduce successful paid memberships as the value offered grows with the number of members. Open BC might find it difficult to reach a critical mass. It will all depend on some good marketing. Actually the race has just begun. There are several start-ups here in Germany planning to launch social software clones in the next months, so let's see, who will be acquired first.