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Simple Star, Inc.

Product Name

Simple Star PhotoShow

Market Segment

Consumer Internet

Funding

Venture funding from Venrock Associates in August 2005, $6.3 million

Competitors

No direct competitors. Secondary competitors include Google (with Picasa) and Apple (with iPhoto).

Product Description

Simple Star is the creator of PhotoShow, the award-winning personal media-sharing platform that helps consumers bring their memories to life in a rich, emotionally engaging multimedia experience. Now PhotoShowTV provides digital cable subscribers with a simple, easy way to share this compelling personal entertainment on TV. With PhotoShowTV, anyone can broadcast their photos and videos onto local cable channels to be viewed on demand by family, friends and the community.

Market Opportunity

InfoTrends reports consumers are increasingly intrigued by new photo-and video-sharing services, a fact supported by the increased growth in digital camera sales. A March 2006 InfoTrends study reports that digital camera sales are expected to reach nearly 89 million units. Video on Demand is expected to generate $163 a month per subscriber by 2009.

Demo Says

This fall, there’s something new in the TV lineup. Simple Star bridges the gap between cable broadband service and television by providing individuals with the tools to become creators of their own made-for-TV productions. Through Simple Star’s unique deal with broadband cable providers, photo sharing has found a larger audience, and as individuals tap their creative muses, you can bet there will always be something to watch.