Have you ever wondered what types of start-ups Google would back up? Now is the time to satiate your curiosity and learn about some hidden gems in the new media landscape.
The industries represented in the Google Ventures portfolio come as no surprise. They range from software engineering and payment services to companies involved in scientific research and energy consumption. But three of the featured start-ups fascinated me the most:
English Central & the Power of Languages
English Central is language learning software that uses interactive (and current) video to teach English. As a non-native English speaker, I thought the platform was engaging and very intuitive to use. What is more, it makes the process of learning languages fun and enjoyable. I only wish they could develop it for other languages too.
Recorded Future & the Impulse for Predicting Trends
Recorded Future is an analytics engine that plays with the concept of predicting the future. It uses existing information online and creates a scientific approach to mapping trends. It is definitely a fun way to visualize data and rationalize the occurrence of certain events.
SCVNGR & the Fun of Games
SCVNGR is a gaming platform that invites people to visit places and perform certain tasks in order to win points. Recently, it drew tons of attention in the blogosphere as well as in mainstream media. I like it because it is based on the concept of games and entertainment, two activities people always want to be part of.
Did you see something else in the Google Ventures portfolio that grabbed your attention? Share it in the comments!
Photo credit: Jeremy Brooks