Atlanta Startup Vir2o Sharing Everything In Real Time Improves In Person Relationships

Vir20,Atlanta startup,startup,startups,startup interviewAtlanta startup Vir2o, promises to be a whole new social experience. That’s quite a lofty statement, but after checking them out and talking with them, if executed correctly it will work.

Vir20 shares just about everything there is to share in real time, which improves actual in person relationships. You can go shopping with your friends on Vir2o. You can go to the movies with your friends on Vir2o. You can share photos with your friends on Vir2o. You can listen to and share music on Vir2o.

Anytime an entrepreneur wants to create a new social network or new social media outlet it’s immediately compared to Facebook. When Facebook burst onto the college scene and then opened up their doors to anyone over 13, no one believed they would overtake Myspace, but they did.

In an interview we did with Vir2o’s Founder,Kayode Aladesuyi, he mentioned sharing a lot. When we think of sharing and social media we naturally think of Facebook. Spaulding explains how Vir20 is different than Facebook “…doesn’t necessarily enhance social interaction between people, especially if there is physical distance between them. We wanted to bridge the gap between people who live in different parts of the world and provide them with a real-time interactive tool to bring them closer together”

Since Vir20 is all about live sharing, in real time, they consider themselves a “Live Community” versus a social network.

Check out the rest of our interview with Spaulding below.

What is Vir2o?

Vir2o is so many things but, at its core, Vir2o is an interactive social engagement platform that enhances real-time human interaction in the social media space.

In layman’s terms, how does it work? (In other words how would you explain it to your grandmother)

You can go shopping with your friends on Vir2o. You can go to the movies with your friends on Vir2o. You can share photos with your friends on Vir2o. You can listen to and share music on Vir2o. And, you can do it all in real time because the platform is designed to reinforce personal relationships.

Who are the founders and what are their backgrounds?

Kayode Aladesuyi founded Vir2o. He’s a serial entrepreneur who has been in the technology space for more than 10 years. In addition to Vir2o, he currently manages two other tech companies: EarthSearch and StudentConnect.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Atlanta, GA.

What’s the startup scene/culture like where you’re based?

Atlanta has always had a vibrant and creative business community but it hasn’t traditionally been recognized as a center for technology startups. That’s beginning to change because technology culture is really taking hold here. There’s a running joke that all Atlanta tech startups have headquarters at the Midtown Starbucks, and that’s not too far from the truth. With Georgia Tech right around the corner, the district known as Technology Square is a breeding ground for innovation. Atlanta is on its way to being the technology hub of the Southeast.

How did you come up with the idea for Vir2o?

The idea evolved from the definition of the word socialization, which is the act of getting people together to share and do things. What we see as the primary social media platform in the marketplace today doesn’t necessarily enhance social interaction between people, especially if there is physical distance between them. We wanted to bridge the gap between people who live in different parts of the world and provide them with a real-time interactive tool to bring them closer together.

How did you come up with the name?

We spent two months coming up with the name but it all came together during a team brainstorming session. Our creative director, Tish Spaulding, threw it on the table because the platform is virtual but real at the same time.

What problem doesVir2o solve?

Vir2o enhances human relationships in a much more significant way than existing social media sites because of its ability to allow people to engage with each other in real time and in a much more realistic way. You can see a movie together and live on different sides of the world. Vir2o creates an environment where users and businesses can interact with each other in a noninvasive way. It also solves the monetization problem most social media sites currently have. It’s a very unique design methodology we’ve created in so many ways.

What’s your secret sauce?

We recognize most people want some semblance of privacy online, so we created a social media platform that gives them that. How do you have privacy in a social media platform? Vir2o does, and that’s the secret sauce.

Are you bootstrapped or funded?

We’re bootstrapped.

What is your goto market strategy?

Since we’re bootstrapped, we’re approaching the go to market strategy in a multifaceted but viral way. We’re using user engagement methodologies, as well as building relationships with the media and the public to bring awareness around the product and the technology. This is a free platform for users, and we’re offering some great incentives to businesses to come on board early in the process.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in the startup process?

Finding the right people. That’s tougher than raising money. It’s tougher than anything you can do in business.

Who are some of your mentors and business role models?

Steve Jobs has always been one of my key role models in business because he had a vision and was willing to pay the price for that vision when he was fired by his board. He focused on building a solid organizational infrastructure in those early years rather than focusing on revenue like most owners do. He focused on building that foundation, and that’s what has turned Apple into the greatest company in the world today. He will always remain a key influence in my professional life.

What’s next for Vir2o?

We have a media event Nov. 29 and are launching the beta in December 2012.

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