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Jimdo.com Focuses on International Growth

July 1, 2009

jimdo foundersJimdo is based in Hamburg, Germany. Founded in early 2007 by three friends, Matthias Henze, Christian Springub, and Fridtjof Detzner, Jimdo provides an easy way for individuals, small businesses, and organizations to create their own websites. This isn’t the first business that these three have started together; In 2004, the three founded a company together on an old farmhouse, NorthClick, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jimdo. The web technology that powers Jimdo was first developed for NorthClick’s business clients to edit and update their sites more easily, but frequent requests from friends gave the founders the idea to offer free Jimdo Pages.

Since then, Jimdo and its website creator have been supported by partners like the Samwer brothers’ European Founders Fund (alando, jamba) and United Internet (GMX, web.de, 1&1) who have invested in the web startup. In February 2009, the 500,000th Jimdo site went online; now close to 1 million sites

team1

From the beginning, Jimdo has focused on making its service available to as many people as possible, far beyond the borders of its native Germany. Fueled by a global outlook and strategically positioning itself in many markets, the company is laying the foundation for continued international expansion. Since its launch in early 2007, Jimdo has been available in multiple languages. Over the next two years, it has continued to add more languages. Reflecting Germany’s location at the crossroads of Europe, Jimdo offers fully-functioning versions and customer support in six Indo-European languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Russian. Additionally, Jimdo is also available in Chinese & Japanese.

Jimdo’s East Asian Expansion

How does a startup in northern Germany successfully launch so far away from its home base? Since July 2007, Jimdo has partnered with the agency Web2Asia to provide Chinese language translation, user support, and local community expertise. Jimdo made the news this year by entering the Japanese market in March of this year by collaborating with KDDI Web Communications, part of one of Japan’s largest telecommunications conglomerates. Not only is KDDI WebCom managing Jimdo presence in Japan, it is also adding Jimdo’s technology into its existing line of webhosting products.

beachCountry Managers Offer International Perspectives

Making sure a service is being presented in a culturally consistent way in such different markets, ranging from Paris to Colombia to Silicon Valley takes across-the-board commitment. Each “language” has one dedicated manager, coordinating translation, user support, as well as marketing & PR. Through these culturally competent representatives, Jimdo is investing in long-term growth and continued relevancy — not just a one-off translation.

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Written by tworzyk · Filed Under Blog, Startups, Venture Capital · Comments

To all the US internet startups thinking about going to Europe: Start off in Germany

March 27, 2009

If you are a US internet startup and are thinking about entering the European market you are likely to consider the UK as the starting point in the old world. Think twice: Germany might be the better choice. Why is that? Let´s have a look at the facts:

Market size (regarding population):

UK: 60 Mio vs. Germany/Austria/Schwitzerland (all German speaking, known as the DACH region): 98 Mio

Community

There´s is a very vivid internet professionals community in Germany, especially in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. Whether you are looking for staff, cooperation partners or mavens who promote your business, they are all there.

Costs

The rent for office space in - let´s say - Berlin is a bargain compared to the high end prices in the London city area. As is the level of prices regarding living expenses in general. Even experienced staff costs you at lot less in Germany.

Currency

In almost every European country you can pay with the Euro. Not so in the UK. Consider this if your business is selling products.

Geolocation

If you want to set up a European headquarter, Germany is the place to be. It is centrally located in Europe so you have quick access to all other EU countries.

Difference

As a great part of the US startups who try to conquer Europe start off in the UK, it will provide your company an outstanding position if you don´t follow the crowd. Press coverage will be easier to gain, the attention of the internet community in Germany easier to catch.

Traps and Hurdles

Don´t assume to conquer Europe as a whole. Every country has it´s own regional distinctions. Whether you start from the UK or from Germany: You have to work yourself through the other countries one by one. Of course, this sounds not very encouraging at  first. But be assured: If you do take on the challange, your competitors will have a hard time catching up to you.

So, see you in Germany soon.

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Written by tworzyk · Filed Under Blog, Startups · Comments

Welcome to the Germany Startup Blog

February 13, 2009

SpringStage is a new startup founded by David Cohen, Alexander Muse and Micah Baldwin. Our objective is to build a network of online, offline and media properties in an effort to promote entrepreneurship. Our focus is on local community development and in an effort to generate local content we are looking for a writer who is connected to the regional startup scene to blog about startups, entrepreneurs, venture capital and interesting people in your area. If this sounds interesting apply online below: http://www.texasstartupblog.com/startups/startup-blog-network/

Written by Alexander Muse · Filed Under Startups · Comments