Will Ning emerge as the next Google – The Future of Social Networking
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
There is constant news and speculation about growth, purpose, business models and valuations of social networks. Since MySpace was acquired by Rupert Murdoch in 2005 for $770M, then described as the “leading lifestyle portal”, the social networking space has seen new ventures such as facebook, Bebo, Hi5 and Ning among others. Before the economy turned south, valuations of these Web2.0 plays skyrocketed. Microsoft acquired a small stake in facebook valuing Mark Zuckerberg’s venture at $15B. Bebo was acquired in March 2008 for $880M and Ning raised $60M in April 2008 at a $500M valuation.
Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini founded Ning in October 2004 to give everyone the opportunity to create their own social networks for anything. Today Ning powers the largest number of social networks on the Internet and is growing at an incredible rate.
Gina, co-founder and CEO, will explain why she believes Ning will be emerging as a big winner from this down-turn. Gina will also share other aspects of running a high growth start-up through difficult times:
- The future of social networks and why Ning is winning
- Gina’s thoughts on running a high growth start-up through a downturn
- Personal key learnings on Gina’s journey of growing Ning to current stage
- Perspectives for entrepreneurs
Register Online
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Time: 6:00pm-6:30pm Networking Reception & Registration. 6:30pm-7:30pm Program, Q&A
Location: Carr & Ferrell, 2200 Geng Road, Palo Alto
Cost: WCNC Members, members of affiliate clubs, and their accompanied guests. $20 per person. Non-member alumni and other guests: $40 per person. Registrations after 4:00pm Friday, April 3rd an extra $10 per ticket, if available. Cancellations after 4:00pm Friday, April 3rd at the discretion of the WCNC.
Gina Bianchini, Co-Founder and CEO, Ning
Gina Bianchini is the co-founder and CEO of Ning, an online platform that gives everyone the opportunity to create their own social networks for anything. Prior to Ning, Gina co-founded Harmonic Communications, an advertising tracking, measurement, optimization company that was sold to Dentsu, the Japanese advertising agency. Prior to that, Gina held positions at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and CKS Group. She graduated with honors from Stanford University and holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
