The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.
Name: 500px
Quick Pitch: 500px.com is a modern online community of photographers from all over the world.
Genius Idea: In the age of insta-photography, 500px celebrates the art in professional photography.
Amidst a seemingly congested crop of photo services — think mobile-focused newcomers like Instagram, long-time veterans like Flickr and every other photo app between — is there opportunity for yet another photo community to standout?
With 35 million pageviews per month, 1.9 million uniques per month and 500% growth over the past 6 months, nearly two year-old Toronto-based 500px may not be an overnight success story, but it does seem to be on the cusp of its breakout moment.
500px photographers can use the site as a portfolio website, choose a theme and layout, and organize their photos into collections. They can also opt to sell their shots. Photography fans can use the site to discover amazing photography, follow their favorite photographers and purchase prints of the shots they love most.
500px, pronounced “five hundred pixels,” is turning heads in photography and internet circles with a primary focus on being the destination site of the world’s best photography.
“We are about the best photography and the best user experience for aspiring and pro photographers,” says 500px director of marketing Andrey Tochilin.
The startup’s most popular photos, along with the curated collection of editor selections, demonstrate the sophistication and quality of the site’s growing user base of mostly professional and artistic amateur photographers.
Plus, at a time when the iPhone is the predominant digital camera of choice for photo-sharers, 500px users are posting photos taken by their Canon EOS 5D Mark IIs, Nikon D90s, Canon EOS 450Ds and Canon EOS 50Ds — the four most popular cameras among the site’s users.
Mobile applications, while not yet available, are in the works and will be released soon, Tochilin says.
500px, initially created by two guys in a basement, is now a five-person team. The startup was bootstrapped until May 2011, when it raised $525,000 in funding.
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
More About: 500px, bizspark, photography, spark-of-genius, startupFor more Startups coverage:Follow Mashable Startups on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Startups channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:41:41 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bYz7aFSzBmo/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/01/500px/#comments
Name: 500px
Quick Pitch: 500px.com is a modern online community of photographers from all over the world.
Genius Idea: In the age of insta-photography, 500px celebrates the art in professional photography.
Amidst a seemingly congested crop of photo services — think mobile-focused newcomers like Instagram, long-time veterans like Flickr and every other photo app between — is there opportunity for yet another photo community to standout?
With 35 million pageviews per month, 1.9 million uniques per month and 500% growth over the past 6 months, nearly two year-old Toronto-based 500px may not be an overnight success story, but it does seem to be on the cusp of its breakout moment.
500px photographers can use the site as a portfolio website, choose a theme and layout, and organize their photos into collections. They can also opt to sell their shots. Photography fans can use the site to discover amazing photography, follow their favorite photographers and purchase prints of the shots they love most.
500px, pronounced “five hundred pixels,” is turning heads in photography and internet circles with a primary focus on being the destination site of the world’s best photography.
“We are about the best photography and the best user experience for aspiring and pro photographers,” says 500px director of marketing Andrey Tochilin.
The startup’s most popular photos, along with the curated collection of editor selections, demonstrate the sophistication and quality of the site’s growing user base of mostly professional and artistic amateur photographers.
Plus, at a time when the iPhone is the predominant digital camera of choice for photo-sharers, 500px users are posting photos taken by their Canon EOS 5D Mark IIs, Nikon D90s, Canon EOS 450Ds and Canon EOS 50Ds — the four most popular cameras among the site’s users.
Mobile applications, while not yet available, are in the works and will be released soon, Tochilin says.
500px, initially created by two guys in a basement, is now a five-person team. The startup was bootstrapped until May 2011, when it raised $525,000 in funding.
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
More About: 500px, bizspark, photography, spark-of-genius, startupFor more Startups coverage:Follow Mashable Startups on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Startups channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:41:41 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bYz7aFSzBmo/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/01/500px/#comments