Extra Blog: Startup.com

Startup.com is the movies telling story from the beginning to the failure of the technology company named GovWorks.com. Kaleil and Tom are longtime friend and they together with one another founder have executed their ideas of a company to help connect with government easier such as paying parking tickets online.  The film has described the development of the company from the small group of a few employees with the leading of Kaleil, a former worker of Goldman Sachs, and his close friend Tom Herman and the third founder who quit the company after a short time. The company gained some successes such as Kaleil can raise about 60 million dollars. Unfortunately, due to the main problem which is the website did not work well, plus the negative effect of the “dot-com bubble”, the company finally failed and have been sold to another owner.

This movie has provided many interesting aspects about starting the business with an idea that is “new” to the market. The film emphasizes the importance of being the pioneer in the game. GovWorks.com is well funded just because of its great idea with the intention to be the first one who uses internet to make the ticket paying process to government become easier. The film also focuses on the relationship of friends in the business, different people may have different point of views about Kaleil and Tom actions in their friendship. However, the division between personal relationship and business is something any entrepreneur should consider about.

In general, I think this is an excellent movie with a lot of lessons for people thinking start their own business. For me, I wish the film tell more about the role third founder of the company. I would like to know more how he began with this company and what he have done before he quit. At least he is the only one who got out with some money, but Kaleil and Tom also gained something after all. They had experienced a great entrepreneurial life!