It's amazing how the internet allows people and companies to tap into different markets, almost seamlessly, making the "indirect competitors" from Porter's five forces, truly the ones with the most potential to attack a business.
I always wonder that with the fast past of innovation and the emphasis on being first to market to "win", so to speak, companies may not think of their responsibilities in society or if they even have any responsibilities to society. The movements in Libya and Egypt have noticeably demonstrated the immense impact and social good that services such as twitter or facebook can bring, yet the companies themselves are noticeably absent and are not proactive in promoting a commitment to free speech. Is there a role for corporate social responsibility in technology? Or is it possibly a hindrance to progress?
I understand the premise behind Angel list, but with all of the literature, talks and emphasis on the team and the personality behind a venture, and knowing that the actual direction of a company can and does change quite often, doesn't Angel List mask those nuances in the investor-startup relationship? Understandably, the marketability of the venture is the ultimate way of making a return, but I guess I assumed that angel investors were also interested in an advisory role to assist an early stage startup that may not have worked out all of the kinks yet...But I guess if a coffee meeting is the "end" of Angel List, it is the beginning of that aforementioned relationship.