As a loan journalist and blogger out in Mexico, I rack my brains every day trying to find a financial model that doesn’t require pitching to foreign bureaus and UK newspapers – trouble is that running a one man multi-media show doesn’t leave much time for drafting funding documents and the London networking scene is a long way from downtown Mexico City.

I do think it helps to know people, but equally this sounds like a good idea. What I will be waiting to see is the quality of the work. Yes every one has a camera on their phone these days and a phrasebook in their pocket, and I know journalism is not the more popular of professions, but it does take skill to witness, process and report. Will their journos be trained?

A lot of effort has gone into re-building the London internet startup community. When I started doing events the community was close to non-existent.

The community is now in far better shape. Michael Smith has contributed greatly through Second Chance Tuesday and is also now supporting by making a few investments. Paul Walsh has also helped to build the community through his BIMA events. I hosted over 50 dinners last year. All 3 of us are trying to support the sector and through our events we are doing it in a very inclusive way. Our actions do not support the idea that we have created a clique.

I also think that you misunderstand the structure of the scene. There isn’t an in crowd (many would say that knowing myself or Paul Carr is a hindrance to success, but that’s another story). There are lots of groups and they overlap. I personally believe that in order to thrive and attract talent that sectors need a strong work scene (which I support through Internet People) and a strong social scene (which I support by hosting social events).

Hermione has been very proactive at networking over the last 8 month. Yes it is advantageous that her brother introduced her to people like myself (that was over 3 years ago), but after that all her progress has been on her own back. She has reported on events, built relationships and worked very hard. She should be congratulated for showing initiative.

Jamie started Glasses Direct using his student loan, something that is available to everyone, and did an exceptional job building up a business from there. He raised money based on the traction that he achieved and his forward plan. He also had the help of First Capital who they hired to run the funding process. His funding has nothing to do with who he knew and all to do with what he had achieved.

Last year, Robin and Saul Klein were the most active and effective force in the UK internet sector. Your comment regarding Saul is very miss informed. His personal track record speaks for itself.

At the time that they raised funding, WAYN didn’t have a high profile non-exec supporting them. They were profitable and had over 5 million members. They met DFJ at one of my events on my suggestion. Again they raised money based on what they had achieved, not who they knew.

The VC’s who invest in the UK internet sector are very accessible and attend events regularly. You don’t need to be part of any group to reach them.

Sasha, you’ve clearly got a beef, but the basis of that beef is inaccurate.

With regard to the comment “its who you know…” then yes, this is always going to play a very big part in any business. You can have the best product in the world but if you can’t get it out to market or in front of the right people who can help you get it to market then its worthless. There is nothing wrong with this, its normal part of business.

Big named non-exec’s are not just there to look pretty… they serve are real purpose and a big part of that is their network and connections.

Their is a downside to having big names though… some people may think that is the only reason your business idea is a success.

And yes… I wish I had access to some of these people when I started by first business, but I didn’t and it was very hard work but we are now growing very well. I say good luck to any startup, whether funded, connected or not!

http://www.reuters.com/youwitness/

I suspect it will gain a much tighter community based around Hermonie than a corporate site could attract – but I don’t think you’ll find big “happen across” live news/incidents will see much airtime. e.g. BBC getting photos texted to them from within a derailed train etc.

Go for it anyway, it’s great to see – I enjoy the style of the clips there already.

As for raising money in the UK. I stick by my guns it is who you know not what you know. Viagogo and WAYN are two more examples of people raising significant money because of their connections not because of their pure business principals, just look at the non-exec boards.

The key is get a named non-exec board who can tap their network to get you the money, don’t waste time on trying to raise the money yourself. There are exceptions such as Huddle who used Bristol VC’s (i.e not the London crowd) but who else can you name Mike?

I’ll give you one Trusted Places and Zoomf who did well to raise money from Hugo Burge but I an struggling after that. Happy to be corrected by those more knowledgeable than me.

For most of us it is hard to raise funding but for the silver spoon brigade like (Glasses Direct) Jamie Murray Wells and (Love Island) Saul Klein its easy to start something if you have a rich parent or brother.

That all said I wish Hermione well but if she raises money and intruders.tv cannot then there is no justice.