Executive summary

Vision and technology

FileRide is a new type of social networking software, a social desktop. In contrast to current desktop environments, FileRide globally connects people with access to copies of any given document, be it a song, video, blog article, spreadsheet, or any other piece of information. These people can then meet and communicate, exchanging information within the context of the given content.

Current file sharing and social networking services rely on the address or location of documents whereas FileRide only takes the actual content into consideration. By removing the dependency on location, FileRide transcends regional and website boundaries, revealing a network through which contextually relevant, shared services become available - ranging from communication, classification and rating to research, commerce and dating. Furthermore, all services can be enjoyed without exposing any document contents outside the realm of the user's computer. By allowing people to meet not only through their friends but also in the context of their media, texts, and documents, we create a much broader and more meaningful social experience than those provided by Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, and other internet communities.

Novelty features

• Meet and communicate with other people sharing your interest in media files and documents regardless of whether they are located on your own computer or on the web.
• Gain access to media, products and services directly related to the documents, media and information of immediate interest to you.
• Navigate your local documents and media using the collective knowledge of millions of people, via tags, ratings, and other relevant information.

The team

• Patrik Hedmalm, founder, CEO. Information technology entrepreneur with experience from banking, computer games, content management, web services, and artificial intelligence. Director of IT consultancy Epicore Info Solutions since 2000.
• Daniel Grossfeld, director of web technology. New media activist who co-founded the international media/technology studio "Surface to Air" in Paris and New York in 2000. Possesses a wealth of experience within the realm of internet and web architecture as well as international business development.
• Torbjörn Sjögren, quality assurance and scalability. Holding a Ph.D. in mechanics from KTH, a highly skilled and productive system architect with deep understanding of large scale internet applications.

Business model

FileRide will be offering its principal services and functionality for free in order to build a large and active user community. We generate revenue through our ability to present highly targeted offers and advertising to the right person at the right moment. By integrating with large pre-existing services such as Google AdSense and Amazon Associates we gain access to a large number of advertisers from day one, eliminating the need for initial ad sales. We will also offer paid services for professional users and take advantage of flexible new ways to sell media and information.

Uniqueness / Intellectual property

No service like FileRide currently exists. Only during the last couple of years has personal computer performance reached a level where a service like FileRide is practically possible on a global scale. We have filed a patent application with USPTO and plan to file a PCT application at the start of 2009.

Current status

We have developed a server architecture and client software which is easy to use and ready to launch in Q2 2008. We have received economic support and coaching through ALMI in Stockholm which has enabled us to develop our business plan and acquire the software licenses and necessary technology for developing the platform.

The future

In three years we will be one of the largest players in the field of contextual, social media services. We will be offering proprietary advertising channels as well as an integrated digital media store. We will be the most significant social platform where people meet, organize, explore, and consume media. We will allow media producers new and more flexible ways to make money from their creations. Media distributors will use our services regularly to track and monitor the distribution and popularity of certain media. Advertising networks will use our services and information to reach consumers in more personalized ways. The service will be widely deployed on mobile platforms such as the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Funding request

We have a capital need of MSEK 5. The money will be used for marketing, development and hosting the service. We are planning to employ five highly skilled people, four developers and one sales person, in order to effectively reach our target market.

Contact us

To get in touch with us, send a mail to info@fileride.com.