Networks

Introduction

I'm the founder of Fruhla, LLC. Prior to this I ran RealNetworks’ RealLabs. Further back, I've architected a mobile app framework, founded an incubator and spunout a startup doing cloud based call control. I began as a C/C++ dev and then PM on WinNT

Describe your Lean Startup. (If you don't have one yet, care to share details about your Dream Startup?)

Fruhla makes Family Apps for Living for mobile and dedicated tablets, and plans to launch our first app by the fall. Running lean in all senses of the word: Subletting a cubicle in an office building, a la carte, on demand AWS in the free usage tier, interaction design in photoshop to catch app flow problems early, cut down on spec verbiage, and outsource dev where possible. After spending way to much last time I did this in 'oughts, now I don't spend a dime if I don't have to and not until absolutely needed. Using "Scrum-light" to stay on task, and make hard choices even when it's just me. Presently stuck between time to market vs taking money/giving equity tradeoff.

What is the best tool/technology/service to make your startup more efficient?

We're developing everything in HTML5/CSS/JQuery and packaging in PhoneGap to streamline client dev. Backend is tbd, but most likely RoR + MySQL. For hosting we're going AWS. You can develop in the Free Usage Tier and then model your costs right down to the penny so you can see how much it will cost as you try to scale and put together a pricing model. Then later you can decide what (if anything) you want to host yourself to save money/improve perf. Having founded a couple times now, leveraging Cloud infrastructure is easily the biggest difference in being efficient. By the time I reached this stage last time, I had spent about $60k of my own money in hosting and infrastructure. To date, I'm under $5k for everything.

Your preferred e-mail address (*opt-in for e-mail updates)

chris@fruhla.com