By Allan Maurer
COLUMBIA, SC—A new Web development firm based in Columbia, SC not only offers “affordable” Internet services, it also plans to act as an incubator for aspiring Internet entrepreneurs. Co-founder Clark Covington says the firm will make micro-loans under $10,000 and share space with the entrepreneurs to help launch new Internet-based companies.
Idea Jungle started about three months ago and is self-funded by its three founders, who also include Wesley and Elizabeth Donahue. The company is not looking for additional funding, Covington tells TechJournal South.
Donehue, a successful Republican political operative, believed it was time to allow his internet ideas to come to life.
“People aren’t just working on the Internet. People are living on the Internet. For years I’ve had all these ideas to help businesses and individuals communicate on the web but I didn’t have a vehicle to bring the ideas to life. We are passionate about helping people brand themselves on the web,” he said in a statement.
The firm plans to build a number of micro Web sites such as www.3StepTwitterbackground.com, which will create a custom Twitter background for $75. Most of its services are aimed at small businesses that want a Web presence at an affordable price, Covington says. It will build an entire Web site and manage it for $995, he says. It will also help companies with social media management, such as integrating Facebook pages into a Web site.
By “Co-working” on the various sites and businesses, Idea Jungle cuts its risk, says Covington.
“We can create these businesses and operate them literally in the same room and they hedge our bets. If one doesn’t take off in XYZ number of days, we don’t have to close them down. We’ve limited the risk by allowing the businesses to share resources. Our goal is to create a multitude of them for different things.”
The company will also serve as a local web development firm for businesses in need of a polished presence on the web. Idea Jungle will also act as an incubator for aspiring internet entrepreneurs that are looking for angel investors, mentors, and even office space.
“We’re going to take this concept of affordability and invest in other companies,” Covington says.
They’re keeping space open in the Idea Jungle loft and would make small loans to Internet entrepreneurs, most probably in the $5,000 range, “But certainly under $10,000” says Covington.
The firm evolved from Covington’s larger company, Rufus Space Industries, also based in Columbia, which owns a number of Web sites that cater to small businesses, offering such services as $97 press releases, cheap SEO, and videos for a few hundred dollars. It has more than 2000 clients and 600 contractors.
“When I started my business four years ago, it was a novelty to do these services at low cost. Now some other people have gravitated toward what we’re doing,” Covington says.
Idea Jungle sees expansion possibilities in the nearby market of Charleston and Charlotte. “They’re all similar in size and scope to Columbia,” Covington notes.
Online: www.3steptwitterbackground.com/
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