Vokle

Vokle was an embeddable Internet microsite application that allows speakers to broadcast live video to a virtual auditorium of viewers and take live video calls and text questions from the audience.[1][2]

Vokle
Type of businessCorporation
FoundedJune 2008
Headquarters
Santa Monica, California
,
United States
Area servedWorldwide
Created byRobert Kiraz, Edward Dekeratry
URLwww.vokle.com
RegistrationOptional
Current statusInactive

History

VOKLE privately launched a prototype in March 2009, and PC Magazine noted that VOKLE was a "web-based platform for video conversations" that seemed to be "adding voice to social networking."[3] VOKLE refined its alpha version and launched its current version to the public on December 11, 2009.[4] The beta version of VOKLE allows for remote co-hosts, screening of video calls and live video editing, and is aimed "to help you take social to the next step by providing you with your own customized, branded video chat platform."[5] The application is web-based, can be embedded on external websites, and does not require plug-ins or downloads.

In July 2011, VOKLE launched a unique recording feature that automatically divides video and text questions into specific chapters, which can be browsed and selected before the viewer plays the recording. These chapters can be shared easily on Twitter or Facebook through buttons, and can also be embedded on external websites.[6]

In March 2013, staff pick Binyamin Goldman posted an article on the tech blog The Verge directed toward the VOKLE staff. The article explained that people have been unable to broadcast on the site since November, and that the VOKLE team has not responded to his personal emails, tweeted, or put something on Facebook in the past 4 months.[7] The website has never been fully functional since November 2013. Currently, visiting the website will result in a "503" error.

Financing

After their initial seed round in 2008, VOKLE began raising Angel funds. In April 2010, Co-Founder Edward Dekeratry confirmed that VOKLE had secured a small round that allowed the company to pay for basic engineering.[8] In August 2010, Tech Coast Angels, Southern California's largest angel investment group, confirmed they had invested in Vokle.[9][10] Angel funding continued until April 2011, when VOKLE closed its angel round with an extra $767,000 from investors including Imogen Heap, Rafe Furst and Tech Coast Angels, "bringing Vokle’s total funding to $1.26 million."[11]

References
  1. John Federico, "Do we really need another live video platform? Vokle would like us all to discuss it". Tech Startups, December 11, 2009.
  2. "Vokle Crunchbase Profile". CrunchBase, Last Revised April 19, 2011.
  3. Michael J. Miller, Miller, Michael (March 2, 2009). "Demo 09: Doing More With Less". PC Magazine. PC Magazine, March 2, 2009.
  4. Daniel Brusilovsky, "VOKLE Launches Live Video Broadcasting Platform". TechCrunch (via TechGearx.com), December 11, 2009.
  5. Brad McCarty, "Vokle wants to give everyone a custom video conference platform". The Next Web, July 16, 2010.
  6. Rip Empson, "Vokle Turns Its Video Conferencing Platform Up A Notch With Recording And Chapter-Style Playback". TechCrunch, July 18, 2011.
  7. Goldman, Binyamin. "Dear VOKLE: An Open Letter to the Staff of the Major Live Streaming Service". Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  8. Giang Biscan, "AsAble.com interview of Edward Dekeratry, Founder of Vokle". As Able, April 26, 2010.
  9. "Tech Coast Angels Hail Exits, Disclose Q2 Investments Numbers". SoCal Tech, August 16, 2010.
  10. Kristen Schott, "Tech Coast Angels participates in 14 deals totaling $19 million". OC Metro, August 16, 2010.
  11. Rip Empson, "Vokle Raises $767K For Its Live Video Conferencing Platform". TechCrunch, April 18, 2011.
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