Ex-Microsoft exec kickstarts new social network for college kids

Creating a social network for college kids might seem like a foolhardy pursuit given Facebook’s historic roots in that market. And Jonathan Lazarus says that his new upstart, a social networking site called CollegeBrain, won’t compete with the social networking powerhouse.

“We are very complementary with Facebook” said Lazarus, who retired from his vice president role at Microsoft in 1996. “I am not stupid enough to compete with Facebook.”

CollegeBrain just landed $600,000 in startup capital, adding to the $115,000 that Lazarus and co-founder Ron Craswell previously injected into the young company. Among the backers is Nat Goldhaber of Claremont Creek Ventures, an experienced Silicon Valley venture capitalist who Lazarus says he has known for about 20 years.

Lazarus tells GeekWire that they plan to cap the financing at the current levels, noting that he doesn’t want “to take any more money.” The project is “very low key,” with a test version of the site to debut in the next 90 days.

Asked how the company plans to differentiate from other social networking sites used by college kids, Lazarus says it is a matter of focus.

“(CollegeBrain) is a very broad look at everything from the campus to what classes and instructors are like,” Lazarus tells GeekWire. “It is allowing them to share their overall experiences, what surprised them, what they expected, what changed over their four years.”

That differs from Facebook, which he says is more of an “unstructured conversation” about a wide array of topics. CollegeBrain, on the other hand, offers a way for kids to learn what the school is like from other people and how it compares to their own experience.

Lazarus declined to say how the company plans to make money, but he did note that college tuitions are a significant expense for most families.

“There are a lot of passionate people spending a lot of money. You don’t have any kids in college yet, but it is a non trivial decision and expense,” he said. “And it is very complicated right now.”

Lazarus is a well known technology executive, having previously worked at Ziff Davis and ABC.

Craswell, meanwhile, is the former vice president of engineering at M:Metrics and a former engineering director at Google. He also previously worked under Lazarus at Kiha Software. In addition to Craswell and Lazarus, the company’s chief scientist is Mitch Eggers, who is working as an advisor to the company.  Eggers is the chief scientist at GMI and previously worked at iSecuritas. [Editor’s note: Post updated to reflect Eggers’ postion at the company].

The company employs less than 10 people, and Lazarus says that’s where “we will stay for a long time.”

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Social Networking Browser: ‘Social Plus’ launched on Android platform, lets …

Social Plus App is a social networking browser for smart phones which allows users to access Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Tumblr and Google Buzz using single app. Android users can download Social Plus App from Google Android market. Users can browse all of social feeds right alongside one another by tapping the icons to switch views. Social Plus Browser will be launched on iPhone and iPad within couple of weeks.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) September 01, 2011

SocialPlusApp.com launched a unique social networking browser app, ‘Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser’ and ‘Social Plus Pro: Social Networking Browser’, the two versions of Social Plus app for all Android devices 2.1 and above on Google Android market. Social Plus app is a social networking browser allowing users to access their Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Tumblr Google Buzz accounts in one Social Plus app. Social Plus app can be used on 465 different Android devices globally.

Download Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser for Android:

https://market.android.com/details?id=social.plus.free.com

Social Plus app lets you manage all of your social networking accounts from one platform. Users have to sign into your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Buzz and/or Google+ accounts, and they’ll all start streaming to Social Plus app live. Users can browse all of their social feeds right alongside one another by just tapping the icons to switch views.

Social Plus app eliminates need for having different applications for each social networking platform. Social Plus app reduces the hassle for managing the social networking accounts. Social Plus app will enable users to manage and view multiple social media feeds using one Social Plus Browser.

Social Plus app is currently available only on Android platform. This unique Android application has been designed for Android 2.1 and above devices and is currently available for download, both free and paid versions on the Google Android Market. Social Plus app has a very simple user interface thus making it very user friendly and easy for use.

SocialPlusApp.com will soon launch Social Plus: Social Networking Browser on iPhone and iPad. Social Plus app will also integrate more social networks in their next update. Social networks like LinkedIn along with Chinese, Japanese and South Korean social networks like Weibo, Renren, Nate, Mixi and others. The update will also enable photo sharing on Facebook and other exiting features.

Secured HTTPS links to do download Social Plus App:

Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser:

https://market.android.com/details?id=social.plus.free.com

Social Plus Pro: Social Networking Browser

https://market.android.com/details?id=facebook.com.google.com

Follow Social Plus on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SocialPlusApp.com

SocialPlusApp.com is founded by Mithun Baphana, an entrepreneur and a graduate from University of Southern California [USC] with Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. SocialPlusApp.com is currently a non-funded start-up and is seeking funding from investors.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/9/prweb8759450.htm

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