Reflections & analysis about innovation, technology, startups, investing, healthcare, and more .... with a focus on Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes. Blogging continuously since 2005.

DEMO Spring 11: A Chat with flyRuby.com

FlyRuby-DEMOspring2011 My next stop was the stand of flyRuby.com, which says it's the first and only Internet marketplace for private jet travelers to search, compare, and pay for jet charter service online. I wanted to chat with the young CEO and founder, Michael Leek, who told us on stage he's an Eagle Scout — and a former Marine.  So, really now, think about it: how hard could starting an Internet company be then? 

The guy gets out of the Marines only five years ago, then thinks about what he wants to do next.  He goes and identifies an unmet market need, then hustles two angel investors for $350k. FlyRuby-logoGet this: he found there are seven million monthly Google searches related specifically to air charter and, *not one single site* lets you book a charter online — that is, till flyRuby launched publicly on Monday.

Right on, Michael!  Storm the beaches, baby — Semper Fi.  I got a kick out of how he implied on stage (video here) that many in the audience weren't his market, and I could swear he was looking at the press section when he said that… :-)  But, hey, if I win the lottery, I know right where I'm going to book my next air travel — screw commercial!

Download or listen to my interview of Michael Leek, founder of flyRuby.com … (MP3)

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Volunteer in Asia

    I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. Great Post..

  2. Private jet airports - A

    Jealous! He spotted a niche and went for it, congratulations.

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