Agora Startup Idol (ASI) is simply an online version of the Silicon Valley pitch contest (JumpStartDays.com) where everyone participates over webcam video conferencing.
The audience views this through the Agora Startup Idol's web site on their web device, much like they view Hulu or Justin.tv. Startup Idol provides traction to its participants via its Gamification layer which incentivizes audience members for preferred behaviors through points, rewards and prizes. Audience members receive points for doing activities such as watching segments of the show, signing up as users to the contestants' products, providing helpful feedback as well as motivating their friends to do the same. This is significant because traditionally, startups have been left to their own devices to create traction for their products. The marketing effort and hosting of this one event is a fun and powerful way to provide exposure and traction for all involved.
ASI's mission is to provide startups strong traction. Something they have been on their own to attract until now. ASI's goals for the inaugural event are to get all contestants some level of new users and at least one over 100,000 new valid users that stick. A noble and lofty goal.
