Balaya (buh-LIE'-uh) is a tech start up company in the social media arena. Balaya is focused on providing established groups - families, friends and organizations - with the ability
to more effectively and efficiently communicate and collaborate with each other.
In an era of increasing geographic separation and complicated synchronization, Balaya delivers simple, reliable and relevant tools - through the internet and mobile devices - that groups can use to
better communicate, create, organize and share. Balaya's website is free to users, and plans to develop more than 60 group-focused applications that will build off of the success of its first launched application, the
tick-it^tm.

Balaya could be classified as a social network or a Family 2.0 website. However, Balaya is different in that it is social technology devoted to improving how groups share information and experiences, as opposed to a typical social network which focuses on an individual trying to expand a personal network. Balaya provides products and services that help groups, from families, friends and associations to companies and professional organizations, better collaborate, interrelate, organize, and communicate. Balaya allows groups to cut through the clutter of email and interconnect directly from their desktops and mobile devices.

Balaya's website is free to the public. The company generates revenue through advertising and licensing of its products, like tick-it, for use in commercial enterprises.

Balaya gets its name from Jambalaya.<br />

Corporate background

Balaya was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs Ian Bramson and Bob Nunnally, and Venture Capital and Consulting Group (VCCG). Mr. Bramson is a published author and graduate of Cornell University holding dual Bachelors degrees in English and Economics. Mr. Nunnally, a retired Colonel and combat pilot of the U.S. Air Force, holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and history from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Nunnally is also a published author. Mr. Bramson and Mr. Nunnally worked together as senior consultants for a well-respected strategic planning and executive advisory firm, prior to co-founding Balaya. VCCG serves in an advising and mentoring role, providing partners Tom McClain and Jeff McChesney - both successful entrepreneurs and business owners in the technology arena - as active advisors. Balaya is an LLC (Limited Liability Company) registered in Delaware and Georgia. Balaya is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia and will soon begin a seed round of funding.

Balaya's design partners are surface2 Communications and Design of Virginia and
Smack Dab Studios of Savannah, GA.

Balaya currently contracts with Terremark Worldwide, Inc to host its web-based services at Terremark's flagship facility, the NAP of the Americas^R. This state-of-the-art Network Access Point (NAP), located in
Miami, Florida, provides highly secure and reliable managed services and dedicated hosting equipment.<br />

Vision and Mission Statement

Balaya will become the preeminent web-enabled system through which trusted groups will communicate, plan, coordinate, play, and create together. Its best of breed tools and features will create a user experience and collaboration potential that is unequalled by competitors. Balaya will become the preferred method for groups and organizations to accomplish their on-going, day to day interaction.

The mission of Balaya is to provide a user-focused, problem-solving internet-based system of tools that families and groups value. Employing imaginative design that simplifies on-line activities with reliable and
secure technology, Balaya will appeal to demographically and ideologicaly diverse groups and create product loyalty. Using proven fiscal practices, Balaya's leadership will constrain costs, manage assets and deliver positive returns to investors.<br />

the tick-it^tm

Tick-it is Balaya's first launched application, and is the web's top tool for families and friends to keep in touch in real time. More robust than IM and easier to sort through than e-mail tick-it
is a closed-membership communication tool that improves efficiency and effectiveness of group communication. Because users must belong to the group to view or participate - tick-it provides privacy and bullet-proof
security from spam. Tick-it is connected to both computers and mobile devices making it accessible regardless of location. Balaya has several patents pending related to tick-it and future capabilities.<br />

Similar services

See Family 2.0.<br />

Related articles

"Here Come the Family 2.0 Sites", c|Net News.com, June 2, 2006
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"Yahoo! and OMD Research Shows Resurgence of Traditional Values Among Today's Tech-Savvy Families", Yahoo! Press Room, September 26, 2006
[2191]

"Social Graph-iti", The Economist, October 18, 2007
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