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April 3, 2013

Ouya - the underdog gaming console.

Ouya. Ever heard of it? Crowdfunding has helped to finance this new $99 Android-based gaming device - an underdog in the high-cost gaming console industry. "Ouya" sped into production thanks to the 63,416 backers that invested $8 million through Kickstarter. The very first units are now being shipped to those that supported the project in its infancy.



The gaming industry has recently been dominated by more expensive consoles like XBox and PlayStation and relatively high-priced games. Now, Ouya may become a truly disruptive innovation. It is a low-cost gaming console that demonstrates what a lean-startup can look like. Ouya has borrowed a concept used to found Dell Computer long ago. The company uses "off-the-shelf" parts and components, thereby cutting manufacturing costs. In fact, the device is in the form of a small cube that can be opened up and upgraded as time goes on.

The platform is attracting many indie game developers who felt that they were shut out of the worlds of PlayStation and XBox. The prices of games to be played on Ouya are expected to be much lower than those offered for the major platforms. If independent developers can truly supply this niche with exciting and innovative games that essentially go viral, success may be assured.

It is still to be determined, however, whether Ouya will come to occupy a lucrative niche between mobile gaming and large console gaming. Competition from gaming apps on smartphones and tablets that are often free will still be significant. However, this new platform may offer an attractive alternative to game developers that grow weary of giving away apps for free and then struggling to monetize them through in-game and other upgrades.

Ouya is perhaps illustrative of an emerging paradigm in new product development and sales. That is, take an innovative idea, locate necessary parts and components around the globe, and accelerate the move into the marketplace via crowdfunding. 

That is exactly the paradigm UFOstart, an international, a social network based marketplace for the creation of successful startups, is supporting. The lean startup approach is encouraged through short funding rounds that allow for product iteration. Innovative ideas can be turned into products through the unique network of experts, investors and start ups. The social media integration will bring together your friends, family and fans and will get your idea off the ground. If you have a great idea and are ready to launch your lean startup, contact us. We can help you get the funding and support you need!


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Join our first "Global Crowd Network" for Lean Startup funding! Connect with facebook on www.ufostart.com and calculate your Startup Value. Interested in how you can leverage the power of the crowd for your startup? Like us on facebook and follow us on twitter!


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