In general, with startups, it's pretty important when you're partnering with someone, that you complement each other. Both partners also did what they could to lessen expenses, such as bringing their own computers into the business. Last April, Beduin also hired a Toronto based public-relations agency, High Road Communications, to assist in efforts to market its products. Beduin's browser products are being targeted to the consumer device market, says Mr. Tennant, who adds that the partners carefully mapped out that aspect of their strategy before starting the business because they deemed it critical to their success. I think a lot of start-ups fail not because of bad technology, but because of just not carefully thinking through their target market.
Impact is focused for use in wireless and wireline smart phones.
The software fits directly into the phone and the browser allows a number of activities, such as access to the Internet, to be carried out on a small screen. Plans for the business include developing new products to allow users to surf the Internet even more efficiently. A third product, called the E-mail Client, which helps create an integrated messaging centre, is also being prepared. All the Ottawa-based employees are young, single and fit into a closely knit team the partners have sought to cultivate. Because we're a small company, we need to make sure there are no personality clashes.