Co-Founder and CEO
Belmont - CA United States
The big idea: In 25 words or less, please tell us how this Fast 50 Nominee is helping to address the planet's problems.
Sezmi leverages the unique strengths of broadcast and broadband technology to deliver the first complete TV 2.0 offering in one plug-and-play device.
Please describe how this nominee is using business as a force of positive change. What technology, idea, or strategy is the nominee using -- and what problem, such as global warming, poverty, or pollution, does it address? (suggested length: 100 words)
Sezmi was created to address the convergence of technology and consumers’ desire to have one, uncomplicated, inexpensive TV service. Currently, consumers are forced to piece together multiple services and set-top boxes to create a complete television experience with all the shows they want to watch, plus advanced features. Consumers are also dissatisfied with high prices, inflexible bundles and a poor viewing experience.
Using a unique hybrid model of broadcast and broadband technology, Sezmi is the only television service provider that can deliver content to the television in the most efficient and economical method. Sezmi utilizes available spectrum from broadcasters to deliver licensed content over a private, secure broadcast. The over-the-air signal is picked up by Sezmi’s in home, smart reception system, bringing high-quality, affordable content to the TV and returning control of the television viewing experience to the consumer.
Sezmi‘s FlexCast™ video distribution technology combines terrestrial digital broadcast television with existing broadband infrastructure to cost effectively deliver video content. The system utilizes available capacity in existing digital television broadcast networks and creates a private, secure broadcast transmission for content. The resulting platform provides a breakthrough television experience without the need to upgrade existing broadband infrastructure. Sezmi’s smart antenna indoor reception system makes both its private broadcast and existing terrestrial TV broadcasts accessible. It can be placed in any location in the home and requires no user adjustments.
Sezmi addresses fundamental shifts in consumer television viewing behavior and is the first television offering that is:
•A complete TV 2.0 solution: Sezmi delivers all television content, including broadcast and cable network programming, movies and Internet video, in one simple package, unlike Internet-driven offerings that do not include traditional television.
•Optimized for on-demand viewing: Sezmi embraces the migration of consumer TV viewing away from appointment-based viewing and gives consumers the flexibility to watch what they want, when they want. Sezmi’s primary user interface organizes content as program lists (e.g., My Top Picks, My Genres, My Channels) that dramatically simplify the browsing and discovery of television content.
•A seamless integration of live, stored, on-demand and Internet video: Sezmi removes the artificial barriers between content from different sources and provides a single and consistent interface across live, stored, on-demand and Internet video.
•Personalized and tailored to the individual viewer: The Sezmi remote control has unique buttons for individual members of the household. Each user is presented with a personalized homepage-like screen that organizes a line-up of content that is specifically matched to the user’s routines and preferences.
•Extending the benefits of social networking to the TV: Sezmi subscribers can share playlists with friends and family, contribute to community ratings of shows and benefit from community recommendations.
•Designed for self-installation: Sezmi is a simple, out-of-the-box wireless product that provides consumers a high quality television experience in minutes.
What are the results, both financial and social? How has the nominee's business performed, and what impact has it had on the problem it addresses? (suggested length: 100 words)
On May 1, 2008, Sezmi, formerly known as “Building B”, launched the company, making it a recognizable alternative to cable and satellite. In addition, Sezmi (under the name Building B) was selected an Always On OnMedia 100 winner, a list of the top 100 emerging companies that are disrupting user behavior and creating new opportunities in the marketing, branding, advertising, and public relations industries. Sezmi was also recognized as a top 200 finalist for the Red Herring Top Private Companies award. Sezmi is entering trials now with consumer availability slated for the end of 2008 in initial markets.
