BloGiza: The List

Despite the dreary economic climate, venture investments held relatively steady in the second quarter of 2008. But more of that money is going to later-stage deals, not funding young startups.

While failure for the high-tech entrepreneur is less likely to result in death, the parallels between the Gold Rush and the current Web-based economy are many. In both cases, participants must to adapt to a new way of life, with new rules. Or rather, no pre-existing, fixed rules.

A newly launched open-source platform called Identi.ca hopes to challenge Twitter.

Digg’s new recommendation system, like the site, relies on the wisdom of crowds.

Entrepreneurs face some pretty tough questions at a very early stage. Should I take Angel or VC money? How much money should I raise? How much equity should I give up? How much equity should I grant to early employees? There are some guidelines, but every situation is different.

An investor wants to give you money for a certain percentage of your startup. Should you take it? You’re about to hire your first employee. How much stock should you give him?

It was a compelling idea: In the digitized world, there’s more money to be made in niche offerings than in blockbusters. The data tell a different story.