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August 10, 2000

eBallot.net

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eBallot.net

WHO:
An Internet application services provider founded in 1998 by Dale Miller and Scott Konopasek.

WHAT:
Provides technology and systems to hold elections and conduct polls online.

WHERE:
Seattle.

Fast Fact #1: An Internet heavyweight recently tossed eBallot a bouquet.

Comment: Cisco Systems, the leading maker of routers, featured eBallot in its latest "Measuring the Internet Economy" report, which spotlighted companies driving e-business.

 

Fast Fact #2: eBallot's goal is to "become invisible."

Comment: What does that mean? It's all about the company's marketing strategy, explains President Jeff Poole. eBallot doesn't approach clients directly. Instead, it partners with traditional polling firms and election-services companies so they can offer their clients an online option.

To the clients, eBallot is unseen, but to partners with Internet needs, the company's tools are indispensable, says Poole.

Fast Fact #3: eBallot partnered with the ES & S company of Omaha to run the Reform Party's presdential nominating election.

Comment: The election was conducted through the mail and online before the Reform Party convention which started Wednesday. Nearly 900,000 ballots were distributed.

Fast Fact #4: The Reform Party election is potentially the biggest ever held online.

Comment: Last spring's Arizona Democratic presidential primary -- conducted by another company -- had been the largest. Poole says that election brought welcome attention to the benefits of online voting, but also raised red flags. For instance, to ensure the election's success, the company managing the process actively solicited voters, a practice that could skew the results. "You have to stay neutral as a provider," Poole says.

Fast Fact #5: Legal barriers continue to block online voting in public elections. 

Comment: Technically speaking, partisan nominating elections are private. Before online voting spreads to public elections, new standards must be developed, says Poole. "It really doesn't matter how much people want to vote on line," he says. "Laws have to be changed. A lot of behind the scenes work has to be done." In the meantime, says Poole, eBallot will be waiting with the necessary technology. 

Fast Fact #6: eBallot has options if electronic democracy remains short-circuited.

Comment: Think of eBallot as three separate application services providers -- one for public elections, one for private elections (unions, clubs, associations, etc.) and one for polling. Each shares the same underlying technology, but targets separate markets. So while online public elections may remain "hostages of the legal system," eBallot can still market its other two services, says Poole.

Fast Fact #7: All of eBallot's existing customers are "early adapters."

Comment: Those pioneers have helped the company perfect its systems and software for the broader market. And even though eBallot won't formally launch its private election and polling services until later this summer, "people still find out about us and call," says Poole.

Fast Fact #8: A name change is in the works. 

Comment: Being known as eBallot.net overemphasizes the company's election services. "Decision chain management" is Poole's phrase for the company's niche and he wants the new name to reflect that -- but probably in fewer syllables. 

Fast Fact #9: eBallot is a portfolio company of iStart Ventures.

Comment: iStart is a business accelerator, helping startups grow as fast as possible by providing space and equipment, recruiting managers, developing policies and wooing investors. iStart negotiates an equity position in its portfolio companies and cashes in when they are acquired or go IPO. Both of those exit strategies are options for eBallot, says Poole.

Fast Fact #10: eBallot's founders sought iStart's assistance.

Comment: Miller has a background in financial services and Konopasek has a background in election administration. Together, they conceived the business plan for the company, but needed help developing the core technology and executing the plan. Both remain involved as advisors.



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