Congratulation to my friend Hajrë Hyseni for the Flare Award - Entrepreneur 2008.. I am really impressed!

Its declaration of independence is the start of another chapter, not of a new book, says The Economist quoting my comment about technology opportunities in Kosovo.

Kushtrim Xhakli, an internet entrepreneur, says the problem lies deeper: stick-in-the-mud thinking and no tradition of letting private companies get larger than one family can control. “They are frightened of modern technology and losing control,” he says.

I’m going to LIFT Conference 2008 with set of tools to create, share and present. I will create network possibly by increasing my Linkedin connections, I will share conversation and a presence during LIFT08 with Twitter, and will get much social with Facebook (physical contacts only).

Here is the trend graph of recent months popularity of these social networks:

Meanwhile I will have a possibly to present my open stage proposition: How innovative projects can transform education and ICT opportunities. (Your vote and support is highly appreciated at this stage).

And the most important part is to meet with network of people i created last year, compliments to LIFT team for making the event this year much more valuable to be part of it.

I did a small research on the The Networked Readiness Index Rankings to see where does south east European countries are indexed on using technology. The report was delivered lately by World Economic Forum judging countries who integrated technology into business and helped developed an infrastructure on their countries, usage of technology in innovation, culture and leadership.

The Networked Readiness Index 2006–2007 rankings
Here is the 2006-2007 top-10 technology countries: (2005 ranking)
1: Denmark (3)
2: Sweden (8)
3: Singapore (2)
4: Finland (5)
5: Switzerland (9)
6: Netherlands (12)
7: US (1)
8: Iceland (4)
9: UK (10)
10: Norway (13)

——-
South East European Countries:
30. Slovenia (35)
46. Croatia (57)
55. Romania (58)
72. Bulgaria (64)
74. Serbia and Montenegro (80)
81. Macedonia (81)
89. Bosnia and Herzegovina (97)
92. Moldova (94)
107. Albania (106)
*Kosovo is not included separately in the statistics

via WeirdTechNewsHub

1. Million Dollar Homepage
2. SantaMail
3. Doggles
4. LaserMonks
5. AntennaBalls
6. FitDeck
7. PositivesDating.Com
8. Designer Diaper Bags
9. TruGamerz
10. Lucky Wishbone Co.

Telecom Slovenia has bought 75 % of Ipko Net. Ipko Net is the leading Internet Service Provider in Kosova. Telecom Slovenia has invested 19.5 million euros in the Kosovar company, out of which 10 million are a direct investment, to ensure further network building and modernization in the two upcoming years.
Source: Telekom Slovenia, IPKOnet

An unknown blog writes that Skinsoft unofficially pre-announced a possible chance of getting acquired by my start-up company this year. I’ve briefly spoke to the guys there some time ago on possibility to merge them into one company. The rumors are already floating around the internet, double rumors became a truth on day.

Update: They decided to keep the confidentiality on :)

Paul Graham gives another nice essay on Startup Businesses with some productive lessons. Find related essay on startups here: How to Fund a Startup.