5 Questions with Hallspot’s CEO Sean Thorne -- My Exclusive Q&A

Here’s my latest entrepreneurial spotlight as part of my continuing exclusive “5 Questions With ...” series.  This time, I feature Sean Thorne who is CEO of college-focused social/ad-tech company Hallspot based in Eugene, Oregon (in and around the home of one of my favorite VCs -- my former long-time childhood neighbor and inevitable entrepreneur Angela Jackson who co-manages Portland’s Seed Fun).  I like the hyper-local “what’s happening right now” college focus of Hallspot.  Ultimately, dialing in compelling revenue streams and determining what college students are prepared to pay for are key.  But, I certainly can envision cross-campus viral adoption -- and Sean definitely has the passion that is the foundation of all entrepreneurial success.

And, on with the questions:

(1) What is the reason your company exists (and what problem(s) are you looking to solve)?

College is one of the most exciting times of an individual’s life, and there are experiences that occur and connections that are made that simply should never be shared beyond the boundaries of a university network. Currently there isn’t a college exclusive platform for the localized student-student and student-campus business interactions that occur. We’re focused on providing each university ecosystem with an inherently local network to enhance the interactions that occur within its confines.

(2) How are you different from your competitors?

Hallspot is a map-based product that is focused on both local and real-time information. Many other social networks connect individuals from all corners of the globe while also featuring content that has already happened. Because college students live spontaneous lives, college life is all about the given moment, or what’s happening right now. Our real-time campus map highlights trends, hot spots, currently valid deals, and other user generated content to provide that sense of now – both on an acute level to a given friend circle, as well as on an obtuse level to the entire student body.

(3) Why will you succeed (and what is your single most important ingredient for success)?

We love college and we’re building Hallspot for ourselves! As students and recent graduates we fluently understand the dynamics of college life – and this passion fuels us.

(4) What makes you unique (and what do you enjoy most outside of building your business)?

I don’t view anything as a problem. Building anything takes so many moving pieces and getting all of the pieces in the right order means you’re going to fail on a micro level countless times. When things come up they’re simply an opportunity to improve.

Outside of Hallspot – I love being a college student. I would be an undergrad senior this year if not on a leave of absence, so just going out on a Friday night and realizing I’m still a kid at heart is fun.

(5) What digital media trend is most interesting to you (and what is the least)?

Local is fascinating to me. The fact that you can be in a given location and have relevant information pushed to you that provides real-world tangible value is pretty awesome. Can only imagine the future of this market and how much it can add to people’s lives. 

Least favorite:  The proliferation of photo sharing apps.