David Van Beekum - The Story Behind Tweva: Patents, Funding, and Rethinking Local Advertising

In Episode 130, we dive into a fascinating conversation with David Van Beekum, one of the minds behind Tweva, a revolutionary platform that's redefining local advertising. David shares his journey from being a tech enthusiast to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and how his father's passion for sound and audio technology in the '70s influenced his career path.

We delve into the complexities of building a business beyond just creating a website, as David recounts his experience in developing a unique software for small food distributors and the challenges he faced in securing a patent for it. He provides valuable insights into the patent process, highlighting the importance of uniqueness and the risks involved.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as David shares the impact of his business partner and friend's sudden passing (instrumental in developing the ideas behind Tweva). He discusses the importance of networks in business and the challenges he faced in securing VC capital.

Finally, we explore the concept of Tweva, a social TV channel for your city that allows community participation and offers a platform for businesses and influencers. David explains how Tweva makes it easy for businesses to advertise on local screens and how it provides a platform for sharing local, relevant content. He emphasizes the importance of creating 'infotainment' - content that is not only informative but also entertaining.