Tripod Ventures, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, officially launches today after months of preparation. The company is led by three experienced executives with roots in the photography, retail, and technology sectors. The mission of Tripod Ventures is to deliver Web 2.0 retail technology solutions that combine user experiences with operational quality, says the company.
  The main focus of Tripod Ventures will be bringing rich internet applications (RIAs) to market, that meet the emerging Web 2.0 needs around user generated objects. Tripod Ventures was co-founded by Shant Balayan, Vahe Kassardjian, and François Parent. At this time, the company is privately financed by the executive team.
  Tripod Ventures' first product offering, Fusion, is scheduled for debut in late 2008. This platform is aimed at becoming the new standard for photo retailers, says the company. Based on third-generation technology, Fusion is an integrated Web platform that delivers a unified user interface for photo processing, photo merchandising and photo book orders. The platform uses the latest Web technology to streamline the ordering process and creates a quality user experience for consumers. The platform is designed to increase client conversion, increase revenue, and lower staff training costs for retailers.