About Sal

My name is Salim Virani, Sal to my friends, and I’m an entreprenerd.

I’m into startups (web-based and otherwise), social hacking, and emerging technologies.  I have long applied Agile business practices, and my experiences are aligned with frameworks like Rework, Customer Development and Lean Startup.

I have an interest in integrating real-world socal activity to the web seamlessly, a concept similar to The Internet Of Things but with a social rather than object focus, which I describe as the Analog Web.

In my spare time, I have been known to invent martinis, draw naked people, and throw gigs at my house (but I’m not ever doing that again!) Like some artsy types, I’m into photography and cinematography, but in more of a mess-around-with-iMovie way than a let’s-talk-Blade-Runner-vs-Citizen-Cain way.

Around The Corner TV

My startup, Around The Corner, uses video interviews to help travellers find unique and interesting things by recommendation. It’s a tech business based on a very human principle – that people identify with others based on social cues, not stats or aggregates.  I interview people and creates interesting and cinematic video guides, bringing out the personality of London’s different neighbourhoods and giving travellers a real sense of emotion and excitement.

Consulting

My technology consultancy, Stay Connected, combines emerging technology, video and marketing best practices to generate new revenue sources for our clients. This combination of practices comes from “Agile” business startup processes, direct marketing, customer data analysis, Web 2.0 technology, real-world digital hardware such as digital signage, and community & social network design.  I also consult for clients of Flint PR, a leading publishing and arts PR firm in London, and Design HQ, a Canadian design firm specializing in sustainable projects.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with clients around the world. My clients have included: Holiday Inn, Best Western, The Metropolitan Police, Nestle, Scott Paper, The People Speak (who pioneer democratic systems and events), and various venues, retailers, charities and consulting practices.

Clubs & Associations

LKIC – the London Knowledge Innovation Centre, is a business incubator founded by Trevor Baylis and run in partnership with London South Bank University. I became a member of LKIC by invitation, after winning their latest annual Tycoon Bootcamp contest. (It was more like Dragons’ Den than The Apprentice in case you’re wondering!)

The Hospital - The Hospital is a private club for media & art types in Covent Garden.  You can go there in your jeans and order Asahi on tap.

The Hub – Founded in London, The Hub is a worldwide network of values-based businesses and projects.

In the past

In my days as the Digital Media Director at connect@JWT (now rmg:connect) almost a decade ago, I found my place working within Creative teams to push boundaries and build their interactive capabilities. This approach directly resulted in connect@JWT earning a standing in the AdWeek Top 10 Interactive Agencies.

I founded Hotelicom, a leading provider of customer-facing technology for hotels in Canada;  Divetank, one of Canada’s largest online scuba retailers and Geekmail, an email service provider, and a few other small web-based startups.