FaceFlow

This web-based service allows up to four people to video chat, any time, for free. Unlike many of FaceFlow's competitors, there are no downloads and the service runs on Adobe Flash, the most ubiquitous player on the web. The business model relies on ads at present although a mobile app is currently in the pipeline. FaceFlow already has 100,000 registered members, despite only launching last year. Founder Dany Pelletier runs a tight ship: once data usage and server costs are covered, around 20% of the remaining revenue is spent on SEO, 80% on development. The firm only has four full-time employees - the rest of the grunt is provided by a network of freelancers. In this fast-moving online niche, Pelletier knows that FaceFlow will have to constantly evolve to survive. With this is mind, FaceFlow recently launched a Chat Roulette-style 'meet new people' feature, allowing users to connect with new people over the web.

• Ad-funded business model enables service to be offered for free
• 100,000 registered users to date
• Skype without downloads with Chat Roulette thrown in!