PointCast founder's firm gets going

Prizepoint Entertainment, led by PointCast cofounder Chris Hassett, is planning to launch February 1, according to a new posting on its Web site.

The site, which has read "under construction," now reads: "Coming February 1. Win significant prizes, from vacation getaways, computers, and high-end electronics to shopping sprees, cash, and more! Play to win at Prizepoint.com."

As first reported by CNET News.com, the New York company focuses on Net entertainment programming. It also launched a beta last year. It has been seeking to boost its staff by advertising in Internet job listings.

The management team includes other former PointCast employees. Hassett is president and chief executive, while Frank Blot is vice president of marketing and business development.

Hassett is still a stockholder in privately held PointCast but is no longer employed by the company. As reported, PointCast shelved its IPO last year but is negotiating an alliance with regional Bell telephone companies.

Prizepoint's launch comes amid a flurry of start-up ventures on the Internet, including Drugstore.com, an e-commerce site that is expected to launch by March. Drugstore.com is led by another technology veteran, former Microsoft executive Peter Neupert.