Webvanta's first product hits market

<p>Sebastopol Internet startup Webvanta is launching its first product today, a content management system that helps designers build better Web sites.</p><p>"Webvanta gives designers the ability to take on more complex projects," said CEO Michael Slater. "They can build better sites faster and for much less money."</p><p>Slater is a veteran tech entrepreneur who previously published the Microprocessor Report and co-founded Fotiva, a photo organizing software startup that was acquired by Adobe Systems in 2001. He founded Webvanta in 2007 with Christopher Haupt, who also worked at Adobe Systems.</p><p>Webvanta's hosted system lets designers create Web sites without server programming, using a database they customize by filling out forms. Designers can use</p><p>Webvanta for free to develop a client Web site. They pay Webvanta a monthly rate for site hosting, monitoring and support.</p><p>The startup has raised $500,000 from angel investors and is seeking an additional $500,000 to support the launch.</p><p>-- Steve Hart</p>