2/28/12

2/28/12

Good morning, All,

First, happy Leap Year Day (tomorrow), which is also Sadie Hawkins Day, and it’s just a couple of weeks until our next SOS+ER+Hubitat breakfast March 15 at Hubitat on 26th Street. It’s March 15th, 8.30 am – 10. $20 with an RSVP or $25 at the door, and hope to see you there! To RSVP: http://erasosbreakfast2.eventbrite.com/

As many of you know, we are a compulsive networker. It’s part of our job. We meet a lot of you at the various functions we attend, and a number of you have asked us for introductions to people who could potentially help you to move the needle forward. And we’re happy to do so, when appropriate. But we’ve noticed that some of you never follow up with us, so guess what the subject is this week? Right:

The Rules of Networking, Part 2: Follow up

1.     Follow up is as important as having met the person in the first place, so stay focused or stay home.
2.     When you take someone’s business card, write a note on the back: where you met; what you discussed; whatever is pertinent to that particular person
3.     Have a business card. A real one. Yes, beaming is fine. Sending an on-the-spot linkedin invite is fine. An actual card is a physical reminder to follow up – and those notes you took should help, too.
4.     Mini cards. Really? They don’t exactly rise to the top of the pile. Small and easy to misplace and after a big networking event, easily lost in the literal shuffle. And where do you take notes? Eco-conscious? Recycled paper, baby.
5.     Always bring your business cards with you, and make sure to bring more than you think you’ll need. Better to carry a few home than to run out. Trust me. Been there, done that. But never twice.
6.      Follow up with people you already know as well. If you run into someone you haven’t seen in a while and it seems they can help you, follow up. Don’t wait for them to contact you as a test to see whether or not they were serious. That follow up is your job: they’re potentially doing you a favor. This is not the time to be shy.
7.     Follow up isn’t always about sending an email or note later. If you run into someone you’ve met before, go up to them and say hello and remind them that you’ve met before. You know – the tipping point and all that.
8.     Follow up, even if you didn’t attend the event. Seriously. Believe it or not and as much as we do try, we can’t be everywhere and all things to all people, so when we can’t event, we call or ping a friend/associate who did manage to go and ask them if there was anyone present we needed to have met. When the answer is yes, ask for an introduction – and follow up. And always remember to say ‘thank you.’

Admittedly, and as some of you on the list know, we don’t always follow up, and please do feel free to send us a subtle reminder. We’re all busy, and sometimes that reminder can make all the difference; we certainly have no time to be shy. Onward and forward.

Deadlines:

StartupOneStop  is pleased to invite you to attend the Seventh Annual Small Business Summit  – http://www.smallbiztechsumimt.com on March 6th, in New York City.
The Summit is NY’s premier event for small business owners, entrepreneurs and business professionals looking to network (500 attendees), learn from experts, meet with exhibitors and win great prizes.
At the Summit you’ll learn how Orabrush used creativity and low cost video to boost sales of their tongue cleaners.
Hear from Dell how the power of online software can help you grow your business.
Listen how Bonobos’ customer service ninja works to please customers and sell more pants!
Our luncheon keynote by John “ColderICE” Lawson will have you laughing, crying and inspired
Scott Hintz, Founder of Tripit will share his success in building and selling two businesses – powerful lessons for EVERY business owner
We’ve got a guru of sales to give you her (shhhhhh) secrets to getting the customer to say YES!
Enjoy breakfast, lunch and LOTS MORE…

YetiZen Get-In-The-Pitch Competition, deadline February 28th. This is your chance to present to our incredible audience of investors, notable game industry CEOs, and entrepreneurs to jumpstart your fundraising and business development efforts. Showcase your creative juices to some of the most prolific people in the game industry! Entrants must be a startup company in the mobile or social game space. So get your game on: Competition takes place March 8th in SF. For more information and to apply: http://yetizen.com/competition/

Angel Investment Network Pitching Event, London, February 29th. These are a great opportunity for you to meet investors, discuss your business and hopefully take some steps towards getting the funding your company needs. Business is done when people meet face to face and our fun and relaxed formats can create a real buzz about you and your business. To apply: http://bit.ly/xhdEwO

TNW Startup Rally, deadline March 1st. TNW2012 is where you do deals, launch, get coverage, feedback from the brightest, find your next round of funding and meet new friends for life. In the last 3 editions more than 25 startups raised a total of 50 million+ in funding during or right after their launch at The Next Web Conference. The conference takes place in Amsterdam, April 25-27. For more information: http://tnw.co/clCmyg

Extreme Startups, Toronto, deadline March 1st. Extreme Startups provide a collaborative environment, and deep access with companies such to key industry partners so that accepted startups can integrate the tools they need from the ground up. We offer a 12-week program and provide up to $200,000 per company, a collaborative environment, and deep access with companies such to key industry partners (more information coming soon) so that accepted startups can integrate the tools they need from the ground up. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/Agqmkf

Mobile Merit Awards, deadline for nominations open March 1st, final deadline: April 1st. The Mobile Merit Awards recognizes companies, individuals and technologies that have shaped the way in which the world communicates today. Through nominations the Mobile Merit Awards notes the excellence achieved in the global mobile industry. These awards will be presented to outstanding companies, individuals and technologies from each sector within the mobile arena for work of the greatest likely impact on the market.  The Awards will be announced on May 19, 2012 with each category winner receiving a plaque as well as a digital graphic ribbon. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/AxHzJF

ERA is now accepting applications for Summer 2012! Application deadline: April 29th Yes, it’s here in NYC, with access to world-class mentors, office space, and more. Each company receives $25,000/8% equity. For more information and to apply: http://eranyc.com/apply/

NEW GigTank, Chattanooga, TN deadline March 1st. The Gig Tank is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs with the ambition to build disruptive businesses that utilize and take advantage of the country’s first and largest gigabit fiber optic network. The Gig Tank is powered by CO.STARTERS, Chattanooga’s start-up accelerator — the only one in the nation today that offers companies access to gigabit bandwidth speeds together with a live test market of residential customers and businesses on the same 1Gig fiber network. It runs for 14 weeks; 7% equity is taken for up to $100k in investment. We are looking for business ideas that couldn’t be built anywhere else without the Gig. Specifically there are 7 sectors we are hoping to disrupt: Cloud Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Media, Healthcare, Education, Energy, and Public Safety & Emergency Response. But if you have a business idea that doesn’t perfectly fit into one of these sectors, we would still love to hear it. To apply: http://bit.ly/xf6plU

MassChallenge, applications open March 1st. Deadline April 11th. This is the largest-ever startup accelerator and competition, and the first to support high-impact, early-stage entrepreneurs with no strongs attached.
3 month accelerator program. World-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding, media and more.
$1M in cash awards. $4M+ in-kind support.
Open to all. Any startup can enter, from anywhere, in any industry.
No equity taken. No restrictions applied.
$1M in cash awards. $4M+ in-kind support.
Open to all. Any startup can enter, from anywhere, in any industry.
For more information and to apply: http://masschallenge.org/

angelHack National Hackathon on March 3-5th  Big News. The AngelHack national hackathon has arrived and they are giving free tickets to members of developers in this newsletter! There is over $75,000 in prizes to be won, including trips to San Francisco, Cash, and meeting’s with top investors like 500 Startups’ Dave McClure, AngelList’s Naval Ravikant, and AngelPad’s Thomas Korte.   Over 500 people have already signed up. One caveat…angleHack currently only takes place in San Francisco and Boston. But there’s good news! You can bus over with 150 other hackers leaving from General Assembly on March 2nd. Round trip tickets (along with food / drinks for 3 days) run less then $20 with your discount code below. Read on.
Prizes Include:
Top teams:  Meals with investors, startup documents, hosting credits
1 st  Place College West Coast:  $1000 or flights to  San Francisco and lodging at  TheGlint Mansion  (max 3) compliments of Summer@highland
1 st, 2nd, 3rd  Boston Teams:  Advancement to 2nd round of MassChallenge (live demo)
1 st  Place Gaming:  Acceptance into Yetizen Gaming Accelerator (avg. graduate raises $500k)
1 st  Place Social Impact:  Advanced Acceptance to Hub Ventures and funding (conditions apply)
And tickets and airfare to Startup Workaway Thailand, along with $50,000 in API prizes
Boston:http://angelhackbo2.eventbrite.com/
New York: – http://angelhacknyc2.eventbrite.com/

Hub Ventures helps high caliber entrepreneurs build their world-changing startups better and faster. Deadline March 5th. We operate 12-week cohort cycles at Hub Bay Area, during which participating companies receive seed funding and engage in best-in-class mentorship, collaborative sessions with program peers, and workshops and speaker events on topics relevant to impact oriented startups.  We also connect companies with our extensive network of investors during the program and at Investor Day, an opportunity to pitch to hundreds of Bay Area investors.  3-7% equity stake taken; $10,000-$20,000 in funding. To apply: http://hub-ventures.com/apply/

NEW StartFast! Software, Internet & Mobile Venture Accelerator, early deadline March 6th, Final deadline March 23rd. One hundred days to get focused, get feedback, and get funded. We’ll give you enough money to pursue your software/internet startup full-time, co-working space, resources to work with, and continuous feedback on your progress from mentors who’ve done it before. Post-program, our mission is to help you get the funding and resources needed to scale and achieve a successful exit. Apply Now for this summer’s program (shortcut for TechStars applicants) or contact us to be a StartFast mentor, sponsor, investor or volunteer.StartFast welcomes applicants from all over the United States and around the world.  In addition to exceptional mentors and program leaders, we offer our teams:
Up to $18,000 in cash and another $85,000 in perks
Access to high quality, affordable talent;
Ability to achieve your goals not just faster, but with an ultra low burn rate;
Our successful track record of getting companies funded;
Support from an emerging, globally connected entrepreneurial community
For more information and to apply: http://startfast.net/

NEW UpTech deadline, March 9th. As an UpTech company you will be able to engage in applied research, develop the intellectual property, and collaborate with faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduates. This is a formal arrangement; each company will receive two student interns, plus a graduate assistant for each five companies. Also, companies will have access to an UpTech lab at Northern Kentucky University’s College of informatics and access to the state of the art facilities. This partnership is a first in Business Acceleration programs. For more information and to apply: http://www.uptechideas.org/

NEW First Floor Labs, Palo Alto, deadline March 9th. First Floor Labs is a vibrant community of startups working out of the AOL building in Palo Alto. In general, we’re looking for companies in the consumer internet/mobile space. After that, we’ll base our decision on 1. team (brains, drive, product sense, background, etc), 2. idea (market size, use cases, competitive advantage, etc) and 3. progress. To apply: http://bit.ly/z8jLIP

NEW Huge Thing, Poland deadline March 9rh.  Huge Thing is a 6 months two-phase business acceleration program. During first 3 months we get you through intense entrepreneurship training. The training pillars are Entrepreneurship, Strategy, People, Money, Sales and Marketing. With help of our great mentors you will validate your business model and create Minimum Viable Product. Huge Thing is located in Poznan (Poland), less than 3 hours drive from Berlin (240 km) and Warsaw.  For more information and to apply (cute website, btw): http://www.hugething.org/about/

The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, deadline March 13th. It’s an international business plan competition for women entrepreneurs who are in the initial stages of development, in any country, of any nationality and operating in any industry. Since its inception five years ago, it has provided support, visibility and coaching to 76 women heading businesses in countries across the globe. There’s mentorship, $20k US and a trip to France for the presentation Finale. For more information and to apply: http://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/

NEW 3 Day Startup NYC, deadline March 15th. 3 Day Startup is an entrepreneurship education program designed for university students with an emphasis on learning by doing. The idea is simple: start tech companies over the course of three days. To apply: http://nyc.3daystartup.org/

Applications for the DreamIt NYC Summer 2012 program are now open.  Final deadline: March 16th, but note: there is a definite advantage to applying early, as it results in the application getting  more attention (and possibly early admittance).
-the program runs from May-August 2012 in NYC
-accepted companies get seed money (typically $20-25,000), office space, free legal and accounting services, and access to a who’s who list of advisors and mentors (http://www.dreamitventures.com/team/advisors.php)
For more information and to apply: http://www.dreamitventures.com/apply/.

The Appy Awards – enter once and you could win twice. Deadline March 21, but any entry you submit today may also be selected as our “Featured App of the Week“, scoring you some seriously instant gratification. And we doesn’t love that? For more information and to enter – any time – http://appyawards.net/

Crain’s New York Business is now accepting nominations for its annual Top Entrepreneurs competition, deadline March 23rd.  It is open to businesses located in the five boroughs of New York City. Businesses must be 3 years old or more to enter and can have revenues up to $100 million. You can enter and get more information here:http://bit.ly/AdFq9t Winners will be featured in the May 29 issue of Crain’s. You can enter yourself or nominate someone else. Contact: Elaine Pofeldt,epofeldt@yahoo.com

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For you edification this week:

How to Remove Your Google Search History Before Google’s New Privacy Policy Takes Effect. It goes into effect on March 1st, and unless you want everything you do online using GOOG to be disseminated however google seems fit, ignore this. Or get rid of your search history now: http://bit.ly/A7fney

Ten Lessons I Learned from Shark Tank. We’ve watched the show. Not our favorite. The panel is nasty, but then, we suppose that deals do get done, and it is called ‘Shark Tank,’ after all. Something for everyone in this piece and worth the read: http://tcrn.ch/ykDXeF

Speaking of scrappy lots, How This Entrepreneur Raised $28,000 Using Airbnb to Fund Her Startup. Good read here, as Tracy DiNunzio isn’t your typical startup founder – but she did make all of the right moves, which of course makes her the prototypical entrepreneurs: http://bit.ly/Aj3qgu

To raise or not to raise. That’s always the question and Joe Stump points out that there are pluses and pitfalls to raising a round, so read on and don’t forget to follow your instincts: http://bit.ly/zzPnkh

Making America A Better Place For Start-Ups. SOPA, PIPA, ACTA… “What if we combined a liberal approach toward mitigating risk for startups with a conservative approach toward taxing and regulating established corporations?” Derek asks. “The result might be more people playing the entrepreneur’s game, more entrepreneurs winning the game and ramping up their companies, and more companies to hire more workers.” There’s a thought: http://onforb.es/w4rJW5

There’s an app for everything these days. Well, except for the one you happen to be working on, of course. But money is money, no? So you’d think, but if you’re considering going the paid app route, make sure you read on: How to Evaluate a (paid) iPhone App Idea: http://bit.ly/wtBQ5O

13 Reasons Why Your Startup Will Fail. Leave it to a 5x entrepreneur and VC to lay out the problems you might encounter.  David Feinleib gives a cheat sheet and told us 13 things startups do that make them fail: http://read.bi/AeUrxF

Finally, 5 Pitfalls to Understand about Non Disclosure Agreements. Oh, those NDAs. We’ve all seen them. Many of us have them. And many more have no doubt had to sign one or two. VCs never sign them, and they’re nasty little things, after all, as the writer points out. Yes, there are pitfall, so read before you sign on the dotted line: http://bit.ly/zDW5sh

For your amusement this week, we love truth in advertising, and yes, we actually found two for you – and really, wait for the end, on both:http://youtu.be/uCKgCkubGc0 and http://youtu.be/Fitxofd7kOA. That’s it from us for now, and until next week, as usual, help is on the way…

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