10/16/12

10/16/12

Good morning, All,

First came the facebook movie, and remember, there are three sides to every story (his side, her side and the truth). Well, four, if you count Hollywood’s. We see Dennis Crowley in commercials. Techstars and Quirky with their own television shows. “Shark Tank,” is a pitch panel by any other name and with higher-paying sponsors. Ashton Kutcher, Justin Timberlake, MC Hammer, Lady Gaga, Adrian Grenier, Justin Bieber, Natalie Portman and other celebrities are making their way to Silicon Valley to invest in technology startups.  And now there’s Randi Zuckerberg’s soon to be aired startup show, which we like to call the Reel Houselives of Silicon Valley. It’s not shot in Silicon Valley, but rather in the much more scenic San Francisco (ever been to Sandhill Road? Next). As to the show’s stars themselves being representative of the Cali-based tech world, it seems anyone in the startup world who isn’t white, a millenial, camera-ready and who doesn’t look great in a bathing suit just didn’t get the email for the casting call. What can you do? The industry at large is up in arms about this show, which from what we’ve seen so far, is about a bunch of twenty-somethings boozing hard, taking off their tops at every opportunity, proclaiming that they’re inventing tomorrow, and doing anything but working on their startups (Sneak peek: ‘Start-Ups: Silicon Valley’ full of bikinis, booze and bawling http://bit.ly/Pw3vfr). According to the press release, the series supposedly will explore the “intertwining lives of a group of (six) young entrepreneurs on the path to becoming Silicon Valley’s next great success stories.” Sucesses they may be, but most likely not in tech. Reality check: the producer is Mark Zuckerberg’s sister, and this is television. Bravo, in fact, not the Discovery Channel, so get over it. In short, “Startup: Silicon Valley” is not representative of startup life as we know it anywhere in the known universe. If you want to know who the real tech stars are these days, as always, follow the money (Revenge of the Nerds, the Sequel: Silicon Valley Wallflowers Now Hot. As Web Darlings See Stocks Fall, Spotlight Hits Business Tech; ‘Sexy Again’. Spoiler alert – most are over 30 and don’t wear hoodies: http://on.wsj.com/VyEkrv). In TV land and the media, young techies are the new rock stars. Nerd is cool. Geek is chic. And with reality television now covering everyone and everything, we all want our 15 minutes in the spotlight, and do make sure to get my good side. Since this is “Startup: Silicon Valley,” can “Startup: Silicon Alley/Prairie/Roundabout/Falafel” be far behind? Boozing, brawling and looking good in a bikini – that may be how you make television. But building something that changes lives for the better, or that somehow helps to move the human race forward – that’s how you make history.  Stay tuned or stay focused. Either way – onward and forward.

Deadlines:

The list of Startup Weekend Upcoming Events

The Awesome Foundation wants to give you $1000 for your best idea – almost anywhere in the world.  We give micro-grants each month to projects that are inspiring, delightful, and elegant: in a word, Awesome. To apply in NYC: http://bit.ly/NWueRO For more information and the complete list of chapters all over the world: http://www.awesomefoundation.org/

NYU-Poly Incubator Accepting Fall Applications, deadline unknown. At the NYU-Poly Incubator we understand the needs of early-stage startups. We focus on providing our startups with the key resources that they need to be successful. This fall, we are excited to accept a few more startups at our DUMBO location in Brooklyn. Our incubator is looking for energetic and innovative startups that want to be apart of the bigger NYC Tech Community. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/Q85fbI

 LeWeb’12 Paris, deadline October 21st.  We are looking for the most exciting and innovative startups and of course if your company or your product is in the “Internet of Things” space (LeWeb12 theme) this will be even better (but not compulsory!). If that sounds like your startup, entry is free and to apply: http://bit.ly/SrYhl2

DreamIt Ventures inaugural Austin accelerator program, deadline October 26th. The details are here: http://bit.ly/OVWQ8y. Demo Day will take place during SXSW.  To apply:  http://dreamitventures.com/apply/apply-now/ .

NEW  Fintech Innovation Lab London, deadline November 1st. Program runs 7 January to 22 March. To apply, complete the online application form and upload a two-minute video that describes your technology and how it would help financial services firms.  http://bit.ly/P3vm6G

NEW  NYC Next Idea, deadline November 9th. NYC Next Idea is back and better than ever for its fourth iteration! With newly expanded eligibility rules that permit a much larger cross-section of US-based teams to participate, this year’s competition promises to bring the best business ideas from all around the globe to NYC for a chance to pitch to seasoned investors and win $35,000 to get their business off the ground. Registration is open now via this link. For more information: http://bit.ly/IIFg3G

NYC SeedStart Enterprise-Focused Accelerator, deadline November 9th. NYC SeedStart: Enterprise is looking for software and web-based teams with technical co-founders launching companies in the enterprise software area.  The program will take place in New York City from January to March 2013.  Particular areas of interest are SaaS, Real-time Analytics, Security, Cloud Services and Consumer-enabled Enterprise Products.  Up to ten teams will be selected to participate, with each company receiving $20,000 in funding in exchange for a 5% equity stake in the business. For more information and to apply: http://www.nycseedstart.com/Or contact us @ info@nycseedstart.com

AWS Global Startup Challenge, deadline November 9th. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Global Start-Up Challenge is a way for promising start-ups to get noticed and compete for an opportunity to win some great rewards. This year’s challenge offers prizes such as $100K in combined cash and credits for multiple winners, VC introductions, PR support, and more. If your start-up is built using AWS, we want you to apply!
Meet Tier One Investors: Finalists will be flown to San Francisco where they will meet 1:1 with top VCs
More Winners, More Prizes: This year we will award winners in four categories, and award each of the four winners $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in AWS credits
Press and Attention for Your Start-Up: Past winners have been covered by top tech news outlets, and AWS offers other free promotion to top teams as part of the contest. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/OwE8ny

Vator is bringing its popular evening event and competition back to NYC! Deadline: November 14th. 15% SOS discount code: SOS15. What do the top 10 finalists win?  The opportunity to give a three-minute presentation onstage to some of the top investors in the industry, here in NYC on December 5th.
Vator, one of the largest business networks dedicated to high-tech entrepreneurs and investors, is looking to recognize 10 promising startups across technology, including digital media, social media, consumer Internet, software, SaaS, iPhone apps, and mobile.
Who should apply? Entrepreneurs with seed- to early-stage startups that have raised no more than $1.5 million.
What should you submit? Submissions are in the form of a Vator company profile. We encourage video as it gives us a better sense of who’s behind the company. But you don’t need one.
For more information: http://bit.ly/OVVrPl To apply for the competition: http://vator.tv/registration
 
BlueprintHealth Accelerator, deadline November 19th. The program is geared towards healthcare companies that want an intensive three-month program to help find customers and capital. Selected companies range from two founders with an idea to businesses that have customers, investors and are generating significant revenue. The foundation of the program is a community of over 150 healthcare entrepreneurs, investors and industry executives that are committed to helping you build and grow your business. We have the largest network of mentors with healthcare expertise of any accelerator, which can provide you with warm introductions and the strategic and tactile advice you need. If you are accepted to the accelerator program, you will receive $20,000 in cash, over $50,000 in perks, office space at our SoHo office, and a community that is dedicated to seeing you succeed. For more information and to apply: http://bit.ly/Q926Y5

ER Accelerator Winter Session, deadline November 30th. ERA one of the top accelerators in the country, if not the world. Get $25k in funding; free office space in the heart of NYC; access to 200+ amazing mentors (http://eranyc.com/mentors/ and yes, Yours Truly happens to be one of them). For more information: http://eranyc.com/ To apply: http://eranyc.com/apply/

Take the HELM, deadline November 30th. The Take the HELM (Hire & Expand in Lower Manhattan) Competition will select up to 20 finalists that best meet the goals of the competition and seek to open an office in Lower Manhattan. Finalists will each receive a $10,000 cash grant, an opportunity to interview with the distinguished Take the HELM Selection Committee, and will participate in two days of exclusive business development programs in Lower Manhattan. Up to four Take the HELM winners will receive an additional $250,000. At least one $250,000 prize will be reserved for startup applicants. For more information and to apply: http://www.takethehelmnyc.com/

THE NEW ENGLAND VENTURE SUMMIT Call for Top Innovators, and it’s not too late to apply to present. http://bit.ly/OVZQBF. The New England Venture Summit provides an unparalleled opportunity for startups to meet, network and showcase their innovative investment opportunities to a leading group of investors. This exclusive venture summit will feature over 40 leading VCs on timely panel discussions; presentations by 50 cutting edge companies and high-level networking opportunities. It happens in Boston on December 5th. If you plan on attending, register now and save 50%:  http://bit.ly/LjlttK

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For you edification this week:

The Danger of Celebritizing Entrepreneurship. There’s no doubt technology entrepreneurship is becoming its own kind of celebrity. The good, the bad and the don’t even think about it: http://bit.ly/SGe76K

Life advice from Eric Hippeau and Paul Berry. In case you don’t make it into the cast of “Startup: Wherever,” some good reminders here: http://bit.ly/V0wIvY

If you can’t explain what you do in a paragraph, you’ve got a problem. According to Brad Feld, you have 60 seconds to get an investors attention. Use them wisely, and some pointers: http://bit.ly/P3wcR8

Startups: The Elevator to Success is Out of Order. Behind every major success story, there is usually a major effort: http://bit.ly/SeeeGp

A primer on sexism in the tech industry – by an actual girl: http://bit.ly/TlgnQP

How To Get Advertisers To Stop Tracking You On Your iPhone. Your easy step-by-step guide for how to limit ad tracking: http://read.bi/RsRQKy

Chuckle of the Week: Even SNL makes fun of techies who complain about the iPhone5: http://bit.ly/QBTcTe

Special for SOS Members:

JOIN US FOR THE #1 BUSINESS TRADE SHOW tomorrw, October 17th and admission is FREE!
And make sure to visit bonniefoods at booth 607

10,000 Business Owners • 40+ Seminars • 200 Exhibits • Unlimited Networking * 50+ Speakers
And BonnieFoods will be there, so stop by and try some!
Startuponestop.com is proud to partner with the LARGEST business expo and networking event in the Northeast. We invite you to pre-register for the 8th Annual New York Business Expo and Conference for FREE ADMISSION. This is a MUST-ATTEND if YOU want to network with peers, purchase discounted products & services, identify NEW B2B resources and attend cutting-edge seminars that deliver actionable strategies.
Location: Javits Center Hall 1A – 655 West, 34th Street
Website: www.EventManagement.org/newyork
NY Expo offers over 40 business seminars designed to SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS in social media, sales, advertising, technology, accessing capital, healthcare, mobile, global trade and MORE! Attend one of our cutting-edge HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS and walk away with fresh techniques and indispensable takeaways. This is the MUST-ATTEND event for entrepreneurs, small business owners and executives who want to gain a competitive advantage, network with peers, purchase discounted products, engage with vendors and deepen their business education. This is the ONLY conference in New York where you can access a world of fresh ideas in one place – SAVING YOU TIME & MONEY! Register now: http://bit.ly/PQPDb Promo Code: EXPO15

Elevator Pitch/Member News
Hint, hint: Feel free to tell us what you’re working on, or if you’ve been featured in the press…Share, and we will, too!

Kudos this week go to ER Accelerator’s New York-based PublicStuff. You go, Lily! PublicStuff Raises $5 Million To Connect Residents With Their City Governments In Real Time: http://tcrn.ch/RdWP1r Everyone else, ER Accelerator is now accepting applications for its next class. Deadline, November 30th!

How can we not take a moment to congratulate  Felix Baumgartner, the man who fell to earth, from space: 24 Miles, 4 Minutes and 834 M.P.H., All in One Jump. Wow! http://nyti.ms/OBx3qs That’s it from us and heads up:  our SOS gathering has been moved to next month. We’re also working on having an investor or two there for you to talk to – 1 on 1. We’ll keep you posted and until then, always, help is on the way…

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