Zoli's Blog » Bay Area http://www.zoliblog.com Connecting the dots ... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:28:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Socialist Democratic Republic of Berkeley http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/11/07/socialist-democratic-republic-of-berkeley/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/11/07/socialist-democratic-republic-of-berkeley/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:28:55 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/?p=2818

berkeleyrepub

Yeah, I know .. but it’s the weekend:-)

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/11/07/socialist-democratic-republic-of-berkeley/feed/ 0 Startups, Present @ Launch: Silicon Valley 2009. Few Days to Deadline. http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/05/04/startups-present-launch-silicon-valley-2009-few-days-to-deadline/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/05/04/startups-present-launch-silicon-valley-2009-few-days-to-deadline/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 16:05:31 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/05/04/startups-present-launch-silicon-valley-2009-few-days-to-deadline/

Startup Entrepreneurs who did not make it to the recent  Under the Radar event, here’s your second chance: join us at Launch: Silicon Valley 2009, co-presented by SVASE, Garage Technology Ventures and Microsoft.

In fact it will be more than a second chance: while the UtR event focused specifically on Cloud Computing, Launch 2009 is designed to uncover and showcase products and services from the most exciting of the newest startups in information technology, mobility, security, digital media next generation internet, life sciences and clean energy. The inaugural Launch event was in 2006, combined with Guy Kawasaki’s Art of the Start conference.

Are these events worth attending? It’s your call … all I can say is since 2006 presenting startups received a combined $80+ million in venture funding.

So if you are building the Next Great Business in the areas mentioned above, are (almost) ready for launch, meaning that by June 9th, 2009 you will have a product or service available, but have not been out in the marketplace for more than a few months, then by all means send an Executive Summary of no more than 2 pages to Launchsv@svase.org. Submission deadline: May 8th, 2009 – yes, just a few days left. (Garage Technology offers a useful Writing a Compelling Executive Summary guide.)

Last year over 300 companies from all around the country and even overseas applied, so clearly the presentation spots are in high demand. Based on the submissions up to 30 companies will be invited to present at the Launch: Silicon Valley 2009 event on June 9th at the Microsoft Campus in Mountain View, California. Presentations slots are 10 minutes, running in 6 sessions of 5 companies each. Each presenting team will also be assigned a cocktail table in the Networking Room where they can meet with interested audience members one-on-one to answer questions and explore possibilities.

The evening before, on June 8th the presenting companies, registered audience and selected bloggers and media will be invited to a Pre-Event Party at a prestigious location in Palo Alto, providing a further opportunity for networking with Silicon Valley’s movers and shakers.

So if you are a qualifying startup Founder, remember the deadline: May 8th.  For additional details and later for updates check http://www.launchsiliconvalley.org/ and you may also want to follow the event (actually the President of SVASE) on Twitter.

Guy Kawasaki called Launch: Silicon Valley “the poor man’s Demo”. SVASE proudly wears that badge, since this is an event with a price tag that won’t keep any startups away. It’s your turn now: send in the Executive Summary and launch with SVASE in June.

(Cross-posted from CloudAve. To stay abreast of news, analysis and just plain opinion on Cloud Computing, SaaS, Business grab the CloudAve Feed here.)

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/05/04/startups-present-launch-silicon-valley-2009-few-days-to-deadline/feed/ 1 SVASE VC Breakfast with Hummer Winblad in San Francisco – Focus on Software as a Service http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/28/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hummer-winblad-in-san-francisco/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/28/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hummer-winblad-in-san-francisco/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:15:25 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/?p=2210

We’re in a deep recession, VC investments dried up, startups are shutting down and the World is coming to an end…  or not?

I’m just back from a very lively Under the Radar conference where 32 startups presented and the audience was full of VCs looking for the next investment opportunity.  Those who missed the UtR deadline, or just did not fit this event’s profile (Cloud Computing) will soon get another change at Launch Silicon Valley, co-presented by SVASE, Garage Technology Ventures and Microsoft.

In between these conferences there re are several smaller, more intimate events, like the SVASE VC Breakfast Club series.  After a long time I’ll be back moderating the next breakfast meeting this Thursday, April 30st  in San Francisco.  As usual, this will be an informal round-table where up to 10 entrepreneurs get to deliver a pitch, then answer questions and get critiqued by a VC Partner. We’ve had VC’s from Draper Fisher,  Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Mohr Davidow, Emergence Capital …etc.  This Thursday’s VC is Lars Leckie, representing the first exclusively software-focused venture firm, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

These breakfast meetings are a valuable opportunity for Entrepreneurs, some of whom would likely have a hard time getting through the door to VC Partners. Since I’ve been through quite a few of these sessions, both as Entrepreneur and Moderator, let me share a few thoughts:

  • It’s a pressure-free environment, with no PowerPoint presentations, live demos, Business Plans…etc, just casual conversation; but it does not mean you should come unprepared!
  • Follow a structure, don’t just roam about what you would like to do, or even worse, spend all your time describing a problem, without addressing what your solution is.
  • Don’t forget “small things” like the Team, Product, Market..etc.
  • It would not hurt to mention how much you are looking for, and how you would use the funds…
  • Write down and practice your pitch, and prepare to deliver a compelling story in 2-3 minutes. You will have about 8-10 minutes, the first half of which is your pitch,  but believe me, whatever your practice time was, when you are on the spot, you will likely take twice as long to deliver your story. The second half of your time-slot is Q&A with the VC.
  • Bring an Executive Summary; some VC’s like it, others don’t.
  • Last, but not least, please be on time! I am not kidding… some of you know why I even have to bring this up. Arriving an hour late to a one-and-a-half-hour meeting is NOT acceptable, but we’ve had too many such incidents, so here’s a new rule:  if you’re late by more than 20 minutes, you will not be allowed to join the session.

Here’s the event info page, and remember to register – the previous event with Hummer Winblad sold out in advance.

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/28/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hummer-winblad-in-san-francisco/feed/ 2 Heat http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/21/heat/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/21/heat/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:36:26 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/21/heat/

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2009/04/21/heat/feed/ 0 SVASE VC Breakfast with Hambrecht Geneva Ventures in San Francisco http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/09/30/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hambrecht-geneva-ventures-in-san-francisco/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/09/30/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hambrecht-geneva-ventures-in-san-francisco/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:49:07 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/09/30/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hambrecht-geneva-ventures-in-san-francisco/

Fincancial crisis or not, VC investments did not entirely disappear, it’s just getting increasingly difficult to get funded.  But VCs are still on the lookout, and as proof I’ll be moderating another SVASE VC Breakfast Club meeting this Thursday, October 2nd in San Francisco.

As usual, it’s an informal round-table where up to 10 entrepreneurs get to deliver a pitch, then answer questions and get critiqued by a VC Partner. We’ve had VC’s from Draper Fisher,  Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Mohr Davidow, Emergence Capital …etc.  This time we’ll welcome Peter Morrissey, Managing Director, Hambrecht Geneva Ventures.

These breakfast meetings are a valuable opportunity for Entrepreneurs, most of whom would probably have a hard time getting through the door to VC Partners. Since I’ve been through quite a few of these sessions, both as Entrepreneur and Moderator, let me share a few thoughts:

  • It’s a pressure-free environment, with no PowerPoint presentations, live demos, Business Plans…etc, just casual conversation; but it does not mean you should come unprepared!
  • Follow a structure, don’t just roam about what you would like to do, or even worse, spend all your time describing the problem, without addressing what your solution is.
  • Don’t forget “small things” like the Team, Product, Market..etc.
  • It would not hurt to mention how much you are looking for, and how you would use the funds…
  • Write down and practice your pitch, and prepare to deliver a compelling story in 2-3 minutes. You will have about 8-10 minutes, the first half of which is your pitch,  but believe me, whatever your practice time was, when you are on the spot, you will likely take twice as long to deliver your story. The second half of your time-slot is Q&A with the VC.
  • Bring an Executive Summary; some VC’s like it, others don’t.
  • Last, but not least, please be on time! I am not kidding… some of you know why I even have to bring this up. Arriving an hour late to a one-and-a-half-hour meeting is NOT acceptable, but we’ve had too many such incidents, so here’s a new rule:  if you’re late by more than 20 minutes, you will not be allowed to join the session.

Here’s the event info page, and please remember to register the next three Entrepreneurs get in free, contact me here.

See you in San Francisco!

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/09/30/svase-vc-breakfast-with-hambrecht-geneva-ventures-in-san-francisco/feed/ 4 Project Management 2.0 – What’s Wrong With 1.0? http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/28/project-management-20-whats-wrong-with-10/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/28/project-management-20-whats-wrong-with-10/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:11:39 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/28/project-management-20-whats-wrong-with-10/

Let me quickly state that I don’t really know what the consensus definition of PM 2.0 is, but I do have a feeling based on my very 1.0-style experience.

In the 90’s I worked on a number of fairly large scale SAP Projects in a variety of roles, including Project Manager, and supervisor of several other projects.  The standard tool was Microsoft Project.  It was used for:

  • Planning a Project (initial Scoping)
  • Selling it
  • Periodic reporting to Steering Committee during the actual projects

What’s missing from the above?   Well, how about using it to help the actual daily work of project team members?

Project  team members did not even have access to MS Project, it only existed in a few copies on the PM and Team Lead’s computers.  Information-flow was one-way: feed the beast to be able to occasionally print charts that look impressive (scary) enough that Steering Committee members won’t question it.

Ok, I am admittedly sarcastic, but the point is:  PM 1.0 was all about planning, reporting and it served Management but did not help actual Project Execution.

My expectation of PM 2.0 would be that it helps all team members involved who can share information, collaborate on it and actually get clues from the system on where they are, where they should be, what their next step is, instead of just feeding the beast.

Is this the real promise of Project Management 2.0?   I hope to find out from an excellent set of panelists that I have the honor of moderating at the Office 2.0 Conference next week:

  • Andrew Filev (Wrike)
  • Bruce Henry (LiquidPlanner)
  • Mark Mader (Smartsheet.com)
  • Guy Shani (Clarizen)
  • Dean Carlson (Viewpath)

Of course this is just one of many exciting sessions – if you haven’t registered yet, you can grab a $100 discount by registering here.   Oh, and don’t forget to visit us at the Zoho Party – the address is #1 Cloud Avenue. smile_regular

(This article is cross-posted at the Office 2.0 Conference Blog)

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]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/28/project-management-20-whats-wrong-with-10/feed/ 13 Office 2.0, a Most Irregular Conference – Get Your Discount Here http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/25/office-20-a-most-irregular-conference-get-your-discount-here/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/25/office-20-a-most-irregular-conference-get-your-discount-here/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:51:07 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/25/office-20-a-most-irregular-conference-get-your-discount-here/

Nothing about the Office 2.0 Conference is even remotely ordinary.

Start with the organizer, Ismael Ghalimi, CEO of a VC-funded startup, Intalio.  That’s normally a full-time job – not when it comes to Ismael: he is also a scuba-diving instructor, a pilot, launched Monolab|Workspace, (is that Incubator 2.0?), launched the Extreme Productivity Seminar series, oh, and have I mentioned the annual Office 2.0 Conference?  ( I actually know his secret, he has two body doubles, I just haven’t been able to prove it yetsmile_wink)

Pressed for time he is turning a necessity into a virtue: year by year the Conference is a showcase of creating a successful event out of nothing in only two months. I remember the first event in 2006, when a couple of us Enterprise Irregulars were helping him plan the sessions only weeks away from the start.  A few days and a few blog posts later Ismael got flooded with request for sponsor and speaking slots.  This year history repeats itself: just a month ago the conference site was a placeholder and one could only wonder if … then a new site was born overnight, based on Jive Software’s excellent ClearSpace platform, and now it’s alive with user participation, sponsors, registration..etc.

What’s a Web-focused Conference without wi-fi?   It’s a joke that in 2008 conferences, including brands like Web 2.0, Gnomedex …etc.  still fail to provide sufficient connection.  Ismael’s solution includes laser beams to the top of the building, another one down to a terrace, then inside – making it happen with Swisscom was quite a project in itself.  Office 2.0 set the standard once and for all, anything less at major conferences is a failure.

Then there’s the issue of The Gadget.  I believe the iPod at the first conference was just more-then-generous swag.  The iPhones handed out at the second conference had an integral part at the event: several applications released specifically for Office 2.0 allowed participants to interact with each other, navigate the schedule and find sessions.  This time all paid participants will receive a the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC.

Yes, the conference swag is not pens, stickers or t-shirts: it’s a mini-computer, which cost about half the registration fee.  It will clearly raise eyebrows, and many would prefer to skip the gadget and pay reduced fees.  I think handing out such an expensive gadget will have an interesting effect on the conference demographic: we’ll likely see an increase of corporate employees, who can expense the entire conference and are less price-sensitive than startups and freelancers – the original Office 2.0 crowd.

But that may very well be what the conference needs.   There’s a reason why this year’s theme is Enterprise Adoption.  The Office 2.0 movement wouldn’t go very far with only the early pioneers, evangelists talking to themselves, dissmissing enterprise requirements.  For the principles to become practice in business, we need a more balanced mix, and in a twisted way the gadget may just help achieve that.

Those who can’t afford the full registration are not entirely locked out: Socialtext CEO and top evangelist Ross Mayfield will facilitate Un-Conference 2.0 the day before the official conference, at a cost of $50.

Finally, startups have a chance to present the attending VCs, media, bloggers at  LaunchPad – Ismael announced this event over the weekend, and already has 10 particpants – get in there while you can.  Note to my (numerous) VC readers: I hope you will be there, too.

If you’re still hesitating, check out the Agenda, the list of Speakers,  Media representatives,  and if you haven’t done so, register now.

I’ve saved the best for last: don’t use the standard registration, save $100 by registering here.

Update: while I was typing here, fellow Enterprise Irregular Dennis Howlett explained why this is an Irregular (pun intended) Conference in more than one way.  Update to the update: see Susan’s excellent summary.

(cross-posted on the Conference Blog)

]]> http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/25/office-20-a-most-irregular-conference-get-your-discount-here/feed/ 3 It’s Raining on Twitter http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/05/its-raining-on-twitter/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/05/its-raining-on-twitter/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:04:24 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/05/its-raining-on-twitter/

It’s raining outside.  This is probably not newsworthy – unless yo know I live in Northern California, where it NEVER rains in August.  Here’s a quick Twitter reaction:

  • genecowan: Bwah? It’s RAINING? In San Jose? In AUGUST? Wow.

    less than a minute ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Paglo_48x48_normal

    paglo: People – it’s raining in Nor Cal in August – it’s raining!

    1 minute ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Zhead_normal

    zolierdos: Wow, it’s raining in the East Bay (N. CA)

    2 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Kittyu_normal

    zamikazi: its raining, i dont get why it always rains at night here in phoenix.

    2 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • 2726840466_d815c46083_m_normal

    soul4real: WhooHoo! It’s raining in #Phx! Keep it coming.

    3 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Alicepig-1_normal

    mollycyr: is it… Raining??

    5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Havijotr_normal

    freshelectrons: listening to the sound of rain. after the rainbow. it’s raining. in august.

    5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Images-2_normal

    Ms_Kayakor: Raining!!! Love the weather cold, dark, and wet.

    5 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Headshot_recent_normal

    omnivector: Raining in California in the summer? This weather frightens and conufuses me!

    7 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Kasey_icon_normal

    kahne4cup: It’s raining in San Jose.

    8 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Flower_4_normal

    ndtp: total disbelief that it is raining for the first time in 6 months just when my kids go to camp.

    8 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Ripper_normal

    mcjames: wow-can’t beleve it’s raining…

    10 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Clouds_icon_normal

    will_k: Geez. It’s raining!

    10 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Photo_4_normal

    reiko516: Raining in August. California has the weirdest weather.

    11 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Ninja-jeff_normal

    jgrafton: it’s raining. WTF?

    15 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Gitalonglittledosado_normal

    Gitonyerhorse: It’s raining in Cupertino.

    19 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Img_0158_copy_normal

    evq: @chuckreynolds That reminds me of Mean Girls. The blonde one grabs her boobs and says “there’s a 30% chance it’s already raining”

    19 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Dsc00020_3_2_3_normal

    zmorton: It is raining? What the heck?

    21 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Picture_6_normal

    benso87: Well, I guess I’ll go to bed now, and hope it’s raining when I wake up in the morning so I don’t have to work.

    21 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Photo_2_normal

    akisan: Wow – it’s raining!

    22 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Passport_35mmx45mm_crop_normalGokusen_normal

    jonk: @wintersweet hooray! *barely* raining in our neck of the woods, but i hope it strengthens so the big bird poopie on car will be washed away

    24 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide Conversation

  • Me_normal

    makinyoumelt: WTF?? Its raining right now?!? Waitin at friends pad. Bout to go to walmart and target….

    25 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Photo_4_normal

    roudi: it;s raining men! http://tinyurl.com/6nkgn2 (expand)

    28 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • 072007_1540x_normal

    Selfjourney: Raining downtown.

    29 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Aimee_s_eyes_normal

    aimeedars: It’s raining; it’s pouring. The old man is snoring.

    30 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • _dsc0349_normal

    JustaSunGod: Its finally Raining!

    30 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Chuck_tysonphotography_168k_normal

    chuckreynolds: My knees were right, it’s now raining. They always know lol.

    32 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Gokusen_normal

    wintersweet: HOLY CRAP IT’S RAINING WTF END OF THE WORLD!

    33 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Logo1_normal

    arewhyen: it’s raining big fat raindrops. I am standing under bus shelter still getting wet

    37 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Its_a_laugh_copy_normal

    kdubjackson: http://twitpic.com/6pbh – Crazy rainbow off the 101… its not even raining! Beautiful evening…

    42 minutes ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Twitter_hat_normalProfile_twitter_normal

    Armano: @peterkim I confess. It was raining men. ;-)

    about 1 hour ago · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide Conversation

  • Psych_dougal_normal

    McDougal: Laying in bed, wishing it was still raining.

    about 1 hour ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • Bev-side-small_normal

    bevbarnett: Its raining in the pool

    about 1 hour ago · Reply · View Tweet

  • 528918339_c5d9f48a30_m_normal

    Ealasaid: It’s raining. In August. In San Jose. WTF?

    about 1 hour ago · Reply · View Tweet

    • ]]>     http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/08/05/its-raining-on-twitter/feed/ 0     SVASE Green VC Panel in the East Bay http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/06/17/svase-green-vc-panel-in-the-east-bay/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/06/17/svase-green-vc-panel-in-the-east-bay/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:10:51 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/06/17/svase-green-vc-panel-in-the-east-bay/

    Venture capitalists have been pouring money into “clean technology” companies – $2.2 billion in 2007, an increase of 46% over 2006. Why are VCs making so many long-term, capital-intensive bets? Which technologies will be world-changing, and which will be duds?

    In living proof that there is life outside the Palo Alto / Menlo Park proximity, SVASE will host a VC Panel on investing in Green Tech tomorrow at the Crow Canyon Country Club, in Danville, CA.  (A very green venue for a Green Eventsmile_wink).

    The panelists are:

    • Marianne Wu, Partner, Mohr Davidow Ventures
    • J. Christopher Moran, Vice President, General Manager, Applied Ventures
    • Paul Chau, Partner, WI Harper
    • Peter Henig, Managing Partner, Greenhouse Capital Partners
    • Mark Harris, Relationship Manager, Silicon Valley Bank

    Agenda:
    6-6:30 pm: Networking and Hors D’oeuvres
    6:30-8 pm: Panel discussion and Q/A

    For details see the SVASE site, or head straight to registration.

    See you there!

    ]]>     http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/06/17/svase-green-vc-panel-in-the-east-bay/feed/ 0     One Day Left for Early Bird Rate to Launch: Silicon Valley 2008 http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/05/25/two-days-left-for-early-bird-rate-to-launch-silicon-valley-2008/ http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/05/25/two-days-left-for-early-bird-rate-to-launch-silicon-valley-2008/#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 17:02:33 +0000 Zoli Erdos http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/05/24/two-days-left-for-early-bird-rate-to-launch-silicon-valley-2008/

    I’ve pretty much said everything there is to say about Launch: Silicon Valley 2008, a joint event of SVASE and Garage Technology Ventures.

    The presenting startup applications are in, being evaluated, and thirty of them will debut on June 10th @ the Microsoft Mountain View Campus.

    There is another important deadline now: Monday is the last day you can register at the Early Bird rate, which represents a $50 discount.

    See you there in June! smile_shades

    ]]>     http://www.zoliblog.com/2008/05/25/two-days-left-for-early-bird-rate-to-launch-silicon-valley-2008/feed/ 0