I was over at the Web2.0 Expo at the Javits Center this morning as I spoke about how to get advertising dollars for your startup. The talk went very well (I think) and props to Nate and Michael for putting Web2Open together.
Before the presentation this morning, I spent some time with an investment banker friend who handles the very early stage digital media community in NY and San Francisco. I was amazed to hear how oblivious they were to what was actually happening with the financial markets (i.e. GS, MS, etc). The market will affect the early stage community.
Yesterday, I had a brief conversation with a former banker of mine for one of my old startups about how ARID the early stage deal community has been this August and September. There is absolutely no doubt that Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and AIG are affecting the early stage world.
It’s unfortunate that many of the startups who raised A & B rounds about 1-2 years ago are going back out right now for fundraising (for their B & C rounds) and many are going to come up empty. Now is the time to buy low/cheap in these statups if you’re a media company or acquisition happy.
I just wanted to write a quick note of thanks to everyone who was involved in Tuesday's nextNY@shakeshack event. I'm sure I'll leave folks out:
First off, Fred Wilson made the intro to Danny Meyer. That's what got us in the door. Danny, who apparently came by but who I didn't get to meet, put us in touch with his staff and the folks at the Madison Square Park Conservancy. They've worked together on many previous events and they made it happen logistically.
The actual event could not have possibly run any smoother, so I owe much thanks to Vernon Patterson from the Shake Shack and his staff, as well as Debbie Landau and her staff from the Conservancy: Lizzie Honan, Leah Milton, and Maggi Landau. I expect that SOMETHING would go wrong, but it didn't... not at all. Not even a blip--especially considering we did the whole plan in less than four weeks--a testament to their organizational skills.
Of course, someone had to pay for all those burgers, the shakes, and the beer (and purple cows, too!). In two weeks, we covered all our costs with great sponsors that were able to move fast--the first, fastest, largest and most fun were the folks from chi.mp. They were extremely visable, from their banners to their t-shirts, and worked hard to get all of the attendees beta invites to their service.
Also coming up big for us were the NY Angels, who not only contributed financially, but also made a big splash with their turnout. I don't think I've ever seen so many of the angels out at an event.
Recruiting firm Winter Wyman was also a major supporter. After my recent call for tech recruiting firms to participate more in the community, they've been getting their feet wet in social media. You can find partner Mike Fitzgerald on Twitter and on his new blog at Alley Hunting.
Still, with 300 people and the prime location, we needed every bit of help we could get, and when we put out the call, several others helped as well. Startup MyJambi, law firm Pillsbury Winthrop, funding software Angelsoft, reputation service BeenVerified, PR firms Bite PR and the Horn Group, Path 101, and social network CafeMom all pitched in as well. In fact, I wasn't really familar with some of these services and sites, and so I'll be profiling them on my blog over the next week, because I'm curious.
I also want to thank everyone who pitched in and helped at the front desk--too many to mention and lots who just jumped in to help.
But most of all, I want to thank everyone who came! You made the event. I get a lot of credit for stuff because I'm the initiator, but this was a community event. Without the community, it would have been just a bald dude in the park with way too much to eat and a lot of extra booze. So, to everyone who enjoyed the event, you should pat yourselves on the back for participating. The New York City tech community is strong and vibrant--much stronger than before. Financial crisis? Bring it. We'll weather this storm and be better for it.
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
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By Allen Stern at CenterNetworks -
Today at the Web 2.0 Expo in NYC, I met with Joshua Levy. Joshua is co-founder and CEO of BeenVerified. NY-based BeenVerified is attempting to move the process of identity verification forward. They provide a way to verify the people you are chatting with on a social network through offering services for HR professionals with candidate background checks.
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
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By For Your Imagination at For Your Imagination
The Collaborative Alliance, a quarterly forum with Mitch Oscar where content creators, technologists, distributors and researchers meet to present their interactive televisual propositions (television, broadband, wireless and out of home), will host TVWeek Contributing Writer and host of the New Media Minute, Daisy Whitney, as she presents the emerging and unique programs and advertising opportunities in Web video. Key to her presentation are Tim Street, the executive producer of French Maid TV, and Paul Kontonis, the CEO of web video studio For Your Imagination who will share aspirations, anecdotes, and frustrations. The September 18th New York City presentations will also include sessions with MediaBank, eMarketer, MediaPost and Quantcast. Thanks Daisy and Mitch!
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
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By Peter at Web2NewYork
Jordan Goldman just launched his new startup Unigo. The 26-year old founder previously created the Students’ Guide to Colleges series.
Unigo has been a year in the making. 18 full-time editors, 300 interns and more than 15,000 students contributed content to the angel-funded college resource.
Unigo’s backers include JetBlue board member Frank V. Sica. The site was built by Deepend New York and GotCoders.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
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By murat at Unype blog
Here is the presentation for the “Location-based social networking BOF” to be held on September 17th, 8PM at Hudson Hotel - Gallery B, as part of Web2.0 Expo:
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
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By Nate Westheimer at innonate
This Thursday (at 11:05am), I’m moderating a panel called “Starting Up in Silicon Alley” at the Web 2.0 Expo (with a follow up session in the Web2Open).
The coolest part about my panel: my panelists are NYC tech rock stars. I’m very pleased to be joined by Kevin Ryan, Karin Klein, and David S. Rose (bios after the jump).
So, with these three great people on my panel, I wanted to take questions from folks other than me.
What would you like to ask Kevin, Karin, and David? What about their experiences as long-time entrepreneurs and investors in Silicon Alley are you interested in?
Use the comments section of my blog to suggest something.
Thanks!
Kevin Ryan, CEO & Co-Founder of AlleyCorp
Kevin P. Ryan, one of Silicon Alley’s most well known Internet entrepreneurs, has started six New York-based businesses – Alley Insider, Gilt Groupe, Music Nation, Panther Express, ShopWiki and 10gen – in the past three years. He presently serves as chairman and CEO of AlleyCorp, which oversees each of the six companies. Prior to AlleyCorp, Kevin was first president then later became CEO of DoubleClick. There, he was instrumental in building the company from a 20-person startup to a global leader with over 1500 employees.
David Rose, Principal of Rose Tech Ventures & Chairman of the New York Angels
David S. Rose is an entrepreneurial executive and investor with extensive experience in high technology and communications, angel investments, finance and government. He was named by Inc. magazine to the 1998 Inc 500 list as CEO of one of the fastest growing private companies in America. Red Herring magazine has described him as “a patriarch of New York’s Silicon Alley” and Crain’s New York Business named him one of the City’s 25 most influential technology executives.
Karin Klein, Vice President of SoftBank Capital
Ms. Klein joined SoftBank Capital in 2000 and specializes in business development and evaluating and identifying new investment opportunities. She has over 10 years of private equity and operating experience. Prior to joining SoftBank Capital, Ms. Klein analyzed investment opportunities for the private equity firm Chartwell Investments and helped build some of its existing holdings. She also previously worked for the MC Group and Knowledge Universe.
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
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By Nate Westheimer at innonate
This week is a BIG week in Silicon Alley. As I was quoted as saying in Crain’s New York, “It’s like Internet Week part two, but this time around there is a ground zero for everything to take place in.”
While last night kicked everything off with Ignite, there’s still MUCH more to see. Here’s what’s on my radar (add other events below in the comments!):
I’m most excited about Web2Open, of course. It starts tomorrow and goes through Thursday, but today is the last day to register for free. Check out more info here.
Tonight there’s the @ShakeShack event, which is 100% no-questions-not-even-Nate-can-help sold out. So across the street, check out the event at Live Bait.
Following that there’s the Girls in Tech Event. That’s also at capacity but much more likely to open up, if you want to swing by and check it out (it’s close to the Shake Shack and Live Bait, so worth finding out).
Also going on tonight, is the super-hot Tech Set party, which I’ll also be going to.
Wednesday night I don’t know what’s going on, so please fill me in down in the comments section.
Thursday is the Wine 2.0 event at Webster Hall. This is the CAN’T MISS event of the week. My hermano Gary Vaynerchuk will be doing a LIVE taping of Wine Library TV from the stage. It’s going to be HOT!
Friday I think the Fashion 2.0 folks are throwing a party, so definitely keep your ears open for that.
Otherwise, I know I missed something so please fill the comments section up with other party info, or check out Gary’s Guide with a better list of what’s happening!
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Jordan Goldman just launched his new startup 