Solar Mapping; Bill Gates; TechStars; Tech Festival; 6/30/08 – EVENTS & More

515_ The ‘Solar Mapping Solution’ from CA to WI to NY
The ‘Solar Mapping Solution’, that CH2M HILL developed in conjunction with the city of San Francisco is an example of “Green IT services to promote sustainable solutions regarding renewable energy.” points out David Herrmann, VP Sales, CH2M. The big advantage of the solar map is that it allows a citizen of the city to go into a web site and determine what the solar potential of their building or in fact any building in the city is. Using aerial imagery we render the rooftop of the building and determine which part of the rooftop is most suitable for PV installation. We determine where most of the sunlight is shinning on the rooftop, and you can determine how much electricity would be generated, how much it will impact your electric bill, and how it effects your carbon footprint. This technology allows you to assess the potential on a residential structure, on a commercial structure, or for that matter, open land and where to put the solar on that land to generate the most electricity. We’ve had success with the city and county of San Francisco and that has lead to a number of other cities to look at solar mapping as well. One of our big contracts today is with the Department of Energy’s Solar American Cities Initiative program, so that’s one market. A second market is the solar companies, whether they are installers or manufacturers." What is interesting is the cities are a variety of sizes from Andover, Michigan or Madison, Wisconsin to cities as large as New York City. Listen for more...
Related Links: Solar Mapping || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Radio Blog || Keywords: David Herrmann, CH2M HILL, Solar Mapping, Energy’s Solar American Cities, San Francisco, Denver, Madison, New York - Bytes: 9505544 LISTEN 6/30/08

514_ Another Round of Tech Stars Winners Along with the Best
"What we learned from last year is, just focus on quality and get the best quality of passionate, excited, talented entrepreneurs in the program, and amazing stuff happens. We purposely didn’t change too much. We did add some new mentors into the program and got pretty good engagement from people outside of Colorado. That’s been really great to have - it gives us more diversity and ability to connect the companies with interesting business partners or investors and that’s really the goal." says David Cohen, cofounder of Tech Stars. David is also Founder of Colorado Startups, his Angel Fund. Colorado Startups has now invested in about 8 or 9 companies as well as TechStars. We’re speaking during week three of our 14 week program. The first weeks are pretty varied; we do a lot of what we call sessions. Those are all over the map in terms of what the topics are, but “Starting Your Startup” is a session we do. We had Google in for a day, and we had Microsoft in for a day, and Amazon in for a day, and Yahoo just completed a day. We spend a day with them and some of their top biz dev folks and some of their top technical folks come out. We’re really pretty lucky. They sent some amazing people out this year and have been very supportive of the program. Larry probed some more...listen...
Related Links: TechStars Home || TechStars Blog || Colorado Startups || Venture Capital Channel || Keywords: David Cohen, TechStars, Entrepreneurs, Startups, Mentoring, Investors, Venture Capital, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Yahoo - Bytes: 8940045 LISTEN 6/30/08

511_ A Small Fund with a Team of Experienced Entrepreneurs
The CO Cap Group is a small fund, and they're a team of experienced entrepreneurs and executives. Their mission is to improve the efficiency of early stage investing and to produce a strategy to reduce risk. Marc Silverman, CEO and founder of the Colorado Capital Group went onto say, "Early stage investing can be very risky. It's difficult to manage the risk; it's difficult to find the right companies and do the proper diligence. But I think there is a better away and that's applying a better methodology, finding the right companies, looking for a higher batting average, a little bit lower risk and instead of looking for grand slams, look for base hits and I think you can manage the risk of finding good companies." Marc said, "It's also very important to keep in mind that we are active investors, we're not passive investors. So when we find a company that really fits, and we invest the money, we also come with the money. We get very involved and we don't take a management role in the company. From that perspective I'll work with and for the CEO. I have two great partners, Rob Geller and Larry Harms. Rob has been in the software business for years and years and also has been a leading clean tech advisor, so Rob is very interested in 'clean tech investing' and knows a lot about it. Larry Harms has been a software and manufacturing guy and has worked in DOD and really understands that process and that cycle. So between the three of us these are the areas we really cover; medical informatics, medical devices, software, clean tech and homeland security."
Related Links: Colorado Capital Group || Venture Capital Channel || Software Channel || Biotechnology || Keywords: Marc Silverman, Colorado Capital Group, Rob Geller, Larry Harms, Entrepreneurs, Clean Tech, Software, Medical Informatics, Medical Devices, DOD Bytes: 11586145 LISTEN 6/23/08

510_ They Were Ready to Market Until They Hit the TechStars Homebase
"Suddenly we realized, wow, Ignighter really needs some work. OK so we realized we had to revisit what we originally thought was great. Some parts are still great and some parts need changing," were sentiments shared by Ignighter cofounders Adam Sachs, Kevin Owocki and Dan Osit. They are one of the TechStars top ten 2008 startup companies. They have a whole new twist on an age-old topic and surprised Larry a number of times. Their mantra is... "Ignighter! Don't date alone!" "Friend's don't let friends date alone!" "Dating is more fun, and more casual and less awkward in a group atmosphere with Ignighter!" "Going back to our theme of thinking we had it all figured out until we got here, this is another question that goes to that same theme. We're from the east coast, the company's from New York, and we thought we'll come out here and after the summer and this amazing experience, 100% we'll go back to New York and continue the business there. Now, we've been here for almost three weeks – only, and the network that we've built is vastly superior to our network in New York and we worked there for six or eight months. -It's a different environment too. It's a very collaborative environment here. Everyone pushes for one another and everyone wants to see the other company succeed, which is really a great thing. We're basically going to play it by ear." At TechStars they met people from Google, Yahoo, Amazon, and Microsoft and also have daily sessions with top-flight mentors. Listen for more...
Related Links: Ignighter || TechStars Blog || Colorado Startups || Radio Blog || Keywords:Ignighter, Tech Stars, Colorado Startups, Adam Sachs, Kevin Owocki, Dan Osit, Funding, Business - Bytes: 11298171 LISTEN 6/23/08

516_ Technology and Democracy Evolved to " Universal Access to Knowledge"
"The year we had the program 'To the Stars' (which Scott Brown's wife Karen designed), and we decided to focus in on the technology that was going to take us to the stars, which is where we all believe human beings need to go...." Scott Brown and Sarah McClain discuss both the beginning of the Telluride Tech Festival as well as what we can expect at the premier event August 1 & 2. Scott reflecting back said, "Our honorees that year included Arthur Clark, Jill Tarter and Lewis Branscomb, Charlie Towns, Freeman Dyson. And at one point during the program, we had on stage all these people - Nobel Prize winners, the leading physicist in the world , Willis Branscomb was the science advisor to three presidents, Jill Tarter heads up SETI. We got everyone up on stage and then for our surprise guest, Neil Armstrong! What we had done with this was to close this whole circle of putting Neil on the moon, in that Arthur Clark was giving the commentary on TV while Neil was setting foot on the moon and Lewis Branscomb was sitting with and explaining to President Lyndon Johnson, what was happening... and it was just a thrill that still sends chills up my spine." Sarah highlighted some aspects of Tech Fest 2008, "This year's broad theme of technology and democracy, evolved to "Universal Access to Knowledge". We've got three confirmed honorees this year, Kirstie L. Bellman, Ph.D., is a Principal Scientist in the Computer Systems Division and head of the Aerospace Integration Sciences Center (AISC) and we also have Brewster Kahle who is director and cofounder of Archive-dot-org, which is one of the largest digital archives in the world. We also have Ted Selker who is associate professor, MIT, for the last 10 years. He's done a lot of research ranging from notebook computers to operating systems and a lot of people may know the red trackball mouse on a laptop computer is something he created."
Related Links: Telluride Tech Festival || Early Bird Tickets || Software Channel || Applied Trust || Keywords: Scott Brown, Sarah McClain, Telluride Tech Festival, Universal Access to Knowledge, Kirstie Bellman, Brewster Kahle, Ted Selker - Bytes: 775549 LISTEN 6/30/08

513_ What Does Corporate Express and Bill Gates Have in Common?
Solar mapping is a new area that industry leader CH2M HILL is looking forward to working with Denver on in 2008. Early this year, Denver became one of the 25 Solar American Cities. Jeff Akers, President, Enterprise Management Solutions, CH2M HILL points out, "We have done a great deal for San Francisco and other cities, now we are looking forward to the same in Denver. They are working with the Department of Energy and are working in GIS (Geospatial Information Systems), Managed Services, other IT Systems and the list continues to grow. Another of the fascinating projects CH2M HILL has taken on is working with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. One of their biggest challenges relates to where specific activities are happening. The Foundation is dedicated to bringing innovations in health and learning to the global community.
      In addition to all the cities CH2M HILL is working with, are organizations around the world such as Corporate Express, Korea Yon Sun Relocation program C4I IT and communications, PMS, IDHO National Lab, MASDAR, and many others." Jeff also shared some insight where his market / industry is heading in the next 3 to 5 years. CH2M HILL is doing more more than just pushing the pencil. LISTEN
Related Links: Enterprise Management Solutions || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Podcast Directory || Keywords: Jeff Akers, CH2M HILL, Enterprise Management Solutions, Geospatial Information Management, Google Works, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Corporate Express, Bill Gates, Melida Gates - Bytes: 15134618 LISTEN 6/30/08

512_ Geospatial Challenges and Choices for California and Colorado
CH2M HILL is now on the track of a $6 Billion, privately held engineering services company, construction management, and program management company. It is one of the largest privately held companies in the state of Colorado. They have 1800 – 2000 employees here, 26-28,000 employees worldwide. Jeff Akers, President, Enterprise Management Solutions, CH2M HILL points out, "In addition we’re doing things like being the program manager for the rebuild of the Panama Canal; program manager for the London 2012 Olympics; and are relocating the largest military base in the world out of Seoul, Korea. Larry brought up the successful efforts at Rocky Flats and Jeff said, "Yes we are still the number one nuclear environmental cleanup company. We’re doing a great job at the Idaho National Laboratories right now...and the worldwide list goes on."

CH2M Hill originally was in the business of building and managing telecom networks, wireless networks, fiber networks and cable networks all over the world. Jeff mentioned, "We have specific leadership in areas, first and foremost, this one, Geospatial Information Management; we’re the number one systems integrator for Google Works, for Microsoft Virtual Earth, the company called ERSI which makes 3-dimensional software; and there is another company called Auto Desk that we’re a large systems integrator for; and we have over 500 consultants. We also manage a lot of data for very large customers both here in the United States and all over the world. We help companies like Corporate Express, Level3." CH2M HILL has done a great deal for San Francisco and other cities with solar mapping. Now we are looking forward to the same in Denver.
Related Links: Enterprise Management Solutions || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Podcast Directory || Keywords: Jeff Akers, CH2M HILL, Enterprise Management Solutions, Geospatial Information Management, Google Works, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Corporate Express, Level3 - Bytes: 10156306 LISTEN 6/23/08

509_ Is an Advisory Board or Advisors Really Necessary?
A board of advisors for a startup can be critical for some, and situational for others. Seth Levine, Managing Director, Foundry Group discusses the needs, uses and the role of an advisory board. Seth is 'pro advisory board' if the selection process is done the right way. It is very important to try to get at least one advisor from each category necessary to start and run the business. Then add additional advisors to the mix as needed. An overlooked factor in an advisor and startup relationship is compatibility. Startups should work with advisors that share their communication styles, work ethics, interests, and curiosities. It is extremely important to work with people you like and respect. Yet include some who are challenging when it comes to innovation and strategic planning. Seth, in part 1 of his interview talked about what it is like to work with his partners at the Foundry Group...they would be Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson, Ryan McIntyre, and Chris Wand. Listen and you'll get some personal insights. He also poked a hole in the bubble and comments on Google and a bunch more. Seth gives some great advice that will help you reduce or eliminate the risks associated with building your company and selecting your advisory board. He defines the Role of Company Advisors; answers the question, "Is an Advisory Board or Advisors necessary?" and "What do good Advisors do?" Listen, there's more...
Related Links: Foundry Group || Seth Levine Blog || Venture Capital Channel || Rockies Venture Club || Keywords: Seth Levine, Foundry Group, Advisory Board, Compatibility, Funding, Startup, Entrepreneurs > Bytes: 10052652 LISTEN 6/23/08