Seth Levine gives advice to leaders and entrepreneurs
1027_ 6/6/11 -
We are here at the Glue Conference with one of the founders, Seth Levine. Foundry Group along with their conference partner Eric Norlin put on the Glue Conference every year. This one really focuses on the web platform. In particular this year, they've been talking about API, infrastructure and how important it is to have open platforms and to figure out the right services to connect to those platforms. Seth went onto explain the Glue conference. "This is primarily a technical audience here, but we do have a lot of C level people who come. There are a handful of presentations that are a tad higher level, talking more about direction of infrastructure and technology trends. So we get a bunch of people who come for that, and of course a lot of the CEO's of businesses that are in attendance here are relatively technical. We get the occasional VC who's scratching their head wondering what some of these terms mean." Larry said, "Tell us a little about Foundry Group." Seth replied, "So I founded Foundry with three other guys, Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson Ryan McIntyre, all of whom have been featured on the program. we started the firm in 2006, raised our first fund in 2007 - $225 Million - we invested that in the end of 2007 time period through 2010 and just last October, we raised our second fund, also $225 Million. We invest, primarily in early stage technology businesses, across a couple of different themes and we invest across the country." Seth went onto sharing some great advice to entrepreneurs and leaders in today's environment...Listen and get ready to take some notes...
Related Links:
Seth Levine Blog ||
Glue Conference ||
Foundry Group ||
Software Channel ||
Podcasting Directory ||
Keywords: Seth Levine, Glue Conference, Technology, Foundry Group, Glue, Eric Norlin,
Entrepreneurs, Venture Capital, Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson, Ryan McIntyre - 6/6/11 bytes=7605501 LISTEN to
Seth Levine, Foundry Group - Founder Glue Conference
Lori Cheek, NYC Architect - Glue'd to TechStars
1025_ 6/6/11 -
Well believe it or not, we are at the Glue Conference talking to an architect. We've got a little bit of a twist here, of course being at Glue Con such things do get twisted. As well, there is a TechStar connection here too. Meet Lori Cheek - First an overview about who Lori is and how she went from the art and science of architecture to the world of technology. She is an architect by training and worked in New York City's design and architecture world for 15 years. A few years ago she came up with an idea that led her into the tech world and she has abandoned her career in architecture. It all started when she was out for dinner with a guy friend at a restaurant and they were getting ready to leave. He had written on the back of his business card, "Want to have dinner?", and he slid that to a woman, and we kept going. Lori remembers thinking how mysterious and intriguing that would be to have a handsome man give you this card. Then she thought about taking it to the next level... by not having your personal information on these cards. So Lori created this deck of (business sized) cards called You've Been Cheek'd, based on her last name Cheek. They all have a witty ice breaker such as, "Our fate is in your hands." or perhaps "My dog likes your dog". Then they all have a code that leads to an online profile. It's a little bit like handing your business card, minus the personal information. Lori says, "It's like an online dating service, but you're making the initial connections off line and then you take it online via the code provided on the card. Lori's company just won the TechStar's Startup Madness Tournament, beating out 63 other new startups for the Best New Idea of 2011. One of the prizes was an expense paid trip to Glue Con. Lori says, "It's been a mind blowing experience here. My advice is live your dream."
Related Links:
You've Been Cheek'd ||
Glue Conference ||
Software Channel ||
TechStars NYC ||
NCWIT Heroes ||
Keywords: Lori Cheek, You've Been Cheek'd, Glue Conference, TechStars, New York,
architect, dating, Live Your Dream, 6/6/11 bytes=3045567
LISTEN to:
Lori Cheek, Founder, You've been Cheek'd
In the cloud with a solutions specialist
1023_ 5/31/11 -
So we're going to be open and unstuck right here at the Glue Conference in Denver, Colorado. We've been fortunate enough to talk to a number of heavy hitters, all kinds of areas and now we've cornered John Sanderson from Microsoft. John is a solutions specialist with Windows Azure. While there is a lot of techie stuff here, it's really interesting to see how this gets transferred into business knowledge. Give us an overview. John replied, "Windows Azure is really Microsoft's development and deployment platform in the "cloud". Think of it as Windows server and SQL server available as a service that you write code to. Windows code, Java, PHP, Ruby, whatever you want to write. Deploy it to Windows Azure, we'll run it in a wildly horizontal scaleability aspect, make it big or small as you want and you only pay for what you use. You know my paradigm comes directly from the cloud computing world. I tell people I hate the word cloud. Everybody's got a cloud offering. It really depends on what you're looking for - if you want email in the cloud, if you want an application platform, if you want to collocate material, data, software, whatever, someplace in the cloud. So, I think one of the biggest challenges is understanding what you want out of this new thing called the cloud, and then being able to ascertain who's the right vendor. You know Microsoft has lots of offerings, but we're not going to be right for everybody. Amazon, Rackspace, they've got great stuff, it really depends on what you want. If we're talking about the cloud business, or a new business, I think the key is to ask the right questions. Really understand where you want to be, and talk about the problems that you want to solve, then look for solutions that make sense for the problem that you have." Listen for more now... Related Links:
Windows Azure ||
Glue Conference ||
Corporate Citizenship ||
Software Channel ||
Keywords: John Sanderson, Microsoft Azure, Cloud, Glue Conference, Web Software,
Technology, Windows code, Java, PHP, Ruby, ViaWest, Amazon, Rackspace, 5/31/11 bytes=4104257
Listen to: John Sanderson, Microsoft Azure Solutions Specialist
LISTEN to John Sanderson, Windows Azure, Solutions Specialist
Do you have a mobile strategy?
1021_ 5/31/11 -
She sold her company for over $40 million and now she's starting a new one. and she is the CEO and co founder of Radish Systems. Theresa Szczurek is a real entrepreneur. Theresa says, we like to call it Radish '2-dot-0', because they liked the name so much they recycled it from their first venture in the 90's. Larry asked his classic question, "What are some of the biggest challenges that entrepreneurs will be facing this next year?" "Big question!" Theresa said, "One of the things I think entrepreneurs face in these times is fundraising. Depending on what technology you are in, we happen to be in the mobile communications / applications space which is pretty hot, so that helps. But in other spaces it's much more difficult for entrepreneurs to find funding, either from friends and family, angels or from institutional investors, venture capitalists. So you have to be very creative - you also have to know your plan and how you're going to make money. So that's one. Another I think is finding the right team, building that team and keeping them directed toward the end goal. That I think is a universal challenge for entrepreneurs from day one. Then two others, I would say keeping on top of the technology, where you have extensive intellectual property in technology based firms, where keeping on top of the technology and how it's moving, making sure that in the flow you are improving and enhancing what's going on. But I think, in terms of the challenges is to stay flexible. You have to stay agile and realize that sometimes you're going to get to a situation where things are just not working like you would like them to be. Realize this is common, be aware and make the right shifts in order to not hit the wall. There are so many examples of companies who have done this, reinvented themselves based on what they are learning from the market." They discussed additional entrepreneurial topics. Radish Systems is looking for more talented people. Much more to listen to...
Related Links:
TMS World ||
Radish Systems ||
Economy Builders ||
Pursuit of Passionate Purpose ||
Podcasting Directory ||
Keywords: Theresa Szczurek, TMS World,
Entrepreneurs, Mobile Communications, App Developers, Cell Phone, Mobile Devices, Radish Communications Systems, 5/31/11
bytes=7605501
LISTEN to
Theresa Szczurek, PhD., CoFounder, Radish Systems
Penny Lewandowski cites Colorado Companies to Watch
1028_ 6/6/11 -
We are talking with Penny Lewandowski, Director, Entrepreneurship & Development, Edward Lowe Foundation about a very interesting event we have coming up on June 23rd, here in Denver. Pat and I along with lots of celebrities and well known business people will be looking for you at the Colorado Companies to Watch Gala and Award Celebration. There are plenty of good reasons for you to be there and that's why we've cornered Penny, to give us a little background about this program and why it's so important to all of us. Companies to Watch is really centered around recognizing second stage companies. "Those are companies between 6 and 99 employees with $750K to $50 Million in revenue. And these are companies that have both the intention and capacity to grow. We pay a lot of attention to them because they are huge job creators, so they are making a big difference in their communities in a lot of different ways. There are a lot of communities and regions and states that have these amazing companies, but too often they don't know who they are, they don't recognize them. Companies to Watch was created to support these companies that tend to fly below the radar screen. The Edward Lowe Foundation has worked a lot with communities and entrepreneurial support organizations and helping them understand these businesses and figuring out how to serve them. The Foundation's focus is a result of research showing second stage companies are the greatest job creators, attracting money to their area - if you have a wide range of solid, successful second stage companies in your area, money follows talent. Colorado Companies to Watch really reflects the culture and the nature of Colorado. It really lifts up the entrepreneurial spirit that is so strong in the state"...listen for more...
Related Links:
Colorado Companies to Watch ||
Colorado Companies to Watch Channel ||
Top 50 Companies to Watch ||
Gala Event ||
Keywords: Penny Lewandowski, Edward Lowe Foundation, Colorado Companies to Watch,
Gala Event, Second Stage Companies, Get Involved - 6/6/11 bytes=6522987 LISTEN to: Penny Lewandowski, Edward Lowe Foundation
Gary Gaessler and capitalizing on your niche
1026_ 6/6/11 -
We're here at the Glue Conference and stopping at one of the 'demo pods' (provided by Lucent) to talk with Gary Gaessler, VP of Sales for Stream|Step, Inc. Now we've known Gary for quite some number of years during which he's started up and been involved with so many excellent companies and organizations. Stream|Step, Inc. is a new emerging software vendor. Gartner just named them 2011 cool company of the year in the release management space. They are an application deployment tool in the software space, providing an automated release coordination tool for large software enterprise development groups. One of Larry's favorite questions, "What are the biggest challenges companies face today?" Gary replied, "I would say it is really just finding their niche. Find out what you do well at, focus on that and don't try to be everything to everyone. Joe Sabah once told me that he didn't know the secret to success but the secret to failure is trying to please everyone all the time. So, being able to focus and being the best at what you do. That's what we do at Stream|Step - we are the best at what we do in the release coordination space." His advice for leaders and entrepreneurs, "Find guys that you like, that you trust and can get along with. And most important find people that you're going to have fun with because if you're not having fun, it's not a fun place to be. I've been blessed to find that, two wonderful founders, one based in Austin, one based in Boston. Just taught me the software business, it's been a great learning experience." ...listen, there's much more.
Related Links:
Stream|Step, Inc. ||
Glue Conference ||
Software Channel ||
CTP Channel ||
Keywords: Gary Gaessler, Stream|Step, Glue Conference, Technology, Foundry Group,
Glue, Eric Norlin, Software, Automated Release Coordination Tool, 6/6/11 bytes=3839689
LISTEN to Gary Gaessler, Stream|Step, Inc.
Brad Feld before there was wireless networking
1024_ 5/31/11 -
In this 4th Video segment, we get the 'great story teller' and his best friend/partner selling their business. Again Brad Feld is hilarious, we're sure you will enjoy this segment as much if not more than the first three. We will publish the entire two hour audio as we wrap up the five video segments...Brad says, "We never thought about an exit strategy. So we have this business; we're making pretty good money, we were paying ourselves $100,000, so it was pretty high margin for a consulting business. We knew to go from $2 Million to $4 Million we'd still make half-million dollars in profit. So we figured out we hit this inflection scale point that by doubling the business, I couldn't do all the selling - so we'd have to bring in some non-revenue selling people. He couldn't do all the management. We didn't have people in the business that could actually manage upper level... so we're in this kind of what should we do state. One of the companies we did some work with was a cable company. This was back before there was wireless networking. Like coaxial cabling, I mean it was really funny. There might be a problem and you'd tear down the walls in these first class office buildings to figure out where the cable had been chewed threw by a rat that wasn't supposed to be in a first-class office building. We ended up being approached by the people that had bought this cable company. This again not cable TV but cable wiring company. Here's another guy, Len Fassler, he's been an incredible mentor and partner of mine. I remember one day he came to Boston...watch and listen for more...
Related Links:
Brad Feld Blog ||
Silicon Flatirons, ATLAS, and ITP ||
Brad Feld Video ||
Foundry Group ||
Do More Faster Book ||
Entrepreneurs Unplugged Photos ||
Keywords: Brad Feld, Jill Van Matre, Brad Bernthal, Silicon Flatirons Center,
AmeriData, Len Fassler, Entrepreneurship Initiative, Atlas, Foundry Group, Do More Faster Book,
5/31/11 Bytes: 5365658 LISTEN to
Brad Feld, Foundry Group - Entrepreneurs Unplugged Part 4
Financing in a Tight Money Environment
1022_ 5/31/11 -
The slow economic recovery makes it challenging for companies to raise financing and continue organic growth, or pursue attractive strategic opportunities. Chris Wilson moderated the ACG-Denver Corporate Growth Conference session 'Financing in a Tight Money Environment'. . This panel discussed creative and new ways companies are raising and structuring financing solutions in this tight money environment. Chris is the founder and principle of Fortitude MB. "We put Fortitude together three and a-half years ago to help companies in special situations. Generally speaking we're looking at raising capital situations of ten million dollars or more, and have some capacity to do that." Listen for more details about the company. Larry asked, "What do you think are the biggest opportunities for companies today?" Chris replied, "That is a great question and frankly that is the area where we are very busy right now. we're seeing companies that are able to take advantage of this market opportunity either by buying competitors or finding ways to improve profitability, or take advantage of the depressed market by taking market share or praying on companies that are weaker... So I think for strong companies that are well run, there is a tremendous opportunity to improve their market position and be even stronger as we continue to grow out of this economic environment that we are currently in." When asked, "What advice would you give to business leaders today in this environment?" Chris said, "Be open and honest! Be open and honest with your employees on where you stand, where things are. And also with your financial partners and your advisors. You heard today, transparency is an important key. You have to be in touch with your risks, and the people that work with you and for you - be open and honest." ...listen, there's much more
Related Links:
Fortitude MB ||
ACG: Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference ||
M&A Channel ||
ACG Denver Home ||
ACG Conference Photos ||
Keywords: Chris Wilson, Fortitude MB, ACG, Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth
Conference, ACG Denver, Corporate Capital, Strategic Capital, 5/31/11 bytes=4346674
LISTEN to Chris Wilson, Principal, Fortitude MB
Achieving Your Personal and Professional Goals 933_ 11/29/10- Don't Let Another Year Go By - The Ultimate Win is Yours - Larry Nelson has taught this material in seminars in over a dozen countries, from China to Canada, from Norway to Australia, from Germany to Japan as well as throughout the USA. He shares the results of his international research about the Characteristics of an Achiever and then goes on to help you lay out your "personalized blueprint" to personal and professional success. Larry is an internationally published author, has been a consultant to many Fortune 1000 companies and is best known for his train-the-trainer programs. ...listen now a complete step-by-step program including a downloadable manual and resource guide...this is an in-depth strategic planning and goal setting system for achievers...Read More about how to Supercharge Your Business... The links below are valuable and extremely helpful to setting your course for the next year! And they're free. Related Links: Ultimate Win Resources || Training Trends || 3-Filters Technology™ || Podcasting Directory || Your Goal || Keywords: Ultimate Win, Your Goal, Training Trends, 3-Filters TechnologyTM, Setting
Goals, Larry Nelson; 11/29/10 Chnl: Entrepreneurs
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933_ 11/29/10- Don't Let Another Year Go By - The Ultimate Win is Yours - Larry Nelson has taught this material in seminars in over a dozen countries, from China to Canada, from Norway to Australia, from Germany to Japan as well as throughout the USA. He shares the results of his international research about the Characteristics of an Achiever and then goes on to help you lay out your "personalized blueprint" to personal and professional success. Larry is an internationally published author, has been a consultant to many Fortune 1000 companies and is best known for his train-the-trainer programs. ...listen now a complete step-by-step program including a downloadable manual and resource guide...this is an in-depth strategic planning and goal setting system for achievers..
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