Making people and ideas findable

Start Up Weekend is Just Two Weeks Away

The next Indianapolis Start Up Weekend is Nov. 12 - 14 .

We have a great venue, great sponsors and a shot at an international title. But so far registration is light. Why do you think people have not signed up for event? I am looking members of Smaller Indiana for suggestions on how to get the word out to the tech community and others interested in starting a business in a weekend. Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Beth Van Vorst Gray on October 31, 2010 at 12:17pm

Are you linked with any of the enterprise groups? I know there is the "Sprout Box" in Bloomington. I attended a national conference here a month or so ago, and I'm sure there are some centers in Indianapolis that promote internet startups. Sprout Box, by the way, is also a venture capital group seeking projects. A few of those folks can enhance your networking considerably. Have you tried to link with "techie" user groups? How about an announcement to the IT students and faculty in the several colleges and universities in Indy?

Good luck! We were confirmed in our desire to start a new website by that conference. See www.graymatterspress.com

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Permalink Reply by Admin Smaller Indiana on October 31, 2010 at 12:57pm

Thanks! Sprout box is actually a global sponsor of Startup weekend, and founder Brad Wisler will be one fo the judges.

We have reached out to several univesities, and have quite a few students form school of informatics planning on attending, but could use a few more. Please feel free to pas on the invite to any you know.

Will you be attending Start up weekend?

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Permalink Reply by Beth Van Vorst Gray on October 31, 2010 at 2:16pm

I'll check the dates again--I am up to my eyebrows in getting the word out on our new website! My husband, Ralph Gray, is professor emeritus of the IUPUI History Department. Few people realize what a good opportunity for networking is available through various disciplines and departments.

Good luck--I'll check out Startup Weekend (and I'll spread the word) but don't count on Ralph and I being there.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Van Vorst Gray on October 31, 2010 at 2:19pm

Also . . I mentioned Sproutbox--Bloomington is techie heaven, and I don't know if you would benefit from joining Bloomington Online--there is a cost involved. I'm considering it.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Van Vorst Gray on October 31, 2010 at 2:24pm

Another two cents' worth. Is there a possibility that the internet and communication access available has created a society where people don't take the delight in meetings that they might in the past? Don't know how that helps you, but wanted to throw in that idea. From my "oldie-goldie" political days, we always had FOOD AND DRINK (not usually alcoholic) to attract a crowd--it helps. And . . .what did Dorothy Parker say on the subject? "Flowers are nice but liquor is quicker" always a draw to some people. B.

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on November 2, 2010 at 7:01am

Just the opposite: The internet has made informal and formal "MeetUps" easier then ever. Using technology, you can announce meetings at the drop of the hat and reach quite a few people. Example: Social media breakfast sells out in 10 minutes with no promo other than Facebook and Twitter...

Thanks for other suggestions. Indy is a late RSVP city, so we expect a bump next week.

Hope you can make it

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Permalink Reply by Chris Theisen on November 2, 2010 at 11:18am

We discussed this a little bit prior and I understand your dilemmas with costs. Im under the impression that the landscape these days has conditioned people to largely ignore anything that costs money. While you want people who are serious about starting a business alot of good ideas and good feedback can be gained from alot of people who would attend or watch a Ustream and chime in on a hashtag or chat box. Best of luck on the weekend! Also lots of people who would be interested in going probably have family commitments that wont allow it.

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Permalink Reply by Admin Smaller Indiana on November 2, 2010 at 11:47am

While I appreciate people's bias to paying anything... the truth is, this is run successfully around the world. Prices range from $40 - $100 depending on the city. The fees cover six meals. Where can you eat six meals for $50? So I am not going to buy the price excuse.

Also, real businesses emerge from the event, and I think the price of admission brings people who are serious to the table.

The hastag for the event is #Swindy and yes there will be Ustream, so hopefully folks who can't make it can see what is going on and decide if they want to join us next spring. Also, we are thinking about a Sunday night only price of $10 for people who want to come network, and see how the businesses turned out. It is after the Colts game, so I am hoping we can get folks to drive over from downtown for the closing program.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Theisen on November 2, 2010 at 11:57am

That closing program idea is great. The online aspects will help, if you take advice from those people. Merely having a presence and letting people listen in may help drive more people for the next year but it wont truly engage people and get their input and feedback which will be valuable as to which businesses emerge and stand a chance of success. The people in the room may think its a great idea (along with the judges) but feedback from the most amount of people possibly and letting them feel like they are a part of the business from an emotional buy in standpoint would give the business the most traction possible up front. People will automatically disqualify the event sometimes when they see a cost attached, regardless of what you get for the price. I understand completely about $50 being a great deal, even if its just for food but when I messaged you I questioned the cost, not realizing food was involved. I never even looked closer to see what you got for the price. I wish the event great success and have supported the Ninja Button site from last year when I can so not trying to sound negative towards the event just giving my input on why you may not be seeing numbers you hope for. The time involved is my setback.

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on November 5, 2010 at 5:30pm

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Permalink Reply by Duke Snyder on November 6, 2010 at 11:33am

Our coldest temp of the new fall season and I yet again am warmed in my Saturday morning coffee foray into Smaller Indiana and, most specifically, comments to this post. Each contributor has offered a reminder to me of the value SI holds for us all in their own words and thoughts expressed with their greatest contribution being just that, they contributed to a discussion.
This is the age of Social Media and for me SI represents all that can be gained from being an active,(and even silent), participant.
Though not having personally met a single one of you involved in this discussion I feel I do "know" you. Your words and demeanor provide enough for me to determine you are worthy of my time spent here.
Lorraine Ball, a stalwart of SI of whom I have long held in my personal "Top Ten" list of SI posters, seems more than merely being active with SI and heading an obviously successful business as her stewardship of Indianapolis StartUp attests. Although I am heading my own startup currently which is guided in large part by affiliation with a national organization I now intend to support her effort by being an attendee.
Chris Theisen is another personal favorite. I have become attracted to his posts oftentimes by his "off-the-wall" approach and other times by his matter-of-fact approach such as here today. He is correct in noting their is a cost involved which limits some from participating and, of course, prior committments limit others especially Colts ticketholders! But Lorraine is again counterproductive in reminding the near impossibility in gaining six meals for $50!, not to mention the knowledge and networking StartUp provides. Both point up what I constantly and forever have said to all regarding how blessed we are in central Indiana..."Where in the hell do people find the time and/or the money to participate in all that we have available to us here."
And to Beth VanVorst Gray, a new and very welcome face to my SI base. Your points made are all worthy to note and again I say it is the continued contributions from such as yourself that shall provide the impetus a site such as SI requires to be as viable a part of our lives as we have come to expect. Also, your new website is bound for success and I wish you the best of luck with it.
If nothing else consider this my early Thanksgiving confession to all in SI. Coincidentally I look forward to a 69th birthday on that day so this provides a reason for posting today in saying "Thanks" to all who participate in SI to any degree; you literally and figureatively "make my day."
Again as a thanks to Lorraine count me in and I feel certain I shall become even more thankful for having participated. Who knows I may even gain enough wisdom from this StartUp that my project becomes successful enough to "sponsor" attendees for future events.