Flashback ... 1940's, 50's, 60's or somewhere back before the stork landed on Southern St, we used that big fat yellow book and let our fingers do the walking. What house didn't have 10 years worth of phone books in a cabinet somewhere (some still do I bet). It was an efficient (by location by business in alpha order) way to find businesses. Flash forward today to, two issues:
1. The internet and other business models inherently challenging the paper yellow pages. "Paperless society"? .. not exactly (every hear of Medicare), but we are getting there.
2. This is the interesting one, we are fastly become an "IP and information driven society" where things are not absolute (i.e. natural resources) and many not tangible. The US is mostly a services economy with product development driven by the human mind. It is easy to find 1-800-Flowers ... online that is, but what about new business models? Ones that require thought, networks, risk taking capital, market studies, university IP and all other things "non sidewalk".
How do we as a business and social society plug into a 21st century model of global connectivity and capital (minds and money) sharing?
Seems like something that would help that solution would be: unique, precious, valuable and belong in some sort of a vault.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Scenes from "Community Next"
Forget the coffee...this morning it's red bull (or mimosas for the brave...which I am).
This is my first "live blog" as I'm here at the Community Next: Next Generation Media and the Web event in Hollywood. No suits...no ties...free wireless of course...and a good mid mix of ages (I'm not the oldest or youngest!) A very diverse crowd from start-ups to bloggers to programmers to the "big guys". We're in a night club (Level 3), which I must say beats a conference center.
First, Josh Berman of Slingshot Labs and MySpace is talking about how soon (and for the young - now) everyone will be "living thier lives online." He sees MySpace and Facebook as the main platforms, but they will leverage other social network apps to feed into them.
Now a panel on Entertainment Online with Gaia, Disney-ABC, and Endemol USA. Interesting comment from Charles Hudson of Gaia (a community roleplaying site)...they have an "online movie theatre" for people to put their avatars in the seats...you can watch real movies online, or even old Ricki Lake shows (which he says was surprisingly popular).
Do I need an avatar? lol.
This is my first "live blog" as I'm here at the Community Next: Next Generation Media and the Web event in Hollywood. No suits...no ties...free wireless of course...and a good mid mix of ages (I'm not the oldest or youngest!) A very diverse crowd from start-ups to bloggers to programmers to the "big guys". We're in a night club (Level 3), which I must say beats a conference center.
First, Josh Berman of Slingshot Labs and MySpace is talking about how soon (and for the young - now) everyone will be "living thier lives online." He sees MySpace and Facebook as the main platforms, but they will leverage other social network apps to feed into them.
Now a panel on Entertainment Online with Gaia, Disney-ABC, and Endemol USA. Interesting comment from Charles Hudson of Gaia (a community roleplaying site)...they have an "online movie theatre" for people to put their avatars in the seats...you can watch real movies online, or even old Ricki Lake shows (which he says was surprisingly popular).
Do I need an avatar? lol.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
What's tougher...An Entrepreneur getting funded in OC/So Cal or Portland State winning the NCAA Basketball Tournament?
I was filling out my winning March Madness Basketball brackets .. oops .. I mean while I was thinking about a hypothetical (and used to be harmless) NCAA basketball contest that doesn't exist to the best of my knowledge ... and I got to wondering, what is easier: an entrepereneur getting venture capital in OC/So Cal (or really anywhere not Sand Hill Road) or a "no-name" team winning the NCAA college basketball championship?
The answer? It depends.
Probability Scenario #1 - The "Duke, North Carolina, UCLA's of the world" - if they were entrepreneurs, they would have good chance to get funded. Have "been there, done that", get great talent, have a powerful network, are serial winners ... they are kind of like the prom queen/king(s); usually they get a date. Venture capital and angels sort of find them rather than vice versa.
Probability Scenario #2 - The "Portland State, Siena, Texas Arlington's of the world" - if they were entrepreneurs, well, the movie Rudy comes to mind ... HUGE underdogs. Probably a combination of "first time tryouts", talent, network and/or even if they had a good idea, it would need some/a lot of "work" and also lack of localized seed capital would hurt it even more. This does not say that entrepreneurs should quit or it can't become a "nice little business", but it is a tough road sometimes; just know what you are getting into.
Probability Scenario #3 - The "Wisconsin, USC, Clemson's, #5 seeds of the world" - this is the interesting group of entrepreneurs. Passionate and talented people that have "something" but are still "not quite there" .. THIS is the critical piece that we need to focus on. If these entrepreneurs can continue to work hard, got some momentum, build a talent pipeline (patents/people/network), they can develop in the top tier. I will contend this group is the key for regions to focus on and develop. How do we increase/help this group? "Minds and Money" is the answer.
We need to help grow more innovative businesses and provide a platform; a mix of online and offline resources to nurture and advance this group. A serial entrepreneur network, a relevant and ACTIVE angel investor, a university advisor, a "mentor mindset VC", a "kind" lawyer etc... this is what will move the needle and get more entrepreneurs and in the words of Dick Vitale "to the dance, babeeeeeeey!!!!!!
The answer? It depends.
Probability Scenario #1 - The "Duke, North Carolina, UCLA's of the world" - if they were entrepreneurs, they would have good chance to get funded. Have "been there, done that", get great talent, have a powerful network, are serial winners ... they are kind of like the prom queen/king(s); usually they get a date. Venture capital and angels sort of find them rather than vice versa.
Probability Scenario #2 - The "Portland State, Siena, Texas Arlington's of the world" - if they were entrepreneurs, well, the movie Rudy comes to mind ... HUGE underdogs. Probably a combination of "first time tryouts", talent, network and/or even if they had a good idea, it would need some/a lot of "work" and also lack of localized seed capital would hurt it even more. This does not say that entrepreneurs should quit or it can't become a "nice little business", but it is a tough road sometimes; just know what you are getting into.
Probability Scenario #3 - The "Wisconsin, USC, Clemson's, #5 seeds of the world" - this is the interesting group of entrepreneurs. Passionate and talented people that have "something" but are still "not quite there" .. THIS is the critical piece that we need to focus on. If these entrepreneurs can continue to work hard, got some momentum, build a talent pipeline (patents/people/network), they can develop in the top tier. I will contend this group is the key for regions to focus on and develop. How do we increase/help this group? "Minds and Money" is the answer.
We need to help grow more innovative businesses and provide a platform; a mix of online and offline resources to nurture and advance this group. A serial entrepreneur network, a relevant and ACTIVE angel investor, a university advisor, a "mentor mindset VC", a "kind" lawyer etc... this is what will move the needle and get more entrepreneurs and in the words of Dick Vitale "to the dance, babeeeeeeey!!!!!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Luck of the Irish ...
Could St. Patrick's Day turn into a global holiday? Of course not...but why not? For the Non-Irish (disclaimer I am Irish but lost my red hair and freckles as a kid, though I still burn like a SOB on the first sunny Spring day) it is a day to feel good, happy and "full of cheer." Given our US economy presently - and as a consolation to Bear Stearns shareholders - I couldn't help looking for a light-hearted break in the action. Enjoy.
1. Guiness' take on evolution
2. Irish bank robbers
3. Just a lil' Irish humor
PS: little known fact - Ireland is home to hundreds of leading biomedical and hi-tech companies. We live in an era of true globalization where regions (cities, states, countries) can control their economic FUTURE ... maybe pubs, pharma and pentiums aren't a bad economic combination.
1. Guiness' take on evolution
2. Irish bank robbers
3. Just a lil' Irish humor
PS: little known fact - Ireland is home to hundreds of leading biomedical and hi-tech companies. We live in an era of true globalization where regions (cities, states, countries) can control their economic FUTURE ... maybe pubs, pharma and pentiums aren't a bad economic combination.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Maiden Voyage
And it begins...volume 1, chapter 1, section 1, edition 1 etc. Welcome to my blog. My maiden voyage down the Digital Media Communication Highway … or should we say universe.
Why do this? .. because blogs and other digital communication mediums are FASTLY becoming THE platform for communicating your thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, ideas, and opinions (good and not so good) to a targeted community (social and business networks are just starting folks and it is in the first inning) AND the added benefit of being able to reach out and interact with complete strangers who just happened to “Stumble Upon It”.
I run a company called OCTANe in “a near nirvana neverland” called Orange County, CA. We are driven to help create, grow, support, staff and fund more biomedical and hi-tech companies. More companies created. More jobs. More people connected. More square feet leased. More R&D leveraged. More money deployed to science/tech businesses. Our belief is that innovative, IP driven businesses are our future; both here and long-term, anywhere in the US. “Minds and Money” sitting on a bed of capitalism, freedom and entrepreneurial spirit IS our future. Why we don’t invest more in our future businesses instead of trying to save “the dinosaurs” is beyond me, but I digress.
My goal is to write this blog weekly. As I say, goal. Three kids 6 and under and 2 dogs will make the over/under about 40 a year; as it should be, as family and health are first priorities ahead of business.
What will I write about? Well it will MOSTLY be about various issues related to entrepreneurship, capital, university, medical devices, digital technology, finance, clean and green tech, innovation, communications and similar science/tech/money topics and people. These unique, high value added companies and sectors produce the highest paying jobs, careers and economic impact; not to mention great wealth for “founders and funders” which SHOULD work its way back into society through philanthropy. The need for this futuristic “venture philanthropy” is critical to solve our real problems; which is not if a valuation is 4.23X revenue or 4.22X revenue but how we are so woefully failing our youth in math and science in schools; but I digress.
What this blog will not be? Boring. Long. Academic. Sarcastic (yeah right). Not the “King’s best English” or “By the book”; not even sure there is a book in this new medium; if so it’s already out of date. It will be straight forward, topical and thought provoking. It will not be politically focused but I will talk about the political process including the current election; which I find fascinating in the diversity of candidates as well as how the internet and social networks are SIGNIFICANTLY impacting the election; but I digress.
So that’s the intro blog. Hope you enjoy it even though I feel like I just signed a 78 year ARM mortgage with weekly payments.
I look forward to interacting with 100,000’s of my closest friends real soon.
Why do this? .. because blogs and other digital communication mediums are FASTLY becoming THE platform for communicating your thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, ideas, and opinions (good and not so good) to a targeted community (social and business networks are just starting folks and it is in the first inning) AND the added benefit of being able to reach out and interact with complete strangers who just happened to “Stumble Upon It”.
I run a company called OCTANe in “a near nirvana neverland” called Orange County, CA. We are driven to help create, grow, support, staff and fund more biomedical and hi-tech companies. More companies created. More jobs. More people connected. More square feet leased. More R&D leveraged. More money deployed to science/tech businesses. Our belief is that innovative, IP driven businesses are our future; both here and long-term, anywhere in the US. “Minds and Money” sitting on a bed of capitalism, freedom and entrepreneurial spirit IS our future. Why we don’t invest more in our future businesses instead of trying to save “the dinosaurs” is beyond me, but I digress.
My goal is to write this blog weekly. As I say, goal. Three kids 6 and under and 2 dogs will make the over/under about 40 a year; as it should be, as family and health are first priorities ahead of business.
What will I write about? Well it will MOSTLY be about various issues related to entrepreneurship, capital, university, medical devices, digital technology, finance, clean and green tech, innovation, communications and similar science/tech/money topics and people. These unique, high value added companies and sectors produce the highest paying jobs, careers and economic impact; not to mention great wealth for “founders and funders” which SHOULD work its way back into society through philanthropy. The need for this futuristic “venture philanthropy” is critical to solve our real problems; which is not if a valuation is 4.23X revenue or 4.22X revenue but how we are so woefully failing our youth in math and science in schools; but I digress.
What this blog will not be? Boring. Long. Academic. Sarcastic (yeah right). Not the “King’s best English” or “By the book”; not even sure there is a book in this new medium; if so it’s already out of date. It will be straight forward, topical and thought provoking. It will not be politically focused but I will talk about the political process including the current election; which I find fascinating in the diversity of candidates as well as how the internet and social networks are SIGNIFICANTLY impacting the election; but I digress.
So that’s the intro blog. Hope you enjoy it even though I feel like I just signed a 78 year ARM mortgage with weekly payments.
I look forward to interacting with 100,000’s of my closest friends real soon.
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