GoodCompany Ventures

Came in through a Fuqua student

-Howie

---------

  My name is Jessy Joyce Nadar and I work with GoodCompany Ventures, a unique incubator for businesses with social impact that has just announced a "call for applications" for the summer 2009 cycle.

 

     GoodCompany Ventures catalyzes start-ups with innovative solutions to big, unmet social needs. GoodCompany entrepreneurs get a great place to work, a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, and access to a network of capital sources and expert advisors.  We champion models that offer investors both financial return and social benefit.

 

     Entrepreneurs accepted into the program receive extensive training and mentoring over a nine-week period, followed by a venture funding fair. Unlike other incubators, we do not extract an equity commitment from entrepreneurs, but expect a commitment of time and effort toward building a community of social entrepreneurship.

 

     This new program was founded by Resources for Human Development, Inc (RHD), an innovator in social finance with a successful track record in social enterprises; Murex Investments, a "double bottom line" equity fund backed by leading financial institutions; and leading entrepreneurs and executives such as:

·         Garret Melby, Founder, Iolite Innovation Fund

·         Dr. Shoshanna Loeb, Chief Scientist and Executive Director, Telcordia Technologies

·         Sidney E. Amster, co-Founder and Partner, Phase II International; Clinical Professor, Temple University 

     GoodCompany Ventures is currently recruiting dynamic entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, with particular interest in clean-technology, education, technology and other industries with integral social impact.  The application is open until May 15, 2009, with a rolling admissions policy.  The first acceptances will go out on May 1st.

     I think this would be a useful piece of resource for your readers. Enclosed is a press release with more details on the program. There is plenty of general information such as timeline, application criteria, etc available on the site, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  You can reach me at jessyjoyce@temple.edu or 510-648-9314

 

Thanks and take care!

 

Jessy Joyce Nadar

GoodCompany Ventures Fellow

Bid Network

Got the following note from our second year student, Karthik Meda.  Thanks for the lead, Karthik.

Howie

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Karthik Meda

Howie,

I was recently pointed to this interesting site: www.bidnetwork.org. It seems like an interesting place for MBAs to volunteer time and help out other entrepreneurs by reviewing business plans. Like the NC Idea biz plan review...only it is online and international ! Thought you might find it interesting ...you could probably distribute the info to a wider audience and if appropriate structure something between Fuqua & the site.

The BiD Network sources and selects business plans of small and medium sized enterprises in emerging markets. BiD Network offers tools to the best entrepreneurs, paving the way for them to access finance.

The BiD Network Foundation offers investor matchmaking services, runs the business plan competition; the BiD Challenge, from ten countries and operates this online business community website: www.bidnetwork.org.

BiD Network for Entrepreneurs, Professionals, Companies & Investors

BiD Network engages thousands of entrepreneurs, experts and investors from all over the world to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth in emerging markets.

What we offer:  Entrepreneurs: access to a worldwide platform to make your business plan visible; receive professional feedback and assistance from business coaches; get exposure to a network of investors, experts and business partners and a chance to win prize money. Investors: unparalleled access to screened and filtered small and medium sized businesses seeking finance. Companies & NGOs: the opportunity to share the competence and expertise network of your organisation with thousands of entrepreneurs in developing countries. Engage your employees, invest in SMEs and get a network, market insight and possible return on investment.  Professionals: the opportunity to make a difference by sharing your business expertise with entrepreneurs as a coach, screener or jury member. Enjoy a wonderful experience with entrepreneurs in emerging markets, broaden your insights and possibly get a stake in a change-making business.

BiD Challenge

The BiD Challenge is an on-line global business plan competition that challenges entrepreneurs to develop and execute innovative business plans with growth potential. We do this to stimulate local economic growth and generate jobs and income in emerging markets. BiD Network operates the BiD Challenge from 10 countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Present your Plan

BiD Investor Matchmaking

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of any economy. Better access to equity and finance can stimulate the growth of SMEs, jobs, income levels and economy. Through BiD Network Investor Matchmaking, quality businesses and their entrepreneurs gain access to worldwide finance markets consisting of experienced Angel Investors and SME funds.

BiD Network Investor Matchmaking matches investors with highly committed entrepreneurs from developing countries, seeking from USD 10.000 up to 1 million USD in finance. Most deals range from USD 50.000 to USD 250.000. Equity and other forms of venture capital are preferred Investor Matchmaking

Spark Capital - Start@Spark provides seed funding

Sent to me by Jonathan Lee.  I think this may be a repost - but a quick search and I couldn't find it.  So posting again.

-Howie

Spark Capital - Start@Spark provides seed funding

In uncertain economic times, it is imperative to continue to support entrepreneurs and companies at their earliest stages. Although access to early stage capital may have become scarce in recent months, it is precisely at these times that entrepreneurs start attacking nascent opportunities and begin building the game changing companies of the future.

For this reason, Spark Capital is aggressively seeking to make seed investments in promising early stage companies in the New York and Boston areas. Through this program, entrepreneurs who are starting companies in the conflux of media, technology, and entertainment can be granted up to $250,000 to quickly accelerate their progress.

Whether you are a seasoned founder or a first time entrepreneur, we want to hear from you to see if we can partner to build something great.

What are the criteria for new applicants?

Please see our application page for the specific criteria we are looking for when we evaluate opportunities. We generally look for companies that have a clearly articulated problem that is big and meaningful. We look for teams that have the tools to quickly hit the ground running upon our investment and have a good sense of how they would utilize their capital to achieve specific milestones. Most importantly, we want to build a long relationship with entrepreneurs that are hungry, driven, and we enjoy working with.

Geographically, Spark Capital invests in companies across the United States and Internationally. As a rule, we focus on finding the most attractive investment opportunities and do not confine ourselves to specific locations. However, for Start@Spark, we are initially targeting companies in the New York and Boston areas. We believe that this is the best way for us to actively partner with entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their company’s development. In time, we may expand the program to extend to other geographies as well. 

Clinton Global Initiative Awards - Due April 3

Clinton Global Initiative University Outstanding Commitment Awards 
Application Deadline: April 3, 2009 

On behalf of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), we are pleased to provide information about the CGI U Outstanding Commitment Awards, a potential source of funding for innovative student service and activism projects. The 2009 Awards are generously supported by the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Wal-Mart Foundation. Together, $400,000 will be distributed to various students and student groups who have made commitments to addressing the world’s most pressing global challenges. Applications will be accepted through April 3, 2009. 

As you may know, the Clinton Global Initiative is an action-oriented platform that seeks to catalyze new partnerships, practices, and initiatives by and among its members that address social and environmental problems. CGI U is a project of the Clinton Global Initiative that seeks to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. 

Commitments to Action are the primary mechanisms by which CGI U engages its members to take action. Each CGI U member must make commitment that is a specific plan of action that addresses a pressing challenge on campus, in a local community, or in different parts of the world. Commitments can be made in any of the five CGI U focus areas: Education, Energy & Climate Change, Global Health, Peace & Human Rights, and Poverty Alleviation. 

The CGI U Outstanding Commitment Awards will provide recognition and financial support for a select number of CGI U commitments. To apply for the awards, please fill out an Outstanding Commitment Award application here. 

Any questions about the application can be directed to cgiu.applicant@clintonglobalinitiative.org. 

Feel free to browse the CGI U website for ideas and examples of CGI U Commitments to Action. 

For additional information, please visit our website at www.CGIU.org. 

Application for Summer@Highland closes on April 9th

This is a repost - the deadline is soon.

-Howie

Summer@Highland 2009

Are you a student entrepreneur with a business startup that you’d like to grow to the next level this summer? If so, the Summer@Highland 2009 program may be just what you need.

In its third year, Summer@Highland is designed to provide selected student entrepreneurs with the environment and resources for advancing their startup initiative/company to the next level. Participating entrepreneurs/teams will receive a financial stipend and complimentary work space in either our Lexington, Massachusetts or Menlo Park, California office. The teams will have access to Highland investment professionals along with further resources for injecting real-world advice, insight and perspectives into the entrepreneurial and company-building process. Full details on this year’s program and an application form can be at www.hcp.com/summer.

Participating teams in the Summer@Highland 2009 program are under no obligation to Highland after the summer. That being said, advanced initiatives/companies may qualify for seed financing and/or additional involvement by the Highland team to help accelerate company growth. Further terms and conditions may apply for those that qualify for these options (evaluated on a case-by-case basis) and are interested in taking advantage of them.

What we’re looking for in 2009

We are especially interested in having you spend the summer with us if:
- You have a leadership team with vision, passion, and drive
- Your initiative is built around a breakthrough idea that is scalable and monetizable
- You’re pursuing a large addressable market opportunity with a product/service that has the potential to be highly-disruptive in its area
- Your business initiative is already showing momentum and (ideally) some demonstrable market traction (i.e., you’re well beyond concept)
- You’re operating in a sector that we focus on – information and communication technology, digital media, life sciences, advanced materials & semiconductors, cleantech
- You can direct us to some advisors who see your business’s potential as you do

Particulars of Summer@Highland 2009

- The program is open to current undergraduate or graduate students, post graduate docs, as well as recent grads (no earlier than December 2008). At least one participating member of the team must meet this criterion.
- Teams can comprise 1 to 4 persons.
- A single person team will receive a $7,500 stipend for the summer, if selected.
- A multi-person team will receive a $15,000 stipend, if selected.
- Participating teams are required to work full time for a minimum 10 weeks on their initiative. Start and end dates are flexible and are to span the period of mid-May through September 2009.
- Participating teams will need to reside in one of Highland’s offices (Lexington, MA or Menlo Park, CA) while participating in the program.
- Each participating team will have a Highland sponsor who will be the team’s gateway to advice and counsel from Highland’s investors and industry network.
- Participating teams in the core Summer@Highland 2009 program are under no obligation to Highland after the summer. Further terms and conditions may apply for initiatives that qualify for and are interested in pursuing seed financing and/or additional involvement by the Highland team.

How to apply

- Please complete the brief online application (available at www.hcp.com/summer).
- Attach to your application (1) resumes/bios for each team member, and (2) up to two referrals/letters of recommendation (recommended). The latter may be from faculty & administration, board or advisory group members, or others affiliated with close knowledge of your initiative and/or team members.
- You may also consider optionally attaching (1) executive summary of your initiative/company, and/or (2) a link to a 1-2 minute overview / elevator pitch video via YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
- The application deadline for consideration in the 2009 program is Thursday, April 9, 2009.
- Selected projects will be notified via email no later than May 1, 2009.

List of "incubator type programs" for students

Chatted with Ken Zolot yesterday from Kauffman.  He's working on an interesting project - Kauffman Labs.

http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/03/24/a-new-world-order-for-high-growth-firms/

And he forwarded me a set of interesting links.

http://www.bizdom.com/

http://ycombinator.com/

http://www.techstars.org/

http://www.foundrygroup.com/

http://www.puretechventures.com/

http://www.dreamitventures.com/

http://tiger.gatech.edu/

I also have found

--Shotput Ventures - http://www.shotputventures.com - Duke alum David Cummings - previously posted

--Summer at Highland -http://www.hcp.com/summer/

And just received an email for this - http://www.capitalfactory.com/

-Howie

Chubby Brain giving away $1000 slot at NYC BootStrapper Summit

Our company is giving away a free startup presentation slot at the upcoming NYC BootStrapper Summit <http://bootstrappersummit.com/> to be held on April 1st, 2009 (note: presentation slots are normally $1000 for this event). The event features investors representing over $5B in investment capital.  Last year's Summit featured investors from Grand Banks Capital, RRE Ventures, First Mark Capital, DFJ Gotham, Greenhill SAVP, Intel Capital, Metamorphic VC, Shellback Partners, Alliance Bernstein, Avenue A Ventures, The Connectors Fund, NY Angels, Golden Seeds, and Tristate Ventures.

Contest details are located here: http://www.chubbybrain.com/blog/2009/03/contest-free-1000-startup-pitch-slot-at-nycs-bootstrapper-summit/.  Also please note that the contest deadline is this upcoming Monday, March 23rd.

Feel free to distribute this to any students at Duke's Center for Entrepreneurship who might find this opportunity a valuable one, and for that matter also pass it along to your greater network at Fuqua and beyond.

Thanks again and look forward to continued collaboration in the future.

Regards,
Jonathan Sherry
www.chubbybrain.com <http://www.chubbybrain.com/>

Ideablob

Check this out. http://ideablob.com/ 

Would be interested if anybody has had a good experience with it.

http://ideablob.com/ideas/4754-Servant-Leadership-Corps-High-

Also, you can vote for Duke startup "Servant Leadership Corps"through the link above.

-Howie

About ideablob.com

ideablob.com is where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas – and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them.

Great ideas are generated every day by people all across the country, and now these ideas have a place to live and grow. Eligible individuals can submit their business ideas to ideablob.com, and based on votes from the ideablob.com online community – which includes other innovators as well as friends, family, colleagues, associates, teachers and mentors –one idea every month will win $10,000.

As individuals take part in ideablob.com's growth, their business has the potential to grow right along with it.

Why ideablob.com? Advanta began in 1951 with an idea, less than $100 in seed money, and big dreams. Today, as a respected company with close to 1,000 employees and well over one million small business customers nationwide, we empathize with entrepreneurs and small businesses and support their growth.

Check out ChubbyBrain.com

ChubbyBrain recently contacted Duke.  From the front of the website, looks like there might be some value for Duke entrepreneurs.

-Howie

As you read this, scientists in Tel Aviv are developing clean water technologies that will help people from Tunisia to Thailand. And programmers in Mumbai are working with venture capitalists in Menlo Park on a mobile application that will connect people from Buenos Aires to Brisbane. 

Right now, an entrepreneur in South Africa is using mobile phones and the web to fight injustice in Zaire and Zimbabwe. And researchers at a Sydney biotech firm are developing cancer therapeutics that will help patients from Boston to Berlin lead better lives.

We often hear and know in our gut that our future depends on the energy of entrepreneurs and the investors that back them coming up with brilliant ideas that solve our problems - both big and small. Yet amazingly, information and insights about these innovative startups remains notoriously difficult to find or is only accessible to a limited few who can afford subscriptions that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

ChubbyBrain was conceived by a small group of individuals to change this. 

With the appropriate and thoughtful application of technology, we have set out to make information and insights on these innovative startups (everything from clean tech to nanotech to healthcare to web2.0 to mobile to social entrepreneurship) more accessible to investors, startups, corporations, and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. 

As we believe that innovation often happens at the boundary of different disciplines, our long-term hope is that as the platform grows with your help and contributions, we will enable experts, entrepreneurs and investors from different fields and geographies to come together to channel their energies into solving more of these big and small problems.

In the short-term, our primary hope is you’ll explore the ChubbyBrain platform and that it will become a go to resource for the information and insights you seek. We also hope you’ll share it with others in your network as the value of the insights and information on ChubbyBrain goes up as the diversity of opinions and perspectives on the platform increases. Of course, we look forward to and welcome your contributions – whether it is writing reviews, commenting on others reviews and/or adding/editing startups to the database. 

And of course, we look forward to improving ChubbyBrain for you over time based on your needs and suggestions. We always welcome your ideas and suggestions and will do our best to get back to you at the earliest.

Warm regards,
The ChubbyBrain Team

EntrepreneurTrek re-post

Received the following email. Check it out.

-Howie

Howie, Hope you are well.  We have great updates.  Please share them with the Fuqua community.  Thanks, Tan

Why you want to attend the EntrepreneurTrek 2009 conference?

1. Checkout the new addition to our already outstanding cast of speakers, moderators, and companies
• Bill Reichert, Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures
• Dave McClure, Startup Advisor, Angel Investor, Master of 500 Hats
• Christine Comaford, Business Accelerator, Mighty Ventures
2. Don't miss the 3-hour "Polish Your Pitch with the Pros" workshop, with focused breakout sessions led by the founders and CEOs of start-ups with new funding.  Learn how they did it!  And recently-funded start-ups offer the best internship and job opportunities!
• BillShrink - Peter Pham, CEO (raised $8M in 10/2008)
• Ocarina Networks - Murli Thirumale, CEO (raised $20M in 2/2009)
• Snaptalent - Sumon Sadhu, CEO & Co-Founder (funded by legendary incubator, Y Combinator)
• Zimride - John Zimmer, Founder & COO (funded by the Facebook fund)
• Plus 5 more pending start-ups that just got funded (TBD)
3. Mike Cassidy is an incredible serial entrepreneur that occasionally lectures at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He is working on his 4th start-up!
   
4. Hurry... you can still submit your business plan here!
5. The first 150 registered attendees will get a copy of Christine Comaford's book, Rules for Renegades!

Spaces are limited.  For the best discounts, please use the discount code, Fuqua_leadership, when registering!  Discounts and pricing are subject to change.

See you at EntrepreneurTrek 2009!

Tan Nguyen, Chair 
650.248.8104 
EntrepreneurTrek Foundation || www.entrepreneurtrek.org || March 21-22, 2009

Re-post Shotput Ventures

Duke alumnus David Cummings sent me some additional wording for Shotput Ventures

-Howie

Web Entrepreneurs -- Build and launch a company over the summer with Shotput Ventures!

Do you have a brilliant idea for a web services product or business but just need the support it takes to get your company off the ground?  Do you have the enthusiasm and tenacity it takes to see your idea through from the initial prototype phase to its successful completion? Atlanta-based Shotput Ventures is an organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs launch promising start-ups that have the potential to become thriving web services companies.  Shotput Ventures provides seed capital during the planning and development stages, in addition to three months of intensive mentoring from several accomplished entrepreneurs. By putting emphasis on identifying and cultivating talented individuals with visionary ideas, Shotput seeks to transform passion into success by helping entrepreneurs launch promising start-ups that have the potential to become thriving web services companies.

Interested entrepreneurs with innovative ideas are encouraged to apply for our summer immersion program, which will run from late May until early August.  Applications are due March 27th, and selected teams will undergo a round of interviews before the final eight participant groups are notified on April 17th.   Visit our website at www.shotputventures.com or email David Cummings Duke '02 (info@shotputventures.com) for more information.

Summer at Highland - looks fantastic

http://www.hcp.com/summer/

I met with Michael Gaiss from Highland Capital Partners, a successful VC up in Boston.  They have quite a neat program for both potential interns, and for startups that are seeking a great summer "mentorship" or "incubator" experience.

Below is the info about Summer@Highland which is the experience for entrepreneurs.  It's pretty competitive to get in.

-Howie

Summer@Highland 2009

Are you a student entrepreneur with a business startup that you’d like to rapidly accelerate this summer? If so, the Summer@Highland 2009 program may be just what you need.

 

In its third year, Summer@Highland is an innovative program designed to provide selected student/university-affiliated entrepreneurs with the environment and resources for advancing their startup initiative/company to the next level. Participating entrepreneurs/teams will receive a financial stipend and complimentary work space in either our Lexington, Massachusetts or Menlo Park, California office. The teams will have access to Highland investment professionals along with further resources for injecting real-world advice, insight and perspectives into the entrepreneurial and company-building process.

 

We are accepting applications for consideration in this year’s program through April 9, 2009. If you’re involved with a high-potential startup, we encourage you to consider applying.

 

What we’re looking for in 2009

 

We are especially interested in having you spend the summer with us if:

• You have a leadership team with vision, passion, and drive

• Your initiative is built around a breakthrough idea that is scalable and monetizable

• You’re pursuing a large addressable market opportunity with a product/service that has the potential to be highly-disruptive in its area

• Your business initiative is already showing momentum and (ideally) some demonstrable market traction (i.e., you’re well beyond concept)

• You’re operating in a sector that we focus on – information and communication technology, digital media, life sciences, advanced materials & semiconductors, cleantech

• You can direct us to some advisors who see your business’s potential as you do

 

Particulars of Summer@Highland 2009

 

1. The program is open to current undergraduate or graduate students, post graduate docs, as well as recent grads (December 2008 or later). At least one participating member of the team must meet this criterion.

2. Teams can comprise 1 to 4 persons.

3. A single person team will receive a $7,500 stipend for the summer, if selected.

4. A multi-person team will receive a $15,000 stipend, if selected.

5. Participating teams are required to work full time for a minimum 10 weeks on their initiative. Start and end dates are flexible and are to span the period of mid-May through September 2009.

6. Participating teams will need to reside in one of Highland’s offices (Lexington, MA or Menlo Park, CA) while participating in the program.

7. Each participating team will have a Highland sponsor who will be the team’s gateway to advice and counsel from Highland’s investors and industry network.

8. Participating teams in the core Summer@Highland 2009 program are under no obligation to Highland after the summer. Further terms and conditions may apply for initiatives that qualify for and are interested in pursuing seed financing and/or additional involvement by the Highland team.

 

How to apply

 

1. Please complete the brief online application (available atwww.hcp.com/summer)

2. Attach to your application (1) resumes/bios for each team member, and (2) up to two referrals/letters of recommendation (recommended). The latter may be from faculty & administration, board or advisory group members, or others affiliated with close knowledge of your initiative and/or team members.

3. You may also consider optionally attaching (1) executive summary of your initiative/company, and/or (2) a link to a 1-2 minute overview / elevator pitch video via YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

4. The deadline to submit all materials associated with an application is end of day Thursday, April 9, 2009. 

5. The application deadline for consideration in the 2009 program is Thursday, April 9, 2009.

6. Selected projects will be notified via email no later than May 1, 2009.

 

Please direct any questions regarding the program tosummer@hcp.com and we will do our best to address them.