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Inside The Movies - Technology and the Arts Come Together.

November 26, 2008

Recently Ross Gittell - the UNH Business School Prof - and I were talking about interesting ways to help some of the various Portsmouth area communities work together to the same ends.  We have both developed a good relationship with and respect for Scott Kirsner who is the leading tech industry blogger in the Boston area - Innovation Economy - and over lunch we came up with the idea to invite Scott up to do a presentation on his new book and to use the event to open up a dialogue around the arts and technology communities working more closely in the future … more to come, but in the meantime it will be a great night!

Click on the Scottster to learn more and RSVP!

Technology and the arts come together in an intriguing evening with Scott Kirsner at the Portsmouth Library 

Wednesday, December 10th 5:30pm at the Portsmouth Library
— Admission and Popcorn are FREE 

 
 
 

 

Written by Jesse Devitte · Filed Under Blog, Personal, Startups |  

And the NH Product of the Year is ….

November 19, 2008

Another great program and even a great dinner by Matt Pierson and the NH High Technology Council.

INSIGHT TECH GEAR named 2008 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Insight Tech Gear 2008 POY

Insight Tech-Gear - MTMv2-LCD

Imagine if you could see crisp, clear, live images in total darkness, through fog, smoke, or thick brush with a devise that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, said Devin Standard, Director of Marketing & Business Development - as he addressed the audience at last night’s Product of the Year Awards banquet. And, imagine if you could locate a lost child lying unconscious in the deep woods or a man overboard from your pleasure boat at night or in dense fog. STOP imagining. Insight Tech-Gear has the solution, the MTMv2-LCD, the smallest high-resolution handheld thermal imaging devise in the world, weighing in a less that 11oz. Boasting a robust military heritage and innovative features, this product has been created to directly serve the first responder market with unprecedented portability, thermal imaging performance, and easy viewing. The MTMv2-LCD is the only thermal imaging devise that renders facial-recognition quality images and man-sized objects at a 1/3-mile distance in a package this small. Utilizing a high-resolution infrared detector coupled with Insight’s proprietary electronics and imbedded software, the MTMv2-LCD runs on commercially available batteries for over 4 hours making it ideal for search & rescue operations on land and at sea. Saving lives in the goal of using this New Hampshire designed and manufactured high-tech product. Resume imagining! www.insight-tek.com

The Five Judge’s Award Winners: Ensconce Data Technology, Dell Inc., Eleme Medical Inc., Bradford Networks and Insight Tech-Gear presented their products to an audience of over 325 business, government and education leaders at the New Hampshire High Technology Council’s Product of the Year gala banquet held November 18th at the Center of NH Radisson Hotel in Manchester. The products were judged according to their innovation, performance, functionality, value and uniqueness, among other attributes. As the audience and finalists waited for the results, Governor Lynch received the winning company’s name and announced Insight Tech- Gear’s MTMv2-LCD the 2008 New Hampshire High-Tech product of the year. The winning team cheered as they all gathered on stage to be recognized. The elegant crystal Product of the Year trophy will be engraved with this year’s winner, Insight Tech-Gear. The trophy is on display at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport lobby in the Product of the Year Hall of Fame.

Written by Jesse Devitte · Filed Under Blog, Personal, Startups |  

Is the time right, or not?

November 16, 2008

Will you be telling your family that holiday gifts will be few, and not due to the slowdown of the economy, but as a result of your decision to start a business?! What?! That’s right, some people may think you are crazy while others who have done it know that this could be just the right time!

Nice article on this very topic in a recent Mass High Tech authored by NH’s Chip Griffin - enjoy!

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2008/11/03/weekly4-Risk-takers-can-flourish-in-this-economic-storm.html

Friday, November 7, 2008

Innovation Notations

Risk takers can flourish in this economic storm

The current challenging economic environment creates opportunities for the savvy and brave entrepreneur or investor. When many may find themselves hunkering down in an attempt to simply weather the storm, those with the appropriate vision and fortitude will take advantage of this mass hesitancy to get a jump on valuable opportunities. Acting now may not be for those who want a quick score, but it’s the ideal time to strike for those with a longer horizon.Just as much of the public has a habit of buying high when the media touts a high-flying economy and selling when the news turns glum when markets are tough, so too do many smart entrepreneurs and investors embrace good times and shun the challenges. Right now we are seeing fewer acquisitions, investments, and startups than we have during recent peaks in the high-tech industry. Investors may be harboring their cash, reluctant to gamble on a company in these uncertain times. Many would-be entrepreneurs may be pondering graduate school, somehow convincing themselves that buying an MBA will be a surer path to startup success down the road.

Right now the opportunities are abundant. Companies that find themselves downsizing will find real appeal in startups that help them do more with less staff. Focusing on things that increase efficiency and leverage scarce resources may be a path to success for new high-tech companies. Similarly, consumers will continue to spend money, they will simply be more selective in their short-term spending. Pursuing a venture that either appeals to the cost-conscious today or establishes itself in preparation for the next economic upturn would be wise bets.

Of course, finding investor funding may be a bit harder since far too much capital remains on the sidelines. That simply means that ideas with bootstrap potential may be better positioned to succeed in this environment since they are less likely to be facing imposing opposition from a well-funded competitor.

Meanwhile, smart venture capitalists aren’t hiding their wallets — instead, they are out looking for opportunities. With less competition for the best deals, investors can afford to be selective. There are no artificial competitions for funding to drive prices into the stratosphere, and that’s a good thing. A rational market has greater chance of long-term success than one that veers between extreme frugality and irrational exuberance.

Of course, there are other benefits to the current economic situation for entrepreneurs that must not be overlooked. The fact that many companies are reducing their workforces represents a tremendous opportunity for today’s startups. With talented individuals out of work and looking for their next paycheck, startups take on greater appeal. Moreover, with an expanded talent pool and a diminished market for employment, those who are hiring are in a position to pluck prime talent at affordable prices.

In the very best cases, some of these unemployed individuals may prove to be excellent entrepreneurs themselves, either by starting their own companies or by joining the founding team elsewhere. For those contemplating the refuge of graduate school, you might think about joining a startup — where you’ll get an on-the-job education about many business essentials. It won’t be formal or fancy, but you’ll get paid rather than shelling out cash, and you may just get a head start on the next big thing.

None of this comes without risk, unfortunately. For those who demand stability — either because of personal circumstances or individual preference — the turbulence may prove to be too great. The odds of failure for a startup today may not actually be any greater — in fact those at greatest risk are likely those started when times were better, when enthusiasm often outweighs reason.

If you have a strong stomach, a great idea, or a pile of cash, now is the time to find the right opportunities to take advantage of everyone else’s fear. Bundle up, prepare for the storm, and head out into the great unknown in search of the next prize.

 

 

 

 

Chip Griffin is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor who serves as the CEO of CustomScoop, a media intelligence company based in Concord, N.H. He can be reached at chipgriffin@gmail.com.

Written by Jesse Devitte · Filed Under Blog, Personal, Startups |  

eBrew is back!

November 10, 2008

Just when people thought the monthly eBrew in Portsmouth was slowing down, I attended the latest and saw lots of action!  Portsmouth is home to many tech and arts types - watch this blog for more on Portsmouth.

In the meantime, you tell me - is the eBrew alive? Looks like an eBrew to me!

Written by Jesse Devitte · Filed Under Blog |  

Speed Venture Summit Peek.

November 3, 2008

Last week was the first-ever Speed Venture Summit here in NH and both the company and investor slots were sold out so this economic craziness has not stopped the formation of new companies!

Below is a shot of Bill Savoie from Savvy Software - can you see the determination on his face?

Met many other interesting companies from NH and below are the links to the ones I liked!

Animetrics

Vendor City

Ooberware

Single Digits

and from ME …

Foneshow

 

Written by Jesse Devitte · Filed Under Blog, Personal, Startups |