We’ll be at Taco Mac Perimeter next Tuesday, December 21 from 4-7pm to answer your questions. Grab a beer and let’s talk about what you’re doing.

If you’ve been wondering how you can get to the big technology buyers in Atlanta, you may get your chance.  In collaboration with the GA Department for Economic Development, the Technology Association of Georgia, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Advanced Technology Development Center, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Venture Atlanta, we are organizing a special event to put those big guys in a room with you.  They’re not there to invest, but to tell you what their needs are and what they might be interested in buying.  They want to hear what you’re working on. Attending companies include:

• Ariba
• AT&T
• Fiserv
• GE Infrastructure
• Internap
• Manhattan Associates
• Microsoft
• Scientific Games
• Siemens
• Sony Ericsson
• Southern Company
• Turner Broadcasting System

This event is on December 6 from 11:30 – 1:30; location will be provided to approved attendees. The deadline for applications is December 1.

The format is simple:

• 5-minute pitch
• 10 slides or less
• no demos

To be considered, provide a 1-2 page executive summary (send to josh@startuplounge.com) and:

• be a Georgia-based company.
• own the technology behind your product.
• your product is released.
• you’re looking for customers, partners, or distribution channels.

Lunch is provided and Wi-Fi is available.

Apply to attend by clicking the link to the left in our "Upcoming Events".

Hosted by:

Though we don’t have a StartupLounge Atlanta event this quarter, we’re bringing the action all over Atlanta in the next few weeks.

StartupLounge Festivus
Tue, Nov 30 7-9pm @ 151 Locust

• registration is required (free) → Go to http://www.meetup.com/151locust/calendar/15414492/ for registration, latest details, and directions.

In what has become something of a tradition, we’re working with our friends Ed and Wendy at 151 Locust in Avondale Estates to bring you another rock ‘em sock ‘em “live” StartupLounge podcast this holiday season. Our guest will be Joe Gruca of Toomah, an Atlanta startup and winners of the TAG/GRE Business Launch contest. Joe has an interesting story and we’re excited to talk to him about his startup and his journeys. 151 Locust is providing refreshments (thanks Ed!) so come and enjoy Festivus with the rest of us. (feats of strength TBA)

Mike’s Office Hours
Tue, Nov 23 4-7pm @ Taco Mac Perimeter

Grab a beverage and let’s talk about what you’re doing.

UGA – TI:GER Pitch-Off
Mon, Nov 29 4:30-7:30pm @ Hodges Room at the ATDC

• registration is required (free) → please email Margi Berbari (margi.berbari@mgt.gatehc.edu) to sign up. Go to http://atdc.org for directions.

Can’t make it to the Georgia – Georgia Tech football game? Well, you have an opportunity to cheer your favorite “pitch” to victory (and cash prizes) at the UGA – TI:GER Pitch-Off on Mon, Nov 29 5-7:30pm @ the Hodges Room at the ATDC. Hear students from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business Entrepreneurship Program and TI:GER (Georgia Tech and Emory University’s collaborative entrepreneur program) pitch their businesses. Each presenter has 3 minutes to present their product or business in front of a panel of judges (Mike Blake, Scott Burkett, and Jerry Recht). The winners get $1500 in cash prizes donated by StartupLounge and Jerry Recht. Good field research for those applying to StartupRiot early next year.

StartupLounge is taking the party on the road to Savannah, Georgia on November 2. The best and brightest in the Creative Coast entrepreneurial world will join investors for cocktails, gourmet food, and engaging discussions. Our hope is that those engaging discussions, especially amongst the entrepreneurs, are continued in the months to come.

For those new to StartupLounge, this event is absolutely 100% free to attend and always will be. Only vetted entrepreneurs and investors can attend so you’ll need to register and be approved. Here’s what to do:

• visit StartupLounge.com (hey, you’re already here!)
• Create an account if you don’t have one (big blue “Join Today” button on your right)
• Log in and create a profile (this information is given to investors prior to the event)
• Apply to StartupLounge Savannah (hint: the link is on the left)
• If approved, you’ll get an email with the event location
• Tell all the entrepreneurs and investors you know to attend

If you’re a student, you can still apply to attend though we have a limited number of spots; when applying, select “Observer”.

If you have any problems with the above, please send an email to josh@startuplounge.com – while we have many talents, psychic ability isn’t one of them – and we’ll help you.

If you’re a service provider and would like to attend, the only way you’ll get in the door is to sponsor StartupLounge Savannah. If you’re interested, send an email to savannah@startuplounge.com and we’ll get back to you with more information as quick as possible.

StartupLounge Savannah is organized by a wonderful group of people from Savannah’s startup community and wouldn’t have happened without them. Mike and I are merely providing guidance that’s of questionable value. These are the people making it happen and if you see them, make sure to say thanks and buy them a cup of coffee.

• Jake Hodesh
• Jamie Wolf
• Orjan Isacson
• Page Siplon
• Raymond Wenig
• Mary Ellen McClanahan

If you have any questions, email savannah@startuplounge.com and we’ll get it answered.

Crossposted from Unblakeable.com…

2010 marks a new direction for StartupLounge.  We are shifting our conversation away from funding businesses to building businesses.  This doesn’t mean that we think that funding businesses is unimportant.  However, other grassroots organizations are picking up that banner and our voice, frankly, is no longer needed in that particular discussion.  For any organization to remain relevant, it must evolve.

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