For newcomers: StartupDigest Reading List is the members-only weekly email newsletter of the best articles in the startup world.

You can become a member for free here.

Last night we visted Causes to hang out with them after they hired our friend Herman Ng through StartupDigest VIP. Check out the awesome view from their office of downtown SF!

- Chris

StartupDigest Reading List is curated by:
Chris McCann – Co-Founder, StartupDigest

 

 

StartupDigest Reading List is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What You Need to Read This Week

David is a partner at SV Angel, Ron Conway’s investment fund.

 

 

Everybody loves to talk about starting new companies (and exiting them) but no one talks about the many projects that struggle to take off and when to stop working on them.

 

Some of the most creative ideas come from the empty space while you aren’t working.

 

Sometimes old-fashioned sketching is the best way to visualize a design idea and iterate on it. Our team does this all the time on our whiteboards at home :)

 

Make sure that you surround yourself with some people who don’t just pat you on the back all of the time.

 

Derek started CD Baby, which became the largest seller of independent music online with $100M in sales for 150,000 musicians. Here is his talk on 8 different profit models.

See all of the previous resources and articles we’ve featured here.

Below is an archived version of the Silicon Valley StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Silicon Valley. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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Today we are trying out something new – on our Silicon Valley city page are all of the events featured below in an open Google calendar format. Feel free to use, repurpose, or share the calendar in any way you would like. All we ask is that if you use the information, link back to StartupDigest. Thanks :)- Chris

Silicon Valley StartupDigest is curated by:
Chris McCann – Co-Founder, StartupDigest
Santiago Zavala – Partner, Mexican.vc

 

 

Silicon Valley StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game”, where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going On in the Silicon Valley Startup Community

For newcomers: StartupDigest Reading List is the members-only weekly email newsletter of the best articles in the startup world.

You can become a member for free here.

This week I got to hang out at one of the Singularity University sessions with Vivek Wadwha and I saw a talk on cyber crime that completely blew my mind. Not startup related but if you’re interested in this kind of stuff check out this video. I have a whole new perception on privacy and security now.

- Chris

StartupDigest Reading List is curated by:
Chris McCann – Co-Founder, StartupDigest

 

 

StartupDigest Reading List is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What You Need to Read This Week

A heavy and emotional post about the lows of startup life by Ben Huh, previously founder of a failed startup, now founder of the Cheezburger Network.

 

 

A firey post on why programming can be for anyone if you are really interested in learning. The site is a little confusing but if you’re interested in learning to program the free book starts here.

 

A very tactical post on how to respond to investor emails. Much of this also goes for responding to intro’s in general.

 

An older post about the different stages of a company’s growth and the different people needed at each stage.

 

It’s easy to blame external factors for your company or product not succeeding. It’s even harder to take responsibility and action to make it better.

 

The video was taken at Hackers and Founders to answer the question what is marketing and why is it important? Rand Fishkin is a co-founder of SEOmoz, one of the largest SEO and inbound marketing companies.

 

See all of the previous resources and articles we’ve featured here.

Below is an archived version of the Tampa Bay StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Tampa Bay. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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Tampa Bay StartupDigest is curated by:
Daniel Scott - Founder of Gazelle Lab. Daniel has been recognized as “an accomplished entrepreneur” by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, one of “10 who make Tampa Bay area’s economic outlook brighter” by the St. Petersburg Times and one of “Florida’s economic impact players” by Florida Trend.

 

 

Tampa Bay StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the Tampa Bay Startup Community

The TechVenture 2011 agenda is power-packed with AT&T Mobile Hackathon and app launch, networking with successful high-tech entrepreneurs and mentors, interactive conversations with Macromedia founder Marc Canter and Hashable founder Mike Yavonditte, demos by the Next 10 companies, and unplugged sessions on growth strategies and design thinking.

 

Networking event with free mentors, including Mike Eitler of Group125, Chris Paradies of Fowler White Boggs PA, and Leisa Mohler-Erickson of Advantage Performance Group.

 

Moderator John Morrow (Co-Founder of Gazelle Lab and Entrepreneur-In-Residence at USFSP) will discuss the top 2012 business trends in Tampa Bay with Alex Muellner (Editor of the Tampa Bay Business Journal) and Robert Trigaux (Business Reporter and Columnist with the St. Petersburg Times).

Below is an archived version of the Silicon Valley StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Silicon Valley. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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A surprising number of good events going on across the Bay area this week!

- Chris

Silicon Valley StartupDigest is curated by:
Chris McCann – Co-Founder, StartupDigest
Santiago Zavala – Partner, Mexican.vc

 

 

Silicon Valley StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game”, where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going On in the Silicon Valley Startup Community

Below is an archived version of the Silicon Prairie StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Kansas City, Des Moines and Omaha. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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This week, I decided to get a little aggressive with the state of things in KC. There is no doubt our community has been progressing and growing, but it is time we take things to the next level. If you want to sit down and hash some of it out with us, we will be talking about the state of our community and where we should focus our efforts in order to grow at Geek Night. Check the StartupKC Facebook group for details or ping me on Twitter.

This has been on here for a few weeks, and I don’t plan to take it off anytime soon. There is now a link on this map’s description that allows you to submit your company. Let’s get our region charted out. You can see the map here.

Silicon Prairie StartupDigest is curated by:
Willis Jackson – Founder of ShownHome

 

 

Silicon Prairie StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the Silicon Prairie Startup Community

StartupCity Lunch and Learn (Des Moines)
Where: StartupCity Des Moines
When: December 7, 12:00 pm

Learn about the how’s and why’s of equity structuring in new ventures. Bring your questions, as Drew Larson from Brown and Winnick will be in the house.

 

We love this event. Come out to talk with other entrepreneurs in the area and see a few demos from local companies.

 

Top Upcoming Events

December 14 – SITAKS Breakfast (Kansas City)
December 14 – SPN Holiday Meetup (Omaha)
December 15 - bizperc Open House (Kansas City)
December 17 – KC Commons Grand Opening (Kansas City)

Below is an archived version of the Seattle StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Seattle. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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Seattle StartupDigest is curated by:
Jaremy Rich – Co-Founder/CEO of Rich & Murray Creative and Web & Marketing Analytics at Clear

 

 

Seattle StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the Seattle Startup Community

Lessons Learned: Nordstrom Innovation Lab
When: Monday, December 5th at 6pm
Where: TechStars, 511 Boren Ave N, Suite B, Seattle

Nordstrom is currently ranked #254 on the Fortune 500 with more than $9 billion in revenues. Scrappy startup they are not. And yet they face the same competitive pressures that are causing every modern company to take a long, hard look at the process they use to innovate. How do they do it? A team from Nordstrom’s Innovation Lab including JB Brown, the manager of the Nordstrom Innovation Lab , Jeremy Lightsmith and Marius Grigoriu will talk us about their project to bring Lean Startup methodologies into Nordstroms.

 

 

Mobile Madness Northwest
When: Tuesday, December 6th from 12:30 to 6:30
Where: F5 Networks, 401 Elliott Avenue West, Seattle

In a series of interactive talks and chats, hear stories from some of the top companies, entrepreneurs, and investors working to shape the future of mobile innovation in the region, as well as special guests from other mobile hubs around the country — and learn about some interesting young startups to keep your eye on.

 

If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers. Come join hundreds of attendees for one of the most exciting Seattle tech events.

 

Join hundreds of movers-and-shakers in the tech community, as we take a moment to celebrate “geeks who give back.” We’ll toast the men and women of the 2012 GeekWire calendar, and Newsmakers of the Year, but that’s not all. Enjoy calendar-themed activities, spirited contests, techie give-aways and the geekiest of chic nights on the town, not to mention your own complimentary copy of the coveted calendar.

 

Scott Oki is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor, who now spends his boundless energy on social entrepreneurship. His latest — SeeYourImpact — was on the 2011 Seattle 2.0 list of “Best Startups.” He has founded 18 non-profits (18!), as well as building a successful business around his favorite pastime — golf. And as the holidays draw near he will tell his story at this month’s NWEN Breakfast Buzz.

Below is an archived version of the San Diego StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in San Diego. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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For newcomers: The San Diego StartupDigest is an event list, created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, that is laser-focused on the needs of startups in the San Diego area.

San Diego StartupDigest is curated by:
Brant Cooper – Author of the Customer Development Book

 

 

San Diego StartupDigest is supported exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the San Diego Startup Community

CommNexus Near Field Communication
When: Tue, Dec 6, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: 6290 Sequence Drive San Diego

Interesting panel discussion on Near Field Communications (NFC) technology and how it is creating a new wave of opportunities in the mobile space.

 

conflUX and the UX Bookclub are joining forces to discuss Luke Wroblewski’s book, Mobile First, which argues that Internet applications should be designed for mobile first. Looks interesting!

 

The Business & Entrepreneurship Center at MiraCosta College is hosting a 3-minute elevator pitch contest, where college students can try to persuade a panel of “Angel Investors” to choose their business idea.

 

San Diego Tech Cocktail mixer is a great place to check out emerging San Diego startups as well as hang with startup folks.

 

Below is an archived version of the Salt Lake City StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Salt Lake City. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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Good morning, Salt Lake startups! Please send your questions and comments on the featured events to jbradshaw@thestartupdigest.com.

Enjoy!
- Jon

Salt Lake City StartupDigest is curated by:
Jon Bradshaw – Co-Founder of BoomStartup & works with UtahAngels
Scott Lemon – Owner of HumanXtensions & Founder of KarmaKey

 

 

Salt Lake City StartupDigest is made possible exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the Salt Lake City Startup Community

VentureCapital.org Deal Forum
When: Tuesday, December 6, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: Zions Bank Financial Center, 180 North University Ave. 8th Floor, Provo

The Deal Forum provides access to, and advice from, venture professionals that you need to accelerate the growth of your early-stage company. This is your invitation to participate in or watch the venture process in action, and learn the basics of building a fundraising presentation that attracts investor interest.

 

2011 NorthFront “Entrepreneur Excellence Awards” Banquet
When: Wednesday, December 7, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Northfront Business Resource Center, 450 South Simmons Way, Kaysville, UT

This premier event will recognize outstanding entrepreneurs from the Northern Wasatch Front area. Recipient entrepreneurs will also share key advice they have learned along their way.

 

IxDA Utah: UI Design Using Fireworks
When: Wednesday, December 7, 07:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Rain, 686 East 110 South, American Fork, UT

We’re pleased to have Paul Mayne out to share a presentation he’s given in other forums regarding the design process he used when designing the UI for Day One App iOS and desktop applications using Fireworks.

 

The Salt Lake Software Projects
When: Wednesday, December 7, 07:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Barnes & Noble, 6 North Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City, UT

Let’s carry on from last week. More idea talk and how to execute. Lets talk about how we’re going to begin to work on something. Including what technologies to use or how to do it while working another job. Hope to see you there!

 

MakeSLC
When: Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: 653 South State Street, Salt Lake City

A meeting for Makers in the Northern Utah area which includes, but not restricted to the Provo, Salt Lake, and Ogden areas. Check on IRC to be sure: #utahmakers.

 

Annual UVEF Awards 2011
When: Thursday, December 8, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Novell Building A, 1800 South Novell Place, Building A, Provo, UT

The annual event, hosted this year by Keith McCord of KSL News, recognizes Utah companies and leaders for innovation, business growth and contributions to the entrepreneurial community. This year’s honorees represent those most influential in driving Utah’s entrepreneurial community, and bringing significant positive change to our local Utah economy.

 

Women Tech Council Annual Holiday Social and Charity Event
When: Thursday, December 8, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: The Leonardo, 209 East 500 South Salt Lake City, UT

The Women Technology Council loves the opportunity to bring our community together to network, listen to the state of the industry, help a cause and enjoy the holiday season. As is tradition, we will be helping a local charity during the social. We will have a money tree where you can donate and we will provide all donations directly to the charity.

 

Utah .NET User Group
When: Thursday, December 8, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Neumont University, 3rd floor, 10701 South River Front Parkway, South Jordan

UtahDNUG is dedicated to to providing a strong and vibrant community for software developers interested in Microsoft .NET technologies. Everyone is invited to participate.

 

Utah Python User Group
When: Thursday, December 8, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Center 7 Data Center, 14944 Pony Express Drive, Bluffdale

A gathering for all things Python! Check the website!

 

UTC Annual PR Event
When: Friday, December 9, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Where: Neumont University, Room 300, 10701 South Riverfront Parkway, South Jordan, UT

Come listen and learn from some of Utah’s top PR/Marketing success stories for 2011. From new media (infographics, podcasts and blogs) to out-of-the box PR programs, we will learn from Utah experts.

Below is an archived version of the Portland StartupDigest Events List – a weekly curated listing of the best tech startup events in Portland. If you would like to get next week’s digest on Monday, sign up here.

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Good Morning, Portland! Hope you had a great weekend. Only a few short weekends before 2011 comes to a close. But before we bid farewell to the year, there are a few events on the horizon that you should not miss.
If you have a recurring startup-related event you would like to see featured here on the Portland StartupDigest, please send me an email at erik@thestartupdigest.com.-Erik

Portland StartupDigest is curated by:
Erik Howard – Founder, ServerHive

 

 

Portland StartupDigest is made possible exclusively by:
How do new businesses get ahead in the “Money Game”? Navigating the growing startup financing landscape is the focus of the latest animated video from the Kauffman Foundation’s sketchbook series. Watch “Money Game,” where Kauffman Senior Fellow Paul Kedrosky breaks down the methods entrepreneurs use to raise capital, and the benefits—and hazards—of each.

 

 

What’s Going on in the Portland Startup Community

Make use of this one-time opportunity to pitch your idea to the Portland Seed Fund when they drop by TiE Oregon PitchFest and Member Mixer.