Want to keep the party going? Get LinkedIn

January 27, 2007

Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes

For all of you TC newbies out there - we have a group on LinkedIn that you can apply for. This group will allow you to keep the conversations and networking going in between events and hopefully will help all of you build better businesses. This isn’t a newsgroup, forum or place where you can post comments though. It is a place where you can see all of your fellow TC attendees and send them notes about doing business together.

Please do not use this list to generate a bunch of sales leads or anything similar though. It is more for business development opportunities and to find people you met at TC that you want to connect with in between events. Enjoy!

Click here to join the TECH cocktail group on LinkedIn

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under TECH cocktail | Leave a Comment

TECH cocktail 3: Wrap-up and Thank You

January 26, 2007

Reading time: 6 - 10 minutes

TECH cocktail CHICAGO 3 I am happy to report that TECH cocktail 3 was a huge success (although I am a bit biased I suppose). More people than ever, close to 600 or so, piled into Amira at the NBC Tower for TC3 and I think we can safely say it was the largest gathering of great people and great tech ideas/companies in Chicago history (or at least since the bubble burst).

I personally met a lot of new people and got to catch up with a lot of entrepreneurs I already knew who are doing some great stuff (Menuism.com, ParkWhiz.com, etc.). In fact, I did so much talking that I completely forgot to get a drink, get food or take pictures! If you took some please let me know and make sure to tag them techcocktail3.

I won’t go into a description of the night since, quite frankly, many people have done a better job than I could. Check out these posts for an unbiased look at TC3:

Chicagoist - WindyBits - Networking Insight - Two Bit Operation

There are a lot of people I need to thank for making TECH cocktail 3 possible and the list starts with my girlfriend and her friends Lisa and Felicia who worked the registration booth all night. You guys were great and the event would have been a mess without you. Laura and I owe you both dinner soon!

Next up - our sponsors:

SingleHop: These guys do some serious web hosting and also have some serious fun. Without them TECH cocktail 3 wouldn’t have been the same. From the ice frogs dispensing martinis to the covering that vast majority of the bar tab these guys make it happen big time for the Chicago tech community.

Please make sure to get your dedicated servers from them since your purchase helps them to continue to build a successful business and to support the Chicago tech community like no other company. Thanks again guys!

MK Capital: The MK guys have been supporters since TC2. These guys are very community focused and they continue to be helpful to entrepreneurs in the midwest and around the country. If you’re looking for money to fund your company please let me know and I can get you hooked up with them.

Liquid Talk Networks: Dave Peak - the CEO of Liquid Talk - is a great guy and approached me because he wanted to help the community in Chicago grow. I love situations like this where new companies can help the community and we can help them get exposure. For anyone looking to make their corporate knowledge mobile please give me a shout and I’ll connect you to Dave.

Digital Bootcamp: These guys not only help the community time and time again they also teach people how to use the tech we all love. They are single handedly raising the nerds per capital ratio. If you want to learn a new program or brush up on one you used to know Digital Bootcamp is the place to go.

Chicagoland Entreprenurial Center: Jason Jacobsohn has been a great help and has also brought the CEC in make TC3 possible. These guys help entrepreneurs of all kinds all day so they were logical partners for TC. If you ever need any help, connections, etc. while starting your business please check out the CEC. They are there for you.

Origin Ventures: These guys are first time TC sponsors and we are glad to have them aboard. If you are a super early stage company and need some cash to get your business going definitely talk to Origin. The guys are great and I would be more than happy to hook you up with them.

Handler, Thayer and Duggan: These are the guys that brought you roulette and are flying one of you to Vegas. Enough said there right? HTD is a law firm here in town so please check them out if you need some lawyering (is that even a word?). Seriously though - check these guys out. They are a lot of fun (which is rare for lawyers) and can help your business.

Frost, Ruttenberg and Rothblatt, P.C.: These guys make stuff behind the scenes at TC go smoothly. They help Frank and I with our TC tax returns and all that fun stuff. If you are looking for a great accounting firm for your business please check these guys out. They are supporting our community and we should support them.

Next up - The Entrepreneurs

I won’t go into too much detail here due to the fact I want to keep this post under a million words but check these guys out when you have a chance. They were showing off some great tech last night so if you missed it here’s your chance to catch up!

SwapSimple: Used Book, DVD and Video Game Exchange based right here Chi-town. Check them out if you’re looking for some good entertainment and have some to swap.

Weave the People: They create social networking components for your enterprise, association or events. If you’ve ever wanted your own social networking site let these guys do it for you. It’ll be a lot easier!

Neuros OSD: These guys have put together a slick open source media center. I’ve gotta get me one of these!

NBC5.com: Not much I need to say here. NBC5 is working to put together a great new media experience for you guys so please check them out.

JobCoin: If you’ve ever wanted a job board of your very own JobCoin is the way to get one. We’re working with them to spruce up our job board as I write this.

JellyFish.com: If you’re going to buy something check these guys out first. If you but it through them they’ll send some of the commission they get from the sale back to you so it’s a win win. Saving some coin is always a good thing and these guys will help you do it.

Planypus: Planning an event for your friends but want to play it by ear? Planypus lets you do just that in an organized fashion and will get you off your couch and out in the city more often.

Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to the Chicago tech community. Frank and I simply get the space and you guys make the event what it is. last night was a blast and I am very happy to see the Chicagoland tech community coming together in a big way. Thank you all again for coming and I look forward to seeing you at TC4 (coming soon)!

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under Chicago, Event, TECH cocktail, techcocktail3 | Leave a Comment

TECH cocktail 3: T-Minus 24 Hours

January 25, 2007

Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes

TECH cocktail 3 is almost here! It’s hard to believe as it seems like just yesterday we were at TECH cocktail 2. TECH cocktail 3 should prove to be a lot of fun and hopefully it’ll be a tad less crowded this time.

New things for TC3: SingleHop is providing a good amount of green martinis which will be distributed through two large ice sculpture frogs and Handler, Thayer and Duggan will have a roulette table in the mix where you can play to win a trip for two to Las Vegas to continue the party. Vegas baby!

We’ve got over 600 RSVPs and counting which include state government officials, VCs, entrepreneurs and many others. If you haven’t RSVPed yet please do so. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow night!

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under Chicago, TECH cocktail, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment