Looking for a Job?

February 25, 2007

If so, here a couple of great companies looking for you right now.

Liquid Talk Networks - V.P. Engineering

Liquid Talk is looking for a V.P. of Engineering to help the build up their company. I know the guys over there well and I think there’s a lot of fun to be had along with a lot of personal and professional growth. Check out the job details and shoot them a resume at techcocktailjobs@liquidtalk.net if you think you’re up for the challenge.

FeedBurner - Java Programmers

We’re still looking for a few more java folks to add to our ever growing engineering team. If you are an experienced java engineer and are looking to join one of the hottest companies around (no pun intended - OK, it was intended) shoot me your resume (eric@techcocktail.com) and I will get it to the proper folks who can then fill you in on what we are all about.

As more jobs come in we’ll be sure to list them here so stay tuned TECH cocktailers!

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

Chicagoland Fast Pitch Event

February 9, 2007

The Chicagoland chamber of commerce has set-up a pitch competition for aspiring entrepreneurs that will take place in a couple of weeks called the Chicagoland Fast Pitch Event. The event is part of entrepreneurship week USA and this will be the first time it is held. For all of you guys out there either starting a company or thinking about starting one this is your change to pitch your idea, get feedback from top entrepreneurs and VCs and possibly even win some money to get it all started. Check out the details below for more info!

When: Monday, February 26th from 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Where: Gleacher Center, 450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, IL

Who: Entrepreneurs, Students, VCs, Angel investors, all are encouraged to attend!

How: Register at chicagoeweek.com (Registration Deadline: February 22nd)

Entrepreneurs - can you pitch your business idea in three minutes or less? Here’s your chance to validate the potential of your business idea, meet people who can help you succeed, and possibly win up to $5,000! If you are interested in giving your FAST PITCH please submit your pitch in writing to info@chicagoeweek.com at the time of registration to pre-qualify for the competition (you will receive a confirmation once you have been pre-qualified).

Preparing your pitch.

Your pitch should open with a hook that captures attention and be limited to 700 words. Please include answers to the following six questions to qualify:

1. What is your technology, product or service? Briefly describe what you sell and the need it fulfills.

2. Who is your market? Briefly state who buys this product or service and the size of the market.

3. How do you expect to make money? Describe the source(s) of revenue and how you will sell.

4. Who is your competition?

5. What is your competitive advantage? How can your company provide this product or service better than the competition?

6. Who is behind the company? Share the background and accomplishments of you and your team. Explain how your background gives you credibility.

What you need to bring to Fast Pitch.

1. Your pitch. Please be prepared to hand out hard copies to the judges.

2. Passion. Judges expect energy and dedication from pitchers – Be creative and dress for success!

3. A Desire for Feedback. The Judges will give honest feedback on the potential of your business.

Competition Details

Howard Tullman, noted Chicago entrepreneur and founder of Experiencia (www.experiencia-world.com), kicks off the event at 3:30 PM with a keynote address, and the first round of the competition begins at 4:30 PM. Participants will be assigned to five different rooms by industry, including Information Technology, Business Products and Services, Life Sciences, Retail and Consumer Products, and Open Competition room. In each room, a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts will provide feedback and select a finalist to move on to the final round. The final round begins at 6:30 PM. Five finalists, one from each industry, will compete for up to $5,000. The judges will give feedback, and the winner will be determined by an audience vote. The event will conclude with a recognition ceremony, and networking reception.

This event made possible by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DePaul University, The Illinois Business & Investors Forum, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under Chicago | Leave a Comment 

Help GrubHub.com Donate Meals To Those In Need TODAY!

February 3, 2007

GrubHub.comThis past week, leading up to the Super Bowl (Go Bears!) has been National Take-out and Delivery Week. Chicago-based startup GrubHub.com, who demo’ed at TECH cocktail 2, has been donating meals to Meals on Wheels Chicago for every order placed on GrubHub.com for the week ending February 4th. GrubHub.com co-founder, Matt Maloney had this to say:

“Chicagoans need to know that for every order taken through GrubHub.com this week a meal will be delivered to those less fortunate.”

So you still have a little time to order some food through GrubHub.com and help donate meals to people in need.

Posted by Frank Gruber | Filed Under Chicago, techcocktail2 | Leave a Comment 

Food Fight!

February 2, 2007

PancakesThe guys at menuism.com are holding their first ever Food Fight this month. Each Food Fight will consist of one type of food which reviewers must rate during a specified time period in order to win prizes. This time the food of choice is pancakes in honor of National Pancake Week (Feb 18 - 24). You didn’t know about national pancake week? Geez - you really need to head to menuism.com more often to keep apprised of the latest in the world of food. You don’t want to be out of the loop do ya?

Anyhow, make sure to go out this month, eat some pancakes (like the awesome Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes at the Bongo Room pictured in this post) and rate what you ate at menuism.com! For more info on the contest head to the contest page. Bon appetite!

Posted by Eric Olson | Filed Under Chicago | Leave a Comment 

Miss the Demos at TC3?

February 1, 2007

If you did, no need to worry. BusinessPOV.com has you covered! Starting today BusinessPOV will put up once video per day through Friday that showcases one of the TECH cocktail 3 demoers. Today’s installment takes a look at Weave the People which is a pretty neat social networking tool for the corporate environment. Make sure to tune in to that video and for the rest of the week to catch some of the latest Chicago tech start-ups. You can also subscribe to the feed to make sure you don’t miss any of the action.

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