A Sack of Seattle

Opening a Community Section at TechStars Seattle Demo Day!

TechStars is all about the community. Community-driven, community-supported. So, for the first time ever in Seattle, I'm excited to open a Community Section* at TechStars Demo Day!

Come join us November 3rd, 2 - 4:30pm at the Showbox Sodo. 

The 10 TechStars companies have been working around the clock for the last 3 months - doing more, faster. The most hyper-productive months of their lives. We're showcasing all their progress with presentations from each company. Come check out what they've built!

I can't wait to celebrate with you!

The first 100 people to do these two things will get to join us at TechStars Seattle Demo Day!

1. Tweet about why you love TechStars Seattle. Best, most creative, funniest tweet wins TechStars swag :) We'll track via hashtag: #tsdday. 

2. Make sure you follow @andysack I'll DM you the invite.

See you there, Seattle!

*Important disclaimer (aka buzzkill)...totally excited to invite you to demo day, but unfortunately that does not include the after party. Immediately following the presentations, we will ask the community section to exit. Please forgive me in advance (I've actually sicked Kayla on this - she'll be doing her best bouncer impersonation). We don't mean to be rude, but we have to set up the dinner and investor networking portion of the event. Thanks for understanding!

 

Inappropriate Use of Email

Financing is top of mind here at the TechStars offices. Not surprising...10 of 10 teams are raising capital. I'm happy that most of the companies already have commitments and are actively looking for angels/vcs to close out their round. At today's all-hands meetings, I was asked questions about financing. Here's a quick peek into how the conversation went today...

ME: "Don't discuss terms or ask for money over email. It may seem more efficient but deals don't get done over email. And worse, emails can be misinterpreted. The process of raising money is relationship management. And if you're managing a relationship...it's gotta be verbal...I mean telephone or in person. 

It's like trying to manage your girlfriend, your spouse or mother via email...can't be done. You gotta talk to her."

SMART ASS QUESTION FROM TECHSTAR: "But what if you have multiple girlfriends?" 

MY SMART ASS RESPONSE: "Well, then YOU certainly don't want your answers in writing." 

Full steam ahead...Demo day is 2 weeks from Thursday!

p.s. Are you an investor or member of the press and want to come to Demo Day on November 3rd? Email kayla@techstars.com for an invite.

Adding Rocketfuel: TechStars Seattle Demo Day partners with Seattle Interactive Conference

Seattle is brewing.

Killer, world class Startups, born and bred in the Pacific Northwest.

And im telling you, it's only going to get better. TechStars and Seattle Interactive Conference are on a mission to invigorate the Seattle ecosystem and showcase the talent of the Pacific Northwest! Consider this the North by Northwest event you don’t want to miss!

TechStars Seattle Demo Day – November 3^rd, 2 – 6pm. 

We are proud to present the 2011 class of TechStars Seattle to the investment community on November 3rd at the Showbox Sodo.  Join hundreds of angel investors and venture capitalists from all over the country as TechStars take the stage to pitch – in a quick and fun way - their business and investment opportunity. After presentations, we invite you to stay for a dinner buffet and networking.  Followed by a great after party! http://demodayseattle2011.eventbrite.com/ For angel investors and venture capitalists only, email kayla@techstars.org if you would like an invite! 

Seattle Interactive Conference - November 2nd & 3rd.

This event is bringing together industry leaders from tech, entertainment and the arts. Its a spectacle of merging cultures fueling the internet and changing the way we think and live. Its a celebration of disruption and the people, ideas, and technologies that fuel that disruption. World class, provocative, and delivered in a distinctly Seattle manner.  And TechStars Seattle is getting in on the action!

This is an exciting partnership between TechStars and the Seattle Interactive Conference. (Peep all the goodness here.) We are thrilled to co-produce this event. We continue to be humbled by the volume and depth of support this city has shown us. Thanks for the love Seattle!

We got it all here folks. Traction, growth, and the determination to make this city one of the best place to build a startup in the world.

Thanks for proving just how much this city takes care of it's own. We won't let you down.

Now go get your tickets! We're going to be way oversubscribed.