Coming Events
StartUp Missouri - January 31st from 11am --4pm
Where: T-rex, 611 Olive Street 12th Floor, St. Louis
Register Here or Startupmo.org
************************************
Washington U Tech Entrepreneurs Speakers
- February 2nd Starting at 5:00pm
***************************************
Capital Innovators Event - February 2nd 6:00pm--9:00pm will be announcing the companies accepted to its Spring 2012 Accelerator Program at Copia Urban Winery in downtown St. Louis. More information and RSVP
*****************************************
ITEN 2nd Thursday February 9th 4:00pm--6:00pm
Feature SOPA Discussion 
Join ITEN's monthly 2nd Thursday networking to hear Ewin Barnett, co-founder of Carfax and ITEN mentor discuss the on-going debate between the need to protect intellectual property versus the right to have unfettered access to internet websites. Sponsored by AHM Financial Group
Please click here for more information
|
Funds & Investors
Missouri IDEA Funds
The MTC has opened another round of funding opportunities for the IDEA funds. Applications and additional information are available at www.missouritechnology.com. Submissions for this round are due February 3, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
*****************************************
Arch Grants
Arch Grants is excited to announce the launch of their Business Plan Competition. Arch Grants will select at least 10 promising startups to receive $50,000 each in undiluted capital. In addition, Arch Grants supports the growth of winning companies by providing access to business networking and mentoring, free legal and accounting services, collaboration with local universities, and discounts on housing and affordable office space. After receiving an initial Arch Grant, startups have the opportunity to secure a second round of up to $100,000 along with direct access to St. Louis-based angel investors. You can find more information as well as apply on their website.
Arch Grants seeks to create a more robust startup culture and infrastructure in St. Louis. To increase employment growth and establish St. Louis as a place where entrepreneurs want to start and grow their businesses, Arch Grants offers startups funding in the form of grants and supports the startups as they remain or transition to downtown St. Louis. The Arch Grants Business Plan Competition supports entrepreneurs looking to play a formative role in building a new entrepreneurial climate in St. Louis.
|
Internship 
Washington University's Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is now accepting applications for our 2012 Summer Internship Program. Click Here for more details
|
|
|
G2I Entrepreneurial Showcase Now Accepting Applications
The G2I Conference brings hundreds of IT and corporate executives to St. Louis each spring. In 2012, the conference will be on April 26 at Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel downtown.
As a part of the conference, he Entrepreneurial Showcase provides a platform for exchange, investment and alliance building between local emerging growth companies and Fortune 1000, Nasdaq 100, International 200, and other companies in technology (e-commerce / internet, software, telecommunications, computers / peripherals, multimedia, etc.).
The Entrepreneurial Showcase provides companies (no service providers), seeking equity funding or strategic alliances, with two registrations, and a pipe-and-drape exhibit space with draped table in a designated area. This area will provide the participants an opportunity to showcase their company to panelists and other investors throughout the conference. All breaks and receptions will be held in the designated Company Showcase area.
Applications are now being accepted for this unique event, presenting a great opportunity for early stage tech ventures to capture the attention of large corporations. Detail and APPLICATION FORM click here.
|
ClubVision and Edthena Graduate from ITEN Mock Angel Program
We're very happy to announce that two ventures have completed Mock Angel training, preparing them for investor discussions and consideration. ClubVision , headed by CEO Brian Blanchard, provides live streaming video from events and venues, accessible via a mobile app. Edthena , founded by Adam Geller, has built a video platform for teacher training, mentoring and coaching programs. Both ventures have agreements with early adopters and are well on their way to successful execution.
The Mock Angel program has been very successful, with 9 of our first 11 graduates receiving outside funding. We wish the same great success for ClubVision and Edthena, our most recent graduates!
|
 Mentor Spotlight
Adesh Sharma
I joined ITEN in 2009, just when I started a digital marketing venture, although I have been associated with IT ventures for many years. I am a native of India, although I left India long time ago and graduated in Australia and lived there more than 13 years. St. Louis is now my permanent home for the last 9 years.
It has been an interesting journey for me, starting as a computer engineer with an Australian utility company, then moving on to management consulting with CSC ( Computer Science Corporation). Being a consultant at various levels for 18 years, it has always been all about the customer: how we solve their problems using technology or any other way possible. Concern for the customer is always at the forefront of my mind. Looking at the picture is what comes naturally to me. One of my main skills is to bridge the gap between business and technology. Too Often, technologists get lost in the technology while forgetting the business goals. It is critical that we start with the business first, technology is only an enabler.
Being a mentor with ITEN, gives me the ability to interact with startups and help them with both my technology as well as my marketing background. Recently I joined the BMV group of the ITEN, it is exciting to see so many talented folks coming up with amazing ideas for businesses. Currently my mentoring focus is with social Media, it is great to work with the entrepreneurs , brainstorming marketing ideas that can bring them quick results.
Social media marketing as a branch of digital Marketing is the fastest growing area for marketing businesses. Though traditional marketing has its place, digital marketing is something no business can ignore, the demographics are dictating businesses broadcast their messages on the internet, various search engines and so many other channels. Gen X and Gen Y folks don't see the message any other way other than on the internet. Whatever the vertical space a business is in, social media integration has become a must. As the president of WSI social Media Marketing, I've built a company that works with SMB businesses with their social media marketing strategy, helping them quickly scale their business.
|
|
|
|
