It’s Women 2.0’s 3rd Annual Pitch 2009: Startup Competition, and five emerging businesses will be chosen to pitch live on May 7.

Prizes include:

• One-on-one meeting with Michael Moritz
• 3 months of office space and mentoring
• Marketing strategy
• PR strategy
• Legal support

Now there is an entry fee of $25. And you may think you’re leaping through hoops to apply. (I think it’s fun stuff, but others  may differ). Youll need a business plan, a paper napkin idea presentation & a video.

For more information go to http://www.women2.org/pitch2009/

Post from: EveryJoe

Women With A Startup: Contest Alert

In the bill, Federal agencies with an annual extramural research and development budget of over $100 million are required to allocate 2.5 percent of their extramural R&D dollars to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

But the compromises include participation of companies majority owned and controlled by multiple venture capital companies.

So what do you think? Is this bill good for small businesses? I have my doubts.

Post from: EveryJoe

New small business bill approved – but will it really help?

I often meet people who are looking to have their startup funded. But here’s the problem: venture capitalists and other angel investors do not fund startups.

Remember,  angel investors do more than open their pocketbooks. Many are entrepreneurs themselves, providing contacts, entrepreneurial insight and other helpful information to the people they invest in.

And notice I said people. Most angels don’t invest in an idea. After all, ideas are a dime a dozen. They invest in the person who has the idea.

Sounds great, but how do you find one of these angels?

• Matchmaker, make me a match!: There are several different websites online that you can sign up for that attempt to match up you and your business to an interested angel investor. They are based on the same concept as the online dating sites except you’re finding a professional, not a lover.
• Directory assistance: Many other sites offer a simple directory of known angel investors and angel investing groups. Just be sure to do your homework before you, and they, take the leap of faith.
• Research, Research, Research: Don’t just go trying to sell your idea to any angel investor whose name pops up. Learn about them, what they have invested in and what they are interested in investing in, or at least what types of fields. This way you will know if your idea stands a chance at being picked up by them or if it will end up in the trash.
• Network it: Angel investors usually know other investors or are part of a group of investors. If you meet with someone and agree that it would not work out, don’t be afraid of asking for referrals to people that investor thinks might be interested in your idea. The worst they can say is no, and the best thing that can happen is that they know someone who is a great match for your idea.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hey startup! Paul Graham may have some $$ for you

They gave some good ideas.

But I think they only hit the tip of the iceberg on what people could be doing.

What about marketing? Sure, it’s great it pad your bottom line with VC funds and using collaborative, larger businesses. But sometimes you must do things yourself – and not rely on the fortune of others.

Here’s one thought: how’s that website working?  Are you capturing leads and communicating with them on a regular basis? Or is your site just pretty – and pretty static.

Look, in order to keep surviving, you must eventually find customers.  That means you MUST collect leads from interested parties.  But more importantly, you need to follow up on those leads – and often.

So what if your project is still in beta!  You can still reach out to potential customers and get them excited about what’s going on.  Give them updates; get their ideas. Whatever you do – don’t neglect them!

Post from: EveryJoe

How are you bracing for the slump?

Since venture capitalist need to focus on putting money back in their portfolios, they have less to invest.  The result: less IPOs and other startups.

According to the article, there have been just four venture-backed IPOs nationwide in 2008, much less than expected.

So what does this mean to you?  Will you be affected by a lack of VC?

(Photo courtesy of Shannon Cherry of Be Heard Solutions.com)

Post from: EveryJoe

Slowdown slowing new startups

According to the Washington Post,  West Coast and Midwest regions are becoming even popular for VC.

In addition, VCs are investing more. In the US, VC investing grew from $1.2 billion in 2002 to $1.6 billion in 2007, an increase of 33 percent.

Post from: EveryJoe

Where are the venture capitalists?