Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

After leaving a comment on my buddy’s blog (the fantastic Pat Phelan), I thought it was worth posting it here as I feel quite strongly about this subject. In short, the debate is about the lack of support from the Irish Government when it comes to supporting startups’ attendance to industry conferences.

Read Pat’s blog post here

My thoughts

I agree governments (not just the Irish one, but others too as they’re all the same wherever you go) should do more to help small businesses - especially during the troubled times.

However, I think too many entrepreneurs feel ‘entitled’ to hand-outs in the form of grants and conference subsidies. It would be nice to be on the receiving end but there are so many conferences around the world it’s impossible to send everyone to every conference that ‘they’ feel is appropriate. I also think too many of them feel entitled to investment. Out of interest, I’d like to know how many entrepreneurs closed deals on the basis of partnerships and clients that will generate revenue, or investment. Setting aside the usual helpful networking and rubbing shoulders…

My advice, for what it’s worth, is to focus on generating revenue and use that to pay for events such as TC50 if they are that important. Personally I think most conferences are of limited benefit to startups. I’ve been to TC50 on a freebie thanks to the organizers and I really enjoyed hanging out with the usual suspects – but I didn’t close anything that generated more revenue for any of my businesses. That’s not to say it’s the same for everyone – but I bet the percentage of those who really benefited is/will be tiny.

Have you really got value for money from industry conferences?

I know July 5th falls on a Sunday but if you can, you must make your way to JuJu, 316 - 318 King’s Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5UH to meet some of the best known social media experts from the US (and the UK). I highly recommend this event and have been asked to help promote it. You have just under 2 days to get a ticket for just £10 20 - which will get you food and drinks!

Who’s coming to town

• Robert Scoble
• Craig Newmark
• Sarah Lacy
• Howard Rheingold
• Meghan Asha
• JD Lasica
• Tom Foremski
• Sarah Austin
• Susan Bratton
• Jeff Saperstein
• Renee Blodgett
• Jim Schuyler

To find out more and to register for the event, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/366118069

I sent a tweet this morning to say I was going to do a ‘#followfriday’ for the very first time. A number of people asked me what that meant, so I’ve decided to write a short post to explain.

#followfriday is a way of recommending people you follow, to other users on Twitter. The idea is that those being recommended will gain new followers.

I feel so strongly about my recommendations that I’ve decided to write why I’m recommending them as potential people for you to follow.

People I recommend and why

@Sheetalmmehta (London)

Helping companies to go global, Innovation, Social entrepreneurship, Technology, Investment…

Sheetal is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Sheetal is the UK Dealmaker for the UK Trade & Investment. She sits on several advisory panels including Shelter, UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women), Digital Diaspora Network for Africa, and the LSE Alumni Mentoring Committee. Her volunteer work is extensive and she is currently writing a book on Social Venture Capital. One of her most notable accomplishments is her new foundation that enables developing communities to access cutting-edge technology based on a social enterprise model.

@Mikeyfletch (London)

Technology journalist, Events, Networking

Mike is an established business & lifestyle journalist. He’s launched three magazines on behalf of UK publishing house Haymarket Media Group & specialises in marketing, media & live events. He is Contributing Editor for Visit London and also owns a part-share in digital networking company Net.works. Mike is also one of the best connected, if not the best connected person in the entire UK events industry.

@PatPhelan (Cork)

Technology with a bias towards mobile, Connector, Innovation

Pat is the founder and President of Cubic Telecom, a well known disruptor in telephony circles and one of the leading voices of Voice 2.0. Pat has developed a number of unique products for the USA, UK and Irish markets including MAXroam, and is a board member of Global Roaming, a NASDAQ listed company (OTCBB:GRDB). Pat has a genuine passion for connecting people and has been responsible for connecting me with some truely amazing people.

@JackieDanicki (San Francisco)

Marketing (true expert in the use of new tools, techniques and trends such as social and Web 2.0), Connector, Writer

Jackie is an extremely direct person who always speaks her mind. She’s an incredibly insightful marketer which is difficult to come by. Almost every marketer and PR expert think they know how to make best use of Web 2.0 tools and techniques. Jackie does - which is why she’s the Director of Marketing at Qik; one of the most innovative mobile products companies in the world. Like Pat, Jackie has a genuine passion for connecting people and has been responsible for connecting me with some truely amazing people.

@Jobsworth (London)

Technology, Social Enterprise, Innovation, Writer, OpenSource,

JP has  spent most of his life working in the space where finance meets technology, for a number of very large firms. Since 2006 he has worked for BT, as part of BT Design, where he is Head of Innovation and Strategy. He has a passion for how work is changing: the paradigms created by globalisation, disintermediation and the web; the implications of virtualisation, service orientation and commoditisation.  JP is an inspiring speaker and writer, who I admire most for his passion for how technology can be put to good use for the benefit of society.

If you decide to follow any of these great people, or you do already, please feel free to retweet my message - they all deserve to be heard by as many people as possible.

You can also leave a comment with the people you recommend on Twitter.

In preparation for my talk in Greece tomorrow. A massive thanks to Eileen Brown from Microsoft for sending them across to my office on time.

Twitter has been responsible for my lack of blogging of late, so rather than try to write about all the stuff I’ve been up to over the past couple of weeks, I’ve posted some pictures and a video to help capture the essence of my recent shenanigans.

Pictures taken include the breakfast that Jeff Pulver and I hosted at Kettners with over 90 companies present - it was a great morning but as you can see from the video below, I was a little worse for wear and should never appear in front of a camera that early in the morning. Other pictures were taken at various dinners and of course, the pool shot was in South of France.

Jeff Pulver, Loren Feldman, Pat Phelan Andrew Keen and JP Rangaswami.

Watch this video on 1938media.com. If you want to leave a comment re the video please do so on Loren’s blog as I’ve just ripped it from his site.

Looking for a COO to launch and run this new StartUp.

Many companies and people court the attention and resources of StartUps.

But who to believe?

• What is the best SEO company?
• Who is a good StartUp lawyer?
• Know any great web designers?
• I think I have some IP, who’s best to help me protect it?

How can I get my first bit of funding?

Some think I’m a trusted source of recommendations and am asked these sorts of questions on a daily basis. The idea is to put the answers to these commonly asked questions in one online repository evolved into the “StartUp Marketplace”.

The portal, will allow start-up businesses to connect directly with hundreds of hard-to-reach early-adopter investors in possession of digital funds that range from £6,000 to £600,000.

Marketplace users will also be able to access proven business-plan templates, which can be filled in online and sent directly to interested parties.

A wealth of professional business advice on subjects such as, obtaining Government grants or how to get start-up businesses up and running, will also be freely available.

A special section for aspiring business mentors will ensure that the Marketplace will work as both a business networking portal and a business providing valuable information and leads.

Off-line activity will include regular meet-ups, mentor breakfasts and other opportunities for users to enhance their business potential.

Unfair advantage

I have amassed the list of the people I know and trust in order that they are happy with being involved. Once this list was assembled it occurred to me that I had, in my opinion, THE best team any start-up could have. It occurred to me that StartUp Marketplace could be a StartUp Business itself.

Industry & market niche

I know the StartUp space. Some think I’m also a trusted name within it. So I’m leveraging this trust for the StartUp Marketplace. It’s my name and reputation at risk if I wasn’t to uphold quality and standard of the recommendations.

Marketing & sales process

Good amounts of focused user traffic will be achieved through group recommendation through social networks and word-of-mouth positive referral.

The Marketplace is also plugging straight in to a number of other trusted social networks - which I’m keeping to myself for now…

Management

Little ole me and CFO to start-ups and entrepreneurs, Rob Carter CA.

If you think you have what it takes to create and launch the StartUp Marketing, please email me paulatsegala.com

Remuneration: Equity!

Today marks the launch of a startup called Net.works to add to my tiny portfolio. With the dream team Mike Fletcher and Caroline Whitmey (AKA Ms. Bond), we are going to bring structure to the stuff that we do already; networking events which are both fun and practical. Events include Digital Dinners - Robert Loch, Founder of Internet People Dinners, has kindly said we can take over his format. Top Cats, Brainstorming Breakfasts, Retreats and other gatherings to bring likeminded people together.

The team

Little ole me

Mike Fletcher

When it comes to events, this guy has been there, seen them all and bought the t-shirt. For seven years, Mike Fletcher was the editor of Event and RSVP magazines. He is now an established freelance journalist and writer and specialises in experience marketing, live events digital media and consumer lifestyle. Mike is also the Contributing Editor for Visit London so is always the first port of call for anyone looking for a venue, bar or restaurant in the capital. With strong ties to the International Special Events Society and London Launch.com, Mike knows what it takes to get the party started. Fascinating Fact: Mike used to get paid to go clubbing in fancy-dress for his own monthly page in Sky Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter.

Caroline Whitmey

Adding beauty, a creative flair and a pinch of glamour to the team is Caroline Whitmey. By day, Caroline runs her own high end unique events company, offering indulgent, creative and relaxed experiences for ladies only. With a little black book bulging with contacts from her background in television and media plus Ms Bond’s female client list, our very own Scottish lass will ensure every Net.works event is the right mix of fun and business. Fascinating Fact: Caroline appeared on Blind Date and was asked to make animal noises. She lost to a porn star in hot-pants. Follow Caroline on Twitter.

Check out the new Web site and sign up for upcoming events.

Leave a comment if you’d like us change anything about our current events, or if you’d like to see us add something new and refreshing.

And thank you…

… to the guys at Digi Nut who designed and built the Web site. They were fantastic - very responsive and extremely helpful. Our thanks go especially to Danny Bull at the agency.

OpenSoho is an informal meet-up in Soho for people working in the tech & media industries in London. Everyone welcome. It’s not necessary to live or work in the Soho area to join the group or attend the events.

Last month, 200 tickets went in less than 12 hours and this month, 200 disappeared in less than 3 hours! Moreover, the tickets this month were released to my mailing list only. As I promised the mailing list, they’ll always be the first to hear about tickets being released for OpenSoho and all other upcoming events - if you’re not signed up already, why not do it now.

At the time of writing this post, there were 28 tickets left for OpenSoho March - which by the way, falls on St Patrick’s Day. So, it’s compulsory to wear something Irish - even if it’s just something green.

Sponsored by

http://www.voipuser.org/

“VoIP User is the largest open-source voice network. They like to buck the mainstream trend by building interesting applications around VoIP and by using a unique funding model based on revenue generated by calls inbound to its network. VoIP User also have a well-maintained, spam free, forum for discussion about voice technologies and their application.”

Please get in touch if you’d like to sponsor an OpenSoho in the future - paulatwubud.com

What happens if I don’t get a ticket?

If you don’t manage to get a ticket, please don’t email us as there’s way too much admin involved in adding people. We really can’t make exceptions to the rule this month. We might however, run a lottery closer to the time if the demand is high enough. Please leave a comment here if you don’t get a ticket and would like to be entered into the lottery.

Register for OpenSoho now.

The Chateau in the picture is the actual venue we’re going to use.

What could be more fun than a focused business retreat in a stunning 17th century Chateau with 3 swimming pools?!

There’s no point in just having an idea, you need to execute! Two friends launched a new travel company recently called pure escapes, so I decided to take a look at the site to see if it was appropriate to pimp to my Twitter followers - within seconds the site made sense and it got me thinking about how we could organise a business related event at one of their fantastic venues.

So, I’m doing it - all decided in an hour. Actually, I won’t be doing it. ‘We’ will be doing it - it’ll be under the new networking events company I’m setting up with Caroline Whitmey and Mike Fletcher.

The trip is heavily subsidised so we hope it’s accessible to everyone. There’s room for 24 entrepreneurs at a cost of just £449 per person - that includes:

• Flights (from Luton, London - people from other countries are welcome!) £349 if you don’t want to use the flights we’re putting on - this will help those flying from a different country/city
• 3 nights accommodation
• 3 course meal each night including wine. The chef and staff will prepare the meal, serve it and clear away
• Welcome pack of food to cover breakfast and lunches while we are there
• Daily maid service
• Access to likeminded people for 3 days - people who will share ideas and help to resolve real business issues

This is a business retreat that will be fun, creative, productive and unforgettable. It might even end up being the first of many retreats abroad. It doesn’t stop when the retreat is over - you will receive post-event help from at least 2 people to you generate new business.

More about the venue

Within an hour’s drive are the wonderful towns of Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Bordeaux is known for its beauty and historical background, with elegant boulevards and countless boutique cafes.

The interior consists of 18 bedrooms, 13 spacious bathrooms, an intimate salon, a snooker room, 3 equipped kitchens, a large 30 seat indoor dining room or an outdoor dining terrace for those warm evenings, BBQ area and 3 swimming pools.

Our thanks go to pure escapes for subsidising the trip to help make it very accessible to everyone.

Travel itinerary

The flight details are - London Luton to Bordeaux on Saturday 9th May, departing at 13.35 and arriving at 16.20. Returning on Tuesday 12th at 16.50 arriving at 17.35. Transfer - 1 1/4 hour drive to and from the chateau. Attendees flying from a different airport can discount £100 from the total price.

We’re looking for sponsors to help reduce the price per person even further. Please get in touch if you’re interested. Please get in touch if you’re a journalist and would like to cover the story. Don’t we need more of this?

Feel free to leave a comment if you have ideas on how we could run the retreat - even if you don’t want to come. All ideas are most welcome. We already have a bunch of cool people who want in. We even have two potential sponsors already!

To apply for this unique and unrivaled networking opportunity, please email me at paulatsegala.com and provide as much background about yourself as possible.

Sign up to the mailing list if you want to be the first to hear about this, OpenSoho and other cool events in the future.

Sponsored by:

Please get in touch if you’d like to support/sponsor this event - paulatsegala.com

I will continue to update this post as details become available.