Let’s face it, if you are part of the local Tech Start-Up scene you spend *way* too much time in front of your computer. Because we could all do with some running around in the sun, MSU would like to invite you out for the 2010 edition of Co-ed Start-Up Soccer.  Because we had so much fun last year, we’ve scheduled two matches this time around, one in July and the other in August.  For those not familiar with the event, here are the highlights:

* Each team must maintain a minimum of one representative of each sex on the field at all times.

* Absolutely no skill required! It is all about having fun with old friends and making new ones. Anyone taking him or herself too seriously will be subjected to disapproving frowns and made the butt of many jokes.

The event is for anyone involved with tech start-ups. If you don’t want to play, come out and cheer us on anyway. The more the merrier.

Checkout the Facebook page for more details.

One of the things I’ve always regretted about university is that the only career paths that were presented to us were academia and going to work for a large, preferably well known, corporation. That’s why I’m pleased to see an event that seeks to present a third option to students: starting or joining a start-up. It should be a lot of fun, so if you’re working in a start-up try to stop by StartupSquare Montréal this Tuesday evening and share your working experience with some bright students from McGill, Concordia, UdM, HEC and Polytechnique.

The 2010 edition of Capital Innovation is now accepting applications. For those not familiar with it, a jury selects the 10 most promising start-ups from amongst all those applying. These 10 will then be given feedback and coaching, including a couple of practice pitches sessions. The program culminates with the selected companies pitching to a roomful of angels and VCs. Definitely worth it, if you are trying to raise venture money. Get all the details here.

We finally have a time and place for Montreal’s first ever Co-ed Start-Up Soccer match! It’s going to happen at McGill’s Forbes Field on Saturday July 25th from 16:15-18:15. Details available on the Facebook event page.

Hope to see you there!

Let’s face it, we all spend *way* too much time in front of our computers. We could all do with some running around in the sun, so MSU would like to invite you out for a little Co-ed Start-Up Soccer! For those not familiar with the event, here are the highlights:

• Two teams, one composed of investors, the other is composed of tech start-up founders and employees.
• Each team must maintain a minimum of one representative of each sex on the field at all times.
• Absolutely no skill required! It is all about having fun with old friends and making new ones. Anyone taking themselves too seriously will be subjected to disapproving frowns and made the butt of many jokes.

Sign-up here to let us know which times are most convenient for you and we’ll let you know the Where and When of this awesome event!

Maybe it’s just the summer, but I get the feeling that things have slowed down in the local start-up community of late. Fred helped get things started by organizing the first BarCamp. Ben launched the Tech Entrepreneur Breakfasts, Sylvain being Sylvain was everywhere and Heri made sure everyone knew what was going on. These guys were some of the early leaders of the emerging Montreal startup scene. As true entrepreneurs, they’ve all gone on to found companies and start new projects, which are great, but it also means they have a lot less time and energy to organize networking events for the community. These events are important as I regularly come across entrepreneurs looking for partners and business types desperately seeking developers to join their start-up.

The guys at Embrase have stepped up with their StartupCamp but there is still plenty of room for anyone who wants to try their hand at organizing a DemoCamp, a BarCamp or just come up with a completely new event. It’s a great way to raise your profile in the community and a chance to give something back. While it may seem like a daunting task initially, I’m pretty sure the start-up community will rally around and support anyone willing to take the lead in organizing an event. And where better to start planning the autumn’s events than at Startup Drinks tomorrow night

Un gros merci à Austin Hill et Patrick Lauzon pour avoir organisé le deuxième souper Founders and Funders, un événement de réseautage hors pair selon moi, pour ceux et celles qui sont intéressés par le démarrage d’entreprises en TIC.

Parmi les nombreuses discussions de la soirée, une mérite particulièrement d’être répété. Un de mes compagnons de table nous a fait remarquer qu’il y avait très peu de femmes présentes. Je ne blâme aucunement les organisateurs de l’événement, c’est plutôt un reflet des milieux de l’investissement et des technologies de l’information; d’ailleurs, j’ai déjà écrit un billet à ce sujet. Je suis donc heureux de voir l’émergence de plus d’activités ciblant les femmes en technologie. Après Montreal Girl Geek Dinner, voici la FiQ qui offre un évènement sur le thème de l’Entrepreneuriat TI au féminin.

Lundi c’est le deuxième Mobile Monday Montreal (MoMoMo pour les intimes).

Mardi on débute la journée avec un bon petit déjeuner au Tech Entrepreneurs’ Breakfast.

Mercredi c’est la deuxième soirée Founders and Funders. Bien que le souper soit sur invitation seulement, le party sur la terrasse qui suit est ouvert à tous.

Jeudi c’est la deuxième édition du StartupCamp.

Vendredi on essaie de reprendre le dessus sur tout le travail qui s’est accumulé durant la semaine

I’m in Boston and had some free time this morning, so I stopped by the Open Coffee meet up in Cambridge. For those not familiar with the event, it’s like Montreal’s Tech Entrepreneurs Breakfast but on a weekly, not monthly basis. The people I spoke to were friendly, bright and passionate about their projects. There was a heavy, but not exclusive, focus on Web-based startups. In fact, the only real difference between the two events, was the size of the group: the Tech Breakfasts average two to three dozen people vs. the dozen that showed up this morning for Open Coffee. Good times.

Finalement, Montréal aura son premier Mobile Monday, le lundi 14 avril. Que vous ayez participé à l’encan d’Industrie Canada pour obtenir une licence d’opérateur, développez des jeux pour portables ou êtes simplement amoureux du iPhone, je vous encourage tous à venir en grand nombre.

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