Best Upcoming Bay Area Startup Events

Posted by cass

February 15, 2010

Starting with the next edition, I will be including an “Austin” section for the SXSW parties and events. I will also be posting daily for SXSW party updates on my blog. So if you’re headed to Texas this March, be sure to bookmark WebWallflower.com for daily discounts, deals, and guides to the show.

FailChat #1: The Pivot
March 3rd, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
PariSoma
What do Flickr, YouTube, and Nintendo all have in common? They each went through a pivot: the act of a company drastically changing their product and/or business plan to attract a larger and/or more profitable market to avoid bankruptcy or business failure. With proper planning, good advisers, and loyal users, it can still be an excellent way for any startup to bounce back. Come meet and network with industry leaders, founders, and more, then join in our panel discussion on how and when to pivot, what it entails, what to expect, and more! Tickets available at http://thepivot.eventbrite.com

Aside from that, there are a number of exciting upcoming events. Check it out!

-=Cass=-
@webwallflower

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TOP UPCOMING BAY AREA TECH EVENTS
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EVENT DISCOUNTS
SAN FRANCISCO EVENTS
BAY AREA EVENTS

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EVENT DISCOUNTS:

25% off – The Future of Funding
February 18th, 2010
San Mateo Marriot
The funding of innovation is going through a major transformation. On February 18, in San Mateo, CA, you are invited to join 200 limited partners, venture capitalists, and top entrepreneurs to discuss the future of funding. The one day symposium examines new ideas and new models for investment, covering the key questions facing the funding of innovation in 2010. Where will the returns come from? Are the incentives aligned? Are the terms too complicated? Who are the new players? What are the new models? An all-star lineup of leading VCs, innovative Angels, and visionary Entrepreneurs such as Chris Dixon, Mike Maples, George Zachary, Jeff Clavier, Barry Silbert, and more are scheduled to speak on numerous panels throughout the day. More information is available at http://futureoffunding.eventbrite.com/?discount=webwall.

15% off – Flash Gaming Summit 2010
March 8, 2010 – 9am to 6pm
UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco
Flash Gaming Summit is back for its second year! Join us for a one day conference dedicated to fostering the growth and success of the Flash games community. The conference will bring together leaders in the Flash game space to share industry insights and strategies on successful game design, development and monetization. Register at http://fgsummit2010.eventbrite.com/?discount=15friends

$50 off – Freemium Summit
Friday, March 26th, 2010
UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center
The first Freemium Summit is a one day event focused on exploring what it takes to succeed under the freemium business model. Across all segments of the media landscape, entrepreneurs and executives are pioneering models that combine a free offering with a premium, paid offering. This hybrid business model is one of the most exciting areas of business model innovation impacting the world of media and the Freemium Summit will explore the most important topics on the minds of leading practitioners. We have a super lineup of presenting companies including Evernote, Xobni, Pandora, Dropbox, Recurly, Tapulous, TripIt, Smule, and many others. Register at http://freemiumsummit-webwallflower.eventbrite.com for $50 off General Admission!

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SAN FRANCISCO EVENTS:

Finance4Founders
Feb 16th, 6:00 – 9:00p
Hotel Monaco
Finance4Founders is a group of Silicon Valley geeks, entrepreneurs, & investors dedicated to educating and helping the next generation of internet startups around issues of fund raising, option pools, and term sheets. We meet monthly over dinner to discuss relevant topics in raising capital, working with investors, and compensating great teams. Apply at http://www.finance4founders.com/invite/

Social Media Club: Everyone’s Doing It
Feb 16th, 6:00 – 9:00p
Automattic Lounge, Pier 38
Question: to “go social” or not? And should we still be asking that question? With San Francisco and Silicon Valley leading the world in web innovation and many considering our area the epicenter of all things social media, why are Bay Area companies still so reluctant – as much as those in the Midwest – to engage in the social web? We’ve assembled a clever and varied panel for a provocative discussion from several different perspectives: big business, non-profits, small to medium size business, and a very specific alternative industry. For more information and to register, check out http://smcsfsv2-16-10.eventbrite.com/

SF NewTech
February 17th, 5:30p – 11:00p
Mighty Bar
Need I say much on this, the largest and longest running regular startup and tech meetup in the city. Every show introduces high-quality new company demos, connects amazing people with one another, fills hungry bellies with tacos, and is an all-around grand ol’ time. Check it out and register at http://feb17sfnewtech-rss.eventbrite.com/

Wikipedia: A New Model for Global Collaboration
Feb 22nd, 5:30 – 7:30pm
World Affairs Council
Wikipedia is one of the five most visited websites on Earth, and the largest encyclopedia and collaborative knowledge project in history. In the age of the internet and new media technology, Wikipedia has pioneered a successful and open model that relies on the knowledge and insight of many. But what can we learn from its success and how has Wikipedia transformed where we get our information from? In international affairs, what can we learn from Wikipedia and its 100,000 volunteer editors about how international events are reported, perceived and posted to the website from other countries? Jay Walsh joins the World Affairs Council to provide an overview of the history of the growth of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation. For information, check out ItsYourWorld.com

Rock Your Business on Yelp!
Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Sandbox Suites, 123 10^th St.
If you think Yelp is only for restaurants and spas, think again. Many entrepreneurs ignore Yelp as a helpful tool to market their business, get super-high Google rankings and positive testimonials. Hear how three successful business owners have gotten almost 200 positive reviews and brought business traffic to their door. Tax Ninja, TechCollective and Custom Living Solutions will share tips and tricks on using Yelp to drive more business, how to get more reviews from customers, how to deal with bad reviews and how to deal with Yelp itself. Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. Information at http://www.meetup.com/SF-Coworking/calendar/12519389/

The Atelier Tech Radar: Mobile
Feb 23rd, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Atelier Offices
Join us as we examine the new models and new markets available in the rapidly growing mobile ecosystem. We are introducing thought leaders from four innovative mobile companies. The workshop (aka. Atelier) will track innovation in real-time information and wisdom of crowd services, localized based services, and high-end design for mobile devices. More information: http://techradar.eventbrite.com

SF New Media Drinkup
Feb 24th, 6:00 – 9:30pm
Fluid Bar
We are a group of marketing, advertising and entertainment professionals in San Francisco that meet monthly for casual mingling. If you are a brand marketer or work at an ad agency, interactive agency, PR firm or media company (online or offline) then this is your chance to come and hang out with your peers in a laid-back environment. More information at their Facebook Event.

Andriod Charity Meetup
Feb 24th, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Seesmic Offices
Motorola and Seesmic are teaming up to get people getting together at the offices of Seesmic on February 24, 2010 at 6:30pm to network with other Android fans. Bring your Android devices, your newly developed Android applications, or check out what’s new in Android and help out a great cause – the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We’ll be having appetizers, drinks, raffle and silent auction items. The funds raised at this event go towards leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma research plus provide patients with financial aid, educational seminars, and peer support groups. Invite your friends, family, and co-workers to this event. Free to attend, but space is limited! sign up here: http://androidcharity.eventbrite.com/

Tips for Surviving and Thriving as a Freelancer
Feb 24th, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Mechanics Institute
What’s the recipe for a successful freelance lifestyle? Whether we work with local or national nonprofits, publishing houses or individual book authors, industry-leading corporations or for-profit start-ups, freelancers and contractors typically face similar challenges: promoting services, securing new clients, ensuring repeat business, finding a work-life balance, and preparing for the future. The feast-or-famine work cycle requires effective time-management practices. Is there room for improvement in your own routine? Do you find yourself asking whether you’re truly successful? Join us for what promises to be a lively panel discussion with five freelancers who will discuss their strategies and philosophies, as well as shed light on how they find balance in their freelance work lives.

Evernote Notable Tech Event
Feb 25th, 6:00 – 9:00pm
111 Minna Gallery
Evernote is hosting its first ever Notable Tech Event, and we hope to see you all there! February is all about our partners—those great companies and developers that are building Evernote into a wide array of cool products. We decided to do more than talk about them, we’re going to celebrate their work with a night of tech, talk, and entertainment. As if that wasn’t enough, there’ll be a great panel discussion, food, drinks, and some surprise giveaways throughout the night. More information at http://notabletech.eventbrite.com/

Finding a Great Adviser
Feb 25th, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Citizen Space
So a great advisor can provide you with advice, introductions, investment, social proof, access to new markets, and more. But how do you find great advisors, and why would they want to help you? How can you tell if an advisor is any good? A poor advisor can also be a waste of your time and resources. Come connect, meet and learn from Mark Coopersmith – Advisor to DirecTV and Intel and also Adjunct Professor, Entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Learn from someone who has been there and done that from many sides of this complex issue. Understand everything you ever wanted to know about finding a great advisor. Save $10 here.

How to Build a Web App Business Workshop by FreshBooks
Feb 26th, 9:00a – 1:00p
1461 15th St.
FreshBooks CEO and Co-Founder shares the A to Zs of building a web app he learned through his own experience building the leading online invoicing service, FreshBooks. From building to marketing to financing, this is the perfect workshop for folks building a web app or other startup. For more information, check out the Freshbooks site.

2010 Competition Launch
Friday, February 26th from 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Autodesk Gallery
The 2010 Launch Party kicks off the year with appetizers and wine, the best of our Alumni exhibiting, and Art Rosenfeld, California Energy Commissioner, receiving our Green Catalyst Award. With tickets at just $27, you don’t want to miss this! Register at http://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi/events/177/view

Ignite Bay Area
March 2nd, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Automattic, Pier 38
If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world individuals have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers. In the words of the founders: “During Global Ignite Week, impassioned speakers from all walks of life—entrepreneurs, technologists, DIYers, artists, farmers, and creative professionals—will present innovative ideas and solutions before an enthusiastic, often standing-room-only hometown crowd..they’ll aim to live up to the Ignite motto: ‘Enlighten us, but make it quick.’” Details on speeches, including bike building and “humanifestos,” can be found at @IgniteBayArea and tickets at http://ignitebayarea2.eventbrite.com/

15% off – Flash Gaming Summit 2010
March 8, 2010 – 9am to 6pm
UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco
Flash Gaming Summit is back for its second year! Join us for a one day conference dedicated to fostering the growth and success of the Flash games community. The conference will bring together leaders in the Flash game space to share industry insights and strategies on successful game design, development and monetization. Register at http://fgsummit2010.eventbrite.com/?discount=15friends

Girls in Tech: Power and Presence
March 9th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Slide, Inc.

For those looking for a breakthrough in public speaking, or executive “presence,” Bronwyn will help you discover the power your presence can bring. Using techniques developed from years of coaching top business executives, Bronwyn Saglimbeni will help attendees develop the skills most relevant to them: the physical and vocal presence to powerfully engage the audience. Join us if you are looking to: “Own the room” in meetings and interactions; Be a more compelling, persuasive public speaker, or presenter; Overcome the habits that stand in the way of your credibility. More information at http://powerandpresence.eventbrite.com

San Francisco Breakfast Briefing
Tuesday, March 9th from 8:00am to 10:00am
Reed Smith
Our successful Breakfast Briefing series starts the new year in San Francisco. Lee Cooper from PG&E will join us to discuss emerging technologies in the energy efficiency sector. Plus you’ll get the latest information the 2010 competition, deadlines, events and more. A lght breakfast will complement the great networking. Tickets are just $15. Register here: http://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi/events/179/view

F2P Forum Mixer at GDC
March 10th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
111 Minna Gallery
Welcome to the third annual F2P Forum mixer at GDC! This year, we are co-hosting with CD Networks, our Diamond sponsor. Come have a few drinks on us, and hang out with the coolest cats of the virtual goods industry. Thanks to our generous sponsors, our second Free 2 Play Forum GDC mixer last year was a successful event attended by more than 500 attendees in the virtual goods space. This year we have a bigger venue and a larger audience that includes leaders from the fast-growing social gaming, traditional free-to-play MMO, console, casual and flash game industries. Information on their FB page.

TwestivalSF
March 25th, 7:00 – 10:00p
What does a Festival, Twitter and San Francisco all have in common? @TwestivalSF! On March 25, 2010 over 200+ cities around the globe will be participating to raise money for Concern Worldwide @concern. San Francisco’s event will be held at Horizon Lounge in North Beach. LIVE105 will be opening up the party at 6 p.m. Stoke 9 will be joining for an acoustic session at 8 p.m. along with many door prizes, raffles and more! For more information, please visit http://www.twestivalsf.com
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BAY AREA EVENTS:

Facebook Developers’ Meetup
Feb 17th, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Wilmerhale, Palo Alto
Join one of the largest Facebook develop meetups in the Bay Area as the discuss the newest changes to the API, how to handle user requests, privacy issues, and more. Information and registration at http://www.meetup.com/facebookmeetup/

Measure Your Sales Success
Feb 18th, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Trident Capital, Palo Alto
The myth that SaaS sales drive themselves, and startups don’t need to pour resources into enterprise sales teams has been dispelled. The sales cycle for enterprise SaaS has proven longer and more expensive than many founders expected and, to add salt to the wound, the on-boarding process can get complex and drawn out too. When ‘everything-is-a-service’ it might feel like ‘everyone’ is a potential customer. One of the first steps to success is being laser-focused on metrics to qualify leads, then have a defined process to go after them…So, what is the “new” sales process and operating model for SaaS startups? Info and tickets at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=196385

Women’s Leadership Summit
Feb 20th, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sun Microsystems – Bldg 10, Menlo Park
Come hear seasoned Entrepreneurs and Professionals at the Annual OPEN Women’s Leadership Forum 2010. Building on the success of last year, OPEN is excited about 2010′s theme: “Finding Your Power: Creating Opportunities in Tumultuous Times.” We will be joined by some of the most prominent leadership in business today including Nilofer Merchant, Founder and CEO of Rubicon, as our Morning Keynote and Sharon Meers, Co-author of Getting to 50/50 as our Afternoon Keynote. For more information, check out http://www.opensiliconvalley.org

Europe in the Global Entrepreneuship Scene
Feb 22nd, 4:15 – 5:30pm
Skilling Auditorium, Stanford
Part of the Stanford Entrepreneur Week, Session Six shifts our attention to the global entrepreneurship scene, and how Europe compares to other leading regions. Our special guest speaker Dr. Ignacio de la Vega will give an overview of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2009 Global Report that was recently launched in January 2010. Information at http://me421.stanford.edu

SV Tweetup
Feb 23rd, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Rosie McCanns in Santana Row
Mark your calendars friends. The next tweetup is on the horizon and right around the corner. As usual, we want to do something more than just build our networks and have fun. We are raising awareness and accepting monetary donations to the San Jose Family Shelter, an amazing cause that is helping families with children in dire need. More information at the Facebook page.

Reverse VC Pitch Party
Feb 24th, 6:00 – 8:30p
Stanford
Normally, you pitch VCs. Well now VCs are here to charm you during Stanford’s eWeek. Larry Chiang launches his newest event series this February at Stanford. Be sure to check it out at http://vcgsb.eventbrite.com/

Founders Institute Investor Summit
Feb 24th, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Wilson Sonsini, Palo Alto
It’s one of those magic Plancast Events, so I don’t have many details on it. But the RSVP list is already some top-name valley folk, so check it out and decide for yourself: http://plancast.com/a/m0x

Bay Area Game Jam Pre-Party
Feb 24th, 7:30 – 9:30p
BBC Menlo Park
Want to win $3000 and recognition for your game? Want to learn more about the Bay Area Game Jam 2010 hosted by Wild Pockets and Microsoft? Want to find teammates, share ideas and meet other cool game developers? Join us for one or both of the informal pre-event meet ups leading up to the Bay Area Game Jam. Drinks, food, giveaways, and games! RSVP at http://wildpockets.com/gamejam?quicktabs_5=2#quicktabs-5

Startup2Startup
Feb 25th, 6:00 – 9:00pm
This event is by invitation only, but be sure to apply at http://startup2startup.com/invite/ Their next discussion features Mark Fletcher, the founder/CEO of Bloglines and YahooGroups. Similar to Finance4Founders, this event pairs first time entrepreneurs with experienced entrepreneurs, advisers, and potential investors for a room discussion followed up intimate table discussions. Definitely check it out.

iPhone Play
Feb 25th, 6:40 – 8:40pm
Plug & Play, Sunnyvale
This event will showcase keynote speeches by experts in iPhone industry and demo from some cool iPhone App companies. The theme of this iPhone Play is “How to leverage the App Store” on iPhone and iPad. Our first speaker – Ben Keighran – Founder and CEO of Chomp www.chompapp.com will discuss the trends, strategies, and about his company. Will will also allow 10 hot iPhone Application companies demo their cool products. Information at http://pnpiphoneplay.eventbrite.com/

BootStrap Heroes – Building a Company Without Venture Capital
March 2nd, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Cooley LLC, Palo Alto
Despite the dream of many entrepreneurs to meet investors with deep pockets that will enable them to live in style while they employ teams of experts to build and market their idea, the fact is that 99.9 percent of businesses are bootstrapped. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With a lot of sweat and the occasional welcome dollop of luck, bootstrapping a business can be both financially and emotionally rewarding. When done well, it can really get a company going fast, and without the founders having to give up much (if any) equity – or bankrupting themselves. So, what does it mean and how do you bootstrap a company?This lively discussion with our panel of experts who have been there, done that – in some cases several times! – will explore the following questions, and more, to help you figure out if bootstrapping is for you. Information at SVASE.

The Success of Failing
March 9th
Stanford
Young Women Social Entrepreneurs presents “ResetGo Live at Stanford” an intimate conversation on unexpected stories in business and careers specifically for women at work. Join us for a new kind of networking event for the entrepreneur in you. This unique panel‐networking event will combine interactive intros that will get you out of your seat, stories about surprising crossroads in business that will have you imagining new possibilities in your life, and tools to help you connect.

PlugandPlay TechCenter Events
Daily!
So PlugandPlay TechCenter has a ton of awesome events, and it would take an entire newsletter just to share them all. Skim their calendar regularly to see what they have to offer. http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/calendar/

SVASE Series
Weekly
SVASE, the Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs, is the largest and fastest growing nonprofit association in Northern California dedicated exclusively to helping early stage tech entrepreneurs. They hold events regularly in the peninsula, and occasionally the city itself. There are too many to name in my brief email, but be sure to check them out for advice on investment, team development, financing, corporate leadership, and much more: http://www.svase.org/

SDforum
Weekly
Not to add another list of events to my list, but SDforum also has something every other day. Essentially “SDForum is the leading Silicon Valley not-for-profit organization providing an unbiased source of information and insight to the technology community. SDForum provides a venue for engineers, executives, researchers, technology leaders, and venture capitalists to exchange information on emerging technologies and best practices.” Info on their events at www.sdforum.com.

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