• In some ways, this video isn’t too far off from the truth on today’s tech start ups – obviously I am generalizing – please don’t send me a bunch of hate mail on how your start up is different.
• Looking for a way to manage social media? Check out the Roost.
• Who doesn’t love a good freebie now and again (or in my case, all the time)? And if you are going to the trouble of using a promo item for your small business, read this first for a few tips.
• This one doesn’t have a ton of great stuff in it, but I mention it based on the sheer power of all things Harry Potter.
• If you are constantly hearing “no” as you look for a lending source for your start up, don’t overlook the credit union industry as a source. Chad Lyons has a good piece here about CU’s as a viable source for business loans.
• Not really sure if I am a Mark Cuban fan or not, but he has some good advice for those looking to pitch a VC
• Iowa’s new economic development arm, IPEP, is taking some pretty big hits to their operating budget. Over the last several years they have trimmed it from over $30 Million to just $8.55 Million for fiscal 2012. It will be interesting to see how this meshes with the Governor’s plan to create 200,000 jobs.
• Chris Yeh wrote a nice piece for Mashable this week on firm valuations, and why seed stage investments are getting out of whack. He has some insightful metrics to back things up.
• Looking for ways to connect with entrepreneurs all over the globe? Here are a ton of places to connect, share ideas, get info, and maybe find some VC – all online.
• Start Up Weekends have been around for a little while, but have really gained steam of late and have also broadened their audience beyond the “hacker” community. Anyone interested in putting one on in the Cedar Valley?