Got a wicked app idea? WIN $40K in backing to get it off the ground!
You’re not just a code jockey – you’re an ideas machine, right? So prove it! Come up with a great idea, no {code} required, for an app that leverages Windows Azure™ and you could win $40K worth of backing to get it off the ground.
The prize includes development and coding assistance from Microsoft Partner Readify, hosting by Windows Azure for 6 months, plus an advertising package from Lifehacker and Gizmodo to get your app out there!
There are also some awesome runner-up prizes up for grab - including the latest Xbox 360 4Gb and Kinect Console and two tickets to Remix 2011 in Sydney.
For your chance to WIN: 1. Get familiar with Windows Azure by getting your trial and check out the related resources section 2. Go to the MY CONCEPT RULES Lifehacker site to submit your entry
Entries close at midnight on 22 May 2011. Terms and Conditions apply. See the LifeHacker website for full details.
More info can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/cloud/developer/resource.aspx?resourceId=my-concept-rules
Sydney (25 May), Brisbane (26 May), Adelaide (30 May)
Calling all startups and early-stage companies in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide! ANZA and Chris Shipley of the Guidewire Group are conducting G/SCORE Pitch Slam events in your city. Find out how your company is positioned on the global stage and be in the running for the 2011 Innovate!100 list of the world's best performing startups.
Register today - spaces are limited. Cost is $49 per company.
Sydney - 25 May - Hosted by ATP Innovations
Suite 145 National Innovation Centre
Australian Technology Park
4 Cornwallis Street
Eveleigh
Two sessions:
Morning 9 am - 12 noon (click to register)
Afternoon 2 pm - 5 pm (click to register)
Brisbane - 26 May - Hosted by iLab
Level 1, 80 Jephson Street Toowong One session:
Afternoon: 2pm - 5 pm (click to register)
Adelaide - May 30 - Hosted by Innovate SA Level 14, 19 Grenfell Street Adelaide Two sessions:
Morning 9 am - 12 noon (click to register) Afternoon 2 pm - 5 pm (click to register)
What is the G/SCORE?
The G/SCORE measures your company across seven key business factors: business concept, market opportunity, competitive landscape, product execution, business execution, team and business model. It provides you with the focus and reinforcement you need to take your business to the next level. How Do I Get My G/SCORE?
We provide you with a template to prepare a 5-minute pitch. It's that easy. You deliver your pitch to the G/SCORE team led by Chris Shipley. The G/SCORE accurately and consistently assesses your company regardless of your stage, market segment and geography. Each assessment combines both quantitative and qualitative analysis in a transparent, accessible and consistent process.
Why Should I Get My G/SCORE?
When you get your G/SCORE, you will be able to benchmark your company against thousands of companies worldwide. You'll get actionable steps that highlight your company's strengths and opportunities and be in the running for the 2011 Innovate!100 list of the world's best performing startups.
Read more about Chris Shipley, the Guidewire Group and the G/SCORE, backed by the National Science Foundation. Click here.
ANZA is the exclusive partner of the G/SCORE in Australia and New Zealand.
MicroBiz Week 2011 recognises the contribution of micro businesses to the State’s economy and assists home-based, solo and micro business operators. This year, the week will highlight practical HOW TO tips and tricks to make your business prosper.
Microbiz Week showcases a range of experts sharing their expertise on how micro-business operators can increase profit and grow their business using cutting-edge technologies and realistic implementation.
Topics featured include:
This year, my lovely DPE colleague Rocky Heckman & myself will be presenting a few sessions. Well, Rocky is covering most of them, but I will also be there to talk about BizSpark & other things related to running an IT Startup!
Be sure to register for these great FREE sessions:
Embracing the Digital Economy and Mobile Technology
30 May 2011 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Doors open 30 May 2011 1:50 AM
Level 47, Hamilton & Parkes Room, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney, 2000
Charting the course for the Australian digital economy, digital lifestyle and the opportunity this presents, our speaker will be able to provide you with the information necessary to embrace the booming digital economy and mobile technology.
Our digital economy is thriving and technology is changing daily. How is your business looking to take advantage of the planned NBN rollout, our Australian mobile networks or the profilific availability of Smart Phones? During this session we will ensure you understand some of the emerging trends and ways your business could start taking advantage of them.
Cloud Computing as a Security Boundary
31 May 2011 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Doors open 31 May 2011 12:50 PM
Our experts reveal the dynamics behind Cloud computing and how it can be used to provide a security boundary for your business. Learn the technological basis to cloud computing, and how to grow your brand's internet scale capacity.
Everyone has heard of the virtues of Cloud computing; the massive cost savings, and how Cloud computing can make your life easier. But one often overlooked feature is how it can provide a security boundary for your systems and networks. The US Department of Defense has recently extolled the virtues of moving things to the cloud as a security measure. In this session, we’ll discuss the technologies, and methods to use cloud computing to give your business the same internet scale capacity as large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, eBay have while increasing the security border between you and the hackers.
BizSpark: How to Ignite your IT Startup
31 May 2011 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Doors open 31 May 2011 2:50 PM
Industry & Investment, Level 47, Hamilton & Parkes Room, MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney , 2000
BizSpark (a Microsoft initiative) is designed to fast track the success of early stage technology companies by offering software, support and opportunities to increase visibility. Learn how you can take part of the BizSpark program and get your IT startup business the support and programs it needs.
Is your Business Developing software? Privately held? Less than three years old? Making less than US $1M annually? If you answered yes to these questions then you need to be in Microsoft’s FREE BizSpark program.
The BizSpark Program provides Startups (during their first three years) with software, support and visibility at a time when they are most valuable and least affordable—with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.
In this informative session, Catherine Eibner will walk you through the BizSpark program details, how to get signed up and how to best take advantage of the program. She will be showcasing some of the recent successful startups she has supported. These BizSpark members will share their experiences as well as the benefits and opportunities they felt that BizSpark provided them as a new startup.
See more about MicroBiz Week and the other sessions here: http://microbiz.events.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/
It has been a while since I have had a chance to interview anyone for my Geek Girl Blogs podcast, but this week I had the honour to talk to Chris Shipley from the Silicon Valley based Guidewire group while we were both in Adelaide. Chris was working with Viki Forrest from ANZATech reviewing Australian startups to provide them their Guildewire score and feedback on how their company is positioned on the global stage.
We talk about some of the trends she is seeing in Entrepreneurship as well as what Chris refers to as the 5 true lies of Silicon Valley. We manage to also cover off the value of protecting your IP and about the stereotypes around being an Entrepreneur, whether its a young entrepreneur, seasoned entrepreneur or female entrepreneur. Chris shares her ideas around finding a compatible co-founder and finishes off with top tips for Australian Startups.
The podcast is online here: http://wpmu.thepodcastnetwork.com/geekgirlblogs/2011/05/31/chris-shipley/
The Entourage, NSW Office of Trade, Business and Industry and DKM Blue are offering business owners a chance to win over $12, 000 in prizes as part of MicroBiz Week 2011!
For your chance to be in the running for a Business Branding Makeover the guys at The Entourage, NSW Office of Trade, Business and Industry and DKM Blue want to hear what challenges you have faced in your business and how an “obstacle” can be made into an “opportunity.”
Fill out the online entry form at www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au/microbizweek, share your challenge and be involved during Microbiz Week to win.
ABOUT THE PRIZE Valued at over $12,000. • $10,000 worth of branding and marketing support from DKM • 2 days shadowing and mentoring from one of BRW’s 2010 young rich list aand successful entrepreneur, Dorry Kordahi, Joint CEO of dkm blue • Economy flight for the business owner to Sydney if required • 2 nights accommodation in a Sydney hotel for a non Sydney based winner • A copy of the book “Power to Act” by Dorry Kordahi • 15 hours with a professional Business Development Manager to support the winner • 10 hour Business Mentoring and workshop program following the initial phase – which includes assistance in Business Planning, Financials and other specialist topics
Enter online using the form on the website and submit your entry by 5pm on 6 June 2011. The winner will be notified on 20 June 2011.
* Terms and Conditions apply. See the website for the full Terms and Conditions
After 4 SOLD OUT years, REMIX is back for another year! This year, we’re bringing the love to the Seymour Centre in Sydney and we’re doing it with a special event on the evening of 1 June then a mega-full day of learning and loving on 2 June. REMIX has always been the place where you can get your web chops on while learning and connecting with the best our industry has to offer. Again this year, we're going to be delivering all the goodness, content and thinkers that has made REMIX an important and must-attend event on your calendar. Learn and be inspired by the smartest do'ers on the web in Australia. We're working on a jam packed day that will once again bring together the best of Microsoft and the best of our web industry. We have some awesome content locked, so come prepared to beef up your next generation dev skills and get your teeth into HTML5, CSS3, Silverlight 5, Windows Phone 7.5, Azure and a whole lot more (maybe even a certain gesture based console accessory). Register here for our discounted earlybird special price of $210* (incl GST). See you there. The REMIX team noisetosignal.com.au/remix ausmsdn@microsoft.com * Early Bird tickets end 18 May - standard price $310 including GST.