Archive for the ‘Utah’ Category

Capital, Capital, Capital

May 25 2010
Capital, Capital, Capital

This Thursday, there are 2 events in Utah about capital. One is a 6 part series about how to raise $ put on by the Utah Fund of Funds. Here are the details, the other an every other month meeting by a group called GenX Capital. Definitely both great resources if you’re an entrepreneur in Utah interesting in Fund Raising, and let’s be honest, what entrepreneur isn’t??

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We have lined up another great guest for the May 27th lunch – John Pestana. John was co-founder and executive vice-president of Omniture, which he formed with Josh James while attending BYU. John helped grow the company to its current size and also played an important part

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The MountainWest Capital Network Deal Flow Conference: Fund, Finance, Buy or Sell

May 13 2010

Just put details up on the LaunchUp.org site about the MountainWest Capital Network Deal Flow Conference.

I think it’ll be a great event, definitely worthwhile to go to if you see any type of fundraising in your future–which come on, let’s be honest, is like 110% of entrepreneurs, right?

Hope to see you there.

Lunch w Seth Godin – “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?”

Feb 1 2010
Lunch w Seth Godin – “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?”

I’ve never seen Seth Godin present in person. I’ve read a few of his books and occasionally follow his blog. Overall, I’ve been impressed with his thoughts and information.

Kelly King Anderson from StartupPrincess.com took the initiative and organized and event with Seth Godin here in SLC. She reached out to me, and needed some help with sponsors, so Doba signed on board to help the event out.

It’s at a cool new venue called The Rail Event Center.

Details: http://startupprincess.com/sethgodin/

Register: http://lunchwithsethgodin.eventbrite.com/

All the proceeds benefit the The Red Cross for Haiti Relief effort.

And I’m very much looking forward to seeing that head in person.

2010 vSpring V|100 Nominations

Jan 19 2010
2010 vSpring V|100 Nominations

Just got a notice last week that they were accepting nominations for the v100. I think it’s a great program, kudos to vSpring Capital for putting it on.

It’s a community-nominated and peer-selected organization for entrepreneurs in Utah.

I’ve been selected for the last 3 years running. Having said it’s great, it seems like when I go to the annual event or get the directory, it’s the likely suspects each year. I think that is backed up by that it’s been around for 7 years (100*7=700) however, there are only 260 members to date.

Anyway, like I said, it’s a great program and great idea.

To help it out a bit this year, I purposefully ignored my usual suspects,

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The In-N-Out Project: Think and Act Like a Kid (or life will be boring)

Nov 18 2009
The In-N-Out Project: Think and Act Like a Kid (or life will be boring)

Tonight, I’m camping out at In-N-Out Burger in Draper, UT. They’re opening tomorrow.

It’s their second location in Utah. (or the 3rd as Orem opens tomorrow too)

I love In-N-Out. I first ate there when I married a California girl and started going to the Bay Area regularly. Since then, I’ve developed a rule while traveling: if I’m within 20 miles of an In-N-Out, I eat there.

Some might say this love (nah, I’ll admit it, call a spade a spade, it’s an obsession) is childish. I mean it’s only a hamburger joint. And some might say camping out there tonight in 20 degree temps on cement just to be front of the line tomorrow

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Utah Student 25

Sep 29 2009
Utah Student 25

If you’re a student at a college/university in Utah (currently attending or graduated in 2009), and you have a business, any business, you need to apply for the Utah Student 25.

If you know a student with this criteria, you can nominate them.

This is a great program to recognizes the top student-founded businesses in Utah.

And if you want to see some great companies profiled, make sure you register to attend the Utah Student 25 Awards Gala on November 5th.

Finally, I’d appreciate everyone helping to spread the word about this great opportunity for Utah college students.

The Utah Inferiority Complex

Jul 10 2009

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been involved in meetings, forums, discussions, and even my own internal thoughts and doubts as an entrepreneur here in Utah surrounding the questions, “Is Utah as good as Silicon Valley?” “Do we have as much talent as Silicon Valley?” “Is there as much access to capital as Silicon Valley?” If I had a dollar for every time this has come up in the last 10 yrs I’ve been an entrepreneur, I’d have my F-U money by now.

It’s gotten so tiresome. I live in Utah because I want to. Because I live in Utah, I do startups in Utah.

Fred Wilson NAILS the correct thought on it so on top of the

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