Networking Insight

EFactor Presents: Food Frenzie - 4/24

Below is information about an upcoming event that I co-organized in Chicago.

Are you an aspiring restaurant owner or chef? Either way, your business is built around the idea of serving great food and drinks at the highest level of customer satisfaction! During this panel discussion, learn from some top-notch hospitality industry entrepreneurs on how they grew their successful ventures, the steps they took to get them where they are and keep their customers full and happy.

After attending, you’ll have insights on:

• Where to begin
• Gaining customers at the right locations
• What's the right price
• Marketing your brand and integrating social media

Entrepreneur Speakers

• Matt Matros, Founder, Protein Bar
• Bill Reeder, President, Campus Cooks
• Julia Stamberger, President & CEO, GoPicnic
• Kim Shambrook, President & Executive Chef, Bespoke Cuisine Event Details

Event Details

• Date: 4/24/13
• Time: 6-9pm
• Location: Catapult Chicago, 321 N. Clark St., Suite 2250, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Catapult Chicago, Taylor Group Insurance Agency

For more details and to register, go to http://www.efactor.com/foodiefrenzychi

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EFactor Presents: Pitch Perfect - Presenting Your Ideas Intelligently - 2/20/13

EFactor Presents: Pitch Perfect - Presenting Your Ideas Intelligently

You're in the elevator, the head honcho comes in. You have a great idea but don't know how to pitch it to him. You think and think, but it's too late! He's gone.

Don't let this happen to you. Your pitch is everything. It can make you or break you. Join EFactor and experts during the jammed packed infromational session that will help you create the perfect elevator, investor, sales, and media pitch.

After attending, you'll have insights on:

• Perfecting your pitch
• Presenting it perfectly
• Do's and Don'ts of pitching

Speakers

• Jodi Glickman, President, Great on the Job (elevator pitches)
• David Culver, Co-Founder, VentureSHOT (investor pitches)
• Bob Lambert, Founding Partner, Samurai Business Group (sales pitches)
• Tom Figel, Managing Partner, Lake Effect Communications (media pitches)

Event Details

• Date: 2/20/13
• Time: 6-9pm
• Location: VentureSHOT, 744 N. Wells, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, VentureSHOT, MB Real Estate

For more details and to register, go to http://www.efactor.com/pitchperfectchicago.

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Founder Night Out - 1/21 - Chicago Event

Below is information about an event that I have organized for the Founder Institute.

The Founder Night Out is a unique opportunity to enjoy a collaborative and open environment where you can meet local startup founders and CEOs, discuss your ideas, ask questions, and learn about the Founder Institute. Many past Founder Institute Graduates will be in attendance, along with the local director and some prestigious local technology CEOs. Join us for drinks and some startup networking! Food will be provided courtesy of Rivers Casino.

Event Details

Date: January 21, 2013

Time: 6-9pm

Location: CUBE Bar, Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines

Sign up at http://fi.co/courses/2110.

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Founder Institute Chicago - Startup Ideation Bootcamp - 1/8

You have an idea for a startup, but don't know what to do next? In just three hours, the Startup Ideation Bootcamp will help you improve your idea, come up with new ideas, determine the next steps, and even recruit potential co-founders. This intensive, collaborative workshop begins with talks by an innovation expert and startup founder designed to teach you the components of good and bad startup ideas. Then, attendees can share ideas with both experts and peers to receive constructive feedback. 

The bootcamp will be led by Dave Sonders, Associate Partner at gravitytank and George Deeb, Managing Director at Red Rocket Venture Partners. Join us for a fun evening! After the event, we will go out for drinks at English (444 N. LaSalle Dr, Chicago). Our venue sponsor is gravitytank and food sponsor is Taylor Group Insurance Agency.

Event Details

• Date: 1/8/13
• Time: 5:30-9:00pm
• Location: gravitytank, 114 W. Illinois St., Floor 3, Chicago
• Sponsors: Founder Institute, gravitytank, Taylor Group Insurance Agency.

For more details and to register go to http://fi.co/courses/2114

We are now accepting applications for our Chicago Spring 2013 semester. The early bird application deadline is January 13, 2013. You can fill out the application at http://fi.co/join/ideation.

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EFactor Presents: The Parallel Between Work and Personal Time - 1/14/13

As an entrepreneur, a typical work week varies, often consuming 7 days and long hours. Join us for this special presentation as you learn from health and wellness experts the importance of "YOU" time. Logging in the long hours, also means taking some much needed "R&R". Hear from entrepreneurs on how they are able to "shut off" when they need to recharge. We'll also be teaching you some basic relaxation exercises to help you distress from a crazy work day.

Speakers

• John Dallas, Founder and Chief Alignment Officer, Hillview Partners Network
• Nancy Stevens, Founder and Publisher, Oaklee's Guide
• Scott Desgrosseilliers, Founder, The Medidation Mind
• Katie Chambers, Founder, Feng Shui Today

Event Details

• 1/14/13
• 6-9pm
• VentureSHOT, 744 N. Wells, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, VentureSHOT, Leavitt & Siegal

For more details and to register, go to EFactor.com.

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Founder Institute Chicago - Information Session 12/18

The Founder Institute is the world's largest early-stage accelerator. Join us for an informational event where you can meet the local Director and some of the graduates and mentors. Learn how you can laucnh a startup with the Founder Institute's help.

December 18, 2012

6:00-8:30PM

Much Shelist, 191 N. Wacker, 18th Floor, Chicago

For more information and to register, to to http://fi.co/courses/2111

We are now accepting applications for our Chicago Spring 2013 semester. The early bird application deadline is January 13, 2013. You can fill out the application at http://fi.co/join/ideation.

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EFactor Presents: Online Crowd Funding - Next Week!

On April, 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (or JOBS Act) into law. This bill intended to encourage funding of United States small businesses by easing various regulations. It will make it easier for startups and small businesses to raise funds, especially through online crowd funding.

The EFactor event explores the opportunities that small businesses and startups have from the JOBS Act. An attorney will join us to discuss all of the ins and outs of the bill. Besides this keynote, a panel of crowdfunding experts will discuss how they (and you!) can take advantage from the JOBS Act.

After attending, you'll have insights on:

• How your business can take advantage from the JOBS Act
• How to raise fudnng using online crowd funding
• Advice rom experienced entrepreneurs
• And much, much more!

These insights will open up new doors of opportunity by your start-up or existing enterprise!

Speakers

• Annabelle Pereira, Associate, Much Shelist
• Randy Shipley, Co-Founder, SocialGravity
• Sebastian Villarreal, Founder, LendSquare
• Desiree Vargas Wrigley, Co-Founder, GiveFoward
• Scott McIntyre, Managing Director, Phabriq DevelopmentE

Event Details

• 11/15/12
• 6-9pm
• Much Shelist, 191 N. Wacker, 18th Floor, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Much Shelist, Leavitt Siegal

For more details and to register, go to EFactor.

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EFactor Presents: Online Crowd Funding - 11/15

On April, 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (or JOBS Act) into law. This bill intended to encourage funding of United States small businesses by easing various regulations. It will make it easier for startups and small businesses to raise funds, especially through online crowd funding.

The EFactor event explores the opportunities that small businesses and startups have from the JOBS Act. An attorney will join us to discuss all of the ins and outs of the bill. Besides this keynote, a panel of crowdfunding experts will discuss how they (and you!) can take advantage from the JOBS Act.

After attending, you'll have insights on:

• How your business can take advantage from the JOBS Act
• How to raise fudnng using online crowd funding
• Advice rom experienced entrepreneurs
• And much, much more!

These insights will open up new doors of opportunity by your start-up or existing enterprise!

Speakers

• Annabelle Pereira, Associate, Much Shelist
• Randy Shipley, Co-Founder, SocialGravity
• Sebastian Villarreal, Founder, LendSquare
• Desiree Vargas Wrigley, Co-Founder, GiveFoward

Event Details

• 11/15/12
• 6-9pm
• Much Shelist, 191 N. Wacker, 18th Floor, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Much Shelist, Leavitt Siegal

For more details and to register, go to EFactor.

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EFactor Presents: Got Funding? - Next Week!

EFactor Presents: Got Funding?

As an entrepreneur, you know that funding is critical. It helps to have some money to get your business off the ground or expand when it when a great opportunity comes up. Traditional sources are tough in this economy, but all it takes is a little imagination and some expert advice about some of the great new channels for funding now available.

If you are looking for funding, then you have come to the right place and it's time to register. This event will educate entrepreneurs about various funding options for start-ups and small business owners. From angel investing and debt financing, to bootstrapping and small business loans, this not-to-be-missed event will feature experts from each funding niche.

Speakers

• George Deeb, Managing Partner, Red Rocket Venture Partners (bootstrapping)
• Joe Dwyer, Venture Partner, OCA Ventures (equity funding)
• Corliss Garner, VP Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank (debt funding)
• Denise Ching, Associate Director, IL Small Business Development Center, UIC (alternative funding)

Event Details

• Date: 9/25/12
• Time: 6-9pm
• Location: Catapult Chicago, 321 N. Clark St, Suite 2250, Chicago
• Price: $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Catapult Chicago

For more details and to register, go to www.efactor.com.

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EFactor Presents: Got Funding? - 9/25

Below are details of an event that I have co-organized:

EFactor Presents: Got Funding

As an entrepreneur you know that funding is critical. It helps to have some money to your business off the ground or expand it when a great opportunity comes up.  Traditional sources are tough in this economy, but all if takes is a little imagination and some expert advice about some of the great new channels for funding now available.

If you are looking for funding, then you have come to the right place and it's time to register! This event will educate entrepreneurs about various funding options for start-ups and small business owners. From angel investing and debt financing, to bootstrapping and small business loans, this not-to-be-missed event will feature experts from each funding niche.

Speakers Include

• George Deeb, Managing Partner, Red Rocker Venture Partners (bootstrapping)
• Joe Dwyer, Venture Partner, OCA Ventures (equity funding)
• Corliss Garner, VP Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank (debt funding)

Event Details

• Date: 9/25/12
• Time: 6-9pm
• Location: Catapult Chicago, 321 N. Clark St., Suite 2250, Chicago
• Price: $10 early bird, $15 regular, $20 at door
• Sponsors: EFactor, Catapult Chicago, Money Physicians

For more details and to register, go to http://www.efactor.com/gotfundingchicago