Pete and I just got back from TechCrunch50, a two day event that was held in San Francisco, CA. TechCrunch50, for those not familiar with the event, brings together the “best start-ups and launch them in front of our industry’s most influential VCs, corporations, fellow entrepreneurs, and press. TechCrunch creates a platform where early-stage, and frequently unfunded, companies can take center stage based purely on merit, without regard to their own financial resources.” Industry leaders from companies such as Myspace, facebook, Twitter, and Amazon and so many more, were on hand to lend advice and listen to what could become the next hottest industry phenomenon.
It was my first time attending a TechCrunch50 event and I was floored. The amount of forward thinking innovated ideas was inspiring. Pete and I walked the DemoPit each day to check out the latest start-up ideas and products. The DemoPit or in my opinion organized confusion, was set up in two long rows of cocktail tables. At each table was a start-up company demoing their product. And on the second day of this two day event, the DemoPit was refreshed. Thus allowing for a whole new group of start-up companies to demo and attendees to learn about. Over the two day period there was about 106 different start-ups in the DemoPit showing off their products.
A few of my personal favorites included Wetpaint, allows anyone the ability to create and contribute to websites by combing the best aspects of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks. Wildfire, another favorite of mine, created a simple tool that utilizes users of social network sites by allowing them to easily create their own attractive, branded promotions. And lastly, I enjoyed Fiend Radio, a facebook application that creates a radio station of your friends’ favorite music for you to listen to.
The DemoPit wasn’t the only place to find start-up companies at this event. TechCrunch50 is named such because it’s put on by TechCrunch and it features 50 of their chosen top start-up ideas in the industry. Each of these 50 companies gets five minutes on stage in front of a panel of judges to present their idea. The judges then provide feedback, advice, and suggestions. And of course, at the end of the event a winner is chosen. The winner is awarded a check for $50,000 and the title of being crowned the best start-up product by top industry leaders.
This years winner was Redbeacon, a product that allows consumers who need a service performed to find and interact with local businesses and professionals. Congratulations!
If you were unable to attend this years event you can catch all the action on Ustream.
Of the 50 presenting companies my favorites are CitySourced and Affective Interfaces. CitySourced, allows ordinary citizens the ability to report common civil issues (potholes, graffiti, trash, snow removal, etc) via their mobile phone and send them directly to city hall for quick resolution. I really like the community feeling and a sense of being able to make a difference in your neighborhood. Affective Interfaces, is an emotion sensing technology. Using only a webcam, AI analyzes customer’s facial expressions and helps uncover the nonrational influences affecting decisions from purchase to engagement. So cool!
There were so many great start-up companies at TechCrunch50 I had a hard time picking favorites. I walked away very inspired and excited to see where these start-up companies will be in the coming years. The event was definitely one that shouldn’t be missed. Pete and I immensely enjoyed meeting all you Trapster users and fans at event. It’s always great to meet you in person. I also want to do a shout out to TechCrunch for putting on such a high level industry and amazingly organized event. Great job guys!
Quote from http://www.TechCrunch50.com
