Here’s the pitch Marc Canter gave in Kansas City recently for the Gigabit Challenge. A Microsoft guy (writing for Silicon Prairie News) thought Marc was the best!
Digital City Mechanics, Gigabit Challenge Finale from Curt McMillan on Vimeo.
PolymerOhio has contracted with Digital City Mechanics to develop multimedia case studies using an intern team that is trained by Digital City Mechanics. These case studies will support PolymerOhio’s Polymer Portal which provides affordable access to expensive modeling and simulation applications and training in their use.
I’ll be speaking at the CONTACT conference in NYC this week. My theme will be “connecting the dots.” Everyone at the conference will be well intentioned, super intelligent activists, thinkers and doers.
“So what can I say – which will make a difference?”
1. We’re all still operating in silos – in our own unique worlds and networks.
2. By inter-connecting between each other, yes knowledge can be shared, but also money can be used more efficiently. Share space, help each other create web sites and viral campaigns, support each other’s efforts.
3. Utilize government money more efficiently. Get this money “on track”. OUT in-efficiency. It’s your duty as a tax paying citizen to do so.
4. Work with community organizations to show them the value and benefits of on-line technology.
5. Remember – jobs today are not 40 hr a week, they’re freelance, on-line and virtual. JOBS is the #1 issue in society today!
6. Do as Steve Jobs suggested “connect the dots”, “love what you do”, and “make sure to make THIS life count, stick to your instincts and gut”
In four minutes.
I’ve just returned from an amazing trip to Tampa and the Tampa Bay area. I presented to an overflow crowd of entrepreneurs, government officials and community leaders, I was interviewed several times and I met with the Mayor of Tampa.
Things are looking great for the launch of our program down there – soon!
Tampa has a rich history, plenty of diversity and immigrant population, potential investors – who wish to help out their communities – and LOTS of industry who can potentially sponsor programs and projects. These are all the ingredients necessary for a successful creation of a “digital economy ecosystem.”
Every Digital City needs a champion and in our case that person is Marv Scaff. I’ve known Marv for over 20 years and he’s a co-founder of a local business accelerator (which is part of the TechStars network) “GazelleLabs”. I had the pleasure of meeting all the Gazelle portfolio companies yesterday and I was amazed how GOOD the ideas were! Now its all about execution!
Marv is the epitome of a serial entrepreneur and brings with him a Rolodex that goes from Brad Feld and the TechStars network to California, NYC, Texas and everywhere in-between. Most importantly Marv has been tracking our progress with the “Digital City project” and he knows that Tampa would be an ideal place for a pilot project. Finding folks willing to sponsor large-scale on-line multimedia projects is key and the subject matter (financial services, cigars, call centers, fishing, retirement living) are all ripe for the picking down in Tampa.
The best part is that I met a gazelle investor and guess what? His wife is from Cleveland!
Tampa has an area called “YBor City” which reminds me of New Orleans, Key West or Savannah. This is where we’re hoping to open up a “Digital Bureau” and start “building our digital city.”
Big up and shutout to David Glass, Linda Olsen, Alex Sink and Joe Dubois for helping to put together the event. And special thanks for Marv for getting me down there – in the first place!
A great man passed away this week. Here’s his keynote address to the Stanford class of 2005:
Three main walk always:
- connect the dots – think ahead of what’s possible and don’t shirk back
- love what you do
- you only live once, stay true to your heart and instincts
Digital City Mechanics is helping with the tech for the Hessler St Fair – May 21-22, 2011. We helped create Hessler.org and we’ll be doing live webcasting during the show on that site. We’ve also got a ‘porch’ to hang out at – and show people what we’ve been up to and we’ve got a collection of Community Organizations we’ve been involved with – with their own table as well.
Here is a ‘pyramid of workers’ poster we’ll be displaying on our “porch”:
Please come see your extravaganza and live show.
Come one, come all – to a workshop on a new kind of presentation tool – called Prezi. We’ll be doing a hands-on workshop – so please bring your laptop. In :30 you’ll learn this revolutionary new tool.
Guaranteed!
