Comments on: The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

By: Tim Askew

Tim Askew — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:58:42 +0000

Greg;

Great to hear your articulate this life cycle.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how we, as a community, can keep reliably keep the growth-phase companies in town. When they pull up roots, so do a lot of the people who make the ecosystem hum.

By: Greg Cangialosi

Greg Cangialosi — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:59:57 +0000

Thanks for reading Mike. I agree the "innovation layer" needs some TLC for sure. I am glad you brought up SocialDevCamp – I thought those were very inspiring and helpful events that brought out such a broad group of the Baltimore ecosystem – developers, marketers, designers, educators, entrepreneurs, etc.. seems like we need to do more of those types of events as they are feeders to the innovation layer. The SocialDevCamps offered an outlet for the raw, creative energy to be expressed.

We need to continue to program like that in town and celebrate the wins and the things that come from it! Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:57:41 +0000

Greg, I think the innovation layer is the most neglected for sure. Not even considering the funding angle: I'm thinking about all the smart people helping to create those cool events and spreading all those ideas — how do we get those folks to start building companies? I credit SocialDevCamp way back in the day for helping put me on my current path.

Some might consider me to be part of the cliquey group that Ron described. I don't know if that's true or not but I do want to say that I got nowhere in Baltimore until I started blogging, tweeting, and attending events where I started meeting people. So Ron with your tech breakfast, I think that will pay great dividends in terms of connecting with smart, helpful people in town.

By: Ron Schmelzer

Ron Schmelzer — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:03:44 +0000

@Sharon – that’s awesome! Yes, count me in – I definitely want to do what ever I can to help increase the entrepreneurial momentum in the region.

By: Sharon Webb

Sharon Webb — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:34:26 +0000

Calling all rising entrepreneurs, serial entrepreneurs and community resources dedicated to tech and innovation community growth! The GBTC is dedicated to serving as steward and amplifier, as an available platform: broadcasting, collaborating and supporting community intersections of art/tech, universities and business community. Have you attended one of Andrew Hazlett’s Evil Plan’s meetings? Post ideas on our blog, submit white papers or articles of interest, join us for a podcast.

Beginning in January we will launch the first of a quarterly series (open to all) highlighting area entrepreneurs in an “unplugged” format where three entrepreneurs will be spotlighted with audience interaction as central to the program.

Ron – come share your story!

By: Sharon Webb

Sharon Webb — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:37:36 +0000

Calling all rising and serial entrepreneurs! The GBTC is here to support, promote and collaborate on any and all efforts to raise awareness of your accomplishments, lessons learned and ideas to enrich our vibrant community. We are an available platform for your stories, ideas, insights and to broadcast activities around the region. Beginning in January we will launch the first of a quarterly series celebrating entrepreneurs and their stories in an "unplugged" format where 3 entrepreneurs are highlighted and audience participation is central to the program.

Ron – come tell your story!

By: Caroline Baker

Caroline Baker — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:02:39 +0000

Absolutely. I am 100% on board. (Alignment of goals and priorities won't instantly create trust but it's a critical foundation.)

Our aspiring student entrepreneurs need to know that there's a support system and a pathway. In addition to encouraging mentoring, I think we should create entrepreneurial apprenticeships for our youngest entrepreneurs. I'll start looking for models of this. Lets get together when Greg is back!

By: Ron Schmelzer

Ron Schmelzer — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:20:28 +0000

Hi Greg – I love you – your comment exemplifies why I think you’re an asset to this scene.

By: Greg Cangialosi

Greg Cangialosi — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:15:05 +0000

Ron –

Thanks for reading! Appreciate your thoughts and insights on your perspective on the Baltimore scene. I know we have spoken about your perspective and view on Baltimore in the past when we met and discussed your new startup and your experience at TechStars. All good stuff.

From my perspective, your comment resonates with why I wrote the post. Look at John Marsh's comment as well in regards to including the design & arts community into this mix. They are vibrant entrepreneurs as well, and I think we can all agree that when we mix art and science wonderful things can happen. So, lets make that happen – we will be discussing how soon.

Take your Baltimore TechBreakfast for example. Unfortunately, I haven't been to one yet, but you clearly are a intertia point for gathering local entrepreneurs and from what I understand its a "diverse crowd" or aka other people than the usual "clique" as you put it. So, how do we leverage that? How can the GBTC help you with that? Is that always at the ETC? How about moving it around and networking through some other groups? One of my gripes is how everything revolves around the ETC We need more spaces and other spots for the community to gather.

As for the Angel Investing thing, sorry I am pulling a blank! I know you were looking for possible angel investment in your new startup but in regards to hearing about your 5 years experience with angel investing, I'd love to hear all about it! In fact, I openly invite you to come and join the Baltimore Angels group and start taking an active role in helping us with the group. We have big plans for 2012. Our next meeting is Dec 6th – next Tuesday. Feel free to attend. Ping me for more details.

In conclusion, you basically hit on the core issue with Baltimore and the region – the notion of the "cliquiness" – also commonly referred to as "tribes" – there are a lot of them and they need to come together. Are you in with helping to make it happen around here? If so, let me know how you think I can help you.

Thanks again for reading!

Greg

By: Greg Cangialosi

Greg Cangialosi — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:53:59 +0000

and that accelerator should be at UMBC