January 21, 2008 - Monday
Reinventing the Startup Process - The TechStars model provides seed capital, education,mentoring, office space, top notch advice, and much more - with David Cohen, Founder and Executive Director of TechStars
Event Video Available
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Banks rejected David Cohen and David Brown 13 years ago when they started Pinpoint Technologies Inc. in Deland, Florida. So, they and a third partner cobbled together money and bootstrapped their technology business.
Their ambulance and emergency dispatch software company became a 1990s success story. It moved to Boulder, expanded quickly from three to 65 employees and was bought for an undisclosed sum by defibrillator manufacturer Zoll Medical in 1999.
These days, Cohen and Brown invest in other people's startups. They started TechStars to help novice entrepreneurs sidestep some routine obstacles, find funding and launch their technology businesses with guidance from veterans who have been there.
The TechStars program was formed by a team that includes David Cohen as executive director; David Brown, Jared Polis and Brad Feld.
As a first phase of operation, last summer 10 teams were selected from 300 applicants to spend time in Boulder gleaning knowledge from mentors and crafting a business plan.
Each of the 10 groups were set up with office space, $15,000 in seed money and access to about 40 mentors from a wide variety of backgrounds, in exchange for 5% of their companies. For most of the teams, the most valuable part of the experience was the time spent with the mentors.
Join us as we hear the inside story on TechStars and its innovative new approach to launching and funding startups.
EVENT: Startup Junkie Underground
DATE: January 21, 2008 - Monday
TIME: 6:00pm-9:00pm
WEBSITE: http://www.startupjunkieunderground.com
LOCATION: MADCAP Theater, 10679 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020
DIRECTIONS: Driving Directions
COST: $20, Members: Free, SuperMembers: Free
PHONE: 303-666-4133
TOPIC: Reinventing the Startup Process - The TechStars model provides seed capital, education,mentoring, office space, top notch advice, and much more - with David Cohen, Founder and Executive Director of TechStars
SPEAKER: David Cohen
SPEAKER: David Cohen
Founder and Executive Director of TechStars
David Cohen is the founder and Executive Director of TechStars.
David has a soft spot for technology startups and enjoys helping innovative early stage technology companies succeed. He also has a passion for Colorado and believes it's a fantastic community for any startup. The Colorado TechStars program combines these passions with capital, connections and real-world experience to provide a unique opportunity for early stage startups.
David is a founder of several software and web technology companies including Pinpoint Technologies (now ZOLL Data Systems) of Broomfield, Colorado. While at ZOLL Data Systems, David was also the CTO. The company was acquired by ZOLL Medical Corporation in 1999. You can read about it in No Vision, All Drive [Amazon].
David was also the founder and CEO of earFeeder.com, which was sold to SonicSwap.com in 2006.
David is also an active startup advocate, advisor, board member, and technology investor who comments on these topics on his blog at ColoradoStartups.com.
David's hobbies are technology, software/web startups, business history, and tennis. He has two amazing kids who always seem to be teaching him something new.
