NY entrepreneur happenings

Over the past couple of weeks I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a couple of NY sessions that were remarkable for their similarities and differences.

NY Video Meetup (450 attendees) led by Yaron Samid has become the focal point of the NY internet video community. The 90 minute session consisted of 10 minute presentations by 5 companies to the general audience:

Volomedia-Ad insertion and campaign management
SesameVault- Video management platform
Clearspring- widget advertising/mgmt
http://www.aniboom.com/-Animation marketplace
Mag.ma- Video aggregation, but with a real-time twist

After the presentations and high quality audience Q&A, 3 VC's (me, Howard Morgan from First Round, and Sita Vasan from Intel Capital) gave feedback, from a funding perspective, on the companies.

Though named 'NY Video Meet-up' it's clear, and apt that video is a loosely defined cornerstone of these sessions. As much time is spent getting exposure to the business around internet video, as is being spent on producing, distributing and viewing experiences.

The Funding Post. was attended by 100+ entrepreneurs. This sold-out event was one of a series of entrepreneurial 'boot camps' held throughout the US by the Funding Post founders, Joe Benjamin and Joe Rubin. Attendees came from across the US and were all in young start-ups ranging from medical devices, to consumer goods, to hardware and software.

Attendees get a full day of intensive 'real-world' counsel on business plans and pitching for dollars. They use this background for exposure to funding sources. A win/win for all concerned. VC's get deal flow and entrepreneurs get access.