Comments on: Growing an Entrepreneurial Community in Philadelphia http://www.psustartups.com/content/2008/06/12/growing-an-entrepreneurial-community-in-philadelphia/ Connecting Penn State entrepreneurs Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:09:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Geoff DiMasi http://www.psustartups.com/content/2008/06/12/growing-an-entrepreneurial-community-in-philadelphia/#comment-86 Geoff DiMasi Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:22:42 +0000 http://www.psustartups.com/?p=45#comment-86 As one of the coordinators of Ignite Philly, a cofounder of Independents Hall, owner of a web design and development firm in Philadelphia (P'unk Ave), and founder of the Junto, and former Multimedia professor at The University of the Arts, I would say that things have changed in Philadelphia, and they have changed fast. Most of the time it takes people awhile to feel the completeness of what is happening. I think this might be the case right now in Philadelphia. I can't speak for Boulder, but at this point, if I were still teaching, I would have no problem recommending that they stay in Philadelphia. There are a lot of opportunities here. P.S. Philadelphia was named Best City for New Grads. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24359031/ As one of the coordinators of Ignite Philly, a cofounder of Independents Hall, owner of a web design and development firm in Philadelphia (P’unk Ave), and founder of the Junto, and former Multimedia professor at The University of the Arts, I would say that things have changed in Philadelphia, and they have changed fast.

Most of the time it takes people awhile to feel the completeness of what is happening. I think this might be the case right now in Philadelphia.

I can’t speak for Boulder, but at this point, if I were still teaching, I would have no problem recommending that they stay in Philadelphia. There are a lot of opportunities here.

P.S. Philadelphia was named Best City for New Grads.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24359031/

]]> By: Robert Shedd http://www.psustartups.com/content/2008/06/12/growing-an-entrepreneurial-community-in-philadelphia/#comment-85 Robert Shedd Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:39:50 +0000 http://www.psustartups.com/?p=45#comment-85 Alex, Thanks for the comment. I'm certainly glad to have found that there's more entrepreneurial activity happening in Philadelphia than I was previously aware. I think one big area that Philadelphia lags behind is in perception. This blog was started to track the entrepreneurial community at Penn State. Most of the student entrepreneurs I've talked to get the same advice - if you really want to be successful, move - first choice, Silicon Valley. Bolder is regarded as a decent second choice. Philadelphia is nowhere on the map. I'm involved in working with the <a href="http://www.lionlaunchpad.org" rel="nofollow">Lion Launch Pad</a>, a non-profit organization in State College, whose mission is to try and change the status quo to develop State College into a location that can more effectively support the budding undergraduate entrepreneurs. But, it is very much an uphill battle and the pushback from supporters is usually similar - why try to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to stay in Pennsylvania? So, as someone based in Philadelphia and working to help other entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, I would love to be able to say that our area is on the same level as Boulder. I've talked to individuals involved in the DreamIt program and I think it's fantastic that's happening here. However, I think a lot of progress needs to be made on the perception level - until student entrepreneurs are told (and believe!) that it might be ok to stay and wouldn't limit their potential success, you're going to have them moving to other startup hubs - Silicon Valley and Boulder. And as long as that's happening (which it is certainly now), both startup hubs will be light-years ahead of the Philadelphia area. That said, as someone in Philadelphia, I'd love to learn more about what entrepreneurial communities you're involved in. I haven't heard of much happening (again, part of the problem). Thanks again for the thoughts! It's great to hear from others in Philadelphia! Robert Alex,
Thanks for the comment. I’m certainly glad to have found that there’s more entrepreneurial activity happening in Philadelphia than I was previously aware. I think one big area that Philadelphia lags behind is in perception. This blog was started to track the entrepreneurial community at Penn State. Most of the student entrepreneurs I’ve talked to get the same advice - if you really want to be successful, move - first choice, Silicon Valley. Bolder is regarded as a decent second choice. Philadelphia is nowhere on the map.

I’m involved in working with the Lion Launch Pad, a non-profit organization in State College, whose mission is to try and change the status quo to develop State College into a location that can more effectively support the budding undergraduate entrepreneurs. But, it is very much an uphill battle and the pushback from supporters is usually similar - why try to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to stay in Pennsylvania?

So, as someone based in Philadelphia and working to help other entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania, I would love to be able to say that our area is on the same level as Boulder. I’ve talked to individuals involved in the DreamIt program and I think it’s fantastic that’s happening here. However, I think a lot of progress needs to be made on the perception level - until student entrepreneurs are told (and believe!) that it might be ok to stay and wouldn’t limit their potential success, you’re going to have them moving to other startup hubs - Silicon Valley and Boulder. And as long as that’s happening (which it is certainly now), both startup hubs will be light-years ahead of the Philadelphia area.

That said, as someone in Philadelphia, I’d love to learn more about what entrepreneurial communities you’re involved in. I haven’t heard of much happening (again, part of the problem).

Thanks again for the thoughts! It’s great to hear from others in Philadelphia!

Robert

]]> By: Alex Hillman http://www.psustartups.com/content/2008/06/12/growing-an-entrepreneurial-community-in-philadelphia/#comment-84 Alex Hillman Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:06:10 +0000 http://www.psustartups.com/?p=45#comment-84 Hey Robert! Thanks for making this post. I'm curious, what in your mind defines Boulder as one being seemingly "light years" ahead of us here in Philly? We just got finished holding IGNITEphilly and if the 325+ person turnout and 19 presentations from leaders within the community who are now actively seeking ways to collaborate are any indication of the volume and quality of movement going on in Philadelphia, I think we're doing quite alright. The fact is, I've been in fairly regular contact with some of Boulder's champions and I think they are also doing phenomenal work. I just wonder what specifically you think they are doing that's exemplary? Hey Robert!

Thanks for making this post. I’m curious, what in your mind defines Boulder as one being seemingly “light years” ahead of us here in Philly?

We just got finished holding IGNITEphilly and if the 325+ person turnout and 19 presentations from leaders within the community who are now actively seeking ways to collaborate are any indication of the volume and quality of movement going on in Philadelphia, I think we’re doing quite alright.

The fact is, I’ve been in fairly regular contact with some of Boulder’s champions and I think they are also doing phenomenal work. I just wonder what specifically you think they are doing that’s exemplary?

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