Attended this event at the Light Box in Chiswick last night. Bit of a struggle for me to get out there and find location, slightly nervous of walking around this area in the dark at this time of year, but was glad that things started late and I did not miss anything.
Big crowd, grabbed a glass of wine (but no food, was starving after a long day beforehand in central London), got going by chatting with two friendly attendees, Levi Russell who runs Zonerider and Matt Sneddon at Ciklum, en route across the room to say hi to Kevin Farrar, who I have met before at IBM SmartCamp. We did'nt have long to talk before the evening started proper with Speaker presentations. Procedures were very well managed by the excellent Mistress of Ceremonies, Monika Gierszewska. All the Speakers were splendid, although there were a lot of them, and the audience had the stand throughout which was uncomfortable. Maybe, 3 Speakers would have been the optimum number to allow for time for networking/travelling etc. However, I hung on in there for Steve of Dreamstake to conclude since they were the Hosts for the evening, and he did have some solid advice to offer, and I am interested in how Dreamstake is rolling out, but I did not like his bathroom joke.
Rob Moffat, of Balderston Capital, with very impressive cast iron academic and professional credentials, presented the perspecitive of institutional investors. I'm did not get a chance to talk to him about my work with Google, as a customer whilst working for Ask.com.
Inma Martinez, of Stradbroke Advisors, presentation, a la Steve Jobs, was a wonderful story, and very entertaining and educative. She also knew her audience and made the laugh. I loved her feedback on the unusual businesses that had succeeded (later she mentioned the Finnish dolly/clothing fetish amongst 8 year old girls). I looked for Inma at the end, as I wanted to say hello, and that I have a mutual contact, Colette Ballou of Ballou PR, specialists in tech start ups.
Glenn Shoosmith and Lucien Tamowski were both fantastic representations of innovative UK Entrepreneurs. Full of youthful confidence, and advice to offer from the hard school of knocks from successfully launching their respective businesses Bookingbug.com and BraveNewTalent.com. They were inspiring, and generated a very positive vibe around the room, just what everyone needs now.
At the end just time for a quick hello to Lucien (sorry to miss Glenn though, as I wanted to mention my mutual contact, Duncan Dunlop of Oodle), Kevin Farrar, and thanks to Paul Dowling of Dreamstake for his efforts, before dashing off in slight trepidation towards the overground in South Acton, 20 mins walk, and onto WestHamspstead and home in St. Albans, Herts, by 11.00pm thanks to lovely Husband who picked me up from the station. Hit the toaster and fridge as soon as I got in!
Plenty of food for thought today from all that was presented last night, and some new connections to follow up on, I wish there had been time to make more. I look forward to reviewing the video material on the Dreamstake.net platform. I will go along to the next one, if they will have me!