Bill Blaire – special correspondent
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Jim Kren don’t want you should see this story, ‘n’ scratched it outa the last article but Da Boss overruled him so here it is. I might be talkin’ a victory fer da little guy here, but nobody never accused me o’ bein’ a little guy. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Low Tech
Bill Blaire – special correspondent
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Sometimes ya get surprised by a simple little idea—one that ain’t a mobile app er nothin’. Summa them make real nice businesses. I’m at FFF—da Funding Feeding Frenzy where it ain’t just tech—it’s good investments. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Low Tech
Impact Engine – Part 8Less than a year ago, I asked a prominent figure in Chicago’s startup community about local investors’ interest in the social enterprise model.
She told me flatly, “No one cares.”
Well, they care now. Continue reading
Bill Blaire – special correspondent –
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Lemme tell ya how things develop before all da trouble starts. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech, Suspense
Techweek – Part 1By Jeff Segal – Message Therapist
I love startups. But I’m cheap. So I was happy to buy the $30 Expo pass to Techweek Chicago. No way was I shelling out for the $650 VIP pass.
Which meant I got to browse Startup City and meet the founders of 70 startups, but couldn’t crash the LAUNCH Final Five event. And you know what? I’m sure it was lovely, but apparently they chose the finalists based on nothing more than concept, business model, strength of team and presentation. Bor-ing.
I selected mine, on the other hand, based on pure awesomeness. Continue reading
Filed under Conflict, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech
John Jonelis
I am sitting with the audience at the Funding Feeding Frenzy in Chicago—a big event for startup companies like mine that need investors to make things happen. I wipe sweaty palms against my suit pants—my turn to present—my turn to make a fool of myself is coming up fast. Continue reading
Filed under Entrepreneur, High Tech, Influence, Low Tech, Relationships
Moises Goldman PhD – resident scientist
EDITOR’S NOTE–Everybody’s familiar with the phrase. But is there a genuine application in industry for IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME? Here’s one offered by a highly respected source:
Many in industry believe that logistics is now THE important field of study. Nothing could be further from the truth. Continue reading
Filed under Entrepreneur, Low Tech, Politics, The Economy
Impact Engine—Part 7John Jonelis – Verbatim from a special correspondent
Loop Lonagan here with a real simple story. I’m at the CHICAGO CLEANTECH COMPETITION watchin’ ten green companies go head-to-head for the chance to move on to the international GCCA contest.
Hey, dis old world needs a good scrubbin’, doncha think? I’m here, trying to use my natural greed on somethin’ constructive fer a change. I glance around and see a company I know has da potential. We’re gonna hear some good stuff. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Electric Power, Entrepreneur, Low Tech, Politics
John Jonelis
From special correspondent – Mark T Wayne
Five minutes, a marker, and a whiteboard. That’s all you get with this jaded crowd of critics, skeptics and swarming humanity.
You’ve come here to bare the greatest idea of your life and all the dreams that go with it. You competed for a chance at this grueling event against near a hundred early-stage teams. You’re one of only ten to make the finals.
Now they give the signal and you start like a runner off the blocks. And when your five minutes are up, it’s “NEXT!” No excuse will answer, sir! You are not permitted to utter another word so you sit down to bite your nails. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, Games, High Tech, Low Tech
Frankly sir, I am flabbergasted! This is something beyond my experience! Think of it. High school students turned serious entrepreneurs. These are children in suit and tie—teams of them politely waiting to speak in turn without interrupting the others. Not so much as a spit wad—do you hear me? Not one! That in itself is cause for more than casual interest. And no fluff here, sir! These kids seek equity funding without so much as a blush. And they do it with such aplomb. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Education, Electric Power, Entrepreneur, Games, High Tech, Low Tech
John Jonelis
~ VERBATIM from a special correspondent ~
Loop Lonagan here. I’m at a place where my natural greed ‘n’ avarice can do some good fer dis poor worn-out world. This is the Chicago CleanTech Competition—what you might call a race between high-tech global janitorial services. Ten distinguished judges will pick the best o’ da best—companies that’re really doin’ somethin’ to deal with the mess we’re makin’ outa our little corner o’ God’s creation. What we got here is da last ten finalists in our great city and tonight that gets cut down to five. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech, Poverty
John Jonelis
– VERBATIM from a special correspondent –
Donatas Ludditis reporting but you can call me Don. Today I hop train to Chicago Ogilvie station and take elevator to meeting way up in tall skyscraper. Is raining hard outside but I no care. I no go out in rain. I just get off train and take elevator to meeting. It is in same building!
And they treat me like king here! You should eat such food! Maybe they think Einstein come back from the grave—I dunno. People say I look just like him. As a young man I yusta hate people calling me that and I break some noses. Some legs too, maybe. Now I smile. Carry his picture in wallet. Tell them he is my big brother. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech
Controlled Design Management – Part 1
Controlled Design Management – Part 2
Controlled Design Management – Part 3
Controlled Design Management – Part 4
How Hyperlocal Social Economies Evolve
Investors Losing Patience with Pivots
Millennials are Becoming Obsolete–Already!
Chicago–the Best Incubator in America?
Driving Value When Funding Runs Low
The 10 Commandments of Startups
Your Business and Your Children
The Hidden Danger in Your Data
Underestimating the Competition
The Girl in the Black Leather Pants
The Apprentice Meets Digital Boot Camp
Fear of Failure Is Not an Option
The Secret World of 3D Printing
Fascination of a Thought Leader
If We Build it, They Will Come
Shark Tank Meets The Apprentice
The Gamemaker's Father 