Tech-Talk by digital sweet candy behunin

I am in constant state of  ”email Euphoria”. My inbox just loves to talk to me!  I read a link called Five Sentences, where all email should be no longer than 5 lines.  Yes, that is more effective, but sometimes I worry we are losing the ability to show warmth in our communications. Such brevity can limit connectivity, or no? Does anyone have a personal perspective on this theory or modernized outlook on email exchanges? Just curious. 

runningastartup:

Warmest welcome to the phenomenal team that created Startup Week 2011 in Vienna, dedicated organizers of all Startup Live events throughout Europe, and currently hosting the most anticipated gathering of the minds at Pioneers Festival, bringing the “RockStars of Tomorrow,” back to Vienna in October of 2012.

Startup energy is rising and always growing in Hamburg, as this beautiful-charming city has much to offer as far as quality of life, a smaller town feel, yet the second largest city in Germany, and of course, only 2hrs away from Berlin on the ICE.  What can we say, we are perfectly situated in our cosy Hafencity of the North.  It is no surprise Startup Live chose this past weekend to pump up the creative juices flowing through Hamburger entrepreneurial hearts!  

(The Alster near the center of town - Jungfernstieg)

Day 1:

Living near the Alster, I do not always travel too far from the Mitte (center of town), but this weekend I was in for a pleasant surprise. The Startup Live Hamburg event was hosted by the Werkheim co-working spaces, located about 10min. from Altona Main Station.  When arriving and entering the building, the space really feels wide open, unlike most office buildings that feel more like, well..an office.  It had high ceilings, huge open windows, skylights that opened up to green surrounding trees, an upper loft, convenient cafe, and peaceful courtyard to take a break away from the desk now and again…

(Werkheim co-working spaces)

After doing an exciting meet and greet with members of the Start Europe team, some located in Hamburg, while others just arriving from Vienna, they give me a tour, introduce me to the final teams going into the weekend startup competition, and as I was just in time for dinner, offer me a bite to eat! The meals were all provided and catered to participants by the lovely people at Werkheim, which were nicely selected, then served throughout the weekend, while balancing nutrition, along with variety, because a healthy diet is a healthy mind.

Rocket Challenge (video demo included!) Now this was brilliant and fun. Perfect icebreaker after groups are organized and team members are formed, because it builds camaraderie, eases everyone into working together as a team, showcases individual communication styles, and is an opportunity to test out brainstorming techniques that will be valuable for the remainder of the weekend. They asked me to participate as a judge and the winner had the pleasure of “pushing the button- That was EASY!”  Everyone is fed, teams are set, ideas are flowing, intros were made, Day One is Done.

(photo taken by the talented Malte Goy)

Day 2: This is how we do!

Since pictures are worth a thousand words, here is the album of Day Two via the Startup Live Hamburg Facebook group. However, what I will put in words is my deep appreciation for the yummy frozen yogurt sweet treat surprise that Philipp Baumgaertel and team arranged for everyone from Yoguru. Like little kids we all had smiles on our faces.

Mentors also arrived to meet with the teams on a rotating schedule so everyone could become acquainted and share ideas, as well as receive a diversity of feedback from professionals in different areas of the entrepreneurial world. 

Day 3: Final Presentations & All-star Lineup

The judges panel was ready to begin, and so were the teams… Presentations are the best part of these events. It really is special to witness ideas being dreamed, formed, and brought to reality in less than two days. No pressure or anything ;)

(Judges: Torsten Oelke, Ian Karan, Agnieszka Krzeminska, Lars Hinrichs, Benjamin Rohé)

I tweeted as presentations were pitched, so check out my updates at #SULHH1. Are you a visual person? Here are lively photos for your viewing pleasure and feel free to tag a friend!

Drum roll please…..And the winning team who came, pitched, built, presented and conquered this Startup Live event is Team AccoMates!!! Congrats guys and enjoy the prize package, because with those sweet Pioneers Festival tickets, this is only the beginning! 

(Winners of Startup Live Hamburg - Team: AccoMates)

As all good things must come to an end, so must this grand weekend, but if you want to experience it all over again or for the first time, then I have just the remedy for your startup addiction, which is Startup Weekend Hamburg. coming soon and this June! Don’t miss this epic event, as it is the “2nd Annual swHamburg” and if you were there in 2011 (#swhh1), well, you know how amazing the energy was. You know who you are, so be there if you know what is good for you.

Still want more? Then pack your bags, book your tickets and become a Pioneer in Vienna later this year. It’s gonna be AWESOME.

(Our satisfied crowd, thanks for the support this weekend!)

Startup life, it just feels GOOD to be your own boss, doesn’t it?!

I feel like Wonder Woman as described in Wiki:

Super-speed, super-stamina, and super-agility. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical (mobile app) warfare. She also possesses animal-like cunning skills and a natural rapport with animals, which has been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom (sometimes this just means with “Men”). She uses her Lasso of Truth, which forces those bound by it to tell the truth, a pair of indestructible bracelets, a tiara which serves as a projectile, and, in some stories, an invisible airplane. 

That is what it takes to become a woman in tech, just boundary-less passion, tons of energy, and a whole lot of optimism sprinkled with creativity and good old fashioned hard work.  A virtual assistant would be nice sometimes…

Before I headed back to Germany, we hosted an Amen Meetup to bring together everyone in New York that checked out the Amen App new features that launched towards the end of March. We hosted the get together with Startup Bus NYC members and used JukeMob App for music entertainment!  We also had portrait art on display by our Amen Spotlight of the week, David Aronson. 

People Lounge even created Amen and Hell No drinks for everyone to enjoy. 80 Amens and 20 Hell No’s were requested.  So basically, you asked the bartender, “Can I get an Amen?”  How perfectly appropriate.

Getting an Amen Drink:

Lychee Infused Vodka, Pineapple Juice, lime juice, muddle sugar and mint.

Getting a Hell No Drink:

Lychee Infused Vodka, Pineapple Juice, lime juice, muddle sugar and splash

of grenadine 

Thanks everyone for joining our Meetup, it was the Best Thursday night Ever! Amen.

Marguerite Imbert chatted me up about my experience working for Amen in New York City as an Evangelista and this is what I told her.  It all started with their article on “50 Things To Do Before You Die,” list.  Thanks everyone for reading all about my Amen adventure!

It’s been awesome New York and to celebrate this awesomeness I have experienced while being here, Amen App and CANDY your local Amen Evangelista will host a fun Thursday Meetup from 8pm to 12am @  People Lounge.  

Ask the bartender if you can get an Amen or a Hell No!  See you on the dance floor….

(more info) Tweet to #NYCAmen