They’re there if you know where to look …and it isn’t just Silicon Valley
I couldn’t agree more with a recent NY Times story, "In Tech Industry, Some Signs of a Comeback" that stated, “even in a downtrodden economy, hope springs eternal, and technology companies are among those starting to feel more hopeful.” This was really brought home for me this last week as I attended meetings on both coasts with the young internet entrepreneurs that are refusing to be intimidated by the doom and gloom pundits, long hours and even in many cases, little to no funding.
My first visit was with Dreamit Ventures in Philadelphia, a dynamite gathering of embryonic companies run by a new generation of “garage entrepreneurs” that are as bright and ambitious as they are impressive in their goals…and, in their desire to learn from others that have gone before. I was fortunate to have been asked to join a long list of previous speakers from corporate attorneys and marketing gurus to venture capitalists. They listened intently, asked great questions, took tons of notes, and were genuinely interested in understanding how to best communicate to their present and future market audiences. Truthfully, I’m not sure who learned the most…myself, or these young entrepreneurs. Their creativity and enthusiasm was infectious. But it was their optimism against arguably some of the toughest financial times ever, that left the greatest impression. I suspect more than a few will beat the odds and grow into successful long-term businesses.
A day later I was in Southern California…Orange County to be exact, where twenty-five years ago I opened Burson-Marsteller’s first ever technology focused office. That office is long since gone, but technology start-ups are still flourishing along the Interstate 405/5 corridor. My company, INK inc., has been fortunate over the years to have developed strong working relationships with many of these young companies, but on this trip I was here to meet with a young exec with Google (aren’t they all) that was kind enough to be introducing me to several new start-ups as well as the VC’s supporting them. Once again, I couldn’t help but marvel over the simple fact that to these young companies and the fresh minds that create and drive them, there are few negatives in their day. They cannot afford the time to feel empathy or sympathy for others struggling with the economy. After all, they are in survival mode all day, every day…have been from their inception.
Yes, some, if not many of these start-ups won’t survive. So as a PR agency, is it worthwhile to waste valuable time on such risky endeavors? It is, absolutely, if the agency can work within the constraints of time and budgets that dominate this entrepreneurial world. However, those PR firms that can’t leave their fat retainers, hourly fees, and big egos at the door, will miss and should miss this golden opportunity. For those select start-ups that do grow and thrive against the odds represent fantastic opportunities to forge a long-term client bond based on not only being there in the beginning, but in contributing to their success.
My first visit was with Dreamit Ventures in Philadelphia, a dynamite gathering of embryonic companies run by a new generation of “garage entrepreneurs” that are as bright and ambitious as they are impressive in their goals…and, in their desire to learn from others that have gone before. I was fortunate to have been asked to join a long list of previous speakers from corporate attorneys and marketing gurus to venture capitalists. They listened intently, asked great questions, took tons of notes, and were genuinely interested in understanding how to best communicate to their present and future market audiences. Truthfully, I’m not sure who learned the most…myself, or these young entrepreneurs. Their creativity and enthusiasm was infectious. But it was their optimism against arguably some of the toughest financial times ever, that left the greatest impression. I suspect more than a few will beat the odds and grow into successful long-term businesses.
A day later I was in Southern California…Orange County to be exact, where twenty-five years ago I opened Burson-Marsteller’s first ever technology focused office. That office is long since gone, but technology start-ups are still flourishing along the Interstate 405/5 corridor. My company, INK inc., has been fortunate over the years to have developed strong working relationships with many of these young companies, but on this trip I was here to meet with a young exec with Google (aren’t they all) that was kind enough to be introducing me to several new start-ups as well as the VC’s supporting them. Once again, I couldn’t help but marvel over the simple fact that to these young companies and the fresh minds that create and drive them, there are few negatives in their day. They cannot afford the time to feel empathy or sympathy for others struggling with the economy. After all, they are in survival mode all day, every day…have been from their inception.
Yes, some, if not many of these start-ups won’t survive. So as a PR agency, is it worthwhile to waste valuable time on such risky endeavors? It is, absolutely, if the agency can work within the constraints of time and budgets that dominate this entrepreneurial world. However, those PR firms that can’t leave their fat retainers, hourly fees, and big egos at the door, will miss and should miss this golden opportunity. For those select start-ups that do grow and thrive against the odds represent fantastic opportunities to forge a long-term client bond based on not only being there in the beginning, but in contributing to their success.
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