SXSWi, University BP Winners & the next OpenCoffee

As always a busy time for entrepreneurs and innovators, lots to talk about next Tues, 7 April from 8.30 in Starbucks on Park St.

By all accounts the Bristol (and South West) contingent at SXSWi (Austin, Texas) had a great time, promoting Bristol, pervasive media and all things British to our American cousins. Whilst we’re over the pond, in case anyone thought investing had dried up completely, two venture firms just announced they’d closed new fund ready for investing. Charles River Ventures with $320m (and a good track record of start-up investing) and Essex Woodlands Health with a whopping $900m (though they’re not really start-up focused).

Closer to home the various University Business Plan Competitions are approaching their award ceremonies (UWE on 7 May, RAC on 15 May, Gloucester in w/c 8 June, Bristol on 30 June), the University of Bath was first out of the blocks, selecting “UK Students Abroad” on 20 March.

For companies that aren’t eligible for the in-house programmes, there are plenty of local angel and VC sources including SWAIN, Eden, Catalyst, and Pembridge Partners (bit further afield in London), along with the broad support for entrepreneurs available from the SETsquared facilities. Speaking of which, don’t forget that on 21 April we’ll be having another company demo session at SETsquared.
Bookings still open (http://opencoffeebristol21april2009.eventbrite.com/)

See you soon,
John

March 31, 2009 | Filed Under opencoffee 

Comments

One Response to “SXSWi, University BP Winners & the next OpenCoffee”

  1. Allen Taylor on March 31st, 2009 7:30 am

    Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.

    Allen Taylor

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