Hey Everyone,

Here's a great opportunity to meet seasoned entrepreneurs in a casual setting and pick their brain!  You've got an idea, but you need to flesh it out.  Insight from someone who has "been there, done that" would be greatly beneficial.

OR you're ready to take advantage of the 2010 Capital Factory early-stage accelerator mentorship program for tech startups.  Applications are being accepted now through April 2.  What are they looking for?  How should I present this cool idea and really make an impact?  Well, come visit with the mentors and see what they are all about.

SUNDAY, March 14
9:30am-10:30am
Convention Center
NW corner, inside near the children's play area

Please RSVP at:  http://bit.ly/9b5z05

For more updates, follow us  on twitter @capitalfactory

How about some free advice from seasoned entrepreneurs who have "been there and done that?"  Perhaps you have a business idea that you want to submit for the Capital Factory mentoring program and want some feedback before putting in your application.

Here's your chance!  Take advantage of our Capital Factory Entrepreneur Office Hours!

Office Hours Sessions:

Sunday, March 7th from 1:30pm - 3:30pm at Lola Savannah Coffee House on Bee Cave Road
Wednesday, March 24 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Union Park on 6th Street

There you will have the opportunity meet Capital Factory mentors and tap the advice of these successful entrepreneurs.

See you there!  Please RSVP
http://www.facebook.com/capitalfactory?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts

For press inquiries, contact:
Lauren Warthan
Porter Novelli
lauren.warthan@porternovelli.com
512.241.2256

 

Capital Factory Announces 2010 Accelerator Program’s Call for Startup Applications –
Deadline April 2^nd  

 

Austin’s early stage accelerator now accepting applications for tech startups looking to launch with support from up to $20K funds, business resources and 10-week mentorship program

February 17, 2010, Austin, TX – Capital Factory, an Austin-based early stage accelerator for tech startups, today officially kicked off the start of its 2010 “sophomore” season by opening up its second annual call for startup applications. Founded in 2009 by local entrepreneurs Joshua Baer, Sam Decker and Bryan Menell, the program’s goal is to get a startup pointed in the right direction with a clear path to profitability and growth through an intensive 10-week mentoring program where finalists will receive benefits including up to $20,000 in cash, business and operational support and weekly mentoring sessions with proven, successful entrepreneurs. 

The deadline for startups interested in applying to be part of the 2010 Capital Factory program is April 2, 2010. The application is available online at http://www.capitalfactory.com/apply.html.  While the focus is primarily on early stage technology companies, there is no official limitation on the type of company that can apply for consideration. Capital Factory will announce the five selected companies by early April, and then will kick off its 10-week summer program following Memorial Day on June 1^st.

”Last year’s Capital Factory program demonstrated that 10 weeks can make a huge difference in a company’s future, and mentors continue to be involved in those first-year companies,” said Sam Decker, Managing Director of Capital Factory. “We are improving the program this year in many ways, and looking forward to seeing applications from Austin entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-to-be.”

During the program, Capital Factory and select partners will provide the 2010 class of companies the following resources and benefits:

• Up to $20,000 in cash
• Weekly mentoring sessions
• Investor introductions
• Basic IT infrastructure for email, website, version control
• Office space 
• Company formation and legal documents
• A logo and corporate identity if needed
• Service provider introductions 
• Recruiting support 
• Press support

Capital Factory’s 2010 season and program will culminate on September 9^th when they host the second annual “Demo Day” for the selected companies. Angel investors, early stage venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, media and more will be invited to come out and see the portfolio companies’ demos as well as help them identify next steps and suggestions for achieving optimal success. In return for entrance into the Capital Factory program and a successful launch of their company, Capital Factory receives a five percent equity stake in the portfolio companies under founder-friendly terms.

“Based on the success of last year, we expect to see an increase in benefits to entrepreneurs who are chosen for the program,” said Bryan Menell, Managing Director of Capital Factory. “We’re already seeing an increase in interest from partners and investors to get involved.”

MENTOR CLASS OF 2010

Mentorship was a key focus and invaluable resource for the portfolio class of 2009 and will remain a large focus of this year’s Capital Factory season. Capital Factory is pleased to announce three new mentors coming on board to participate this year, including:

• Kenny Van Zant – Senior Vice President and Chief Product Strategist, SolarWinds
• Rony Kahan – CTO and Co-Founder, Indeed 
• Samy Aboel-Nil – Co-Founder, Sane Ventures

 “Aspiring entrepreneurs want to talk to other successful entrepreneurs who have been through it before,” said Joshua Baer, Managing Director of Capital Factory. “This year we've raised the bar by adding more incredible entrepreneurs with a diverse range of startup experience.”

“Just being able to talk to someone who has done it before and who probably knows if not the right answer, something close to the right answer, is invaluable,” said Chuck Gordon, CEO of Sparefoot. 

Additionally, returning mentors from the 2009 season, who make up an impressive “who’s who” of local experienced technology entrepreneurs, include:

• Joshua Baer – Founder and CEO, OtherInbox
• Sam Decker – Chief Marketing Officer, Bazaarvoice
• Bryan Menell – Director, Dachis Group
• Brian Beard – Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
• Jeremy Benken – Chairman, BuzzStream, and General Manager, ApartmentRatings.com
• Andrew Busey – Founder and CEO, Challenge Games
• Ian Clarke – Founder and Coordinator, Freenet Project
• Jason Cohen – Founder, Smart Bear
• Russell Hinds – Managing Director, RSH Ventures
• Ryan Koonce – Founder and CEO, Westlake Products, Inc., Owner and Operator, SuperPoints Network
• Kip McClanahan – CEO, Socialware
• Adam Moore – Co-Founder and Co-President, Springbox
• Marc Nathan – Director of Development, Houston Technology Center and Marketing Chairman, Houston Angel Network
• John Price – CEO, Vast.com
• Mellie Price – Founder and CEO, Front Gate Tickets and Front Gate Solutions
• Yvonne Tocquigny – CEO, Tocquigny 
• Michael Trafton – Founder and CEO, Blue Fish Development Group
• Marc Yagjian – Managing Director, Origin Partners

For more information on Capital Factory, or to find out other ways to get involved, visit www.capitalfactory.com. The application for interested startups can be found at http://www.capitalfactory.com/apply.html. 

About Capital Factory:

Capital Factory is an early stage accelerator for tech startups based in Austin, Texas. Startup companies participate in an intense 10-week summer program that gives them up to $20,000 in cash, more than $20,000 in free services, and mentorship by a group of successful entrepreneurs. The program culminates in a demo day where the startups present to investors, the press, and the world. For more information on Capital Factory, please visit the web site at www.capitalfactory.com, or find Capital Factory on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capitalfactory, or on Twitter @capitalfactory. 

 

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Coming up! 6pm - Wednesday, February 24th at Opal Devines on 6th Street

You've got a business idea. You want to be an entrepreneur. You need a co-founder to help build it or sell it. A setting to meet several builders in just a couple of hours would be awesome!

You want to be a founder of a startup. You want to hear some cool ideas and see what's out there that might really excite you.

If one of these statements describes you, then this event is for you!

Here's the scoop:

This unique event will bring together 10 internet business entrepreneurs (people who sell stuff) and 10 technical entrepreneurs (people who build stuff / developers) with the goal of you finding a co-founder.

The goal is to unite Ideas with Builders in the hopes of making a few great connections in that very early startup stage. 

Please note that all applicants may not be accepted. For the event to run smoothly, we need to have a balance of developers to idea people and we may need to limit numbers depending on how many RSVP's we receive. WE ALWAYS NEED MORE DEVELOPERS/BUILDERS. Spread the word! 

Please RSVP as soon as possible, and help us spread the word to other entrepreneurs who should attend!

For press inquiries, contact:

Caroline Traylor

Porter Novelli

  Caroline.traylor@porternovelli.com

512-241-2239

Capital Factory’s Demo Day Set for September 9 in Austin, TX, Marking Culmination of Inaugural Ten-Week Incubation Program

Capital Factory startups showcase business concepts to the world for first time at upcoming event

August 12, 2009, Austin, TX – Startup incubator Capital Factory today announced their inaugural “Demo Day” event will be held close to a month from today, on Wednesday, September 9 at the AT&T Conference Center on the University of Texas campus. As the culmination of a ten-week technology incubator program this summer, Capital Factory’s Demo Day will provide the five portfolio start-ups with the opportunity to launch their business concept to the world and specifically, to attending investors, to help the companies move toward the future and take things to the next level with their businesses. 

Demo Day, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., will kick-off with a keynote by Mike Maples, managing partner of Maples Investments, followed by 8-minute concept demonstrations from each of the five portfolio companies.  After each demonstration, there will also be a brief Q&A from the feedback panel.  

The five Company demonstrators include:

Cubit Planning, which provides data services that help engineering firms get environmental clearance faster. 

Famigo, which developed a platform for game developers to distribute family-friendly mobile games, hosted on a network that brings the family players together. 

HourVille, an online marketplace for local services, empowering freelancers and small service businesses to grow – with online scheduling, marketing and payment tools, and allowing consumers to find the right provider at the right place at the right time.  

PetsMD.com, an online resource that supports pet owners by providing the knowledge and products they need to more effectively manage their pet’s health; also supports vets by helping them grow their business. 

SpareFoot, an open marketplace for self storage with options ranging from the units at your local storage facility to your neighbor's garage. What Expedia.com does for travel, SpareFoot does for self storage. 

Additionally, after the demonstrations, both attendees and start-ups alike will benefit from a Venture Capital panel, “What’s it Take Today to Build a Super Startup?,” during which veteran investors will combine their varying experiences and perspectives to discuss best practices for securing venture capital and positioning new companies in a positive light.  Moderated by Joshua Baer, the panel will feature Satya Patel, Principal at Battery Ventures; Jim Armstrong, Managing Director at Clearstone Venture Partners; Rudy Garza, founder and managing partner at G51, and Bill Wood, Principal at Silverton Partners.  Attendees at Demo Day will also be able to enjoy one-on-one access to Capital Factory portfolio companies and hundreds of attending entrepreneurs over lunch. 

The corporate sponsors of Demo Day helping to make this inaugural event happen include ThinkTiv, Microsoft BizSpark, Austin Ventures, Red Velvet Events, Silverton Partners and WGSR.

The event is primarily invitation-only, open to technology investors, executives, entrepreneurs and press attendees. To request a ticket to attend Capital Factory’s Demo Day on September 9, email demoday@capitalfactory.com.  The ticket costs $30, which covers parking as well as lunch at the event.  The event will also be streamed live to thousands of viewers over the Internet. Check the Capital Factory website at www.capitalfactory.com to find out more on the video streaming component as more details become available. 

"We are very proud of the rapid progress the inaugural group of Capital Factory companies has made and Demo Day will be an incredible opportunity for these entrepreneurs to showcase their accomplishments," said Bryan Menell, co-founder and managing director of Capital Factory. "I think I speak for all of the mentors when I say that working with the five companies proved to be very motivational and energizing for us. They really reminded us of how tireless and inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit is in its purest form.  Attendance at Demo Day is limited so interested attendees are encouraged to request tickets soon.”

The inaugural summer program all started in April 2009 when Capital Factory founders, Joshua Baer, widely recognized email marketing pioneer who founded OtherInbox; Sam Decker, Chief Marketing Officer at Bazaarvoice, and Bryan Menell, founder of AustinStartup.com, selected the five start-up companies from a pool of over 250 applicants.  The winning companies officially kicked off their 10-week program in late May, receiving up to $20,000 in cash as well as weekly mentoring sessions with a select group of proven, successful technology entrepreneurs.  

Capital Factory would also like to specially acknowledge the sponsors that played a significant role in making this summer program a success. The sponsors donated everything from brand development support to legal advice to office space to press relations support, among many others.  Sponsors to pay tribute to include the following:  American Workforce, Clutch Creative, Conjunctured, JungleDisk, Microsoft BizSpark, Mosso, Porter Novelli, Rackspace, Slicehost, Square One Bank, Tech Ranch Austin, The Accounting Group, vcfo and Wilson Sonsini.  

Details for next year’s program are still underway, but more information, including ways to get involved in the 2010 program, will be available at www.capitalfactory.com as additional details are confirmed. 

About Capital Factory:

Capital Factory is an early stage technology incubator based in Austin, Texas. Startup companies participate in an intense 10-week summer program that gives them up to $20,000 in cash, more than $20,000 in free services, and mentorship by a group of successful entrepreneurs. The program culminates in a demo day where the startups present to investors, the press, and the world. For more information on Capital Factory, visit the website at www.capitalfactory.com or on Twitter @capitalfactory.  For the full list of 2009 mentors, visit: http://www.capitalfactory.com/mentors.html

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