The latest from The X-Media Lab
By Simon Young,
17 bold entrepreneurial projects are now years closer to success than a day ago, thanks to what has happened here today.
Projects ranging from games to entertainment to the barely-describable, and hailing from as far north as Leigh and as far south as Dunedin, have had the chance to get in front of a world-class group of advisors.
So what kind of a boost-up is this for these projects? For some, it's exposure to the sheer experience of getting funding. For others, it's the ability to ask questions of world leaders in their field, whether it's interface design, social media metrics or gaming. And for others, its simply the chance to have someone who's “been there” tell them whether their idea has legs or not.
These mentors are world-class, with global experience. So how does New Zealand entrepreneurship fare against the standards of Silicon Valley, or Bombay for that matter? The feedback is positive.
Tim Chang, from Norwest Venture Partners in Silicon Valley, told me he's impressed with the calibre of ideas, and also for New Zealand businesses' ability to bootstrap - largely because we need to. Because there’s not a VC next door, we innovate and find a way to make things pay, from day one. And that's the kind of companies VCs chase.
Vishal Gondal also said he’s impressed with the quality and variety of ideas. Most other similar events he attends are full of Facebook clones, and ways to make Twitter better (a whole industry in itself, albeit one without a revenue model!).
As I consider the success of X-Media lab 2009, I wonder, is this the best way to do it? Could this level of networking be achieved online? (After all, there is a lot of technology here!)
My thoughts: yes and no. Yes, in that the internet lets you convey more and higher quality information. And social networking profiles are so much more comprehensive.
No, in that the tea breaks, the famed "hallways" that unconferences are based on, are in action here. Random conversations with people you're not likely to meet otherwise. And those conversations are relaxed, unhurried, unlike the conversations you tend to have online.
“It’s a wrap” has just been called for today, which means this is a great time to publish this post. See you tomorrow.
Comments
Vincent Heeringa
Simon, how much do you rate the boost for NZ Inc in having such high calibre visitors to the country? And are they getting out to see a bit more of the place, other than the inside of the (very nice) Hilton?
Wouldn't it be great for example if Tim Chang could get out to see Right Hemisphere or the Bioengineering Institute or UniServices or Kode? I wonder if NZTE has organised a programme for them? Simon, can you put that to the NZTE rep?
James Stewart
Very cool Simon! Wish I was there!
Where will be able to watch the vids - IdealogTV? Gotta get that content out to the people who couldnt make it!
Also - do you know if any of them are coming down to Welly? Would love to meet them.
James Stewart
haha oops - just clicked on TV - off to watch all the vids now!
PS disqus is an awesome commenting platform - you should get that Vincent - you can tweet the comments automatically :)
Simon Young
Hi guys, just realised I should probably check the comments!
Vincent that's a great point about showcasing brand NZ. I know Vishal Gondal has bungy jumped off the Sky Tower, but many of the other visitors had tight schedules - in fact Susan Bonds and Mike McGraw have already left the building. But - if Parmesh Shahani's response is anything to go by - they wish they'd booked a longer stay once they got here.
James - yes, the videos will be up on IdealogTV. Stay tuned!
Stephen Knightly
In the conversations I had with mentors I didn't hear of any leverage by NZTE. However, a few of the locals and local mentors were giving recommendations and may have organised a day trip or two.
I recommended some local fashion brands and streets to Parmesh for Verve magazine…
Megan Elliott
@Vincent & @Simon,
Just to let you know - Tim Chang is now in Wellington meeting with the folks from Weta Workshop, Weta Digital, Park Road Post, Film Wellington, Grow Wellington etc!
This week Adrian Sexton and Bonnie Graves from New Medici will also be in Wellington and other areas of NZ checking out the digital media, screen industries and wine industries (check out Bonnie's profile and the value she can add to NZ Wine! http://www.newmedici.com/team/bonnie-graves/); as will Michela Ledwidge be meeting with Scott Houston - the Guru of cloud computing in NZ…
Plus Parmesh is visiting Massive Interactive and Hugh Mason is still here :-)
And Richard Cardran met with a number of companies offsite from the Hilton while he was in town!
We're adding as much value as we can to brand NZ :-)
Vincent Heeringa
Megan, this is fantastic news. All the industries you mentioned have great potential.
And just in case you thought Hugh Mason was slouching about in Auckland, I know that today he met with the Icehouse and spent a very productive two hour session with a publisher with global ambitions. Who could that be ….?
Awesome event and people, thank Megan. Please keep 'em coming.
How do we book for the next event? And when will be scheduled for?
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