Angel investors brought together
Brad Spirrison: One of the raps against starting a tech-based business in the Chicago area is that young, promising companies can't raise enough money to test their concepts in the marketplace. It remains easier to raise $25,000 from friends and family or a seven-figure venture capital round in Silicon Valley and other regions than anywhere around here.
Brad Spirrison: One of the raps against starting a tech-based business in the Chicago area is that young, promising companies can't raise enough money to test their concepts in the marketplace. It remains easier to raise $25,000 from friends and family or a seven-figure venture capital round in Silicon Valley and other regions than anywhere around here.
'Father of Internet' sizes up Chicago
Brad Spirrison: Not too many 60-somethings are completely fluent with the ways of the Web. Far fewer have spent more than half of their lives online. Of course, when you are Vint Cerf and famous for being "the father of the Internet," it pays to have had an early start in the medium.
Brad Spirrison: Not too many 60-somethings are completely fluent with the ways of the Web. Far fewer have spent more than half of their lives online. Of course, when you are Vint Cerf and famous for being "the father of the Internet," it pays to have had an early start in the medium.
Should state invest in more startups?
Brad Spirrison: Part of Barack Obama's proposed energy policy is the creation of a $10 billion Clean Technologies Venture Capital Fund. The junior senator from Illinois already has some experience in the venture sector. Five years and a political eternity ago, Obama as a state senator from Chicago actively pushed for more venture investments in Illinois startups.
Brad Spirrison: Part of Barack Obama's proposed energy policy is the creation of a $10 billion Clean Technologies Venture Capital Fund. The junior senator from Illinois already has some experience in the venture sector. Five years and a political eternity ago, Obama as a state senator from Chicago actively pushed for more venture investments in Illinois startups.
Printing money off of the Web
Brad Spirrison: Two years ago, InnerWorkings went public by using the Internet to bring together buyers and sellers of commercial print jobs. The company today is harnessing its proprietary software and network of more than 6,000 suppliers to profitably impress upon larger customers including John Deere, Kraft and Walgreens the value of its services.
Brad Spirrison: Two years ago, InnerWorkings went public by using the Internet to bring together buyers and sellers of commercial print jobs. The company today is harnessing its proprietary software and network of more than 6,000 suppliers to profitably impress upon larger customers including John Deere, Kraft and Walgreens the value of its services.
A chip to help your chip shot
Brad Spirrison: I dread it when I'm invited to corporate golf outings. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the sport and take pride in an ability to recite every line from "Caddyshack." The problem I have is an inability to play the game with any degree of competency. It is no fun trying to develop business relationships while chasing a ball around the course for four or five hours.
Brad Spirrison: I dread it when I'm invited to corporate golf outings. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the sport and take pride in an ability to recite every line from "Caddyshack." The problem I have is an inability to play the game with any degree of competency. It is no fun trying to develop business relationships while chasing a ball around the course for four or five hours.