Tag: startups
Startup Monday: Education
Silicon Valley’s biggest event of the year is finally here! Tonight, we find out which companies will win Tech Crunchies Awards. Here at ABCey, we decided to dive into those nominated for Best Education Startup. We think each company in this category has made valuable contributions to changing the face of education. Let’s take a look at the nominees!
1. Code.org: This non-profit organization is committed to growing computer programming education. This startup believes every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science, and the subject should be included in the core curriculum of U.S. education. Code.org’s mission is to spread the word that there is a worldwide shortage of computer programmers, and that it is much easier to learn to program than you think. Online courses, brick + mortar schools, and summer camps can provide students with computer programming education!
2. CreativeLIVE: The world’s leading live, online classroom is designed for creative entrepreneurs. This startup is transforming the $100 billion continuing education market by offering complete access to the brightest teachers in the world via a social and interactive video platform. Anyone in the world can watch the live-streamed classes for free. Copies of the courses are available to purchase at any time. Since the company was founded in 2010, more than one million students from over 200 countries have utilized the platform, and popular classes have attracted more than 150,000 students!
3. Duolingo: This free language learning service is fun and user-friendly! While you are learning a new language, the users help translate the web, completing sentences, and rating other users’ translations. This startup offers courses in Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese! An independent study was conducted that proves Duolingo trumps university-level language learning. The app is also available for iPhones and Androids so you can be productive on the go!
4. Khan Academy: A free world-class education is available for anyone anywhere. This educational non-profit produces a collection of free online micro lectures on various subjects such as mathematics, finance, physics, computer science, history, astronomy, economics, chemistry, and biology. Game mechanics are also incorporated to reward students with badges for reaching certain skill levels. Khan Academy’s resources and materials are available to anyone and it is free of charge. Stats are available to track what you’ve been learning and whether or not you are hitting your goals.
5. Treehouse: Affordable technology education is available for people everywhere! In order to help subscribers learn web design, development, and iOS development, Treehouse uses short videos, quizzes, and badges. The service comes at a cost of $29 to $49 dollars per month. You are guided each step of the way. To start, just hop onto a track. Tracks offer guided pathways through the content. Content is structured in a way that makes it quite simple for you to learn skills within a specific role.
Technology is truly changing the dynamic of education and educational resources are readily available for professors and students with access to the web. Each of these startups are helping people achieve their dreams. Which one do you think should win an award? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: Watsi
The world is constantly experiencing change due to advances in technology. With the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards just a week away, we decided to reflect on companies that made the biggest impact in 2013. Watsi came right to mind. The global crowdfunding platform for healthcare enables anyone to donate in order to directly fund life-changing medical care for those in need.
The idea was developed by co-founder Chase Adam when he was visiting Watsi, a small village in Costa Rica. Chase noticed that while he was riding a bus through the village, a woman was walking through the isle holding a red folder and speaking to the passengers. The woman had a picture of her son who had an incision across the width of his stomach. Chase realized that although the bus passengers could help, what if he could connect the woman with his friends and family back home?
The story of how this idea came to live is truly an inspiration, and has motivated many to donate to people in need. Watsi thrives on a few core values: impact, innovation, efficiency, and transparency. The overall goal is to fund low-cost, high-impact medical treatments for a million people in need. Here is a breakdown of how the donation process works:
1. Connect. Browse different profiles on Watsi.org and connect with a person in need that you would like to support.
2. Fund Treatment. Make a donation of any amount you choose, as little as $5 can go a long way. This will fund a life-changing medical treatment for helping the person of your choice.
3. Get an Update. Not only can you fund a patient. Watsi goes even further. Receive an update about the outcome of the treatment you funded. You can directly learn about the difference you made in one’s life.
Watsi has an empowering vision: A world where people no longer die from conditions that society has the knowledge, resources, and power to treat. This non-profit startup is bringing the world together and giving us access to become connected with those in need.
We are seriously impressed with this platform and the social impact it has made! What do you think of Watsi? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: Sevenlogics
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
When you’re planning for the big day, you need all the help you can get! That’s why we love Sevenlogics‘ wedding planning apps.
This LA-based company has been filling the Android and Apple app markets with its products since 2009! Sevenlogics focuses on problem-solving apps in categories including baby, lifestyle, finance, and (of course!) wedding prep. Since every app is free, there’s no excuse not to take them out for a spin!
Our favorite apps are the wedding-themed ones, like Wedding To-Do and Wedding Budget. Although these are obviously marketed towards brides and grooms, these apps are great for any upcoming project you have on your hands. Wedding Budget is our hands-down favorite because keeping track of the budget is always a huge concern, no matter the size! Set up strict allocations for each phase of the event planning process, including venue and catering costs. The clear calculations and graphics make it easy to see what’s consuming too much money and which areas came in under budget.
Would you use a Sevenlogics app for your next big project? Let us know in a comment or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: Wedding Party
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
The days of leaving a disposable camera in the table centerpiece are over! The perfect app for your wedding is Wedding Party, which allows guests to share the photos of your big day in one easy location. Let the party begin!
This app is a must-have for any wedding! Wedding Party helps you create your wedding’s very own website displaying wedding information, gift registry, and (of course!) your pictures. Whomever downloads the app and uploads photos will find them shown on the website in realtime! The app makes one cohesive wedding album to share with friends, family, and guests filled with a unique blend of professional and candid shots that tell your complete wedding story. The pics can be used to create a timeline of events, like saying the vows and cutting the cake, and to create Facebook albums.
Photosharing is just the tip of the iceberg. Use Wedding App to make place cards, keep a guest book, and interact with your guests. You’ll be able to see every single moment from the happiest day of your life through the eyes of your loved ones. This app will be the best (free!) gift you can get.
What do you think of Wedding Party? Is it a good fit for your wedding? Let us know your thoughts in a comment or on Twitter and Facebook!
Startup Monday: Instacanvas
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
Instagram’s filters and effects can make anyone with a camera look like a talented photographer. And, with the help of Instacanvas, that Instagram of your breakfast could be hanging on the wall of someone’s living room!
Instacanvas is an online service that allows people to buy and sell real-life prints of Instagram pictures. Instagram users can create a profile and choose which photos they want to feature in their gallery. The gallery is then published on the website for consumers to peruse and purchase.
As of now, you can turn an Instagram print into a canvas, framed print, 3D prism, greeting card, or iPhone case! More products are in the works, such as wearable art. Can you imagine people walking around with your art proudly displayed on their phone case?
Instacanvas is a compelling startup because it combines social networking and e-commerce to create a product that benefits both the producer and consumer. The photographer receives around 50% of the profits from the purchase and retains all rights to his or her product. That’s big news for someone who is casually sharing their photos with their Instagram followers!
Do you think your snapshots are gallery worthy? Share your thoughts with us in a comment or on Twitter and Facebook!
Startup Monday: Silent Storm
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
Picture this: you get to the nightclub to see your favorite DJ perform. When you open the doors expecting to be blasted by loud music, you instead walk into a completely silent room where everyone around you is dancing and listening to headphones. This, my friends, is a Silent Disco, a unique musical experience sweeping the bay area by silent storm. Silent Storm Sound System is the company bringing you the awesomeness of a concert with none of the hassle.
Silent Storm Sound Systems offers its attendees the ability to customize their concert experience through the silent disco medium. Everyone gets their own set of headphones that lets them control the volume and even the music they want to listen to. There are two “battling DJs” that you can switch between as often as you like! Headphones also mean you no longer have to push your way to the front of the stage to get the best sound quality from the performer or scream until you’re hoarse to get your friend’s attention.
Besides being incredibly fun, Silent Storm’s silent discos are also extremely practical. The performers trade off lugging in their expensive amp equipment for hundreds of wireless headphones for the crowd. Because these events produce very little noise, events no longer require amplified sound ordinances or result in noise complaints. That means you can take silent discos anywhere from parks to parties or any venue of your choosing. You can dance away your disco fever almost anywhere!
Have you ever been to a Silent Storm silent disco? Tell us about it in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up 5.30.13- 6.2.13
This weekend’s star is the highly-anticipated picturesque weather, which is sure to usher summer into the bay area. ABCey has pulled together events for everyone ranging from startup founders, oyster lovers, and ambitious dogs. Have fun this weekend visiting the events featured in ABCey’s Weekend Line-Up!
1. The Startup Conference | Thursday, May 30th | 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. | 2223 Broadway St., Redwood City | If you’re eager to learn how startup businesses start up, this is how you should spend your Thursday. In the heart of Silicon Valley amongst over two thousand entrepreneurs, you’ll learn how to pitch your ideas, find co-founders, launch your product to the press, and anything else pertaining to starting a business. You can either pay to present your ideas at the conference or attend for free and bask in the innovation that emanates from the tech hub of the country. Find the full day’s schedule here!
2. Guinness Oyster and Music Festival | Saturday, June 1st | 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco | We admit it- mixing Guinness and oysters may not sound like the best combination at first glance. But if you’re a foodie, beer-lover, or music fan, you cannot miss this event. (Let’s face it, you must fall into one of these categories!) You’ll find two stages of live music, plenty of food and beer, and oyster-themed events like a “shuck and swallow” competition and oyster cooking classes. After all, it is the largest oyster festival on the west coast.
3. Union Street Festival | Saturday and Sunday, June 1st & 2nd | 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. | Union Street from Gough to Steiner, San Francisco | If June signals the start of summer, then the Union Street Festival commences the season of street festivals! The Union Street Festival is one of the oldest and largest free festivals in San Francisco history, and there’s a reason it has stuck around. Picture an entire, normal city street transformed into a giant market for artisan goods from across America. Our advice? Grab an ice cream cone from Humphry Sloecombe and browse the wares on the jazz-laden Union.
4. Wedding and Special Events Expo | Sunday, June 2nd | 12-3 p.m. | 625 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley | Before beginning the madness of trying to please guests at your next event, spend an afternoon letting this expo host you. While you sip cocktails, munch on gourmet food, and enjoy a gorgeous view over Richardson Bay, don’t forget how much this expo has to offer. Florists, musicians, designers, and other vendors will be available to answer any and all questions you may have regarding your next special event. The best advice you’ll receive: talk to ABCey Events!
5. Million Dog March | Sunday, June 2nd | McLaren Park, San Francisco | If your dog’s bummed that he had to miss Bay to Breakers, here’s the perfect way to make it up to him! Join the rest of the bay in attempts to set the Guinness World Record for largest dog walk across three miles of breathtaking city views. Grab the leash and treat your loyal buddy to an extra special walk this weekend.
What will you be doing this weekend? Tell us below in a comment or on Facebook and Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: SOSCharger
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
They say time is money and with your phone, you’re definitely able to maximize your time. But there are those unfortunate days you forget to charge your phone and the battery dies when you need your phone the most. At ABCey, we know how important your phone is (we’ve been reviewing the most helpful apps, after all!) and on today’s Tech Tuesday, we’re featuring SOSCharger, the self-powered smartphone or iPhone charger!
Especially for all you super organized, schedule-conscious people out there (we’re talking to you, event planners), losing your phone in the middle of the day can create some serious roadblocks. We love recommending apps for you to use, whether it’s for an upcoming wedding or a holiday occasion, but with a dead phone, the apps are dead too! The SOSCharger lets you charge your phone on-the-spot, so you don’t have to search for an outlet if you’re on the road, in the house, on the plane, or in the middle of nowhere. All you need to pack is the SOSCharger and your usual USB cable.
We recommend the SOSCharger because it’s best to be prepared for the worst, and sometimes, the worst is when your phone dies right before an important meeting, or event! Is the SOSCharger something you’d fine worthwhile? Let us know in the comments below and Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: OurCrowd
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past that we would like to share with the friends and followers of ABCey Events.
Ever have a great idea but don’t know how to get it started? Or maybe you’re short on the necessary funds? At ABCey, we’re all about helping each other out and OurCrowd is too!
Based in Israel, OurCrowd is an equity-based crowdfunding platform to provide venture capital funding for venture capital start-ups. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, crowdfunding is essentially pitching an idea or project to the general public and hoping that they find as worthwhile of an investment as you do. Co-founders, Jon Medved and Steven Blumgar, explain that in Israel there are 500+ venture financings and over 1000+ angel financings, making it an ideal place for OurCrowd to launch — and prosper. Individuals can now use this platform to browse through hundreds of different startups and search through entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, and more.
According to its website, OurCrowd has become the first Israel focused, equity-based investment platform to launch and one of the world’s leading accredited investor only platforms! OurCrowd offers users effective tools to research companies in order to determine follow-up investment. IN addition, it offers a low-cost portfolio as well as a broad network of fellow investors.
What are your thoughts on crowdfunding? Would you support a project on a crowdfunding site? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: Sticky
Are you getting noticed? And by that we don’t mean your latest outfit. Your ad is competing for attention against publicity efforts by hundreds of different companies. Today at ABCey, we’re featuring Sticky, a startup that measures the effectiveness of ads by using special eye technology.
Sticky not only notifies advertisers about whether an ad was fully rendered and served but also whether or not the consumer actually saw the ad. Its selling point is being able to distinguish between viewable ads, which simply means has the opportunity to be seen, and verified impressions — ads that were most literally seen. Furthermore, Sticky can determine how much money needs to be spent in order to reach views by 1000 pairs of eyes and offers ad campaign recommendations to help you achieve your needed goal. Its objective, writes Sticky, is to improve the “digital planning and buying decisions on true branding performance.”
This could revolutionize how marketers and advertisers develop future content and strategies. What do you think? Could you “see” yourself utilizing Sticky’s services? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!