Launch 48 is coming to Newcastle

[Edd Salter]

Hi All Supermondayers,

I just wanted to drop you all a quick email to let you know that we're running a Launch 48 event in Newcastle (at Northumbria Uni) on 27th, 28th, 29th April

This is is (I'm fairly certain) the first of it's kind of event to run in Newcastle -  a unique experience for building an online businesses with a group of teams from a range of backgrounds and different mindsets in a single weekend!

To give you a flavor of the event this is how it typically runs:

• Everyone attending is given the chance to pitch a business idea on the Friday night (though you don't have to). By votes these pitches are whittled down so that a number of 8-10 person teams can be formed around the selected ideas. Once ideas are selected the teams can be formed over pizza and beers.
• On Saturday morning the work  begins in earnest as the teams develop the businesses using the lean methodology and learning from some great mentors - TBA very soon! All aspects of a business are covered including planning, marketing, PR, branding, design, finance, and development.
• On Sunday the work continues and the preparations start for the pitching event on Sunday evening - each team gets 5-10 mins to present what they've done, which is always great fun. And as is tradition this is followed by more beer and pizza. Happy days!

It's a fantastic chance to meet, learn from and work with many people throughout the event and as devs are always in demand you'll feel very loved!

Tickets and more information here: http://newcastle.launch48.com/ 

And if you want to get a taster for the event, it's worth searching @launch48 on twitter as an event was run in London this weekend just gone.

Early bird tickets at reduced price of just £29.95 are selling quickly so book up ASAP at http://newcastle.launch48.com/tickets/

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch 

Cheers

Edd

edd.s...@gmail.com

Twitter: @eddsalter

[Alistair MacDonald]

Hi Edd,

Glad to hear that you are heading North at last. I have tried and
failed before to get some people from here to head to your London
event. We do have a several events that cover all the aspects you are
doing, but I can't thing of anything that covers them all in a
weekend.

Alistair

Ps. What is the obsession with so much Pizza other than it can be
cheep. Go wild, have something else, you won't regret it.

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[Edd Salter]

Hi Alistair,

Thanks for the thumbs up. Having been to a number of these I can testify that they're really great events. I've learnt so much from each one, and met some great people many of whom I'm still in touch with. 

Launch48 has had it's first business success in the form of fashiny - http://launch48.com/success-stories/ and the businesses created this weekend in London are now listed on the homepage http://launch48.com/

Hopefully we'll see you at the event.

Thanks

Edd

Re the pizza obsession …I'm not really sure - but it tastes good, is cheap (which keeps ticket price down) and doesn't require anything more than a serviette to serve and eat. However we'll do our best to think outside the box and expand the menu. I assume you're happy with the beer ;-)

Edd Salter

edd.s...@gmail.com

Twitter: @eddsalter

[Conn Crawford]

Hi Edd,

Kinda curious about your own Launch48 business model?

 

FAQ's tell us that there are no NDAs required of attendees and recommends that no ideas of value are pitched?

 

Is Launch 48

 

An lifestyles event management company?

 

A talent spotter?

 

A dating agency?

 

An Idea harvester?

 

A trusted intermediary?

 

A N Other?

 

What sorts of relationship can one have with Launch48?

 

Thanks for the link to http://launch48.com/success-stories/. Fashiny's idea is interesting and it helped me think about a possible approach to the confusion i felt at looking at the  G-Cloud App Store

 

Any ideas on a Launch48 G-Cloud accelerator weekend?

 

 

best wishes

 

 

Conn

 

Conn Crawford

Strategic Projects Officer

Sunderland City Council ICTU

Chief Executive’s Directorate

 

7 Camberwell Way

Moorside Park,

Sunderland

SR3 3XN

 

T: 01915614235

M:07775703064

F: 01915614200

 

 

---

From: super-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:super-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Edd Salter
Sent: 20 February 2012 11:25
To: super-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Launch 48 is coming to Newcastle

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[Edd Salter]

Hi Conn,

Thanks for your email, please see responses to specific questions raised

Kinda curious about your own Launch48 business model?

Launch48 is a company, although technically the company only funds itself - no one draws a salary.

The aim of Launch48 is to bring together participants from different backgrounds and levels of experience in the web industry to think/plan/develop and launch one or multiple web apps in one weekend.

Launch48 events are organised by a team of volunteers together with a number of important sponsors, mentors, and other generous people who offer their assistance. 

I am supporting the core team on a voluntary basis to bring the event to Newcastle, together with Hugh Rhodes and the team at Northumbria University.

FAQ's tell us that there are no NDAs required of attendees and recommends that no ideas of value are pitched?

The event is principally about learning and networking, since we can not get everyone to sign an NDA we recommend people do not pitch existing ideas where IP could be compromised. The majority of attendees like to pitch new ideas they've been mulling over and see where it takes them. Not everyone is required to pitch, so many attendees simply come to lean and network whilst working on an idea that interests them

A N Other?

Launch48 does not take  a stake in any of the businesses, invest in them, nor use the event to recruit people or ideas. We simply facilitate an event where people with an interest in starting new businesses can get together in a safe learning environment with great mentors and network with like minded people. Many of the teams formed do go on to develop the businesses started at Launch48 or work on other ideas. 

 

What sorts of relationship can one have with Launch48?

We're always open to sponsorship, mentors and organizers of new events. 

Any ideas on a Launch48 G-Cloud accelerator weekend?

I guess this would depend on who runs the G-Cloud service and how open they are to an approach like this. I'm afraid I don't much about it.

I hope that clears up the questions, if not do get back to me.

Cheers

Edd

Edd Salter

edd.s...@gmail.com

Twitter: @eddsalter

<image002.jpg>

[Edd Salter]

Hi All,

For those unfamiliar with this type of event, there's a good blog entry about last weekends event in London courtesy of Hana here: http://miss-hana.com/launch48-london-2012/

Thanks

Edd

On Feb 20, 2012, at 1:14 PM, Conn Crawford wrote:

<image002.jpg>

[Amarjit]

Hi.

I am wondering if anyone from SuperMondays is going to attend Launch48
or the Startup Weekend

http://newcastlestartupweekend-esearch.eventbrite.com/?srnk=8

I am thinking of attending one, or both -- not sure yet as I'm not
sure how many people are attending.

[Alistair MacDonald]

Crikey, you wait for ages and two come along at once. It is a little
odd how they have cropped up next to each other and it is not good. I
really do hope there is not some stupid rivalry going on here. I would
suggest one or both should postpone by a month, but they are not going
to so I will not waist my breath.

Either way my understanding is that you are doing the event to form a
burliness and hopefully continue it after the event. With this in mind
you can not really devote full effort to two businesses so I would
pick one event and run with it. There is not even enough time
in-between the events to give one a go and if it does not work out try
again at the other. As for which, if one does not strike you as being
more appropriate then I honestly recommend spinning a coin.

Alistair

[Edd Salter]

Hi,

As an organiser of the Launch48 event I can assure there's no rivalry between these events. We started planning the event in September last year and only found out about the date for Startup Weekend when they announced the event a couple of weeks ago - as I suspect they did of us!

It would be great if the events were spread out, however finding and securing suitable venues for use at weekends and arranging the necessary access and security is not easy and thus moving the event would be extremely difficult.

I have previously attended both Startup Weekends and Launch48 events in London and found both extremely valuable and engaging.

The events are about building businesses as well as learning in a safe environment and networking. Some attendees come with the intention of developing an idea they've had and continuing it after the event, but many come simply to learn, work on a cool idea (that may or may not be their own) and meet other people interested in starting new businesses.

The events mainly differ in their structure. Launch48 is more structured towards outputs and learning with teams provided a framework to support them over the weekend supported by a team of mentors. Startup Weekend (from my experience only) is sightly less structured. Also worthy of note is that at Launch48 the final pitches are not judged and no prizes are given out. Instead the final session is used for feedback and celebration of achievements.

I hope both events are successful and well attended. I truly believe the more events that encourage entrepreneurship the better - lets be honest in Silicon Valley there are multiple events on every day, night and weekend!

Thanks
Edd

[haniff din]

I'm personally super pleased that more than one event like this is happening.

I guess it's quick a shock to most people up north to realise that two cool silicon events are happening

close to each other.   

The more events, the more "rivalry" the better...  Ed's spot on  places like  Silicon Valley have many many events like this,

and plenty of choices.

I never understood why people weren't pushing to have more events like this...  Why the hell does everything have

to happen in London?

haniff

Best regards,
Haniff Din  [mobile: 07999 144 007]

mailto:hanif...@digitalmedia.co.uk
Chief Consultant
Digital Media Consulting Ltd
South Tees Business Centre
Middlesbrough
TS6 6TL
Tel: 01642 438 415
Fax: 01642 438 550

[Ling Valentine]

Some differing opinion to stir a bit of energy:

 

While these events must have *some* positives, my concern is that many people seem to become "event attending professionals" instead of getting on with starting or developing a business or project. Or making money. Does magic happen, if you attend?

 

Why not call one of these YAFITE (Yet Another F**king IT Event)? hahahhaa

 

You've got to get on with real work and generate cash and then profits. Stop trying to get grants and support and "mentoring" rubbish get on with making money. Goal 1 = money, Goal 2 = money, Goal 3 = money.

 

Getting McDonalds gold stars for attending "kewl" events isn't a goal, it is utterly useless - unless business happens and money flows.

 

Why do I see so many startups that go nowhere, and actually do nothing? But look great while they are doing all this nothingness. It seems like business incubation is viewed as success in itself.

 

Sometimes I wonder if the best thing that conferences could do would be to welcome everyone to their seats and then say "go away and get on with it" and throw everyone immediately out on the streets. That would often be more value for money. How people afford so much time for these conferences, beats me... when you could be working, selling, transacting, building etc. "Networking" is overvalued, compared to work?

 

Everyone should wear a badge showing turnover and profit they have generated in £££ value in their venture. That would focus minds.

 

Am I too cruel? Well, it's a hard world out there and if it busts a few bubbles, that's not a bad thing.

 

Not saying these conferences aren't potentially helpful, but they are just a small tool, not a massive goal. Work, is better.

 

Ling

 

 

 

 

 

---

From: super-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:super-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of haniff din
Sent: 07 March 2012 20:32
To: super-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Launch 48 is coming to Newcastle

[Steven Woods]

Good post, Ling

[Ross Cooney]

Ling,

You have been demoted from your position as Chief SuperMonkey.

Ross

Sent from my iPhone

[Alex Kavanagh]

It's said that 'success breads success' - and events like Launch48 and Startup Weekend bring together people with ideas and passion with people who've already 'been and done it'.  What a great combination!  By enabling the belief that "it's possible" in people with ideas and a passion, then maybe it slightly increases the chances that the start-up will succeed. And anything that does that, is good in the long run.

I don't think anyone is saying don't get on with real work.  It's about networking with people they might never get to meet who could help them with their business idea. Nothing wrong with that, is there?  A year's worth of networking compressed into 2 days is actually pretty cool.

You're three goals make you sound like a Ferrengi :-) The acquisition of money is not the sole purpose of the business; it is, though, critically important.  In our, fledgling, business, the customer is the most important part of the business; making sure that customers gets great value from our service means that, ultimately, the cash goal is met automatically.  You have to yourself 'why' are doing the business. See Simon Sinek (thanks Chris, who has just sparked a conversation in the office!)

My 2p

Alex.

Alex Kavanagh

Home: http://alex.kavanagh.name

Work: http://www.usablehq.com

@ajkavanagh

@usablehq

[Ling Valentine]

 

 

It sounds great about customers being the most important part of a business (it is very politically correct statement and goes down well), but really, great customer service and value does not automatically create financial stability (money).

 

I would always say 1) get the money 2) then worry about everything else, including customers.

 

If you have money (both cash and profit), you have cracked it. A business is the purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit, but needs cash.

 

Having a disappointed customer doesn't kill a business, but running out of cash, does. Businesses can often have upset customers, it's just a fact of life. I have them all the time, usually a slap brings them back to reality.

 

I would always take the less politically correct view that my bank balance is more important than individual customers.

 

Same with all this start-up stuff. Cut to the chase and generate cash, first. Everything else is less important IMHO.

 

Ling

 

 

 

---

From: super-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:super-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alex Kavanagh
Sent: 08 March 2012 10:35

[Alex Kavanagh]

Why do you sell cars, Ling?  Is it just to make money? I'm sure there are easier ways of making money than selling cars.  So why cars?

If you're whole business focus is 'get the money', then that's what becomes the most important driver in the business. "Maybe we can cut this corner to make more profit."  "How can we squeeze more money out of the customer?".  It's the yardstick that drives the strategy in the business.  I agree with you that actually making a profit is critical - there's no 'business' without that.

What's the business really about?

How do you really build the long term value?

These are critical questions for our business.

Still, not all businesses are the same.  So , like most things in life, it's a debatable point and there are no 'right' answers, I suspect.

Alex.

[Ling Valentine]

 

"Maybe we can cut this corner to make more profit." - this is constantly being asked, in my business, in order to increase efficiency and profit per unit. My PPU has more than doubled since early 2009, due to this constant question being asked. A more politically correct version is "How can we increase efficiency" but is the same thing. I don't run nuclear reactors, so safety does not really come into it.

 

Because by doing this, I can make better offers for customers (just like Ryanair can).

 

"How can we squeeze more money out of the customer?" - yes, absolutely. I want maximum profit margin. I take every opportunity to do this. Of course I do not use this as a lead advertising slogan, but it is complete focus. Every opportunity to maximise profit is taken.

 

The business is really about making money. I am not in love with cars, however much fun it all is. 

 

I build long term value by giving my customers what they perceive to be the best new car deal, and add value with the whole experience. They (on the whole) love it. But please do not mistake it, cash is king in my business.

 

I think everyone should focus on cash, or the cash implications of decisions, almost exclusively. When businesses go bust it is 99% of the time because they run out of cash (rather than run out of php expertise, or server capcity or use a bad mySQL interface).

 

Ling

 

 

---

From: super-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:super-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alex Kavanagh

Sent: 08 March 2012 11:03

[Alex Kavanagh]

We can't really debate this by text.  This would make a good pub conversation.  I think we have slightly different approaches. I also believe cash is critical, and I place the focus on the customer as the mechanism to ensure profitability.

Alex.

PS I hate Ryanair and I will choose any other airline to fly with unless they are the only option.

[haniff din]

Ling  very interesting valid point.

Alan Sugar said a similar things!

If you read most entrepreneur book profiles,  they stress the same thing, hit market as fast as you

can and show some level of income.

That's actually doing it rather than talking about it.

Cheers, haniff,  bsearcher 

[Paul Callaghan]

Hi Ling

If local agencies had any sense, they would pay people like you to
give talks in schools, and pay decent money too. Kids can be too
passive nowadays, expect to be told what to do, and need something
good to fire them up. (Don't bother with university students though -
they'll just ask if it's going to be on the exam... Plus, quite a few
of your points above apply equally well to university education too!
(-: )

@Haniff - events like this will happen up here if people get round to
organising them. (See
http://groups.google.com/group/north-east-workshops?hl=en for
example.)

Paul

[Amarjit]

Hi. I have registered for the Startup weekend (http://
newcastlestartupweekend-esearch.eventbrite.com/) as they are covering
the Business Model Generation book I recently bought.

If other people are attending, please let me or others know as this
would be most helpful.

Incidentally, if you've registered for Launch48 either, this would
also be useful to others who are considering going.

Thanks

[kai]

I wonder if anybody's aware of an interesting "winning teams" event
tomorrow at Gateshead's new Northern Design Centre
http://www.thehubgateshead.co.uk/event_story.php?id=230

It doesnt sound there's technical content.

[Edd Salter]

Hi,

The event looks great, unfortunately I won't be able to make it. However your email did remind me to respond about the business model toolkit and share this google doc template which I've found useful in the past: 

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/102mOZQmMxs0CslmNsPZ5KCNQwAIh9rh4baYgT0VWNAA/edit

Cheers

Edd

@eddsalter