One of the exciting, emerging entrepreneurial organizations in Vancouver is VEF Momentum.  We’ve been pleased to follow the emergence of this program and an impressive group making it happen like Kerry Liu, Jonathon Bixby and Na-im Merchant. VEF Momentum was initiated by the VEF “to connect, mentor and inspire young and aspiring entrepreneurs.” A call we are proud to take up and support.

Next up is a VEF launch party on Sept. 30th titled the State of Entrepreneurship featuring Dr. Geordie Rose, Founder and CTO of D-Wave Systems. Geordie will be discussing “How to Build Momentum: Lessons for a Young Entrepreneur”.  fundfindr.tv will be there capturing the excitement so for more info check out their site and for coverage after, tune into fundfindr.tv!

Went to an interesting event last night, Pick 20 Web 2.0 Awards, sponsored by my friend Steve Dietrich, Publisher of Backbone Magazine.  There were 3 panelists who were on the roster of the 20 winners who spoke on Web 2.0.  Leonard Brody of Nowpublic was the star as he shared stories of the evolution of news since the advent of the web or as he called it the “bloodbath” for traditional publishers.  More on this cool event later.  One quibble - better audio and videotaping the speakers would enhance it.

One nugget that Leonard shared was that “breaking news” was not a function of timing but rather a function of “search”. He made his point that the “events” of our times will be captured by amateurs by polling the attendees on how many had cell phone cameras - probably 75% +.   He was also a contrarian to the rest of the panel who had said that Web 2.0 was not about “technology” but about conversation and participation.  Bollocks, Leonard said “without the tech there is no enable for “Web 2.0″!”  fundfindr.tv earlier covered Leonard’s book, Everything I know about business I learned from a Canadian.“  Highly recommend considering him as a speaker for your next event.

Got thinking about the point of “breaking news” being a function of search.  So, where you search or your feeds and social networks then become your news publishers.  This was brought home for me when I posted an ad for photographers, videographers and editors on Craiglist on Monday afternoon.  This industry is often served by freelancers so Craigslist makes good sense.  So, by this morning, 55 applications.   Their breaking news was the gig.  Where do your customers search for your services?  Break some news.

It seems like everywhere you turn - mass media, blogs, conferences (like London’s Social Media Conference pictured here) all around the world - the story is consistent. Your business, large or small, needs to harness social media to ensure success in today’s wired world. A recent poll even suggests that almost half of the business leaders polled felt that social media was more important than mass media. Yet many of those same business leaders acknowledge that they are less familiar with social media than their customers. Are you ready to compete in this arena?

Social media, like YouTube and Facebook, have transitioned from being ignored by mass media, to being studied, to being glamorized and finally partnered with by mass media. The reality is clear in media studies, increasingly your customers can be reached online or mobile. Many of the fastest growing companies in the US are embracing this move - here are Ten Tips if you are behind the adoption curve.

1. Get on the bus. Your competitors are. In this race of word-of-mouth, don’t get left behind.
2. Listen to 20-somethings. The generation of social media early adopters and users. Tune in.
3. Start. Launch a YouTube channel, Twitter account and Facebook group for your product or business.
4. Blog. It’s easy. There are an estimated 8000 new blogs daily. Make sure you’re in the mix.
5. Learn. Follow resources like fundfindr.tv or join groups like the International Internet Marketing Association.
6. Aggregate. Set up an aggregator like Netvibes to ensure you get the blog news you need.
7. Listen. Ensure your customers can talk to you via comments, video, or chat not just phone and email.
8. Get Alerts. Google Alerts is a convenient, free way to pick up your brand in the blogosphere.
9. Collaborate. Contribute to or comment on other sites or blogs to drive exposure and collaboration.
10. Test. Use Google Analytics or hire pros to help you navigate the social media marketing arena.

$335,000 in prizes. Bragging rights. The attention of investors, peers, customers, recruits and media. It’s round 4 for New Ventures BC (NVBC) and the top 10 competitors will be announced on Sept. 4th. Like American Idol or The Bachelor, surviving the cut could also lead to successful matchmaking with supporters and funders. Like those others, the Top 10 will also be profiled and broadcast on TV - fundfindr.tv.

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Unlike other reality shows, this time the competition is very real! Look for profiles of these NVBC Start-up Rockstars and other hot event coverage coming this September on fundfindr.tv. For earlier coverage on NVBC click here and check out insightful interviews with NVBC presenters Basil Peters, Mike Volker shown here, Dave Thomas and major sponsor - BC Innovation Council’s Ross Waddell.

Looking to be the next video star? Even if you didn’t make the cut you can still compete for great prizes in The Pitchies competition with the first semi-finalist round ending August 31st. Upload your pitch and enter at fundfindr.com today and you may also be selected for an expert review of your pitch. Get your network to vote you in is as the People’s Choice. As a bonus, you’ll also qualify for a free $25 credit at webnames.ca here. Discover advice, connections and court investors. Venture dating made easier.

Got a hot event or professional video production needs? Your story needs the power of video for customers, social networking and the YouTube and Facebook generation. Contact fundfindr Media Services team at news@fundfindr.tv and we’ll add excitement, flair, top-notch production quality and valuable exposure.

James Dean, CEO of Dpoint Technologies pitching at VANTEC

Vancouver, BC.   August 11, 2008

fundfindr Media, in collaboration with VANTEC, is pleased to announce a ground-breaking and disruptive enhancement to venture dating - the process of start-up development and entrepreneur and investor matchmaking. This progressive approach was embraced by VANTEC and extended the VANTEC pitch event online providing convenience, productivity and valuable exposure. A new standard has been set to extend future start-up, investment and innovation events.

The July session of the VANTEC angel network meetings started like most but there were two key differences. Firstly, there were a record number of presenters - 20 - so the event was held twice over two days. A powerful indicator of the hub of entrepreneurship that Vancouver, or Techcouver has become. Secondly, fundfindr was there to videotape and broadcast the event so that investors could review the pitches at their convenience on a private VANTEC channel at fundfindr.com. Also of note, the VANTEC pitches were full 5 to 10 minute “investor” pitches with Powerpoint so the videos are more comprehensive and insightful than simple 1 minute “elevator” pitches.

Alexandra Skey, CEO of WOMMP

“Over the last year at Investment events we have consistently heard the pain of entrepreneur’s in reaching investors and the pain of investors in finding quality deal flow, stated fundfindr CEO, Bret Conkin. “We applaud the progressive Vancouver investment community where Angels like Mike Volker, Basil Peters and Boris Wertz amongst others are open to new and progressive approaches to enhance productivity in the lengthy courtship that we call venture dating.”

Trying to remember the pitch from mid-day or missed the event? No problem, just tune in and check it out. Plus entrepreneurs like QuickMobile’s Patrick Payne could view their pitch, add relevant pitch and profile info, share it for feedback and refinement and publish it on fundfindr.com for additional investor exposure like Dpoint Technologies and WOMMP did (links above). Patrick alone has had over 665 views of his pitch as a result. Welcome to a more open, productive venture capital platform.

VANTEC has agreed that select investors can receive a link to the Beta of the private VANTEC pitch channel for their review and feedback. If you are an investor that is interested in finding out more, send us an email to investors@fundfindr.com indicating your background (website, experience etc.) and we’ll share the link. If you are an entrepreneur or service provider looking to raise your profile, you can register for a free profile, upload a video pitch or contact us for production services to info@fundfindr.com.

fundfindr Media is a Vancouver-based social media company that matches entrepreneurs with investors and service providers. fundfindr’s online tools and services help ventures get exposure, find funding, make connections and get expert feedback to enhance their results. fundfindr.com is the software and social networking platform and fundfindr.tv is the media and broadcast vehicle.