As a web entrepreneur for the past 10 years here in New England, I know that we have a vibrant high-tech community dedicated to creating great Internet companies and products. The level of innovation is high and the enthusiasm is even higher.
But for many of us, especially as you move outside of the Massachusetts Route 128 belt, the sense of community isn't quite as strong and powerful as it might be in other places, like Silicon Valley.
There are many great efforts underway to provide opportunities to develop those community relationships, of course. David Beisel's Web Innovators Group brings together hundreds of people every few months to explore new products and network. Bryan Person founded the Social Media Breakfast in Boston a few years ago to give online communicators a forum to engage in. More recently, Leslie Poston has introduced a similar effort here in New Hampshire. Of course, Podcamp began in Boston under the wise leadership of Christopher Penn and Chris Brogan. And groups like Boston Media Makers gives multimedia creators the chance to get together periodically.
But there's a larger community out there that still exists in only a very loose way. Part of that is the Yankee spirit of frugality and self-reliance. But part of it is that it can be difficult to stay on top of existing opportunities or find good ones in your local community.
I know that I frequently run into web entrepreneurs in my own part of New Hampshire that I didn't even know existed.
That's why I have started New England Web Entrepreneurs. I'd like it to serve as a clearinghouse for event calendars, networking, and other opportunities for engagement. Initially, it provides a way to get into our directory so that we all can find new opportunities to reach out and get to know each other -- and perhaps even do a little business or lend a helping hand.
Over time, some of the things I'd like to be able to add include:
If you are from outside of New England but wish to be involved for any reason, we also welcome vendors, service providers, expats, and others who might want to participate.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, you can get started by adding your name to the NEWE directory so that others know about you, your company, and more, and so that we can communicate with you as we add new resources to the NEWE web site.
Then please share your feedback and ideas with me in the comments below or via email or on Twitter.
But for many of us, especially as you move outside of the Massachusetts Route 128 belt, the sense of community isn't quite as strong and powerful as it might be in other places, like Silicon Valley.
There are many great efforts underway to provide opportunities to develop those community relationships, of course. David Beisel's Web Innovators Group brings together hundreds of people every few months to explore new products and network. Bryan Person founded the Social Media Breakfast in Boston a few years ago to give online communicators a forum to engage in. More recently, Leslie Poston has introduced a similar effort here in New Hampshire. Of course, Podcamp began in Boston under the wise leadership of Christopher Penn and Chris Brogan. And groups like Boston Media Makers gives multimedia creators the chance to get together periodically.
But there's a larger community out there that still exists in only a very loose way. Part of that is the Yankee spirit of frugality and self-reliance. But part of it is that it can be difficult to stay on top of existing opportunities or find good ones in your local community.
I know that I frequently run into web entrepreneurs in my own part of New Hampshire that I didn't even know existed.
That's why I have started New England Web Entrepreneurs. I'd like it to serve as a clearinghouse for event calendars, networking, and other opportunities for engagement. Initially, it provides a way to get into our directory so that we all can find new opportunities to reach out and get to know each other -- and perhaps even do a little business or lend a helping hand.
Over time, some of the things I'd like to be able to add include:
- an events calendar
- a blog with local news and information
- featured blog posts from local entrepreneurs
- a directory of companies engaged in web entrepreneurship in New England
- information on angel and venture investors in the region
- a job board to help match growing companies with talented people
- an email list and/or online discussion group to facilitate conversations among the web entrepreneur community, offering advice, ideas, and more
- a listing of helpful vendors and service providers, with a special emphasis on those that are local to our area
If you are from outside of New England but wish to be involved for any reason, we also welcome vendors, service providers, expats, and others who might want to participate.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, you can get started by adding your name to the NEWE directory so that others know about you, your company, and more, and so that we can communicate with you as we add new resources to the NEWE web site.
Then please share your feedback and ideas with me in the comments below or via email or on Twitter.
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