tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288781491802513372024-03-05T07:37:57.108-05:00Writer in the Thick of ItDarn Good Tech Writer for HireJanet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-86965157603437696192020-02-27T16:03:00.000-05:002020-02-27T16:03:26.867-05:00Recapping EforAll Lowell Lawrence Winter 2020 All Ideas Pitch Contest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb1B7GlUq39MSe0GF2jGONmDBRqCb90RIWW2JzX_o1EWRtYbA22_vtczSL_SAfY1uZsuuLYHG7pvAS1HQ5ZyoXw658n25ozseTdgRU0crYm4SFcsE2JGNVATa8vdn2XTYll8vkV3xMUU/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb1B7GlUq39MSe0GF2jGONmDBRqCb90RIWW2JzX_o1EWRtYbA22_vtczSL_SAfY1uZsuuLYHG7pvAS1HQ5ZyoXw658n25ozseTdgRU0crYm4SFcsE2JGNVATa8vdn2XTYll8vkV3xMUU/s400/IMG_6536.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawrence Community Works Hosted EforAll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lawrence Community Works hosted an EforAll Lowell Lawrence pitch contest on Thursday, February 20th. The theme was All Ideas, and indeed the ideas were diverse: ranging from estate planning services and dating coaching to cricket protein and a literary magazine. There was a good crowd there when I arrived and it grew right up until time for the pitches. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ970PzS-DByPIESMKKywD32yhtp7sPaAu-kEAIhI3tu8kFeNpklwQGl4_nCol9u7BN7OFUa-686Ovi3kl80HvtBCPg-l0KgdyPoawkHaedj3gleeQl3qVjsG-NxBYAi70ypmxqXFIDAU/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ970PzS-DByPIESMKKywD32yhtp7sPaAu-kEAIhI3tu8kFeNpklwQGl4_nCol9u7BN7OFUa-686Ovi3kl80HvtBCPg-l0KgdyPoawkHaedj3gleeQl3qVjsG-NxBYAi70ypmxqXFIDAU/s400/IMG_6566.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Checking out the Tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The scheduled pitchers were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Estate Planning -- Marilenin Vasquez</li>
<li>Magic and Color Co. -- Alicia Tucker</li>
<li>One Wish Project -- Hannah Finn</li>
<li>Salon KrySTYLE -- Krystal Linton</li>
<li>Social Matrix -- Armin Asadishad</li>
<li>Sustainable Food Solutions -- Ken Furuyama</li>
</ul>
I made my way to as many of the tables as possible and so many of them were of interest to me that I used up my three "Table Favorite" voting stickers really quickly. It is genuinely fun to hear about so many different ideas. Oh, and there was Tripoli pizza too to make it a really fun night. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME29dlyBMwBv_RoJoUujqwbRXZSKk5ouX4gER9ZVm0XivU8FAAwZJZVzWQqVzCKUj9_t0EQR5fzLLkWYtwIIDvIFZ8kdh98Lev8pmE5JebRk5o90-iJEtGKuDNUf-6uHq9eRBqFbNg10/s1600/IMG_6537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME29dlyBMwBv_RoJoUujqwbRXZSKk5ouX4gER9ZVm0XivU8FAAwZJZVzWQqVzCKUj9_t0EQR5fzLLkWYtwIIDvIFZ8kdh98Lev8pmE5JebRk5o90-iJEtGKuDNUf-6uHq9eRBqFbNg10/s400/IMG_6537.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salon KrySTYLE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Salon KrySTYLE offers a unique salon experience. Krystal is expert at styling all kinds </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">of textures and cultural/ethnic hair types, for a customized look unique to you. What really differentiates </span><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salon KrySTYLE from other salons is specialized support for </span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">people with special
needs, especially working with people who have autism or dementia -- they'll even come to you if you can't get to the salon.</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz3wj70QjXoG2eYv0nyG749HhClKWzs7LDMO7MRxxkh8H-PjmcX2GehkmIJQ_D8SCTQvv-AgGP_vxDMmJFqqoBtsUSd8xm_2GC_Q793iD5TaM7hqR8huzE62PrHUs3-bkuLTR5d9C4cE/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzz3wj70QjXoG2eYv0nyG749HhClKWzs7LDMO7MRxxkh8H-PjmcX2GehkmIJQ_D8SCTQvv-AgGP_vxDMmJFqqoBtsUSd8xm_2GC_Q793iD5TaM7hqR8huzE62PrHUs3-bkuLTR5d9C4cE/s400/IMG_6543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assemble-and-Match 3D Printed Molecular Models</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-18151-x">Assemble-and-Match</a> caught my eye immediately with their table full of 3D-printed molecules. When I got to talk to them, I got even more excited. Their "Assemble-and-Match" tool combines physical and computer-aided modeling techniques in one tool for finding effective drug molecules, making the drug discovery process more systematic and streamlined. I couldn't wait to tell my biochemist niece about it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ0MXShXm9qtmlPo5IaBHHFzMa-u-r8QH4S6IAkX2X__00ECyfPzRSaFyBmiSW81b-LCJqQ3fdWV5JwmFBqNZCUYbc1AM81vw7dJDtcwmVl2Rar54Bxa1dkj4IuD7x7INzMsfYS6nbHA/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ0MXShXm9qtmlPo5IaBHHFzMa-u-r8QH4S6IAkX2X__00ECyfPzRSaFyBmiSW81b-LCJqQ3fdWV5JwmFBqNZCUYbc1AM81vw7dJDtcwmVl2Rar54Bxa1dkj4IuD7x7INzMsfYS6nbHA/s400/IMG_6548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic and Color Co.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Magic and Color is a both a retail shop and a community for mothers of young children. I like the idea of a store with activities for moms and kids.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok81-DKAX9wk13FQdiYQiKkAD7jz_AtavWrt-Ocb2oy63xqduAX6qP3xEjfmI_RS9osNWext9Z5HuJm6zK-DoBzptk08QPtHiX9fqhuPch7Kr9jFdnVgR-8qrrG4Qhi6-XhAuZLFpSos/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjok81-DKAX9wk13FQdiYQiKkAD7jz_AtavWrt-Ocb2oy63xqduAX6qP3xEjfmI_RS9osNWext9Z5HuJm6zK-DoBzptk08QPtHiX9fqhuPch7Kr9jFdnVgR-8qrrG4Qhi6-XhAuZLFpSos/s400/IMG_6552.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sustainable Food Solutions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="lt-line-clamp__raw-line"><span class="lt-line-clamp__raw-line">Sustainable Food Solutions aims to change the way people eat by producing high quality insect protein with a small ecological footprint. It was enlightening to hear the relationship between eating cricket protein and conserving the planet. </span>I admit I didn't try the sample cricket protein snack, but many folks did try and like them. <span class="lt-line-clamp__raw-line">You can find more information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bugbitefarm/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARD8CY-qNMdjK5ssbIZAho5AoFSA-HAEk0F1yw8J7yIHuwybU5eeVl8mBTa1zaVJ62aTTBALBo_Z0d2t&hc_ref=ARRNHQPCMiFacBL6eNH9NS_oz6Nm2cDGOUst9j2Nuv0k_V0_sdYmCgNXQPnVDW_7rgA&fref=nf">Bug Bite Farm</a> Facebook page.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dKobv52zzFmtNA9C6eKHsFNYbcXSHU_oa7oRIkphR3-qGb35Lu9H57CSYXOfVeDoxUMH6GjC5NFnI8BiJY6QH14-XVf-tBWugoT1EatGps0TOKnBlrwjzVby82X_XX0_mssoOY103G0/s1600/IMG_6555shadowsfixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dKobv52zzFmtNA9C6eKHsFNYbcXSHU_oa7oRIkphR3-qGb35Lu9H57CSYXOfVeDoxUMH6GjC5NFnI8BiJY6QH14-XVf-tBWugoT1EatGps0TOKnBlrwjzVby82X_XX0_mssoOY103G0/s400/IMG_6555shadowsfixed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nvestment NU -- Gary Haywood Motivational Speaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I enjoyed talking with Gary Haywood about what he offers as a motivational speaker based on the experiences and changes he's made in his own life. I would have liked to hear him pitch. I did give him one of my table favorite stickers.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVQxK15qETlHkXlh2LTBwXHFZs-iYtMxLyzJZeNE_pSx3wqcqM1Yws_pryrEgmKrowtoF_L6w2UDjk9UmQp_PzQmglI5caHjcMa1yKcCXDynVUy2W0v20PPxlkMDmLJepj8Wkc9kUn8I/s1600/IMG_6559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfVQxK15qETlHkXlh2LTBwXHFZs-iYtMxLyzJZeNE_pSx3wqcqM1Yws_pryrEgmKrowtoF_L6w2UDjk9UmQp_PzQmglI5caHjcMa1yKcCXDynVUy2W0v20PPxlkMDmLJepj8Wkc9kUn8I/s400/IMG_6559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Wish Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.onewishproject.us/">One Wish Project</a> provides a custom homemade birthday cake, party decorations and presents to create memorable birthday celebrations for kids living in homeless shelters. Hannah said that her Mom always made sure she and her siblings felt special on their birthdays and she wants to make birthdays feel special for these kids too, despite their living situation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUOL_bqay3Oqykt_SJTWTzu1Gi5dEIw2XJGI2OY0U4Ib8V4IcqDtRl2AfWNczXMY-SLC15DY_yrps0VcGpe1U0iUNnaIuc4yI8GFf4GeXOnYp2VJ6vxil14UVSlj8dX_h9rkMpTdK32Y/s1600/IMG_6561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUOL_bqay3Oqykt_SJTWTzu1Gi5dEIw2XJGI2OY0U4Ib8V4IcqDtRl2AfWNczXMY-SLC15DY_yrps0VcGpe1U0iUNnaIuc4yI8GFf4GeXOnYp2VJ6vxil14UVSlj8dX_h9rkMpTdK32Y/s400/IMG_6561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposed Brick Literary Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What a thrill to encounter the folks from Exposed Brick Literary Magazine -- Lawrence's newest literary venture based at El Taller. They won the table favorite voting. I can't wait to see the first issue!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSCQbHFpZxAGvBnOF0NZKnJb6cjL8wGTiYSgECDId0bdgGFJAvDsO4wvjnPY0umHRV2YoiRmyentA3-1_T9MDgmuI0HewSH1j8kof2N2NFcmFPBiWBEZ2JcfgkuJtroALAjPhI8BsxjE/s1600/IMG_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSCQbHFpZxAGvBnOF0NZKnJb6cjL8wGTiYSgECDId0bdgGFJAvDsO4wvjnPY0umHRV2YoiRmyentA3-1_T9MDgmuI0HewSH1j8kof2N2NFcmFPBiWBEZ2JcfgkuJtroALAjPhI8BsxjE/s400/IMG_6556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Twilight got the wild card slot to pitch their planning services working with young people to get their financial future off to a good start.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijITSztcHFCOjhu_gW9n0BwPLcGj1IdLu_uO27opDo8qwR68bGEJijQgyK_6hfD3hBvkwKPIxKSy1FzbGmvmJmlJanTItwDYIDbMtF69at5hm-7my58uLQvZjWgfAwYspB7sSfNWD15fA/s1600/IMG_6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijITSztcHFCOjhu_gW9n0BwPLcGj1IdLu_uO27opDo8qwR68bGEJijQgyK_6hfD3hBvkwKPIxKSy1FzbGmvmJmlJanTItwDYIDbMtF69at5hm-7my58uLQvZjWgfAwYspB7sSfNWD15fA/s400/IMG_6557.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social Matrix -- Dating Coach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Social Matrix coaches men on how to use online dating services/apps in a healthy manner to find the right match.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9RBYvj1YWQsx1Ji_QYWqbaB7yD6kx_kKEaLXBac-Els6ZKQzSgI3lKQZTpOQho9sRmjD2b1eYKuukH9bQqd9-LKl08La6fbCj7xTYTKn5C8cRIy9rWmEiBJHjGLcajin6N0qyNinEk4/s1600/IMG_6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9RBYvj1YWQsx1Ji_QYWqbaB7yD6kx_kKEaLXBac-Els6ZKQzSgI3lKQZTpOQho9sRmjD2b1eYKuukH9bQqd9-LKl08La6fbCj7xTYTKn5C8cRIy9rWmEiBJHjGLcajin6N0qyNinEk4/s400/IMG_6565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Espresso Cafe's table offered samples of his delicious baked goods and displayed a cardboard model of the proposed cafe.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0N8DggyAzno8_nl6FItOZgjjlUEu_wgIgZYQGFVPP9WvquU8tFPCRRwrLM52EXmNKWHf2PkFuKZpDX2MDJfg6keSlM0Nk0-NwbJmOBWYcvLYj2y9zm9PqxxLuRPWz2E87oBps8HH7s/s1600/IMG_6570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0N8DggyAzno8_nl6FItOZgjjlUEu_wgIgZYQGFVPP9WvquU8tFPCRRwrLM52EXmNKWHf2PkFuKZpDX2MDJfg6keSlM0Nk0-NwbJmOBWYcvLYj2y9zm9PqxxLuRPWz2E87oBps8HH7s/s400/IMG_6570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilenin Vasquez -- Estate Planning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't chat with Marilenin Vasquez when I made my table rounds, but I really enjoyed her pitch. There definitely needs to be more emphasis on estate planning. She was first up to pitch and her pitch was well-received by audience and judges.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HRGA5pq_9syXc3cB14Ffou5fRE5qvH2JnRJZk-HMtlPXWApA2r4fWnQXaamBnkBA5obuW8H5OsW3HnfCfyrQlE1i26tjTP4s_NsG4yA__nGafxOH1lrDDzVlR6YQlQX0-xmRgRmYwKI/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HRGA5pq_9syXc3cB14Ffou5fRE5qvH2JnRJZk-HMtlPXWApA2r4fWnQXaamBnkBA5obuW8H5OsW3HnfCfyrQlE1i26tjTP4s_NsG4yA__nGafxOH1lrDDzVlR6YQlQX0-xmRgRmYwKI/s400/IMG_6576.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attentive Crowd Listening to the Pitches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The judges this time were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Matt Fates -- Founder and General Partner Pulse Ventures</li>
<li>Michele Popham -- District Executive of Northern Mass Santander Bank</li>
<li>Daryl Swanson -- Director of Marketing ALKU Consulting</li>
<li>Arleen Zorrilla -- IDA Coordinator at Lawrence Community Works</li>
<li>Grecin Martinez -- La Mega Radio</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvWfhQRMASMzx69ZdPBZowH2Tn26nuC_5Lq-6ug_J6fCfsrGoGCgu0vtQOTxJ-FL3iYntdpcrrL5D54p3ck0x5_nAYgpKmTGQeIAasgMpjPIGnj1PO0IPe7yX_OotLPdle8jjNh4d4LQ/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvWfhQRMASMzx69ZdPBZowH2Tn26nuC_5Lq-6ug_J6fCfsrGoGCgu0vtQOTxJ-FL3iYntdpcrrL5D54p3ck0x5_nAYgpKmTGQeIAasgMpjPIGnj1PO0IPe7yX_OotLPdle8jjNh4d4LQ/s400/IMG_6574.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salon KrySTYLE Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the pitches, the judges went off to another room to deliberate and the audience voted on the fan favorite.<br />
<br />
The winners are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Fan Favorite: Twilight</li>
<li>3rd Prize: Sustainable Food Solutions</li>
<li>2nd Prize: One Wish</li>
<li>1st Prize: Estate Planning</li>
</ul>
Congratulations to all!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxf90B6n5-ndipjKJr5Ztaip8ByOlz4Q1-0FiXzf2snYH762s9AA0CpHTkUbkAnLsczkSQmCQaeZMryOvg3y4yY-ngcyHxOLj-fcBH2vB0asRh6zwLRvsmK0mu-QGn47WjIeRnxfZKtU/s1600/IMG_6579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxf90B6n5-ndipjKJr5Ztaip8ByOlz4Q1-0FiXzf2snYH762s9AA0CpHTkUbkAnLsczkSQmCQaeZMryOvg3y4yY-ngcyHxOLj-fcBH2vB0asRh6zwLRvsmK0mu-QGn47WjIeRnxfZKtU/s400/IMG_6579.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight -- Fan Favorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmhYRIeT-x0q-xDj-NAIdzngSkalV0Y1KClvyAXZ4l1hOKFdAQc2tm443sieW1jIVeYAzG0mr2Z4o9fjl5AT15NBCiOuUkE_jePYQLn9DfgKh1oJslRpl7pwVnZVXSjkXoqu83a0YvcM/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmhYRIeT-x0q-xDj-NAIdzngSkalV0Y1KClvyAXZ4l1hOKFdAQc2tm443sieW1jIVeYAzG0mr2Z4o9fjl5AT15NBCiOuUkE_jePYQLn9DfgKh1oJslRpl7pwVnZVXSjkXoqu83a0YvcM/s400/IMG_6580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sustainable Food Solutions -- Third Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m73do1MZl5Ha5m4ciZdJcOjc2h12uz11VgGkk2e4yYSWXHnxDkwSDuVictmvj_EWhJZEF-TaB7Y00_qKoCOrw2yeSxRr6wEA_BP5xnJpSGjGR7c3nSro8tfZSU1w2jXXOgadXQ36lOk/s1600/IMG_6581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m73do1MZl5Ha5m4ciZdJcOjc2h12uz11VgGkk2e4yYSWXHnxDkwSDuVictmvj_EWhJZEF-TaB7Y00_qKoCOrw2yeSxRr6wEA_BP5xnJpSGjGR7c3nSro8tfZSU1w2jXXOgadXQ36lOk/s400/IMG_6581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Wish -- Second Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwRyUeZUzGcHgddTbNq6gOfDCQecQxOfILDHdbBZqGJE4Q6QHfawwacqiVGcUTjDqJu7T7sfrvDLmZscjUir4KWSk6tndxCm7jWH_NLo3EjLXcOTH5xAdbovRuoEAt6JLcFelsId3oQU/s1600/IMG_6582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwRyUeZUzGcHgddTbNq6gOfDCQecQxOfILDHdbBZqGJE4Q6QHfawwacqiVGcUTjDqJu7T7sfrvDLmZscjUir4KWSk6tndxCm7jWH_NLo3EjLXcOTH5xAdbovRuoEAt6JLcFelsId3oQU/s400/IMG_6582.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estate Planning -- First Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The next pitch contest is coming up in April with a "Main Street" theme. Check out the event details on the <a href="https://eforall.org/programs/lowell-lawrence-2020-spring-all-ideas-pitch-contest/">EforAll Lowell Lawrence web site</a>.Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-89146274053874700702019-09-23T13:12:00.001-04:002019-09-24T14:24:04.553-04:00#MIN126 RecapEntrepreneurs, innovators, networkers, experts, and all kinds of people converged on UMass Lowell Innovation Hub (iHub) Haverhill on Wednesday night September 18th for Mass Innovation Nights' #MIN126 event. Sponsors in addition to UML were the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Lightspeed Manufacturing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4ry7Q4JAyWMh7SqiIy-oo15hCI2Nm7TKv7uDoLiTllixNI6XPm6KKTZGPk5BXIQ55KC8mV9RbTn1trNrEwjeEBm19OWpVSxkpgZOfJGLNKNJNk49KK2xAvMMdV2RZvx2yInh_x5HOw8/s1600/IMG_6914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4ry7Q4JAyWMh7SqiIy-oo15hCI2Nm7TKv7uDoLiTllixNI6XPm6KKTZGPk5BXIQ55KC8mV9RbTn1trNrEwjeEBm19OWpVSxkpgZOfJGLNKNJNk49KK2xAvMMdV2RZvx2yInh_x5HOw8/s400/IMG_6914.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Basiliere Bridge and Merrimack River from iHub Haverhill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four presenters chosen for the night by online voting ahead of the event were: <br />
<ul>
<li>The Laughing Tree Organics</li>
<li>Spirit Box</li>
<li>Our Cards</li>
<li>Personal Remedies</li>
</ul>
The product showcase was spread out over two rooms and people were buzzing around both rooms checking out the tables. It was a great atmosphere for chatting with the entrepreneurs. Many of the attendees I talked to were from the greater Haverhill/Merrimack Valley area and it felt good to see so much local support. The event drew from all over though -- I talked to one man who had driven up from Foxborough spending 2 hours in traffic.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAg8g5DYXWBuKT0ljJ3T5e7nhtBgIJSg8F_JsRKZ3c2sv65J5Ic6BPgImfO1fesQskPCR8IDNKDfkg3Q6HSwnsHZjoOO4Ad2Dm140MqQgO6dB-xsuxt67sN0uYzs-gVIBEqeBEFKVl74/s1600/IMG_6917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAg8g5DYXWBuKT0ljJ3T5e7nhtBgIJSg8F_JsRKZ3c2sv65J5Ic6BPgImfO1fesQskPCR8IDNKDfkg3Q6HSwnsHZjoOO4Ad2Dm140MqQgO6dB-xsuxt67sN0uYzs-gVIBEqeBEFKVl74/s400/IMG_6917.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Checking out the Product Showcase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several of the entrepreneurs were people I'd already met either at previous Mass Innovation Nights events or through EforAll. There was a great EforAll presence with alums from several different of cohorts and people I remembered from pitch contests. Keysie, Our Cards, and Spirit Box are all EforAll alums from different accelerator cohorts. It's great to see progress, whether I last saw someone last week or last year.<br />
<br />
It was great to see Karen Kearsley, the creator of <a href="https://keysie.com/pages/about-keysie">Keysie</a>, again with her latest product.<a href="https://keysie.com/pages/key-shirt"> Key-Shirt</a> is a customized mouth guard holder to help prevent student athletes keep their mouth guards from getting dirty and growing bacteria when stashed at the bottom of their sports bags. Key-Shirt keeps the mouth guard in a convenient container that clips onto the bag. Customized with the team logo, it helps promote team spirit and offers a cool opportunity for a fundraiser. It also provides a convenient place for emergency contact numbers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNPRUsbPI7EPdgBCgEt2sVPmRjza0crvWW_6cLam5WeHGIpZFnSoYI7uaU2H4AxSAgwmcMXleBE4LFDHJXvpnF0Q9HPr8cOIHDDBIF6lDM4Ld_XlfSR_hitxLYj0wmSmI4BG7wmT-1SQ/s1600/IMG_6900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNPRUsbPI7EPdgBCgEt2sVPmRjza0crvWW_6cLam5WeHGIpZFnSoYI7uaU2H4AxSAgwmcMXleBE4LFDHJXvpnF0Q9HPr8cOIHDDBIF6lDM4Ld_XlfSR_hitxLYj0wmSmI4BG7wmT-1SQ/s400/IMG_6900.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Key-Shirt Clips Right Onto your Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.personalremedies.com/">Personal Remedies</a> has presented at Mass Innovation Nights several times, going back into the distant mists of time. Founder Mory Bahar demonstrated the knowledge base of food interactions with chronic diseases. It uses AI and the latest science on nutrition and health to automate personalized dietary guidance. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViG5MC0N7hOt_L1ZHrYLLR5kPWopbsc3Tvs5ah2Uto2rsZ21BUEG8x63zEeSfv_s52B2zuON3c4r90PHiKhwLlx4YhKKzIpde2D-1wSDgoVJpsK6k7ECwBjoBT5Uc1iCPYP_Oq_OA9uI/s1600/IMG_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViG5MC0N7hOt_L1ZHrYLLR5kPWopbsc3Tvs5ah2Uto2rsZ21BUEG8x63zEeSfv_s52B2zuON3c4r90PHiKhwLlx4YhKKzIpde2D-1wSDgoVJpsK6k7ECwBjoBT5Uc1iCPYP_Oq_OA9uI/s400/IMG_6911.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Personal Remedies Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMllAdfpfo-MeV7zHsbLxLdFnbK3yc5_c6ZogeSSzjBIFZGtU4k9tyzY3_a63LU2WrOPl8I1ccPTTFnjbOwfD08ZgBiyNwA2fcaOI4y67tkPB_Fx5vEVIYKzS8H-1wmYLxuu2U1kmcdls/s1600/IMG_6923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMllAdfpfo-MeV7zHsbLxLdFnbK3yc5_c6ZogeSSzjBIFZGtU4k9tyzY3_a63LU2WrOPl8I1ccPTTFnjbOwfD08ZgBiyNwA2fcaOI4y67tkPB_Fx5vEVIYKzS8H-1wmYLxuu2U1kmcdls/s400/IMG_6923.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting Personal Remedies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.obaggo.com/">Obaggo</a> makes it possible to recycle your plastic
bags with your curbside recycling. It's a kitchen appliance that takes the plastic bags and other packaging like bread bags and cereal box liners and makes them into a shape that will not clog up the recycling machinery -- the main thing that keeps plastic bags from being recycled.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMRKELmQF1XpDsEKN3N_EShgjxNohQr6m8GKmsH5oewpmIMgjGn01zaiEURoevI0Kg1VvuUfFDV4sshqytHBITQ9dA0ZnhyHundTUnAKq843zweeRxCe19M_WJuPe30TqAI6-XpK0LWQ/s1600/IMG_6904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMRKELmQF1XpDsEKN3N_EShgjxNohQr6m8GKmsH5oewpmIMgjGn01zaiEURoevI0Kg1VvuUfFDV4sshqytHBITQ9dA0ZnhyHundTUnAKq843zweeRxCe19M_WJuPe30TqAI6-XpK0LWQ/s400/IMG_6904.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking Recycling with Obaggo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.myspiritbox.net/">Spirit Box</a> is more than a gift box subscription it's a way of sharing inspiration. A community of young girls and teens come together around love of a
trendy subscription box celebrating positivity and social good. It's a way of bringing moms and daughters together, building more confident young women, and spreading inspiration in the wider community. It was great to see Spirit Box again and to see the new logo and color scheme.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcNTN8mpBHF1FAINa8FmTOAo8gJdgZQqVQsSiN3gEI2s_zkUkJb_nN5RZnTOTeO1ETHj1ocxsOSlKrJdIXC-V-I3N93PDPjkiq0ixu9Wdc7-Oi6joZOjBDUC1Xis2MbHUG4qA3Ad2QXI/s1600/IMG_6906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcNTN8mpBHF1FAINa8FmTOAo8gJdgZQqVQsSiN3gEI2s_zkUkJb_nN5RZnTOTeO1ETHj1ocxsOSlKrJdIXC-V-I3N93PDPjkiq0ixu9Wdc7-Oi6joZOjBDUC1Xis2MbHUG4qA3Ad2QXI/s400/IMG_6906.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spirit Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWac-nrn7ITAF7Ta603_3WXqD0H_D56pOl184FsLcJNzmPdWQQB4hNo6FutWLZfIshhZ_sRwISHmiOVcnCEMMQpkLBW5h4ZHtD9o8zTPC9lGwlenaNvleaNSjUUjLSiiSUdQMqtFcxGE/s1600/IMG_6921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWac-nrn7ITAF7Ta603_3WXqD0H_D56pOl184FsLcJNzmPdWQQB4hNo6FutWLZfIshhZ_sRwISHmiOVcnCEMMQpkLBW5h4ZHtD9o8zTPC9lGwlenaNvleaNSjUUjLSiiSUdQMqtFcxGE/s400/IMG_6921.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Branding for Spirit Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://it-squared.net/">IT Squared</a> showcased an application that provides analytics and visualizations of the data collected by <a href="https://www.splunk.com/">Splunk</a> AppInternals, making it easier to manage and make decisions based on all the monitoring data collected for all the systems and devices your IT department is managing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUozyb6qG85qvYkbQ9oke_rnJWO9OhS1Y9k6U3KP4WM_pX4xVXxKWSrhidtcXw8ojW8jSjCEt7rZXVyzfY405aTcFSADGO2luEE5CZOtP6NgFK_kI-Ls0CcUqRRlNrcj61FB3IJoBq5QE/s1600/IMG_6915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUozyb6qG85qvYkbQ9oke_rnJWO9OhS1Y9k6U3KP4WM_pX4xVXxKWSrhidtcXw8ojW8jSjCEt7rZXVyzfY405aTcFSADGO2luEE5CZOtP6NgFK_kI-Ls0CcUqRRlNrcj61FB3IJoBq5QE/s400/IMG_6915.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IT Squared</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://microshare.io/">Microshare.io</a> is a monitoring system for facilities management. It collects real-time data from small inexpensive sensors (those little white things on the table in the photo) and makes the information available to the landlords and building managers, to the tenants, and to service providers. This makes it really easy to keep commercial real estate comfortable and reduce operating costs. Trust me, this is cooler than it sounds.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCwP5DGBM83O5ertsFMMS89Vtdw6HJANWaX_mFUrgPprgmdhN8jOeC-iJF69VoM1wFz7fl3obo1QGB0hxIwUlqIP3SQkf2Ei0KHCarv2tJa5KIybSkNomXsn0bGF-GxOP11Kxx9XLLwc/s1600/IMG_6910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCwP5DGBM83O5ertsFMMS89Vtdw6HJANWaX_mFUrgPprgmdhN8jOeC-iJF69VoM1wFz7fl3obo1QGB0hxIwUlqIP3SQkf2Ei0KHCarv2tJa5KIybSkNomXsn0bGF-GxOP11Kxx9XLLwc/s400/IMG_6910.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Microshare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="https://laughingtreeorganics.com/">Laughing Tree Organics </a>offers skin and hair care products that are made from organic, plant-based extracts, herbs and oils that are biodegradable, and sustainably sourced. They're made without all those harmful preservatives, artificial fragrances, sulfates and other disruptive chemicals.
<br />
These lip balms, botanical
shampoo bars, moisturizers, cleansers and scrubs are available in a
variety of natural fragrances. I have to say their table smelled delightfully of lavender and I left with a wonderful sample of lemon lip balm. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PfiGLICa-GWcnFk7Xpvdq5HDrQ-B8uH3Jej95R3xvecNeZbokAbObUqgdcnJKdYhYh4OvICljVTT2Lqt9kBalbgWdZLpjtcHCT_uqgD4U9RO17IJd5c_KgaqOYgZL_tY337u6a7H-UY/s1600/IMG_6908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PfiGLICa-GWcnFk7Xpvdq5HDrQ-B8uH3Jej95R3xvecNeZbokAbObUqgdcnJKdYhYh4OvICljVTT2Lqt9kBalbgWdZLpjtcHCT_uqgD4U9RO17IJd5c_KgaqOYgZL_tY337u6a7H-UY/s400/IMG_6908.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laughing Tree Organics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://ourcards.com/">OurCards</a> is another EforAll alum, which I mentioned in my <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2019/09/recapping-eforall-summer-accelerator.html">previous blog pos</a>t. We'd just seen each other less than a week ago, but it was still great to get together again. I love how Our Cards lets you create a customized deck of playing cards featuring
your family members. One of the coolest things about it is you can download information from genealogy websites and feature your ancestors in your deck! It's a great way to get the family to relate to each other, learn a bit about their ancestors, and have a great time playing cards. Whether you're playing Go Fish, Gin, or 45s (only Merrimack Valley denizens will know what 45s is) who wouldn't want to play with such a fun deck. I've been fantasizing about my great aunt as the Queen of Hearts ...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThyphenhyphendejh8hLLg2Q5fcQh3gzweAwh3WmqNZ1EWtHRFUUF2kPe1ZdeYC0ll47zk5kIhGvPLhhkveNeOgC403ybDzUvMc0HiNo8dbHPIq06PEgn4grA9UaCcViusEMIPSXrh-pTXTpF9fdKQ/s1600/IMG_6903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThyphenhyphendejh8hLLg2Q5fcQh3gzweAwh3WmqNZ1EWtHRFUUF2kPe1ZdeYC0ll47zk5kIhGvPLhhkveNeOgC403ybDzUvMc0HiNo8dbHPIq06PEgn4grA9UaCcViusEMIPSXrh-pTXTpF9fdKQ/s400/IMG_6903.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The
<a href="http://www.liveundistracted.com/">PhoneSafe</a> System from Live Undistracted is definitely an idea whose time has come. It's an app to help commercial fleets reduce costly accidents caused by phone-related distracted driving. It makes it easy for fleet managers to enforce their phone policies, promote good driving habits and eliminate the phone as a safety hazard for their drivers. PhoneSafe automatically knows when the vehicle is taken out of and put back into Park so it can turn on a SafeMode and it can notify the fleet manager when a driver is violating the company's phone policy while still preserving the driver's privacy and not interfering with performance. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NjiVBhMXty0bCuUHBH1KUCC1zxICyHPWqVzIRxsg0kuInz810Jn8WN5QKUuk-V158hCfyrrk9TdgGxbgu72tb3-4VghmEmFM_YZ-tWQLbzdRz_mV0e4m9b6t3wk4EeyZsUtSWuem2LU/s1600/IMG_6916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NjiVBhMXty0bCuUHBH1KUCC1zxICyHPWqVzIRxsg0kuInz810Jn8WN5QKUuk-V158hCfyrrk9TdgGxbgu72tb3-4VghmEmFM_YZ-tWQLbzdRz_mV0e4m9b6t3wk4EeyZsUtSWuem2LU/s400/IMG_6916.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PhoneSafe (right) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Congratulations to the Audience Choice winners: <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Personal Remedies</span></li>
<li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Microshare </span></li>
<li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Spirit Box</span></li>
<li><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Obaggo -- Grand Prize</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXgAA8V7MKe9uEi20BpiZZwQE18j3y84fEtOVRp2qNQ36IVaRGE_cmYSgQ2JxVILJlgbZ7cmr05iQ6iFyoYvfcapX9dmbx1Nmj41GFLLiAIW4CcuU6PSTE1nveuNcfgesE03nllOVPjU/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXgAA8V7MKe9uEi20BpiZZwQE18j3y84fEtOVRp2qNQ36IVaRGE_cmYSgQ2JxVILJlgbZ7cmr05iQ6iFyoYvfcapX9dmbx1Nmj41GFLLiAIW4CcuU6PSTE1nveuNcfgesE03nllOVPjU/s400/IMG_6925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Audience Choice Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the traditional Expert Looking Expert photo, here is Karen Hamlin of UMass Lowell's Core Research Facilities looking very expert.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU2gHRIYuYd2RheEmRPupNnrqGh1B58-_3SR0U71E1KQu8hDWAcL9A9DZPs7IKXvkLX_8mTNhQxsgWi2Er0ozoJHa6qJcg0f3HS4yme1W8xSnjksYlPAg6NIJ6Z7aD70cs0unhliXtrg/s1600/IMG_6913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU2gHRIYuYd2RheEmRPupNnrqGh1B58-_3SR0U71E1KQu8hDWAcL9A9DZPs7IKXvkLX_8mTNhQxsgWi2Er0ozoJHa6qJcg0f3HS4yme1W8xSnjksYlPAg6NIJ6Z7aD70cs0unhliXtrg/s400/IMG_6913.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next Mass Innovation Nights event is the 6th annual Women Founders Event (<a href="https://mass.innovationnights.com/events/mass-innovation-nights-127"> #MIN127</a>) kicking off <a href="https://www.boston.gov/economic-development/women-entrepreneurs-boston">WEBOS</a> Week on October 7 at 6PM at District Hall in the Boston Seaport District. Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-90239409741361535842019-09-18T17:00:00.001-04:002019-09-18T17:00:35.053-04:00Recapping the EforAll Summer Accelerator Awards Celebration<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE_GIR6Cq1vYorVJGbAavIZB1tq_Espb4tn9wSPtkOdQXXxeNoqGbsxlWaNLaudOyT6iXthhVdWkONwGE_gtmBc4b00wSrBeGlHSaYClzhf2DHWWfjK5M9MgvqBE2wymrJisaH00-xfI/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE_GIR6Cq1vYorVJGbAavIZB1tq_Espb4tn9wSPtkOdQXXxeNoqGbsxlWaNLaudOyT6iXthhVdWkONwGE_gtmBc4b00wSrBeGlHSaYClzhf2DHWWfjK5M9MgvqBE2wymrJisaH00-xfI/s400/IMG_6851.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2019 Summer Accelerator Cohort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last Thursday UMl iHub in Lowell hosted a celebration for the entrepreneurs who just completed the EforAll Lowell Lawrence 2019 Summer Accelerator. It was a pleasure to join in celebrating their accomplishments and the great things to come.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYqoOnYtjhj5sNVOq_QzF7z4zSeYXYI6XvWzhkVtxmyeKh_rtkw-8RWAxehChbgkuY_OKLiRePkNDEplYw9_zcsLdKT1DNhUlEErO1O0q3mBkBpTphWFpxReGjKiaux-2iy8yZ1Dqa-g/s1600/IMG_6808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYqoOnYtjhj5sNVOq_QzF7z4zSeYXYI6XvWzhkVtxmyeKh_rtkw-8RWAxehChbgkuY_OKLiRePkNDEplYw9_zcsLdKT1DNhUlEErO1O0q3mBkBpTphWFpxReGjKiaux-2iy8yZ1Dqa-g/s400/IMG_6808.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folks Checking Out the Product Showcase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A product showcase, speeches, food catered by EforAll alum Woodland Catering, and the awarding of big checks made up the agenda for evening. Because this cohort featured several food entrepreneurs, ranging from chocolate truffles to microgreens, there were many delicious tastes to experience. Checking out the product showcase was even more fun than usual. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9lcv609PbfBz0ytzw8yasnCqXHhxkt5vx9zAgafezVABNGMkbrOnav6xpwIbAyLvHKLiGyHoCd9h4CO2v-OVrEIT0lmqAYTA0cbiTvv8Qj1oZsa2pb2hJBHSF_XTbPgFEptAYkId4Tk/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9lcv609PbfBz0ytzw8yasnCqXHhxkt5vx9zAgafezVABNGMkbrOnav6xpwIbAyLvHKLiGyHoCd9h4CO2v-OVrEIT0lmqAYTA0cbiTvv8Qj1oZsa2pb2hJBHSF_XTbPgFEptAYkId4Tk/s400/IMG_6838.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keynote Speaker Lydia Blanchard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The keynote speaker was Lydia Blanchard of Sweet Lydia's who gave a great talk about her entrepreneurial journey and about the parallels between entrepreneurship and motherhood. She was full of insight and humor.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH63yc01CcBlabO8d4oI2KB6qVzSbRnCkJx_7xegldp5jqj2jc9xN_LWBHtGWNBkxTJVKYQTCML0unQFusEpOzXXb3LJmyb1Ow8ASYCXnGMxpFTXFqvmFTYdRYmUMIDsejsez_iqMDsQ/s1600/IMG_6841.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHH63yc01CcBlabO8d4oI2KB6qVzSbRnCkJx_7xegldp5jqj2jc9xN_LWBHtGWNBkxTJVKYQTCML0unQFusEpOzXXb3LJmyb1Ow8ASYCXnGMxpFTXFqvmFTYdRYmUMIDsejsez_iqMDsQ/s400/IMG_6841.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class Speaker <br />
Jennifer Flores -- The Traveling Stylist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Class speaker Jennifer Flores, The Traveling Stylist, inspired us with her story and gave us a glimpse into what it was like to be part of this cohort. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgz7wrLFBewvzLS1hZEMH87m0VNLHLwpTF5arO2ykkqyQhyphenhyphenQDTeOOTFfj4xVT4ESXDwSACcN-Rp2if22T7P0DfLzUnF6Jz_tbwv9m-D4yg46-yD4WjFghBKo9RRvSs3hGM3LAKbbN1uE/s1600/IMG_6812.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgz7wrLFBewvzLS1hZEMH87m0VNLHLwpTF5arO2ykkqyQhyphenhyphenQDTeOOTFfj4xVT4ESXDwSACcN-Rp2if22T7P0DfLzUnF6Jz_tbwv9m-D4yg46-yD4WjFghBKo9RRvSs3hGM3LAKbbN1uE/s400/IMG_6812.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk + Sugar Chocolates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Brazilian chocolate truffles from Milk + Sugar Chocolates were absolutely delicious. I <i>loved</i> the salted caramel! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ecyYphXrh9TSel6SWsIues1n0R9ymntA5Ph4ZkUqFO3GQQ6p3JCReIOgezbhaexlJ9cmncNEdA956g_nNXm2LiG9FLMxG6mms9-0lDTprQcPF6nhF2IAAiCOO-pViTimaL_djeW1Kk/s1600/IMG_6811.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ecyYphXrh9TSel6SWsIues1n0R9ymntA5Ph4ZkUqFO3GQQ6p3JCReIOgezbhaexlJ9cmncNEdA956g_nNXm2LiG9FLMxG6mms9-0lDTprQcPF6nhF2IAAiCOO-pViTimaL_djeW1Kk/s400/IMG_6811.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolates -- Even More Delicious than They Look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was just so much inspiration and so many good flavors, that the
whole evening felt wonderful and I didn't even get to taste everything or photograph everything. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqO5FlIbgHZDUlt8tr2j-wjPMnxVI4pP-HlNiJLPOsKq2mgftITADcw2-Yn8D4DvBKzA5__8dQJayqwU7Hn21H6Ln_mat-bTj-nDyFRHGX2QbHU8U6-9SG976UI_hI8-VcpKSwGhczr8/s1600/IMG_6809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqO5FlIbgHZDUlt8tr2j-wjPMnxVI4pP-HlNiJLPOsKq2mgftITADcw2-Yn8D4DvBKzA5__8dQJayqwU7Hn21H6Ln_mat-bTj-nDyFRHGX2QbHU8U6-9SG976UI_hI8-VcpKSwGhczr8/s400/IMG_6809.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Youngster Asking Questions About Neighbor's Acre Microgreens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhYM0dlMBKTm6OCuN0Y09JtEQg7J7nRemnttiq5LnOslk4qvrLaTc8O4lOGjTwogoKjASIs8T9s1elEqx47GV5eTSsinQcD1k8yIOeVEemECc0Bo_k8s2pv2f61867lKD_gb1xThUVSY/s1600/IMG_6810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhYM0dlMBKTm6OCuN0Y09JtEQg7J7nRemnttiq5LnOslk4qvrLaTc8O4lOGjTwogoKjASIs8T9s1elEqx47GV5eTSsinQcD1k8yIOeVEemECc0Bo_k8s2pv2f61867lKD_gb1xThUVSY/s400/IMG_6810.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Beet Greens from Neighbor's Acre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The playlist provided by Trend Media added to the fun atmosphere. Seems like this cohort of entrepreneurs had a little of everything you need to feel good and inspired.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7N08mOmC13IE4S2JQZCw_TDXfcsnOO1utbYcaRCIczH7Ygs0_qu1Zhaz2UztabkcJ2fWoaxocfU2asRRnn82fMg8OqFwE-n2KEBgzyJeP4_Yft8jKxTkZg_8d1Jx7iuKbCLmkX3yr1hQ/s1600/IMG_6814.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7N08mOmC13IE4S2JQZCw_TDXfcsnOO1utbYcaRCIczH7Ygs0_qu1Zhaz2UztabkcJ2fWoaxocfU2asRRnn82fMg8OqFwE-n2KEBgzyJeP4_Yft8jKxTkZg_8d1Jx7iuKbCLmkX3yr1hQ/s400/IMG_6814.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trend Media</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vtzAeAYl670174o0PjE7gIlmWljlXRkbixo4No1C_FK3csIWJfeCM08pIJr-uyCKDC3YV6-YScdYYNa01PiOm9w53x5MwVmbrIwwTwK7aGePVq2cleMRdvT1nF-6VHI8K9TBlSxy4Y/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vtzAeAYl670174o0PjE7gIlmWljlXRkbixo4No1C_FK3csIWJfeCM08pIJr-uyCKDC3YV6-YScdYYNa01PiOm9w53x5MwVmbrIwwTwK7aGePVq2cleMRdvT1nF-6VHI8K9TBlSxy4Y/s400/IMG_6860.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply Biscotti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM97mK8AGnmApXfqHNFdgCs-zQ0ipxbTTfKWX3dh-fiRfViHj7-1fuPJxYy9PpdbY3HJ0ZU5KOORR6tbm5rHXh0MKXR2aJbnH3aY6jYatWbPj9Dck-R3QUgu86XZ0M-Vt1jwGOrVD5kzM/s1600/IMG_6821.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM97mK8AGnmApXfqHNFdgCs-zQ0ipxbTTfKWX3dh-fiRfViHj7-1fuPJxYy9PpdbY3HJ0ZU5KOORR6tbm5rHXh0MKXR2aJbnH3aY6jYatWbPj9Dck-R3QUgu86XZ0M-Vt1jwGOrVD5kzM/s400/IMG_6821.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foodega</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Besides food, there were custom playing cards, fashionable accessories, traveling beauty services for folks who are home-bound, and personal coaching for mental and physical health.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagLzvf3vBKJvVdxM0bmwYAiCY_up85fff6zMM2AKZkcVG2Q5JaxtSi5rB67k0t5DrKZ-z3qehcSAnCxJgBDHSYn73Ko1drv6YLuA8-sZ7FeBQ-hhfiB5TwE2wRrrKQE9a7dokQqlQG18/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagLzvf3vBKJvVdxM0bmwYAiCY_up85fff6zMM2AKZkcVG2Q5JaxtSi5rB67k0t5DrKZ-z3qehcSAnCxJgBDHSYn73Ko1drv6YLuA8-sZ7FeBQ-hhfiB5TwE2wRrrKQE9a7dokQqlQG18/s400/IMG_6819.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarab Studios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgEpv0cYEbTMs-MEd1blKY-J6suuMRwPTKADYKiYfvh7SneyfQ5jmWBMsXC_Bjtaa3iJDx4O2SgCIsUX-BVC6Hq7lgZR3yHJ63HpQaLlytU791kET_TM-WABQy3qQfXTh4DHDvTuyPMk/s1600/IMG_6820.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgEpv0cYEbTMs-MEd1blKY-J6suuMRwPTKADYKiYfvh7SneyfQ5jmWBMsXC_Bjtaa3iJDx4O2SgCIsUX-BVC6Hq7lgZR3yHJ63HpQaLlytU791kET_TM-WABQy3qQfXTh4DHDvTuyPMk/s400/IMG_6820.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Traveling Stylist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FV2sRxuNPyFRPaTzP5BO4znXJAjC3tZ5oqk8Pxk1XwB7LSWoHGiXkB7NvKZYcVU1P0UZUdaAp8XFittHe7Zw26NNAG5O4cbcDCRTtIo48o8Deb54dMzZUJ3Py1PngU-IBJrmD5WyHWg/s1600/IMG_6817.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FV2sRxuNPyFRPaTzP5BO4znXJAjC3tZ5oqk8Pxk1XwB7LSWoHGiXkB7NvKZYcVU1P0UZUdaAp8XFittHe7Zw26NNAG5O4cbcDCRTtIo48o8Deb54dMzZUJ3Py1PngU-IBJrmD5WyHWg/s400/IMG_6817.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The room was buzzing with positive energy the whole time. It was great to see Our Best Year Ever and Neighbor's Acre getting lots of attention.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV4Ra667fDnOPFsW_eINhzUbxb5a6CtO898X2AQA__fCA36gCFPukzO7l4WWdORssDGbLR53m1FZuGNBdWR8T0nphBDvxF-7G0vvKmtkjf6uV41qbIjL_fQR5dRgRSQ8Enw6ZIdnXF4M/s1600/IMG_6828.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV4Ra667fDnOPFsW_eINhzUbxb5a6CtO898X2AQA__fCA36gCFPukzO7l4WWdORssDGbLR53m1FZuGNBdWR8T0nphBDvxF-7G0vvKmtkjf6uV41qbIjL_fQR5dRgRSQ8Enw6ZIdnXF4M/s400/IMG_6828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loads of Positive Energy in this Crowd (Left: Our Best Year Ever; Right: Neighbor's Acre)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The money was awarded as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>$1,000 The Christina Hamilton Award to Sing Thanousith of Hop Sing In Town, a Lowell-based food pop-up shop/food truck serving a varied menu of tasty and healthy fast food including chicken wings, rice, and stir-fried vegetables.</li>
<li>
$1,000.00 to Karen Vasso of Neighbor's Acre, locally grown microgreens. Her microgreens are sold in local farmer’s markets and by subscription.</li>
<li>$2,000.00 to Natalie Garcia, of Our Best Year Ever, a lifestyle coaching program
for mothers, promoting mental
health and overall wellness.</li>
<li>$2,000.00 to Jennifer Castro-Flores, of The Traveling Stylist
LLC , a service that brings salon/beauty services to your home. </li>
<li> $3,500.00 to Amanda Campos, of Milk + Sugar, a chocolate company
specializing in brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate truffles). </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrSkR64cBv3YjUEWdYqksVPN8pw0WUGQNMPOISpRExv8ufzKLWdJEUdEhbC4FLu6F67PXsmzyeqjMpRhOqyDvip0btxaIeDS8pPbuvaEmRuPWeufoDKad-S13_8kCMqoCoQBKHgYiftc/s1600/IMG_6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrSkR64cBv3YjUEWdYqksVPN8pw0WUGQNMPOISpRExv8ufzKLWdJEUdEhbC4FLu6F67PXsmzyeqjMpRhOqyDvip0btxaIeDS8pPbuvaEmRuPWeufoDKad-S13_8kCMqoCoQBKHgYiftc/s400/IMG_6853.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbor's Acre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLnUrgrmn-mKhJTYSRHVp1VOeimq4vs8Z4GJfXfXx8m7_SovIUxjcQ9yKwux_0RYLSGEENQb-BL9GXlbzE9z2iPmqN1V_Qki5PcknSI_ioZTFezNSNQr6PnApH2w0_46eFo5XYJjlvLM/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLnUrgrmn-mKhJTYSRHVp1VOeimq4vs8Z4GJfXfXx8m7_SovIUxjcQ9yKwux_0RYLSGEENQb-BL9GXlbzE9z2iPmqN1V_Qki5PcknSI_ioZTFezNSNQr6PnApH2w0_46eFo5XYJjlvLM/s400/IMG_6854.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Best Year Ever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0lDZtbNsr8D1z6NGmsIeyMPRPaF8SLcxEID2xIjKjIoX0242ngPMVH8FKa6OsQYUwTH1EQV2YCwRHtit4nYApujGP4-NKwQYYOPMmeBAQS5MFXrp0NcvJ_Jiy_fWsmtRUb-HfbBvemw/s1600/IMG_6856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0lDZtbNsr8D1z6NGmsIeyMPRPaF8SLcxEID2xIjKjIoX0242ngPMVH8FKa6OsQYUwTH1EQV2YCwRHtit4nYApujGP4-NKwQYYOPMmeBAQS5MFXrp0NcvJ_Jiy_fWsmtRUb-HfbBvemw/s400/IMG_6856.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Traveling Stylist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETv1qcsultLCuUQZEE1pTm0B1Lwaf2zyw3_jSz6q1sCVCQ3SWnZS9m47hXqYZR3b69ayOCe69LlEoE58J0sMQwhilqQ6NJ8RCP4L10HAdsQP0ov87UmuHKr0TLtuo7yaHkeC3YDqIk1c/s1600/IMG_6857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETv1qcsultLCuUQZEE1pTm0B1Lwaf2zyw3_jSz6q1sCVCQ3SWnZS9m47hXqYZR3b69ayOCe69LlEoE58J0sMQwhilqQ6NJ8RCP4L10HAdsQP0ov87UmuHKr0TLtuo7yaHkeC3YDqIk1c/s400/IMG_6857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk + Sugar </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Congratulations to all!Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-6593800666340919362019-08-29T21:54:00.003-04:002019-09-02T22:01:43.763-04:00do you need some reasons to come to Lawrence this weekend?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3y5V-HbsMSKO3-DwhrxqGW_dJHmIwjQaV4dQ_5lfiBskv41-xmklaEloIbs94KfuyP5iBD5h_V2pIDBpT6i2v2a1wK8YQspR7Ke9g2T84TbGRiKSdJdlfamHzqmaCvjTpiWRggvZEsQ/s1600/DSC04635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3y5V-HbsMSKO3-DwhrxqGW_dJHmIwjQaV4dQ_5lfiBskv41-xmklaEloIbs94KfuyP5iBD5h_V2pIDBpT6i2v2a1wK8YQspR7Ke9g2T84TbGRiKSdJdlfamHzqmaCvjTpiWRggvZEsQ/s400/DSC04635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawrence City Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Labor Day weekend has long been a weekend of celebration in Lawrence. This weekend marks the 96th Feast of the Three Saints, the 45th Mahrajan at Saint Anthony's Maronite Church, and the 35th Bread and Roses Heritage Festival. The whole city becomes a celebration, bringing together labor history, immigrant history and culture, music, and food in a vibrant city still very much the Immigrant City. You can celebrate Italian culture, Lebanese
culture, and labor history from Friday evening through Monday. Celebrating in a city that actually celebrates
labor on Labor Day is reason enough to be here, but in case you need
more reasons, here are a few. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Feast of the Three Saints</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
From
from Friday evening through Sunday, <a href="http://www.threesaintsinc.org/">the feast celebrates three Catholic saints</a> — St. Alfio, St. Filadelfo and St. Cirino, brothers who were martyred for their faith almost 1,800 years ago. They have been
commemorated with a feast in Trescastagni, Sicily for centuries and Italian
immigrants who came to Lawrence to work in the mills brought the
tradition with them. Come feel the Lawrence history as you
enjoy food, music, and the procession. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg090m4ZbnsJbXsHakx89tRYHsEKAyM99ibZLR0wLVvkNSl8AhyphenhyphenJXScZDTcs_u4ORqwYSiciPMdtzPxK6XwFJS28k5IBN57SOLbJ-NCmbP4TOTFm7VY67QlQ72fnC7EX8s3c_zNm_kZHX4/s1600/DSC04591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg090m4ZbnsJbXsHakx89tRYHsEKAyM99ibZLR0wLVvkNSl8AhyphenhyphenJXScZDTcs_u4ORqwYSiciPMdtzPxK6XwFJS28k5IBN57SOLbJ-NCmbP4TOTFm7VY67QlQ72fnC7EX8s3c_zNm_kZHX4/s400/DSC04591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Main Stage at Feast of the Three Saints</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Come for the most famous Sicilian treat: crispelli. These perfect little dough balls, plain or filled with ricotta or anchovy continue to be a big draw even after the tradition of making them has been passed from the beloved Italian Kitchen to Crispelli USA. My brother-in-law, who grew up in Lawrence, swears by the anchovy ones. I prefer the plain ones with sugar on them. Crispelli USA also serves up the delicious arancini (rice balls) and multiple flavors of Italian sausage. And don't forget to grab some cannoli from the tent in the parking lot of the Holy Rosary Church and check out the food vendors along Common Street before or after you take in the music on the main stage or the Tripoli stage.<br />
<br />
Friday night, Saturday afternoon and evening/night, and Sunday afternoon all feature entertainment on both stages. I'm most looking forward to hearing <a href="http://bigswingingthing.com/">Mike Girard's Big Swinging Thing</a>. This band is enough reason to come to Lawrence even if you don't live right next door. Seriously folks, you do not want to miss a rock and roll big band with lots of horns put together by the legendary Mike Girard and featuring a couple of other members of one of the greater Boston area's most beloved bands: The Fools! Yes, I'm told they will do some Fools classics as well as covering many rock and roll standards. Speaking of The Fools, they're doing a show with the Stompers at Boarding House Park in Lowell on Saturday night (8/31) and that's not all that far from Lawrence.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Bread and Roses Heritage Festival</h4>
<br />
Come learn
about and celebrate the history and legacy of the 1912 strike that
changed labor history. Take a trolley tour or a walking tour of the historic sites and check out the Lawrence History Live! tent for discussions of labor, industrial heritage, education, and community issues with historians, writers, union representatives, and community activists. The discussions range from the role of the Lawrence Lithuanian community in the 1919 textile strike (<a href="http://www.lawrencehistory.org/node/26231">yup, that other significant Lawrence strike</a>) with Lithuanian folklorist and weaver/artist Jonas Stundzia to lessons from the Puerto Rico protests with singer/songwriter and activist Ani Cordero. And that's just the history tent! Cordero will also be performing her music on the Bernstein stage.<br />
<br />
The music line-up for this year's festival looks great with lots of different traditions: folk-pop, rock and roll, Peruvian Andean music, neo-ranchera, Klezmer and lots more. Just take a look at the <a href="https://www.breadandrosesheritage.org/schedule">schedule</a> and you're sure to find something that catches your interest. Besides Ani Cordero, I'm also looking forward to hearing Julie Rhodes belt out some roots music.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w7v_5k-b1nZMoB3lwi1EFLyH-lEkR521br51mytXaVTHfeP2w1yT-NLRJhUd8d0DEIMZGj_ln1x2QjFMyr-76plK2Adqsi4FVN8mbZcu2IZ8IeU7UBMc8z_zHul_mlB7BeMpzq_kMe0/s1600/crowd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w7v_5k-b1nZMoB3lwi1EFLyH-lEkR521br51mytXaVTHfeP2w1yT-NLRJhUd8d0DEIMZGj_ln1x2QjFMyr-76plK2Adqsi4FVN8mbZcu2IZ8IeU7UBMc8z_zHul_mlB7BeMpzq_kMe0/s400/crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1693245243"></span>The Crowd on Campagnone Common for Bread and Roses<span id="goog_1693245244"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Labor Day from 11:30 AM - 6:00PM Campagnone Common hosts an amazing array of activities: <br />
<ul>
<li>Three stages featuring music, storytelling, and even magic and juggling</li>
<li>Bread and Puppet Theater taking on the nature of reality through giant puppets </li>
<li>Pony rides, face painting, reptiles, the KidzZone (creative stuff for kids), and other kid-friendly activities</li>
<li>Getting your portrait drawn by noted illustrator Ed Bray</li>
<li>The food court featuring foods of many cultures</li>
</ul>
If that's not enough to do, you'll also find community organizations, political candidates, and labor organizations tabling along with various vendors. The common becomes a microcosm of Lawrence and the world.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Lebanese Mahrajan Festival</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfgO6J3GIJQM3e_2KmY4kFzMISCixwk3rZcvfxcOPexxkhcqVLZ1_RvBCQb0V5ZFsiqTEgwEi86gkqM-V2OfWatCu1tXrCtAuVVvqUdENMWkC_-aqt67C3TyX7rkfFt74rqSCMxyyMQo/s1600/DSC04614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfgO6J3GIJQM3e_2KmY4kFzMISCixwk3rZcvfxcOPexxkhcqVLZ1_RvBCQb0V5ZFsiqTEgwEi86gkqM-V2OfWatCu1tXrCtAuVVvqUdENMWkC_-aqt67C3TyX7rkfFt74rqSCMxyyMQo/s400/DSC04614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Homemade Felafel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Who can resist mammoul, graybeh, or baklava? Who can resist felafel? There's plenty of time to get a taste of Lebanese culture at St. Anthony's
Maronite Church. With three days of music, dancing, games, hookah, Arabic coffee, raffles, and even dancing and cooking lessons, Saint Anthony's church parking lot turns into a wonderland. The food is all homemade and delicious, the pastry tent is up to three tables
long, the music is great, and the parishioners are friendly. You'll feel
right at home partaking in this great Merrimack Valley tradition. Stop
by Friday 6PM-Midnight, Saturday 5PM- Midnight, and Sunday
Noon-Midnight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Just the Ordinary Extraordinary Coolness of Lawrence</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
Besides the festivals, there's plenty of stuff to do and see in Lawrence this weekend. Here are just a few of the cool things you can do:<br />
<br />
You might want to check out poster collector Stephen Lewis' exhibit of international labor posters at the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitor Center. It's on exhibit through September 28.<br />
<br />
There's always a reason to grab a coffee, enjoy some good food, check out the current art exhibit, and maybe buy some books at <a href="http://eltallerarts.com/about">El Taller</a>, a buzzing hub of community in downtown Lawrence.<br />
<br />
Speaking of eating good food, I've heard that Chef Antonio at Cafe Azteca is cooking up a new special this weekend: chicken and shrimp in salsa de cacahuate. That salsa sounds amazing: roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, morita, and peanuts. (Hope I got that right.) <br />
<br />
Take a walk in search of some of the gorgeous murals painted by the Elevated Thought Foundation and local artists.<br />
<br />
Just come to Lawrence and enjoy the city during its most festive weekend!<br />
<br />Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-57828879742587562682019-08-26T19:36:00.000-04:002019-08-26T19:36:00.913-04:00Recap: EforAll Lowell Lawrence Change the World Pitch ContestOn Thursday, August 22, Lowell's Kerouac Park hosted an <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell-Lawrence</a> pitch contest. What gorgeous night for an outdoor pitch contest! Mother Nature cooperated with comfortable temperatures and no more thunderstorms.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rq2wFv9AHmN-Fk8vvmFm4ddSE7wfkQV5Sr-j3Cl1-q1mhDoNn5bw_OxJ7Rj5oiF-5KxbR9X-1_lIxBDN0GPNvBsXl-sXxVgLRp-xym99wKFss4gz4cSm2Cf2YyCwnCx3WnuF3xoVfq8/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rq2wFv9AHmN-Fk8vvmFm4ddSE7wfkQV5Sr-j3Cl1-q1mhDoNn5bw_OxJ7Rj5oiF-5KxbR9X-1_lIxBDN0GPNvBsXl-sXxVgLRp-xym99wKFss4gz4cSm2Cf2YyCwnCx3WnuF3xoVfq8/s400/IMG_6607.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect Night for a Pitch Contest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The theme for this contest was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/472952036823929/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A108%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22post_page%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22surface%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D&source=108&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22post_page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D&has_source=1&__tn__=K-R&eid=ARD4C9uH9WsoLpJT_yDCHdHbwxckkFK5c0UMi5LftI3fEWRlfavIUFJ-PNA-jHeG9pyTWs92kmJr7AKm&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Change the World</a> and it attracted a wide variety of ideas from mitigating climate change with Biochar to gourmet African hot sauce and everything in between. There was a decent-sized and lively crowd of entrepreneurs and their supporters. I checked out the tables, cast my table favorite votes, took photos, grabbed some delicious food from <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=698487327005897&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARD2MsBvmixUobOB_rdPw4cJvhUdCKTrVvyD8Aow4Vt6XiL0BAVxqyrKbU0vQCW8XNxabGqXY_DzGIdK%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/EmpanadaDada/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARD2MsBvmixUobOB_rdPw4cJvhUdCKTrVvyD8Aow4Vt6XiL0BAVxqyrKbU0vQCW8XNxabGqXY_DzGIdK&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Empanada Dada</a> (an EforAll Lowell-Lawrence Accelerator alum), and spent some time just enjoying the beautiful evening in the park.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFg6BuMaa50d-28CoelwAHVvctMpv_msQ8bnMLJgXxPrHOapjwZZpz0rbnk20hNAlrh8s5aLNXttraSoz31WVu7oPma9hGbjsVfxLUnmM7fpFHuI-5b1WoKs-8f0og-pqz5fBuo9YsE4/s1600/DSC05961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFg6BuMaa50d-28CoelwAHVvctMpv_msQ8bnMLJgXxPrHOapjwZZpz0rbnk20hNAlrh8s5aLNXttraSoz31WVu7oPma9hGbjsVfxLUnmM7fpFHuI-5b1WoKs-8f0og-pqz5fBuo9YsE4/s400/DSC05961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan Patisserie Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another EforAll Lowell-Lawrence Accelerator alum, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=430935303743555&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCQEQwcIoOHuYTPzunJV0JAnUDhWXKzP9HACtsr2zVgaeL9vBVftxN8RhLOANxvrtxm_SDgde7uMNdA%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/SwanPatisserie/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARCQEQwcIoOHuYTPzunJV0JAnUDhWXKzP9HACtsr2zVgaeL9vBVftxN8RhLOANxvrtxm_SDgde7uMNdA&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Swan Patisserie, LLC</a>, had a table selling their delicious pastry treats, but I was so full of tasty empanadas I had no room left for pastry.<br />
<div class="vc_col-sm-6 wpb_column vc_column_container">
<div class="vc_column-inner">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<div class="wpb_text_column ">
<div class="wpb_wrapper">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEJyR-WWlFlgjN80t4HozAX_VOIw1dMppx_V1Y-vMOLYxz5YuCgah-nhvGS7pV5iqgYsvtXsV3XkYD0Kh9Wv7-MIwXdMfCBxOCVDt76_9YlvMaD_kVgUUuw2sbV0sv7GRX12pmtptFGI/s1600/DSC05954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEJyR-WWlFlgjN80t4HozAX_VOIw1dMppx_V1Y-vMOLYxz5YuCgah-nhvGS7pV5iqgYsvtXsV3XkYD0Kh9Wv7-MIwXdMfCBxOCVDt76_9YlvMaD_kVgUUuw2sbV0sv7GRX12pmtptFGI/s400/DSC05954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assertiv Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="lt-line-clamp__line">Assertiv is a consulting service that helps people in business, government and education</span>
<span class="lt-line-clamp__line">improve their public speaking skills through </span>coaching, workshops and an app. I enjoyed talking with Nathalie and practicing her PREP method of presenting a point. Once I made the rounds of the tables, I went back to make sure I gave her a vote to present. I was happy to see that she won the Table Favorite vote and got to present and that she won second prize.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvWVRjUIq5l2saDMgnO07wyUiDdpjdm_RjiATk3DSClNLZjNGCn-H7Dpx6ioW_hnaPx_fHjlrwB1JFWXI7PM37AUYUY5AbhGHSzAyKVEYZ0jBKAXPG1bgXLkqEql4EWoXXATx4qjxHGU/s1600/DSC05957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvWVRjUIq5l2saDMgnO07wyUiDdpjdm_RjiATk3DSClNLZjNGCn-H7Dpx6ioW_hnaPx_fHjlrwB1JFWXI7PM37AUYUY5AbhGHSzAyKVEYZ0jBKAXPG1bgXLkqEql4EWoXXATx4qjxHGU/s400/DSC05957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biochar Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.biocharsupreme.com/pages/all-about-biochar">Urban Biochar</a> is a new take on improving soil health and stormwater filtration with a type of carbonized biomass that differs from charcoal in the way it's created and in its filtering properties. The production process and the incorporation into the soil combine to make it carbon negative, which is definitely something we need. Do check out the link. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9dVcBtOx87RL9E7M3FHN2zFzNJI4LN7c4dmMuLucF1cqXuF56rvL1d7g4_mTneOc6dl8n064cHKeOYIlHEbZOzIVNLHqA1gDws424UCRvKvfxj9lxXPyq9srjMr9st_if4jkRkn-JU/s1600/weather+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1600" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9dVcBtOx87RL9E7M3FHN2zFzNJI4LN7c4dmMuLucF1cqXuF56rvL1d7g4_mTneOc6dl8n064cHKeOYIlHEbZOzIVNLHqA1gDws424UCRvKvfxj9lxXPyq9srjMr9st_if4jkRkn-JU/s400/weather+guy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weather Hazard Planning Workshop Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jerry is a <a href="https://www.weatherstrategy.net/">weather strategist</a> who was pitching his weather hazard planning workshop. I think a lot of people were aware of needing a weather hazard plan after Wednesday's multiple tornado warnings. I was full of weather questions and enjoyed talking with him. We're going to need a lot more weather hazard planning around here as the climate changes and sea level rises.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjRt6waXWPiEjiqzTodI4Hhwiz218_qcNtH2ZpLyqUaErnDT1JqyO9JBFZk_l3_CDCUbwp8UEyC6U_UO-FRAF2l05-3XJLrQknD3iXEMf_CoMTFZ8QqD38DYUuPlkFJp726UtIOpED9M/s1600/DSC05959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjRt6waXWPiEjiqzTodI4Hhwiz218_qcNtH2ZpLyqUaErnDT1JqyO9JBFZk_l3_CDCUbwp8UEyC6U_UO-FRAF2l05-3XJLrQknD3iXEMf_CoMTFZ8QqD38DYUuPlkFJp726UtIOpED9M/s400/DSC05959.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Couple of the Judges Checking out the UNIFIT Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
UNiFIT makes creative use of augmented reality to make it a whole lot easier to order clothes online that actually fit you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI1Jjqc38ld-uo88odzzRY4V0WXD5x4teWjhPTuC7sBCNcSvMhs5KEaZVPB3k-YhdqIC3Apaoi8FLsFqcDaM94ec5kcqj8aAR-QcrysmQ2eSaLe8WN8HLL7paUzogKxdBhjzobEQwvUQ/s1600/DSC05962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI1Jjqc38ld-uo88odzzRY4V0WXD5x4teWjhPTuC7sBCNcSvMhs5KEaZVPB3k-YhdqIC3Apaoi8FLsFqcDaM94ec5kcqj8aAR-QcrysmQ2eSaLe8WN8HLL7paUzogKxdBhjzobEQwvUQ/s400/DSC05962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass is Greener Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGenerationJump">Grass is Greener</a> is a YouTube vlog with a positive outlook. Chris was selling merch with the cool Grass is Greener logo to raise funds to support the vlogging effort. We chatted a bit about cameras before I took his picture.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aT48PdVm7vHTrKv_zv79ZPXe4AztCKD1udHn-7c0Hgoy6_T4SlEb6QD35bDCqn1MUV1KY5osCOJeKLCcA2swL-_5MdiA1egbC4_K_0tFg5RgxGBOIDNp7O1eLdQe1HStKcpe4tLfcsM/s1600/DSC05964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aT48PdVm7vHTrKv_zv79ZPXe4AztCKD1udHn-7c0Hgoy6_T4SlEb6QD35bDCqn1MUV1KY5osCOJeKLCcA2swL-_5MdiA1egbC4_K_0tFg5RgxGBOIDNp7O1eLdQe1HStKcpe4tLfcsM/s400/DSC05964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USe Cart Table -- Part of the USe Cart Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.uml.edu/innovation-entrepreneurship/differencemaker/meet-the-differencemakers/use-cart.aspx">USe Cart</a> pitched a smart shopping cart that takes self-checkout to new level -- not just reducing the long checkout lines but eliminating them -- and makes it work for small businesses too (not just the Amazons of the world). USe Cart, a <a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Entrepreneurship/DifferenceMaker/">UML DifferenceMaker,</a> won the 2019 Rist Innovative Technology prize and was enormously popular at the pitch contest. It was no surprise that they won the Fan Favorite voting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34gCyJh37zlBY9bbX3pwTkDUWCPN6euB8BWU7dgAwsKqd2smq9woo6cBTf_tVRvJYyAI5KMUku35dvwvHW_wAhYjlH_w8YJY-1gG96zT6JIINlMcLFZnst55O2rDmuc6XzfS5PQZRPGk/s1600/DSC05965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34gCyJh37zlBY9bbX3pwTkDUWCPN6euB8BWU7dgAwsKqd2smq9woo6cBTf_tVRvJYyAI5KMUku35dvwvHW_wAhYjlH_w8YJY-1gG96zT6JIINlMcLFZnst55O2rDmuc6XzfS5PQZRPGk/s400/DSC05965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ArcLive Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.arclive.org/">ArcLive</a> gives you access to research archives -- even stuff that's not digitized -- so you don't have to travel to do your historical or genealogical research. I love the idea of reducing travel cost for scholars while making archives available.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W98wJ0MsymWK_TK2hEBwvwKl_-ygGvQ9TGdJIYJBBK4FCMz-jPQQglY75q_ySD-N-3pm57PxOjs7QJXhLpUFBPMKxuxUa7gYU4prnVgmOOp-5A_w_bNcCXT_8uK9pC1F_ld-nVLPRwE/s1600/DSC05968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W98wJ0MsymWK_TK2hEBwvwKl_-ygGvQ9TGdJIYJBBK4FCMz-jPQQglY75q_ySD-N-3pm57PxOjs7QJXhLpUFBPMKxuxUa7gYU4prnVgmOOp-5A_w_bNcCXT_8uK9pC1F_ld-nVLPRwE/s400/DSC05968.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afro Gourmet Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Afro Gourmet Specialist aims to bring the taste of Africa to your table. Tried some and <i>loved</i> it! Check her Facebook page (<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=406366459451151&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBlwxwYD-YZVF2ZYziCf0kal2ChTuZ1LjTpjJKkREKjS6fO-7ycEA5VNn6XrmyOriDQ4F20M86ImxJ9%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/TroPicalSpoon/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARBlwxwYD-YZVF2ZYziCf0kal2ChTuZ1LjTpjJKkREKjS6fO-7ycEA5VNn6XrmyOriDQ4F20M86ImxJ9&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">TroPical Spoon</a>) to find where you can buy it. I hope to see it available in more places soon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWGAd5GkyFzZukgb7wBwbIHfMA8oz9Cl6VUdqdgAeuBXZShndfeI4MDYJZpTdwjPtiBZwR0E9TR6OSSCR9ruOeahkoE89YQ4M9Opqja6bITAb7GuITXL3BX8BMbiMRji8RouJQSufDxU/s1600/DSC05969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWGAd5GkyFzZukgb7wBwbIHfMA8oz9Cl6VUdqdgAeuBXZShndfeI4MDYJZpTdwjPtiBZwR0E9TR6OSSCR9ruOeahkoE89YQ4M9Opqja6bITAb7GuITXL3BX8BMbiMRji8RouJQSufDxU/s400/DSC05969.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporvo Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.sporvo.com/home?fbclid=IwAR1KgyHLQLp3pCP_zZW8zLce6sJkpW6NI_90dx7H9NgK9RiQEVhKlDqIGvA">Sporvo</a> is a mentorship program for former student athletes to mentor current student athletes in high school and middle school.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMekdE8eQUtdyt5GlCG4msY7pC-OZ9YooKzVYI-0nUIhhKoXvNSjOmEHueq-KPnxag2hVOsD1trnUAWNUvr8yVLNk9dq6Dp8sW5jyRubWjtvSQTacRlE7VGyJ7DX8f994SuJRby1baiL8/s1600/DSC05974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMekdE8eQUtdyt5GlCG4msY7pC-OZ9YooKzVYI-0nUIhhKoXvNSjOmEHueq-KPnxag2hVOsD1trnUAWNUvr8yVLNk9dq6Dp8sW5jyRubWjtvSQTacRlE7VGyJ7DX8f994SuJRby1baiL8/s400/DSC05974.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle Net Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/needlenet/">Needle Net</a> keeps the area under and around the Christmas Tree neat and makes cleanup easy and environmentally friendly. You attach
it to the trunk of your real tree before it goes into the tree stand. It turns into a tree skirt and lets you just bag it up while the tree is still in the stand, and dispose of the shed needles and the skirt when you dispose of the tree. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlYieOEc3o7Hw56u6MPTu30MtrgssGwX10GC22ZZRJWeL_W8_ntszsxw5jtZZY7vcFaMXnlRgIDMyIQGEhhTGZpZdO5cF2Df7iTR5PrqEg7z46stchMOK2U-suvBpqMDuMOLZLtWkBSE/s1600/DSC05975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlYieOEc3o7Hw56u6MPTu30MtrgssGwX10GC22ZZRJWeL_W8_ntszsxw5jtZZY7vcFaMXnlRgIDMyIQGEhhTGZpZdO5cF2Df7iTR5PrqEg7z46stchMOK2U-suvBpqMDuMOLZLtWkBSE/s400/DSC05975.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waist Beads Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Waist Beads are a traditional African accessory that consist of small
glass beads on a string or wire worn around the waist or hips. They can help you with body awareness and they just look cool. Rita Ofori-Frimpong had a table full of gorgeous waist beads
in different colors and shapes. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgxAWRRlFjEYOT_m2ofNucjCpdGLhD8HZZn3RFqvmmVaog44D5GkSg0XnnLUMIVVtH-RtQuHt876xe8Oz9Fxl1JptAQTkeGBBiJAUUEJsWYAXRRHa_-PlBHh6Aqpz8kYF2dvyRV_e0L0/s1600/DSC05978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgxAWRRlFjEYOT_m2ofNucjCpdGLhD8HZZn3RFqvmmVaog44D5GkSg0XnnLUMIVVtH-RtQuHt876xe8Oz9Fxl1JptAQTkeGBBiJAUUEJsWYAXRRHa_-PlBHh6Aqpz8kYF2dvyRV_e0L0/s400/DSC05978.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revolutionary Creatives Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Revolutionary Creatives is on a mission to nurture and connect the creative community.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC98-8-LjmvvYjksWQG4xc4y8QqB3AmPf0VEtRm4GPNtOEZo0iI8eykQERTSenYnwF9X7Hwgf6fbEgvH3eAmt3NWruml65ycS1nbBJtmWUPDuOnAmWpT88GCkMVqXmQtnVTIQ0jcqMeM/s1600/DSC05984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC98-8-LjmvvYjksWQG4xc4y8QqB3AmPf0VEtRm4GPNtOEZo0iI8eykQERTSenYnwF9X7Hwgf6fbEgvH3eAmt3NWruml65ycS1nbBJtmWUPDuOnAmWpT88GCkMVqXmQtnVTIQ0jcqMeM/s400/DSC05984.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Judges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The judges for the evening were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Howard Amidon, Vice President for Philanthropy at <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=279172595485913&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARAzFbYEh0WVrp4zrlIljdRu70521vp0v_0RkUGL71FxcEQqdQ9PFr0fDo1tOZEjnduoOln5JhYDes8z%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/GLCFoundation/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAzFbYEh0WVrp4zrlIljdRu70521vp0v_0RkUGL71FxcEQqdQ9PFr0fDo1tOZEjnduoOln5JhYDes8z&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Greater Lowell Community Foundation</a> </li>
<li>Kesiah Bascom, Founder of <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1813087002236543&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARAprEzjebnGqSaWyc285IaMoxX_E5Ngy7_WYZnqwNrETT8oY9eWxeXn9xXt0rEOh_UZFklRtB87yCO5%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/OBCompost/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAprEzjebnGqSaWyc285IaMoxX_E5Ngy7_WYZnqwNrETT8oY9eWxeXn9xXt0rEOh_UZFklRtB87yCO5&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">OffBeet Compost</a> </li>
<li>Jonathan Berk, Director of <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=265786966854724&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARAinqeRqJCQa0n4aJBYN88ukuLXDrXy2VtciUwodZF3XrLoR29LDF0W2uahhMV284Kv1ta2fUqFK13x%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Patronicity/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAinqeRqJCQa0n4aJBYN88ukuLXDrXy2VtciUwodZF3XrLoR29LDF0W2uahhMV284Kv1ta2fUqFK13x&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Patronicity</a> </li>
<li>Portia Blunt, Director of Apparel Operations at <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1672105709743097&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARC2Sh_unnP_Kd3Ipb6-dhNbOWEpF35X6n0GgZSkooMCwpKG9bLQ2XrNsLoJzD37OYCopdL12lZ2ucq-%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/newbalanceusa/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARC2Sh_unnP_Kd3Ipb6-dhNbOWEpF35X6n0GgZSkooMCwpKG9bLQ2XrNsLoJzD37OYCopdL12lZ2ucq-&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">New Balance</a> </li>
<li>Nancy Donahue, Lowell Philanthropist</li>
</ul>
Mayor Bill Samaras welcomed us all to Lowell with a short speech to kick off the presentations.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecaVzV2P9CV6sqMVJ-LElTX1AvX-mOSrFSEGls2amOZI8JblbI1TZZM-O_lkAQr4kiyDbatKjljxfYydJfP_h7a0vJLBxn3xx8qI1yocK3ReWQQyiUPLTzYbKMHIDm4d83N6gVsXnAwg/s1600/DSC05986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecaVzV2P9CV6sqMVJ-LElTX1AvX-mOSrFSEGls2amOZI8JblbI1TZZM-O_lkAQr4kiyDbatKjljxfYydJfP_h7a0vJLBxn3xx8qI1yocK3ReWQQyiUPLTzYbKMHIDm4d83N6gVsXnAwg/s400/DSC05986.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayor Bill Samaras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our EforAll Lowell-Lawrence masters of ceremonies were (as usual :-) ) Lianna Kushi and Joey Banh.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk3IvvKF4tGO8nKhcC7MtfXw5N6TKzalhH3mMZLxqjzknLAwR5Rp_ZfUr68A3-Cy7ekjIAElqRBMIivtTjYZSApNHWt12TEdh_NWlDoYx2bF0P5oVhlk88OOz1ogSljYjZnw7N0KY_8A/s1600/DSC05985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk3IvvKF4tGO8nKhcC7MtfXw5N6TKzalhH3mMZLxqjzknLAwR5Rp_ZfUr68A3-Cy7ekjIAElqRBMIivtTjYZSApNHWt12TEdh_NWlDoYx2bF0P5oVhlk88OOz1ogSljYjZnw7N0KY_8A/s400/DSC05985.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lianna and Joy Introducing the Pitchers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The scheduled pitchers were ArcLive, Sporvo, UNiFIT, Afro Gourmet
Specialist, Revolutionary Creatives, and USe Cart. Assertiv won the
Table Favorite slot and Biochar got the wild card. There was an additional pitch from guest entrepreneur Caitlin McNamara, a rising entrepreneur at Lowell High, who pitched her Spritz Away stress-relieving scented spray.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vJDRUnqO6fxf23bEZdTK6SUFn2brlTBVeAENVxn23Jnzw0_Lghq3B-laocqbNXCnnqF8yjXhmNg8HjHbZV0XhU0AvhwUzDKUrfMABB-7zOvelxYw3NpZpllXbTBhOs7jGc97pROZjAo/s1600/IMG_6664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vJDRUnqO6fxf23bEZdTK6SUFn2brlTBVeAENVxn23Jnzw0_Lghq3B-laocqbNXCnnqF8yjXhmNg8HjHbZV0XhU0AvhwUzDKUrfMABB-7zOvelxYw3NpZpllXbTBhOs7jGc97pROZjAo/s400/IMG_6664.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlin Pitching Spritz Away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The winners for the night were:<br />
<ul>
<li>1st Place: Afro Gourmet Specialist </li>
<li>2nd Place: Assertiv </li>
<li>Third Place: <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=658614040884455&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARB23gKt8NvDI59JCgSX_tQE37eJM_-m0HGu33qhSs6j2x41mnCGJHPmNxUIYSpASZ7vavfHOJoZXe-i%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Sporvo123/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARB23gKt8NvDI59JCgSX_tQE37eJM_-m0HGu33qhSs6j2x41mnCGJHPmNxUIYSpASZ7vavfHOJoZXe-i&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBTcCImAy_W5bXln6ewUr9QEsw5uE4xXD7DhCWafLbPnV0S2H-v_zqUDBDWdEgp8aUtNrAlSSY2Mod9d5cPXrSfGftDhNH_kuYKay5qK05xOujXt_l_1BDl-Zy6nNkDD_gsomTBVOgkgIXDqQV2tZomHB92jbRg9LmRxRtqwLeWF1Y6E2xDnlpSDoaQlwQh--tsQx0hN2KaQsmZ7r_qhl335mdDAQ3ClfkXWJIGQ2_IddJx0CQxMf6j602tjDYQv82ozZ1_QWAD9zAwBsx1h-kSv5-zAfrUMVeCIOdBD72U52Y2821icG4_qFddHRyfFu4P2kZsq_sydiK4Qyd_6LnFIw">Sporvo</a></li>
<li>Fan Favorite: Difference Maker Team: USe Cart </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3mdMr122-R3Y0gEJDFpm95Tg76xlAINz8MxaxQzdwNzrGgJczlCNzE5p_ccYBKsb0vpk3PKKY4stow0sW4e5VLbvN1jv987KQ3WFP70e04whPPaw6VNohmCaDCUbMkzJLumq3AZ49Pw/s1600/IMG_6671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3mdMr122-R3Y0gEJDFpm95Tg76xlAINz8MxaxQzdwNzrGgJczlCNzE5p_ccYBKsb0vpk3PKKY4stow0sW4e5VLbvN1jv987KQ3WFP70e04whPPaw6VNohmCaDCUbMkzJLumq3AZ49Pw/s400/IMG_6671.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners with their Huge Cardboard Checks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-89663003288155815232019-08-10T21:47:00.001-04:002019-08-10T21:47:16.627-04:00miniMINThe first ever mini Mass Innovation Nights event (miniMIN) took place on Thursday night at <a href="https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/staples_studio/">Staples Studio</a> in Danvers, the latest thing in coworking space. So, what's a miniMIN? A smaller, quieter version of MIN. The event featured only 5 products instead of the usual 10 (or sometimes more) so everyone got to do a presentation and there was plenty of time to check out every table. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOeciVMteYRjupvPYluv1zcE3yaMq_LQO7EEK2WKbeJjYNYFhlRXAYV4654_PQE3IliYri9mG0FMSxY8IZ-8qPe8nR5W0szmR07-TKuAibB-12JZ1yyzHzmM1ZWd0zhEk5nQfvX1LcHY/s1600/DSC05854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOeciVMteYRjupvPYluv1zcE3yaMq_LQO7EEK2WKbeJjYNYFhlRXAYV4654_PQE3IliYri9mG0FMSxY8IZ-8qPe8nR5W0szmR07-TKuAibB-12JZ1yyzHzmM1ZWd0zhEk5nQfvX1LcHY/s400/DSC05854.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staples Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun9JCOvFaNh5LKtlEgC168zRmclldN6mVMBWHIzXSSKg6ck1dG_n5S-ywJXnBFse3AVkfzYyX9XiWSb1eHhQupC7oaaw82an9nUXxZtJysUYvI3mb3x6xO7hpNpkvCSialdn8qSmtwOc/s1600/DSC05878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun9JCOvFaNh5LKtlEgC168zRmclldN6mVMBWHIzXSSKg6ck1dG_n5S-ywJXnBFse3AVkfzYyX9XiWSb1eHhQupC7oaaw82an9nUXxZtJysUYvI3mb3x6xO7hpNpkvCSialdn8qSmtwOc/s400/DSC05878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Coworking Space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.carealine.com/">CareAline</a> aims to change the standard of care for patients with
implanted vascular access lines. This story is a great example of innovation that came out of the founder's
response to a real and personal need. Founder Kezia Fitzgerald encountered a need to make line management
safer and more comfortable when her daughter was diagnosed
with cancer and had to have vascular access lines for chemo. The CareAline sleeves and wraps keep the access lines covered and off the skin while
still being fully accessible for treatment. Both the sleeve and the central wrap are FDA registered. Since presenting at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2018/01/recap-of-min106-in-haverhill.html">MIN 106</a> they've become integrated into more hospitals. This innovation just makes so much sense! Hope it continues to be adopted more widely.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq09B7MwxzDNOWa_lHo_cy_wONdCWC4YCb2eLtlcsy3-dQ1IN0YdSSCvCgMgLLMCof24QpFhTvbgZvg8hanc_nI2ynrLlzKltNCDm4OJtAdleMhGlX9NLsuEKa56e5zzZ4IOFfwlPJLEg/s1600/DSC05866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq09B7MwxzDNOWa_lHo_cy_wONdCWC4YCb2eLtlcsy3-dQ1IN0YdSSCvCgMgLLMCof24QpFhTvbgZvg8hanc_nI2ynrLlzKltNCDm4OJtAdleMhGlX9NLsuEKa56e5zzZ4IOFfwlPJLEg/s400/DSC05866.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CareAline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.lawnserv.com/">Lawn Serv</a>'s Do-it-Yourself lawn care subscription box is customized for your lawn's
particular needs. You provide a soil sample and Lawn Serv
selects the right mix of lawn care supplies for you based on the soil analysis. Their monthly box provides all the supplies you need for your lawn for each season. Even though I don't have a lawn, I enjoyed talking with them. Especially since when they showcased at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2019/01/min118-recap-full-house-at-workbar.html">MIN118</a>, their table was so busy I couldn't get near it. If I did have a lawn, I think I would subscribe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRgH2lB_JBozKc94rad2KiqXhgA7MEcfnmSeOtERayvKOjWZ8kpSZFVFhx6GbJTZ9DVsff7tLOgkPWBffIdMxll0YlyCoAE5ZpOVsAquem6ij-f2oT6Sp4lBEvPwzMj4KSViBQfKyn98/s1600/DSC05855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRgH2lB_JBozKc94rad2KiqXhgA7MEcfnmSeOtERayvKOjWZ8kpSZFVFhx6GbJTZ9DVsff7tLOgkPWBffIdMxll0YlyCoAE5ZpOVsAquem6ij-f2oT6Sp4lBEvPwzMj4KSViBQfKyn98/s400/DSC05855.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn Serv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was great to see Karen from <a href="http://www.keysie.com/">Keysie</a> again after meeting her at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2019/06/mass-innovation-night-min123-recap.html">MIN123</a> in Lawrence. The Keysie Key Wallet a whole new kind of accessory that holds your keys and credit cards and hooks right onto your purse or your belt. Who hasn't had the
"where are my keys?" experience? Keysie keeps you from misplacing your
keys in the first place. Best of all, you don't have to
unhook it to put the key in the lock. No digging in purse or pocket. No fumbling around trying to unlock your door. Keys, frequently used credit cards, and your ID all within easy reach. All that and it is extremely cool-looking too. It got my vote for Audience Favorite and not surprisingly it won!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiZ1gBoJkZm-RQ8kTf6nMp2eEcNdNcmDZe_jJuhqlp0McipEGed4r1mV7XtLb-qhyWJk5C-eE5WXZl0XkDpgGliXNvWT6xp8wOHXKVauyNDv2ml2kc2GQqMfQHTVwcAYPH-2GaEwGLuQ/s1600/DSC05869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiZ1gBoJkZm-RQ8kTf6nMp2eEcNdNcmDZe_jJuhqlp0McipEGed4r1mV7XtLb-qhyWJk5C-eE5WXZl0XkDpgGliXNvWT6xp8wOHXKVauyNDv2ml2kc2GQqMfQHTVwcAYPH-2GaEwGLuQ/s400/DSC05869.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keysie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://atomicroastery.com/">Atomic Coffee Roasters</a>, a popular North Shore roastery (and Beverly coffee shop) that supplies a number of cafes and restaurants in the area, has recently put more of their focus on wholesale and on cold brew. They have a <span class="_VWvqNvR9 _RbzAhPql _text _ZGwmb_O6" data-id="_RbzAhPql">facility for cold brew and nitro
cold brew in Danvers and are selling </span>these beverages to grocery stores and cafe chains. They are also available for business offices to purchase. <span class="_VWvqNvR9 _RbzAhPql _text _ZGwmb_O6" data-id="_RbzAhPql">Imagine your office coffee room having carefully crafted cold brew ... mmm mmm good. They were distributing samples and I drank a delicious bottle of plain black cold brew (I'm not big on the sweetened and milky coffees). It was very smooth and full-flavored and I really enjoyed it. I can see how this would be a hit in offices and coworking spaces.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TTIIo6HtTtoDRc45d-dTUQsWANuSplBvdwr-oPc0_XkOXcrttAS8uCZYAuTbeR8hFghVQj5PY2eAk9bc7VK8JqNfnheG-EQevYSungIeoToWYsA0L6sckSuA9OuoY0tszk0qRXfQmRo/s1600/DSC05859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TTIIo6HtTtoDRc45d-dTUQsWANuSplBvdwr-oPc0_XkOXcrttAS8uCZYAuTbeR8hFghVQj5PY2eAk9bc7VK8JqNfnheG-EQevYSungIeoToWYsA0L6sckSuA9OuoY0tszk0qRXfQmRo/s400/DSC05859.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atomic Coffee Roasters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://aligomobile.com/">AliGo Mobile</a> is a mobile orthodontic office specializing in Invisalign treatment and whitening services. I spotted their elegant-looking Airstream (hitched to an orange pickup truck) in the parking lot as soon as I pulled in. They partner with businesses and office parks to provide
on-site Invisalign consultation, care, and management (and whitening service too). I took a look inside and it is indeed a well-appointed orthodontic office. With the way commutes are going in the Boston area these days, it's getting harder and harder to get to and from an appointment during the work day. AliGo Mobile makes it worthwhile for companies to provide access to high-quality orthodontic care as an employee benefit that
saves employees both time and money while helping them look and feel
their best. And, yes, they do serve companies in the Seaport District. Ask your HR department about AliGo Mobile.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adkkfPs5DwUQQeDoAbEg9XZ23Q9PwdzXpNe9gHm-fuW_b-9YiIpyuwY4S1qPbJq4FTeE8LsmhT0Nr2YDZJGxsd6rw7pTefQVgHutNdml0p93D2tTX-63EN62uJbWhJyyhhg9kN_L3l4/s1600/DSC05851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5adkkfPs5DwUQQeDoAbEg9XZ23Q9PwdzXpNe9gHm-fuW_b-9YiIpyuwY4S1qPbJq4FTeE8LsmhT0Nr2YDZJGxsd6rw7pTefQVgHutNdml0p93D2tTX-63EN62uJbWhJyyhhg9kN_L3l4/s400/DSC05851.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AliGo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8kmYTU7s_OufuCVeld-LKwW98vgBkuhT9scizD-kA9Hu34O9dVhYS3iCBbLk8r5Pt9fBE4YFdetpaf-cSOvL1aa1Am9bALaDBDmSYa3k_4zyYDmDnfgdoxRlvwI-Vb4o9imcvLiBy9o/s1600/DSC05863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8kmYTU7s_OufuCVeld-LKwW98vgBkuhT9scizD-kA9Hu34O9dVhYS3iCBbLk8r5Pt9fBE4YFdetpaf-cSOvL1aa1Am9bALaDBDmSYa3k_4zyYDmDnfgdoxRlvwI-Vb4o9imcvLiBy9o/s400/DSC05863.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside AliGo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This being a mini MIN, there were only two prize winners. The prizes from Staples Studio went to AliGo Mobile, which won the online voting, and to Keysie, which won the Audience Choice voting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ocfn7LDOQ6FPehDnca_fDb4HVyOKACZSbeF4WoAR3H_uZPnK3_V3w082cXYloiidMvOxwT6mlRZjRCAQBq1NBxBavqirgePHnm-2mk_rLyE8p2S-8pSIn5HVdEEahdmqi2aNtdapHII/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ocfn7LDOQ6FPehDnca_fDb4HVyOKACZSbeF4WoAR3H_uZPnK3_V3w082cXYloiidMvOxwT6mlRZjRCAQBq1NBxBavqirgePHnm-2mk_rLyE8p2S-8pSIn5HVdEEahdmqi2aNtdapHII/s400/IMG_6535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prize Winners AliGo and Keysie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Expert Corner featured marketing/social media/PR phenomenon Bobbie Carlton, founder of Carlton PR and Marketing and Innovation
Nights, Ken Perlow from Staples Studio, and Carol Costello from Staples. For the traditional Experts Looking Expert shot it seems perfect to feature BobbieC and one of her MINions launching the miniMIN concept.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcCtUz0ogDsonARphG274YbsB4fOQwcff9Ejgwmxm0qJ_1qJXMso6TzMoxEI4Y23qjTtE-MDjyvSJzV2xTU5eKPkP2s5u53G6X1C5FpqcA4QNNty5U6yzIO3paHJpg34bI7xWRR_3d-w/s1600/DSC05872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcCtUz0ogDsonARphG274YbsB4fOQwcff9Ejgwmxm0qJ_1qJXMso6TzMoxEI4Y23qjTtE-MDjyvSJzV2xTU5eKPkP2s5u53G6X1C5FpqcA4QNNty5U6yzIO3paHJpg34bI7xWRR_3d-w/s400/DSC05872.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experts Looking Expert and Offering Fabulous Prizes for Tweeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next Mass Innovation Nights event, #MIN125, is a full-sized MIN on Tuesday, August 13 at District Hall in Boston's Seaport District. <a href="https://mass.innovationnights.com/events/mass-innovation-nights-125">Register, check out the products, and vote for the 4 you want to hear.</a>Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-67805916373647432152019-07-25T17:51:00.001-04:002019-07-25T17:51:38.741-04:00reasons to come to Lowell this weekendIt's that wonderful time of year already! The Lowell Folk Festival is this weekend! That's right, the longest running and second largest free folk festival in the USA starts on Friday. The festival is celebrating its 33rd year and if you haven't been there yet, you have been missing out for a long time. Need some reasons to come this year? Here are a few.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7AkwVMBX2Dc3BzgqxfnehR0en4DmvCwW4rFG6hHEbwSn_aP7o1YPX5Z9f-G9-SpeYsckwMn_XgfG_ymEzLZfeGanlLXgThjU9g54CwG0myF5_V9mRy7fSPlyEsk13eVjxD8frUqArrw/s1600/DSC04327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7AkwVMBX2Dc3BzgqxfnehR0en4DmvCwW4rFG6hHEbwSn_aP7o1YPX5Z9f-G9-SpeYsckwMn_XgfG_ymEzLZfeGanlLXgThjU9g54CwG0myF5_V9mRy7fSPlyEsk13eVjxD8frUqArrw/s400/DSC04327.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rahzel Beat Boxing at Kennedy Plaza Stage 2018 Lowell Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
1. Free Music! </h4>
As always, <a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/listen/2019-artists/">the festival lineup </a>encompasses an amazing variety of traditional music from around the world. <br />
<br />
Guitarist Vieux Farka Touré (yes, he's the son of the famous Ali Farka Touré) is bringing the Saharan blues from Mali. He works in some elements of Latin music and rock with the traditional music of Mali to create a new tradition deeply rooted in the old tradition. I'm excited to get to hear him.<br />
<br />
Does Irish trad music speak to your soul? Open the Door for Three, from Portland, Maine, bring a new energy and fresh approach to the traditional repertoire. Whether they're playing the really old stuff going back centuries or their own new compositions, their music carries forward the tradition.<br />
<br />
You never know when you'll discover a musical tradition you never knew about before. From Canary Islands timple to Siberian khomus, there is something for every music lover.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7COUb8oRFOaTuiCA0WtTgcGE0jLMIi_74YciHfxvuaaCvwVOhczDG04yqo8rQHV6PhAelZ1mu7kwTsy1E1cIKHPpGSSg3xkLxyWqDxhFRmXue5-YO1UhKfwWAfH-2AXUx5BsxwwvoK0k/s1600/DSC04326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7COUb8oRFOaTuiCA0WtTgcGE0jLMIi_74YciHfxvuaaCvwVOhczDG04yqo8rQHV6PhAelZ1mu7kwTsy1E1cIKHPpGSSg3xkLxyWqDxhFRmXue5-YO1UhKfwWAfH-2AXUx5BsxwwvoK0k/s400/DSC04326.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgian Bagpipe at 2018 Lowell Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
2. Huge Variety of Ethnic Food</h3>
One of the best Folk Festival traditions is the<a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/eat/ethnic-food-2/"> amazing array of food booths</a> presented by local churches and nonprofits to raise money for their community
programs and showcase their food cultures. You can experience Greek, Polish, Brazilian, Lao, Burmese, Liberian, Kenyan, Middle Eastern and loads of other culinary traditions of the world without leaving downtown.<br />
<br />
Some vendors have been participating for many years and have developed a following. The longest lines
are always for the lumpia, turon, and other Pilipino offerings from
Iskwelahang Pilipino who have been coming for over 25 years. The line for pierogi from the Lowell Polish
Cultural Committee is the stuff of legend and I can vouch for the fact that they are worth lining up for. The gyros from the Hellenic
American Academy PTA have a dedicated following as well. <br />
<br />
Some of the more recent additions to food line up are getting lots of attention too. Be sure to check out the African BBQ, cassava leaves and Jollof rice, and especially the Calla (Liberian donuts). Another emerging crowd favorite is the Burmese food from the Saydanar Community Development Center. The myin khwar ywet kyaw and other <span class="st"> Burmese pennywort dishes made a big impression on me last year.</span><br />
<br />
My
personal favorite is still the loobie & rooz from St. George Antiochian
Church, but I make sure to try something new every year. You'll be sure to find old favorites and new tastes. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nDMMJPcMSAgH6TidGgtXXvK9fugbNH9qkhgR09OZ3tZrtCeJZ9VJSeXtbnYAOzkPqqbRHCPRby5Ks_vdzS3b6aSa3HiWmupW8ZZkOPV5S2pRm1ZO3t7V4OzBA4eAk79JTCFw8bWo8QA/s1600/DSCN6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nDMMJPcMSAgH6TidGgtXXvK9fugbNH9qkhgR09OZ3tZrtCeJZ9VJSeXtbnYAOzkPqqbRHCPRby5Ks_vdzS3b6aSa3HiWmupW8ZZkOPV5S2pRm1ZO3t7V4OzBA4eAk79JTCFw8bWo8QA/s400/DSCN6503.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iskwelahang Pilipino at 2015 Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h3>
3. Baklava Sundaes</h3>
<br />
There are people who come to Lowell just to enjoy the baklava sundaes from the Hellenic American Academy PTA. Yup, these delicious treats are reason enough to come to Lowell this weekend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-5KuY2yom_dBzTN53giUHndvlEIT6GyCWpuMiajWkyr7eQo1hhi_8uvdMOKypMFBRKA6DuKKgVXHBtlNBzf76t6pIH-MU0v6ovqDbIx3QgKNzWr6mJdsmom_vl-kn8Z0B2NrBZNPkTI/s1600/DSCN6506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-5KuY2yom_dBzTN53giUHndvlEIT6GyCWpuMiajWkyr7eQo1hhi_8uvdMOKypMFBRKA6DuKKgVXHBtlNBzf76t6pIH-MU0v6ovqDbIx3QgKNzWr6mJdsmom_vl-kn8Z0B2NrBZNPkTI/s400/DSCN6506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite Baklava Sundae Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
4. There's More to Folk than Music</h3>
So, when you think folk, do you only think music? Ah, but there's so much more to cultural traditions! Think foodways and folk crafts and art, oh my! The festival's folklife area in Lucy Larcom Park showcases food and craft traditions centered on this year's theme Fish and Fowl. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Foodways</h4>
Food preparation, family stories about traditional foods, and the role that fish and fowl play in native and immigrant traditions are the perfect complement to musical traditions. Want to learn how to make fish curry or chicken soup? The <a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/eat/food-ways2/">Foodways demos</a> have got you covered.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIDXsAyS9joS-_nsBuPwzQXOKzMh_WqFcrlEs3k1zVMy2OhWZ_254eDxcXWzMbtPG3_-EHUBR-L08mOT72UglAVxut0IhzdVkSFY-13qJBRdRIhB2ObWsO6pTlkEpHLQD1vT8xFMBCHw/s1600/pickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIDXsAyS9joS-_nsBuPwzQXOKzMh_WqFcrlEs3k1zVMy2OhWZ_254eDxcXWzMbtPG3_-EHUBR-L08mOT72UglAVxut0IhzdVkSFY-13qJBRdRIhB2ObWsO6pTlkEpHLQD1vT8xFMBCHw/s400/pickles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickle Making Demo at 2015 Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
Folk Crafts</h4>
This year’s <a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/folk-craft-area/">folk craft area </a>centers around the fish and fowl theme also, with the focus on birds and fish as subject matter for carving and
painting in addition to their role as source of food and sport.You can watch a demo and even try your hand at weaving a traditional Wampanoag fish weir as you learn about the importance of shad, alewife, cod, whitefish, salmon, and sturgeon in New England. Find out how to make a fly rod from bamboo, tie a fly, carve a decoy, make a needle-felted piping plover (my favorite bird), or even build a ship in a bottle. Birds and fish as a theme encompass all sorts of aspects of folk craft.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbZQ1nX1j0CnSmD0n2tLaVwM2TZP3f1m9S8pr7zTq_-WFm4GVbiG0UhDzyKR1guk3bywDzHFcj8393SNvye4Cny0srka662H23efPbZIsu0JCs7P7-EzhNSCMPAAG1g9WJAn76f4vmQo/s1600/DSCN6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbZQ1nX1j0CnSmD0n2tLaVwM2TZP3f1m9S8pr7zTq_-WFm4GVbiG0UhDzyKR1guk3bywDzHFcj8393SNvye4Cny0srka662H23efPbZIsu0JCs7P7-EzhNSCMPAAG1g9WJAn76f4vmQo/s400/DSCN6653.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilting Traditions at 2015 Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
5. Streets Alive with Pop-up Shops, Art in the Courtyard, Destination Lowell and More</h3>
Art is everywhere in Lowell all the time, but especially during Folk Festival. <a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/about/discover/things-to-do-at-the-festival/">Art in the Courtyard</a> showcases local artists at tents in the courtyard between the National Historical Park Visitor Center and the Brush Art Gallery. Artists will also be selling and displaying their work in the Brush Art Gallery and Studios.<br />
<br />
New this year, the ever quirky-fun-charming <a href="https://millno5.com/">Mill No. 5</a> <span>is doing a pop-up shop in the </span><span><span>Welles Emporium building </span>on Merrimack St. Several of the Mill No. 5 shops including </span><span><span>Red Antler Apothecary, One Urban Tribe, Over the Spoon, The Tone Loft, and Serpentine Books </span>will be selling stuff there. If you've never been to Mill No. 5, this is a great chance to check out some of vendors. I'm told that </span><span><span>Coffee and Cotton will be serving</span> </span><span><span>iced coffee and</span> treats too!</span><br />
<br />
<span>A walk along Merrimack Street will show you a whole lot of what makes Lowell exciting with a showcase of cultural and and sports organizations presented as <a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/about/discover/destination-lowell/">Destination Lowell</a>. The street fills up with reasons to come to Lowell. From Lowell Celebrates Kerouac to the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race, you're sure to find a reason to come back again.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU5H6XcGkTExJdNovdykwNKm92VFlN2NJNU2LDLwEVljp4SiMPndRx0n-vNqUKa-DmBiHuLbAQ8YU2V1k7TmtyLKjzU9mz7kWJ_QTi0oY2DzIQ-q9po9KbckjMiCMD6LYvYJ9qHMjOuo/s1600/DSC04374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU5H6XcGkTExJdNovdykwNKm92VFlN2NJNU2LDLwEVljp4SiMPndRx0n-vNqUKa-DmBiHuLbAQ8YU2V1k7TmtyLKjzU9mz7kWJ_QTi0oY2DzIQ-q9po9KbckjMiCMD6LYvYJ9qHMjOuo/s400/DSC04374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Famous Lobster Roll Repping the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race at the 2018 Folk Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-33086654278013173182019-06-17T18:05:00.002-04:002019-06-18T14:16:03.426-04:00Mass Innovation Night #MIN123 RecapThis month's Mass Innovation Nights event, MIN #123, drew a wide variety of advanced textile manufacturing and other apparel products and innovators to <a href="https://induspad.com/">IndusPAD</a> in Lawrence on Wednesday, June 12. Our hosts and sponsors for the night were IndusPAD and <a href="https://www.lawrencepartnership.org/">Lawrence Partnership</a>. The products showcased ranged from practical and fashionable key wallets to a line of underwear designed to enable patients to manage leg bags and tubing comfortably and discreetly. There was a decent crowd despite sharing the night with Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. (This is the Merrimack Valley -- we take both hockey and entrepreneurship very seriously.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPZDh58tlzxKC3YHHv3zPwi6-M9HNymKj5VutLjU1yX_52prwLAzr8q7AAzM-gTs1eviYp6MPvbPuivBQubUP89rFzElb_ZV4UXcLJLXCooq25mlHv9ZIe5GSkmPDRsSI6TIfLO6TiEA/s1600/DSC05743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPZDh58tlzxKC3YHHv3zPwi6-M9HNymKj5VutLjU1yX_52prwLAzr8q7AAzM-gTs1eviYp6MPvbPuivBQubUP89rFzElb_ZV4UXcLJLXCooq25mlHv9ZIe5GSkmPDRsSI6TIfLO6TiEA/s400/DSC05743.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IndusPAD aka Former Polartec Plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't manage to visit every product table, but made it to most of them. My blog post attempts to capture what I experienced.<br />
<br />
Our four presenters for the night, chosen ahead of time by audience voting on the Mass Innovation Nights website, were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.hopesews.com/">Hope Sews</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.magnomer.com/">Magnomer</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.keysie.com/">Keysie</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cathwear.com/">CathWear</a> </li>
</ul>
Hope Sews combines both Ghanian and western clothing styles into a chic, modern style that they call cross-cultural fashion. The clothing is made from authentic Ghanaian fabrics and
prints by seamstresses in rural areas of Ghana. A percentage of each purchase goes toward providing seamstresses with micro-finance loans to buy electric sewing machines to scale their businesses. Hope Sews sees its mission as empowering women through fashion. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX18dn1ZhleVVrYRG9jARABBksDk6zORWq0JQ7GmQ9KYPX19EJKcLVqhUcqunouHm-2PyfdXJhCO7Ae786m4B-4u04H9fM09Q2LXTofYVZFb2z1ebHgraS5-QytNhYUKhvj4pzWLEMgo/s1600/IMG_6368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX18dn1ZhleVVrYRG9jARABBksDk6zORWq0JQ7GmQ9KYPX19EJKcLVqhUcqunouHm-2PyfdXJhCO7Ae786m4B-4u04H9fM09Q2LXTofYVZFb2z1ebHgraS5-QytNhYUKhvj4pzWLEMgo/s400/IMG_6368.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope Sews <br />
Presenting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I remebered Magnomer from an <a href="https://eforall.org/companies/magnomer/">EforAll</a> pitch contest in 2018 (didn't get to blog about them then because my computer was in the shop for weeks -- don't ask). Anyway, I am impressed with their magnetic coatings technology for plastic
packaging. The coatings are used on packaging where the labels get in the way of recycling. For example, shrink sleeves for bottles. By automating and simplifying the separation of the labels from the plastic in the recycling process they not only make recycling way easier but also increase the recycling yield. Their
Design2Recycle™ concept for thinking about production makes it easier for consumer brands to increase bottle recycling without having to change the bottle manufacturing process. The difference is in the magnetizable inks for the labels.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U_suH-xsUW5Dvnnvbs8P4Y3G7clx3-5o5TONrTehbckIgMLqAdVLvmXftWC4lgldBxdGrBizSzqH8I_dGcUJYcqetgXSd0exMfHF3J-gZovQ692xhBxtnNeJ52AhWHRnzOFZHA23QbA/s1600/DSC05752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U_suH-xsUW5Dvnnvbs8P4Y3G7clx3-5o5TONrTehbckIgMLqAdVLvmXftWC4lgldBxdGrBizSzqH8I_dGcUJYcqetgXSd0exMfHF3J-gZovQ692xhBxtnNeJ52AhWHRnzOFZHA23QbA/s400/DSC05752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnomer Showcasing Labels on Plastic Bottles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Keysie Key Wallet caught my eye right away. Who hasn't had the "where are my keys?" experience? Rather than relying on one of those beeper things to locate your keys, Keysie keeps you from misplacing your keys in the first place. It's compact and well-designed to hold keys, frequently used credit cards, and your ID. And you don't have to unhook it to put the key in the lock either. It's really cool-looking too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwIFB08yvamArlXHQ_Uhj7RyKiKjAzTtkDgrECjRB6gFLJFq3SYJwTYFvqifycNkHfzUnsZeFI4v05PUSINGgIPlvDtQ06hrZrfNOhSeWOaNZ46AWCcY2sXcDzDd61lcXx885RgB0Siw/s1600/DSC05754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwIFB08yvamArlXHQ_Uhj7RyKiKjAzTtkDgrECjRB6gFLJFq3SYJwTYFvqifycNkHfzUnsZeFI4v05PUSINGgIPlvDtQ06hrZrfNOhSeWOaNZ46AWCcY2sXcDzDd61lcXx885RgB0Siw/s400/DSC05754.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keysie Clips Right onto your Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lawrence-based CathWear got my vote for audience choice winner immediately. It's such an elegant solution for managing catheter bags and tubes safely and discreetly. I enjoyed talking with the inventor, Brian Mohika, a nurse who came up with the idea after watching patients struggling with managing leg bags. CathWear is underwear that looks like boxer briefs with pockets to hold
the catheter bags. There's also a channel to hold the tubes in order to prevent inadvertent pulling. Everything stays in place, the bags and tubes don't irritate the patient's skin, there are no more irritating and unsanitary velcro straps, and best of all nobody will notice it under your clothes. It restores privacy and dignity. That's a game changer for people who have to wear leg bags to work or school every day. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7loifWTtCiaqHEuksg4-7Ad_QEHZ78g_fRCWpbDBW2lNMt4wwCa0R46Qi6dUYQ2nPqabfHNsquBAP7dwa8Y0BeD1MLFmeqrnFvDLCDlwWOY3ANOK6Xy1dBFvHpFAjAzHDMAphJTLWHag/s1600/DSC05747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7loifWTtCiaqHEuksg4-7Ad_QEHZ78g_fRCWpbDBW2lNMt4wwCa0R46Qi6dUYQ2nPqabfHNsquBAP7dwa8Y0BeD1MLFmeqrnFvDLCDlwWOY3ANOK6Xy1dBFvHpFAjAzHDMAphJTLWHag/s400/DSC05747.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrating CathWear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://terracea.com/">Terracea</a>'s jackets -- insulated and non-insulated -- were getting a lot of audience attention. The idea that you can wear the same clothing for outdoor adventures and urban streets and stay warm and dry as well as looking good is pretty cool. The Fall/Winter 2019 outerwear collection gets you through your weekday commute and your snowboarding weekend through all the weather that New England has to offer. Waterproof, comfortable, windproof, durable urban-to-outdoor clothing can handle it all. With a helmet-compatible hood, plenty of pockets (there's even an interior phone pocket with a media port) and nice snug wrist gaiters, you'll be ready for adventure on the slopes as soon as you get off work.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRERdkIAHk0qLzfoWCh2gQFrIFHYBaVOTgCZZtG5cueztrqOcgs-WC5WImsJWCc5xOC1V6UGfLK5sE9TONreDZZi8bKcukUFVqay1liNMAsXI_QlN_WNbfD1Gabyok49kvrA6_dLeOcUE/s1600/DSC05751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRERdkIAHk0qLzfoWCh2gQFrIFHYBaVOTgCZZtG5cueztrqOcgs-WC5WImsJWCc5xOC1V6UGfLK5sE9TONreDZZi8bKcukUFVqay1liNMAsXI_QlN_WNbfD1Gabyok49kvrA6_dLeOcUE/s400/DSC05751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terracea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://igmoda.com/">IG MODA</a> leggings, tops, and accessories feature unique designs based on Irina Gorbman's original art. The color combinations are designed to evoke a meditative vibe that makes people smile and energizes the body from within. I can imagine such vibrant patterns kicking up my workout a notch.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL44NwQdPwce25zNcJ8skgycoKb9YapIzj18CM6Xv_2VMWS9kHoFoxq4zDLVwpEcKAAy4VKrS5uzeVwhCETo9qbiwNdzvybzwI5cTeEBQFAe_obp6ptD-QJRu83sQgVDadz9zFjIkDew/s1600/DSC05749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL44NwQdPwce25zNcJ8skgycoKb9YapIzj18CM6Xv_2VMWS9kHoFoxq4zDLVwpEcKAAy4VKrS5uzeVwhCETo9qbiwNdzvybzwI5cTeEBQFAe_obp6ptD-QJRu83sQgVDadz9zFjIkDew/s400/DSC05749.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IG Moda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<a href="https://www.southwick.com/">Southwick</a> is an established brand with a factory based in Haverhill. Southwick's understated elegance and fine workmanship has been synonymous with authentic American style since 1929. They are the flagship factory for Brooks Brothers Made-in-America clothing. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnrzTtOMC2zzuD4q8y_uCcoypHCgzqFUeVoDO5cz0WIAih84L-KCGDID-gRHWeiFfe3O62fZ_P3yj1Wm_QIUxM72qML503E7zYyNNk-lS-BxZUQWwRo89jlil6ORlEdPVOhV05t9KZtc/s1600/DSC05757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnrzTtOMC2zzuD4q8y_uCcoypHCgzqFUeVoDO5cz0WIAih84L-KCGDID-gRHWeiFfe3O62fZ_P3yj1Wm_QIUxM72qML503E7zYyNNk-lS-BxZUQWwRo89jlil6ORlEdPVOhV05t9KZtc/s400/DSC05757.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwick Jacket with Classic American Soft Shoulder Design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
They had some of their Fashion Tailored Clothing Jackets on display at
their table. I have to say I liked the silver one, which was a custom
design for one of their clients.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-wxhxShK0U05cNhkyNuU9h9hc7YtNdaL_wEHS38P4yuxvkrzHlQj3vCba5t4HFEqZUefSOLROBA-G6Ky2aesELmVifxqecAMk0iKp8WgpuOmI-oEEkKgdcFZJRfLrSlRDg45D2_E3Ck/s1600/DSC05755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-wxhxShK0U05cNhkyNuU9h9hc7YtNdaL_wEHS38P4yuxvkrzHlQj3vCba5t4HFEqZUefSOLROBA-G6Ky2aesELmVifxqecAMk0iKp8WgpuOmI-oEEkKgdcFZJRfLrSlRDg45D2_E3Ck/s400/DSC05755.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwick Silver Jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
The <a href="https://www.gunamuna.com/">gunaPAJAMA</a> is a soft and cozy baby pajama with an innovative zipper for easy diaper change. No snaps! The bamboo viscose material feels soft to the touch and wicks moisture too. I liked the way the simple practicality of the zipper and the comfortableness of the fabric combine for the easiest diaper change ever. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5yw9zmoCLC0TonzsOa6JwYgKQNFjscjBm47rnJiavUvDJAj-EN1PqV7AHeTVXAAfMmbSWc_o8xnAPY7wcC1QZypEqf59wG3FcaDPsSoQtlTkuaDMBzDVU3uqZVx8UmjqRIDPUh9uBxY/s1600/DSC05748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5yw9zmoCLC0TonzsOa6JwYgKQNFjscjBm47rnJiavUvDJAj-EN1PqV7AHeTVXAAfMmbSWc_o8xnAPY7wcC1QZypEqf59wG3FcaDPsSoQtlTkuaDMBzDVU3uqZVx8UmjqRIDPUh9uBxY/s400/DSC05748.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gunaPAJAMA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://tbphelps.com/">The Acadia Chukka Boot from T.B. Phelps</a> feels soft to the touch and looks great. They get the luxurious feel with natural organic finishes
hand-applied on vegetable-tanned American Deerskin. Pair that look with a matching
Torrence Deerskin belt made in Haverhill and you'll look great. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWTpvgmPJftSrzPWYz9kBDsCLYEl-IiQ0oBUC5S_7yB99a24NXT5_82G_e10z6wSHljnuhY0ffaJWSSXgDVshiW9MCjwrCcCDIuKs49KSp1yWfFd9uEdW91lNt3Wjksh1nOX6sWH5KTE/s1600/DSC05759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWTpvgmPJftSrzPWYz9kBDsCLYEl-IiQ0oBUC5S_7yB99a24NXT5_82G_e10z6wSHljnuhY0ffaJWSSXgDVshiW9MCjwrCcCDIuKs49KSp1yWfFd9uEdW91lNt3Wjksh1nOX6sWH5KTE/s400/DSC05759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T.B. Phelps Boots and Accessories</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
Congratulations to the audience choice winners for the night -- all well-deserved:</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://cathwear.com/">CathWear </a>− Grand Prize</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.hopesews.com/">Hope Sews</a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.keysie.com/">Keysie</a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://terracea.com/">Terracea</a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCMKzXPy_IXRbkLmkGsf1d9j-XxwYga5WzYYmYyQiSKABu0NlIIhi7-5b2q3m0leVwrWrMh6bCul7fVOTvnbOBMQNxS2UbFCwXPOsJ5B1axBa_qgrIct3Indjh3zF_hEQ9Msbr29qCcA/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCMKzXPy_IXRbkLmkGsf1d9j-XxwYga5WzYYmYyQiSKABu0NlIIhi7-5b2q3m0leVwrWrMh6bCul7fVOTvnbOBMQNxS2UbFCwXPOsJ5B1axBa_qgrIct3Indjh3zF_hEQ9Msbr29qCcA/s400/IMG_6375.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Audience Choice Winners Posing with the Night's Sponsors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Experts Corner featured an outstanding lineup of experts: Larry Andrews from <a href="https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/">Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation</a>, Francisco J. Martinez, CTO of <a href="http://www.mrscorp.com/">Mission Ready Solutions</a>, and Lianna Kushi, Executive Director of <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell-Lawrence</a>. Each of them shared extremely useful insights both in their talks and at their tables in the Experts Corner.<br />
<br />
One of the high points for me was Francisco Martinez's inspiring story of arriving in Lawrence as a 19 year old immigrant from Colombia, starting out at Polartec cleaning factory floors and working his way up to division manager, then on to launching a successful business of his own producing military clothing (Protect The Force LLC now merged with Mission Ready Solutions). Yes, as a Polartec employee he worked at this very spot that is now IndusPAD. So many elements of the resilience of the Merrimack Valley flowed through Francisco's story that I found it amazingly inspiring.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyepNn83w9eLxa8D9efHh5XrEREuygSyBNAIYTrkyCmPwFhm9S0-KhRqgNwcwPbzwLOwYmmeF6hP_siAM6j3mV7ZxsLES17TRD0KX88GxG_X-fefykVfNmvllK6VtMxeeXyrdttubeRpE/s1600/DSC05762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyepNn83w9eLxa8D9efHh5XrEREuygSyBNAIYTrkyCmPwFhm9S0-KhRqgNwcwPbzwLOwYmmeF6hP_siAM6j3mV7ZxsLES17TRD0KX88GxG_X-fefykVfNmvllK6VtMxeeXyrdttubeRpE/s400/DSC05762.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francisco Sharing His Expertise in the Experts Corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The after party was right in the next room and featured a giant paella. People were already lining up for paella before 8:30!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdbF7ZOfmh0J19SroV32sO0E5zi61VZiUM47Dav9AEx71X2SOpe73a8PuOIjEzI5_8gPNm1dGG4JjIEltj0h_jrxU_asfcmdMbxt9awrk2tC7yqUDRj2Djz9PcowXCGiFw2k6QOW94bY/s1600/DSC05772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdbF7ZOfmh0J19SroV32sO0E5zi61VZiUM47Dav9AEx71X2SOpe73a8PuOIjEzI5_8gPNm1dGG4JjIEltj0h_jrxU_asfcmdMbxt9awrk2tC7yqUDRj2Djz9PcowXCGiFw2k6QOW94bY/s400/DSC05772.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The After Party About to Get Started </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Experts Corner is a popular part of MIN events and my traditional Experts Looking Expert photos have become popular as well. This month's Experts Looking Expert shot features two amazing expert women of the Merrimack Valley: Lianna Kushi, Executive Director of <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell-Lawrence</a> and Marianne Paley Nadel, owner of<a href="http://everettmills.com/"> Everett Mills Real Estate</a>. This is what experts look like!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlGWv1ivfAEe7_lkiq2H8pRGwpQjcKoCaJEVX9pRoL4roBDFaB2TGOuj36n5c_yqbgKRPJad2sBIelkWOjYd3L3mbktVe6tbhyphenhyphenZKMSxWcmRqWy5vqNEQ0S_2kpTte7l-lSIL7hgzf78/s1600/DSC05744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlGWv1ivfAEe7_lkiq2H8pRGwpQjcKoCaJEVX9pRoL4roBDFaB2TGOuj36n5c_yqbgKRPJad2sBIelkWOjYd3L3mbktVe6tbhyphenhyphenZKMSxWcmRqWy5vqNEQ0S_2kpTte7l-lSIL7hgzf78/s400/DSC05744.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experts Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-171748405387647882019-01-21T17:24:00.000-05:002019-01-21T17:24:07.576-05:00#MIN118 Recap -- A Full House at Workbar Burlington<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ-116urbRscCAWp_V22romDDY_GsSzocYf09a87svShGNij5pDojXn3bK5v-duHLfR6H-rnF6h4WS8gD4jfM0PTphobhgOFbEdAOeD0CgmUL80y7AnQvyCyLj2dhZZl6bU7pEwiw-Nw/s1600/DSC05394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ-116urbRscCAWp_V22romDDY_GsSzocYf09a87svShGNij5pDojXn3bK5v-duHLfR6H-rnF6h4WS8gD4jfM0PTphobhgOFbEdAOeD0CgmUL80y7AnQvyCyLj2dhZZl6bU7pEwiw-Nw/s400/DSC05394.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already a Bustling Scene in Workbar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mass Innovation Nights kicked off their tenth (tenth!) year with a jam-packed event at the newly opened <a href="https://www.workbar.com/location/burlington-ma/">Workbar Burlington</a>. The lineup of products was definitely eclectic this time -- lots of new and exciting stuff in more categories than you can imagine. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW9s6pQQouTS-rBYcwqiqt0ouBfLJ5M9_Ex54tSMFa6QAKZ8D6_s7iddUTloDk5t1zeS4mBo0x8ZtJ8xVUe8bqWuRjiabGPKd1pAG0q9rQjLmwjrmNlGQjlxHDa8amXmrkiSorKjgs1A/s1600/DSC05399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW9s6pQQouTS-rBYcwqiqt0ouBfLJ5M9_Ex54tSMFa6QAKZ8D6_s7iddUTloDk5t1zeS4mBo0x8ZtJ8xVUe8bqWuRjiabGPKd1pAG0q9rQjLmwjrmNlGQjlxHDa8amXmrkiSorKjgs1A/s400/DSC05399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Crowded</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four presenters chosen by online voting ahead of the event were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Del Sur Empanadas</li>
<li>Aveyo Spoonable Avocado </li>
<li>Candorful </li>
<li>CaneWraps</li>
</ul>
I made it a priority to check out their tables first and then get to as many of the other products as possible. The product showcase was spread out among three rooms so folks got to see the different types of Workbar spaces as well as the products.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIziFNrzyoGBoCfj98x8D70GMSQi3CSoxSuR_rTHNc8unxzD4KEbLtdZiS_7l1ut09EnYGJKz6Njt6TP1Ha20KZ3bPT_OK3mHTUdM9_xEqa_vWyoTDCgMhvzqCsf-zhV3snXG-y2VRD0/s1600/DSC05398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIziFNrzyoGBoCfj98x8D70GMSQi3CSoxSuR_rTHNc8unxzD4KEbLtdZiS_7l1ut09EnYGJKz6Njt6TP1Ha20KZ3bPT_OK3mHTUdM9_xEqa_vWyoTDCgMhvzqCsf-zhV3snXG-y2VRD0/s400/DSC05398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat Hubell (L) Telling Maureen Mansfield(R) About How Candorful Helps Vets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.candorful.com/">Candorful</a> connects veterans and military spouses who are making the transition to civilian life with career coaches for live practice job interviews. After a series of practice interviews, candidates are well-prepared for handling an interview. Helping our service men and women nail the job interview is a great service! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fImZdL61QCJJso11QjYh-9PyZPVIHQWyd-Aak4rnTMuqGAa4RFaw6nUUV9jl_xl6RicU1JwPdzoc3SgGSj_mW4_HPih_OVNbY4dRbKTrBLv_LPGEWwOoQh0Mue0NXRI7tPaB8xROnZw/s1600/DSC05423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fImZdL61QCJJso11QjYh-9PyZPVIHQWyd-Aak4rnTMuqGAa4RFaw6nUUV9jl_xl6RicU1JwPdzoc3SgGSj_mW4_HPih_OVNbY4dRbKTrBLv_LPGEWwOoQh0Mue0NXRI7tPaB8xROnZw/s400/DSC05423.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candorful Presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIIz2ybsjjjdgOR0ja6Rz-42Sub-N_pmarh1WS4Jr95A4Brp5b0nVjmtiRv0lDZR2HfoCPKpXNiKj1Q1a5oq4CN-ntHo_J3AmgAlf1lIsh0TlwW_9mRgOOHzS6DlPfPe_LBGy-KxCk9w/s1600/DSC05438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIIz2ybsjjjdgOR0ja6Rz-42Sub-N_pmarh1WS4Jr95A4Brp5b0nVjmtiRv0lDZR2HfoCPKpXNiKj1Q1a5oq4CN-ntHo_J3AmgAlf1lIsh0TlwW_9mRgOOHzS6DlPfPe_LBGy-KxCk9w/s400/DSC05438.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CaneWraps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.sweetmobility.com/">CaneWraps</a> by Sweetmobility are colorful neoprene sleeves that wrap around a cane to make using one a more positive and stylish experience. The sleeves come in a variety of colors for style and personal expression as well as reflective patterns to increase the cane user's visibility while walking at night. The coolest feature is a protected spot inside the wrap for personal contact information so you can be reunited with your cane if you accidentally leave it behind or something. The designers are a husband and wife team -- one is an industrial designer and the other an occupational therapist. They have a real vision of getting rid of the stigma of aging and loss of mobility. I was impressed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr6R7R-fBo9YEx0AFvwpInYetXeAMBdgpMolPRl5ti6xARIPnYpNVeybu9-y5D563dbwg74cKTR1oTDZcSxfWuZUj7VD-RgZFoO68F3AYIl8wMLL_asIl51kPopaBwp7NHBeobuWZ664/s1600/canewraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr6R7R-fBo9YEx0AFvwpInYetXeAMBdgpMolPRl5ti6xARIPnYpNVeybu9-y5D563dbwg74cKTR1oTDZcSxfWuZUj7VD-RgZFoO68F3AYIl8wMLL_asIl51kPopaBwp7NHBeobuWZ664/s400/canewraps.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CaneWraps Presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ACrK640QuyfjDctrvjd0fe8DYZuy03gHA-CJ5f3pu5skY2NSztGlHhZLcuBj8A8_-YFntvihW-7oFl1Rb5ojtXaV3yX7gi5u69NLAiomHLgxYFrB4RX3tvbgPc6tyaFAAI-_Z_KBt5A/s1600/DSC05396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ACrK640QuyfjDctrvjd0fe8DYZuy03gHA-CJ5f3pu5skY2NSztGlHhZLcuBj8A8_-YFntvihW-7oFl1Rb5ojtXaV3yX7gi5u69NLAiomHLgxYFrB4RX3tvbgPc6tyaFAAI-_Z_KBt5A/s400/DSC05396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aveyo Flavors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://aveyolife.com/">Aveyo</a> launched Spoonable Avocado. Avocado is a superfood that's been having its 15 minutes of fame for awhile now, but it's kind of hard to think of it as a quick snack. There's the timing -- it's got to be perfectly ripe -- and there's the preparation. Aveyo handles those things for you. It's a creamy avocado snack in a cup -- a spoonable snack like yogurt. It comes in three flavors: Vanilla Bean, Super Cocoa and Strawberry. I tried the vanilla bean and the cocoa. Look for them in stores soon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_f0hvMhd3u0B6htFeZ2oHwscKe5TUmyf8bqujfiE7nCNpuZCB9DYDGfvpUjpubTEMx5arGLntb7IDQROknyUq-7_CfJwTSYlOj61I8cKY-NwFQJuzUM4c4cpRzK7iSfysR_opNCXJXI/s1600/DSC05436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_f0hvMhd3u0B6htFeZ2oHwscKe5TUmyf8bqujfiE7nCNpuZCB9DYDGfvpUjpubTEMx5arGLntb7IDQROknyUq-7_CfJwTSYlOj61I8cKY-NwFQJuzUM4c4cpRzK7iSfysR_opNCXJXI/s400/DSC05436.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aveyo Presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This wasn't a food themed event, but food was definitely getting attention. My next stop after tasting the avocado spread had to be tasting the empanadas.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxRpsLZaEABeV-OB6VSQ3NLMUK2Em4zCjRonAEcG4UmecQrii4Y3-e5MCoydWVCIDdlNijh4OxbdVxPKgY8yXiGROx0OHhn-36r5cAlfPJKSJn_uvxldsOpxmp3xLM13Ek0sOIXU8D9c/s1600/DSC05403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxRpsLZaEABeV-OB6VSQ3NLMUK2Em4zCjRonAEcG4UmecQrii4Y3-e5MCoydWVCIDdlNijh4OxbdVxPKgY8yXiGROx0OHhn-36r5cAlfPJKSJn_uvxldsOpxmp3xLM13Ek0sOIXU8D9c/s400/DSC05403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empanadas Were Going Fast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.delsurnatural.com/">Del Sur</a> makes all natural Argentine-style empanadas at their small factory in Lowell. I remember Sebastian and his empanadas from the <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2018/03/recapping-eforall-lowell-lawrence.html">EforAll 2018 Winter Accelerator</a>. It was great to see the progress and to taste the wonderful empanadas. I especially like the spinach ones. It was also great to see Joey Banh from <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll </a>there to support Del Sur. Del Sur sells these delicious empanadas at farmers' markets and offers catering service. Trust me, you need these empanadas at your next event.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh404PsfKfOeuP_scSJo3n724fLAm5GLOozUNyGQobYUI8szTIEO1Zs1x5XG-4aFf7OdfN0eGp_mHeblsQQJY8dID_S8oy0utbDunn_DZhiXpXi0NHQo9ACwwzrHMLC892BQVV1Cp7wQRE/s1600/DSC05432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh404PsfKfOeuP_scSJo3n724fLAm5GLOozUNyGQobYUI8szTIEO1Zs1x5XG-4aFf7OdfN0eGp_mHeblsQQJY8dID_S8oy0utbDunn_DZhiXpXi0NHQo9ACwwzrHMLC892BQVV1Cp7wQRE/s400/DSC05432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Del Sur Presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.acloudofmyown.com/">A Cloud of My Own</a> table was attracting quite a crowd.
With all the smart devices in our homes nowadays, we all need to pay attention to security. A Cloud of My Own stops hackers from monitoring and controlling those "Internet of Things" and "Smart Home" devices inside your home. I was not surprised that they won first place in the audience choice voting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ-IFlmvhQVZgevd-0fsKni4lR4w2OLI5JL-x7Mm_hyphenhyphenQbyhA1be9y6pf2XIk_bVtkvFUpx-Miv6Ko-SYdyL8YS7Jf6Jr_RCIBtvlUymARXiR-K0ioa8Esz9WwCuOwpfrspUGvL-uZKIE/s1600/DSC05407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ-IFlmvhQVZgevd-0fsKni4lR4w2OLI5JL-x7Mm_hyphenhyphenQbyhA1be9y6pf2XIk_bVtkvFUpx-Miv6Ko-SYdyL8YS7Jf6Jr_RCIBtvlUymARXiR-K0ioa8Esz9WwCuOwpfrspUGvL-uZKIE/s400/DSC05407.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Cloud of My Own</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.lawnserv.com/">Lawn Serv</a> provides a DIY lawn care subscription box customized for your lawn's particular needs.You provide a soil sample to start off and Lawn Serv selects a mix of lawn care supplies based on the soil analysis. Lawn Serv's monthly box provides just what you need for each season. Their table was really busy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKrSJbW7YMa9pE4RoAz64Xl39NR-ivxZL9SDdvC5E_jD3PQDiNx97IJdrzu_gvpnBfwZ2y-7PbkikyIeGHv9FMgKYhX0ncaBVljB3_JqXN6PV_6PUG4nNC01fTRI_rlMowGc5IYC-lVM/s1600/DSC05409.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKrSJbW7YMa9pE4RoAz64Xl39NR-ivxZL9SDdvC5E_jD3PQDiNx97IJdrzu_gvpnBfwZ2y-7PbkikyIeGHv9FMgKYhX0ncaBVljB3_JqXN6PV_6PUG4nNC01fTRI_rlMowGc5IYC-lVM/s400/DSC05409.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn Serv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.igmoda.com/">Athleisure</a> limited edition leggings and tops from IG MODA by Irina Gorbman,
Inc. feature designs based on what they call meditative art. The art is indeed beautiful to look at and I can see how wearing such beautiful designs could enhance your workout or just make your day more beautiful. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiP_C2QYiccXEC0ze0V2tMOTr_gYSw3M3rd5w1zq3pLOh2l8LAczN02c-6ll2sVLq40wqxaa_wDfZtZPNbWzZcPA25H0-daNSHE9haoLKQOw_9FJOwfouxXNEbv1jrC7a0n1Y1sD1-EE/s1600/DSC05400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiP_C2QYiccXEC0ze0V2tMOTr_gYSw3M3rd5w1zq3pLOh2l8LAczN02c-6ll2sVLq40wqxaa_wDfZtZPNbWzZcPA25H0-daNSHE9haoLKQOw_9FJOwfouxXNEbv1jrC7a0n1Y1sD1-EE/s400/DSC05400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athleisure Wearable Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.recipi.com/">Recipi</a> is a free small business web marketing tool that helps small businesses compete in today's digital marketplace. Using Recipi instead of having to hire a high-priced marketing consultant simplifies connecting your website, social media, and analytics etc. on one dashboard so you can maximize your web presence.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8I4MCb49UtNjUtHxtk-smsKuoYviOgucBU2IIIVTv2iHFwWyWkjjXc43tGPqz-vD6XoajP7ejRQimPril5hueywpSOspX7QTiPdBESBdexCaxL1JzBgqF2WQOuQm2QrWMobxZJZ9Iv4/s1600/DSC05408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8I4MCb49UtNjUtHxtk-smsKuoYviOgucBU2IIIVTv2iHFwWyWkjjXc43tGPqz-vD6XoajP7ejRQimPril5hueywpSOspX7QTiPdBESBdexCaxL1JzBgqF2WQOuQm2QrWMobxZJZ9Iv4/s400/DSC05408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recipi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alas, I did not manage to visit either <a href="http://www.smarketinginstitute.org/">Smarketing Institute</a>, sales and marketing consulting, or <a href="https://nanagram.co/">NanaGram</a>, photo printing and mailing service. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWMrswwRN2FD1o-1JG0CiPtY2bs6KTdGQdmmHG2gi0UbGlTzqSoZWhPJe49F3PwVyysv2AXWQ-0H9QE3W6zAgkyRdF5lHjlDChk1OCrhEGI7uFUMSCufD9w_S35MQn7UmFJPhKl6AMOA/s1600/DSC05419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWMrswwRN2FD1o-1JG0CiPtY2bs6KTdGQdmmHG2gi0UbGlTzqSoZWhPJe49F3PwVyysv2AXWQ-0H9QE3W6zAgkyRdF5lHjlDChk1OCrhEGI7uFUMSCufD9w_S35MQn7UmFJPhKl6AMOA/s400/DSC05419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing Room Only for the Presentations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiZfJ5z7eLzzldoT0eOxwrZ_ecKKvs5UoDJl5wT08z-PyOR8MvL2ag1PAl6Q3CGi33rQri0MPd2xyqlqCg6mPCHndHPhezrRJbQjjLN7BBjRjwv8yf2fP80rz_GxeGhbuwaV_elM9RIg/s1600/DSC05413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiZfJ5z7eLzzldoT0eOxwrZ_ecKKvs5UoDJl5wT08z-PyOR8MvL2ag1PAl6Q3CGi33rQri0MPd2xyqlqCg6mPCHndHPhezrRJbQjjLN7BBjRjwv8yf2fP80rz_GxeGhbuwaV_elM9RIg/s400/DSC05413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jam-Packed Workbar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The winners in the audience choice voting were Del Sur, Aveyo, Lawn Serv, and A Cloud of My Own. All of them made a big impression.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZIjAohpFXTJ9KYpD8vhgboSNQskpZr7X1Sgx_bw6NnWg_a2ZLn6rySoL5ae98wxtytcg8vaN0ePclfCyc2XMtVPUwEzCUf5Xxxq6htbcznX0vxzmaKA3UNG5tWhdOkyDE8Glr2j62nM/s1600/winners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZIjAohpFXTJ9KYpD8vhgboSNQskpZr7X1Sgx_bw6NnWg_a2ZLn6rySoL5ae98wxtytcg8vaN0ePclfCyc2XMtVPUwEzCUf5Xxxq6htbcznX0vxzmaKA3UNG5tWhdOkyDE8Glr2j62nM/s400/winners.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The experts holding down the Experts Corner were Workbar, <a href="https://www.ebsb.com/">East Boston Savings Bank</a> (conveniently located right across the parking lot), and public speaking coach <a href="https://www.lindaugelow.com/">Linda Ugelow</a>. All gave excellent brief expert presentations. Linda Ugelow's presentation really engaged with the audience, so this month's Expert Looking Expert photo is Linda making her presentation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RssDcEqSc9ULjdVVAioA_u3LIksAXp3ra388PUXZE1JpR5Fv_yBgr5ctSirz7M0ppNDsAKkrEwM0dr6t_NK7LE4mF9zHlJ_1teChPeviHCZMZ64HYfR6Zy2AcnVeC0Nsw_b12XwytI/s1600/speaking+coach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RssDcEqSc9ULjdVVAioA_u3LIksAXp3ra388PUXZE1JpR5Fv_yBgr5ctSirz7M0ppNDsAKkrEwM0dr6t_NK7LE4mF9zHlJ_1teChPeviHCZMZ64HYfR6Zy2AcnVeC0Nsw_b12XwytI/s400/speaking+coach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-19178219784555027252018-11-20T15:27:00.001-05:002018-11-20T15:27:29.173-05:00EforAll Summit 2018 -- Entrepreneurial Ecosystems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s6ErUgGJ3PD5UEzvmugOiQ7dd7IfOuhhQTaTRedMqsEgl8woTH7_GXb5ZQ5MmBiWrA6CoY3jA9bOiaTa4CPY02y3XiLp3ug4-e8rS4DoFKUG7AVNQwp1KyXNua3-5tJ0jS8crpK0YCo/s1600/black+thought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s6ErUgGJ3PD5UEzvmugOiQ7dd7IfOuhhQTaTRedMqsEgl8woTH7_GXb5ZQ5MmBiWrA6CoY3jA9bOiaTa4CPY02y3XiLp3ug4-e8rS4DoFKUG7AVNQwp1KyXNua3-5tJ0jS8crpK0YCo/s400/black+thought.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Thought</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What a privilege it was to attend the 2018 EforAll Summit on Entrepreneurial Ecosystems! This year's lineup of speakers was absolutely amazing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlackThought/">Black Thought</a> (MC of The Roots), Bill Cummings (<a href="https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/index.htm">Cummings Foundation</a>/Cummings Properties), and Brandale Randolph (<a href="https://www.1854cycling.com/">The 1854 Cycling Company</a>) all delivered inspiration and insight. <span id="RDS_site"><span id="MNGiSection"><a href="https://utecinc.org/">UTEC</a> did an excellent job hosting. </span></span><br />
<br />
As at previous summits, my peak of meeting new people was at breakfast. I always seem to meet people from Holyoke, but this year I also met interesting people from Gardner. Discussing how cities like Gardner have changed through the years over several cups of coffee is a great way to start the day.<br />
<br />
The crowd built steadily during breakfast and David Parker's opening remarks outlining the day's program for us. Oh, and he had so much success with his Moana slides last year, that he featured other movie scenes on this year's slides :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ko-oW9QqqkMa1EVvPKwwXYiiZeY531_at8KFhif7PVti6JCSZcacPSpWREiHYF0jsQFl6_RBbp1K6PwYQymh7gKgKbLk7NflSLf5-6MEDMfHZ3mGiVTTwlLIPXmdjvKbnkWfy3KBtSw/s1600/DSC05192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ko-oW9QqqkMa1EVvPKwwXYiiZeY531_at8KFhif7PVti6JCSZcacPSpWREiHYF0jsQFl6_RBbp1K6PwYQymh7gKgKbLk7NflSLf5-6MEDMfHZ3mGiVTTwlLIPXmdjvKbnkWfy3KBtSw/s400/DSC05192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Parker -- Opening Remarks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the first panel session, I chose <i>Leveraging Your Ecosystem</i> to hear how each of the panelists had benefited from the entrepreneurial ecosystem and what advice they had for other entrepreneurs (and students). Panelists Luis Gonsalves, Dawn Cordeiro, Ray Hamilton, and John Noto had diverse stories about different aspects of their local ecosystem. Luis from <a href="https://www.thejuicedcafe.com/">Juice'd Cafe</a> mentioned that the <a href="https://www.sba.gov/">SBA</a> is a great place to start. Dawn from <a href="http://holyokehummuscompany.com/">Holyoke Hummus</a> tested out her idea at community events and recommended a strategy of always being out there telling your story. Ray from <a href="https://www.invisawear.com/">InvisaWear</a> talked about entering competitions and taking advantage of the UML incubator and the EforAll accelerator program. John of <a href="https://lowellmakes.com/">Lowell Makes</a> pointed out that your ecosystem starts with friends and family. The quotes going up on Post-its over my desk are:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Your ecosystem starts with your friends and family " -- John Noto, Lowell Makes
<br />
"You need to be always telling your story" -- Dawn Cordeiro, Holyoke Hummus
<br />
"Go for it to start. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice." -- Ray Hamilton, InvisaWear</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwiaUigD6mU88YKoi0FlAfFq5uj6Xy0orZoO0BDFeg-NeOqSemVGS3CP0S09Dw3w1FKGz9hhUs9eZS-5Kl0v1MfQEdhyLgsf1okLR13tXPxY2gUnUhO-n07b7_PuxwJAPGorV64Dg_BU/s1600/panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwiaUigD6mU88YKoi0FlAfFq5uj6Xy0orZoO0BDFeg-NeOqSemVGS3CP0S09Dw3w1FKGz9hhUs9eZS-5Kl0v1MfQEdhyLgsf1okLR13tXPxY2gUnUhO-n07b7_PuxwJAPGorV64Dg_BU/s400/panel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leveraging Your Ecosystem Panel Listening to Dawn Talk about Holyoke Hummus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The Pathway to Building Successful Entrepreneurial Ecosystems</i> and <i>Maximizing the Entrepreneurial Experience</i> looked good too, but I was very happy with the one I chose and came home with a bunch of notes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVvf7U4om8b9gWW7zl4nCZQtL4X5HZo1G1ifybZhfZuRkzuA63TWotKQ9wyk3AL-AgywH3UNy8HEikHwC5EQlAT-66asq1ZNS9vmswZumr1jaoXBZlsPe6F4wkynLxAXfRumhFzoFsxU/s1600/DsDIT2GWsAEva7R.jpg+large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVvf7U4om8b9gWW7zl4nCZQtL4X5HZo1G1ifybZhfZuRkzuA63TWotKQ9wyk3AL-AgywH3UNy8HEikHwC5EQlAT-66asq1ZNS9vmswZumr1jaoXBZlsPe6F4wkynLxAXfRumhFzoFsxU/s400/DsDIT2GWsAEva7R.jpg+large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Vargas Facilitated the Leveraging Your Ecosystem Panel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The main hall really filled up for the first keynote, a fireside chat with Black Thought (aka Tarik Trotter) MC of the hip-hop
group The Roots, also the official house band on <i>The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy
Fallon</i>. If I had to pick one quote that resonated it would be: "Be brave. You have to take the risk to reap the rewards." Christa Brown did an excellent job of interviewing him and at the end she asked him if he would rap about entrepreneurship for us. And he did! His freestyle was the highlight of the summit. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EntrepreneurshipForAll/videos/1970796829890042/">You simply have to check out this video</a>. Needless to say, he got a standing ovation. On top of all that, he also hung out with the young adults at Cafe UTEC. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHRPp9Qq7czJ0gru_k9-k3tfKfCVVZyHUdZ_FEAqXadsj_l077egZRwS6zktS0NRYgVfYmFQW-dSsY7E2sbqgCtyJIKugVkE5HMEvNbkoyiYg8qMgskusITt6Yyhq-VUHyfHOghq_do8/s1600/DSC05196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHRPp9Qq7czJ0gru_k9-k3tfKfCVVZyHUdZ_FEAqXadsj_l077egZRwS6zktS0NRYgVfYmFQW-dSsY7E2sbqgCtyJIKugVkE5HMEvNbkoyiYg8qMgskusITt6Yyhq-VUHyfHOghq_do8/s400/DSC05196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christa Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Stay focused. Stick to your dream. Be brave." -- Black Thought</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2YWxzA8_H6qll4AAcDVxximBvWmHrvGvGbBfe1awHEWCa1U8_IuX2nZVpbx40j0MA2OE3_Y4gOhcLLaXS-xb3EwG5CUKRN08utGoMKwsQ_0PGwApXOlBliy0VLDE7aFrXAwUJTV_57U/s1600/DSC05202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2YWxzA8_H6qll4AAcDVxximBvWmHrvGvGbBfe1awHEWCa1U8_IuX2nZVpbx40j0MA2OE3_Y4gOhcLLaXS-xb3EwG5CUKRN08utGoMKwsQ_0PGwApXOlBliy0VLDE7aFrXAwUJTV_57U/s400/DSC05202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Crowd for Black Thought</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the Ecosystem Interactive Session in the main hall attendees grouped themselves around 7 topics: Inclusivity, Collaborative Culture, Shared Vision, Connected Networks, Quantify Methods, Universal Support, and Sustainable Work. Participants brainstormed ideas and goals for what to do next in those areas. I chose Inclusivity and found it a valuable discussion though it was a bit hard to hear with all the ambient noise from the other groups in the main hall. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVyQidZgFRrho-wxQLoZcocMl8TIkUNUxO_x8UkEEBcvcrIQDhX_NVIxPZyX1kZmAV9ltPvks8kM8_n4-HP7K2oHAF4C8ObVZPl8AppCwMFFuq2mWy-uBxvSsnHAwvZCuhrC-i3f3Vmc/s1600/DSC05208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVyQidZgFRrho-wxQLoZcocMl8TIkUNUxO_x8UkEEBcvcrIQDhX_NVIxPZyX1kZmAV9ltPvks8kM8_n4-HP7K2oHAF4C8ObVZPl8AppCwMFFuq2mWy-uBxvSsnHAwvZCuhrC-i3f3Vmc/s400/DSC05208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interactive Panel Session on Inclusivity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the interactive session was winding down, copies of Bill Cummings' book <i>Starting Small and Making it Big</i> began to appear on the tables. Time for the next fireside chat/keynote. Desh Deshpande interviewed his fellow philanthropist Bill Cummings. Cummings' personal story is inspiring and packed with lessons for entrepreneurs of all kinds. He told so many great anecdotes that I could barely wait to get home and start reading the book. Being in Lowell, he naturally brought up the thing he has in common with Jack Kerouac: they both sold Vicks VapoRub. The audience also enjoyed his story of his first meeting with members of the <a href="https://givingpledge.org/">Giving Pledge</a> and being asked "What's your tail number?" (Spoiler, he doesn't have a private jet.) It was great to hear that Cummings Properties provides low-cost rent to early
stage entrepreneurs -- another bit of the ecosystem. And yes, Desh did ask if Bill would rap for us but he declined :-)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYLxnBqtKLNtS7F3a83nWf15jhlwar02juObvap3fuVlY4dvDQopEkbmyb-HCXuf4JPWAxGFxdbAl2F_Bq3Kketg04qMa8JkGcO_9rlXEFigOhMNvG9GmuCEN0fMnRkk6t1y4QGB6OAE/s1600/DSC05212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYLxnBqtKLNtS7F3a83nWf15jhlwar02juObvap3fuVlY4dvDQopEkbmyb-HCXuf4JPWAxGFxdbAl2F_Bq3Kketg04qMa8JkGcO_9rlXEFigOhMNvG9GmuCEN0fMnRkk6t1y4QGB6OAE/s400/DSC05212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireside Chat: Desh Deshpande Interviews Bill Cummings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The most important thing in any negotiation is to listen." - Bill Cummings</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hnGrmKIAeznkLsMBhoRGHzPKtvTDBs9PqJRUj2shGALfDjkWNJ5EuL96ZzzLhjtz0NT_2FbLZa9sEV7RVc9CutU3M9iiJe9vkUY0OCmrHZ7Y621GB5ZqvaJB89SJkUEMj4Awnu_9_as/s1600/DSC05209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hnGrmKIAeznkLsMBhoRGHzPKtvTDBs9PqJRUj2shGALfDjkWNJ5EuL96ZzzLhjtz0NT_2FbLZa9sEV7RVc9CutU3M9iiJe9vkUY0OCmrHZ7Y621GB5ZqvaJB89SJkUEMj4Awnu_9_as/s400/DSC05209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't Wait to Read It!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved the <i>Art of Pitching</i> workshop. It was great to see so many
entrepreneurs willing to test out their pitches and so much useful
feedback emerging from both audience and judges Anne Estabrook and Todd Fry. Some of the pitches were from folks I've heard at EforAll pitch contests before, like Nate McNiff's <a href="http://thewanderingstage.com/">Wandering Stage</a>. It was great to see Reem Yared, founder of Help Around Town, whom I met long ago at a Mass Innovation Nights event (<a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-min48-epic.html">MIN48</a> -- wow, that was a long time ago). Some of the entrepreneurs didn't have much pitch experience. We all learned lots of good stuff from Anne and Todd's critique of each one. "Lead with the value proposition" was probably the most important advice. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShqKJcKzowl5Qn9n8M_6grCXm53644QdeSpAPIPwlhu-Il2aG0ms8fbADH1Q8_C6TNHffC5oMUc-iVc58kDrRwU-JOmUdY8FgtDhNtb2TSxcxCEKSTQ1akzESJY_E8BKgezzJCs64oJs/s1600/DSC05227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShqKJcKzowl5Qn9n8M_6grCXm53644QdeSpAPIPwlhu-Il2aG0ms8fbADH1Q8_C6TNHffC5oMUc-iVc58kDrRwU-JOmUdY8FgtDhNtb2TSxcxCEKSTQ1akzESJY_E8BKgezzJCs64oJs/s400/DSC05227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Help Around Town Pitching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The final fireside chat of the day was with Brandale Randolph, founder of <a href="https://www.1854cycling.com/">The 1854 Cycling Company</a>, interviewed by Shelley Cardoos. Randolph shared his experience growing his business, brand building, Framingham's entrepreneurial ecosystem,
and creating careers for the formerly incarcerated. His emphasis was definitely on the social impact of the business: "It’s not about the
bicycles, it’s about a brand that means something." Inspiring and thought-provoking don't even begin to cover the impression he made. I highly recommend his TEDx talk <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ZWKSbeD9w">"Stop throwing breakfast sandwiches at the poor."</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-7bCIRu0cxNJTuJLDSKf0aftIJdU4OPqHhS7xiyNBah7xeIyp3l4eL9uzuqCIZnddt5Fi9arX2L5tCHmcP6cmXx3561xakn3e5EZXIDJRXBGz0MuK4D-emBhULQkq5GTRmFMuRS9BDY/s1600/DSC05240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-7bCIRu0cxNJTuJLDSKf0aftIJdU4OPqHhS7xiyNBah7xeIyp3l4eL9uzuqCIZnddt5Fi9arX2L5tCHmcP6cmXx3561xakn3e5EZXIDJRXBGz0MuK4D-emBhULQkq5GTRmFMuRS9BDY/s400/DSC05240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandale Randolph and Shelley Cardoos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-2903921266666748012018-11-16T22:52:00.000-05:002018-11-18T16:06:58.596-05:00#MIN116 Recap -- Innovation, Palm Trees, and Some MemoriesThis month's Mass Innovation Night, MIN 116, took place at <a href="https://lincolnnorthma.com/">Lincoln North</a> in -- you guessed it -- Lincoln, Massachusetts, sponsored by <a href="https://rwholmes.com/">RW Holmes</a>. Delicious food was catered by Neillios Gourmet Kitchen -- the Swedish meatballs were particularly popular. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmesWmmYrrFh5rCQNIsFRTTteFje4IuUhsp_-PxPRLu2bc6npB-Q1RPEyBIBvVOMSmwBgB1a_mVUY_ULZwhDMXsEcsahEQshH8a_nP74K9Vyjxu5MaFAYODTZZXCcnc7F8LH2mh3ghVw8/s1600/DSC05164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmesWmmYrrFh5rCQNIsFRTTteFje4IuUhsp_-PxPRLu2bc6npB-Q1RPEyBIBvVOMSmwBgB1a_mVUY_ULZwhDMXsEcsahEQshH8a_nP74K9Vyjxu5MaFAYODTZZXCcnc7F8LH2mh3ghVw8/s400/DSC05164.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Host Venue Lincoln North </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was fun getting there through the woods (I always take the back roads to anyplace along 128) as the drive through the whole Virginia Road/Hanscom Air Force Base area brought back many memories ranging from childhood visits to the MIT Flight Facility to my first post-college job at the Air Force Cambridge Research Lab (writing FORTRAN programs to plot data about the Aurora Borealis). I wasn't exactly sure where the old defunct AFCRL was in relation to the part of Hanscom I was driving past. The hangar I remember from when my Dad worked at what was then called the MIT Instrumentation Lab (now Draper Lab) is gone -- replaced with a bigger more modern hangar -- but I did sort of recognize the general area of where his machine shop was in relation to the runways and it brought back wonderful childhood memories of air shows. Funnily enough, when I was talking with Eric Andersen about the woodsy drive to Lincoln North and the history of Hanscom, he brought up the annual air show. I wonder how many other MIN attendees have memories of the air show? Anyway, enough with the personal associations... on to the event ...<br />
<br />
The Lincoln North building featured many indoor trees. I imagine working there would be kind of like working in an arboretum. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYWztRST7xm4f4AU__ToKnlhcUVnx_F45Wk8adDg2-HTM3per5orvqfHOeVBl2zeDMbSaJgOFP9_5h6jkoeu0cWn91JOFm1w_JV6NFge0dP3B1A1SBforZfS_VJyKBlvMW6REe0gUXgI/s1600/DSC05165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYWztRST7xm4f4AU__ToKnlhcUVnx_F45Wk8adDg2-HTM3per5orvqfHOeVBl2zeDMbSaJgOFP9_5h6jkoeu0cWn91JOFm1w_JV6NFge0dP3B1A1SBforZfS_VJyKBlvMW6REe0gUXgI/s400/DSC05165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Products ranged from an electric outboard motor to government transparency software. The presenters chosen by the online voting were<b>:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.skippitapp.com/">Skippit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cleargov.com/">ClearGov</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.fluxmarine.com/">Flux Marine</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.oneightyc.com/">WAVEPulse™ Sterilization</a></li>
</ul>
It's not every day you get to listen to the MIN presentations underneath palm trees, so that added a little extra something to the experience. The microphone was a little touchy so it was kind of hard to hear WAVEPulse, but otherwise it was a good venue.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ30IVgNFndKm5H_kLhAWBRDVLpIbWQvGfbiQWD_jheHkUbx8oawIDkLpyGnrCXDsox-l65Cg_FdTiau9limVrUIBGduSmVkGnseO6OxLRUws07xftLYVJ8zIcqJ8MmXUYbfnjfCFWeSI/s1600/DSC05183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ30IVgNFndKm5H_kLhAWBRDVLpIbWQvGfbiQWD_jheHkUbx8oawIDkLpyGnrCXDsox-l65Cg_FdTiau9limVrUIBGduSmVkGnseO6OxLRUws07xftLYVJ8zIcqJ8MmXUYbfnjfCFWeSI/s400/DSC05183.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Skippit uses
real time video and voice interaction to create a more authentic online dating experience. A secure 5-minute call with your match eliminates those weeks of messaging leading to an in-person date where you discover within the first 3 minutes that you're not a match. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYacp3x12TUi7jTHopi0Ov-5jb9zuuZwAsPi9zuYMXHuYjXUeTUligiGdGX20t4C9jsGlKdPD-bYYCk-mAXiLs3iOR0eKPxHfKq2Iivrjvg4GZ4HpMhGOayh9rpj82iQqj40-ySa03Wz0/s1600/DSC05169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYacp3x12TUi7jTHopi0Ov-5jb9zuuZwAsPi9zuYMXHuYjXUeTUligiGdGX20t4C9jsGlKdPD-bYYCk-mAXiLs3iOR0eKPxHfKq2Iivrjvg4GZ4HpMhGOayh9rpj82iQqj40-ySa03Wz0/s400/DSC05169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skippit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
ClearGov is government transparency at your fingertips. According to the presentation, 1 out of every 3 towns in Massachusetts already uses ClearGov to share town finances and demographics. That's pretty widespread adoption. I love the idea of simplifying the way tax and budget information are presented and the ease of comparing similar towns statistically. I'd love to see my town embed this in their website.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P5SQWBZdl51PcU4RJ6hhzmVdW4kLot8w8WmZqt3e3Q-YfCavSc9I6TJOY-Wn5flnbOKcbFzF5mQEOgcY75WvgmZYioSDP-ICx_d8rMpEAz_fXArtG5MLgaXJjhZs7ufbBIrvRayTeQA/s1600/DSC05168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P5SQWBZdl51PcU4RJ6hhzmVdW4kLot8w8WmZqt3e3Q-YfCavSc9I6TJOY-Wn5flnbOKcbFzF5mQEOgcY75WvgmZYioSDP-ICx_d8rMpEAz_fXArtG5MLgaXJjhZs7ufbBIrvRayTeQA/s400/DSC05168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ClearGov</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Flux Marine has designed a zero emissions electric boat motor. It's kind of the Tesla of outboard motors. It eliminates the large amount of unburned gas that ends up in lakes and rivers every year too. Not only is it clean and sustainable, but it also offers better performance and reliability than gas engines. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40oeJIMyzj826UGhx0rJLjmOn7EigpTmA-CiyCkdjspC7MLH_2Gw6Nk_cZuaZoqnsifNTAQh-d9WTgVzD0vxRdR7xjpBIN0weloTSJUPW3tGbErraV7Sos_plkm9rYTpccMutovsqXuI/s1600/DSC05186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40oeJIMyzj826UGhx0rJLjmOn7EigpTmA-CiyCkdjspC7MLH_2Gw6Nk_cZuaZoqnsifNTAQh-d9WTgVzD0vxRdR7xjpBIN0weloTSJUPW3tGbErraV7Sos_plkm9rYTpccMutovsqXuI/s400/DSC05186.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flux Marine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
WAVEPulse Sterilization technology from ONEightyC fragments proteins, providing a high level of sterilization and disinfection of organisms that frequently cause hospital-acquired infections. Sterilization of many surgical instruments like endoscopes poses challenges. WAVEPulse technology addresses some of these challenges with the ability to tackle prions and super bugs. I had trouble hearing the presentation, so I may have missed some things.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrAyMg8TX1WBMJ01tDB4cpmCsswuUE5jzH59hu3LHl5y9-HA65FbxIMnH7pQgO8WafCO8uFjar_xmPC1lrrhdy_-Tnpr52TunB4oDJ_Bi99laMIWpREBIDjIg1rc6KTh1PiKmCGQab0k/s1600/DSC05172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrAyMg8TX1WBMJ01tDB4cpmCsswuUE5jzH59hu3LHl5y9-HA65FbxIMnH7pQgO8WafCO8uFjar_xmPC1lrrhdy_-Tnpr52TunB4oDJ_Bi99laMIWpREBIDjIg1rc6KTh1PiKmCGQab0k/s400/DSC05172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAVEPulse Sterilization</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The product showcase tables were filled with even more interesting stuff. My personal favorite was <a href="http://www.quellrelief.com/">Quell</a> wearable pain relief. It's a drug free, non-invasive system that uses nerve stimulation to block chronic pain. <span class="ILfuVd"> It consists of a device, a wearable band, an
electrode that attaches to the device, and an<b> </b>app that lets you customize your therapy.</span> It's small and comfortable to wear. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bTQbd-BLEyMpO6svtgMIKIMaxNMDFzQadoa13hZrI0b6wNDkO67gGilI-JoldxBjjbJy6QECh2RN2wmAzYq457T-wtaIZzXzJ-QljXOdQ4_hGml_OkfCYNkhS_EHmMCN4u_U7GFObFw/s1600/DSC05178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bTQbd-BLEyMpO6svtgMIKIMaxNMDFzQadoa13hZrI0b6wNDkO67gGilI-JoldxBjjbJy6QECh2RN2wmAzYq457T-wtaIZzXzJ-QljXOdQ4_hGml_OkfCYNkhS_EHmMCN4u_U7GFObFw/s400/DSC05178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.emotuit.com/">Emotuit</a> provides analytics that measure college student engagement to help instructors better understand their students’ cognitive and emotional states, so they can improve their course to engage students better. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyNpUEb1-L4JvkigC6kSUOtSX1aLHfCkBCNwTp0VpqCEMZyWjPFdXy-anJMDIw9LDnnM3L7ePBaI2YFZXFkEIfHsRfLDs277Q-NVnHNyBGN52zswkBNr4m0xpY7wsvG_yX9zbRkt9ngs/s1600/DSC05180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyNpUEb1-L4JvkigC6kSUOtSX1aLHfCkBCNwTp0VpqCEMZyWjPFdXy-anJMDIw9LDnnM3L7ePBaI2YFZXFkEIfHsRfLDs277Q-NVnHNyBGN52zswkBNr4m0xpY7wsvG_yX9zbRkt9ngs/s400/DSC05180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emotuit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.bondanddesvoeux.com/">The Bond Box</a> from Bond and Des Voeux welcomes new residents by introducing them to local small businesses. This goes way beyond Welcome Wagon. The box contains hand-picked items such as bath and body supplies, food and drink items, and gift cards – all from local
Boston or Massachusetts businesses. The idea is to make moving less stressful by making you feel at home as soon as you land in your new home. It's just one of the services Bond and Des Voeux offers for move management. Do check out their website.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB9YKGiPapuI3QyVtlZCFXAlrVRJvs30JxaJEIZQ6CCuwYrqHM9nqbsxqWXwQt3jIfOJrfbtOuyyIx3Gjl6_gWG5Y0in1WiDqsfgJ_PjSXnOsRyV4CUuydDy05a45fYvAnUR6dcF-ER0/s1600/DSC05188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB9YKGiPapuI3QyVtlZCFXAlrVRJvs30JxaJEIZQ6CCuwYrqHM9nqbsxqWXwQt3jIfOJrfbtOuyyIx3Gjl6_gWG5Y0in1WiDqsfgJ_PjSXnOsRyV4CUuydDy05a45fYvAnUR6dcF-ER0/s400/DSC05188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bond and Des Voeux</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://nextwavehire.com/">NextWave Hire</a> is software that helps companies hire the right people through inbound recruiting -- think inbound marketing but for HR. <span class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_widget_container hs_cos_wrapper_type_widget_container" data-hs-cos-general-type="widget_container" data-hs-cos-type="widget_container" id="hs_cos_wrapper_module_14279135734139211">The software powers customers' employer brand content, social media presence, and career sites so they can connect with passive job seekers as well as active job seekers. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgH_dwAc90doFyIQdxApXWfBnHZbqGVCRLw6J87jAicLSTK9gc2KYbvNYBuy_1ow3F3hTuswmJQXYT3Gs82OJjjEGGgjhcnFa_66mRlVl3vJzBhr4GMbzlXEoa4pm5V8zNXuhpDeJVDMM/s1600/DSC05171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgH_dwAc90doFyIQdxApXWfBnHZbqGVCRLw6J87jAicLSTK9gc2KYbvNYBuy_1ow3F3hTuswmJQXYT3Gs82OJjjEGGgjhcnFa_66mRlVl3vJzBhr4GMbzlXEoa4pm5V8zNXuhpDeJVDMM/s400/DSC05171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NextWave Hire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://mass.innovationnights.com/products/kinima-motion-captured-0">Kinima</a> motion capture uses point cloud technology to track the human body in motion, measuring the body's balance, power rhythm and speed captured through marching, squatting, jumping and lateral bounding. Their table was constantly crowded, so I didn't get a chance to talk with them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw3j57GtmRiC-fxwqQ4NciKLj9G7pLngRmu4aIt3C0efhBl1o-w9941g3OPHEvLOVCd34I0JUqr9NbzT54f-sOuSUqKH5sADjJYPnYbpIWFWznqQvEQJe0iSryLUDZI4saqhMgB20cYg/s1600/DSC05176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWw3j57GtmRiC-fxwqQ4NciKLj9G7pLngRmu4aIt3C0efhBl1o-w9941g3OPHEvLOVCd34I0JUqr9NbzT54f-sOuSUqKH5sADjJYPnYbpIWFWznqQvEQJe0iSryLUDZI4saqhMgB20cYg/s400/DSC05176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The audience choice award winners were Kinima, ClearGov, and WAVEPulse Sterilization with grand prize going to Quell.<br />
<br />
The Experts Corner featured sponsor RW Holmes (of course) and <a href="https://www.mclane.com/">McLane Middleton</a>. McLane Middleton's table featured the best pens, so here's a twist on my usual Expert Looking Export photo:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU28QHrFs3CYb-0BSoYtRJCsLhj1lAvObNPlBix7mT2p8gSErOywJjyZ7yVCphcZ-WnqHUW5ycWlRnskcDatoyHj8e-exN0WvQiXcJLHaK6-3nlTBEY0tZYL-rysfyuTVtXeENqsb4B4/s1600/DSC05189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU28QHrFs3CYb-0BSoYtRJCsLhj1lAvObNPlBix7mT2p8gSErOywJjyZ7yVCphcZ-WnqHUW5ycWlRnskcDatoyHj8e-exN0WvQiXcJLHaK6-3nlTBEY0tZYL-rysfyuTVtXeENqsb4B4/s400/DSC05189.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-39115543899411408362018-10-01T17:06:00.000-04:002018-10-01T17:06:13.287-04:00EforAll Lowell-Lawrence Social Impact Pitch Contest Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Lowell's PCEA Neema Church hosted EforAll Lowell-Lawrence's social impact pitch contest last Thursday evening. The kinds of businesses looking to make a social impact on the community participating with tables in the showcase and presenting in the pitch contest ranged from power generation to social services to practice space for musicians to gardening. There was so much to take in that I knew I wouldn't be able to absorb it all, but I spoke with as many entrepreneurs as I could and enjoyed every bit of it. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT9paoo8wfIsM0R4VGU-hQ1aBT7O92purCz6_r_V6fsCvrkOt5lh3pyIqr4fJZ03u7Ulopuw0EGCOIa-bVw581tgo6ci5y5_JttB86IdBiLofuIni5-SqhQ1iW60sCw1iyKQallTRmME/s1600/pastor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1600" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT9paoo8wfIsM0R4VGU-hQ1aBT7O92purCz6_r_V6fsCvrkOt5lh3pyIqr4fJZ03u7Ulopuw0EGCOIa-bVw581tgo6ci5y5_JttB86IdBiLofuIni5-SqhQ1iW60sCw1iyKQallTRmME/s400/pastor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui Welcoming EforAll to His Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The church provided an excellent presentation space with multiple video screens, good sound, and plenty of seats. The pastor, who was also one of the judges, welcomed us warmly. Also, I learned that the word "neema" in the church's name means grace in Swahili. (PCEA is Presbyterian Church of East Africa.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoKqes8IEBaaWoXIBdkioZ2Dajkpd6uoc-SKWTfaa6iPsjCpQDQ95MFze4ErJz65g0i15A6IqOAsAIimx8hNbMDBUiZD6PPZGtHUfAx16Fq2OYR9yTf4SvA7EqloD5eqaQG1CdTQr2G4/s1600/DSC04795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoKqes8IEBaaWoXIBdkioZ2Dajkpd6uoc-SKWTfaa6iPsjCpQDQ95MFze4ErJz65g0i15A6IqOAsAIimx8hNbMDBUiZD6PPZGtHUfAx16Fq2OYR9yTf4SvA7EqloD5eqaQG1CdTQr2G4/s400/DSC04795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously Good Space for the Presentations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The judges for the pitch contest were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui -- Founding Minister, PCEA Neema Church</li>
<li>Sophy Theam -- Diversity & Inclusion and Leadership Program Specialist, Enterprise Bank</li>
<li>Renay Wolterding -- Chef-Owner, Mill City BBQ and Brew</li>
<li>Joe Hungler -- Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell</li>
<li>Claire Ricker -- Urban Renewal Project Manager, City of Lowell</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGz6rIZwlNPowFsOQZKFwP4qvvWN9yinhy3HE5iAZ-nwLY3IQQ9nyNE8gxfqF0TMcDSwquYA6l_JMp6CEr8936__lgUoX5B-sbY250BqhxoaCnKAvqeBar57h7jv2YzYuJJNUkj-0rR4/s1600/judges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGz6rIZwlNPowFsOQZKFwP4qvvWN9yinhy3HE5iAZ-nwLY3IQQ9nyNE8gxfqF0TMcDSwquYA6l_JMp6CEr8936__lgUoX5B-sbY250BqhxoaCnKAvqeBar57h7jv2YzYuJJNUkj-0rR4/s400/judges.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judges Getting Ready</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUPHc-AXvAIb1Bx9L3D1yAKyrwBNhYhk4TZZDcQp44obv6OUvyOp7w6I18jXNQDLO8Rxy33g-lZS1K8z2TDEd9VJ6lW6p-WUTcv45YOEwNiL52tapAh6eifXxoehHOtoKuQa0bdfJHnY/s1600/DSC04804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUPHc-AXvAIb1Bx9L3D1yAKyrwBNhYhk4TZZDcQp44obv6OUvyOp7w6I18jXNQDLO8Rxy33g-lZS1K8z2TDEd9VJ6lW6p-WUTcv45YOEwNiL52tapAh6eifXxoehHOtoKuQa0bdfJHnY/s400/DSC04804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Checks Just Waiting to be Won</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tables were buzzing. The hallway where they were set up was narrow so it was a challenge to try to check out every table. I made the rounds to talk to as many as possible and use my table favorite
voting stickers to help decide who else would get to pitch. Each
attendee gets three stickers and it was hard to choose the idea I
most wanted to hear. I enjoyed talking to all of these social entrepreneurs and
I managed to photograph many of them.<br />
<br />
A number of participants were from the UML<a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Entrepreneurship/DifferenceMaker/default.aspx"> DifferenceMaker</a> program, including <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Entrepreneurship/DifferenceMaker/Meet-the-DifferenceMakers/ClassRoots.aspx">ClassRoots</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Entrepreneurship/DifferenceMaker/Meet-the-DifferenceMakers/Playtlist.aspx">Playtlist</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Entrepreneurship/DifferenceMaker/Meet-the-DifferenceMakers/ETRALock.aspx">ETRALock </a></li>
</ul>
The scheduled pitchers were:<br />
<ul>
<li>ETRALock</li>
<li>Woven Royal</li>
<li>Napping House</li>
<li>Orvel</li>
<li>Playtlist</li>
<li>Power Scavengers</li>
</ul>
I was impressed with ETRALock, a device that attaches to any door in order to help people with disabilities such as arthritis and Parkinson's disease that make it hard to use keys and deadbolts access their homes easily and safely key-free.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4bgc9HLblyIwH7m6zKhLvoVJ7DI-ULu3h4mGDsqA45elmZmmQKrODmG4CbNlX9rGGKDiH5C-okET2fiet6PRGv1glu11_hShyo1kk7X77eJpex1igfQ7z0tjwPifWUnRm3IThZR3Qfg/s1600/DSC04773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4bgc9HLblyIwH7m6zKhLvoVJ7DI-ULu3h4mGDsqA45elmZmmQKrODmG4CbNlX9rGGKDiH5C-okET2fiet6PRGv1glu11_hShyo1kk7X77eJpex1igfQ7z0tjwPifWUnRm3IThZR3Qfg/s400/DSC04773.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ETRALock Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NIzo5W5CjfWPAQQDUIkJMm6fHh-3KMENhil7MTwOTCK8ZJp5FSDpDnTKlakfiysiyPbO63j0rhOqEvaE5XVwNgm2jAsjrJTtnElcgmqSCviTd51IHrLOgrTf9M0A4nU6_2OWYGS1K6U/s1600/etralock+pitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NIzo5W5CjfWPAQQDUIkJMm6fHh-3KMENhil7MTwOTCK8ZJp5FSDpDnTKlakfiysiyPbO63j0rhOqEvaE5XVwNgm2jAsjrJTtnElcgmqSCviTd51IHrLOgrTf9M0A4nU6_2OWYGS1K6U/s400/etralock+pitching.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ETRALock Team Doing Their Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Woven Royal was probably the most surprising of the presenters. What's surprising about a head wrap? It's made from fabric made out of recycled plastic! Imagine protecting your curls from hat head and helping clean up the beaches of the Dominican Republic at the same time. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VY4FiirfSLD1vCfzHh-IXVx7Vq6QTVy8m1KRdN3RlggMO69WvNvNDcEY9ZIoTS0yK1pZz04YsTnnm73Kh6H9-521jIpmT43jaZGTdJW50VTnXJAMAtfAP6Z1Z0j8dq3fyESjDQwJIO0/s1600/DSC04775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VY4FiirfSLD1vCfzHh-IXVx7Vq6QTVy8m1KRdN3RlggMO69WvNvNDcEY9ZIoTS0yK1pZz04YsTnnm73Kh6H9-521jIpmT43jaZGTdJW50VTnXJAMAtfAP6Z1Z0j8dq3fyESjDQwJIO0/s400/DSC04775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven Royal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Woven Royal pitch really captivated the judges and the audience. They're trying to make a social impact in a very unexpected way and it sure seems like they can do it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_QvshUQ_qw_Umrw0pA7vJAdiFGlDcRrbKHlfTiMT-t6pUjxU2rW6Gw8q5w28j3bmxdr_1bNZr1D9hMUB3VBTbdZtWNGlo-D8_ylMHDSQY8WoAQsPjxmuUJRSjtR_5FUuuu6TPzpSqgI/s1600/DSC04812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_QvshUQ_qw_Umrw0pA7vJAdiFGlDcRrbKHlfTiMT-t6pUjxU2rW6Gw8q5w28j3bmxdr_1bNZr1D9hMUB3VBTbdZtWNGlo-D8_ylMHDSQY8WoAQsPjxmuUJRSjtR_5FUuuu6TPzpSqgI/s400/DSC04812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven Royal Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Napping House pitched a program of accommodations for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwVJcN1wn3sC7zoC6amjA8z0cM79-szVAcXGnyqg3JLaHXcgSoTWW1tFNIvOKdkZUq0gJLlKoti_Pti2ON-Nkkx5YpYeUkOXFNTYIyFKBQd09T3js_iPtC9vprcHYR-g9NQDLzk1PUXQ/s1600/DSC04784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwVJcN1wn3sC7zoC6amjA8z0cM79-szVAcXGnyqg3JLaHXcgSoTWW1tFNIvOKdkZUq0gJLlKoti_Pti2ON-Nkkx5YpYeUkOXFNTYIyFKBQd09T3js_iPtC9vprcHYR-g9NQDLzk1PUXQ/s400/DSC04784.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napping House Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6-VM1sngF5XhUXSuvv_gHHdKTFklZSIlTQjDKsitpgfbovPqyoj_6gXGUm8GikcGPGUKZiwG7m3WNFiqp7UUv4SD-TDSRmrwN930WphqGVrNcfRfAUOc3EzDM_d1ceUyEhcNUZoVkeo/s1600/DSC04814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6-VM1sngF5XhUXSuvv_gHHdKTFklZSIlTQjDKsitpgfbovPqyoj_6gXGUm8GikcGPGUKZiwG7m3WNFiqp7UUv4SD-TDSRmrwN930WphqGVrNcfRfAUOc3EzDM_d1ceUyEhcNUZoVkeo/s400/DSC04814.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napping House Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A plastic waste theme emerged with <a href="https://www.goorvel.com/">Orvel</a>'s vision of an ocean free of plastic waste. By organizing cleanup events, harnessing the power of media, and partnering with brands, Orvel intends to change the way we think and act toward the ocean and plastics. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcBqSe7SSjbNfirAyHhRyZyO8GKjwbbz7I4zSIEyy02IrOAH8mWICJxDbg1fhRqoGejr0S1boSBN_IzsL2k9rMYztPZf7qfmVWLzVLGDhOpZ7348cWmrwN-ZvfxEqlmdZYjVlOzDipv4/s1600/DSC04790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcBqSe7SSjbNfirAyHhRyZyO8GKjwbbz7I4zSIEyy02IrOAH8mWICJxDbg1fhRqoGejr0S1boSBN_IzsL2k9rMYztPZf7qfmVWLzVLGDhOpZ7348cWmrwN-ZvfxEqlmdZYjVlOzDipv4/s400/DSC04790.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orvel Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSHYcvSEhX8KAYgbDwY825-bZlXGnB9HkWDsMUBXZJzxexj6Ve85DabJ5zhyK_GmKfWmyKDUWPxoR7lIBuS1nI8PhcqbRKBnz9CpZNhwVMPfVHnzMb2K3AFr_gPm7BIvwW8_1iYOCEgU/s1600/DSC04815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSHYcvSEhX8KAYgbDwY825-bZlXGnB9HkWDsMUBXZJzxexj6Ve85DabJ5zhyK_GmKfWmyKDUWPxoR7lIBuS1nI8PhcqbRKBnz9CpZNhwVMPfVHnzMb2K3AFr_gPm7BIvwW8_1iYOCEgU/s400/DSC04815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orvel Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Playtlist was a big hit with an app for people with dietary restrictions (whether
health, cultural or religious) to find nearby restaurants that suit
their needs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6Zwi9lApBT7jdIlXP60UPKopqDIICnEFAsbV8rImYyuhAI5Bh-7ZR-EooApg7MWCY-s0CoLbRB7XBVn9w8M1Onhk4wzZquJyilsZn20OlKZGBCDhgrt_NVjckzozydFI2uQjkiEX00I/s1600/playtlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6Zwi9lApBT7jdIlXP60UPKopqDIICnEFAsbV8rImYyuhAI5Bh-7ZR-EooApg7MWCY-s0CoLbRB7XBVn9w8M1Onhk4wzZquJyilsZn20OlKZGBCDhgrt_NVjckzozydFI2uQjkiEX00I/s400/playtlist.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtlist Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Power Scavengers came all the way from Burlington, Vermont to tell us about their <br />
wearable device that produces
electricity solely from the motion of walking. It's worn as a belt so it's easy to take along on a hike. They like to hike in the mountains and have used it already for charging their devices while hiking the Green Mountains and even Mount Kilimanjaro. Their enthusiasm and optimism was contagious. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNq8zn15FYy0R7oyRIMhDMaoFYHwfXg1_3_OQhMQuVx3b15_yfpDN-9mgLjPtGCYy4wvSSzrxpVJKW0iJPMijcVuZhWgXHllGgWvWZKZc4_cMiDrx4ph0QJOM58TOVbdzm0NtXpbA37k/s1600/DSC04786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNq8zn15FYy0R7oyRIMhDMaoFYHwfXg1_3_OQhMQuVx3b15_yfpDN-9mgLjPtGCYy4wvSSzrxpVJKW0iJPMijcVuZhWgXHllGgWvWZKZc4_cMiDrx4ph0QJOM58TOVbdzm0NtXpbA37k/s400/DSC04786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Scavengers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They were so energetic that they must have generated a ton of electricity just walking back and forth in the hallway demonstrating it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPVaU4f0h88rSP0RI_uV2KvJENJsF0RdanXnIIlCH63RkM6v_D2XXgJDNgC07liO2iXIs09KTLjKFKbyYx9jMtAv_1d4nEb95PCLvtofV0_V_tqrjD5xgJQWreBdpfaamMQPqPyecdSQ/s1600/DSC04817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPVaU4f0h88rSP0RI_uV2KvJENJsF0RdanXnIIlCH63RkM6v_D2XXgJDNgC07liO2iXIs09KTLjKFKbyYx9jMtAv_1d4nEb95PCLvtofV0_V_tqrjD5xgJQWreBdpfaamMQPqPyecdSQ/s400/DSC04817.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Scavengers Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The table favorite chosen by the sticker voting was Second Chance, an outreach program for women in Lawrence who need connections to multiple types of social services. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ZVcK_3l5tvlE3Az3zRqIZD7Y8e66olIIDOK-rA_Eb9t1h0Z-olmwrp3eNut3gAJC7JUpat0JCazDgYNcby4ySwvnh-yiwxSU9ueNVN-aUNyJApiipwrstQ2YYvDsYU5fWoa7PuGP2Q/s1600/DSC04820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ZVcK_3l5tvlE3Az3zRqIZD7Y8e66olIIDOK-rA_Eb9t1h0Z-olmwrp3eNut3gAJC7JUpat0JCazDgYNcby4ySwvnh-yiwxSU9ueNVN-aUNyJApiipwrstQ2YYvDsYU5fWoa7PuGP2Q/s400/DSC04820.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Chance Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wildcard slot, chosen by pulling a business card out of a basket, went to Elevate Lowell. Elevate Lowell is an artist's collective that brings together young urban artists to put on events that combine performing arts, music, and a marketplace that showcases entrepreneurs and creators in Lowell and the surrounding
areas. Elevate aims to create opportunities for artists to promote themselves and
network with other artists and businesses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR81P7zGudSrlp05t_-3xe94tsiSCBiCqUC4KIkI85LkPAThf_muZuoCIwuOvwCzdyD85SNeUlIek5oRCk83JwpvYEhML2RyTU2GHnZDjegg-mLxwj3GNJvO3yXxVL_bkDiFdzLRmzLk/s1600/DSC04822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR81P7zGudSrlp05t_-3xe94tsiSCBiCqUC4KIkI85LkPAThf_muZuoCIwuOvwCzdyD85SNeUlIek5oRCk83JwpvYEhML2RyTU2GHnZDjegg-mLxwj3GNJvO3yXxVL_bkDiFdzLRmzLk/s400/DSC04822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevate Lowell Pitch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The voting for the audience choice award went smoothly (the technology can be finicky sometimes) and we had some time to hear short pitches from some of the other folks who had tables and to grab some more of the excellent food while the judges were out deliberating. The judges took a wee bit longer than usual, but I don't blame them. They had tough choices to make. This was an amazing group of pitchers. Actually, it was an amazing group of table participants too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHUbbDAFWFuWTiWr6Zsb661FtHrRS4qXEdpkh-vtaRYhIIN7OZbJNlCijSCz37CoBHN-BKl1FTW5N9jpfWchcWGLeoccsmqFt4zYYeolWJU1OfOF9w42kj_zNrN5a5YvwFaV77VUkp78/s1600/DSC04783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHUbbDAFWFuWTiWr6Zsb661FtHrRS4qXEdpkh-vtaRYhIIN7OZbJNlCijSCz37CoBHN-BKl1FTW5N9jpfWchcWGLeoccsmqFt4zYYeolWJU1OfOF9w42kj_zNrN5a5YvwFaV77VUkp78/s400/DSC04783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Spread of Food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The winners were: <br />
<br />
<b>Fan Favorite</b>: Power Scavengers $500<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv5KDIVsR4VD5C3JxeEOGaJBcVjJax-WwIT9B1vDE_GYvDTGrox9NUpC6ZpM23LD9VhW8Zqq0NrIXHt7BifWp40OtUsLnDt84XG5fQxYTxqgbdVS-qF-F29xb1D0sD79CAOwbVdPgKGU/s1600/DSC04825.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv5KDIVsR4VD5C3JxeEOGaJBcVjJax-WwIT9B1vDE_GYvDTGrox9NUpC6ZpM23LD9VhW8Zqq0NrIXHt7BifWp40OtUsLnDt84XG5fQxYTxqgbdVS-qF-F29xb1D0sD79CAOwbVdPgKGU/s400/DSC04825.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Scavengers Fan Favorite </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Third Place</b>: Power Scavengers $500 (yeah, they get 2 checks!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLqnRoARn4MULWq10R96SLh9LI8tz48nU5gQom8fIRkbr4EgLpKgtHWMZ0m-F629Q9-Z_m-0Ro-VFSCxW4rscyllatcbBJgMI9QCPoQPLZK_hOonGqlnt64FC_3LvQKu39RzkF_gsotE/s1600/DSC04827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLqnRoARn4MULWq10R96SLh9LI8tz48nU5gQom8fIRkbr4EgLpKgtHWMZ0m-F629Q9-Z_m-0Ro-VFSCxW4rscyllatcbBJgMI9QCPoQPLZK_hOonGqlnt64FC_3LvQKu39RzkF_gsotE/s400/DSC04827.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Scavengers Wins Third Place Too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Second Place</b>: Playtlist $750<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdpv2U_jL_7KIjpogSfWhOiBF3CGtMFkd54KmyCHmVaopeevjYLMQU4XPFDyurIE1Y-SDkEZVWztZEMiV73ve0u_2LEWFJkakx2__7ae2QPNpDspchxpgkIbwLNvP52lUwqod87r2Q1Q/s1600/DSC04828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdpv2U_jL_7KIjpogSfWhOiBF3CGtMFkd54KmyCHmVaopeevjYLMQU4XPFDyurIE1Y-SDkEZVWztZEMiV73ve0u_2LEWFJkakx2__7ae2QPNpDspchxpgkIbwLNvP52lUwqod87r2Q1Q/s400/DSC04828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtlist Wins Second Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>First Place</b>: Woven Royal $1000<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgO4spfYnl9QHpybzgv1u-dDFTuquEuuOIu2EQ8QaKPYG0BF54YIQ_gxFfVmgtahoJ9R0eloyQHkh6br3EHoQHFG2phQ0rD6CPZvGdTT1aD39zYBlZLuJM7x1-W2pFN97Zs7H608KNog/s1600/DSC04830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgO4spfYnl9QHpybzgv1u-dDFTuquEuuOIu2EQ8QaKPYG0BF54YIQ_gxFfVmgtahoJ9R0eloyQHkh6br3EHoQHFG2phQ0rD6CPZvGdTT1aD39zYBlZLuJM7x1-W2pFN97Zs7H608KNog/s400/DSC04830.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Place Goes to Woven Royal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who pitched or tabled. Your ideas are exciting and made for a great event.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsvH2mkuMtzNilPBlLAszldvrdxMq4jldmqRKNtL2hnrT8-lSx_IEicvGe5EnCCJLbm2TUJOV_7Tx03HeRFtlwiSR12y531cwQL3Qy0KHR5Wu_1k5SzJ7EXwBulhwLLN5m8RwEsNyENQ/s1600/DSC04780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsvH2mkuMtzNilPBlLAszldvrdxMq4jldmqRKNtL2hnrT8-lSx_IEicvGe5EnCCJLbm2TUJOV_7Tx03HeRFtlwiSR12y531cwQL3Qy0KHR5Wu_1k5SzJ7EXwBulhwLLN5m8RwEsNyENQ/s200/DSC04780.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Belly Gardening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFQNyfowgqcVObesfaaFHLwqdoiwzlXI-E07SOEqudSywUqdNXP0u4ApICh2glGhIy9bYqpIm7wSVBVwoUQOUSNMEkiJ6seIzuzfKjypG8KbsU1VD54ZYODASUc1KPsqKUCd_qom6UpI/s1600/DSC04781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFQNyfowgqcVObesfaaFHLwqdoiwzlXI-E07SOEqudSywUqdNXP0u4ApICh2glGhIy9bYqpIm7wSVBVwoUQOUSNMEkiJ6seIzuzfKjypG8KbsU1VD54ZYODASUc1KPsqKUCd_qom6UpI/s200/DSC04781.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chops - Practice Space for Music Students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELMdCPAxwS8ZlMiHgWTgq1a45volgy_leex25FjVlLnoG5na7raJyy48y-O3yfKDjujHZzcCKZkHHzV_MKsRuER-KjXW-VQ5VF_Qc9tSk1fjzTArQjyj_866GG0MZOoEqA9U2j954ruo/s1600/DSC04777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELMdCPAxwS8ZlMiHgWTgq1a45volgy_leex25FjVlLnoG5na7raJyy48y-O3yfKDjujHZzcCKZkHHzV_MKsRuER-KjXW-VQ5VF_Qc9tSk1fjzTArQjyj_866GG0MZOoEqA9U2j954ruo/s200/DSC04777.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring Up App for Getting Your Clothes to Fit Right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_BLIiBOiUwvMzIyoPwXXSs2u3c3vDHm51PkWgJ_QIA4zhORUnzLSSineUecZqWoktDONI_nP-RCpFL0B4O2Gp_1hgcCJ2lnGFh3kDtFOBvGEE5b5L6NeHqsdCBfeptVlmyS-8xQ5SNk/s1600/DSC04782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_BLIiBOiUwvMzIyoPwXXSs2u3c3vDHm51PkWgJ_QIA4zhORUnzLSSineUecZqWoktDONI_nP-RCpFL0B4O2Gp_1hgcCJ2lnGFh3kDtFOBvGEE5b5L6NeHqsdCBfeptVlmyS-8xQ5SNk/s200/DSC04782.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PhiLance Platform for Freelance Workers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzrRDq-iQ_q7U9nr-wZgGo3UYvnaKWHvtMvJ7XgHktjPLOUcLd6IWjY-5tJY85acSQ9XSITDVu3LonNHZwjTg9ZNIuDx6HXa69ED1MtSkL0uyZuJ3WK2jOFbJIDeHBS-ZynXW7tbHIMo/s1600/DSC04789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzrRDq-iQ_q7U9nr-wZgGo3UYvnaKWHvtMvJ7XgHktjPLOUcLd6IWjY-5tJY85acSQ9XSITDVu3LonNHZwjTg9ZNIuDx6HXa69ED1MtSkL0uyZuJ3WK2jOFbJIDeHBS-ZynXW7tbHIMo/s200/DSC04789.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adventure Code Academy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSYg4B2UjTPgATNVU4dvbHds_uq-bpzeOWmr68a3ectmTSXbqJ2lIhH1BmTUtjEh1yM5vrxdlx8S85KBJ7pzzb27Va3I-oHZPxrDsYghhZ4PYPOMcJWItY1l0c0wxD4QQ9D_T0WsxJNI/s1600/DSC04801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSYg4B2UjTPgATNVU4dvbHds_uq-bpzeOWmr68a3ectmTSXbqJ2lIhH1BmTUtjEh1yM5vrxdlx8S85KBJ7pzzb27Va3I-oHZPxrDsYghhZ4PYPOMcJWItY1l0c0wxD4QQ9D_T0WsxJNI/s200/DSC04801.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sixpence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ezpiBurk2DVPreXT_Rn2GJfDuizZixj7f9fMuYB0sWcMxaaRRB13za5NLFlsrzTN7YOpTrrJSLXGsEMK-FREdkKjfwjzjRmpll9QbvEmQX6DpQdL7khonvq8JouLutFk3pKeFYp3DI/s1600/DSC04794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ezpiBurk2DVPreXT_Rn2GJfDuizZixj7f9fMuYB0sWcMxaaRRB13za5NLFlsrzTN7YOpTrrJSLXGsEMK-FREdkKjfwjzjRmpll9QbvEmQX6DpQdL7khonvq8JouLutFk3pKeFYp3DI/s200/DSC04794.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HipHop Dance Studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-67051147380890713712018-08-29T23:25:00.003-04:002018-09-01T14:59:23.412-04:00Six Reasons to Come to Lawrence for Labor Day Weekend<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK0En4CeiPS3PlrsRBscWcPwVnSeHsJaCIJm-Tw1JvPl5WpjRW7phI0b5oOTy610AJrqVihMk0pNgfNYDOEjmTjWzBG0I4f-nv_n2YsqfT-khI8xwHToFivri3pWYplJ2UTwCRURm4ME/s1600/monument.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK0En4CeiPS3PlrsRBscWcPwVnSeHsJaCIJm-Tw1JvPl5WpjRW7phI0b5oOTy610AJrqVihMk0pNgfNYDOEjmTjWzBG0I4f-nv_n2YsqfT-khI8xwHToFivri3pWYplJ2UTwCRURm4ME/s400/monument.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument to the 1912 Strikers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Labor Day Weekend in Lawrence brings
together labor history, immigrant history and culture, music, food, and
celebration in a vibrant city still very much the Immigrant City. In
this spirit, the whole city becomes a city of festivals. With the
Festival of the Three Saints, the Mahrajan, and
the Bread and Roses Festival you can celebrate Italian culture, Lebanese
culture, and labor history from Friday evening through Monday.
Celebrating in a city that actually celebrates
labor on Labor Day is reason enough to be here, but in case you need
more reasons, here's a list.<br />
<br />
1.<a href="http://www.threesaintsinc.org/feast-schedule-2018.php"> The Feast of the Three Saints is celebrating its 95th year!</a><br />
From
from Friday evening through Sunday, the feast celebrates three Catholic
saints — St. Alfio, St. Filadelfo and St. Cirino. The three brothers
were martyred for their faith almost 1,800 years ago and have been
commemorated with a feast in Trescastagni, Sicily for centuries. Italian
immigrants who came to Lawrence to work in the mills, brought the
tradition with them. You'll get a real sense of Lawrence history as you
enjoy food, music, and the procession , celebrating both a religious
festival and Italian culture.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL6vvdXDJjhu3KgDG0dMWrlAmEYuNcwsZJofvrMyadOcEh7liRfutx2Pg1RrxFelyzfqZ_UeYquG1H-qoA-ZK1D-SfXMTglW4sYisrSln-soYbCRtocv7YKo6DHG1msLEWv8-Q6WoBGA/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL6vvdXDJjhu3KgDG0dMWrlAmEYuNcwsZJofvrMyadOcEh7liRfutx2Pg1RrxFelyzfqZ_UeYquG1H-qoA-ZK1D-SfXMTglW4sYisrSln-soYbCRtocv7YKo6DHG1msLEWv8-Q6WoBGA/s400/DSC03009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the St. Alfio Society Getting the Saints Ready for the Procession</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some highlights this year are: <br />
<br />
<b>Bocce</b><br />
<br />
New
this year, is bocce for kids and a bocce tournament for the grownups!
Never played bocce? It's not too late to learn. Learn to play or refresh
your skills on Friday evening in the parking lot next to North End Deli
on Common Street.<br />
<br />
<b>The Original Drifters</b><br />
<br />
This
year's music lineup features classic doo-wop music by "The Original
Drifters"on Saturday evening. This should be a fun show for all ages.<br />
<br />
<b>Taste of Italy Cooking Demos and Tastings</b><br />
<br />
Cafe
Tre Santi, aka the church parking lot, will host wine tastings, food
tastings, cooking demos, and a cheese making demo. You can learn about
Italian wine and food pairings, hear all about wine making from the
Merrimack Valley's most popular wine makers (Franco and Johnnies Vino),
watch the "Original" Crispelli King Peter Messina of the Italian Kitchen
make the legendary treat (crispelli), and learn all about the art of
making fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese from Luca Mignogna of Wolf
Meadow Farms (and taste the fresh cheeses of course).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.breadandrosesheritage.org/"> 2. Bread and Roses Heritage Festival</a><br />
<br />
Learn
about and celebrate the history and legacy of the 1912 strike that
changed labor history and also celebrate the diverse cultures of
Lawrence.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w7v_5k-b1nZMoB3lwi1EFLyH-lEkR521br51mytXaVTHfeP2w1yT-NLRJhUd8d0DEIMZGj_ln1x2QjFMyr-76plK2Adqsi4FVN8mbZcu2IZ8IeU7UBMc8z_zHul_mlB7BeMpzq_kMe0/s1600/crowd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w7v_5k-b1nZMoB3lwi1EFLyH-lEkR521br51mytXaVTHfeP2w1yT-NLRJhUd8d0DEIMZGj_ln1x2QjFMyr-76plK2Adqsi4FVN8mbZcu2IZ8IeU7UBMc8z_zHul_mlB7BeMpzq_kMe0/s400/crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crowd at Bread and Roses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Labor Day from 11:30 AM - 6:00PM Campagnone Common hosts an amazing array of activities:<br />
<ul>
<li>enjoy live music on multiple stages in an amazing diversity of
styles from traditional Garifuna dance and drumming to jazz and hip-hop
and everything in between -- <a href="https://www.breadandrosesheritage.org/schedule">check out the schedule to see who's playing each stage </a></li>
<li>learn about Lawrence's history and its present from
historians, writers, union representatives, and community activists at the <a href="https://www.breadandrosesheritage.org/lawrencehistorylive">live history stage</a> </li>
<li>listen to speakers <span class="color_31">on labor and social issues, poetry readings, and labor songs or take to the soapbox yourself to tell it like it is at </span>the <a href="https://www.breadandrosesheritage.org/soapbox">community corner and soapbox </a></li>
<li>have fun with kids' activities including pony rides, face painting, and arts activities </li>
<li>take a tour -- both trolley tours and historic walking tours take you to
sites related to the 1912 strike and other aspects of this historic mill
city</li>
<li>check out a variety of tables with vendors and non-profit
organizations -- everything from food to labor organizing -- and did you know that Mill City Zine Distro will be on of those tables? If you missed them at the Lowell Anarchist Book Fair last weekend, catch them on Labor Day in Lawrence.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://oompoutloud.com/">3. Oompa</a><br />
<br />
This year's Bread and Roses Festival is a great chance for you to hear the amazing Boston-born poet and rapper, Oompa! Trust me, she is reason enough to come to Lawrence on Labor Day in and of herself. 2016 WOWPS (Women of the World Poetry Slam) Winner and a finalist at the 2016 National Poetry Slam, Oompa is a rising star on the Boston music scene. Check out her bio on the festival schedule and get yourself to the Teoli Stage at 2:00PM on Monday for a real treat.<br />
<br />
4. Lebanese Mahrajan Festival<br />
<br />
Get a taste of Lebanese culture at the 44th Mahrajan at St. Anthony's
Maronite Church. Three days of music, dancing and plenty of Lebanese
(and American)
food starts Friday evening. That's plenty of time to enjoy
the food, music, dancing, hookah, games, and even cooking classes. Stop
by Friday 6PM-Midnight, Saturday 5PM- Midnight, and Sunday
Noon-Midnight.<br />
<br />
<br />
The food is all homemade and delicious, the pastry tent is three tables long, the music is great, and the parishioners are friendly. You'll feel right at home partaking in this great Merrimack Valley tradition.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFZqwWVwd4omyb1J8_l29FXpmoQQciEru2qzenm8WzBy3ndxhfGmQa5iIBeIpIzYT2_KWFzfdSFQbpnhtC9OWoEcfoMJJ_UWigRzsvwt2_bWaGgi1Dg96e6WFy5aoQ6PXhwuVPTAbyGU/s1600/DSC03012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFZqwWVwd4omyb1J8_l29FXpmoQQciEru2qzenm8WzBy3ndxhfGmQa5iIBeIpIzYT2_KWFzfdSFQbpnhtC9OWoEcfoMJJ_UWigRzsvwt2_bWaGgi1Dg96e6WFy5aoQ6PXhwuVPTAbyGU/s400/DSC03012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a Few of the Delicious Pastries at the Mahrajan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
5. Leonard Bernstein Was Born Here<br />
<br />
Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence on August 25, 1918. Lawrence celebrated his centennial year with a wonderful <a href="https://www.bernsteincentennialfestival.com/">10-day festival</a> and orchestras all over the USA are still doing centennial tributes to one of the best known sons of the Immigrant City. The <a href="http://www.lawrencehistorycenter.org/about">Lawrence History Center</a> has folders chock-full of mementos of Bernstein's many visits back to his home town after he became famous. In many ways, his family history is similar to that of lots of people in Lawrence. Why not celebrate the centennial by exploring Lawrence and getting a feel for the mills and the immigrant history? Look around for possible sources of his inspiration and evidence of his impact.<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Murals<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5NX9BA68Ju2LaoVKjfQwK_y1HGpl7TeNHS2TDW9Au5ld9IzL0VY3jdhxijFKRAqn5mRCUdW832L-Kxk6JwKfS6doe6uBaC-f_zMeqv6T0v4YmtJrcZ-yUDYCUl6TdsHjdEqvLPShnZY/s1600/DSC04112.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5NX9BA68Ju2LaoVKjfQwK_y1HGpl7TeNHS2TDW9Au5ld9IzL0VY3jdhxijFKRAqn5mRCUdW832L-Kxk6JwKfS6doe6uBaC-f_zMeqv6T0v4YmtJrcZ-yUDYCUl6TdsHjdEqvLPShnZY/s400/DSC04112.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island Street Murals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lawrence is home to loads of beautiful murals. Go on a mural quest. Take a walk, turn a corner, and be surprised by colorful art where you least expect it. Many of these murals are the work of Lawrence-based <a href="http://www.elevatedthought.org/">Elevated Thought</a>, which works with several other local communities as well. Three murals painted by Elevated Thought feature in the set for the Bread and Roses Festival's grand finale "Lawrence Hustle & Soul", a multi-media production based on the play “Morir Soñando” by Nilson Mata. Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-84574827791347162072018-07-25T00:00:00.000-04:002018-07-25T00:00:10.074-04:00six (or so) reasons to come to Lowell this weekendThe Lowell Folk Festival is almost here. That's right, the longest running and second largest free folk festival in the USA starts this Friday! Only a couple more sleeps until downtown Lowell celebrates the very best in traditional folk music, artisan crafts, and ethnic foods for the 32nd year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKRdYgZ4PWw67lTpER0D1LFkRG-By0KUE1eafOWIYYfvclvonj1I-VUksbRqz0qRo8vdaspzDvgvSJSUjVWZEkXNRau6QybZL0oqdA-hQut8Z7B1OT1quIZMe4sVBPZmHbBx6B7hCgvM/s1600/DSC02791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKRdYgZ4PWw67lTpER0D1LFkRG-By0KUE1eafOWIYYfvclvonj1I-VUksbRqz0qRo8vdaspzDvgvSJSUjVWZEkXNRau6QybZL0oqdA-hQut8Z7B1OT1quIZMe4sVBPZmHbBx6B7hCgvM/s400/DSC02791.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Opening Parade Arriving at Boardinghouse Park (2017)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you need some reasons to come to the festival? C'mon, how long has this been on your bucket list? Go for it! Here a few reasons you should get here this year:<br />
<br />
1.<b> Free Music: Beatboxing, Georgian Polyphonic Singing, Traditional Penobscot Drumming, Cape Verdean Morna and All That</b><br />
<a href="http://lowellfolkfestival.org/listen/2018-artists/">This year's festival lineup</a> features Rahzel, one of the biggest names in beatboxing. This is your chance to hear a legend in hip hop culture for free. This is the guy who can sing a chorus and beatbox the backup simultaneously. You seriously do not want to miss this.<br />
<br />
Iberi Choir is bringing the complexity and sheer beauty of Georgian polyphonic singing. The Georgian song tradition goes back to ancient pagan roots and weaves in early Orthodox Christian liturgical music and a rich mix of at least 15 different regional singing styles for an almost hypnotic experience.<br />
<br />
Interested in the indigenous cultures of New England? The Burnurwurbskek Singers, a traditional drum group, are making their very first
appearance at the Lowell Folk Festival. They're from the Penobscot Nation
on Indian Island near Old Town,
Maine and have been performing traditional Wabanaki songs for audiences
across Maine for years. We are lucky to finally have them in Lowell. <br />
<br />
Love Cape Verdean music? <span style="color: black;">Neuza will be here singing not only the traditional mornas that Cesaria Evora was most famous for, but also songs in the local traditions of the island of Fogo. I'm especially looking forward to hearing her.</span><br />
<br />
Those are only a few of the highlights among the amazing lineup of musicians on the
Folk Festival stages. Still need more music? There will be music all over the place.
Restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the streets all add to the musical
landscape. Popular local Lowell acts such as Lowell's own Americana/Folk/Rock guys Whiskey Duo and singer songwriter Eddy Dyer will be doing their own mini-tours, playing several venues such unchARTed, Vinyl Destination, The Hearing Room , Dudley's, and the Olympia throughout the festival weekend.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Discover Some Traditional Foodways</b><br />
Learn how to make 5 different kinds of flatbread! Yes, 5 different kinds of flatbread. This year's theme in the folklife/foodways area in Lucy Larcom Park is <i>Flatbreads: Plain & Fancy.</i> Try your hand at flipping some traditional Franco crepes, learn to make Penobscot frybread, Lithuanian pancakes, Greek hortopita, or Asian Indian flatbread, and hear family stories about these flatbread traditions. And you get to taste samples! You might just come home with a recipe or two.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P1Vgl4aqQ2vG8xrRS4pkkx3YXl6OQKBy8XacbCjMphtG44TbkBS7izxJBxakWXjRQt0knOnZzlpVM5bwbLw-eGpe589rG25X8z8-vgztPP9NJrvYXVv7bkkjiCV0iNzV7U59NYgdLU8/s1600/pickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P1Vgl4aqQ2vG8xrRS4pkkx3YXl6OQKBy8XacbCjMphtG44TbkBS7izxJBxakWXjRQt0knOnZzlpVM5bwbLw-eGpe589rG25X8z8-vgztPP9NJrvYXVv7bkkjiCV0iNzV7U59NYgdLU8/s400/pickles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickle Making Demo from the 2015 Lowell Folk Festival Foodways</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. <b>Baklava Sundaes</b><br />
Need another food-related reason to come? Two words: Baklava Sundaes. The baklava sundaes from the Hellenic American Academy PTA are the most
anticipated sweet treat of the entire folk festival. There are people who
come to the festival just for the baklava sundaes. Have you really experienced the Lowell Folk Festival if you have not had a baklava sundae? You decide.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdjaOVs9N_MumzVuXg71QRZr5bd9kSxL1XkbzSDYuWkjLU1LECLQY9ebQmzQtVbzCyRVSzLT38yM5MMq7iKwfxBbTlCIkGxckB7My_T_10aNkuRY9BD6vr82qWRMgv3Jr2Q1oCXFVp6I/s1600/DSCN6506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdjaOVs9N_MumzVuXg71QRZr5bd9kSxL1XkbzSDYuWkjLU1LECLQY9ebQmzQtVbzCyRVSzLT38yM5MMq7iKwfxBbTlCIkGxckB7My_T_10aNkuRY9BD6vr82qWRMgv3Jr2Q1oCXFVp6I/s400/DSCN6506.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baklava Sundae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. <b>Food, Food, Food!</b><br />
Take a culinary tour of the world without leaving downtown. You can experience Greek, Polish, Brazilian, Lao, Burmese, Liberian, and so many other wonderful ethnic food traditions all presented by local churches and nonprofits to raise money for their community
programs as well as showing off their food culture. The longest lines are always for the lumpia, turon, and other Pilipino offerings from Iskwelahang Pilipino, who have been participating for over 25 years now. New this year is New Life Kingdom International Ministry, many of whose members hail from Sierra Leone. They'll be serving African BBQ as well as cassava leaves and Jollof rice. The pierogi from the Lowell Polish Cultural Committee are legendary, as are the gyros from Hellenic American Academy PTA. My
personal favorite is the loobie & rooz from St. George Antiochian
Church. You'll be sure to find old favorites and new tastes. Oh, and be sure to check out the Calla (Liberian donuts).<br />
<br />
<br />
5. <b>Art All Over the Place</b><br />
<br />
<i> Art in the Courtyard</i><br />
<br />
Art in the Courtyard is another great part of the Lowell Folk Festival. The pleasantly shady brick courtyard between the National Historical Park Visitor Center and the Brush Art
Gallery will be full of tents showcasing the work of a wide range of artists for sale. You'll find everything from flutes to felt, paintings to jewelry, and even handmade bath and body products. Local artists
will also be displaying and selling their artwork at the neighboring
Brush Art Gallery and Studios. What will you take home?<br />
<br />
<i>Folk Craft Area </i><br />
<br />
The theme for this year’s folk craft area centers around four basic techniques
underlying the work of traditional master artists: painting, plaiting,
pounding, and pulling. Watch masters of traditional crafts turn birch bark into baskets, create icons to enhance spiritual practice, pound metal into drums, or turn yarn and burlap into a rug.<br />
<br />
<i>Galleries </i><br />
<br />
Lowell is full of artists all year round, not just during folk festival. Several of the local galleries have shows up right now running through Sunday. Check out botanical paintings at the Arts League of Lowell gallery at Gates Block. Celebrate July at the Ayer Lofts Gallery. See what's up at Gallery Z. See what's up on the walls at the coffee shops. Just go around and absorb Lowell's art scene.<br />
<br />
6. <b>There's a lot to like about Lowell!</b><br />
Folk Festival is the perfect time to enjoy all the things there are to like about Lowell. Besides strolling among the red brick mills and along the canals, you can check out several impressive works of public art<b>, </b>enhance your record collection with a shopping spree at three<b> </b>(count them three!)
vinyl record stores,<b> </b>and savor delicious coffee at one of Lowell's amazing array of coffee shops.<br />
<br /><b></b>
7. <b>Box Hockey</b><br />
Did you know that the game of box hockey may well have been invented in Lowell?<b> </b>This playground (or street or driveway) game is usually played between two people with
sticks, a puck and a compartmented box. Try your hand at box hockey in the Shattuck Street games area and get all nostalgic for your, or someone else's, childhood.<br /><b></b>Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-21069791056292686622018-06-15T21:46:00.000-04:002018-06-15T22:29:58.940-04:00Innovation Thriving in Roxbury -- Recapping #MIN111On Wednesday June 13 Mass Innovation Nights returned to Roxbury following on the success of <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/06/min99-recap.html">last year's first ever event in Roxbury</a>. Once again <a href="http://greatergrovehall.org/">Greater Grove Hall Main Streets </a>hosted us at the Thelma D Burns building for an African-American and African tech themed event. An enthusiastic and diverse crowd checked out tables showcasing 12 startups, consulted with experts in the Experts Corner, and networked with each other. There was a wonderfully lively vibe circulating through the space.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iSIDiOtVBNLHFyDm9S1nNFevdQAYxnDh5D8mb3GA5eacjXfCknrHCTYqGVIzUsDdRVTnZ7pr1C15RA59y3X7n-L69CC0DdLQXyC2Bi6Y8KomBh9jL3HiWmlk1YD6d9e2ZfmTEDYAqI/s1600/crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iSIDiOtVBNLHFyDm9S1nNFevdQAYxnDh5D8mb3GA5eacjXfCknrHCTYqGVIzUsDdRVTnZ7pr1C15RA59y3X7n-L69CC0DdLQXyC2Bi6Y8KomBh9jL3HiWmlk1YD6d9e2ZfmTEDYAqI/s400/crowd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MIN111 Crowd Beginning to Build</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Products ranged from health care analytics to a mobile barber shop, so there was a lot to take in. The format for the presentations was different this time. Instead of four presenters chosen ahead of time by voting on the website everybody got to do a 1-minute pitch. I managed to talk with most of the presenters at their tables beforehand. <br />
The audience choice winners were<br />
</span><br />
<ul><span style="color: black;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eden GeoPower</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amooti</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AfyaKit</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vinylmint -- Grand Prize</span></span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="color: black;">
<a href="https://www.afyakit.com/">AfyaKit</a> aims to bring cutting edge analytics capabilities to health facilities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Afya's comprehensive health facility supervisory tool, deployed on both web and mobile, provides in-facility analytics to assist decision making by public health managers. This is an impressive project. Naturally they were one of the audience choice vote winners.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRwRZoOh2Ci_hwvGjUDKRLNcwH3khYDyOc0Cr26OTW38F5W4Y2XphpukD1IOqBy1BsZDpvBzVAoFt81GwPlp9IXAijg_Q2qMaTMn-VHrzjTh5RLQ30k9McedNDoF_D8oH3MZ-MX0w7TU/s1600/afya.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRwRZoOh2Ci_hwvGjUDKRLNcwH3khYDyOc0Cr26OTW38F5W4Y2XphpukD1IOqBy1BsZDpvBzVAoFt81GwPlp9IXAijg_Q2qMaTMn-VHrzjTh5RLQ30k9McedNDoF_D8oH3MZ-MX0w7TU/s400/afya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJttnPUo1T5ncCiP-hvvxcGojG0R9m-wpHYeF26XIE9uWRhLXnIJH38eLaAxzHjl5oXW0SKzSo96KfGy77JorbO6gEjMtSCtlVvzRiK04ICZt0cpZvDOlo0AVV-VeUfsozLLwMnnTkBvo/s1600/DSC04253.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJttnPUo1T5ncCiP-hvvxcGojG0R9m-wpHYeF26XIE9uWRhLXnIJH38eLaAxzHjl5oXW0SKzSo96KfGy77JorbO6gEjMtSCtlVvzRiK04ICZt0cpZvDOlo0AVV-VeUfsozLLwMnnTkBvo/s400/DSC04253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://vinylmint.com/">Vinylmint</a> is a marketplace that
connects video producers to musicians and voice
actors around the world to create custom sounds on demand. Its huge community of creators ensures that producers will find the right match for their projects. It was generating so much enthusiasm that I wasn't surprised when Vinylmint won the grand prize in the audience choice vote.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUMpPpzNiVEw6rHgAfBWXrUqkRoDXQQQ528ySENfYJPrnriXS3t0V_tNZ1-ruI-bgp10YF-0ptBZjVnsfS2__tds_llqZfNbgrFy-iefNjktXr6ypPxHi9tpb2QmGpm9ksSuOWN2S5lg/s1600/vinylmint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUMpPpzNiVEw6rHgAfBWXrUqkRoDXQQQ528ySENfYJPrnriXS3t0V_tNZ1-ruI-bgp10YF-0ptBZjVnsfS2__tds_llqZfNbgrFy-iefNjktXr6ypPxHi9tpb2QmGpm9ksSuOWN2S5lg/s400/vinylmint.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vinylmint</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.amooti.org/">Amooti</a>
is an e-commerce platform that enables African artisans, artists, and fashion designers
to sell their wares to people living in North America -- basically, expanding the global market for African design. It was great to see Amooti again -- <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2016/12/winter-wonderland-of-innovation-min93.html">I remembered them from MIN93</a> (yikes, that was a long time ago). Once again, they had a table full of beautiful goods. The necklaces were particularly gorgeous and very popular. The table was constantly busy. Amooti won second place in the audience choice vote.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY11Dh5UyecUX73FqaMcA1MkG142t6S5CR_Z0KJdlwB8s_-yXWSLhR8nZUA-9oEARDzMRBhTGElVBRCfYDWcM1SNKkOL1Nmy2heynfL7WlL6aYelpuhUv3i2GcXSO5kth-ImYkemG-7mE/s1600/amooti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY11Dh5UyecUX73FqaMcA1MkG142t6S5CR_Z0KJdlwB8s_-yXWSLhR8nZUA-9oEARDzMRBhTGElVBRCfYDWcM1SNKkOL1Nmy2heynfL7WlL6aYelpuhUv3i2GcXSO5kth-ImYkemG-7mE/s400/amooti.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diane from Amooti Posing with Cool Guys</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.edengeopower.com/">Eden GeoPower</a> is on a mission to
generate megawatts of renewable energy by converting oil and gas wells that are no longer used into
sources of geothermal power. Their unique technology transforms low-grade heat from depleted oil and gas
reservoirs into geothermal power using the existing
infrastructure. Their method greatly reduces cost. Do take a look at their website. The technology is fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with them. Their table was very popular and I was not surprised that they won an audience choice prize.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note that they've chosen California as the first place to deploy this but they have also had interest from Texas. Note to self: tell my Texas oil and gas brother about this.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They had cool T-shirts too, so I got a couple of them to pose wearing the shirts so I could award them Best Costume of MIN111. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7GWVgZ5EpW6Lqord5ZHgQ4pq9Q0UXOOwKaaw-Fd0yWv-WVDdxqtV0fhGiHMyBn95ECM4M7SanOrUZFvsNfG0Gzkrf0LrdRuVq3YlXKFjz7OjBSeznbfP1ZzK5S19UfGlRH7RFWEboOg/s1600/DSC04244.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7GWVgZ5EpW6Lqord5ZHgQ4pq9Q0UXOOwKaaw-Fd0yWv-WVDdxqtV0fhGiHMyBn95ECM4M7SanOrUZFvsNfG0Gzkrf0LrdRuVq3YlXKFjz7OjBSeznbfP1ZzK5S19UfGlRH7RFWEboOg/s400/DSC04244.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eden GeoPower</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37OMYcRl7qpQFyhOwY6QZYcXdpSq8z7vIdYvQZK2EG9MN7CVPe95J-uRtJvWN6dxifJZ3SPYhUbW5n_cPDIRtgPnzkFwRPlIg50lY63FRxTY5_8tIl6U7lo8UpHmcEJ_1ivb4xGcSEsE/s1600/DSC04246.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37OMYcRl7qpQFyhOwY6QZYcXdpSq8z7vIdYvQZK2EG9MN7CVPe95J-uRtJvWN6dxifJZ3SPYhUbW5n_cPDIRtgPnzkFwRPlIg50lY63FRxTY5_8tIl6U7lo8UpHmcEJ_1ivb4xGcSEsE/s400/DSC04246.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best Costume of MIN111 </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ganderflock.com/">Ganderflock</a> is a marketing and technology company that covers all the bases: content strategy, website design, and omnichannel marketing. They offer an integrated customer experience solution that brings together usability, diversity, and
strategy to help your company establish and nurture deeper and more meaningful
relationships with your customers.
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoAaHtQGHDFf6JqbdrI08IZbqDyAViUUXujjXJqPu4h15jd9fAhV01VXQ-vG4B3bQjZSjb7bMXVeOiHCm7g_8Qmr4c6tGej5WHYWfx5FL3KjkTGElQ9vGyhnP7u8UvYRmz2DG4NwMy6A/s1600/ganderflock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoAaHtQGHDFf6JqbdrI08IZbqDyAViUUXujjXJqPu4h15jd9fAhV01VXQ-vG4B3bQjZSjb7bMXVeOiHCm7g_8Qmr4c6tGej5WHYWfx5FL3KjkTGElQ9vGyhnP7u8UvYRmz2DG4NwMy6A/s400/ganderflock.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ganderflock</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.cyberhabits.me/">CyberHabits</a> is a cybersecurity awareness system that helps your company manage the shift to a cybersecurity conscious culture. More than half of cyber threats result from a company's own employees either through lack of awareness or a company culture that undermines security. Training, personalized learning, and analytics combine with cybersecurity advice and insight to engage all your employees in the solution.
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDbGbrANkRUJzzuZNZ458TvtB7el8D3r3-by-RnBv6mctCeA1pD04BrKsuCy1Qr1Du3wWZK4EINdPmoUGERcDtQu6oeWXFATwwrfv9LkOUz2jVvys_xfmC2Gbr7PeUpGvJseUNaem8HM/s1600/cyber.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDbGbrANkRUJzzuZNZ458TvtB7el8D3r3-by-RnBv6mctCeA1pD04BrKsuCy1Qr1Du3wWZK4EINdPmoUGERcDtQu6oeWXFATwwrfv9LkOUz2jVvys_xfmC2Gbr7PeUpGvJseUNaem8HM/s400/cyber.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://vibechain.world/">Vibechain</a> is a peer-to-peer platform for making playlists and sharing music for party organizers and their guests. Connecting friends around music and dance brings good vibes to the party. Who knew you could use the power of the internet to bring people together and to make a good time even better? Vibechain CEO Donaldy Salvant gave the most enthusiastic 1-minute pitch of the night.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GK4fceb75Mu2_OEWZVhtaxG0k50T-Unjb2gxXih7ANF7_dNPWeVxiqAYciugMCVp2mHNrReNwqO08SIS6E4NC3A3pgBZIuZbInzEqlJVzwPr6bIHQNtuzlP7dldWJTiIm-0Q7voGe8M/s1600/DSC04255.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GK4fceb75Mu2_OEWZVhtaxG0k50T-Unjb2gxXih7ANF7_dNPWeVxiqAYciugMCVp2mHNrReNwqO08SIS6E4NC3A3pgBZIuZbInzEqlJVzwPr6bIHQNtuzlP7dldWJTiIm-0Q7voGe8M/s400/DSC04255.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<a href="https://www.frwdinc.org/">FRWD</a> (pronounced forward) is an automated savings app that helps
consumers build an emergency fund and reports positively to credit
bureaus. More than half of the people in the US don't have enough savings to handle a $400-$500 emergency. That can mean more debt for even a fairly small financial emergency. That realization inspired FRWD founder Savant Moore to teach himself coding so he could develop an app to make the process of saving automatic and setting and meeting savings goals easier.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD2oV4y8C3QcPT0HuLkr1u9R8cV1ORvsIuW9gCMrmkzRlH7Vtc3ybQGznJqexI6Zjn0h1_h46mEG71Tmps_7mSniwV533KXH7ywQQniW6iupIB2_E-yGm9Uxv30Jd9V4zY-sHN7NqQjg/s1600/FRWD.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD2oV4y8C3QcPT0HuLkr1u9R8cV1ORvsIuW9gCMrmkzRlH7Vtc3ybQGznJqexI6Zjn0h1_h46mEG71Tmps_7mSniwV533KXH7ywQQniW6iupIB2_E-yGm9Uxv30Jd9V4zY-sHN7NqQjg/s400/FRWD.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Savant Moore FRWD Founder</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Through their mobile application,
<a href="http://www.expresscuts1018.com/">ExpressCuts</a> allows barbers to connect with the clients right where they are. The app makes getting a quality haircut simple. Just select your barber, choose your hairstyle, time, date and location. A professionally licensed barber will come to the specified location and deliver an exceptional haircut experience.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SsOt7x40B55yVvvR0rTQw8mlxZavhctUClLgQtf0oL4dfdPVJlwjeOxXpbEwUN9wxwV09jJVl-QtWqGe3xDb7q7smRsqHyPOjK7cEkuYlZr0iefIO4KbXpfZhtmW_tBJyKY0YDREeH8/s1600/DSC04231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SsOt7x40B55yVvvR0rTQw8mlxZavhctUClLgQtf0oL4dfdPVJlwjeOxXpbEwUN9wxwV09jJVl-QtWqGe3xDb7q7smRsqHyPOjK7cEkuYlZr0iefIO4KbXpfZhtmW_tBJyKY0YDREeH8/s400/DSC04231.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ExpressCuts</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.mobilecutsbos.com/">Mobile Cuts</a> offers a men's haircutting service for professionals during the work week (Monday-Friday) out of a custom-designed state-of-the-art recreational vehicle built specifically for this purpose. It's a barber shop that comes to your office. They travel to corporate locations, working with the property managers and companies to secure permission to serve the tenants and employees.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi5L-zARBp30_VlVo9d2uSMOfmRaNf3IOQ7DN-1z9CfJ_-rvHQYnxhgRaxjZkpiJubCg4ip_PZUhzGmlx7Zqc6cTYKHCQcIoxoVnnoJQ2Y8dXxFvMxW5PUlRltXDfvagCfMuCmcTC0jY/s1600/DSC04243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi5L-zARBp30_VlVo9d2uSMOfmRaNf3IOQ7DN-1z9CfJ_-rvHQYnxhgRaxjZkpiJubCg4ip_PZUhzGmlx7Zqc6cTYKHCQcIoxoVnnoJQ2Y8dXxFvMxW5PUlRltXDfvagCfMuCmcTC0jY/s400/DSC04243.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mobile Cuts</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was great to see so many exciting entrepreneurs and such an enthusiastic audience. Just seeing everybody lined up on stage after the presentations while they awaited the awarding of prizes was inspiring. So much energy! So many great ideas!</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sshyphenhyphenXUsshh1zt6pfC43I_t9ZL7HO07hyphenhyphenB2zmiqH3HdDKE7y2razOP1zTFEd4NJCDNwqtHtVBzfKTNfAEpaetsWLKaNxmRLu7RdWDI6Q_YmNzLq5IOwwykx3IZkDZnnJAKIgob0LSXDM/s1600/presenters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sshyphenhyphenXUsshh1zt6pfC43I_t9ZL7HO07hyphenhyphenB2zmiqH3HdDKE7y2razOP1zTFEd4NJCDNwqtHtVBzfKTNfAEpaetsWLKaNxmRLu7RdWDI6Q_YmNzLq5IOwwykx3IZkDZnnJAKIgob0LSXDM/s400/presenters.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a group of entrepreneurs!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Experts Corner wasn't really a corner, more like tables in the center of the room and roving experts circulating around the showcase. Our host Ed Gaskin, Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, introduced the experts, who told us about their agencies or services. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDLK6dVhTxYHAWYbWLKs5y0gj_PyE6T5QiDKPWtaKiv63L8VWrr5SygYmvX7I0aisNoQt4uNYrTaZRpVvsBgfF2y3tr1xAHQxhFuIlZnXbf4-aRV7GzYeOmcA6p2ko7nbYpCH41J1V3g/s1600/DSC04242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDLK6dVhTxYHAWYbWLKs5y0gj_PyE6T5QiDKPWtaKiv63L8VWrr5SygYmvX7I0aisNoQt4uNYrTaZRpVvsBgfF2y3tr1xAHQxhFuIlZnXbf4-aRV7GzYeOmcA6p2ko7nbYpCH41J1V3g/s400/DSC04242.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Expertise Flowing in the Experts Corner</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always, I'll end with an Expert Looking Expert. This month's Expert Looking Expert is Damon Cox, Assistant Secretary of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2-9trfuRtKRyssnHqzV3o_QRVMy57lWZU4O-CBIMN-HzQl6ySeOOSBgqsxOjKeQ0GcM6IbEtM1OQbZNwita9EVsapvfr2d5Q2aqNjuxic8QS3qOuQJrQW7nDGzr2qgtLRJ-mrrcyyjk/s1600/DSC04252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2-9trfuRtKRyssnHqzV3o_QRVMy57lWZU4O-CBIMN-HzQl6ySeOOSBgqsxOjKeQ0GcM6IbEtM1OQbZNwita9EVsapvfr2d5Q2aqNjuxic8QS3qOuQJrQW7nDGzr2qgtLRJ-mrrcyyjk/s400/DSC04252.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Expert Looking Expert</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-57546203264938001492018-03-20T14:31:00.003-04:002018-03-20T14:31:48.168-04:00Recapping EforAll Lowell Lawrence Winter Accelerator Awards Celebration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWfyOS8tC_BsBeFVYrhwErcbx47LCfOfEQm4qk-XlmxJixnNL9skYfGAAjqq8emE5NLNT197oZd_OB5KD4qobx6WaaSpcRI-3YN0pmI1tano0OZs3zm7FDXJEB42gFPwwU8b6gt43TPw/s1600/entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWfyOS8tC_BsBeFVYrhwErcbx47LCfOfEQm4qk-XlmxJixnNL9skYfGAAjqq8emE5NLNT197oZd_OB5KD4qobx6WaaSpcRI-3YN0pmI1tano0OZs3zm7FDXJEB42gFPwwU8b6gt43TPw/s400/entrance.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Beginning to Arrive at Everett Mills -- Such a Beautiful Space</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Thursday, March 15 (two whole days after the blizzard) Everett Mills hosted the EforAll Lowell Lawrence event celebrating the completion of the winter accelerator program. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful this historic mill is with its old wooden floors and big windows. It also never ceases to amaze me how much entrepreneurial energy there is in the Merrimack Valley. Thank you to Marianne Paley Nadel for hosting such a wonderful celebration of local entrepreneurship in this historic building.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf6sUQwaMP_a1lmk6ZTgcxzju7H5dJplnELeceJE0Dt8SPV5FR5V-pzGYjOyNq3Nd20NWKzBZtxURHlFs0MIoGVCwufL-Tmry-pzKzXa1hhA3uD4ofQNaOJ4ZE5IU5t9eseh_r8mun2o/s1600/DSC03940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf6sUQwaMP_a1lmk6ZTgcxzju7H5dJplnELeceJE0Dt8SPV5FR5V-pzGYjOyNq3Nd20NWKzBZtxURHlFs0MIoGVCwufL-Tmry-pzKzXa1hhA3uD4ofQNaOJ4ZE5IU5t9eseh_r8mun2o/s400/DSC03940.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marianne Paley Nadel Welcoming Us to Everett Mills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A showcase of the businesses in this cohort, tasty food from El Taller and Cafe Azteca, an inspiring keynote speaker, a wonderful class speaker, the traditional one-minute pitches, and the awarding of $15,000 in prize money made for a great evening. I love going to these awards celebrations because I get to catch up with entrepreneurs that I met at the pitch contests and hear about their experience of the accelerator program. Everyone I asked used the word "amazing" to describe it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYC7Vim0F3sKjn8gpt9A5PVMsBiyWJGQCaWqSHnDCmaXEDLaBnBNZ8LdeN0wiAljqgziHx39-F7yFBYZNojTaSHYLGz9lG3eP1gbKTqxttdWMpl5N9bR0r0eVB8H2M0frSyphWhIgM3I/s1600/DSC03925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYC7Vim0F3sKjn8gpt9A5PVMsBiyWJGQCaWqSHnDCmaXEDLaBnBNZ8LdeN0wiAljqgziHx39-F7yFBYZNojTaSHYLGz9lG3eP1gbKTqxttdWMpl5N9bR0r0eVB8H2M0frSyphWhIgM3I/s400/DSC03925.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate McNiff -- The Wandering Stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I enjoyed catching up with Nate McNiff whose idea for a mobile theater was my favorite at the <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/10/recap-eforall-lowell-lawrence-all-ideas.html">All Ideas Pitch Contest back in October</a>. He's changed the name of the project to The Wandering Stage (it was Mobile Entertainment Theater back in October) and made great progress in lining up funding and starting to get some bookings. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCQyxdGzeSDx_vlZu5uG1UMvwMDK5Cmssj4dfPu3yrEJMNa9VlHzJ9aPMxrteBmxIXhI0C7CMQYVarvof8eoP8wFQAIXLnV-qReegRNh1gM76vMvWMC9_oOBM7R7um7KXg4LDGHGx-_I/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCQyxdGzeSDx_vlZu5uG1UMvwMDK5Cmssj4dfPu3yrEJMNa9VlHzJ9aPMxrteBmxIXhI0C7CMQYVarvof8eoP8wFQAIXLnV-qReegRNh1gM76vMvWMC9_oOBM7R7um7KXg4LDGHGx-_I/s400/DSC03927.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michaela Quigley of Shine Magazine with Mentor Todd Smith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michaela Quigley started <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shinethemagazine/">Shine</a>, an online publication for teens and young adults with
disabilities, so that young people would have a place where they can celebrate their
abilities. It's a general interest magazine, not a magazine that's only about disabilities. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-psk4lErusN3TAAe0acNm0i_nCqM2dUYw10K_WxjEfsS6bwvx5JhhCEhExd-KyoCWbsLLu84wSSv2XaTmiN1POfFSLN9cL31A0fSANp4up15OVbQBQghOAMSGiDh1FW7salsCkUwZUQ0/s1600/DSC03928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-psk4lErusN3TAAe0acNm0i_nCqM2dUYw10K_WxjEfsS6bwvx5JhhCEhExd-KyoCWbsLLu84wSSv2XaTmiN1POfFSLN9cL31A0fSANp4up15OVbQBQghOAMSGiDh1FW7salsCkUwZUQ0/s400/DSC03928.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim Mahady -- TLC Autism Parent Community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
TLC Autism Parent Community <span class="_4n-j _3cht fsl" data-testid="event-permalink-details"> supports the needs of parents with children on the autism spectrum. There are</span><span class="_4n-j _3cht fsl" data-testid="event-permalink-details"> lots of services for kids with autism, but not so much for their parents. Kim Mahady and Andrea Magnell have been scheduling events to connect with parents to discuss what they need. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj115Via9FhutJB7KZ5Q5-YGhVMuwQC8XhnH5fFady1GDZ_FlX-jTHICbr2mAyyfbxwnzJhqpL6GML5Ia8EO_YHd7haiyMVGvUsyWx9QpVa65NF457D-UKMtyNXNkxB-1rw58hZ6k2b3Iw/s1600/DSC03931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj115Via9FhutJB7KZ5Q5-YGhVMuwQC8XhnH5fFady1GDZ_FlX-jTHICbr2mAyyfbxwnzJhqpL6GML5Ia8EO_YHd7haiyMVGvUsyWx9QpVa65NF457D-UKMtyNXNkxB-1rw58hZ6k2b3Iw/s400/DSC03931.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy Ngin -- Sugar Dust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
S<a href="https://sugardustcakery.com/">ugar Dust</a> is a bakery specializing in custom cakes and French macarons. My mouth started to water at the thought of macarons. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlVrhG2NCKW2W6VS3QANj2uTSAHciNfU3BPeViQKklHAfabjhJkxT_dtzUccLUR2K17oYd8TTaKbQycBLk12yvieYqmWBRMhZq0ZM5DgQb2E91BHplcWl77-gTNlFygdCAUaq7Vt4-qU/s1600/DSC03932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlVrhG2NCKW2W6VS3QANj2uTSAHciNfU3BPeViQKklHAfabjhJkxT_dtzUccLUR2K17oYd8TTaKbQycBLk12yvieYqmWBRMhZq0ZM5DgQb2E91BHplcWl77-gTNlFygdCAUaq7Vt4-qU/s400/DSC03932.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">Heather DeBerio -- </span>Powerhouse Juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.powerhousejuice.com/">Powerhouse Juice</a> showcased some of the juices and an article about them from the Globe Magazine. Powerhouse provides cold pressed juices and farm to table catering all over Massachusetts.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXdSeoDj8xVs5No0wseWD5NYZxAHcmymXJ41cLtM6RjXOtwrJ54QgIe7rOQES_fmkgMxJkaXIWBjJjD8UdZdXP7T3apGaV41TGk_d_1n73ifq06O3Ji_YI4-0o6l0DzJb2JraXZYDmqI/s1600/DSC03984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXdSeoDj8xVs5No0wseWD5NYZxAHcmymXJ41cLtM6RjXOtwrJ54QgIe7rOQES_fmkgMxJkaXIWBjJjD8UdZdXP7T3apGaV41TGk_d_1n73ifq06O3Ji_YI4-0o6l0DzJb2JraXZYDmqI/s400/DSC03984.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim BeBe's Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kim BeBe is a small batch manufacturing facility that caters to fashion designers. Manufacturing fashion and accessories locally is a growing trend, you could even say it's a movement. Kim's one minute pitch emphasized the importance of bringing manufacturing back to the USA.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo56X5VYdYqO17nJ4d-ReBbR3Ryl7Lqpjk7gV-p1TExA4Zyp41NoatUCric7zJRN41pg-FKn7OswoA1-fBHVcoordLkzNIQmgTm1IYKUw3W7GUFb8uAKFBw0goLK2p0XoBT5Qo6ihoEQs/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo56X5VYdYqO17nJ4d-ReBbR3Ryl7Lqpjk7gV-p1TExA4Zyp41NoatUCric7zJRN41pg-FKn7OswoA1-fBHVcoordLkzNIQmgTm1IYKUw3W7GUFb8uAKFBw0goLK2p0XoBT5Qo6ihoEQs/s400/DSC03933.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel Hernandez -- FocusedPT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/focusedpt2018/">FocusedPT</a> provides customized personal training and health coaching emphasizing the client's individual needs and goals. Check out Angel's EforAll Lowell-Lawrence <a href="https://medium.com/lowell-lawrence/what-were-you-thinking-410226201ec2">post on their Medium blog</a> for a glimpse into his EforAll accelerator experience. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRQJD5PlncgO7cTiB7zPZk2J661wPzB9tjBp-jmIDoEfIoyqEoggC4FHp057N7waYrkbAOTRuiRSx6isNTBtxcb4xg8mO6_Tm4WLHLVvGSRyLnrmh3kKD198zOXEQH6OGxUIDRrhWC7s/s1600/DSC03934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRQJD5PlncgO7cTiB7zPZk2J661wPzB9tjBp-jmIDoEfIoyqEoggC4FHp057N7waYrkbAOTRuiRSx6isNTBtxcb4xg8mO6_Tm4WLHLVvGSRyLnrmh3kKD198zOXEQH6OGxUIDRrhWC7s/s400/DSC03934.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Janowski--WakeMe and Yetta Procope--Yettaz Studioz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://wakemealarm.com/">WakeMe</a> is a social video alarm clock that plays short, personalized
videos from your friends and family on your smart phone to wake you up.
Making waking up a social experience gets you engaged in your day
immediately. It's a much more pleasant awakening than an alarm clock --
you might even start to look forward to waking up.<br />
<br />
Yettaz Studioz is a custom designed clothing company that combines modern fashion and traditional Senegalese fabrics. <br />
<br />
As I made the rounds of the tables, the theme I kept hearing from the entrepreneurs is how they have formed a strong bond during the accelerator program and how much they value that connection. I could feel that in the air and see it in practice as they interacted throughout the evening, sharing insights and experiences and supporting each other.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o-6X9x2918fDxqivbhUDX6QjovCxX3rxIY31O-1EpGptJa3Sev8LxC0ebyE7JlUaMU1gGdOgapO56-ZOru5c1M7eCEohTtIkz9x2pgP5hNqgGO2nE9Yic-KfMidl5rLRxGvkxk9h9qk/s1600/DSC03953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o-6X9x2918fDxqivbhUDX6QjovCxX3rxIY31O-1EpGptJa3Sev8LxC0ebyE7JlUaMU1gGdOgapO56-ZOru5c1M7eCEohTtIkz9x2pgP5hNqgGO2nE9Yic-KfMidl5rLRxGvkxk9h9qk/s400/DSC03953.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keynote Speaker Mary Guerrero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lawrence entrepreneur, Mary Guerrero co-owner of Cafe Azteca and El Taller, gave an inspiring keynote address emphasizing the role of businesses in building community. One insight she gleaned from running restaurants really resonated with the crowd: <span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">"I've come to realize that restaurants aren't just
restaurants, they're places where people come together."</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> She convinced us that it's not just restaurants and coffee shops that build community. She had the audience talk with each other about businesses they remembered that had been important in their lives. I was surprised to find myself talking about The Barn, a shoe store in my home town, which also sold sporting goods. I bought my first baseball glove there. It's the sort of place that people remember long after they've moved away. I've actually shared memories of buying shoes at The Barn with people I didn't even know when I was a kid -- a different generation. Thinking about that along with my favorite coffee shops and restaurants and the people I've met through them really brought home what she said about the power of small local businesses: </span></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> "Your businesses are going to be much bigger than yourself. They will
be apart of a community, and help people feel like they belong. They
have the power to transform."</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhugFpRreSN5oIf1HSP2Kaa_Y2TGsYCcxJJPQLJPcAzh9AYemL6GieAkT35cq89v1kQKiydcXS44UV_dKez4p2QDhDKL0CWX5LfrxfJilHqxx1R80wvaroWVFsZc0DI9E04eRIjX0cOmU/s1600/IMG_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhugFpRreSN5oIf1HSP2Kaa_Y2TGsYCcxJJPQLJPcAzh9AYemL6GieAkT35cq89v1kQKiydcXS44UV_dKez4p2QDhDKL0CWX5LfrxfJilHqxx1R80wvaroWVFsZc0DI9E04eRIjX0cOmU/s400/IMG_4983.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class Speaker Nate McNiff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span> </span></span><br />
Class Speaker Nate McNiff's talk addressed community also -- the community of the EforAll Winter Accelerator cohort. <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He said he looked up the origin of the term cohort and found out it referred to an ancient Roman military unit and that struck him as very appropriate for the group of entrepreneurs in the accelerator. The thought that stood out for me was "We are going to rise together, just like a group of warriors, we're going to have each other's backs."(Hope I got that right.) I could see the spirit of the group in the way they listened to each other doing the one minute pitches and cheered for each other as the awards were presented.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkNLojeMZ5qBIj0Ve7ZfseefNloKsJDnZTsMs2l9QhGuofPNCG4U2TBueMe70RNcqUXNsWm4i5D9pM1ZLMDF0btv7Fdq7ZTIX8lfjlkzn5FeKBKzHJNURubXl8aa5ut-LLBVi4vud9w4/s1600/DSC03961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkNLojeMZ5qBIj0Ve7ZfseefNloKsJDnZTsMs2l9QhGuofPNCG4U2TBueMe70RNcqUXNsWm4i5D9pM1ZLMDF0btv7Fdq7ZTIX8lfjlkzn5FeKBKzHJNURubXl8aa5ut-LLBVi4vud9w4/s400/DSC03961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cohort Lined Up for the One Minute Pitches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEzJfvpn4ximDEyzHlEHiZPLK_gmztDdb0Fmt2Hm8aGpMwJhdxl2AEbnClVl3ce-eRqNEMDdSps-m7r-SdgI3SF1kS-d3fLb-t_vtUWhjKAT27hCnxWF6yIIe6IiDu5yrIW_AXcEvfjw/s1600/DSC03965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEzJfvpn4ximDEyzHlEHiZPLK_gmztDdb0Fmt2Hm8aGpMwJhdxl2AEbnClVl3ce-eRqNEMDdSps-m7r-SdgI3SF1kS-d3fLb-t_vtUWhjKAT27hCnxWF6yIIe6IiDu5yrIW_AXcEvfjw/s400/DSC03965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Minute Pitches -- Kim BeBe </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Kravant Boutique is a Khmer specialty boutique <span class="st">in Lowell focused on renting, buying, and selling high end dresses. I remembered </span><span class="st"><span class="st">Bora Chiemruon from the<a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/10/recap-eforall-lowell-lawrence-all-ideas.html"> October pitch contest</a> when she pitched it as Jewell by BC. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8NH7VUqqBtZmX-p5IWZoitnqlFemK8qiem0Z1ho8oNrKaqSdRwbQWn-_MUksd8ziB1dbZZS8VJ3u3TvB1Y1QWMU2rLT-JQ1FgZCBlD882GGhSu8TA75IVSiUKEZlIgXK1dVD9Ye6-60/s1600/kravant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8NH7VUqqBtZmX-p5IWZoitnqlFemK8qiem0Z1ho8oNrKaqSdRwbQWn-_MUksd8ziB1dbZZS8VJ3u3TvB1Y1QWMU2rLT-JQ1FgZCBlD882GGhSu8TA75IVSiUKEZlIgXK1dVD9Ye6-60/s400/kravant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Minute Pitches -- Kravant Boutique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I appreciated hearing the one minute pitches because I somehow didn't
manage to talk with each entrepreneur one-on-one and I like to include
at least a summary of each one in the write-up. Here are the ones I didn't get to:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theleapnet.com/">The Leap Network</a> is an umbrella company for professional services ranging from recruiting and career advisory/coaching to social networking.</li>
<li>My Playground Spanish Academy is a for profit bilingual preschool that will expose children to Spanish.</li>
<li><a href="http://crosenest.com/">Crose Nest Collective, LLC</a> is modern botanica offering locally sourced herbal, holistic, and hand-crafted artisan goods. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7zigefdXB6ogfh_GZ-ti8IJ9K6jJOaSGcYgeg7Ap8s3zMS8nIVrPP2ZcRXujmzfIHnri5_vE8eK5mHakl_-UtDQeIF-_iXZad34XRTAE8c0gnkN-1zop8is_KzESqdP50PsNWzbgHU0/s1600/yettaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7zigefdXB6ogfh_GZ-ti8IJ9K6jJOaSGcYgeg7Ap8s3zMS8nIVrPP2ZcRXujmzfIHnri5_vE8eK5mHakl_-UtDQeIF-_iXZad34XRTAE8c0gnkN-1zop8is_KzESqdP50PsNWzbgHU0/s400/yettaz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yetta Procope Listening to the One Minute Pitches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRxFDv4teIqk0nxYASNPqxcnOTBR5lZPS49ntgn9xu-Xd_5zIDgtNNPxuj72ZeSaMAC3TMpVKcZKzSHSbhfuXiPGVR8hjYaleLCthCXeC8m-2MMFUgcp3UtZsKv5blh8JUPnYp9K7zgs/s1600/DSC03972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRxFDv4teIqk0nxYASNPqxcnOTBR5lZPS49ntgn9xu-Xd_5zIDgtNNPxuj72ZeSaMAC3TMpVKcZKzSHSbhfuXiPGVR8hjYaleLCthCXeC8m-2MMFUgcp3UtZsKv5blh8JUPnYp9K7zgs/s400/DSC03972.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cohort with Lianna Kushi and Joey Banh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="text_exposed_show">After the one minute pitches, the cohort received their certificates and class gift. Then it was time for the awards. The award money went to: </span><br />
<ol>
<li>The Wandering Stage - $5,000 </li>
<li><a href="http://www.delsurnatural.com/">Del Sur</a> - $4,000 A maker of all natural empanadas sold at farmers’ markets,
catering, and specialized retail </li>
<li>Sugar Dust - $3,000 </li>
<li>WakeMe - $1,500</li>
<li>KimBeBe - Christina Hamilton Award - $500</li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7MqPoAK9YhFVLqJQl0h6roIQDONZ9w69hQ2gpXEqqxpv9A2_2C243MdR4TNYKqg0E9NSXUa0uiKESRBKT2t9ECNEYSo06S83Ir2hacoopwS_ZyNqlu88Z8s4vI1n0XkQN5osMZrHuus/s1600/DSC03982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7MqPoAK9YhFVLqJQl0h6roIQDONZ9w69hQ2gpXEqqxpv9A2_2C243MdR4TNYKqg0E9NSXUa0uiKESRBKT2t9ECNEYSo06S83Ir2hacoopwS_ZyNqlu88Z8s4vI1n0XkQN5osMZrHuus/s400/DSC03982.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wandering Stage with the $5,000 Check</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvE1a7IfKQznTru8HmKRxrN6dtMdJb0AbxaIMMawDNiPbCfDEJUTudDSScvI2AmvW8Xc-bvVccyIjZ0hKaeSl_EEZaRXvcKgWjUzC6uCoOV0AnLozaLWvTICdpLv7IP9g0YBxE-tjBvA/s1600/DSC03981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvE1a7IfKQznTru8HmKRxrN6dtMdJb0AbxaIMMawDNiPbCfDEJUTudDSScvI2AmvW8Xc-bvVccyIjZ0hKaeSl_EEZaRXvcKgWjUzC6uCoOV0AnLozaLWvTICdpLv7IP9g0YBxE-tjBvA/s400/DSC03981.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Del Sur with the $4,000 Check</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLeOKxBZp3lA7q3jriuk05HpFO1aql66-0jJiwsGZo-89oong9XOptnUBNmdRkM8w3fFH6P5Eu-KFn5BDdh4YmAz7VN3O7-l-RHZJMiReIq2hGMdrYKaUCrCbBq7KThcBpDAuFbqJpQg/s1600/DSC03977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLeOKxBZp3lA7q3jriuk05HpFO1aql66-0jJiwsGZo-89oong9XOptnUBNmdRkM8w3fFH6P5Eu-KFn5BDdh4YmAz7VN3O7-l-RHZJMiReIq2hGMdrYKaUCrCbBq7KThcBpDAuFbqJpQg/s400/DSC03977.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Dust with the $3,000 Check</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-71272121019447465552018-03-18T16:04:00.002-04:002018-03-18T16:04:49.257-04:00Innovation Thriving at Brandeis -- Recapping #MIN108<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo7nueH7IciaC4oEtX7dehmiNnIJmfExjoAd4B7Utt87Qomb6RB0WOSY4Kz3rhoF7v8jQ0G-hGYNROigru-NAN_-Y9MzO9NVwvDDrnFuNyXXJO4TUWx5k_nCVXLFn0_bqYqb_4SK5oww/s1600/IMG_4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo7nueH7IciaC4oEtX7dehmiNnIJmfExjoAd4B7Utt87Qomb6RB0WOSY4Kz3rhoF7v8jQ0G-hGYNROigru-NAN_-Y9MzO9NVwvDDrnFuNyXXJO4TUWx5k_nCVXLFn0_bqYqb_4SK5oww/s400/IMG_4962.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing Room Only Crowd at Brandeis for MIN108</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Brandeis University's Gosman Sports and Convocation Center was the setting for Mass Innovation Nights 108 last Wednesday. On the day after a blizzard, the third in a series of northeast storms that has plagued Massachusetts this month, the turnout was amazing. The Gosman Center was buzzing and it was standing room only for the presentations. Brandeis is a hotbed of innovation and all the companies showcasing products were led by students, alumni, or faculty of Brandeis. Innovation is definitely thriving at Brandeis.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCphbwmDa0D8fN4z7gwTwkGyKIMSG2-lVlpVAGy2-gV9BpVwQCm7D7cJQ08oBpS9QyVQ7qLuERcUuP3lKlDYF2_NpQNmYslFjzbEn3sRIglVYuHPxQi_L8zQthhR6boLgQ7naFvnQrs78/s1600/DSC03906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCphbwmDa0D8fN4z7gwTwkGyKIMSG2-lVlpVAGy2-gV9BpVwQCm7D7cJQ08oBpS9QyVQ7qLuERcUuP3lKlDYF2_NpQNmYslFjzbEn3sRIglVYuHPxQi_L8zQthhR6boLgQ7naFvnQrs78/s400/DSC03906.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People Checking out the Tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was pizza and pie and whoopie pies to celebrate Pi Day and product tables to check out along with a busy Experts Corner. I found it a bit of a stretch to check out every product before the presentations, so I don't have photos of everybody, but I certainly learned a lot. As I made the rounds, I kept thinking that the Girl Scientists (a biochemist and a physicist -- my family grows science geeks) would be excited by some of these products. Anyway, I had a blast learning what I could learn.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw083WV_wsmg_XVWC3ig45qwGNC_l8hYH2KdJQL4OSXB6xcF_XV-mWjUTRjTDTk8rGHu-tz4wrcKW2uJKHPRDQLkbcbk_Dy6iUDca_DxD4vhIoNHrrAuhwgHTxNUevWCCSyKCt7Ra994/s1600/DSC03911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw083WV_wsmg_XVWC3ig45qwGNC_l8hYH2KdJQL4OSXB6xcF_XV-mWjUTRjTDTk8rGHu-tz4wrcKW2uJKHPRDQLkbcbk_Dy6iUDca_DxD4vhIoNHrrAuhwgHTxNUevWCCSyKCt7Ra994/s400/DSC03911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BobbieC Telling Us MIN is Nine Years Old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rebecca Menapace, Associate Provost for Innovation, welcomed us to Brandeis, told us a bit about all the innovative stuff going on there, and asked us to raise our hands if it was the first time we'd ever set foot on the Brandeis campus. I was surprised at how many people raised their hands. For the record, it was definitely not my first time on the campus but it has been a long time since I've been there and the university has grown a lot since then.<br />
<br />
Then it was time for the presentations. The four chosen presenters for the night were:<br />
<ul>
<li>GreenScore from
<a href="http://www.greenchoicenow.com/">GreenChoice</a></li>
<li>RC Survey 2.0 from from
<a href="http://www.rcanalytic.com/">Relational Coordination Analytics, Inc.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thermagenix.com/">ThermaGenix</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://workaroundonline.com/index.html">WorkAround</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.greenchoicenow.com/">GreenChoice</a>
presented GreenScore, a software tool (essentially a browser extension as I understood it) to help you assess the healthiness and sustainability of the food products you buy online. GreenScore uses artificial intelligence to aggregate and synthesize information on companies and products to score food products (on a 1 to 100 scale) for things like freshness, nutritional value, health and safety, animal welfare practices, and sustainability. They seem to have a good grasp of their target market: millennials who shop online. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFnSnf-lv1ce4aEzZpLU7m9mvcPQhMsz4_7d3qYbZRhxCuUvHv1TP-U-rs2r6y1jtCl_K6exKlo2woxI3sK0NY2kLwBZZBG0nEqDtgiVE-tWEv2qIl_YxO1xYchy5O9qrbEVHwbyE-44/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFnSnf-lv1ce4aEzZpLU7m9mvcPQhMsz4_7d3qYbZRhxCuUvHv1TP-U-rs2r6y1jtCl_K6exKlo2woxI3sK0NY2kLwBZZBG0nEqDtgiVE-tWEv2qIl_YxO1xYchy5O9qrbEVHwbyE-44/s400/IMG_4970.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Choice Presenting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
RC Survey 2.0 from
<a href="http://www.rcanalytic.com/">Relational Coordination Analytics, Inc.</a>
uses a simple survey to analyze complex communication patterns in organizations that have a lot of interdependence along with time constraints and uncertainty -- think health care or airline travel. The goal is to find where such an organization can reinforce strengths and improve weaknesses for smoother, more coordinated interaction and happier, more engaged workers. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRt68Jzs9dxzMyHqtO1NQebHOuvIZYeGd6vEYfaZXbQ9eDv9oSAnXWFMS-0Brod8dOabe68o8T6GKTKRzJFKpediYI-uZlmV5eHBzvnkSx5oHpoG0b8KUzdqT_9WgC-U4f049KoYPT4A/s1600/rc+analytics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1119" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRt68Jzs9dxzMyHqtO1NQebHOuvIZYeGd6vEYfaZXbQ9eDv9oSAnXWFMS-0Brod8dOabe68o8T6GKTKRzJFKpediYI-uZlmV5eHBzvnkSx5oHpoG0b8KUzdqT_9WgC-U4f049KoYPT4A/s400/rc+analytics.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relational Coordination Analytics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.thermagenix.com/">ThermaGenix</a> makes reagents that improve
the product yield and specificity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications (that's biochemist-speak for making lots of copies of a segment of DNA -- told you the family biochemist would dig this). This sounds like a big improvement for use in the world of DNA and RNA sequencing. That's about as much as I understood about it, but I was pretty impressed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9hfM0dI_FJPr_gzv5RPFXqmP0F0XLFwq0Go1OuVCZYyYGf9Qr3zug5mreXEyQrTNE0MK0FMfFNd0SH8o8Oukvvh21lwd0_szWwoImsKH3Aohzoj-1W95zpDVfSuv0jeDGVmabKdMiYQ/s1600/IMG_4971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9hfM0dI_FJPr_gzv5RPFXqmP0F0XLFwq0Go1OuVCZYyYGf9Qr3zug5mreXEyQrTNE0MK0FMfFNd0SH8o8Oukvvh21lwd0_szWwoImsKH3Aohzoj-1W95zpDVfSuv0jeDGVmabKdMiYQ/s400/IMG_4971.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ThermaGenix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://workaroundonline.com/index.html">WorkAround</a> described themselves as an impact sourcing provider helping companies get more done for less, while giving jobs to refugees. The name "workaround" really says it all. The basic concept is to use the Internet to take advantage of work that can be done remotely and entirely online so that refugees who can't get work permits in the countries where they have taken refuge can find jobs. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdargJujy3LcornO39n2_fHXyTwJnlWhX4n7yt-ov4JPBgZHUhD8ARmBQ435abdbsL4wCXrr18FrXUWfa7xSNdsUHxGX3a0_zyN9nx_NATQk3PDbBtQyBRcqxkxV9CeNBWwHn4J4VryoE/s1600/IMG_4973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdargJujy3LcornO39n2_fHXyTwJnlWhX4n7yt-ov4JPBgZHUhD8ARmBQ435abdbsL4wCXrr18FrXUWfa7xSNdsUHxGX3a0_zyN9nx_NATQk3PDbBtQyBRcqxkxV9CeNBWwHn4J4VryoE/s400/IMG_4973.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workaround</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.tranquilomat.com/">Tranquilo Mat</a> had one of the busiest tables. The portable, vibrating mat soothes your baby in the crib, the stroller, or wherever you go. The mat mimics a mom’s heartbeat and womb-type motions through gentle vibrations and soft sounds to calm the crying baby. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GodclT5zsxgTK03rrc5D7l1IbxCQYwM3yAHZGHAwZXVLRTsuaRX88dDnMNEdNKbgOqcN_x471hKEFr58_OF6PJFqRTRzQb15s15k0Cl13FoGtHU3Zdc9FmgjCpQsBmDSaFk7WuHqBT0/s1600/DSC03907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GodclT5zsxgTK03rrc5D7l1IbxCQYwM3yAHZGHAwZXVLRTsuaRX88dDnMNEdNKbgOqcN_x471hKEFr58_OF6PJFqRTRzQb15s15k0Cl13FoGtHU3Zdc9FmgjCpQsBmDSaFk7WuHqBT0/s400/DSC03907.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tranqilo Mat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.articulatebio.com/">Articulate Biosciences</a>
showcased their ABX product family of injectable viscoelastic gels
for lubricating and cushioning diseased soft tissues. I enjoyed talking with them about their first product offering, which is intended to relieve pain and increase mobility for people with osteoarthritis. I love this idea. They got my audience choice vote. Not surprisingly, they won the grand prize in the voting. I'm definitely going to keep track of their progress. As I was sitting down to write this on Friday, they were in Lowell participating in the ribbon cutting for their move into the <a href="https://www.uml.edu/Research/M2D2/facilities-services/110-canal.aspx">M2D2</a> incubator space at the UML Innovation Hub.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdsZGmh2so6RlIFDWfAa_oWmw18cX-Q2kxEy4NHexB0sl6xxss2NjNaiHvSRCsfVheKzgRP9YIAKNRigZKrWUzbZ6ueCgEV2AVuIJqjEUTm2YG6PdwnVfmrYIysP_RskgmOUQj8jSWD4/s1600/DSC03910.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdsZGmh2so6RlIFDWfAa_oWmw18cX-Q2kxEy4NHexB0sl6xxss2NjNaiHvSRCsfVheKzgRP9YIAKNRigZKrWUzbZ6ueCgEV2AVuIJqjEUTm2YG6PdwnVfmrYIysP_RskgmOUQj8jSWD4/s400/DSC03910.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Articulate Biosciences</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://vataverks.com/">Vata Verks</a> has developed a smart water usage sensor for buildings. It takes advantage of the fluctuating magnetic
fields inside a building’s utility meters, so you don't have to call a plumber to cut pipes to install it. The sensor just straps on so customers can take advantage of the data stream to detect leaks, track costs, and analyze building performance simply and cheaply. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIK33-4gGa71uaZPUgOGl-zVTmFBqpcB7iF5bOMYu3qGB63NsPJAu__-etL2JR0xVPU02rhLV3jEOxUjEj_z2nAAypuPBYYIWE4_npcm44RvB6kOxvY4SDiXLv-XVQoKwe_jjNXaIb9k/s1600/DSC03921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIK33-4gGa71uaZPUgOGl-zVTmFBqpcB7iF5bOMYu3qGB63NsPJAu__-etL2JR0xVPU02rhLV3jEOxUjEj_z2nAAypuPBYYIWE4_npcm44RvB6kOxvY4SDiXLv-XVQoKwe_jjNXaIb9k/s400/DSC03921.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vata Verks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://modibrace.com/">ModiBrace</a> is a modifiable back brace designed to improve
scoliosis treatment. The brace can be adjusted easily and quickly to precisely
target and correct curvature in the spine. Made for children and adolescents diagnosed with scoliosis, it can grow along with them. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://sclervey.com/">Sclervey</a> maps the shape of the sclera for the creation of specialty scleral contact lenses. It projects points of light onto the surface of the eye and does views from multiple cameras for precise 3D modeling. That should make for better fitting lenses for sure.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYj4EPT7qsV72DxAfpI_JVgsVzrZgn2jfvnTI-Yvu12Km6DaTYdZEPHUa-_R5Svhbk-TqSP_TISAAwziRltmLwiYfJOL4QwgAJwnnehFKOboXuEsUJZv55mlUDRo1y-QyyemJaBFdhIE/s1600/DSC03908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYj4EPT7qsV72DxAfpI_JVgsVzrZgn2jfvnTI-Yvu12Km6DaTYdZEPHUa-_R5Svhbk-TqSP_TISAAwziRltmLwiYfJOL4QwgAJwnnehFKOboXuEsUJZv55mlUDRo1y-QyyemJaBFdhIE/s400/DSC03908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy Tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.brandeis.edu/innovation/pdfs/Meyersoninnovationshowcaseposter2017-11-26.pdf"></a>
<a href="http://www.brandeis.edu/innovation/pdfs/Meyersoninnovationshowcaseposter2017-11-26.pdf">Cryo-cell</a> is a freezable fluid cell for cryo-electron microscopy. Cryo-electron microscopy is currently emerging as the preferred method
to determine 3D protein structures in biomedical research and drug
discovery. This technique requires that proteins be frozen in a
thin film of water before imaging. Cryo-cell uses a nanofabricated fluid cell to improve on the current freezing technology and to reduce the amount of protein needed. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Winners of the audience choice vote were:<br />
<a href="http://www.articulatebio.com/">ABX Viscoelastics</a> (Grand prize)<br />
<a href="http://workaroundonline.com/index.html">WorkAround</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenchoicenow.com/">Greenscore</a><br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.thermagenix.com/">ThermaGenix</a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLdhFNHFMyga6gJmooAv6OO-bf0Nw5L9HcqaypOoC7NogbidcfHZsqnP6ryxlUYuKe79sLynN0dRbxCBshvWImDX2D04URXKOsAjtSZzIFjuWDx_Ld9OkgzHB42_Q1V5UoCtFqHcCYjY/s1600/DSC03919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLdhFNHFMyga6gJmooAv6OO-bf0Nw5L9HcqaypOoC7NogbidcfHZsqnP6ryxlUYuKe79sLynN0dRbxCBshvWImDX2D04URXKOsAjtSZzIFjuWDx_Ld9OkgzHB42_Q1V5UoCtFqHcCYjY/s400/DSC03919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners Posing with BobbieC and Rebecca Menapace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For this month's Expert Looking Expert photo, here's Rebecca Menapace representing all of the Brandeis expertise at MIN108<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9Yh0COiJIKZxsgAQ6h5vwcN49eJJ1V_qJf6_6nX2PCKEn5k90wAJ4xk0j5RQrKDb80yIPQGrjq4hZZ-wav02O2tZ9o4K-Yv0NjDT3KZMHBVxC9wM2wXdya-TiuR70jehLG6K4-FdhV0/s1600/DSC03913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9Yh0COiJIKZxsgAQ6h5vwcN49eJJ1V_qJf6_6nX2PCKEn5k90wAJ4xk0j5RQrKDb80yIPQGrjq4hZZ-wav02O2tZ9o4K-Yv0NjDT3KZMHBVxC9wM2wXdya-TiuR70jehLG6K4-FdhV0/s400/DSC03913.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-42200631263440597642018-02-26T20:30:00.001-05:002018-02-26T22:58:18.239-05:00Recapping EforAll Shop Local Pitch Contest in LowellThe <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell & Lawrence</a> #ShopLocal Pitch Contest on Thursday focused on a retail and services theme. Products ranged from skin care and hair care items to cutlery, clothing, and play space. Santander Bank sponsored the event. Mill No. 5 and Coffee and Cotton hosted it, with the tables arranged along the 4th floor bazaar space, much like the weekly bazaars, so it felt very natural to have retail products on display.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWljfkfuayMP3m1i101857M5e2uIZELrpwZd5aiqLOts4FSx5OcsgZnzprlRhJDbzU_m7eU-ejb6Sit4FTQKzshxYrFc3npe1Teib9DKZfNT9jcatTMfcx_on_MJ0FawheSnqH8IRAwE/s1600/DSC03792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWljfkfuayMP3m1i101857M5e2uIZELrpwZd5aiqLOts4FSx5OcsgZnzprlRhJDbzU_m7eU-ejb6Sit4FTQKzshxYrFc3npe1Teib9DKZfNT9jcatTMfcx_on_MJ0FawheSnqH8IRAwE/s400/DSC03792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill No. 5 -- Great Space for Tabling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pitch contest was inside Coffee and Cotton in the "Victorian Lounge" space. The crowd was so big that it was standing room only and there were even people watching/listening from the hallway. The energy and enthusiasm of the pitchers and the audience ran high.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm17HpGEi6_UHVzYKbozZYwBORHA8BuK3zyn5qiO9KZ2QLzajoIBSdQRgUFW41P3o8yEpE6tqOSkEFoACgjKFjhOQWUeEyro-fubbg3v6hS4g7AWJRXcPE9jDNIchAqeA41moAqGHWdLY/s1600/DSC03794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm17HpGEi6_UHVzYKbozZYwBORHA8BuK3zyn5qiO9KZ2QLzajoIBSdQRgUFW41P3o8yEpE6tqOSkEFoACgjKFjhOQWUeEyro-fubbg3v6hS4g7AWJRXcPE9jDNIchAqeA41moAqGHWdLY/s400/DSC03794.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Tables from Inside Red and White Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The judges were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Karen Cirillo, Lowell City Councilor</li>
<li>Sarah Hand, Mill No. 5</li>
<li>Jennifer Howell, Owner of Sutra Studio and EforAll Alumn</li>
<li>Deep Singh, Vice President of R&D and Operations at Alcyone</li>
</ul>
The scheduled pitchers were:<br />
<ul>
<li>The Chameleon Room</li>
<li>KOI Inc.</li>
<li>Nourish Shakti</li>
<li>Dandelion District</li>
<li>Eva's Garden</li>
<li>Mill Girls Cutlery & Kitchenware</li>
</ul>
I made the rounds to check out every table and use my table favorite voting stickers to help decide who else would get to pitch. Each attendee gets three stickers and it was hard to choose the product I most wanted to hear. I enjoyed talking to all of these entrepreneurs and I managed to photograph most of them. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalonMii/">Salon Mii</a> is a hair salon based in Lawrence offering hair and skin care, with their own line of products. I enjoyed talking with them and meeting their youngest brand ambassador.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVoSJJGxjv3-fswlNGeMtnGyxVTkQ3SHbL7NYlKx7Vjjb1D7taJgjuYYjHAZv94s3Clgi5dXPMrwFYClfw7v0BqYfpvEEm7Yrxb5fM-nbqU8JNo44DuFFIX5tSnM1G0XpaLJYBckudBA/s1600/salonmii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVoSJJGxjv3-fswlNGeMtnGyxVTkQ3SHbL7NYlKx7Vjjb1D7taJgjuYYjHAZv94s3Clgi5dXPMrwFYClfw7v0BqYfpvEEm7Yrxb5fM-nbqU8JNo44DuFFIX5tSnM1G0XpaLJYBckudBA/s400/salonmii.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salon Mii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.liquidyoga.company/">Manraaj, A Liquid Yoga Company</a> offers cold pressed herbal juice shots that deliver both nutrients and flavor that will wake you up, revitalize you, and maybe even reverse aging. OK, just kidding about reversing aging but I did feel suddenly younger after I tried a little of both juices: Embrace and Revive.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjmTKUwmr90Gj5T04lFIzs0ZoYGgCz5jDCSDyGhOOqGD-h4CD_Y3AvkWlNSo3sS8w7ESlwPohrxRA5g_pyFDv_nCUhx9xn13R-toVuhKDUxCjz3g_2XcT-wHpMjyl9FfUKIgHAaN_xl8/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjmTKUwmr90Gj5T04lFIzs0ZoYGgCz5jDCSDyGhOOqGD-h4CD_Y3AvkWlNSo3sS8w7ESlwPohrxRA5g_pyFDv_nCUhx9xn13R-toVuhKDUxCjz3g_2XcT-wHpMjyl9FfUKIgHAaN_xl8/s400/DSC03789.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liquid Yoga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://nourishakti.com/">Nourish Shakti</a> offers holistic wellness coaching and botanical creations for personal care, such as herbal lip balm and facial toning mist.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0CzrD7tvnJHUEkh_8b9NktgstWG17Gs0EJoYOq8cVOIeEt_DMmeuOr3pkCjJvytV3HXAquyEk_HlIwOd27Q6ZMaL3dYhxeg_p-ou5sUbtXRGtsC_QtI6pMniIWytbnkiDp4YoYguR4E/s1600/DSC03790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0CzrD7tvnJHUEkh_8b9NktgstWG17Gs0EJoYOq8cVOIeEt_DMmeuOr3pkCjJvytV3HXAquyEk_HlIwOd27Q6ZMaL3dYhxeg_p-ou5sUbtXRGtsC_QtI6pMniIWytbnkiDp4YoYguR4E/s400/DSC03790.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nourish Shakti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eva's Garden specializes in natural skin care products, including body butters for people with allergies to coconut and nuts and other sensitivities. They had the best understanding of their market of anyone I talked to. They made a very strong and focused pitch. Loved hearing them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIsrwE-RJ6n6VN3kfuiFmRxWp9P6HfD45uo69qNNejuj2HSKPLUen-Zq2GaIh_HSeiaciuslbCx0wb8oyxF19Js2C2prH620bP_N7-KNcsLUyHXH7GTtm4hAh6yH0DCD4JptYhrbjCMU/s1600/evasgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIsrwE-RJ6n6VN3kfuiFmRxWp9P6HfD45uo69qNNejuj2HSKPLUen-Zq2GaIh_HSeiaciuslbCx0wb8oyxF19Js2C2prH620bP_N7-KNcsLUyHXH7GTtm4hAh6yH0DCD4JptYhrbjCMU/s400/evasgarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva's Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedandeliondistrict/">Dandelion District</a> sells vintage, re-purposed, and art clothing in Mill No.5 and is looking to expand her offerings. Her pitch was strong and on point too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oWTTy3Sbmd_kNEVJCR6iw2e_Nl65DrmSCeFetjjnsGrw-KzVueJBMVacQChCi83y75UWPkoV3AIQagLbmmMyrjrRENskeFq0MJ2PTvuXhuwl9uFjaRKKFw_DRnXEFkRDF6381Y-md9E/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oWTTy3Sbmd_kNEVJCR6iw2e_Nl65DrmSCeFetjjnsGrw-KzVueJBMVacQChCi83y75UWPkoV3AIQagLbmmMyrjrRENskeFq0MJ2PTvuXhuwl9uFjaRKKFw_DRnXEFkRDF6381Y-md9E/s400/dandelion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelion District</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Chameleon Room pitched a re-configurable indoor playspace to provide kids with new play experiences. She also had a cool chameleon lamp at her table -- I photographed her with it when it was a nice blue to coordinate with her outfit. She generated a lot of audience enthusiasm with her pitch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXszNLC2H1AIR6g-9qwBN8AdNQpbKgdZxDBeKQrNKpasgUGpColhuBgils6Zf5jBG5f2_OVLAyWzgOmEYY5iVvlc8L3DWhgr5haiESSXmXqnlG7wJe3vAa8NosUVEszreiyTLqgTIngc/s1600/DSC03787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXszNLC2H1AIR6g-9qwBN8AdNQpbKgdZxDBeKQrNKpasgUGpColhuBgils6Zf5jBG5f2_OVLAyWzgOmEYY5iVvlc8L3DWhgr5haiESSXmXqnlG7wJe3vAa8NosUVEszreiyTLqgTIngc/s400/DSC03787.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chameleon Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://millgirls.com/">Mill Girls Cutlery and Kitchenware</a> showcased some of the cool cutlery and kitchen stuff they're planning to carry in a retail store in Lowell soon. Millennials need good knives and there's currently no kitchenware store in Lowell. Just as I was thinking "Maybe they could sell the UTEC cutting boards," I spotted Geoff Foster of UTEC shaking hands with Claire. Guess there
might be some UTEC cutting boards coming to Mill Girls Cutlery.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAOMu05GDqSxexQbLb5ENmdzj4j1jMvf_cSdsr9LAOkqrO3hQrWPikrJjfnsx_NViRijYztQjae0XgpgflKUg-Fk2hBF5SffUOKVnBVw8oaeOF84SFPYzO9OOTeCSJAtE5tQrw5V1hOU/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAOMu05GDqSxexQbLb5ENmdzj4j1jMvf_cSdsr9LAOkqrO3hQrWPikrJjfnsx_NViRijYztQjae0XgpgflKUg-Fk2hBF5SffUOKVnBVw8oaeOF84SFPYzO9OOTeCSJAtE5tQrw5V1hOU/s400/kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill Girls Cutlery and Kitchenware</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the coolest products there was <a href="https://moonselfie.me/">MOON Selfie Light</a> a handy clip on light for your phone that provides perfect lighting for selfies. Who hasn't been in a memorable situation and wished for better lighting for your selfie to preserve the memory? The MOON light is very compact and fits your devices neatly. The best part is the ability to adjust brightness and color temperature. I was a little surprised it didn't win the table favorite pitch slot, but it did get the Santander Pick pitch slot and Ed handled the last minute pitch opportunity brilliantly.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9sCMCpRCyrl0R3RZ6bwrXySPAuFGqPmoBdh1_o0RR7bpKbwvjFYguhr3u6YsnrlibthUcNed8iCaNdVTUo6Ss5nXsFsnkx0mNVd3zfhzLZTnw0MAr7oGYH8-Zre4NleMd5N4xg1UxCo/s1600/moonselfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9sCMCpRCyrl0R3RZ6bwrXySPAuFGqPmoBdh1_o0RR7bpKbwvjFYguhr3u6YsnrlibthUcNed8iCaNdVTUo6Ss5nXsFsnkx0mNVd3zfhzLZTnw0MAr7oGYH8-Zre4NleMd5N4xg1UxCo/s400/moonselfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOON Selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://drylqdart.wixsite.com/drylqdart/about">DryLQD</a> is a clothing line of wearable inspirational art. Eli, the artist, creates incredibly detailed artworks and treats the T-shirts, hats, etc. almost as a gallery. DryLQD won the table favorite pitch slot.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCceEU8m_Q_XuGSEYTXhneUPehxkZEV_Ag0xnebPwv8Gf7axI4CqmoMIeu7hBJu3Fl5JD8qz90szluPl2jT8iNY1uvugnQ5zJpoI59pOW9Aw0pirXHrJmSqUoaTTe8WX44eZYa0RmAl54/s1600/drylqd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCceEU8m_Q_XuGSEYTXhneUPehxkZEV_Ag0xnebPwv8Gf7axI4CqmoMIeu7hBJu3Fl5JD8qz90szluPl2jT8iNY1uvugnQ5zJpoI59pOW9Aw0pirXHrJmSqUoaTTe8WX44eZYa0RmAl54/s400/drylqd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DryLQD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.xoicompany.com/">XOI</a> makes a skin care juice from gac fruit. Used in traditional Vietnamese medicine, gac fruit heals skin and delivers Vitamin A. I tasted a couple of flavors and liked it. Maybe I should add it to my skin care regime.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcfWCdxm781te7UsYPB5CbFXrNo-njcW6_kP8guj016DSfCkD_JtBk_jHXaMH0zVymgBEbvB80d7uQvr8fs5stXTcW9eB19LUXhOaCCxcyfZSnwPIzoiPz3JimkSvu4ZQ9Tast3_l2Ok/s1600/DSC03803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcfWCdxm781te7UsYPB5CbFXrNo-njcW6_kP8guj016DSfCkD_JtBk_jHXaMH0zVymgBEbvB80d7uQvr8fs5stXTcW9eB19LUXhOaCCxcyfZSnwPIzoiPz3JimkSvu4ZQ9Tast3_l2Ok/s400/DSC03803.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XOI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pitches were all interesting, the judges asked good questions, and the timing moved along smoothly. While the judges were off deliberating, it was time for the audience to vote. The fan favorite voting, a fun part of the event, usually done by texting the letter of the pitch you're voting for to a specified number, developed some sort of glitch so the fan favorite was chosen by the loudness of the applause.<br />
<br />
The Fan Favorite went to The Chameleon Room. An additional prize of personal mentoring from Santander went to DryLQD.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhvAHJkLbJq2_loVcXy2GqrBdR6wzJF4PFM8J5V_LC8rhV3L0aEQ7_Me4LUMvz43YM5ziUEL2ezGxdeShP794Az0_5Wun9vYVxEaD5ySwbeHuitGVJMEsxI7kdJGqbWzNxvJESvEc8W8/s1600/DSC03842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhvAHJkLbJq2_loVcXy2GqrBdR6wzJF4PFM8J5V_LC8rhV3L0aEQ7_Me4LUMvz43YM5ziUEL2ezGxdeShP794Az0_5Wun9vYVxEaD5ySwbeHuitGVJMEsxI7kdJGqbWzNxvJESvEc8W8/s400/DSC03842.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chameleon Room Wins Fan Favorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The big money prizes went to:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dandelion District 3rd Place $500<br />
Mill Girls Cutlery and Kitchenware 2nd Place $750<br />
Eva's Garden First Place $1000</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWMusgOzy0EGC78LK5YePgNVBlAseotU1KjI9hPlIg9IdC8RfN3vo9zcBfVfLKBwvuQw1bVrKYbUBS5MZJUZSs5kLuuJfOd9oqq6AbH1pzXgxQwml3m4NnOw0tBfR-ozfjp_RUIxV5E4/s1600/DSC03845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWMusgOzy0EGC78LK5YePgNVBlAseotU1KjI9hPlIg9IdC8RfN3vo9zcBfVfLKBwvuQw1bVrKYbUBS5MZJUZSs5kLuuJfOd9oqq6AbH1pzXgxQwml3m4NnOw0tBfR-ozfjp_RUIxV5E4/s400/DSC03845.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelion District 3rd Place $500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwOSDnZfe3ukxvkmNxjtt0CpBimR7zHkDv-mt8WwrtmiDviHVqCzyad489JT-BKiMthJ0DogLBAOrPcmGz3Ze_k1FfiLSFu9Z8h0nkOkm_Lll0_1qazQtdW3QzoJW7j4WWgaZHBcyjLc/s1600/DSC03847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwOSDnZfe3ukxvkmNxjtt0CpBimR7zHkDv-mt8WwrtmiDviHVqCzyad489JT-BKiMthJ0DogLBAOrPcmGz3Ze_k1FfiLSFu9Z8h0nkOkm_Lll0_1qazQtdW3QzoJW7j4WWgaZHBcyjLc/s400/DSC03847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill Girls Cutlery and Kitchenware 2nd Place $750 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vI0j44Bbf3DnH1x79SWfKUkriY8oEAFGs4dwyVkeZ5JA7QwAnyLu5UUlDp5-6babob5ddT_PXvs3hS7pvtoGrAcIqKZiyszTZeklNQLs8xvCFbuzvy0PMaD7E3B7e03HEu6j6sRPJA/s1600/DSC03848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vI0j44Bbf3DnH1x79SWfKUkriY8oEAFGs4dwyVkeZ5JA7QwAnyLu5UUlDp5-6babob5ddT_PXvs3hS7pvtoGrAcIqKZiyszTZeklNQLs8xvCFbuzvy0PMaD7E3B7e03HEu6j6sRPJA/s400/DSC03848.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva's Garden First Place $1000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What a great night!Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-70741817904786882482018-02-19T17:50:00.005-05:002018-02-19T17:50:49.516-05:00You bet there's a lot to like about Lowell -- #MIN107 RecapMass Innovation Nights returned to Lowell on Thursday, February 15th for #MIN107 at UMass Lowell's Innovation Hub. The City of Lowell and UMass Lowell's Innovation Hub co-sponsored and co-hosted the event and provided excellent food catered by <a href="http://www.cafeutec.org/catering.html">UTEC's catering program</a>. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrnVlpuPi50mX4ufZT0AE_rYKpFqkdPD-UclWohfHVq8NIxbPmsAvxYxfqbNqXilXPzx9Y1NGQ0HA1W-00ZrK1J3wJAtEcjQI-kUC1Oy7t_Q9lQOW5djoZxusHMwuEHXJbpbfUKqdgWQ/s1600/DSC03768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrnVlpuPi50mX4ufZT0AE_rYKpFqkdPD-UclWohfHVq8NIxbPmsAvxYxfqbNqXilXPzx9Y1NGQ0HA1W-00ZrK1J3wJAtEcjQI-kUC1Oy7t_Q9lQOW5djoZxusHMwuEHXJbpbfUKqdgWQ/s400/DSC03768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crowd Begins to Build</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The turnout was impressive. It was great to see so many innovative folks from near and far, especially people I know. I loved running into Rajia Abdelaziz and Ray Hamilton, founders of <a href="https://www.invisawear.com/">invisaWear,</a>along with <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell and Lawrence</a> Program Manager (and FreeVerse! co-founder as well as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SizzlingKitchenLowell/">Sizzling Kitchen</a> restaurateur) Joey Banh. InvisaWear presented at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/02/min95-at-umass-lowell-innovation-hub.html">MIN95</a>, a year ago right here at the Innovation Hub, and they are EforAll alums too. There's a great concentration of entrepreneurship and innovation all around the Merrimack Valley, especially in Lowell. You bet there's a lot to like about Lowell!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju62V_31G8zipU4f2ANRshesT6dhUJAOjgMUeOdKN0fzY6RjGo9Nhic6UnH-A0ZNkpgqXfXZycg6A5rMAtgKSs3CKDWcStqzND71hHNeeQ4AMiGtm2EUbGGroGWSgAIYqxD9vU-H-umK0/s1600/rajiarayjoey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju62V_31G8zipU4f2ANRshesT6dhUJAOjgMUeOdKN0fzY6RjGo9Nhic6UnH-A0ZNkpgqXfXZycg6A5rMAtgKSs3CKDWcStqzND71hHNeeQ4AMiGtm2EUbGGroGWSgAIYqxD9vU-H-umK0/s400/rajiarayjoey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray, Rajia, and Joey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four presenters chosen by online voting before the event were:<br />
<ul>
<li>WakeMealarm</li>
<li>wmnHealth</li>
<li>CAIDE Studio BSR</li>
<li>adopets</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://wakemealarm.com/">WakeMe</a> is a social video alarm clock that plays short, personalized
videos from your friends and family on your smart phone to wake you up. Making waking up a social experience gets you engaged in your day immediately. It's a much more pleasant awakening than an alarm clock -- you might even start to look forward to waking up. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X57P0o34ZMNTjRLSmOAQptL1jmxufuAs6D0_sU6glHy4vderMLUoVxK81GlojrIFFQ-vmbuDsjaT-vjrT4B7Ni-9aitozA_oAyoKzOaBxz2FXFf-e7Eb8He7lSJgbp36HXpVjCYW4PY/s1600/DSC03762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X57P0o34ZMNTjRLSmOAQptL1jmxufuAs6D0_sU6glHy4vderMLUoVxK81GlojrIFFQ-vmbuDsjaT-vjrT4B7Ni-9aitozA_oAyoKzOaBxz2FXFf-e7Eb8He7lSJgbp36HXpVjCYW4PY/s400/DSC03762.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WakeMe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wmnhealth.org/">wmnHealth</a>, introduced by <a href="https://www.dynamicly.com/">Dynamicly</a>, is a conversational
platform for women to tackle mental and neurological diseases. Mental illnesses and neurological disorders,
such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease affect women differently from men.
wmnHealth aims to promote conversation and research and development using analytics and AI. Daily flash briefings on the latest information on women's mental and neurological health are available through an Alexa app. A chat-bot (they call it a virtual agent) named Marine answers questions and helps you track your brain health. It sounded like a really interesting application of both analytics and AI.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX5szrke3_LZGiHfvdI8mFCmx-scEYYpX0n17ahkiUT5B2V8jyw0vMG2HHBzWAXcYOI2ddh2FgKLH8cjGyJf5PqHfWc70poTvfCmTcbvldnBmfzSQIdt2-jIeZ1KCCPzob7Hzfc8fGcs/s1600/DSC03765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyX5szrke3_LZGiHfvdI8mFCmx-scEYYpX0n17ahkiUT5B2V8jyw0vMG2HHBzWAXcYOI2ddh2FgKLH8cjGyJf5PqHfWc70poTvfCmTcbvldnBmfzSQIdt2-jIeZ1KCCPzob7Hzfc8fGcs/s400/DSC03765.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wmnHealth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also in the cool uses of AI category, <a href="http://www.caidesystems.com/">CAIDE Systems</a> made a big impression with CAIDE Studio BSR, which uses deep learning technology to speed up stroke diagnosis. It can automatically diagnose and detect three different types of strokes from analyzing the CT scans (or other medical images) of the brain. It can reduce the time to analyze the image and make the diagnosis to under two minutes. Given how crucial every minute is in dealing with stroke, this is a big win. They got my vote for favorite. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01CIz9y5RZ_826tig66GHqQdv9SXdqLa10DvwY23jIIaMOZP_Bh1YJzDzwQIltiZLhYlsrskcp765HzuX9sLA365aajX6Tb9P6o-FyOWaHYt7LyPKcJQqmE1X8Hwf5NCLxZLRl3h-Ky0/s1600/DSC03780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01CIz9y5RZ_826tig66GHqQdv9SXdqLa10DvwY23jIIaMOZP_Bh1YJzDzwQIltiZLhYlsrskcp765HzuX9sLA365aajX6Tb9P6o-FyOWaHYt7LyPKcJQqmE1X8Hwf5NCLxZLRl3h-Ky0/s400/DSC03780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive Lee and Jacob Lee Demonstrating CAIDE BSR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everybody loved <a href="http://www.adopets.org/">adopets</a>, the latest pet adoption management platform. People interested in adopting a pet can view animals available for adoption across various locations. You can filter by gender, size, and age too. So if I want to find an older male cat near me, it's a snap. I've seen variations on this idea at pitch contests and MIN events before, but what stood out was that it's provided at no cost to the shelters or the potential adopters. Their plan is to make money promoting pet supplies to adopters once they've adopted their pet. It was no surprise that adopets won the grand prize.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8-SSeqY8WI0fUkzkoYAHXvuqCaq4EJa4s7D3Tc1AWd0OvvL3F-b2Rkp1M99in3An0eQJhk6yv26LygdcBT2bCS4ZWsz2t9w5cM67YqJBQM7dq6nFrxkvNF62MFFmvLhFRYB-EejtyLo/s1600/DSC03759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8-SSeqY8WI0fUkzkoYAHXvuqCaq4EJa4s7D3Tc1AWd0OvvL3F-b2Rkp1M99in3An0eQJhk6yv26LygdcBT2bCS4ZWsz2t9w5cM67YqJBQM7dq6nFrxkvNF62MFFmvLhFRYB-EejtyLo/s400/DSC03759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adopets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="title">
The AI theme of the night continued with <a href="http://www.axlevideo.com/">axelvideo</a>'s <b>axle ai </b>tool for content creators to find and re-purpose video quickly. Deep learning software automates the analysis and search. You can search for video
content by selecting frames or still images from the Internet and
find content that contains similar objects, themes and logos. It makes managing your video content library way simpler.</div>
<div class="title">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZN7z3bXaCRCYFtMeS6cBPSvN8LwFZSm5BByWo7Hozj61ER_04-SCaQLJ4Gla5D911mkBHNNONn5k6OGoqOFiVzHih4SqVY44PMumL74s2mPDK9uJEiRN1G34gJfclmVcAvcQYryVJVc/s1600/DSC03767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZN7z3bXaCRCYFtMeS6cBPSvN8LwFZSm5BByWo7Hozj61ER_04-SCaQLJ4Gla5D911mkBHNNONn5k6OGoqOFiVzHih4SqVY44PMumL74s2mPDK9uJEiRN1G34gJfclmVcAvcQYryVJVc/s400/DSC03767.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">axle ai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="title">
<a href="http://www.dspwi.com/">DSP Wireless</a> showed off the RCB-W24A-LVDS Wi-Fi interface for the Intan Technologies RHD2000 series of electrophysiology amplifier
boards. It was fascinating to see so much progress in devices for bioelectric
signal acquisition -- so small and low cost compared to what data acquisition devices were like back in my "real-time data acquisition" days. There are so many useful applications for this kind of technology, like monitoring electrophysiology lab experiments or even acquiring signals from the brain and transmitting them to control a prosthetic. I wish I could have spent more time talking with them about these devices.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7vo4G2KtoomUi4fKS5GEg2ETFylhffBzUhs5UALbdk4diwi9png-ggM0rqrFNlbive088QM5O_RO_eKuxEhdxeTR176BQa29XvHDr84G0BQ5JylMBPvAoVwilDYMRym8kgjBwXJugzo/s1600/DSC03755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7vo4G2KtoomUi4fKS5GEg2ETFylhffBzUhs5UALbdk4diwi9png-ggM0rqrFNlbive088QM5O_RO_eKuxEhdxeTR176BQa29XvHDr84G0BQ5JylMBPvAoVwilDYMRym8kgjBwXJugzo/s400/DSC03755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt5zAZI6d6vowLXBZ_IMQDRX6bcl5vANA18FAY_VXSGqGpG7o8ErvpqeFxKpGQiIISUUho9e3q_BBhgLEwwpY6JZjHofI9622RMRl8Zol8oS65SehkION5FtyiuTAdAcRKFB-zcLKQWE/s1600/DSC03754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt5zAZI6d6vowLXBZ_IMQDRX6bcl5vANA18FAY_VXSGqGpG7o8ErvpqeFxKpGQiIISUUho9e3q_BBhgLEwwpY6JZjHofI9622RMRl8Zol8oS65SehkION5FtyiuTAdAcRKFB-zcLKQWE/s400/DSC03754.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DSP Wireless</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="title">
With the growth of indoor farming, the FLW900 LED Grow Light from <a href="https://www.exactlux.com/">Exact Lux</a> seems like a product whose time has come. It's a powerful LED grow light that delivers constant light levels for the life of the LED. These light fixtures are designed to be sustainable -- that is they can be repaired and upgraded over time. The Exact Lux table was getting a lot of attention.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquxTklGLzP6lAtJHfZ80Eoo9z5z7w8jCVip129CrDLxhyFUmsc6THP3GGWNjbpTrWiDqjTUKYf0J0VQiKatYoFo9-TAdyogdA-9JOEG8M37Vd_l_esrZ2oMqASfgaHLoFhBDOK1NxJi8/s1600/DSC03785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquxTklGLzP6lAtJHfZ80Eoo9z5z7w8jCVip129CrDLxhyFUmsc6THP3GGWNjbpTrWiDqjTUKYf0J0VQiKatYoFo9-TAdyogdA-9JOEG8M37Vd_l_esrZ2oMqASfgaHLoFhBDOK1NxJi8/s400/DSC03785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exact Lux -- Best Hat of MIN107</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, I hereby award Best Hat of MIN107 to the Exact Lux trucker style hat. There were no teams with matching T-shirts this time, so I guess I have to award Best Costume to Exact Lux too. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl-I7z2qWzdnFdiVtYzauXNbwB4YNaHnScrvtZvU_S-x784dVeiKP8NVI3iFP929DMUfzzdGNdGGnjUfh-PsCaj1dlpuwKjwZtLxbQwfvgwa7cAAmKboMhaCcTtnlD6KPCvblC24mC4Y/s1600/DSC03758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvl-I7z2qWzdnFdiVtYzauXNbwB4YNaHnScrvtZvU_S-x784dVeiKP8NVI3iFP929DMUfzzdGNdGGnjUfh-PsCaj1dlpuwKjwZtLxbQwfvgwa7cAAmKboMhaCcTtnlD6KPCvblC24mC4Y/s400/DSC03758.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants Growing under FLW900 Grow Light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another crowd-pleaser was <a href="http://www.view360properties.com/">360 Properties</a>'s immersive approach to viewing a property.
If you're selling/leasing a property you can showcase it online in ways that your customers can explore it from every angle. It's impressive enough on a traditional browser or a smart phone, but it's amazing using a VR
headset. Check out the<a href="http://www.view360properties.com/portfolio.html"> demo on their website.</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x8C7aoL7OLHpdGgjii1Tyo3u2hJncVHfmkOwO0QlwJxKOmYgSFRdW8Iak00JYmGGGTXFtJoz1GVMemlTa_Z7FxUs7iGNsGW5jr6SJ6GyLfGSLe-2Fd_-eZ1rt7V4LqEk1k1SZK5HJ2o/s1600/DSC03769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x8C7aoL7OLHpdGgjii1Tyo3u2hJncVHfmkOwO0QlwJxKOmYgSFRdW8Iak00JYmGGGTXFtJoz1GVMemlTa_Z7FxUs7iGNsGW5jr6SJ6GyLfGSLe-2Fd_-eZ1rt7V4LqEk1k1SZK5HJ2o/s400/DSC03769.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking Out 360 Properties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.probitsystems.com/">Probit Systems</a> had a table with materials about their cloud solution for monitoring data center
servers as a service. That's about all I can say about it as there didn't seem to be anyone manning the table.<br />
<br />
The winners in the audience choice voting for the night were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.adopets.org/">adopets</a> (Grand prize)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.exactlux.com/">Flos Horticultural Lighting: FLW900</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.caidesystems.com/">CAIDE Studio BSR</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dspwi.com/">RCB-W24A-LVDS 32 Channel Wif-Fi Recording interface</a></li>
</ul>
That's quite an impressive array of products.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgChFSOdEFXVktWg3hx5odnHWmfAVYhmduf5NG4VihFeF30fgcNTz0c18vBkOFg0AMfhCYMDbbMq0-BaTxa05dNBUHsxW10Lu9iOXah-aryfYmXdmsr08vnrfQZSzGcyd3HKyZzt7t6Y/s1600/IMG_4883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgChFSOdEFXVktWg3hx5odnHWmfAVYhmduf5NG4VihFeF30fgcNTz0c18vBkOFg0AMfhCYMDbbMq0-BaTxa05dNBUHsxW10Lu9iOXah-aryfYmXdmsr08vnrfQZSzGcyd3HKyZzt7t6Y/s400/IMG_4883.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Audience Favorites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a finishing touch on a great night, attendees got nifty gift bags from our City of Lowell hosts. In addition to coupons and special offers from Lowell's local businesses
and restaurants and a nice pocket sized map of downtown, the goodie bags featured a <a href="http://www.sweetlydias.com/">Sweet Lydia's</a> chocolate-coated marshmallow on a stick. Lydia's s'moresels are a reason to come to Lowell in themselves. <br /><br />
As is traditional, I'll close with a photo of experts looking expert. Director of Economic Development Andrew Shapiro and Vice Mayor Vesna Nuon repping the City of Lowell agreed to be my featured experts.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgTmRJYOYgN2P8UO0ItCJ66biXMnU2jpIRobXkt5Dz9K4gosXY3WlEygjD70Z1am0Y_Rmciv0u_x6KJiLbUX-XuybeWm7AQpfk_858waipQp07oG8eerM5xiEykTF0v2JtykY-fdmW_o/s1600/DSC03784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgTmRJYOYgN2P8UO0ItCJ66biXMnU2jpIRobXkt5Dz9K4gosXY3WlEygjD70Z1am0Y_Rmciv0u_x6KJiLbUX-XuybeWm7AQpfk_858waipQp07oG8eerM5xiEykTF0v2JtykY-fdmW_o/s400/DSC03784.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experts Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-21066314639868886322018-01-19T21:00:00.000-05:002018-01-23T14:36:54.616-05:00Recap of #MIN106 in Haverhill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What a night! Mass Innovation Nights came to Haverhill and put on an amazingly lively event at the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub in the brand new Harbor Place development right on the Merrimack River. Wednesday's snow moved the event to Thursday January 18, but that didn't seem to reduce attendance or dampen the enthusiasm.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XmxpLE1aToOKhd4rIfnjliiGotwmnX4yATEjGSMIQBu-e4CqupEii-l3ulbFHDbozuNlLNPEEnVEVNCFUHN7zYgY-T3tmVCHXB-0qxLej6fv0ziUxOPHQ4URbXvZks6woagBUx0UDtU/s1600/DSC03724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XmxpLE1aToOKhd4rIfnjliiGotwmnX4yATEjGSMIQBu-e4CqupEii-l3ulbFHDbozuNlLNPEEnVEVNCFUHN7zYgY-T3tmVCHXB-0qxLej6fv0ziUxOPHQ4URbXvZks6woagBUx0UDtU/s400/DSC03724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Merrimack River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The product showcase was buzzing with people checking out the tables and asking questions. Lots of the attendees said this was their first Mass Innovation Nights event. Many of the folks I talked with were from Haverhill and surrounding towns. It was great to see so much local support for the entrepreneurs and their products.I was especially excited to see EforAll Lowell-Lawrence participants BareHand, Veggie Table Foods, and nohmii. It was nice to see a really strong EforAll presence.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTdxZxZIHOinHbYD0kNJFLwhwQ8DZMTTteOGUTdaJvcJ0v7NYZzWcum2SxMJoxuRD_HypLWhvXeAqJ-9oOifvddcaq7aikRPWWMipCgr5IYkSqt4mlpXsKjdeqsc28zWePw5uJ_BeP30/s1600/DSC03702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTdxZxZIHOinHbYD0kNJFLwhwQ8DZMTTteOGUTdaJvcJ0v7NYZzWcum2SxMJoxuRD_HypLWhvXeAqJ-9oOifvddcaq7aikRPWWMipCgr5IYkSqt4mlpXsKjdeqsc28zWePw5uJ_BeP30/s400/DSC03702.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomful of Products</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The evening's sponsors, <a href="http://mvpc.org/">The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission</a> and the <a href="http://haverhillchamber.com/">Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce</a>, along with our host the <a href="https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Hub/Facilities/Haverhill.aspx">UMass Lowell Innovation Hub - Haverhill</a>, served as the Experts Corner and general good Merrimack Valley vibes providers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf1ZM9Qor-3zb_Id-Z7pC06CSzIbIStAfI_0Wg2A5ABqRIYmg0Ngfjr1XRNFKr7ZoVwzSPMO8A6EGbFIwOFlP_cdipjcpmpX5oR0m_nRXW57Ko35AS1c2uvdH8pe0T-h_aksn1_tGSVQ/s1600/DSC03741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf1ZM9Qor-3zb_Id-Z7pC06CSzIbIStAfI_0Wg2A5ABqRIYmg0Ngfjr1XRNFKr7ZoVwzSPMO8A6EGbFIwOFlP_cdipjcpmpX5oR0m_nRXW57Ko35AS1c2uvdH8pe0T-h_aksn1_tGSVQ/s400/DSC03741.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Host</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four presenters chosen for the evening were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.veggietablefoods.com/">Veggie Table Foods </a></li>
<li><a href="https://carealine.com/">CareAline PICC Sleeve and CVC Wrap</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thelookbookhunt.com/">The LOOK Book Scavenger Hunt </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.drinkceo.com/">CEO Organic Energy Beverages</a></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f33Q9Y7hFZkEBkYlcAVsnxBbRe8LqwySeL5BVR0dRFdfFDSAEjyYqxSBl2HscXfHlI8Qt7pTo97vYJDW_EHoE8f5QU-X_FJNJbmiXJ7gOf0dgfdCl-uSRSQsJ0MxbI3dSS2PBxLtdTs/s1600/veggie+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f33Q9Y7hFZkEBkYlcAVsnxBbRe8LqwySeL5BVR0dRFdfFDSAEjyYqxSBl2HscXfHlI8Qt7pTo97vYJDW_EHoE8f5QU-X_FJNJbmiXJ7gOf0dgfdCl-uSRSQsJ0MxbI3dSS2PBxLtdTs/s400/veggie+table.jpg" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Veggie Table Had Matching Aprons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.veggietablefoods.com/">Veggie Table Foods</a> was very popular. Their team
was constantly busy handing out samples of the cauliflower crust pizza. They had samples of some of their other cauliflower-based healthy, low carb, gluten free snacks too, but everybody was raving about the pizza. It tasted great! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9_2qugQW6PGy8GSv-3q99kel_7vfMA06OGQeO4vdbJeslLsfe515QxpwmBrRPDNwoXfPqbbSV2EtCmeRyI2FUosCbOsWJBX8YggBVaRBj2eywVODFB-EODDrevdIjw_blMJseTjSVbc/s1600/DSC03712.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9_2qugQW6PGy8GSv-3q99kel_7vfMA06OGQeO4vdbJeslLsfe515QxpwmBrRPDNwoXfPqbbSV2EtCmeRyI2FUosCbOsWJBX8YggBVaRBj2eywVODFB-EODDrevdIjw_blMJseTjSVbc/s400/DSC03712.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kezia Demonstrating CareAline Sleeve on a Doll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.carealine.com/">CareAline Sleeves and Wraps</a> story is a great example of innovation that came out of the founder's response to a real and personal need. When her daughter was diagnosed with cancer and had to have vascular access lines for chemo, founder Kezia Fitzgerald discovered a need for some way to make line management safer and more comfortable. She came up with a sleeve for PICC lines, and later a wrap for central lines, that keeps the lines off the skin and covered but allows full access for treatment. CareAline made a big impression on the attendees and I was not surprised when it won Grand Prize in the Audience Choice voting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky6S6DW4Zrmhosy3Rx8wOETdWGpI0qbw2xMUcw6Uj5JI7-8yTExNvTPQakvE_kfu4-BLNl8MsZRa2xvojfWC1s5m7y0HfB9uJF9QIeUGzMn5VD2v60kgEBUhujC7StjafYwRh2MVOEJA/s1600/DSC03720.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky6S6DW4Zrmhosy3Rx8wOETdWGpI0qbw2xMUcw6Uj5JI7-8yTExNvTPQakvE_kfu4-BLNl8MsZRa2xvojfWC1s5m7y0HfB9uJF9QIeUGzMn5VD2v60kgEBUhujC7StjafYwRh2MVOEJA/s400/DSC03720.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found It! -- Barbara and Hunter the Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was great to see Barbara Tibbets with her <a href="http://www.thelookbookhunt.com/">The LOOK Book Scavenger Hunt</a> again. Last time we met was in a tent in a winter wonderland in Boston's City Hall Plaza (<a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2016/12/winter-wonderland-of-innovation-min93.html">MIN93</a>). Her scavenger hunts are now available as an app and the crowdfunding campaign is well underway to make that adorable plush owl, Hunter, available to customers. The scavenger hunts, in both book and app form, are great ways for families to get to know the featured tourist destinations. Currently the app is available only for IOS devices -- search on "look book hunt" in the Apple App Store -- but it will be available for Android soon. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY6SWNZ6PUJSUeDiwaqGTp5X0VwgKCyLw1BCv0I7Tu4QPa9YXsBMruuHLJ0xIim7ZZXmxMF7ISGrCbXwrcXZnEdPc5xMuXpIgbqSwF21FCkMfCKzDZO7AylgHxxGxDIJA4-Rupbg8FuM/s1600/DSC03715.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY6SWNZ6PUJSUeDiwaqGTp5X0VwgKCyLw1BCv0I7Tu4QPa9YXsBMruuHLJ0xIim7ZZXmxMF7ISGrCbXwrcXZnEdPc5xMuXpIgbqSwF21FCkMfCKzDZO7AylgHxxGxDIJA4-Rupbg8FuM/s400/DSC03715.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean Energy Organics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hyperlocal Haverhill-based <a href="http://www.drinkceo.com/">CEO Organic Energy Beverages</a> offered tastes of its organic energy beverages. I tried the watermelon, lime, mint flavor and really liked it -- not too sweet and plenty of flavor. Each bottle of CEO (Clean Energy Organics) has only 30 calories and 5g of
sugar, roughly the same amount of caffeine as a small cup of coffee, coconut water, and no artificial anything. They are available at Market Basket as well as many other retail locations. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5F6boM29XlxpvKSNZNlodkVu4uJnLQ4It2_LPjfRdSEK5seEi3r5oad1_boC_wq4eyC5yLftD5beO9awZrKbxTLMszwrqVYjB4Ac4RWGOncm0lEVhckv1S_TF7CiWA1S1X9ScWXXFhg/s1600/DSC03730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5F6boM29XlxpvKSNZNlodkVu4uJnLQ4It2_LPjfRdSEK5seEi3r5oad1_boC_wq4eyC5yLftD5beO9awZrKbxTLMszwrqVYjB4Ac4RWGOncm0lEVhckv1S_TF7CiWA1S1X9ScWXXFhg/s400/DSC03730.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing Room Only for the Presentations<br />
(the one empty chair is the one I got up from to take the picture)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi4QRTPd3Z19pdvnzCP9yQbCaWCkGWG5RjdzWtip3jXVD1PpiFqQHzbGt3XSVB81IcTiZwwvjlpLHmBK3iyCX0cTyZ1G8fcm52KaWpq28W4EQzX_ZqmXxRej783XcdXiifqwzcCoxizs/s1600/DSC03735.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi4QRTPd3Z19pdvnzCP9yQbCaWCkGWG5RjdzWtip3jXVD1PpiFqQHzbGt3XSVB81IcTiZwwvjlpLHmBK3iyCX0cTyZ1G8fcm52KaWpq28W4EQzX_ZqmXxRej783XcdXiifqwzcCoxizs/s400/DSC03735.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ande Lyon (EforAll) and Edwin Jack (BareHand)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was very happy to see Edwin Jack of BareHand again. He was there demoing <a href="http://www.barehand.co/">Cede</a>, a 3D Action RPG game of combat farming in a post-apocalyptic universe. Lawrence-based BareHand is a graduate of the EforAll Lowell-Lawrence Summer Accelerator 2015. The last time we met was at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/06/min99-recap.html">MIN99</a> in Roxbury. It's fun catching up with entrepreneurs again and again at both EforAll and MIN events as they progress through the stages of startup growth. Cede is a very cool game featuring monsters that get turned into bursts of seeds that grow into plants to take back the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Definitely take a look at the <a href="http://www.barehand.co/">website</a> if you like games.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSxL273J4HSIg8eLtC4XdmEX4tD-0lM7_DsjLKtw3NaQb_NZ0K0GiiSTgtfM4ggaX5CEs4JfJzcaKk0fdlB1HCvSZB0bAzXGbRgBVfZlgUN-Jn9UmT9kgccD6KMcs19b4ZY0-QgOtDz0/s1600/DSC03703.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSxL273J4HSIg8eLtC4XdmEX4tD-0lM7_DsjLKtw3NaQb_NZ0K0GiiSTgtfM4ggaX5CEs4JfJzcaKk0fdlB1HCvSZB0bAzXGbRgBVfZlgUN-Jn9UmT9kgccD6KMcs19b4ZY0-QgOtDz0/s400/DSC03703.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburn Energy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAtjdoaFDsfL58-0gIYRTesW0tfeKSU-xVAxIHUeFzLynWVwsWIjMqGu3x8MZjgGGjiPnfrLEsTBesAYrYve7wKeKRyVRErmNgLr9sjF9WEf_hYusFVUdEtdvaTfwGBOuEh8gNkV3V3E/s1600/DSC03704.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAtjdoaFDsfL58-0gIYRTesW0tfeKSU-xVAxIHUeFzLynWVwsWIjMqGu3x8MZjgGGjiPnfrLEsTBesAYrYve7wKeKRyVRErmNgLr9sjF9WEf_hYusFVUdEtdvaTfwGBOuEh8gNkV3V3E/s400/DSC03704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RelGen Connects to the Drive Train Easily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My favorite new thing was Blackburn Energy's <a href="http://www.blackburnenergy.com/">RelGen</a> energy recovery system for long-haul trucks. It captures the kinetic energy from the rotation of the driveshaft during braking, converts it into electricity, and stores it in an array of batteries. For long-haul truckers this means they could power the heat or air conditioning in the sleeper cab from the battery for a comfortable sleep after a day of driving. The thing that impressed me was how easily it connects to the drive train. I'm tempted to go into geeky detail, but that would make this blog post way too long. Anyway, I was pleased to see Blackburn Energy among the audience choice winners.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8SSjRAQDIgcEr-D5bqg1fA5aFbf9tab87zwGfqqNrCLGDtuQS6hSm12BanWOXjWxHv0HoMVxDeBnEKCgupL-te7rh81mWibEdOBUXd63dRxbxmwk0hGvvnBxqtGtU-2jjLO4UmpMhSc/s1600/DSC03734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8SSjRAQDIgcEr-D5bqg1fA5aFbf9tab87zwGfqqNrCLGDtuQS6hSm12BanWOXjWxHv0HoMVxDeBnEKCgupL-te7rh81mWibEdOBUXd63dRxbxmwk0hGvvnBxqtGtU-2jjLO4UmpMhSc/s400/DSC03734.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nohmii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.nohmii.com/">outskert from nohmii</a> (pronounced "know me") combines style and function in a skirt designed to keep a woman warm and dry while trekking in the snow. You can take it from a mountain hike to a downtown setting while staying warm and looking stylish. All nohmii's clothes are designed and manufactured locally.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdjrOrKmd7qVv6yWVGdZDTfjPYATH4k3IK66IQNaY1UcfVnwC0TFtJ1CEbRNtFIZGpY1-1jHmaDRqn8vXtrCp1aN6whwgjITG6HfwM6w1FEzGdA8tPQtxRh-ByBX7zj0zf4D1JhOBRw8/s1600/DSC03738.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdjrOrKmd7qVv6yWVGdZDTfjPYATH4k3IK66IQNaY1UcfVnwC0TFtJ1CEbRNtFIZGpY1-1jHmaDRqn8vXtrCp1aN6whwgjITG6HfwM6w1FEzGdA8tPQtxRh-ByBX7zj0zf4D1JhOBRw8/s400/DSC03738.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1620 Work Wear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.1620usa.com/">1620 Work Wear</a> showed off their line of men's work clothing that's tough and durable as well as modern and good looking. Made in Haverhill using American-made technical fabrics and ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue and increase worker safety, these clothes are a combination of the features of outdoors gear and traditional work wear. The pants have an impressive number of pockets, double-knees, and a gusseted crotch for better range of motion. They're quick-drying and stain-resistant too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU9sx0x-gGr6uT_N7hdh1AwUZKZwHgx4JrYVH6i57H9hJthc9OK4O8c37K9sn0opC9pL4dYcFnBMofE8JsaqcTrKiLCqX94MNlEXa-CTt76N_m6a6zo6ceuADaWrTPgx3nuzotH1j1Y8/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU9sx0x-gGr6uT_N7hdh1AwUZKZwHgx4JrYVH6i57H9hJthc9OK4O8c37K9sn0opC9pL4dYcFnBMofE8JsaqcTrKiLCqX94MNlEXa-CTt76N_m6a6zo6ceuADaWrTPgx3nuzotH1j1Y8/s400/DSC03732.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://yusogood.com/">yuso</a> is an on-the-go snack inspired by onigiri, a popular Japanese snack. The combination of sushi-rice and a savory filling wrapped in nori comes in five different flavor profiles and is beautifully packaged. I tried the Moroccan Falafel flavor, which is made with chickpeas, cilantro, and a blend of spices. These delightful snacks are made in Amesbury -- right downriver from Haverhill.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RuI-KdS6VQjaxH0pON7HiyiUKgFs0E-pfVpZ8HmxLi41ooP_tPYumxysho2Fo0dDd5FGMEjQEmVNVlKiwGUkYPC1WmYunFUv4sx3xbBGlIQPghZHfUSLwZW3KMSED8ai3LjTLG04VIU/s1600/DSC03737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RuI-KdS6VQjaxH0pON7HiyiUKgFs0E-pfVpZ8HmxLi41ooP_tPYumxysho2Fo0dDd5FGMEjQEmVNVlKiwGUkYPC1WmYunFUv4sx3xbBGlIQPghZHfUSLwZW3KMSED8ai3LjTLG04VIU/s400/DSC03737.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Minute Turtle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://inventboston.com/turtletimer">Two Minute Turtle</a> is a timer designed to help children visualize where and how long to
brush their teeth. A blinking LED leads the child through the four parts of the mouth ending with brushing the tongue. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EUgJXW495pQ15d2kcE5czFMlFeKTIy7PFQ31DbahMu7WIXkDcAm5B9t2ghCvKk9AVasZxawgicrFejbuDGgCosgc8yGMHZlyZ0LgldtxAEYvBU4iC5I24VM5VwVBATpcN8NSz4OL25A/s1600/IMG_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EUgJXW495pQ15d2kcE5czFMlFeKTIy7PFQ31DbahMu7WIXkDcAm5B9t2ghCvKk9AVasZxawgicrFejbuDGgCosgc8yGMHZlyZ0LgldtxAEYvBU4iC5I24VM5VwVBATpcN8NSz4OL25A/s400/IMG_4679.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Audience Choice Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The audience choice winners were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://carealine.com/">CareAline PICC Sleeve and CVC Wrap - Grand Prize</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.drinkceo.com/">CEO Organic Energy Beverages</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nohmii.com/products/the-outskert">outskert from nohmii</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blackburnenergy.com/">Blackburn Energy</a></li>
</ul>
All extremely well deserved.<br />
<br />
As always, I like to end with an Expert Looking Expert. This time I asked Steve Tello, <span class="st">Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurhip and Economic Development at UMass Lowell, to pose for me looking expert and representing UMass Lowell's presence in Haverhill -- expertly linking great Merrimack Valley cities.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAXy3LvqHcR4rsiFQGhZWfCzDY_bDcUKOlWdbbd1noClpCqEDJj9vs4Q-0R5JyZbV_7ZxUu27myt-cI1Q_t7R3Lf96bTOe9ppuCZIFEIq5FVaXynqbr2vzswpW895kMtQagQ1gVvIujg/s1600/DSC03740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAXy3LvqHcR4rsiFQGhZWfCzDY_bDcUKOlWdbbd1noClpCqEDJj9vs4Q-0R5JyZbV_7ZxUu27myt-cI1Q_t7R3Lf96bTOe9ppuCZIFEIq5FVaXynqbr2vzswpW895kMtQagQ1gVvIujg/s400/DSC03740.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert: Steve Tello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-31761865546252514952017-12-13T22:25:00.001-05:002017-12-13T22:25:21.281-05:00Smooth and Well Balanced #MIN105 RecapWhoa! Mass Innovation Night on a Tuesday? Yup. Hosted at <a href="https://www.wework.com/buildings/mass-ave--boston--MA?&utm_campaign=774117961&utm_term=aud-343900546443:kwd-289304977562&utm_source=ads-google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI17ikhPSx1wIVhLjACh3KDg6WEAAYASAAEgL0xvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKGixIv5sdcCFY63yAod0hkO2g">WeWork Mass Ave</a> and sponsored by <a href="http://www.relativity-whiskey.com/">Relativity Whiskey</a>. The theme for the night was "smooth and well balanced". Relativity Whiskey set the tone with free tastings. Their table and the bar were extremely crowded so I'd say it was a big hit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM_rxl7W5kR7-_EEHiz6AgvA0O5nwPqFzTmJCQNF6H1kjJSH2udNF9vtHC3rN9DG6oHQaMhL_9nuZjeE7zCQml-K43wfJsU20wbg1G-v6QyRyZ3UYC1AhN_HltNZqpuTdgtt9rYo-0X8/s1600/relativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM_rxl7W5kR7-_EEHiz6AgvA0O5nwPqFzTmJCQNF6H1kjJSH2udNF9vtHC3rN9DG6oHQaMhL_9nuZjeE7zCQml-K43wfJsU20wbg1G-v6QyRyZ3UYC1AhN_HltNZqpuTdgtt9rYo-0X8/s400/relativity.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Checking Out Relativity Whiskey's Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The crowd was surprisingly big given the weather -- rain, fog from the melting snow, and the promise of icy roads later in the evening. There were so many people that it was difficult to get around from table to table. The products were definitely eclectic this time, ranging from CRM software to cashew milk. There's always something you never thought of before.<br />
<br />
The four chosen presenters were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://spiro.ai/">Spiro</a></li>
<li> <a href="https://passhub.net/">PassHub </a> </li>
<li> <a href="http://www.gopetie.com/">GoPetie</a></li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nutty-life.com/">nutty life</a></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntvZhP0hBeboOwr9I2va5eYPBp3LzFzlZd0oQN0uoQAHeXgayZadzEO5SaYCX0FOkiNPr06egMpTWG8Hfxjq304D-0OorlfcN_DVQUrkIpoM8g3hyClv-w0YglZ3kOcsks5a8aTR7eYE/s1600/DSC03636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntvZhP0hBeboOwr9I2va5eYPBp3LzFzlZd0oQN0uoQAHeXgayZadzEO5SaYCX0FOkiNPr06egMpTWG8Hfxjq304D-0OorlfcN_DVQUrkIpoM8g3hyClv-w0YglZ3kOcsks5a8aTR7eYE/s400/DSC03636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Spiro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://spiro.ai/">Spiro</a> is the CRM equivalent of a self-driving car. It uses AI technology to take a lot of the work out of sales. Spiro updates itself, reminds you who to call, automatically creates, updates and manages your pipeline, and even recommends which prospect you should
connect with next. From the demo, it seems pretty easy to use. Lately I've been hearing about and seeing more products that apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to CRM, so it seems these guys are onto a developing trend.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVsehfk_E47Uhvtv0SVMyJ0P5fuSFJ30IuV8pvl0GqvXnttj2Zvhk0HsKPD6wjNoubRSYstJ7FxPKNFykeETLs-nS6GPKGFHxVSRIhTRpE9oSrMrVA3f1E_tzCU7YwpHuiF5iFoUctFs/s1600/DSC03632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVsehfk_E47Uhvtv0SVMyJ0P5fuSFJ30IuV8pvl0GqvXnttj2Zvhk0HsKPD6wjNoubRSYstJ7FxPKNFykeETLs-nS6GPKGFHxVSRIhTRpE9oSrMrVA3f1E_tzCU7YwpHuiF5iFoUctFs/s400/DSC03632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure Chest -- Best Prop of MIN105</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everybody hates passwords, right? It's so tempting to use the same password for everything, or to write your password down on a Post-It note, or rely on a less than adequate password manager. So how do you protect your treasure chest?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NP3fUWjfLNThfqFEzF05m8xQwNPc9T_hyphenhyphenGa68Xtq8LPCprBExmpMJmdQEIn0OWm-YNGM9w3foJ-E0rn1RdnDDI8bwDlCL6P4hzz5n1jiJtEPzv0t48jpY3nLP8ISQlG6qlOw0XYvr9g/s1600/DSC03633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NP3fUWjfLNThfqFEzF05m8xQwNPc9T_hyphenhyphenGa68Xtq8LPCprBExmpMJmdQEIn0OWm-YNGM9w3foJ-E0rn1RdnDDI8bwDlCL6P4hzz5n1jiJtEPzv0t48jpY3nLP8ISQlG6qlOw0XYvr9g/s400/DSC03633.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PassHub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://passhub.net/">PassHub </a> is an easy-to-use password manager that provides a very high level of security with mobile authentication through the PassKey Lite app. No more relying on password
managers that perpetuate the vulnerability of passwords by relying on
one master password. PassHub provides strong multi factor authentication as well as client-side and end-to-end encryption and it's conveniently accessible any time on any Internet connected device.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwgt96ktuOQYqJixRNyaSMgPP1hPeqG_3l_3KcdhFvOqy5TGpZmG257iJJ9u-BTHP2Sw9grsjJfW0cTiSb8dd4k1CUsD8-36mNOSG2Q25RZlNJRuSwqU6gfxPmfkNk4wz2EAWQXQz-1Y/s1600/DSC03641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwgt96ktuOQYqJixRNyaSMgPP1hPeqG_3l_3KcdhFvOqy5TGpZmG257iJJ9u-BTHP2Sw9grsjJfW0cTiSb8dd4k1CUsD8-36mNOSG2Q25RZlNJRuSwqU6gfxPmfkNk4wz2EAWQXQz-1Y/s400/DSC03641.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoPetie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.gopetie.com/">GoPetie</a> was getting a lot of attention. Who can resist cute pets, right? Its platform connects pet owners to to each other and also to pet service providers. GoPetie is partnering with many cities and towns in Massachusetts to roll out their proprietary system for licensing pets so owners don't have to make the trek to city hall all the time. It's a whole social network around pets. You can schedule play dates, pet sitting, dog walking as well as report missing pets and find pets available for adoption. Although I can't imagine her Blue cat majesty enduring a play date, I think this is a pretty cool tool.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWDwEEZ4xwv8VxahxyHW2dMPBC3Ruh27kPwGU_o3U_nMkFpkdlj_8MVMWGcAn9EntG9IFc-1dZSi6PJdWqtPE3Z-hRnofEuNChueol0WxrPeUWlOdgtzK8-io61xs3rYw8j7Iw7Om8o/s1600/DSC03646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWDwEEZ4xwv8VxahxyHW2dMPBC3Ruh27kPwGU_o3U_nMkFpkdlj_8MVMWGcAn9EntG9IFc-1dZSi6PJdWqtPE3Z-hRnofEuNChueol0WxrPeUWlOdgtzK8-io61xs3rYw8j7Iw7Om8o/s400/DSC03646.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nutty life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cashew milk definitely fits into the "smooth and well balanced" theme. The <a href="http://www.nutty-life.com/">nutty life</a> cashew milk is
handcrafted, creamy and delicious, and contains way more nuts than the usual store-bought, mass-manufactured brands of nut milk. Each
bottle is made with organic cashews, organic dates, and sea
salt. And while the usual brands only contain about 2% nuts, nutty life contains 8-35% nuts, depending on the blend. No weird chemicals either! I tasted the happy sappy flavor, which contains maple water, organic dates, sea salt, and organic cashews. I absolutely loved it and gave nutty life my vote for audience choice. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAJ_btAzlP6qdS-UydHL9Qm9DZ3sQitlBV4fPOOkMtYkt9tbfKxT8OkTVsSeHmeac6coUXRdiInts7NlmEDh6o1zR-p6mqcw94dT651XLF-p7J1p8rvrnttF2s20OOARdJRFwzh79fOY/s1600/DSC03647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAJ_btAzlP6qdS-UydHL9Qm9DZ3sQitlBV4fPOOkMtYkt9tbfKxT8OkTVsSeHmeac6coUXRdiInts7NlmEDh6o1zR-p6mqcw94dT651XLF-p7J1p8rvrnttF2s20OOARdJRFwzh79fOY/s400/DSC03647.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crowd Assembling for the Presentations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxsFpaKqwu_UdwFQM54dgE7fF4-YSf-4kEc2xpTua2JCL5ykAWU1Vt_z5eUBXpBiLMEjbIoXFb-jymcNRjT1aU1kbNV1d5a8TIoPatBBwNUk-iU4HvSHnk9hQMI1gkCIi5MH6jCbEJSc/s1600/DSC03648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxsFpaKqwu_UdwFQM54dgE7fF4-YSf-4kEc2xpTua2JCL5ykAWU1Vt_z5eUBXpBiLMEjbIoXFb-jymcNRjT1aU1kbNV1d5a8TIoPatBBwNUk-iU4HvSHnk9hQMI1gkCIi5MH6jCbEJSc/s400/DSC03648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoPetie, Spiro, and nutty life Chatting before the Presentations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6kUf599JSg_I6ekRodP9Mat_Cs0z5r2epGf-PkLBOIU4yZef9nr5G5c2Kj24ChbepRnbGeAOIBNdgfK_V1Yv7Cc9KYE_S4cECR8IbXr4nwVW2OuyJakL8PL5fnY0iqzIlfzj2I-xcNs/s1600/savingsquest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1433" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6kUf599JSg_I6ekRodP9Mat_Cs0z5r2epGf-PkLBOIU4yZef9nr5G5c2Kj24ChbepRnbGeAOIBNdgfK_V1Yv7Cc9KYE_S4cECR8IbXr4nwVW2OuyJakL8PL5fnY0iqzIlfzj2I-xcNs/s400/savingsquest.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commonwealth SavingsQuest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I enjoyed chatting with Commonwealth about incentivizing people to save with gamification. Their <a href="https://buildcommonwealth.org/">SavingsQuest</a> product is a website and mobile app that encourages micro saving with badges, and challenges sort of along the lines of some of the fitness tracking apps.Their pilot test among Visa card holders showed that SavingsQuest users saved 25% more often than cardholders who did not have SavingsQuest. Sounds like a fun way to encourage savings.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUgrWy6GAXt3XdS0L6QvzhPZb2oCkCyRVBP_cipJbS-xtQkv1I1GGK-DDEB2Lu-K3vNBPgjdW3UA7kEI0_ZnHqxQj9DvuWNVMZpQFtOuO5ga4UaWw57gAvXJ8331rhEnr7NDGWX48RGI/s1600/DSC03625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUgrWy6GAXt3XdS0L6QvzhPZb2oCkCyRVBP_cipJbS-xtQkv1I1GGK-DDEB2Lu-K3vNBPgjdW3UA7kEI0_ZnHqxQj9DvuWNVMZpQFtOuO5ga4UaWw57gAvXJ8331rhEnr7NDGWX48RGI/s400/DSC03625.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savory Living</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.savoryliving.com/">Savory Living</a> provides a 10-week healthy eating lifestyle program to help you turn healthy eating into an enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle. It runs online, on-demand and is FSA and HSA eligible.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpmNgDojbwE6yrV88FsUmB_34jF7pSM90bM4JeSz3lSsZZ1_07dInM7AnL5Ln_z9gtW49bp0RRVkyCTzINUSCJLLME76sZ1bOUMnmmHnVs_6Ell6Mxf6K4AvLVzmNXMdVkgC5pFTrvxc/s1600/DSC03622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpmNgDojbwE6yrV88FsUmB_34jF7pSM90bM4JeSz3lSsZZ1_07dInM7AnL5Ln_z9gtW49bp0RRVkyCTzINUSCJLLME76sZ1bOUMnmmHnVs_6Ell6Mxf6K4AvLVzmNXMdVkgC5pFTrvxc/s400/DSC03622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JobGator -- Best Costume of MIN105</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.jobgator.io/">Jobgator</a> is machine learning based software that tailors and evaluates resumes to increase candidates' chances of being found and interviewed by recruiters. They had the best T-shirts of the teams that had matching shirts, so I hereby award them Best Costume of MIN105. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB9w_l0tKZ2L1qFAi6iPZOSYlGCQgX3xOjeZbwVazBEGOboBjXCxq4Rhdg3EDR5kstnCte98wUV7jf1zjQTNNqEMfHtw3FkmT3n4E07i0tkx01qLeLbL8-pi-CehGbImrNOjNGoAy_38/s1600/DSC03640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB9w_l0tKZ2L1qFAi6iPZOSYlGCQgX3xOjeZbwVazBEGOboBjXCxq4Rhdg3EDR5kstnCte98wUV7jf1zjQTNNqEMfHtw3FkmT3n4E07i0tkx01qLeLbL8-pi-CehGbImrNOjNGoAy_38/s400/DSC03640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reina Valentina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I enjoyed talking with <a href="http://www.shopreinav.com/">Reina Valentina</a> and I loved the clothes they had on display. Reina Valentina is an online boutique that sells modest chic clothing for the professional woman. The clothing combines modesty and contemporary style for a professional and empowering look. They source from female designers and they give a portion of the proceeds to the Hunger Project, so they're socially conscious all around. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHB2PV33WuR-6l3zLdrEdgVaMGYJ3jY1XzgsDcZBdoZI0InrOXhBeVR1kMPm8JWNn4CEJgOwqUOZuB_DXvyN7twK_2iYfMHXRScZV46YFQhBfW7C-lGVOlLZK8a2Hg7H-Rwuy4xsQIhI/s1600/DSC03639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHB2PV33WuR-6l3zLdrEdgVaMGYJ3jY1XzgsDcZBdoZI0InrOXhBeVR1kMPm8JWNn4CEJgOwqUOZuB_DXvyN7twK_2iYfMHXRScZV46YFQhBfW7C-lGVOlLZK8a2Hg7H-Rwuy4xsQIhI/s400/DSC03639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Reina Valentina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPzEqQsF-qmRGoaJc9gop5YuktJKI6LjX45fa1260Z3HRRRorQ85vV0EZhgJOYr5gOo5ho2EbSBs9jRRykN4t47wmPR2vgInh7JwwFeTMtGjPnjHxUqw1W4eJSd4QVj5bRexOcXmvhc/s1600/DSC03638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTPzEqQsF-qmRGoaJc9gop5YuktJKI6LjX45fa1260Z3HRRRorQ85vV0EZhgJOYr5gOo5ho2EbSBs9jRRykN4t47wmPR2vgInh7JwwFeTMtGjPnjHxUqw1W4eJSd4QVj5bRexOcXmvhc/s400/DSC03638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modest Chic Fashion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't manage to get a photo of the folks from <a href="https://wasabi.com/">Wasabi</a>, a cloud-based object storage service that's cheaper and faster than AWS.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sheswanderful.com/">Wanderful</a>
was so popular that I couldn't get close enough for a decent photo,but I did hear enough to understand why it was so popular. It's an identity-verified homesharing network by and for
women, kind of a "sisterhood of women travelers meets Airbnb." It sounds like a great way to connect with a place where you don't know anybody yet and be confident and safe doing it. I was not surprised they were among the prize winners.<br />
<br />
The Audience Choice prize winners were:<br />
<ul>
<li>GoPetie- Grand Prize</li>
<li>nutty life</li>
<li>Wanderful</li>
<li>SavingsQuest</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovRESoLrZsCYz8rzc13084JeikpHfX0Jo1_1eCpEpJAQbF7M1s_-Xc4nCXCp2-wQucTmdm-EqZeGXoE2j2SJ4GwZx5C9hVbpgKZuXkIVCQ35MOf7x7DNvDhrLGZ9P2OOQBEO5JnVxb4/s1600/DSC03670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ovRESoLrZsCYz8rzc13084JeikpHfX0Jo1_1eCpEpJAQbF7M1s_-Xc4nCXCp2-wQucTmdm-EqZeGXoE2j2SJ4GwZx5C9hVbpgKZuXkIVCQ35MOf7x7DNvDhrLGZ9P2OOQBEO5JnVxb4/s400/DSC03670.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prize Winners Getting Ready to Pose for a Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And finally, this month's Expert Looking Expert is Tom Dodge expertly explaining the whiskey-making process in his new role as brand ambassador for Relativity Whiskey.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx71tMc3-etXNMY37IO3fnuxbVi3XKO0PBDlBE3O8ydUn-oHErVo4121cjmFKYqgj2_SY_SulzN3J3nJ0KmWCmcHsrcKO6GeLyFGpaNNDbyjh7fw-0n443QjtxnQY-97j01LRHE0vdDII/s1600/tom+dodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx71tMc3-etXNMY37IO3fnuxbVi3XKO0PBDlBE3O8ydUn-oHErVo4121cjmFKYqgj2_SY_SulzN3J3nJ0KmWCmcHsrcKO6GeLyFGpaNNDbyjh7fw-0n443QjtxnQY-97j01LRHE0vdDII/s640/tom+dodge.jpg" width="457" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-41946278627868410892017-11-16T21:50:00.001-05:002017-11-17T09:12:56.897-05:00Recapping #MIN104 -- Very Cool StuffInnovators from all over the Boston area converged on Waltham for November's Mass Innovation Nights event, #MIN104, at <a href="https://www.3ds.com/">Dassault Systemes/SOLIDWORKS</a>.There was a good crowd and a good crop of new software and hardware products for us to check out. There were tours of Dassault's <a href="https://3dexperiencelab.3ds.com/en/projects/fablab/3dexperiencer-boston-fablab">3DExperience</a> with demos of robots and 3D printers. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNJOdxCMHSreZH-GuAOPalFeZzADCY-nl2GtE8ZhzQqLJKYiZSVfW6zSdFov2baleoHoU_nuzliFE8kew_LkHiylfcgukrVl825KXc1nmJESTp9ezJqyzknG3Lx4NQhOILYVyhacYazc/s1600/DSC03458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNJOdxCMHSreZH-GuAOPalFeZzADCY-nl2GtE8ZhzQqLJKYiZSVfW6zSdFov2baleoHoU_nuzliFE8kew_LkHiylfcgukrVl825KXc1nmJESTp9ezJqyzknG3Lx4NQhOILYVyhacYazc/s400/DSC03458.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Checking Out the Tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once again the variety of products was impressive, ranging from a wind turbine to a lab on a chip to a smart lamp and more. Some tables were drawing big crowds right from the start. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the crowd surrounding Obvia's table. It's nice to see so many people excited about a new and efficient turbine blade design. The table was seriously mobbed. I couldn't get close enough to totally figure out the concept. Check out <a href="http://mass.innovationnights.com/products/obvia-wind-turbine">their video</a> for a good explanation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rc5ArUUava39NU90_74OcTlMnmIe0YoPftlLqj4W0z7McsUfHO4udtptUjJMomaEtUg_IoK9qmNbtooIS_RXHEj38jH7GfEyCyguSyjm8Our5OdInrsgf37O-6p2Of2F4_GziXATBlA/s1600/DSC03459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rc5ArUUava39NU90_74OcTlMnmIe0YoPftlLqj4W0z7McsUfHO4udtptUjJMomaEtUg_IoK9qmNbtooIS_RXHEj38jH7GfEyCyguSyjm8Our5OdInrsgf37O-6p2Of2F4_GziXATBlA/s400/DSC03459.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.obvia.biz/">Obvia</a>'s Wind Turbine Blade was Popular</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was great to see <a href="https://www.vocoli.com/">Vocoli</a> again. Veterans of <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2015/06/another-blockbuster-mass-innovation.html">MIN75</a>, <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2014/05/mass-innovation-night-recap-min62.html">MIN62</a> and <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2014/06/first-ever-pioneer-valley-innovation.html">PINSMASS001</a>,
the platform keeps getting better and the need for a good employee feedback system just keeps growing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbejuJSVaUhjx6WqLiwZK99u1_FPcggBUJhCQpZXbZMiq1oN8nCXZ6X9etYk0h3Milo1dl5a7s03IqbH4JZAud0Slx3lUB_MLNAX2KxbcPQLdvGmTSBsgzev8QdRf8r6XJiTJMW5Na8WE/s1600/DSC03460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbejuJSVaUhjx6WqLiwZK99u1_FPcggBUJhCQpZXbZMiq1oN8nCXZ6X9etYk0h3Milo1dl5a7s03IqbH4JZAud0Slx3lUB_MLNAX2KxbcPQLdvGmTSBsgzev8QdRf8r6XJiTJMW5Na8WE/s400/DSC03460.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vocoli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four presenters chosen for the evening by online voting ahead of the event were:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.kaiburr.com/">Kaiburr</a> DevOps as a service.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fluidscreen.com/">Fluid-Screen</a> Lab-on-a-chip bacterial sorter</li>
<li><a href="http://www.peopleproductive.com/">PeopleProductive</a> Human capital management software that helps you empower employees</li>
<li><a href="http://www.magnifact.com/">MoodAnalyzer</a> Real-time multi-source sentiment analysis</li>
</ul>
Kaiburr's table was also very popular. The buzz word description for it is "DevOps as a service". Basically it's software for what's called application orchestration. Orchestration refers to the automated arrangement, coordination, and management of computer services (hope I understood that right). Kaiburr automates application deployment across components like infrastructure, network, and security as well as coordination across all your data centers. The idea is to reduce the time it takes to set up and migrate applications. (Didn't manage to get a decent photo of their table or presentation - sigh.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJoP2_WnA08pWxXOI-drnbPIQk4RLSNKnU8vuWdEEkT3D8gINyDXHOggkgvQ6s2nv2BflfPSkoDrWwU0tcNWmgYSAimNpV765eHVeJSGrDzpNm1oJfnYLPrkpG0dMqWARB6SxYxwfS8U/s1600/DSC03501.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJoP2_WnA08pWxXOI-drnbPIQk4RLSNKnU8vuWdEEkT3D8gINyDXHOggkgvQ6s2nv2BflfPSkoDrWwU0tcNWmgYSAimNpV765eHVeJSGrDzpNm1oJfnYLPrkpG0dMqWARB6SxYxwfS8U/s400/DSC03501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting Fluid-Screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.fluidscreen.com/">Fluid-Screen</a> was by far my favorite product of MIN104 and I was not at all surprised that it won grand prize in the audience favorite voting. Imagine how many outbreaks of illness caused by bacterial contamination could be nipped in the bud with a system that speeds up lab testing so you can identify the contaminant within 30 minutes -- no growing a culture in Petri dish and waiting days for results. Real-time bacteria capture and identification is beyond cool. Fluid-Screen uses the electrical properties of bacteria to sort and identify bacteria in a lab-on-a-chip. Very cool. The presentation included a real time demo. Really most sincerely cool. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeQa8_xWdYBCMsBcgey6kC64oTdzS8XuBP4WZPwsh7ZZ7aHeaA2NQm9pyxctANeccVwfWFlucclXxuPhj7_JXAiD8VXBSOFdPRAYAZai7h-6UYnL3piHXuL3CLE7LiQCZSqU3csFdVGs/s1600/DSC03461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeQa8_xWdYBCMsBcgey6kC64oTdzS8XuBP4WZPwsh7ZZ7aHeaA2NQm9pyxctANeccVwfWFlucclXxuPhj7_JXAiD8VXBSOFdPRAYAZai7h-6UYnL3piHXuL3CLE7LiQCZSqU3csFdVGs/s400/DSC03461.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluid-Screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I met Christina at <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/10/women-entrepreneurs-night-at-min103.html">MIN103</a> last month as she was checking out what a MIN event would be like and after chatting with her I'd been looking forward to hearing about her product, so was happy to see PeopleProductive won one of the chosen presenters' slots for MIN104! <a href="http://www.peopleproductive.com/">PeopleProductive</a> is a software platform that aims to reduce employee turnover, empower employees, and improve organizational culture. It uses
a systematic data analytics approach along with a holistic approach to assess company culture and implement change. This definitely seems like a more coherent approach to managing human resources. Oh, and she gave me a nifty flashlight for tweeting about PeopleProductive. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSUO-JoLksBAOdu8AmDJAtptFIe4q3xi3vHpN4SjvYWRI40p9JaHXQp5H4W6W02YpjeeCKXT8lVFPSqyH4cJUwVGKs51aIviE9n-erAoPYEsqcqNFVm6OhvJS0niHKLH4W75Y6Vbrqls/s1600/DSC03480.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSUO-JoLksBAOdu8AmDJAtptFIe4q3xi3vHpN4SjvYWRI40p9JaHXQp5H4W6W02YpjeeCKXT8lVFPSqyH4cJUwVGKs51aIviE9n-erAoPYEsqcqNFVm6OhvJS0niHKLH4W75Y6Vbrqls/s400/DSC03480.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina Describing PeopleProductive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
MoodAnalyzer from <a href="http://magnifact.com/index.html">MagniFact</a> uses predictive analytics and custom algorithms to provide customer sentiment information in real time based on the language used by customers. The cool part of it is how it uses natural language processing to analyze social media, email, and other sources of customer data and turn the data into information that you can act on. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9d3S3gLiJhc-nUszdHnessntUQ_FN1iVFQZRqxot313ky982IDrj6kKRf2W2fYg25gvvgoujg_D7f_ThNQB_bpETKe4F1BYux8prVTz4hf9oQxykAlg725ekLIKY48CyS407cByrr78/s1600/DSC03468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9d3S3gLiJhc-nUszdHnessntUQ_FN1iVFQZRqxot313ky982IDrj6kKRf2W2fYg25gvvgoujg_D7f_ThNQB_bpETKe4F1BYux8prVTz4hf9oQxykAlg725ekLIKY48CyS407cByrr78/s400/DSC03468.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MoodAnalyzer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.coalesce.info/">Coalesce</a> is an artificial intelligence search engine that uses machine learning to improve research and decision making for businesses. It has loads of potential for improving customer service, investment research, work flow automation, and all kinds of business processes. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn5ZnGAxl9p82cGDhjXMQLx9NU6-E4pO0OM8SPb9G-XtJmmPWgLJ9s8pa1_5ImFlcbA-vapPjfYEfsqwkiFgZxDiMPCxar7Phd6cUPdStytHzdE8LivODy0gtCp59sBT8OmSNx8lK1Vs/s1600/DSC03462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn5ZnGAxl9p82cGDhjXMQLx9NU6-E4pO0OM8SPb9G-XtJmmPWgLJ9s8pa1_5ImFlcbA-vapPjfYEfsqwkiFgZxDiMPCxar7Phd6cUPdStytHzdE8LivODy0gtCp59sBT8OmSNx8lK1Vs/s400/DSC03462.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coalesce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://e-green.us/">Beacon Smart Lamp</a> from E-Green lets you adjust the brightness and direction of the light from your smartphone or a remote control. I think I want one.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEy_uygTVIT-2e9dcQ9rRuqRj4JmW9tDqrPsXJFPHi2uRGcljWkPrgJW2jU-64eftVCQWP3CDxUaOEKHvCnNnBBw8Y22eohd-gWaI6zl19p0XBNzb0u099bvHTC9wHmtE0lsMy7J-O05E/s1600/DSC03470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEy_uygTVIT-2e9dcQ9rRuqRj4JmW9tDqrPsXJFPHi2uRGcljWkPrgJW2jU-64eftVCQWP3CDxUaOEKHvCnNnBBw8Y22eohd-gWaI6zl19p0XBNzb0u099bvHTC9wHmtE0lsMy7J-O05E/s400/DSC03470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Describing Smart Lamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.makerchip.com/">Makerchip</a> is an online environment for developing integrated circuits. You can code, compile, simulate, and debug Verilog designs from your browser. Check out their website for more description.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ziYWKCWWEE557OY4QYGKADAPGanRV44FhUXdha7YFottkvOJ0kQ9eHz7gsoiCJWp0tE0h54pY8Xnc8ZQIXr7-yBnoP1fx94nkbzH1jMj9J-bpnZkJ1aOB5oOxfTQeSzeScZFGbL7aHg/s1600/DSC03463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ziYWKCWWEE557OY4QYGKADAPGanRV44FhUXdha7YFottkvOJ0kQ9eHz7gsoiCJWp0tE0h54pY8Xnc8ZQIXr7-yBnoP1fx94nkbzH1jMj9J-bpnZkJ1aOB5oOxfTQeSzeScZFGbL7aHg/s400/DSC03463.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makerchip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.iseebell.com/">iseeBell</a> Video Doorbell lets you see, hear and speak with visitors at your door from your smartphone or tablet anywhere. Do you ever wish your doorbell had a wide-angle camera and could communicate with you over Wi-Fi? I never thought about it until I saw iseeBell, but now I'm thinking about it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7xohHcnQfpOf5VeDHRmwtyTD_lJQ5Dm5k0gsVFiSd_zV7hgt60wCt0yR2vFMkLJM1QKNYcsy2tuOZ7UkDInzdYh2fqud5t1IVkXjpCBHch4myWOBn5-W7xbsLStPfEOrQwO700gNcK8/s1600/DSC03466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7xohHcnQfpOf5VeDHRmwtyTD_lJQ5Dm5k0gsVFiSd_zV7hgt60wCt0yR2vFMkLJM1QKNYcsy2tuOZ7UkDInzdYh2fqud5t1IVkXjpCBHch4myWOBn5-W7xbsLStPfEOrQwO700gNcK8/s400/DSC03466.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iseeBell </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Audience Choice prize packages went to:
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fluidscreen.com/">Fluid-Screen</a> - Grand Prize</li>
<li><a href="http://www.obvia.biz/">Obvia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vocoli.com/">Vocoli</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kaiburr.com/">Kaiburr</a></li>
</ul>
None of those surprised me based on the traffic around the tables. Congrats to the winners, who received prizes provided by WeWork and Dassault.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP10aLOx6L0d6FHdfI0rBzBJW9iqradv_3WMk-bbnD1F3AzYDj3YlyftJ3xbA8zRs6Y4K0T4pGEOtTfv90YIdtpYhrVl4Jk9QT0znFBwFa8dGGRwhH3WFisb8gk09R0BDEj8osEmMTnA/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP10aLOx6L0d6FHdfI0rBzBJW9iqradv_3WMk-bbnD1F3AzYDj3YlyftJ3xbA8zRs6Y4K0T4pGEOtTfv90YIdtpYhrVl4Jk9QT0znFBwFa8dGGRwhH3WFisb8gk09R0BDEj8osEmMTnA/s400/DSC03513.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This MIN exhibitor cohort didn't feature many teams with matching T-shirts, so I'm not designating a Best Costume this month. The Expert Corner was busy as usual and I'll close with the traditional Expert Looking Expert photo. Jeff Schantz from <a href="https://www.eypae.com/">EYP</a> is expert in so many things that I can't help but feature him as the Expert Looking Expert. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRu-qSRCZyUbBQvxV17oUf6IRrX8w6qlC2KK8jo7Gk4_fDUGQWisTSY-kRd5bqjk7ivuFxEIeT0hSSSVb1RSPs4mFizAQ4LkM7SgM9Z2woyQdR2j3MkKj6_Xg_w0OSSnVWYMjCkqNhCI/s1600/DSC03485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRu-qSRCZyUbBQvxV17oUf6IRrX8w6qlC2KK8jo7Gk4_fDUGQWisTSY-kRd5bqjk7ivuFxEIeT0hSSSVb1RSPs4mFizAQ4LkM7SgM9Z2woyQdR2j3MkKj6_Xg_w0OSSnVWYMjCkqNhCI/s400/DSC03485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-35631084415328071882017-11-16T18:13:00.000-05:002017-11-16T18:13:09.488-05:00November, EforAll Summit, and Mid-Size CitiesNovember seems to be going by faster than ever this year. I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since the EforAll Summit. The summit is one of my favorite events of the year. It brings together entrepreneurs, city leaders, people who run entrepreneurship programs, and academics to share insights on how to foster economic development and social impact in mid-size cities and regions like our beloved Merrimack Valley. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WBpcAUv5ZZ7oaLdvciiQtTeyDqvDrS9n7U07Fo0fuhlIWFaSjkrVynwYMsKDLPiVvh_Il6JqX-siVnRett5u2vV_LzGgXNw_hMFM5YCequM9oFyflQWL1ioFDMYLD2yHAUnAdpPiyEY/s1600/fredericton+panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WBpcAUv5ZZ7oaLdvciiQtTeyDqvDrS9n7U07Fo0fuhlIWFaSjkrVynwYMsKDLPiVvh_Il6JqX-siVnRett5u2vV_LzGgXNw_hMFM5YCequM9oFyflQWL1ioFDMYLD2yHAUnAdpPiyEY/s400/fredericton+panel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Keynote: Fredericton Entrepreneurship Ecosystem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ever since the first summit, where I learned so much from the attendees
from Atlantic Canada, I particularly look forward to hearing from them
again, especially the Fredericton delegation. Hence I was particularly excited for this year's first keynote: <i>Deconstructing Fredericton's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem</i>. It definitely did not disappoint. All three speakers, Desh Deshpande, Gerry Pond, and Mike O'Brien shared insights that really resonated. My key takeaways were: the importance of a focus on collaboration, how municipal government can jump start things by putting the infrastructure in place, and that cultural change starts from the bottom up. I took a ton of notes, so there may be another blog post lurking in there somewhere. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwaagfF-WTRBJu_07Js3k6NnAj4BlvFrR7anME5DF3JjxVbs7szBgJfeEAOMp6VPLad0lkVRLXZ-kO4kCeCfuFGuojMxC0szBE3SsYspJpbaGr7qgtE58dfYGwoA7LvIxqpghtLSra1E/s1600/janin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwaagfF-WTRBJu_07Js3k6NnAj4BlvFrR7anME5DF3JjxVbs7szBgJfeEAOMp6VPLad0lkVRLXZ-kO4kCeCfuFGuojMxC0szBE3SsYspJpbaGr7qgtE58dfYGwoA7LvIxqpghtLSra1E/s400/janin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janin Duran - EparaTodos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It's sometimes tough to choose among the panel sessions, but <i>Nurturing Inclusivity</i> called out to me. Ji Mi Choi from the University of Arizona facilitated the session. Panelists were: Joanna Ramirez Barret from <a href="https://meda.net/">Meda</a> (Minneapolis), Janin Duran from <a href="https://eparatodos.org/">EforAll/EparaTodos</a> (Lawrence), Marco Perez from <a href="https://launchchattanooga.org/">LAUNCH Chattanooga</a>, and Anuradha Yadav from <a href="http://www.lab584.org/">Fairmount Innovation Lab</a> (Boston).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5QcPE76LUXSIJ8kePCWCLWiRBEB_JEyY2-G9vpE3VrWvlxao3TRDWd1MRHF3NWrW8I7-oJZRToXT8U72qh78ZQSEl64RnLNhP3n1CD30Jmw8LM_kJB1fq0IRpWnGsz6ALHzC51aDSm0/s1600/inclusivity+topics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5QcPE76LUXSIJ8kePCWCLWiRBEB_JEyY2-G9vpE3VrWvlxao3TRDWd1MRHF3NWrW8I7-oJZRToXT8U72qh78ZQSEl64RnLNhP3n1CD30Jmw8LM_kJB1fq0IRpWnGsz6ALHzC51aDSm0/s400/inclusivity+topics.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inclusivity Topics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The questions/topics ranged from the definition of inclusion to how to reach specific audiences. I have to say that this is the first time I have ever heard anyone bring up disabilities when talking about inclusion. That discussion didn't get far, but it was great to hear somebody bring up the fact that people with disabilities can and do start businesses. Hmm, maybe that's a topic for a future workshop or panel. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNt8WlweaA_pyrI1zjWjfFzARltS7TI81p4ujSVoRkvDbS1KtInDMhkRjZdpEPiSuTSiJ3xGLyWAEpJKseqNkNWrAzbWgYp1pnPFoMjrNMNse83AQfpFb2eXnQAuDBjEf_yMp2DavpFg/s1600/facilitator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNt8WlweaA_pyrI1zjWjfFzARltS7TI81p4ujSVoRkvDbS1KtInDMhkRjZdpEPiSuTSiJ3xGLyWAEpJKseqNkNWrAzbWgYp1pnPFoMjrNMNse83AQfpFb2eXnQAuDBjEf_yMp2DavpFg/s400/facilitator.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ji Mi Choi Facilitating the Inclusivity Panel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My biggest takeaway from the inclusivity session was something Ji Mi Choi brought up about how important it is to audit your marketing methods/content and your image when presenting an event or program so that you will attract the people you're trying to reach. Who is the face of the event? A pitch contest where all the judges are white males might not attract a broad diverse audience. (Interestingly, David Parker told a story that reinforced this point later in the day at the <i>Program Models</i> panel.) What networks are you promoting it on? You need to find out where to connect to your intended audience. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iQ2t-snsMeeCxr1-MgdjttJCXdQlmWtdhutWGrOcS-9MgXkgdnCPoNNmw2ChBKUMwCkPbJL7AQoOwiCKK-RlmdEzZt2r4KEpW6HtJi0uU33hMyK99Fv8Cmcw17oAqYBb24eAZdZ0JEc/s1600/DSC03430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iQ2t-snsMeeCxr1-MgdjttJCXdQlmWtdhutWGrOcS-9MgXkgdnCPoNNmw2ChBKUMwCkPbJL7AQoOwiCKK-RlmdEzZt2r4KEpW6HtJi0uU33hMyK99Fv8Cmcw17oAqYBb24eAZdZ0JEc/s400/DSC03430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowd Listening to David Introducing Keynoter Yancey Strickler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The absolute highlight of the entire event was <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/yancey">Yancey Strickler's</a> keynote at midday. Yancey is one of the founders of Kickstarter. The idea behind Kickstarter was to help bring creative projects to life. Out of that he's managed to start an important conversation, in the tech world and the entrepreneurship world in general, about how companies
can stick to their ideals, resist conformity, and contribute to the
public good. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRmEWci2bORlKVtB4uKGReu3rsM-v6ZHpkcggJVSa1QzHH_nqLIkQID6bwsFry4moipN50Rl_sUhlhBtpKMB3MHR2pNWneV3T0zBAGFBm5HihjyRVSzSDhXsZ7-bv2tVJqHPhNV8PmFM/s1600/yancey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRmEWci2bORlKVtB4uKGReu3rsM-v6ZHpkcggJVSa1QzHH_nqLIkQID6bwsFry4moipN50Rl_sUhlhBtpKMB3MHR2pNWneV3T0zBAGFBm5HihjyRVSzSDhXsZ7-bv2tVJqHPhNV8PmFM/s400/yancey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yancey Strickler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the story of Kickstarter to the dangers of the mono-culture and the definition of success, Yancey got everybody fired up. The word "inspiring" doesn't even begin to cover it. <br />Let's all resist letting the media (social, mainstream, lamestream, or whatever) define what we're supposed to do and be in the name of success. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm5zi_L4QzwnE7tpC3UcpqMvPBYQhiqWkFmJdnjXq2a4Cc_3aOWcEYctS5_limkB9YgQguRmTN2aPaABQL1BCiYzymVnQZz26AesuIwdKrCFc07W96PwZNht3e72PIu9-ek7sv_ISZIg/s1600/DSC03439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm5zi_L4QzwnE7tpC3UcpqMvPBYQhiqWkFmJdnjXq2a4Cc_3aOWcEYctS5_limkB9YgQguRmTN2aPaABQL1BCiYzymVnQZz26AesuIwdKrCFc07W96PwZNht3e72PIu9-ek7sv_ISZIg/s400/DSC03439.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KickStarter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFci1ZHqavccrRTbYgu1s1iJ79pMZzxdFrmx3Cf6C2tJXAzLx2v-otO0ojcAioDSgqUXphG-W0M6vuRaHmKUVbn_8pLsbUVNEsE_WWBsMK1rbr7tRoop6-PdMRbcK__sNbUmYWLh5aCA/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFci1ZHqavccrRTbYgu1s1iJ79pMZzxdFrmx3Cf6C2tJXAzLx2v-otO0ojcAioDSgqUXphG-W0M6vuRaHmKUVbn_8pLsbUVNEsE_WWBsMK1rbr7tRoop6-PdMRbcK__sNbUmYWLh5aCA/s400/DSC03445.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Judging by the number of people who needed selfies with Yancey after his talk, I'd say he was far and away the star of the summit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9PQ0PX5zId81fklecV8_XRL_fJUt-J5ZHa7EmyzRFwpDWMS8TSa_KO-gcJJP5rkEYu2EOWHpVlA6SdR2ORXwk2GpjaobFZd_j-XTeMZBwP_RQSe0D0ZFmJXUwJg4zO-jRHxrCdOgqoY/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9PQ0PX5zId81fklecV8_XRL_fJUt-J5ZHa7EmyzRFwpDWMS8TSa_KO-gcJJP5rkEYu2EOWHpVlA6SdR2ORXwk2GpjaobFZd_j-XTeMZBwP_RQSe0D0ZFmJXUwJg4zO-jRHxrCdOgqoY/s400/DSC03448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Ready to Start Panel on ROI of Inclusive Entrepreneurship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of defining success, the next panel I attended was <i>The ROI of Inclusive Entrepreneurship</i>. Theresa Park from the City of Lawrence facilitated the session. Panelists were Steve Grossman from <a href="http://icic.org/">ICIC</a> (Boston), Marcos Marrero from the City of Holyoke, Allison Moronta from <a href="http://www.massgcc.com/">Mass Growth Capital Corp.</a> (Boston), and Tessa Murphy-Romboletti from <a href="https://sparkholyoke.com/english">SPARK</a> (Holyoke). Again, I took a ton of notes, way more than I can summarize here. There are multiple ways to measure ROI on the investment in inclusive entrepreneurship -- everything from number of jobs created to how we're creating change. My key takeaways were 1) you need data that you can compare with other organizations in the same space, 2) at a small scale it's hard to get statistically significant data
and you have to point to the businesses themselves with anecdotes of
success to show the return, and 3) you need to know what type of data the funders are looking for.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEgGUtotLcld_JUbY1UNT17aQ2uubaw1nNrabYz9PNErU8e30Sl_BaixAySw-R4y_e9k9ECKgyL0ddfYtgbKZuKSHRHqwrK_eFtt17bsEWAg6n1Ao9EXoq_qYO8FB-doXoxmlZve-gwU/s1600/DSC03450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEgGUtotLcld_JUbY1UNT17aQ2uubaw1nNrabYz9PNErU8e30Sl_BaixAySw-R4y_e9k9ECKgyL0ddfYtgbKZuKSHRHqwrK_eFtt17bsEWAg6n1Ao9EXoq_qYO8FB-doXoxmlZve-gwU/s400/DSC03450.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Program Models Panel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next panel I went to dove-tailed nicely with the one from the morning session. The title was <i>Program Models that Can Work in Your City</i> and it featured panelists from several different kinds of entrepreneurship programs, from incubators and accelerators to co-working spaces. David Parker facilitated the session and told a great story about the first pitch contest that EforAll put on in Lawrence. Basically, the event did not reach the target audience. His solution was to ask people from his target audience for suggestions and finding advertising pathways to reach the local community. This reinforced what I heard in the first panel of the day. Panelists were Hal Bowling from <a href="https://launchchattanooga.org/">LAUNCH Chattanooga</a>, Devin Cole from <a href="https://workbar.com/">Workbar</a> (Boston), Enoch Elwell from <a href="https://costarters.co/">CO.STARTERS </a> (Chattanooga), and Trish Fleming from <a href="https://nsiv.org/">North Shore InnoVentures </a> (Beverly). My key takeaway from this one was that for all these different types of programs, the common thread is making sure your outreach is in sync with the community and being intentional about it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOU54VoqtPOKERpaWt6LV2pkW3VWZeIGXy9T1TaoL21hxL2Bo9tuJ9kTaBEY08ebEHwy3vzeoo6mSrB6NxVf4rThvFfUWYIkvwZrBZ5c91Fa8KvB940dNMLX-GenUg8b6KPlz5kzdsCGo/s400/DSC03451.JPG" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WORKINGURL Keynote</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As if the summit couldn't get any more inspiring, the final keynote featured a graduate of EforAll South Coast's accelerator program, Victoria Hall, founder of <a href="https://www.workingurlco.com/">WORKINGURL</a> bags. <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2016/07/wow-innovative-innovations-at-min88.html">I met Victoria last year at Mass Innovation Nights #MIN88 event</a>. I enjoyed hearing how her business has grown since then and how she handles the challenges of entrepreneurship. Annie Jean-Baptiste from Google interviewed Victoria and did a great job of facilitating the audience questions too. It was a great way to end the day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXXuBzB597oI7clV9RVPP5keN-y-0eY35Mc2spxaz6Vq7zHnhe4OWbIdhLG0zf0KVt86bFWkuF3lXPf0g2Zdm0PFsQrMPM3ATDn8tJbeUTOgfYOJhgegdwyKc7VRxf5Gy3XVc129xK9U/s1600/DSC03457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXXuBzB597oI7clV9RVPP5keN-y-0eY35Mc2spxaz6Vq7zHnhe4OWbIdhLG0zf0KVt86bFWkuF3lXPf0g2Zdm0PFsQrMPM3ATDn8tJbeUTOgfYOJhgegdwyKc7VRxf5Gy3XVc129xK9U/s400/DSC03457.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrepreneur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I came away from the summit feeling more optimistic about society, entrepreneurship, the economy, and the future of mid-size cities than I've felt in ages. If I wrote down every single insight I had that day, this blog post would be way longer than it already is. All I can say is there is hope for a positive, inclusive, entrepreneurial future in my favorite cities (Lowell and Lawrence) and beyond.<br />
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-41714806207631096842017-10-20T23:26:00.001-04:002017-10-20T23:26:22.625-04:00Women Entrepreneurs Night at #MIN103 Recap<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYzxopzNJayMkjNT3bCj1mGyYqxklomZInanA1qIpx_Wosy57mMBaLgaeziOdQhgA4dsxicn4qGgx_8qX4MkpZHyViIEiM6VjUZ3sZQcSgzD_sW1Igebm1mK1TRgZNqvwVz2y5Nj7pvE/s1600/DSC03377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYzxopzNJayMkjNT3bCj1mGyYqxklomZInanA1qIpx_Wosy57mMBaLgaeziOdQhgA4dsxicn4qGgx_8qX4MkpZHyViIEiM6VjUZ3sZQcSgzD_sW1Igebm1mK1TRgZNqvwVz2y5Nj7pvE/s400/DSC03377.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WeWork South Station -- Our Hosts for #MIN103</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This month's Mass Innovation Night focused on women founders and was once again the kick-off event for <a href="https://www.boston.gov/economic-development/women-entrepreneurs-boston">WEBos Week</a>. Our host for the night, WeWork South Station, a coworking space had a bit of a -- dare I say it?-- hipster vibe. The decor in the networking areas and common spaces was mad cute as my poetry slam buddies would call it. Besides the cool venue, we also had a cool surprise<br />
special guest, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister, in Boston for WEBos Week gave the opening remarks. Even cooler, she told us the entire Belfast city council is made up of women. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH5aaJunrmeQgh52l1sQSSTYlYuTRqQ6wNnaLIJN1L4q9r9XthPnf2SlZZ_7yC37WeyCgjwrjUa7WzBOTOs2z-Dab9YnjiF4V4nrMeykrMPzwnpvrFJ8yJQ4_qH2p5uzVFKAxdAJxDFY/s1600/DSC03387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH5aaJunrmeQgh52l1sQSSTYlYuTRqQ6wNnaLIJN1L4q9r9XthPnf2SlZZ_7yC37WeyCgjwrjUa7WzBOTOs2z-Dab9YnjiF4V4nrMeykrMPzwnpvrFJ8yJQ4_qH2p5uzVFKAxdAJxDFY/s400/DSC03387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hip Decor at WeWork</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The event was spread out over several floors, with the product showcase on floors 2,3, and 4 organized by theme. The three floor themes were Assistive Technologies, Apps, and Lifestyle & Fashion. The presentations took place on the 8th floor and the Experts Corner was on that floor too. Getting to all the exhibitors was like a combination of a scavenger hunt and trick or treat. We each got a map at the check-in desk and set off in search of entrepreneurs. Each product had a room to itself. Some of the rooms were quite cozy. It was a bit of a challenge to photograph all the product teams in close quarters. Somehow, I did manage to find all of the products and make it to the 8th floor in time for the presentations.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MdDHzqsWsKYZwm_1fa8PNy6O4ji29ea-fc-DseiazVoD2C97CpJx3EL2R30h1ogHsQo3hvJG49gG6mUNz-UJNbmT4RmpRhH9IeECuQ0HBQclgWSyAaqGbvbS0ArEvcGA9gEvefq4Dt4/s1600/DSC03392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MdDHzqsWsKYZwm_1fa8PNy6O4ji29ea-fc-DseiazVoD2C97CpJx3EL2R30h1ogHsQo3hvJG49gG6mUNz-UJNbmT4RmpRhH9IeECuQ0HBQclgWSyAaqGbvbS0ArEvcGA9gEvefq4Dt4/s400/DSC03392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Interesting Decor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The four chosen presenters were:<br />
<a href="https://www.invisawear.com/">invisaWear</a><br />
<a href="http://will-it.com/home">will-it</a><br />
<a href="https://coeofitness.squarespace.com/">Coeo Fitness</a><br />
<a href="https://www.friendlyu.com/">FriendlyU</a><br />
<br />
The audience choice prize winners were:<br />
<a href="http://www.aste.io/">Aste</a><br />
<a href="https://owntheboardroom.com/">Own the Boardroom</a><br />
<a href="https://www.invisawear.com/">invisaWear</a><br />
<a href="https://www.helloallset.com/">All Set</a> - Grand Prize Winner<br />
<br />
My scavenger hunt started floor 2 and I worked my way up. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.puffinsip.com/">Puffin</a>, a Mass Challenge Finalist, is working on an assistive technology device that adapts to the user, instead of the other way around. Their aim is to provide the same level of access to computers and mobile devices that most folks take for granted to people with significant disabilities. They want to see how far they can go towards making interfaces that not only adapt to the user's needs, but also to advance user abilities by furthering opportunities. It was fun talking to these women co-founders.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc-LYWi4KRdYk3GX4z3VdsloEFcFa6zLuS3m9zIyNGxDJWmiBgfM_osEYgl-j9fdFyacVVFhVUWUjekHYeXLuvmzKVIg8ASL_iUQSZosDJSUR-Q6mV2-WiTlrifmIo0YJXk1fJb1daYw/s1600/DSC03378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc-LYWi4KRdYk3GX4z3VdsloEFcFa6zLuS3m9zIyNGxDJWmiBgfM_osEYgl-j9fdFyacVVFhVUWUjekHYeXLuvmzKVIg8ASL_iUQSZosDJSUR-Q6mV2-WiTlrifmIo0YJXk1fJb1daYw/s400/DSC03378.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Puffin -- Founder Adriana Mallozi (R) and Co-Founder Shana Penna (L)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I remembered <a href="http://will-it.com/home">will-it</a> from last month's <a href="http://eganwriter.blogspot.com/2017/09/recapping-min102-cool-fintech.html">MIN102 Fintech</a> Their collaborative estate planning tool is the perfect solution to cataloguing those sentimental items -- and their stories -- so you make sure your "stuff" goes to the folks you want to have it and who want it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vwP4mFKVM0_TID44cUjRAbJOo7OjgEtcbMmSo_8_WG7TntDxocFidGSrpWdAhreGHg038LrgTf9ClFIfPByq7Nv7Sr9AdD0CZV9O8TJ5X4lghYo2Q3DYczPKwueMW0PrzW0nChjQ_3k/s1600/DSC03379.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vwP4mFKVM0_TID44cUjRAbJOo7OjgEtcbMmSo_8_WG7TntDxocFidGSrpWdAhreGHg038LrgTf9ClFIfPByq7Nv7Sr9AdD0CZV9O8TJ5X4lghYo2Q3DYczPKwueMW0PrzW0nChjQ_3k/s400/DSC03379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Will-It</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://owntheboardroom.com/">Own the Board Room</a> bills itself as a professional closet. They offer men's suits and women's professional dress+blazer outfits for rent to wear to interviews. With clothes from Own the Board Room you can make a great first impression without having to buy an expensive outfit that you probably won't need once you're hired. They ship within the continental US, and all outfits arrive ready to wear. Simply wear the outfit to the interview and send it back in the same packaging. The return label and dry cleaning between rentals is included.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2wbKPiPHkqGwtAuMST5MdBtVQ2wFS-Ymj-E2_glfmfbYMPfzAZpnI5F3_J0edjunqbJaesJlLJtp06BvsyiOf7oqMVTp0Hvpe0OpSXibbONYlpJ4eRavWLBUrAOtoOfFnFs0N2uJaVk/s1600/DSC03386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2wbKPiPHkqGwtAuMST5MdBtVQ2wFS-Ymj-E2_glfmfbYMPfzAZpnI5F3_J0edjunqbJaesJlLJtp06BvsyiOf7oqMVTp0Hvpe0OpSXibbONYlpJ4eRavWLBUrAOtoOfFnFs0N2uJaVk/s400/DSC03386.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Own the Boardroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.friendlyu.com/">FriendlyU</a> is a mobile app for high school students to find out more about the colleges they are considering. It allows you to connect to colleges and their students for information and advice to help determine the right fit academically, socially and emotionally.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBhz6Ibdc78JNwyGGQKEn60AB7vBCYng1sl5J4sN8Z2owBwu-43K04FkIZ6kTIzI9OACUxTCZUTTrQbI7utY8QapTZckiA-C6z95gYVBZ9j7yNQPjXndzMfWo-pw9N4n6C3wJ_AhMMKk/s1600/DSC03391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBhz6Ibdc78JNwyGGQKEn60AB7vBCYng1sl5J4sN8Z2owBwu-43K04FkIZ6kTIzI9OACUxTCZUTTrQbI7utY8QapTZckiA-C6z95gYVBZ9j7yNQPjXndzMfWo-pw9N4n6C3wJ_AhMMKk/s400/DSC03391.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry from FriendlyU</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.helloallset.com/">AllSet</a> connects you with the local house cleaners that your neighbors already use and trust. The All Set platform is available both on their website and as a mobile app and handles every step of the housecleaning process, from choosing your professional house cleaner through scheduling and paying them. And because the team had matching orange T-shirts that matched their orange tablecloth, I hereby declare them winners of Best Costume for MIN103. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdDuIUbUjhGX5tYjpJb2nqtwNZ6mzI8I2rKWZTeBNpvvfwpjhhI_6Lp6h4fZQKSpvJrdrfrSBXkoygRMj-NvnFdI3c2EdATMS19Nj_mjea7gEGX2WcjEO2mJOpqYf9gxizccfxQcdvA0/s1600/DSC03389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdDuIUbUjhGX5tYjpJb2nqtwNZ6mzI8I2rKWZTeBNpvvfwpjhhI_6Lp6h4fZQKSpvJrdrfrSBXkoygRMj-NvnFdI3c2EdATMS19Nj_mjea7gEGX2WcjEO2mJOpqYf9gxizccfxQcdvA0/s400/DSC03389.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AllSet -- Best Costume of MIN103</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://simonesimon.fr/">Simone Simon</a> designs and produces stylish women's clothing at the cutting edge of technology and fashion. Their bold black and white patterns were attracting quite a crowd at MIN103. Their use of 3D CAD software to visualize and test patterns before actually cutting fabric eliminates waste. The virtual fashion animations also lets them visualize and refine the pattern, the cut, and the thickness of the dress for any body type. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFzRnGrBEilP8JjBiauoW1jAkynfpsZJ1nToPThZnvLppqDG7VG0uQegdoLJ84COfVQmVqsRtp0jYy4Hptyap3X1nDZNlPqORgelAy9zV1MD5758b7ooAZ-gO8NPfR5oWhz-j3tPlngs/s1600/DSC03384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFzRnGrBEilP8JjBiauoW1jAkynfpsZJ1nToPThZnvLppqDG7VG0uQegdoLJ84COfVQmVqsRtp0jYy4Hptyap3X1nDZNlPqORgelAy9zV1MD5758b7ooAZ-gO8NPfR5oWhz-j3tPlngs/s400/DSC03384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simone Simon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://coeofitness.squarespace.com/">Coeo Fitness</a> connects fitness instructors, clients, and studios to create a streamlined and integrated fitness experience. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9RiZJ7tC4CbA0WPpXR6ve3EG9Yvy8PI8uZFYTpkwC3hl_ntwJi4J5JK2-WEtvcWggePeqKgIraUGOlmdyvPuqLsuXBqrjhSqB1SRfOl8pVYqekdkFaXV9z9Z9tpD0x_Fn_xC2C6kOm4/s1600/DSC03398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9RiZJ7tC4CbA0WPpXR6ve3EG9Yvy8PI8uZFYTpkwC3hl_ntwJi4J5JK2-WEtvcWggePeqKgIraUGOlmdyvPuqLsuXBqrjhSqB1SRfOl8pVYqekdkFaXV9z9Z9tpD0x_Fn_xC2C6kOm4/s400/DSC03398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coeo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ6wnmBtSwsAUvGeyv17O-xqAdNTn3UsUaUztVDbmNc_OY9hYH0gwq_b7Jo9PtGbEp7WTo9Uw3HiigSctT5r_gHa6VDAwfk2QVJKmcr-NsZNoftMv53OdFaJY83GhQahNsSSURpEoc-I/s1600/DSC03396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ6wnmBtSwsAUvGeyv17O-xqAdNTn3UsUaUztVDbmNc_OY9hYH0gwq_b7Jo9PtGbEp7WTo9Uw3HiigSctT5r_gHa6VDAwfk2QVJKmcr-NsZNoftMv53OdFaJY83GhQahNsSSURpEoc-I/s400/DSC03396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coeo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.invisawear.com/">invisaWear</a> got my audience choice vote. It's always great to catch up with Rajia and Ray to see the progress they've made with invisaWear. Ever since I first met them at an <a href="https://eforall.org/">EforAll</a> event about a year ago, I've been impressed with the idea of smart jewelry that enables the wearer to contact police and/or family and friends in an emergency. Being equipped to get help quickly in a life-threatening emergency is simple, discreet, and stylish. Seriously, check out their website for information on when the devices will go on sale.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsVBpn729D-Ws48teD6RsLDiOr1Lq6JEVWr5A0D2Xck9By6oKtc1KIGb18RXAt3GuYJn23vK0crm5mK4aUNkLj-yVmRdKugTc4p_gvimRvhiCOQFyD5Ua6R1QiiI70sHZVs7wVc9aUb8/s1600/DSC03382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsVBpn729D-Ws48teD6RsLDiOr1Lq6JEVWr5A0D2Xck9By6oKtc1KIGb18RXAt3GuYJn23vK0crm5mK4aUNkLj-yVmRdKugTc4p_gvimRvhiCOQFyD5Ua6R1QiiI70sHZVs7wVc9aUb8/s400/DSC03382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rajia Answering Questions about InvisaWear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.aste.io/">Aste</a> describes itself as
"a full service team of digital investigators leading the fight against
online dating fraud to keep you safe in your search for love." That says it all. Aste does the online background check on your online date so you can feel safer. Aste's table was very popular and I am not surprised that they won an audience choice award.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL9KqSg5XUTcNeO01d6q70N_u48sUlZmiww9vt148ptemc5Fyl0i49svWojMUzbjHq2uzqMT9g0WjdvY8Jy4jvT_2fBRZLwusi19EyrAlvQg2YQ_YAquXvIwdixghUJCKC3Tc6VoFVxI/s1600/DSC03385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL9KqSg5XUTcNeO01d6q70N_u48sUlZmiww9vt148ptemc5Fyl0i49svWojMUzbjHq2uzqMT9g0WjdvY8Jy4jvT_2fBRZLwusi19EyrAlvQg2YQ_YAquXvIwdixghUJCKC3Tc6VoFVxI/s400/DSC03385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.oze.guru/">Oze</a> is a mobile app -- kind of a complete data-driven business advisor in your phone -- that provides African small business owners with the data they need to make decisions. It collects, aggregates, and analyzes financial data and makes recommendations for growing the business. Their passion is enabling small local businesses in emerging markets to grow with technology. Hence the initial focus on Africa.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA81oOcNrCvOFdSpI2yo4w1UaaX11-D6jjoMyq0C9UNhSyGzGqFMsu7jeUz1dmIfnZ616pkNiIn2cwhkKicfLRU7zms-CBIiZve1T71mN9s-2-UEccNNx6vhhkK3qJ6OEw9jEaB3dcCc/s1600/DSC03394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA81oOcNrCvOFdSpI2yo4w1UaaX11-D6jjoMyq0C9UNhSyGzGqFMsu7jeUz1dmIfnZ616pkNiIn2cwhkKicfLRU7zms-CBIiZve1T71mN9s-2-UEccNNx6vhhkK3qJ6OEw9jEaB3dcCc/s400/DSC03394.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwgbTP0Cd6o47DWUuLgyYAl6TAyACYqIdj1JLsO-uR_FTMvezxd19zzQ5iIk2Ut9gLSvvT7OrZqNubE7OD0c_WHzj1QS3TJuyASlVHt0y0GkFevxgMrL3EYgeeyEL0VIaMCAFyQA07kU/s1600/DSC03393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwgbTP0Cd6o47DWUuLgyYAl6TAyACYqIdj1JLsO-uR_FTMvezxd19zzQ5iIk2Ut9gLSvvT7OrZqNubE7OD0c_WHzj1QS3TJuyASlVHt0y0GkFevxgMrL3EYgeeyEL0VIaMCAFyQA07kU/s400/DSC03393.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.veripad.co/">Veripad</a> uses a combination of a mobile app and a paper card that carries several chemical tests to identify counterfeit medications. It's a really clever system to screen for falsified medicines. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yxTJSKJwXivnJeu1hiyipu-L_f1NFcdZK8IyC4GDTdn7kWKoBwbDQSPVlVXVsmP_7ZpW1dOhO0vWyGZV1Jfy9BwcPPgNYlVMC_8_gAzIF7jo_Pg6T8JWr15TAa-4kOB3KfyvCvHTU5A/s1600/DSC03395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yxTJSKJwXivnJeu1hiyipu-L_f1NFcdZK8IyC4GDTdn7kWKoBwbDQSPVlVXVsmP_7ZpW1dOhO0vWyGZV1Jfy9BwcPPgNYlVMC_8_gAzIF7jo_Pg6T8JWr15TAa-4kOB3KfyvCvHTU5A/s400/DSC03395.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veripad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was an amazing night with a packed house. I didn't get much chance to talk to the experts this month, but I'll close with an Expert Looking Expert photo of the one expert I did talk to from <a href="http://www.masstlc.org/">MassTLC</a>. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaQQgcr4Vb-UrilMEWEllT62_Ouaz5ojM0mPl8ppWbYY6JydBFOxYCVkQV1sQZCNA3bSyZldSd7quhHpX8y3_UbnxILBHbLu4bY86Gtk4IY35VmuA0zhuAqdR4E6sygsKdKX3mo7cDI0/s1600/DSC03404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaQQgcr4Vb-UrilMEWEllT62_Ouaz5ojM0mPl8ppWbYY6JydBFOxYCVkQV1sQZCNA3bSyZldSd7quhHpX8y3_UbnxILBHbLu4bY86Gtk4IY35VmuA0zhuAqdR4E6sygsKdKX3mo7cDI0/s400/DSC03404.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expert Looking Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next Mass Innovation Nights event is <a href="http://mass.innovationnights.com/events/mass-innovation-nights-104">MIN104</a> at Dassault Systemes in Waltham on November 8. I've heard there will be robots and 3D printers to check out in addition to all the innovative products that will be showcasing.Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128878149180251337.post-85819265646884374632017-10-19T23:39:00.001-04:002017-10-19T23:39:47.855-04:00Recap -- EforAll Lowell Lawrence All Ideas Pitch Contest Last week's EforAll All Ideas Pitch Contest (Thursday, October 12) was a collaboration between <a href="https://eforall.org/ma/lowell-lawrence/">EforAll Lowell Lawrence</a> and <a href="http://www.cmaalowell.org/wp/">CMAA</a> held at Glory Buddhist Temple in Lowell. It was a unique event as it was EforAll's first ever outdoor pitch contest and first ever pitch contest at a temple. The number of entrepreneurs showcasing their ventures at tables was small, so there was no "table favorite" voting this time. Everyone got to pitch. And, as advertised, it really was all ideas. The variety of ideas was impressive.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgobgDPX91RDVyhzYMqDfOFx0IqlTTFj6xOm7hsao3TvGj32K7Db1jIHEj9fzpqr-h-1E6eoCoKR9DZyCH0_RshSCcsDslp2ct3HuR2UR875RHiAlIBCYmxswF1eqyu-mwB6RqXAW0CI/s1600/DSC03346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgobgDPX91RDVyhzYMqDfOFx0IqlTTFj6xOm7hsao3TvGj32K7Db1jIHEj9fzpqr-h-1E6eoCoKR9DZyCH0_RshSCcsDslp2ct3HuR2UR875RHiAlIBCYmxswF1eqyu-mwB6RqXAW0CI/s400/DSC03346.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sovanna Pouv Welcoming Us on Behalf of CMAA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cool autumn weather suddenly arrived in Lowell, but that wasn't going to stop either the participants or the audience. A large group of students from Middlesex Community College was in attendance, making for an attentive and engaged crowd. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKG7d09OmvAcAMWpe6X2xGetuApZsTPEVlkc3IgxVZgWK3ij7pRb61o30prMafWpwCkG5rmXZD8twJOzDfm_fefQvJq3TMZq2_u5g93nMbanMQRp6lE2ywRazyFUZOFv855Ag-zGFtvg/s1600/DSC03348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKG7d09OmvAcAMWpe6X2xGetuApZsTPEVlkc3IgxVZgWK3ij7pRb61o30prMafWpwCkG5rmXZD8twJOzDfm_fefQvJq3TMZq2_u5g93nMbanMQRp6lE2ywRazyFUZOFv855Ag-zGFtvg/s400/DSC03348.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EforAll's Joey Banh Explaining the Rules for the Pitch Contest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the first presenter to the last, the pitches were interesting and worth hearing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUnUmU22PXKKXKc6QwqIfTF4x7gar6DARg9DXKdtKWzDvd0zIGR0qPot_13XMxXANq3qb_db0qviHpqaW4ZhnGBNeWUbHAnTqjEXkSMZEAZiv87WeTOrit1-Pr_lcRyt4RGyqbc3behw/s1600/DSC03351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUnUmU22PXKKXKc6QwqIfTF4x7gar6DARg9DXKdtKWzDvd0zIGR0qPot_13XMxXANq3qb_db0qviHpqaW4ZhnGBNeWUbHAnTqjEXkSMZEAZiv87WeTOrit1-Pr_lcRyt4RGyqbc3behw/s400/DSC03351.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewell by BC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jewell by BC aims to reduce textile waste and keep customers looking good for events and occasions with a boutique that will buy,
exchange, and rent high end cocktail dresses, evening gowns, Khmer
traditional dresses and accessories. Instead of buying a fancy outfit for one-time use and then stuffing it in a closet or throwing it away, Jewell by BC offers customers a buy, sell, rent approach. The audience loved this idea and Jewell by BC won the fan favorite voting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQZTyVVPxWkhslg4Zwell58lc53UJfjFh1HW6hyphenhyphenBudzWKsEeLw0r0PLRYFe0Ucov0dx9-6LsOJCNBPoCNTUOybuRNmakEE-afnJ48LmTJj3Q3-2lyVHXDo71fK8uCzjCGul__hCiSmKY/s1600/DSC03352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQZTyVVPxWkhslg4Zwell58lc53UJfjFh1HW6hyphenhyphenBudzWKsEeLw0r0PLRYFe0Ucov0dx9-6LsOJCNBPoCNTUOybuRNmakEE-afnJ48LmTJj3Q3-2lyVHXDo71fK8uCzjCGul__hCiSmKY/s400/DSC03352.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reduce Textile Waste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowell Organics pitched an indoor vertical farm growing organic lettuce, basil, and microgreens in unused industrial space in Lowell. This reminded me of <a href="http://lowell.farm/">Lowell Lettuce</a>, which started last year and uses the <a href="https://www.freightfarms.com/">Freight Farms</a> system. Hydroponic urban farming is the in thing lately, so I expect to see more of these types of pitches.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5GkvqQxgAqFsj8UfO-ilW8efpcnb33qLuXiBG-0EDtHtD39IgeaGIhILYzT1Odcnv1mtKoExUtk4qGmbIxJEahfWhl9-XB3PpaGlWDSFKAbB1yz-llMkLVRRPVzIF8tRY9cUOTm7yW0/s1600/DSC03353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5GkvqQxgAqFsj8UfO-ilW8efpcnb33qLuXiBG-0EDtHtD39IgeaGIhILYzT1Odcnv1mtKoExUtk4qGmbIxJEahfWhl9-XB3PpaGlWDSFKAbB1yz-llMkLVRRPVzIF8tRY9cUOTm7yW0/s400/DSC03353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowell Organics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nom Nom Banchok pitched serving a traditional Cambodian noodle dish, Nom Banchok, at farmer's markets, bringing together the current "eat local" movement and a dish with a long history. The noodles are traditionally served in a green curry fish soup with seasonal greens, sprouts, and blossoms. Founder Eden Chorm mentioned that she had not encountered this dish at any of the Khmer restaurants in Lowell. It sounded tasty, and many of us were curious about it. I think if she'd had some soup with her, we all would have tried it -- especially as the night got colder -- but alas she didn't have samples.<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Introduce the oldest cuisine of Cambodia to contemporary gourmand via the locavore movement by vending traditional Khmer noodle dish: Nom Banchok--an alternative meal with a long history. It is served in green or red curry fish soup with fresh, local in-season greens, sprouts, and blossoms."}"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzZmCBqT8vKuGYbq7XkdSuGFWzEJv7Or2dnZEUlGhzQkfDxTuyenUwqoMhA5KZTCdmxWlQnBszMNku5tA3lGzTYBNpyvZKiPMn-FCCG0YZSPddtDVq__Ob6asIFxbf6kEr8X2zKDGXVU/s1600/DSC03354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzZmCBqT8vKuGYbq7XkdSuGFWzEJv7Or2dnZEUlGhzQkfDxTuyenUwqoMhA5KZTCdmxWlQnBszMNku5tA3lGzTYBNpyvZKiPMn-FCCG0YZSPddtDVq__Ob6asIFxbf6kEr8X2zKDGXVU/s400/DSC03354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nom Nom Banchok Answering Judge's Questions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.homegrowntoursmvi.com/">Homegrown Tours</a> pitched Wheelchair Accessible Tours of Martha's Vineyard as an addition to her established tour business. Her approach made lots of sense and her business plan was clearly well-thought-through. I was not at all surprised when Wheelchair Accessible Tours won first prize.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRL4recF-lLyXQsakgYXm5aFp26lzaBNy3qksv6aXE1OmF5L2as0NVNuDJaFDDo180WrwfIcts1L1VjJki6cRxrnKysXvxfWUbNKGzOnZHyxdNAcPY8coYe98WfyZOTWWmwZlwVGU27I/s1600/tours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRL4recF-lLyXQsakgYXm5aFp26lzaBNy3qksv6aXE1OmF5L2as0NVNuDJaFDDo180WrwfIcts1L1VjJki6cRxrnKysXvxfWUbNKGzOnZHyxdNAcPY8coYe98WfyZOTWWmwZlwVGU27I/s400/tours.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homegrown Tours -- Wheelchair Accessible Tours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My absolute favorite idea was Mobile Entertainment Theater's plan <span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"To convert a box truck into a mobile stage and bring theater and cultural events to cites that have no brick and mortar theaters of their own. I will travel with my own theater companies’ shows as well as rent it out. "}">to
convert a box truck into a mobile stage that would bring theater and cultural
events to places that don't have brick and mortar theaters of their own. It would host a traveling theater company and also be available for rental to other performing artists.The plan seemed complete and well thought out, and the idea just seemed flat out cool. MET got my vote for fan favorite. I guess the judges liked it too, because it won second prize.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMxPz0pUDZ6JXBRgtcq7wzj7eU84470iaZSLBGKP75sH6TiORUfwWt9q7HThEVIzCbHAv6uv6IeBJx0rRg-wPke0R5Tk4a0KGBCssll7CjhSDus968sy66Cgo0IvVo0Pcn6D44tfZJUE/s1600/DSC03362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMxPz0pUDZ6JXBRgtcq7wzj7eU84470iaZSLBGKP75sH6TiORUfwWt9q7HThEVIzCbHAv6uv6IeBJx0rRg-wPke0R5Tk4a0KGBCssll7CjhSDus968sy66Cgo0IvVo0Pcn6D44tfZJUE/s400/DSC03362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mobile Entertainment Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.kenkobars.com/">Kenko</a> Protein Bars identified a need for<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kenko is a start up protein bar business. The bars are NUT free and Egg free with a minimum of 18 grams of protein per bar. This is uniquely differentiated as most protein bars either contain nuts or are made on equipment that share nuts. Each bar contains only seven ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives."}"> protein bars that are nut-free and egg-free. For people with nut allergies it can be hard to find a protein-filled snack to fuel up for that after school soccer game. Most </span><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kenko is a start up protein bar business. The bars are NUT free and Egg free with a minimum of 18 grams of protein per bar. This is uniquely differentiated as most protein bars either contain nuts or are made on equipment that share nuts. Each bar contains only seven ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives."}">protein bars on the market today </span><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kenko is a start up protein bar business. The bars are NUT free and Egg free with a minimum of 18 grams of protein per bar. This is uniquely differentiated as most protein bars either contain nuts or are made on equipment that share nuts. Each bar contains only seven ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives."}">either contain nuts or are made on
equipment that comes in contact with nuts.</span><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kenko is a start up protein bar business. The bars are NUT free and Egg free with a minimum of 18 grams of protein per bar. This is uniquely differentiated as most protein bars either contain nuts or are made on equipment that share nuts. Each bar contains only seven ingredients with no added sugars or preservatives."}"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrRPumrjriQjhzXf96Qfu-4uh6ZjzQ5yxiNyi5KEEw8xK6n6nGMKWqZVy1gjsu-09DHbXySeCSneXllgjH3cSE4fQcL_Xyv_HJRFYW47VKQCLcXsREyy0HRc8r4qzLueKgfaqZVGpWno/s1600/DSC03365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrRPumrjriQjhzXf96Qfu-4uh6ZjzQ5yxiNyi5KEEw8xK6n6nGMKWqZVy1gjsu-09DHbXySeCSneXllgjH3cSE4fQcL_Xyv_HJRFYW47VKQCLcXsREyy0HRc8r4qzLueKgfaqZVGpWno/s400/DSC03365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenko Protein Bars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each bar contains 18 grams of protein and has no added sugar or preservatives. Sounds like a good idea.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDFZK7qFSaZPpH6k3V9WVl3_RpD9iKig-g-S6kkhpatGf59Ow_1Rs53RtumGtefYXUukvc7EBHqo77uL_aqi1gtwS1p1MV1uxY7SIBua_KBYpiswn-tkH5oRCXpkzyF4-zGWjmUmZlvA/s1600/DSC03366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDFZK7qFSaZPpH6k3V9WVl3_RpD9iKig-g-S6kkhpatGf59Ow_1Rs53RtumGtefYXUukvc7EBHqo77uL_aqi1gtwS1p1MV1uxY7SIBua_KBYpiswn-tkH5oRCXpkzyF4-zGWjmUmZlvA/s400/DSC03366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenko Protein Bars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://realtodo.com/">REALToDo</a> is <span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Develop a technology platform to deliver software-as-a-service products, starting with a real estate focused customer relationship manager (CRM). REALToDo is an easy-to-use, cloud-based CRM that can help agents keep track of their properties, their clients, and their schedules."}">a customer relationship management </span>(CRM) software-as-a-service tool for real estate agents. It's <span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Develop a technology platform to deliver software-as-a-service products, starting with a real estate focused customer relationship manager (CRM). REALToDo is an easy-to-use, cloud-based CRM that can help agents keep track of their properties, their clients, and their schedules."}">an easy-to-use, cloud-based CRM system that helps agents keep
track of their properties, clients, and schedules. A simple tool for real estate pros seems particularly timely given today's real estate market. Third prize was well-deserved.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDed26Mn4cEyGk4Mx2Dx7L-DBMqK6rLIyyh_ZRUdBTviS-BLQ25HumLnDGszM9QzB3xx82AEa2QZZrkmz1EG1A0Sz87QKyZjvGbjymG_7LwEKmlUo7jug_HD_GA6CkQME4jqEO8YfdgU/s1600/DSC03367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDed26Mn4cEyGk4Mx2Dx7L-DBMqK6rLIyyh_ZRUdBTviS-BLQ25HumLnDGszM9QzB3xx82AEa2QZZrkmz1EG1A0Sz87QKyZjvGbjymG_7LwEKmlUo7jug_HD_GA6CkQME4jqEO8YfdgU/s400/DSC03367.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REALToDo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One last pitch that impressed me was <a href="https://www.secondchanceusa.com/">Second Chance USA</a>. They had already won previously so weren't eligible for prizes, but got to pitch because there was room on the schedule. Second Chance USA<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":513,"3":[null,0],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"We train the incarcerated for middle skilled job openings so that they have a steady income upon release. Through our partnerships with companies, we are able to guarantee employment once they are released.Our model will be able to successfully reintegrate returning citizens back into society, create a more efficient use of government resources, and reduce the middle skills gap in our economy. "}">
trains the incarcerated for middle skilled job openings and partners with
companies that need those skills to guarantee employment for people once they are
released. Talk about addressing two problems at once!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpL2m1jp3UZTRpcf8i1m3IlvdTWltJptSAjNjPFCzocPVDchhSjcHlgjZAD2MbaJEH08l0QAUdXTNo4ZSQVEoKKe9b6afLbCr-1HMbW6oJlwgKWWq55hnf2x6_T2KSpkmyzeOxJsJfFA/s1600/DSC03369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpL2m1jp3UZTRpcf8i1m3IlvdTWltJptSAjNjPFCzocPVDchhSjcHlgjZAD2MbaJEH08l0QAUdXTNo4ZSQVEoKKe9b6afLbCr-1HMbW6oJlwgKWWq55hnf2x6_T2KSpkmyzeOxJsJfFA/s400/DSC03369.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Chance Mission Statement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNPJV1GblaHkU538aD39JWVlTtvB4IerlRl2c6iZN1WAx4D4poFZad4YLKuSWfTFe2yActSyMiWnR6Mij4b1TQNIOxOgxt9TAaykhCJAgHyKG-C5CtZ4u4vUTl3pT9iiSHpoVg25JrB8/s1600/DSC03368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNPJV1GblaHkU538aD39JWVlTtvB4IerlRl2c6iZN1WAx4D4poFZad4YLKuSWfTFe2yActSyMiWnR6Mij4b1TQNIOxOgxt9TAaykhCJAgHyKG-C5CtZ4u4vUTl3pT9iiSHpoVg25JrB8/s400/DSC03368.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the Case for Second Chance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The winners and the judges posed for photos with the giant checks and most people took off for warmer quarters as it had gotten really most sincerely cold. Quite a night.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9kZ-15m101jZNw4lpKLUbzRbKBxg_NNp-iYhCjR6OdFCPqwE0o25dWFXTmH-rzZA8-2yL2mdgopjYN42_A_woSjQeyZ7p1kBk67HIhCHA4o9r1FlLh9vl8_1imvBTD7Y3E2s8XcgCts/s1600/DSC03372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9kZ-15m101jZNw4lpKLUbzRbKBxg_NNp-iYhCjR6OdFCPqwE0o25dWFXTmH-rzZA8-2yL2mdgopjYN42_A_woSjQeyZ7p1kBk67HIhCHA4o9r1FlLh9vl8_1imvBTD7Y3E2s8XcgCts/s400/DSC03372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Prize Winner Wheelchair Accessible Tours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Janet Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13837822838260529649noreply@blogger.com0