Tech Startup Mecca at TechCrunch50

by Nathaniel Whittemore · 2009-09-14 10:30:00 UTC
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TechCrunch50 is a platform from which inventive young tech startups launch in hopes of big investments and big buzz. Hosted by leading web2.0 blog TechCrunch, the two day conference is not only about panels full of field luminaries, but is a chance for fifty companies to pitch to the biggest audience of their lives. While the companies participating are all for-profit tech companies, a number have the potential for social impact.

The fifty companies are presenting organized by theme. Each theme session has a panel of experts who react and provide commentary about the companies. The sessions include everything from "Youth and Games" to "New Frontiers." While the companies are only being revealed as the sessions launch, the first session "Youth and Games" demonstrates the social overlap.

I just caught the presentation for ToonsTunes. The program is a virtual world where kids ages 6-14 learn to create and share music. While I was skeptical at first, it actually looks like a ton of fun, and in a world where music education programs are constantly threatened, this could actually help people discover their creativity.

While I can't attend the event itself, the whole thing is streaming online. This is immensely cool, particularly for other startups, who get to see not only peers pitch, but who get the benefit of seeing experts interact with the companies and give them advice. For example, when ToonsTunes suggested it was looking for a $15 million valuation, the venture capitalists in the room balked and suggested that they talk with folks like Disney, Activision, and other major companies in the space vs. venture investors.

Over the course of the next couple days, I'll keep this blog updated with the social side of the tech innovators presenting.

(Photo: Magerleagues)

Nathaniel Whittemore is the founder of Assetmap. Previously he was the founding director of the Northwestern University Center for Global Engagement.
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