Joel Douglas, P.E. , Patent Agent’s Post

This summer heralds the launch of a groundbreaking venture, the C.E.O. CoLab - Cultivating Entrepreneurial Outcomes, a transformative youth-led project aimed at revolutionizing youth entrepreneurship in Long Beach. The C.E.O. CoLab incubator program doesn’t just teach business; it instills a mindset to conquer the challenges ahead. We stand as a testament to the belief that, within our vibrant city, lies a rich breeding ground for the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. We're breaking down barriers to ensure this empowering space is accessible to all youth aged 14-24, equipping them with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to transform their bold ideas into successful businesses. More than just a workspace, C.E.O. CoLab is your summer gateway to a supportive community and network. We’re not merely growing entrepreneurs; we’re nurturing leaders who will become the bedrock of our communities. With wellness practices and collective empowerment at its core, the C.E.O. CoLab is where new paths are forged, and progress speaks in actions.

📢 #StLouis is part of the largest pitch competition on the planet and we're looking for our top 100 startups. To enter your business, you'll need to submit a 1 min video pitch or a 10-slide pitch deck by April 26: https://lnkd.in/gU9x2pe5 (Video Pitches will be voted on by the community, with the 5 highest voted companies moving to the top 100. Pitch Decks, however, will NOT be made public and will be reviewed by our panel of judges to find the remaining 95 companies) 🎯 If your business operates in the St. Louis Metro and you fit under the 10 high-growth industries, then you are eligible to compete (even if you've already raised equity investment). The top 100 companies will compete in the pitching Semi-Finals this summer, to find our winning 10. Those 10 will all get tickets to the Startup World Cup event in Silicon Valley with 200+ international investors. The St. Louis Champion will take the stage in October in Silicon Valley to compete for the $1 million prize. ☝ But the first step is that you need to enter! Submit your video pitch, pitch deck, or both on the TechSTL website this week: https://lnkd.in/gU9x2pe5 (PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ST. LOUIS FOUNDERS!!)

Durham, NC,  we're coming! #LatimerHouse's second cohort is coming to a close, and we want to show you all what we've been working on. 🎯 Event: Latimer House presents Cohort II’s Demo Day 🎯 Location: Provident1898, Durham, NC 🎯 Date: Tuesday, November 19 🎯 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM If you think this is just another "pitch, clap, and leave" kind of event, you're in for a wake-up call. Demo Day at Latimer House is where hustle meets execution, where bold visions turn into real-world impact, and where founders prove they're ready to win. With partnerships from Microsoft for Startups, Kaiser Permanente, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the Abell Foundation Inc, we're taking ideas to the next level—and the countdown is almost over. This is where legacies are launched, and industries get rewritten. Don't miss the chance to witness the raw energy, grit, and game plans that'll shape tomorrow. Let's GO! The time for talking is over—it's time to see what these founders are made of. The RSVP link is in the comment.

There is still time to submit a pitch! #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #smallbusinesssupport #pitchyourbiz

Starting a tech company during a pandemic may sound like a daunting feat but it’s a journey I embarked on with relentless persistence and a clear vision. Bisi Blvd's inaugural Demo Day in Seattle is just a week away https://lnkd.in/gwuNMuqh marking our official release and the beginning of our partnership with Heartland. This moment is a testament to resilience and unwavering belief in a vision that many said wouldn't materialize due to societal biases and econmic challenges. When I founded Bisi Blvd two years ago, I was motivated by the need to create a platform that would change lives—both for our clients and investors. Despite doubts cast on me as a Black woman in the beauty industry entering the Fintech space, I knew my vision would prevail. Starting with a $5k grant from 1863™ Ventures and a $25k pitch win from TechRise Chicago, I went radio silent to focus on BUILDING, LEARNING, and SELF-FUNDING. **2021**: Secured initial funding and began the journey with a $5k grant and $25k pitch win. **2022**: Formed our Delaware corporation and continued building and learning. **Spring 2023**: Launched beta testing with an MVP. **Fall 2023**: Secured our first major private investor. **Winter 2023**: Attended National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) Investors Connection, networking with industry leaders like Melissa Bradley , Evan Poncelet, and Bruce J. Wilson. This journey has taught me the value of resilience, clarity, and the importance of having a supportive network. Melissa’s 1863 Ventures pitch decks helped clarify our message, while Desiree’s TechRise competition provided the boost of confidence needed to navigate pitch competitions & cap tables. Evan Poncelet has been an incredible coach, offering invaluable advice and support. Building Bisi Blvd is more than just creating a company; it's about empowering our employees and customers, defining corporate responsibility with a focus on inclusivity and innovation. For those who doubted, our upcoming Demo Day is a celebration of overcoming odds and achieving the unexpected. Stay tuned for more updates! #TechStartups #Fintech #Resilience #CorporateResponsibility #DemoDay

last train to nyc, all aboard! if you are a founder struggling with your first tech startup, this is ideal for you! join a group of 10 founders co-working for 10 days alongside our team in workshops and mentoring sessions you'll get to talk in private sessions with great founders and investors to get feedback and insights on how to tackle the obstacles ahead

Bro’s out here leg pressing his way into Silicon Valley’s Hall of Fame. Squatting bugs and benching deadlines at the same time—this ain’t hustle culture, this is delusional dedication. Man’s so locked in he probably calls leg day ‘deployment day.’ Relax, champ, your quads don’t need equity in your startup. • #WorkHardPlayHard • #HustleCulture • #EntrepreneurMindset • #Dedication • #NeverStopGrinding • #TechLife • #CodingCulture • #RemoteWork • #ProductivityHacks • #Innovation • #TechEntrepreneur • #GrowthMindset • #ModernWorkplace

#AI is proving to be an increasingly important feature even in the biotechnologies that we and QB3 are seeing in the companies we support. It's powerful to be in the same ecosystem as Berkeley SkyDeck and their team who can hold a demo day of this quality and intensity. Note the climate tech and agtech companies in the cohort too.

"I can confidently say that these two weeks have forever changed my life and my perspective on everything,” Ties Verberne said about his time at Draper University in 2023. ⚡ Okay, remember how we said that last year, there were three winners for Draper’s Silicon Spring Pitch Prize? There was in fact, another person who won big that day. Although not a winner of the Golden Ticket 🎟️ or one of the two runners-up, the judges saw his potential and nominated Ties Verberne for another place at Draper University. He went on to say this about his time at Draper University: “Tim Draper highlighted the importance of 'having fun' at the outset, and I wholeheartedly agree with him. Initially, I spent my time at Tech Week trying to pitch my startup, which, admittedly, can sometimes come across as salesy. However, this got me thinking: why not focus on genuinely getting to know people, having fun, and building meaningful relationships, without immediately expecting something in return? By shifting my approach, I was able to truly connect with many individuals who could potentially support my business.” Does this sound like the opportunity that your startup needs to boost its growth? 📝 Apply for your chance to pitch onstage and win a place in the five-week Draper University Hero Training program in San Mateo. The program is designed to provide founders with the skills, mindset and network to take their ventures to the next level with unprecedented speed 🚀 and impact 💪. 📆 Mark these dates on your calendar: April 25th - Deadline for application (pitch deck + motivation letter) May 2nd - Finalists will be announced May 13th - Final pitching event on High Tech Campus Eindhoven For more information on eligibility and how to apply to the Silicon Spring Pitch Prize 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_iD38vj Andy, Sven, Dagmar, Sabine, Thomas, Meron, Federico, Pim, Henk, Jorge #innovation #goodthingsarecoming #siliconvalley #herotraining #impactstartups