Buzz Marketing Expert Andy Sernovitz's Quick Blogging Advice #7

Andy Sernovitz is a prolific writer and consultant on entrepreneurial marketing. Check out his blog, "Damn, I Wish I'd Thought of That!" for great tips on writing your own company blog. In fact, check it out for all of the tips and tools he offers start ups. He's one Wharton alum who was listening closely to the classroom lectures of Wharton Marketing Prof. Leonard Lodish who wrote the book on "Entreperneurial Marketing"--literaly.

TechCrunch App CrunchVision – A Great Resource for Job Seekers

If you haven’t seen it yet, you should check out CrunchVision – a recently released application that overlays CrunchBase companies on an interactive map. The application allows users to zoom to the region, nation, city and even the street level. Not only is it a fun way to see the technology start-up activity around the world at-a-glace, but if you’re interested in finding all the start-ups in a particular location – in order to network for future employment opportunities, perhaps – you no longer need to know the zip codes and city names of every possible location that could be housing a start-up in a particular metropolitan area.

It’s also a great way to achieve a global perspective on the tech activity out there!--Megan Mitchell

Past Wharton BPC Winner and VIP alum – Home-Base - going strong!

I recently received an email update from David Kreiger (WG07) on the status of his start-up business – Home-Base. The original concept – which placed 3rd in the 2006 Venture Finals – was for a at-home call center model, staffed by military spouses. The business concept has morphed somewhat (no longer employing only military spouses), but is going strong. David wrote:

“just brought on an ops manager for Home-Base who is working out well. We have 20 reps now and trying to grow in 2009….We have wide variety of clients … from Mojo Water a bottless water cooler company http://www.mojowater.com/ , Paymaster, a payroll company, Unishippers a UPS service provide, a technology consultant who implements Microsoft CRM systems, Business Card Genius, a customizable business card company, and 1800 BOOK-A-LIMO a high end limousine company up in NYC.”

This is a great success story for those students who always lament that they don’t have a chance in the Business Plan Competition without a patented technology. It’s proof that a strong idea, well-written business plan and a passionate team can success in the WBPC!--Megan Mitchell

Venture Initiation Program Companies Announced

The suspense is over! Wharton's new roster of Venture Initiation Program companies have been announced and you can check them out here. If you are a student at Penn and have an idea for starting your own business, don’t wait until you graduate to get it going. Leverage the Penn community and apply to VIP. The next round of applications are due in April. Maybe you could end up like this guy, who started his business in VIP back in 2003.

Young Entrepreneurs: "Coddled and Soft" ???

The editorial posted by Steven Berglas at Forbes.com, entitled “Entrepreneurship (Or Lack Thereof)”, will illicit strong reactions from any entrepreneur under the age of 35 – the question is will they choose to roll their eyes, cringe or maybe nod their heads in agreement? No generation likes to be called “coddled…and soft” – especially business students who are turning down the big paycheck on Wall Street to be their own boss. Check it out and tell us what you think.