Microsoft Bizspark Startup Challenge 2012

As you are aware the Microsoft Bizspark Startup Challenge 2012 is now on. Microsoft invites startups or developers who have cool ideas in the space of Cloud and Mobile to submit their ideas to us. A brief of the event is given below for your ready reference.

“Microsoft BizSpark India Startup Challenge is an effort to find entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas that can significantly impact their markets. The search is for fresh ideas and vibrant leaders who can help shape the future of Cloud computing and Mobile application. This is a platform, for those start-ups or individuals who leverage the power of these latest technologies to build applications that impact the future of business.

Microsoft is looking for a business plan that is innovative, has scalable market potential and the team behind the plan should be able to articulate a vision and execute their business plan. The business plan being submitted should include an Executive Summary, Management/Founders Biographies, Business Description, Market Analysis, Competitive Overview, Business Risk Summary and Financial Projections.

The submissions need not be lengthy and may describe the business with a link to the actual app or website. The selection would be based on a combination of the business plan and the application. At the finals, the selected participants would briefly present its business and demo the app.”

More details of the event can be found here.

Catching Up On Readings: iPhone Makeovers

iPhone owners may be interested in this New York Times story about jazzing up their phones. It can be expensive, but those who have done it like having a phone that stands out. >>>

Catching Up On Readings: Sramana In Bangalore

On Tuesday, April 3, 2012, Sramana Mitra will be participating in several events for entrepreneurs in Bangalore, India. In the afternoon, Citrix will be hosting three roundtable sessions where 15 entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses to Sramana for immediate feedback and guidance. In the evening, OpenCoffeeClub Bangalore will be hosting a debate and dinner event with Sramana in partnership with BEMUG and NASSCOM. Register here. >>>

Catching Up On Readings: Roundtable Update

As always, I would very much like to hear about your business, so let me invite you to come and pitch at one of our free 1M/1M public roundtables. There are no roundtables for a couple of weeks when I am traveling in India. We will be holding future roundtables on:

Thursday, April 12, 8 a.m. PDT: Register Here.
Thursday, April 19, 8 a.m. PDT: Register Here.
Thursday, April 26, 8 a.m. PDT: Register Here. >>>

Catching Up On Readings: Special Roundtable Reminder

Microsoft and Israel Startup Network are cohosting a special roundtable Pitch-Fest competition Monday, March 12, 2012, starting at 9:00 a.m. PST. From Microsoft Israel offices, ten entrepreneurs will be pitching their businesses to Sramana Mitra for feedback and guidance. Microsoft is awarding 1M/1M scholarships to the top three entrepreneurs pitching during this event. You can find more details here. Register to attend the live event in Israel here or register to attend online here. We hope you will join us! >>>

March 23: Rendezvous With Sramana Mitra In Kolkata

Sramana Mitra will be speaking about “Building Kolkata’s Entrepreneurship Pipeline” at a TiE Kolkata event on Friday, March 23, 2012. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. at the DPSC Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, India. Pradeep Udtha, Strategy Lead for Cloud, Devices & Startups, Microsoft Corporation, will also be giving a presentation. To register, please contact Munmun Banerjee at munmun.banerjee@kolkata.tie.org.
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Catching Up On Readings: Spotting Mars

It’s a good week for sky watchers: Mars was in opposition to the sun March 3. But you haven’t missed your chance because the next few weeks are still a good time to look for the Red Planet. Adam Mann of Wired explains how to spot Mars. For the rest of this week’s posts, click on the full article. >>>

Catching Up On Readings: Keep Dreaming

All hard work and no play takes away the fun. To that end, the 1M/1M YouTube video channel has launched a comic strip series to help lighten your mood as we spread our message of bootstrapped entrepreneurship. The first is Keep Dreaming. For the rest of this week’s posts, click on the full article. >>>