ignite innovation nights - building your innovation community

20
We Do Some of Our Best Work at Night… And So Can You!

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I gave this presentation at Ignite, June 1, 2014 in Las Vegas as part of the UP Summit. It talks about how we started Innovation Nights in the Boston region.

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Page 1: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

We Do Some of Our Best Work at Night… And So Can You!

Page 2: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

It was 2008/2009…

• “U.S. Economy In ‘Shambles’ No Signs of Recovery Yet”

• "Global Economic Shock Worse Than Great Depression"

• "Financial Crisis Spreads Throughout Europe"

Page 3: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Innovation Days…

Page 4: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Innovation Nights… • In Boston area, MIN hosts a free-

to-attend event featuring 10 new products every month.

• Guests help spread the word using social media

• The model is ‘frictionless,’ there is no cost to exhibit or attend.

• Hosting locations get foot-traffic and sponsors connect with local community for visibility, new business and new hires.

Page 5: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Quick! Think of a product…

Help local companies generate buzz for their new products.

Page 6: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

How Do We Help?

GUESTS represent a wide range of students, investors, entrepreneurs, and social media mavens• Learn about exciting local products and companies• Develop relationships and connections• Promote their own businesses and services • Support start-ups and local innovation with their

knowledge and social media/community influence

Page 7: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

#

Serious Reach11,163 Tweets → 6,378,255

Page 8: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

394/500 Still In Business

Page 9: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

20 Acquired or Merged

Page 10: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

91 have since launched other new products

Page 11: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

$700 million +VC, angel, investor, grants, and awards

Photo by Janet Egan

Page 12: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Grass Roots ‘R’ Us…

SPONSORS/HOSTS help defray the costs events and/or provide a venue, contribute event prizes • But still we have homemade signs• Make your own name badge• Ugly newsletter…and presentations

Page 13: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Newsletter? It’s Ugly too…

Newsletter promotes the products, the next event and other community events…the competition. • Weekly to more than 10,000 subscribers• It’s all about the community• “How can we help?”

Page 14: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

It’s a FREE event

• Keep expectations low: • WiFi doesn’t work?• Food?• Weird table in the lobby?• No tablecloths

Page 15: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

We’re Friendly…

Think of a church social. New here? Raise your hand. Someone will come over to say “hello.” Jump up and tell us you’re hiring. Meet your neighbors.

Page 16: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

• Physical program• A short hashtag• QR codes lead to mobile

page• Not into social media?

That’s OK too!

Make it easy: Guests

Page 17: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

• Detailed instructions• Checklists• An experienced guide• Attend an event first

Make it easy: Exhibitors

Page 18: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Mass Innovation Nights• Every second Wednesday• Try new things but keep it consistent• Move around to get new audiences• Up to #MIN63

Consistency helps…

Page 19: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

Your community:• Community involvement• Everyone helps• No carpetbaggers!

Local Support for Local Products

Page 20: Ignite Innovation Nights - Building Your Innovation Community

You Can Do it too!

@MassInno