About

Basically the idea behind LaunchUp.org is the 2009 version of a good old fashioned barn raising applied to technology entrepreneurship.

This is something I’ve been thinking of and stewing on for a long time. Maybe it’s just me being cocky, but I think I’m good at what I do. I’m a good entrepreneur. Some of that is hard-wired into my system. Much more has been learned from experience. And that experience has been gained from the help of innumerable people along the way.

Over the past several months, I’ve talked ideas with Chris Knudsen and others. Looking for a vehicle to be more effective in channeling my drive to give back to and help other entrepreneurs. I do a lot of things already to help, but it’s pretty unfocused; speak at this event here, help out with this program there, etc. So why did my stewing turn into action now? Well, @Jesse dinged me really early this last Tuesday on Twitter about the Bootstrappers Breakfasts they do in the Bay Area. And then I watched the inauguration address of President Obama. Two things he said literally jumped out at me and slapped me in the face:

“…it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things…who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity…”

“…a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.”

That was Tuesday mid-day. This is Thursday evening. Stewart Goodwin from Goodwin Media jumped on board, and a late night of work later for us both, LaunchUp.org exists in a very infant form.

Here are some things I believe that have framed my thoughts:

  • time and experience is more valuable than money
  • serving and helping others is greatly needed right now
  • the world, and especially America, have real (and real big) problems
  • entrepreneurs are the world’s problem solvers
  • technology is the key to unlock solutions to real big problems
  • entrepreneurs need help, no matter how experienced or successful
  • everyone has skills or experience that could benefit the entrepreneurship community
  • the ‘ecosystem of entrepreneurship’ (entrepreneurs, investors, universities, advisors, service providers, organizations) that currently exists can be leveraged by some new community focused ideas

LaunchUp.org is going to help entrepreneurs in new ways. A community based advisory board if you will. A way to help get some companies launched, or help existing companies launch past problems to new levels. Make the world a better place by being innovative and disruptive, since, IMHO, that’s the essence of entrepreneurship and technology.

Everything isn’t figured out yet, that’s for sure. So if you’re a risk-taker, a doer, a maker of things, and you’d like to be involved, email me. We’ve got some barns to raise, and barns need lots of barn builders to get built.

- Jeremy Hanks
jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com

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