Twitter turns 7, Facebook to launch hashtags, Penn State wants you to startup, Rio heats up as the Global Entrepreneurship Congress rolls into town, mapping out success with a business plan, Vengo founders share their journey, AT&T offers up a new BlackBerry… this week’s notable news and startup events for young treps:
1. Twitter’s birthday: This week marks the sixth birthday of Twitter’s founding. In honor of the event, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey made an appearance on 60 Minutes. (San Francisco, March 21)
2. #Facebook: Perhaps coincidentally, Facebook plans to roll out hashtags this week — sparking yet another potential tizzy in its festering battle with Twitter for ad dollars.
3. Penn State’s Startup Week: In its second annual Startup Week, Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology will host entrepreneurs from around the country in a celebration of innovation. The week-long event will be packed with startup events from lectures and workshops, to networking opportunity with IST alums. (University Park, Penn. March, 18 – 23)
4. Global Entrepreneurship Congress…in Rio! This four-day program is chock full of free events aimed exposing entrepreneurs to thought leaders and industry experts. Get key insights into starting and growing a business, cutting edge programs, and policies that are changing the world of entrepreneurship and innovation. (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. March 18 – 21)
5. BlackBerry users rejoice! AT&T will begin selling the BlackBerry Z10 on Friday this week. The nearly $200 all-touch BlackBerry will come with a two-year contract and will be the first BlackBerry to run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.
6. NYC gets down to business: Part of the SCORE NYC’s local workshop series, learn how to identify and target customers, finance your startup, set goals and other key factors for success by crafting a solid business plan. (New York, March 22)
7. Bay Area startup weekend: It’s beginning to feel like startup central everywhere these days. Yet it seems fitting that San Francisco is slated to host its own 54-hour-entrepreneurial jam session known as Startup Weekend. (San Francisco, March 22 – 24)
8. First official visit to China: New U.S. Treasury secretary Jacob Lew is schedule to visit China this week for his first official overseas trip — highlighting the import of the nations’ economic ties.
9. Vengo stirs up a stagnant industry: Have a drink at the Village Pourhouse while listening to Vengo (formerly TaxiTreats) CEO Brian Shimmerlik and co-founder Abuhena Azad share their startup story. Get insights into how they started, the challenges they faced along the way and how they secured $1 million in startup capital from top NYC-based investors. (New York, March 25)
10. The state of NY Tech: For ‘disruptive technologists’ interested in hacking, apping and developing, get inspired and informed with this panel discussion and networking event. Free for students, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the New York Institute of Technology. (New York, March 25)
