While my startups are still in stealth mode, its been tough to describe what I’ve been doing. So in the meantime, here is an update on some of the extra-curricular activities that have been keeping me busy.
First, we launched a speaking series on the complex issues of humanitarian aid, poverty and development. And people came, listened, talked and wrestled. And they will tomorrow too…
Then, I performed as a judge for several rounds of the Dell Social Innovation Competition.
Then, I threw my application in the ring for being the Community Impact chair at Net Impact – Austin. So now I’ve got even MORE work and blogging to do.
Then a nice lady named Sunni Brown took an idea I had a few months ago about visual book summaries, ran with it and became an even bigger star. She even got re-tweeted by Dan Pink. What a rock star she is to have the talent and audience that when she tried something, it blew up big. I think about Seth Godin’s remarks on getting permission to be great in the world – and she’s got it. (Which is also to say even if I had done EXACTLY the same thing, it wouldn’t have happened. The audience knew her – so it worked. Just like when I did my business models for poverty talk.)
Then, I got to hang out with Muhammad Yunus and the RESULTS crew in Houston. The result of which is that yesterday it was on my mind to reach out to a startup virtual bank and get them involved in the US in filing a crucial gap for the unbanked in the US. And they said yes.
Now, I’m spending my time at TechRanch trying to launch two startups – the race is on to see which one gets funded first.
Somewhere in there – I spoke at the Wilco Entrepreneurship Network, participated in 3DayStartup and lost a hard drive.
So, Mom, now you know what to tell people I’ve been doing.