venture

How Must Media Change to Get Funded by Venture Capital?

Francine Hardaway — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:11:38 -0500

There's not much love between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, although more and more they need each other to thrive. Years into the digital revolution, it is still difficult to find venture funds that understand content creation like Hollywood does.

Third Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference Rocks the Rafters

Francine Hardaway — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:37:59 -0500

Wednesday's Third Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference
<http://www.azentrepreneurship.com> was one of the best days of my
life. Not only did 250 people show up in the middle of a recession to
see each other and help each other, but the feeling of hope and optimism

Trying to Solve a Problem in a Regulated Industry Isn't Easy

Francine Hardaway — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:50:51 -0500

What do we need to fix an economic crisis?
Money!
Where do you get money?
Banks!
With this cheer in mind, a group of bankers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and I forged ahead last year to start a new bank with a new vision. You know me, I'm transparent, so here it is--without violating any SEC rules.

We have a great idea. We are starting three banks at once, under the overall governance of a holding company.

Stealthmode Becomes a Microsoft Network Partner

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:50:10 -0500

Stealthmode Partners has been selected to join the Microsoft BizSpark Program as a Network Partner. The BizSpark Program is a new global
program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups by connecting them to Network
Partners: active members of the global software ecosystem who can provide mentorship, guidance and

Automating Mark's Truss Plant

Francine Hardaway — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:54:51 -0400

My friend Mark got hit by the downturn in construction. He owns a steel truss plant that makes -- surprise--light gauge steel trusses used in the construction of high end homes or commercial and industrial buildings. In the last two years, Arizona has not been a hotbed of new construction activity.

However, there is still SOME work, just not enough to incur overhead. Mark's problem was how to re-organize to cut costs without losing quality.

Arianna Huffington is an Entrepreneur to Admire

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:14:58 -0400

I am at the luncheon keynote of the Digital Media Mixer, and Arianna Huffington, entrepreneur extraordinaire and middle-aged blogger like me, starts off with riff on Sarah Palin's shoes.

Before you get to hear about her, don't forget to sign up for the Third Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference

Arianna Huffington is an Entrepreneur to Admire

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:14:43 -0400

Unicorn Media Launches

Francine Hardaway — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:13:43 -0400

I've just gone on the Advisory Board of Unicorn Media a new breed of integrated media company. Today it launches a diversified distribution channel for a full range of video and audio content. I've got the press release here, and I'm going to stick pretty close to it so I can give you all the facts. I'm not used to breaking news, but I got to see this on Friday. Bill is on his fifth company, so this isn't his first rodeo, and he has seeded this one pretty much by himself with a few of his Limelight buddies.

Economy's Ill Wind Blows Good for EmpowHer

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:49:38 -0400

EmpowHer, the patient advocate communicy for women, has just closed a $6m round, which will allow it to come out of beta and grow. It has actually been growing very quickly, because it's a site with a mission -- to connect women with information that is difficult to find, trustworthy, and useful It's not a search engine, it's a community of women sharing their experiences.

Don't Blame ME For Your Credit Crisis, Mr. Paulson

Francine Hardaway — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:17:34 -0400

Don't Blame Me for your Credit Crisis, Mr. Paulson

You changed the rules for what constitutes a smart financial decision, and now you want to turn around and blame ME because I borrowed money? Screw you, buddy; let me tell you how I see it.

I grew up in an era when our parents still remembered the Great Depression and debt was the enemy. They waited four years to get married and four more to have children because they couldn't afford to live away from their parents until my dad became an attorney.

Sustainability Continues to Preoccupy Global Businesses

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:58:05 -0400

If You Want to Grow Your Business, Find the Questions First

Francine Hardaway — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:39:36 -0400

Tomorrow I leave the Bay Area with its plethora of innovators, resources, early adopters and smart people and travel back to reality.My thoughts are drifting back to the entrepreneurs I deal with in Arizona, who are trying to survive, thrive and grow in a difficult environment.

The environment is partly a reflection of outside events, partly a mental state, and partly a true shortage of capital.

A Nation of Change Agents

Francine Hardaway — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:10:01 -0400

A Nation of Change Agents

Francine Hardaway — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:09:45 -0400

A Nation of Change Agents

Francine Hardaway — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:09:35 -0400

50 Years of Progress

Francine Hardaway — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:42:03 -0400

How does Generation Y look at the world? Um, you will probably be surprised, especially if you are an employer, an educator, or an entrepreneur.

Yesterday I had the unique opportunity to share a podium with Mark Bao, a 16-year-old high school student entrepreneur who has already developed and sold three Facebook applications. There are 50 years of history between us.

The Incubator: A Concept That Has Passed its Time

Francine Hardaway — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:17:14 -0400

From time to time, I get calls from consultants doing feasibility studies for economic development directors about incubator projects in and around Phoenix, where I live in the winter. I get these calls because I've worked among startup entrepreneurs for twenty-five years, including a stint on the advisory board of the Arizona Technology Incubator, a project that failed in the late 80s or early 90s after not producing very many successful graduates.

Are You Really a Company?

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:35:49 -0400

I'm gearing up for our fall FastTrac Growth Venture programs, so I'm thinking consecutive thoughts again about the issues confronting entrepreneurs and startups.

When I get back to Phoenix in a month I know I will be asked to sit down with people who have great ideas, and some who have products. However, few of them will actually have a viable business, much less a company.

Are You Really a Company?

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:35:39 -0400

I'm gearing up for our fall FastTrac Growth Venture programs, so I'm thinking consecutive thoughts again about the issues confronting entrepreneurs and startups.

The Elephant in the Room: Money

Francine Hardaway — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:34:47 -0400

I've been known before to throw a grenade into the middle of a room I think is dreaming. So it was no surprise to me that I opened my mouth to make a comment at this morning's AlwaysOn panel on the two-year forecast for IPOs and mergers/acquisitions. On the panel were VCs, bankers, and investment bankers.

Discriminated Against? Go Out and Do it Yourself

Francine Hardaway — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:08:05 -0400

My first job right out of college was at J Walter Thompson Company in New York. I had an Ivy League degree and I was hired as...a typist. I spent the day putting carbon paper in documents, throwing them out and starting them over, and polishing my nails. I handed a guy his coat and hat. I was one of the women in Mad Men. The only woman in a position of power in the agency, an account executive, worked on Singer Sewing Machines, Maxwell House Coffee, and Preparation H. She was such a nervious wreck that she had to wear gloves all day to cover the rash

EmpowHer Soft Launches its Health Events Database

Francine Hardaway — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:51:28 -0400

I'm on the way to join a group of women at BlogHer2008, and among them will be Tina Tran of EmpowHer.

Social Media Club Announces Interim Board

Francine Hardaway — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:33:27 -0400

The Social Media Club announced today its newly formed interim Board of Directors. The board boasts a roster of highly-regarded industry leaders; a truly amazing group of people that I am honored to be a part of.

Do Things Happen for a Reason?

Francine Hardaway — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:09:38 -0400

Web of Fate, a semantic analysis engine that extracts meaning from historical, present and future events and draws

38 Minutes Matches Truckers and Shippers--Finally

Francine Hardaway — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:44:46 -0400

In about 1999 or 2000, I met a neat Canadian guy, former Citibanker, who was starting a company during the dotcom boom. At the time, the company was called VR Solutions, a software solution in the model of the exchanges that were popular at the time (Anybody remember Verticalnet?) It was for truckers and shippers with loads to ship. He knew that these weren't Internet savvy people, but he thought Dan could attract them with a cost-effective piece of technoogy.