The silly side of tech: Put Clippy on your Web site with this startup’s nostalgic hack

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OK, the first question we’ve got to ask is: Why? Why on Earth would someone want to recreate Clippy, the highly-annoying paperclip virtual assistant that popped up on versions of Microsoft Office from 1997 to 2oo3. Clippy was hated by many users since it interfered with daily tasks on the computer, and it was eventually… Read More…

Why invest in TechStars class of 2011?

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“Tada!” Eleven-year-old Jude Sack, son of TechStars leader Andy Sack, swept his arms with a flourish.  It’s the halftime break between TechStars demo day presentations. A rope “magically” bisects young Jude’s middle, leaving the audience delighted and applauding. It was a decent metaphor for TechStars 2011.  When I first met them, Andy’s proteges were young… Read More…

Video: Some of the top pitches from TechStars Seattle Demo Day

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What makes a good startup pitch? Of course, it is a presentation that offers insights into the product, the team and the business. But a really good pitch goes much further than that. I like pitches that offer a little personality and flavor, surprising with something I haven’t seen before. Humor is always a good… Read More…

My five favorite pitches from the TechStars Seattle Demo Day

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TechStars Seattle today concluded their three-month long startup bootcamp as 10 companies presented their business ideas to a packed crowd at the Showbox Sodo in Seattle. It’s been a long, hard voyage for each of the companies, starting with a vigorous application process in which just two percent of applicants were accepted. Many of the… Read More…