Last week BioTech - This week HiTech,

I'm quickly realizing just why there is so much interest in Ventures here in Massachusetts. Even in the throws of the biggest downturn of modern times - opportunity and optimism abound in this place....it's infectious. Almost every day and night of the week there's something happening.  And if you've got a couple of hours spare and fancy having a beer with some truly amazing people - why not combine business with pleasure. 

Last week for me was about getting out and meeting great people working in the BioTech space - great conversation, cards exchanged and a quick follow up completed - thanks LinkedIn.  This week it's all about HiTech.

Tomorrow night I'm off to Microsoft's new R&D facility - for what's billed as a "geeks & gadgets" evening.  The theme of the evening is robotics - something which is starting to get a lot of attention.  You see if you look at the projected population explosion that's taking place, combined with an ever aging global population, people believe that robots will become ever more prevalent in order to take care of us.  It's fascinating stuff - so much so there are some pretty big names in town who are coming along too.

Wednesday it's an early start.  Off to a breakfast panel discussion on 2010-Business better, faster and stronger.  interesting topic - particularly relevant to me as it's back at Babson College - that No 1 school for entrepreneurialsim - so a chance to meet up with some old buddies.  I wonder if the theory of Darwin's evolution as applied to start-ups  - might have some relevance here (able to adapt, selective breeding, survival skills).

Thursday - another evening networking event, this time up at MIT's fantastic Ghery looking Stata Center.  This time it's all about securing early stage seed funding "the good news is that these days successful technology startups can show meaningful results and even customer traction on less than $1million in funding."   Time for me to get my pitch ready and see if I can get some of that million to get moving...

Friday - well I'd better have at least one night off  (sort of).  I decided that I wanted to learn some additional skills during my time out here - where I could meet a very different set of people.  So I'm learning how to be a gourmet chef.  OK I'm starting at the bottom rung - last week it was chopping veg, but this week were moving up - eggs and how to cook a souffle.  Not quite HiTech - but great fun all the same.