Attending The Festival of Media Asia 2013 in Singapore.
The Festival of Media Asia 2013 takes place from 3-5 March 2013.
I personally am quite stoked about the two days: 4th and 5th March. There seems to be a solid line-up of speakers and sessions.
Check out the speaker line up for yourself.
And the Festival agenda here
 
Earlier, I usually attended these events from a Media Agency (when I used to work with Media agencies) or from a Brand perspective, later (When I was working with Nokia). And now I am attending this having …

Start-up incubators and accelerators are a growing trend all over the world.
The scene seems to be hotting up in India too.
Friends from ‘Price Check India‘ shared this wonderful infographic and a rich post highlighting the top incubators/business accelerators from various parts in India.
A note from them:
…there’s a great thrust to support first time entrepreneurs across India. There are all kinds of efforts in this direction – Govt supported Institute based technology incubators, Private business incubators started by industry veterans and startup accelerators supported by companies and VC funds. Individually there …

Really- time flies.
And as The Whiz Times comes closer to being a one year old company (technically speaking)- we are now focussing on marketing, business development, partnerships and monetization.
First months where the months when the product was taking shape, ideas were taking shape and really we did not focus much on acquisition of (droves of) users or customers. Talking to potential users (parents, moms, kids, schools) and customers (Brands, advertisers, media agencies) for feedback? Yes. Other stuff? Not really.
The business is new to us and we are crossing the river …

In all my recent discussions within the start-up ecosystem, it seems Edutainment and Education reforms might be the next big wave.
I have sensed that in the recent Techventures event held in Singapore, where prominent folks in the Venture Capital space gave a big thumbs up to edutainment and technology/content for the education sector.
Recent news stories about funding of such businesses and start-ups is also gaining ground- see the chart below. Since this chart is derived from a very specific terms (Edutainment), the volume seems low on that particular …

 
We recently engaged with the media (and blogging community) via an extremely innovative  manner. We probably did pique the interest of some awesome media folks with that approach. More on the approach in another post- though just wanted to let everyone know that The Whiz Times has been covered on various digital media platforms:
Prominent Industry leading Digital media/marketing publications:
http://marketing-interactive.com/news/36155
http://www.digitalmarket.asia/2012/10/kids-can-read-all-about-it-in-thewhiztimes-com/
http://www.campaignasia.com/Article/319886,global-online-news-and-edutainment-platform-for-kids-launches.aspx
And on a few blogs:
http://mhisham.org/2012/10/19/the-whiztimes-launches/
http://atomthought.com/2012/10/how-an-internet-start-up-is-marketing-itself-to-the-media/
These  are a few that we monitored, and hopefully, there will be a few more this week.
Next thing we will focus on – is building applications (we are …

So Techventure 2012 started today.

I HAD to be there.

But I did not know anyone who could help me get in. Would have loved to buy tickets, but (A) those were too expensive for me at this stage of my start-up and (B) there was a better way.

Chasing The Storm.

Over the years, this canvas has taken the brunt of my opinions. Plus the influence built through years of  publishing works out. Helps me meet super cool people. And get invites to fab events like these.

My key agenda for attending Tech …

OK this is the first time ever on Chasing The Storm- but I am going to publish a Press release verbatim.But some things are better heard from the horse’s mouth. Directly. So here it is: Launchhouse Accelerator have been in touch with me regarding this initiative, and I think it is an interesting story to tell. The amount is not big but there are other perks valuable for entrepreneurs:
…experience-based lab sessions, world-class mentors from their specific industry, an innovative work environment, dinners with successful entrepreneurs, and networking with mentors.
More details …

Slangs, sayings, songs.
India is full of them. Everything has a metaphor.
Never taken seriously- but they pack a punch. Express more in fewer words.
In one of those intellectual moments- Here are some Indian (Hindi) slangs that start-ups, entrepreneurs and everyone else can learn from:
1) Jo dikhta hai wo hi bikta hai
Translation: What sells- is only what can be seen. 
Implication: if you or your product is not visible – quality does not matter. True for politicians or doctors alike.
Wisdom: Being seen is the first step- and even trumps quality. So go out …

1st March 2012, Biopolois, Singapore.
The demo Asia event.
Attending an event after the longest time- and it had to be this. special thanks to Rice Communications for the invite)
A chance to meet up with the right people within the start up circle in the region. A chance to get inspired and a chance to understand what goes on within these circles.
The more people you meet, the luckier you get: says Benjamin Ng: one of the pioneers of Demo Asia as I write making almost on cue to my last paragraph.
I started …

The big wheel of society turns on the fuel of entrepreneurship. It is the biggest, most sustainable and the noblest way to do help the society. How? This is how- Read on…

Digital Marketing field is a field where you can either be like a monkey- sitting on a tree and making some noise- or you get into the jungle and ride the tiger. I am finding myself at the center of another big change agent role- and a wonderful opportunity…

In today’s “must-have-expensive-private-tuition-otherwise-my-kid/I am- screwed” world, where nothing except crass entertainment and perhaps ample opinions are free, enter Khan Academy.