IsIt Software Advises How To Win Israel Startup Weekend 2010

IsIt Software Advises How To Win Israel Startup Weekend 2010

1diggdigg

By Herb Brandon
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem ---- July 15, 2010 …. Sitting at over two dozen tables at the new Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa Tel Aviv today are entrepreneurs from Israel and Palestine territories. From Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa to Rahmallah, Nablus and Qalqilya they all share one dream. At Israel Startup Weekend 2010 they have been provided with a platform to suggest the most creative ideas in technology and Web 2.0 and a means to turn their dreams into reality.

Israel Startup Weekend is a partnership between the Shimon Peres Center for Peace, as the first ever collaboration of Jewish and Arab hi tech, Web 2.0 and new media entrepreneurs and developers from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United States.

IsIt Software, which measures in realtime the accuracy of information on the Internet won the first Israel Startup Weekend held 8 months ago at IBM Israel. They were one of over 60 ideas and 13 startups created at the event.

"It's an exciting opportunity," says IsIt Senior VP of Marketing Joel Leyden. "Both Amir Harel and Eddie Reznik, the coordinators of Israel Startup Weekend are to be applauded for having created this special initiative in Israel. The participants should look at both Amir and Eddie for inspiration. They are focused, work hard and completely dedicated to their work."

Leyden, an Internet pioneer who co-created Israel's first Website - NetKing and serves today as an international marketing, branding, SEO and digital PR crisis communications consultant to both commercial organizations and the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides the following advice on how to win at Israel Startup Weekend.

"First off, arrive to the Israel Startup Weekend well rested. It is three very intensive days of creation, work and presentation. Then provide or join a team whose idea really turns you on. Each team member should be responsible for one professional task - directing as a CEO, developing, marketing, Web 2.0, creating graphics and research."

Leyden adds: "Use the Internet to search out to see if anyone else has your idea. Even if they do, continue, go on and try to improve upon that idea. Borrowing ideas from others and integrating them into something new is what it's all about. Buy a domain name and start to build a Website to promote the idea. Writing about who you are and what you are doing will help both you and your team define what you are doing while at the same time creating a marketing and PR buzz."

"Listen to what your other team members have to say. If you don't agree, then compromise and move forward. Creating a startup is not just about coming up with a good idea but establishing a dynamic team which can commit to that idea with time, effort and communicate that idea to the public. While developing your ideas speak with Israel Startup Weekend coordinators, ask them for advice. This is not a time to be shy. Be aggressive with a smile. Perform research on which markets would have a need for your startup, developers should find a code which is easy to use, copywriters and graphic professionals need to keep the message simple and strong."

Leyden concludes: "You got this far. You dedicated three days to finding that one startup which just might change your life and the lives of many others. As you enter day 3, get some rest, sleep well and create a visual presentation which is both simple and powerful. Make sure to include a business plan in your presentation with projected markets and figures needs for investment and growth. Rehearse your presentation and rehearse answering questions from the judges. Smile and be confident. Make it happen!"

"Startup Weekend is an international event that integrates the networking of both the mobile and Internet community," said Israel Startup Weekend organizer Eddie Reznik. "But this year, we are going to transcend all digital and political borders. There is no greater tool for peace and understanding than technology, the Net and Web 2.0 and as such we are proud to bring creative minds together from both Israel and the Palestinian territories."

Israel Startup Weekend 2010 is taking place July 14 -16, at the Peres Peace House in Jaffa.

Startup Weekend has been introduced to more than 15,000 entrepreneurs in over 100 cities around the world. Founded in June 2007, Startup Weekend provides a platform to pitch an idea, build the concept and present it to the audience in around 50 hours. At least 500 companies have been created over the lifetime of the worldwide event raising more than $2M in financing.

Israel Startup Weekend 2010 judges are comprised of representatives of leading companies, investors and representatives of foundations such as the law firm of Amit Pollak Matalon, Google Israel, IBM, Paypal, Deloitte and others.

Last year, Israel Startup Weekend was sponsored by IBM Israel, Google Israel and several other leading brands in the field of hi-tech and Internet. From over 200 participants and 13 startups created, IsIt Fact Checking Software was created and captured first place. IsIt Software recently registered its patent pending and is currently negotiating with several investors (angels and VC companies).

Startup Weekend was born in 2007 in the US by Andrew Hyde. Today Startup Weekend is operated out of Seattle, WA by Marc Nager and Clint Nelsen with development support coming from Cameron Preston, Mick Thompson and Timothy Ting.

Sponsors of Israel Startup Weekend 2010 in Jaffa Tel Aviv include: The Peres Center For Peace, Mercy Corps, Amit, Pollak, Matalon and Co., Paypal Pte Ltd., IBM Israel, Google Israel, Deloitte Accounting,Hamovil Jack Yulzari Ltd., Itay Strum Financial Services, Newsgeek, ESOP Management and Trust Company Ltd., The Leyden Digital PR, SEO, Internet Marketing Web 2.0 Communications Group and IsIt? Online Fact Checking Software.

According to Resnik, Israel is the most logical place for StartUp Weekend.

“It is well known that Israel is the ‘Silicon Wadi’ next to the US West Coast "Silicon Valley". For any number of reasons – enjoying a hi-tech IDF army, a heavy influx of highly intelligent and motivated Russian immigrants, a lack of natural resources - Israel has become and is respected for being a hotbed for startups and innovation."

The majority of participants at the sold out Israel Startup Weekend discovered the event as it was advertised using viral marketing on social networking Internet sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

"Israel Startup Weekend is not about who wins first place prize," says Leyden. "It's about networking with professional people, developing an idea and then marketing that idea. The real work begins after Startup Weekend when you and your team must commit both the time and effort to legally establish a company and secure funds. The process is not easy. There will be many mountains and valleys but if you persevere and don't become greedy, the rewards could transcend anything you may have imagined."

The Israel News Agency will continue to report live from Israel Startup Weekend via Twitter and Facebook status updates and Google News stories.