Generator

Generator
art x technology = generator

Generator is a new “makerspace” located Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium Annex. Need clarification on a “makerspace”? It’s a place or “open community lab” where people who work in technology, science, art, the mechanical, electrical and digital worlds can work, collaborate and share resources to create or “make”.

Monthly memberships are reasonable and gives you access to a long list of tools:

• laser cuter
• 3D printer
• milling machine
• vinyl cutter
• 6 soldering stations
• hand & power tools
• high end mac & pc workstations
• computer lab with gigabit internet access

There’s also a long wish list of hand and power tools – so there will be more. Take a look at the list. Maybe you have one of these tools in your garage collecting dust. Consider donating it and let it be used to make someone’s dream into a reality.

Or maybe you’re an artist, needing your own studio space? A studio membership will give you:

• studio space
• electricity
• high-speed wireless internet
• heating
• a dumpster
• access to a loading dock

Always wanted to learn how to work with a  laser printer or 3D printer? Go ahead – why not take a class. Check their current listings of classes to see if there is one that interests you.

Burlington’s new Generator is an artist studio, a classroom as well as a business incubator. What more could an aspiring entrepreneur, or rather a vermontrepreneur, need to make that idea into a new business?

Check it out.

 

 

 

girl develop it

girl develop it
don’t be shy. develop it.

Girl Develop It, or GDI, does exactly what you’d think it does. It helps girls to develop – as in software development, right? We’ve all read (or maybe you haven’t) that the high tech world is really a guy’s world with very few women (aka girls).

Enter GDI. They’re working on changing that by empowering all women, 18 and older, to develop software through classes and meetups. Currently there are GDI chapters in 17 cities worldwide. Check here to see if there’s one near you.

Of course, there’s one here in Burlington, Vermont. In fact their next “Monthly Code & Coffee” is scheduled for November 20th. Come on gals, girls, ladies, lassies, women – what are you waiting for? If you’ve ever had an interest in software development – this is your chance – an opportunity to explore  your developing skills.

Not interested in joining GDI yourself? but think it’s an awesome idea (because it is), how about supporting them or spreading the word by following them on facebook and twitter.

Come on, let’s get more girls in the high tech world.

flavor plate

flavor plate
websites for restaurants

What a great idea! Let restaurant owners and chefs do what they do best – prepare and serve delicious meals. And let Flavor Plate do all the work to give them a digital and mobile presence. What Dealer.com does for car dealerships, Flavor Plate does for restaurants.

Take a look at all the features they offer:

• website manager
• menu manager
• photo gallery
• mobile friendly
• design tools
• events calendar
• online gift card sales
• social media
• online reservations
• SEO control
• email marketing
• google maps

Restaurateurs! what more could you want? ok, maybe all this for free? Well, Flavor Plate does have just ONE very reasonable plan that for a small monthly fee covers all of it! You can’t afford to not have one of these websites.

Join these fine restaurants and consider becoming a client today:

• The Bearded Frog
• Black Sheep Bistro
• Cucina Antica
• Hinesburgh Public House
• Magnolia
• Starry Night Cafe

Bonus perk! If you’re a farm-to-table restaurant, you’ll get a discount.

“Simple. Beautiful. Restaurant websites.”

And of course, all made in Burlington, Vermont!

birnam wood games

Birnam Wood Games
Independent Game Developers

Birnam Wood Games is a small gaming studio located in, you guessed it, Burlington, Vermont! We love that they call BTV their home.

Have an idea for a game? or an app? Let this team create it for you. BWGames will design it and develop it from scratch just like they have for Seven Days, Echo, JDK, Efficiency Vermont and Superconductor.

Or just try one of their own games:

– 8Bitfit – mobile game you win by running and walking – as in actually running (currently in beta)
– Loc – 3D puzzle game. See how it works here.
– Pathogen – turn based strategy game to be released Fall 2013

Birnam Wood Games is one to watch!

p.s. keep an eye out for 8Bitfit & Pathogen – they’ll be released this fall!

loveopolis

Loveopolis.com
Online Dating just got a Whole Lot Better!

Looking for that “someone special”? Want to help a friend find “the one”?

Loveopolis, a startup based in Burlington, Vermont can help! Loveopolis is a new online dating platform that not only incorporates your closest friends (single or married) in your quest to find love, but also allows you to browse “Matches” that have the same interests as you. Soon you’ll be able to create an account and your “Inner Circle”, a group of your closest friends you trust and can share anything with. Your Inner Circle can give you feedback and even recommend matches they think will be the best fit for you. Bounce thoughts off them – what do they think of this match?

Loveopolis also have “Vouches” – you can vouch for a friend or check to see the vouches of your match. That way you’ll know if your match is really as awesome as they say they are. It’s not just an online dating platform, it’s a community of people helping people to find their match.

Request an Invite to their Beta launching later this year at Loveopolis.com and be sure to follow their “Road to Launch” at Blog.Loveopolis.com.

If you’re looking for love or know a friend who’s looking, check out Loveopolis…it’s free!

aquarius life science

Aquarius Life Science
epigenetics research lab

What turns genes on and off, and under what circumstances? That is what epigenetics is all about: how DNA is regulated by environmental factors. The new science of epigenetics reveals how the choices you make can change your genes — and those of your children.

Aquarius Corp. is a biotechnology company developing a DNA-based epigenetics assay for industry, academic and government researchers. The long-term goal is to validate the assay as a diagnostic tool for use in clinical fields such as oncology, endocrinology and infectious diseases.

Got that? for more information, Aquarius does a good job at explaining it here.and here.

We think this is very cool, cutting edge and it’s all happening right here in Burlington, Vermont! This is one to watch!

Want to learn more? come to their launch party on Jan 19th 4pm at Studio 3 at Spotlight On Dance, Inc.

hula-fit zip skirts

hula-fit Zip Skirts
skirts you can wear everywhere

This one’s for the gals – but guys take note – awesome gift opportunity.

Do you work out? Wish that you could just throw on something cute over your workout clothes and not walk around in your leggings? Hello hula-fit Zip Skirt! Just zip it over your leggings after a run, a walk, a hike, a ski – you name it. It looks so great you can wear it anywhere. Think of it as a “sweet little jacket for the hips“!

Made out of a material that blocks the wind with a YKK zipper (USA), the hula-fit Zip Skirt is wash and wear and only gets softer over time. It even has an interior mesh pocket for your keys and iphone. How convenient is that?

hula-fit is a Burlington start up with some pop up sales events this weekend (cash & checks) just in time for the holidays:

Saturday, December 22

12:00–2:00 pm  at  WhatsMomDoing.com
171 Battery Street, Burlington
(next to the Ice House Restaurant)

3:00–5:00 pm at Kaplan residence
21 Crescent Beach Drive, Burlington
(New North End, off Shore Road)

Sunday, December 23

12:00–2:00 pm at  WhatsMomDoing.com
171 Battery Street, Burlington
(next to the Ice House Restaurant)

3:00–5:00 pm at  AO Glass Pop-up Shop
197 College Street
(between South Winooski & Church)

You can also find them at the Ski Rack – while supplies last!.

Where can you go with a hula-fit Zip Skirt?

Everywhere.

shoutplans

shoutplans
real-time discovery of social intent for daily activities and events

have you ever wanted to grab sushi or go to a concert but none of your close circle of friends were available? well, shoutplans can help you! shoutplans is a free social planning tool that lets you discover what everyone around you wants to do and when.

all you have to do is sign up and shout out what you want to do to your friends and/or local community. as they call it – you are “expanding your planning pools“. once you find others that are interested, use their built in planning tools to easily coordinate a sushi date, catch a movie, find a carpool to the mountain, grab a beer, or whatever and then get offline and actually be social!

it’s as simple as 1, 2, 3:

• shout it
• plan it
• do it!

and maximize your free time with shoutplans.

learn more.

zoë ink

zoë ink
custom letterpress + design

elegant. sophisticated. clever. beautiful. these are just a few of the words that come to mind as you look at zoë ink’s designs.

specializing in letterpress and silk-screen printing, zoë papas combines her passion for innovative design and old world techniques to create unique graphics for :

• logos / branding
• web design
• invitations
• announcements
• moving cards

take a look at the logos and branding created by zoë ink – they’re all aesthetically pleasing and effectively communicate the feel of each company.

she’s even designed cards for that very-famous-stationery-company-that-we-know-you’ve-heard-of called crane & co. yes. it’s true take a look at these cards. maybe you recognize one or two? well, now you know they were designed by zoë ink from right here in burlington, vermont.

there’s a great selection of her cards you can buy directly from her website. 3 modern designs, queen anne’s lace and the retro trailer are just a few of our favorites.

whether you’re a startup looking for an identity, or needing a new web design, or a newly engaged couple looking for wedding invitations or just like beautiful letterpress cards, zoë ink offers a wide range of graphic design. it’s not just the high quality of the letterpress that leaves a lasting impression, it’s the designs themselves that stay with you.

our favorite quote from her site, “satisfying customers is only part of her goal. she wants them to be thrilled with their final product.”

yes.

vermont investors forum

vermont investors forum
bringing together new england’s entrepreneurial and investment communities

have an idea? the next big thing? a start-up? growth potential? looking for funding to transition you into the next phase? yes? well then the vermont investors forum could be for you. well, next year, that is – you’ll have about a year to prepare.

here’s how it works: companies apply, get selected and then pitch to qualified angel and institutional investors. it’s invitation only.

for companies to be selected, you must:

• have growth potential
• strong management team
• have an exit plan
• apply online by mid september
• be interested in equity financing opportunities
• be prepared to present an executive summary style pitch (nervous about this? no worries, you’ll get some coaching from the VIF steering committee)

perhaps you don’t have a product yet – but believe in your concept and growth potential – then consider applying for the innovators corner and give your 3 minute pitch.

take a look at the impressive list of VIF sponsors as well as the steering committee – if you need growth funding – this is for you!

if you know someone else who fits the bill – let them know about VIF! Or maybe you’re interested in the investment side of this forum and are accredited – take a look here to learn more about becoming involved.

“the next big thing” might just come out of vermont – and it could be your idea!

never say never.