Congrats Mike/Jason

Great direction for TechCrunch. And from the comments my guess is the demand from companies, attendees and global replicas will be huge.

Keith Teare
ceo/co-founder/edgeio

Great, great idea. You guys are a credit to an industry built by little guys with big ideas.

Absolutely great idea Mike. It will be a blast to see what kind of companies you pick an decide to showcase.

If you are looking to do this as a regular event I would love to see another page like CrunchGear that addresses the startup companies that attend the TechCrunch20 with some information on the company, some company quotes and information with a link to the video of them presenting, that way people who don’t wish to sit through the entire conference waiting for the startup’s that appeal to there industry interests can get right to what they want to see.
Categorical listings of these would also be great for people to watch previous conferences without needing to wade through the conferences individually.
This would also serve to increase your pageviews as you would not be simply linking to other sites for people to view the videos and the value add would help increase exposure for your event.

@ mashaziva
“If you are going to succeed, you will have to prove to the rest of us that TechCrunch 20 will in fact be open, honest and fair. You can start by having your readership elect your board which should be diverse and not all related to TechCrunch in some way. This would help make sure that you aren’t the next conference criticized for a conflict of interest.”

I don’t believe there would be a conflict of interest there as TechCrunch is not incented in any way by the companies whose products are posted onto TechCrunch, provided he does not give time to advertisers (unless it can be justified by a ‘killer app’) I don’t see a problem.

Love the idea, how can we get our start up considered? Anxiously awaiting the details. We spend on marketing, but I can’t justify a mysterious ROI for a 10K+ sponsorship on something without very granular case studies to justify the spend.

I think it’d be cool if you took open submissions and we - along with everybody you’ve mentioned - get to vote. We’re all web savvy cats it’d be interesting to see what we all collectively think is worth listening to and why. Anyway, small, purposeful events trump big messy trade shows anyday - there was a good article about this not long ago in (i think) fast company. i think it’s a cool move on tc’s part.

Michael, just like you say that there’s a conflict of interest because these are PAID demos, TechCrunch20 will experience the same. The startups that are likely to be picked will probably be those of the well-connected entrepreneurs who know you or Jason personally (oh, wait, you call it a “committee”). So don’t make it sound like you are catering to the little guy in the garage

I am also very much interested in media attendance opportunities - any news on that Mike?

You should have a broader spectrum of enterprises than just Web 2.0 - there is a ton of exciting innovation happening in the broader technology landscape.

This is great. I actually recommended this a couple weeks ago on the forums, but you probably conceived this idea far before.

I couldnt agree more with the free demo sentiment. I actually think you should get more ambitious with this and hold regional conferences that focus on startups from different regions in the country…therefore getting rid of the silicon valley bias.

Just tell me where to send my application!

@carl lee: dude, you copy/pasted what I said above. What the hell?

Awesome, I posted a response on JC blog but I wanted to stop by and say thanks for keeping an eye out for the start up’s that can’t afford to shell out 18k.

Also I’ll suggest again a format that allows more people, and possibly includes founders of non-featured start-ups, it really helps founders to be able to network and watch other people pitch.

Anyhow Grats! Great Idea!

PS: I like Patricia’s and the previous posters idea: Have some kind of voting for the Panel (or part of it). I’d imagine it would be a pretty big feather in someones cap to be voted onto the panel for TC20.

Sounds awesome, keep us posted.

Mitch

LOL @ permanent hater;

He’s either a spammer, or, as you like to call it, a “hater”.

Um, so basically you’re helping Jason figure out how to pick a company to fund with his new VC cash. It would have been much simpler (and ethical) to just take a consulting fee and do this behind closed doors.

want to make it to TC20 and lack ideas? here is one: social prescription.
small communities based on real life experiences. People share difficult experiences they had to go through. Others who are going through the same stage can ask for advices etc… You can have a community for struggling web2.0 entrepreneurs, community for cancer patients etc….
This social network is all about mini-social networks.
Don’t thank me. I got a truck load.

I think this is one of the better conference ideas out there.

Sounds like a nice idea but what prevents being a conflict of interest here also. I mean if a company that advertises on Techcrunch wants to demo something at Techcrunch20, wouldnt it be easier for them to get in.

Mike,

You actually had a TechCrunch20 already…. the 3rd TechCrunch Party (called BBQ back than) felt just like that:-)   Seriously it was not too crowded, and the 20 or so presentations really made it a great event - just the right mix, which was missing from subsequent parties that grew too big.

this sounds like a great idea…has there ever been a succesful company that appeared at DEMO?

I’m on the advisory board of http://www.ibdnetwork.com that puts on the Dealmaker and Under The Radar events. They have shown great integrity and excellent execution in providing a format to expose key execs to promising emerging comapnies… wanted to give a nod to them. I remember even seeing you there as a moderator and enjoyed you very much. Anyhow, I look forward to learning more and wish you great success!

Michael, This is a great visibility opportunity for the 2 guys in a garage who spent the $18k on, well, delivering a product… and if they had another $18k wouldn’t need to be at the conference in the first place..

June and I are willing to pitch in sweat and cash in helping to make this happen if you put a call for extra hands or funding.

In the Valley we’re so spoiled it’s awesome:
IBDNetwork
SVASE
SDForum
Churchill Club
EBIG
Right Hand Partners
VC Task Force
Funding Post
BASN
AAMA/ Silicon Valley French/ Silicon Valley Vikings/ DigitalMoose/ TiE/ SIPA etc.

Congrats Mike. It’s the right thing to do, and I’m glad you’re doing it.

To those who want to find the negative in everything - consider this: This helps the companies who will attend. Focus on that for just a second and you’ll get it.

Hey Jason/Mike a friend just returned from Cuba…let me know if you would like a few ‘cubans’ on the house….

I smoke once in awhile but she brought back 100 cigars…I won’t be finishing them any time soon.

J

The Palm Pilot worked out pretty well. So did Half.com. And eTrade was a bit of a success, no? Ironport just sold for $880 million. Demo has launched a lot of successful products and companies.

Chris is respected for her insight, fairness, and evaluation process. Reporters show up here because what shows here matters. We showed 2 years ago and did ok–we weren’t as well prepared on the floor, though our demo was a bit tighter than this year. We’ve grown tremendously since then, and the partnerships and relationships have paid off.

This year we’re prepared, and the concentration of press, venture, and partners is intense and incredibly valuable. It’s what you make of it; if you’re good, it’s very valuable.

There are tons of smaller conferences and a few of decent stature that offer a percentage but not even close to the full value.

TechCrunch is a great blog, and I hope the conference goes well. And I hope you reconsider the value of DEMO after talking to some of us here. Either way, good luck with the venture.

Certainly a good idea - look no farther than IDB Network, which has been doing a great job with this approach for several years with the Under The Radar series (I am on their advisory board, and am very pleased with their progress). Under The Radar vets their companies carefully, and throws a wider net than Web 2.0. A similar approach with a deeper Web 2.0 (and presumably Mobile 2.0) focus would be welcomed.

I also find DEMO a terrific conference which gives ventures a tremendous market launch platform. You don’t need to bash it to set up a reason for your Crunchfest - there is a renewed hunger to see hot new companies, and room for several different models.

This sounds just like Web 2 Expo and Web 2 Conferences Launch Pad program. Good Luck

Great work Mike,

Naturally, we’d love to attend. Keep all the entrepreneurs posted on the developments and let us know how we can get involved.

I agree that the payola model is flawed. I’ve turned down three conferences where our company ( Voices.com ) was “accepted” to present to a panel of judges and then we were prompted to submit a $5000.00 entrance fee. We decided those funds are better invested in our business and serving our customers directly.

Great work Mike,

Naturally, we’d love to attend. Keep all the entrepreneurs posted on the developments and let us know how we can get involved.

I agree that the payola model is flawed. I’ve turned down three conferences where our company ( Voices.com ) was “accepted” to present to a panel of judges and then we were prompted to submit a $5000.00 entrance fee. We decided those funds are better invested in our business and serving our customers directly.

nice idea…wait, Jason Calacanis is still alive?

We — BuzzPal - The World Is Your Party — would be interested in this too. Timing might be perfect. We are seeking our angel round now. At the same time we are negotiating with a Bay Area recruiter to help us bring on the founding team. And we’re also networking with prospective partners. The long and the short is that the pieces are coming together and a summer 2007 beta launch is the goal, with a full launch by the fall. Any interested parties should contact me, especially prospective angel investors and founding team members with some combo of the following talents: creative, UI, user experience, design, usability, tech (everything
technology-related for web 2.0 startup), marketing, business development, member acquisition, brand, PR, promo, events, finance, operations, accounting, corporate governance. That’s about 3-5 people total. Cheers!

-Chris Comella, Founder
BuzzPal - The World Is Your Party
http://www.buzzpal.com

When is Techcrunch coming back here to New York City? Techcruch New York was very interesting.

It would be nice to have a bi-coastal Techcrunch2.0 conference.

Can we help?

Mike, great to hear about TC20.

We conducted a similar event in India called PROTO. Please check http://www.proto.in .

The idea is simple. Select the 30 best startups, get the best of VCs and get them together. We charged a very nominal $100 from each just to meet the lunch and logistical expenses.

We had 325 paid participants ( a 100 more than we had planned for). The media was quite interested too.

In short, it was a very good start. Many call it highly successful. Mainly because not many events that encourage entrepreprenuership happen in India.

We have already started planning for the 2nd edition of PROTO to be held later this year.

We would love to attend … we are just 2 guys working from home on this movie recommendation engine. It works fine but has not really taking off how like we wanted. Due slow website performance (we only have on server) and looks I guess.

We are working right now on a relaunch which gives our users new features, like to interact with other, Forums and more..

We managed to get 6400 users and we get emails almost daily of users how much they like it.

Our recommendations are right on and it kind of amuses us to think about that Neflix is willing to spend a million to enhance their recommendations by a small percentage.

Our profit on criticker is very small and there for we could never pay 15.000 bucks .. ever.

Kudos, glad to see more folks get it. We’ve been saying the Pay for Stage model was old hat for about 10 months now at STIRR. The fact that this sounds strikingly similar to our Two Oh 20 event is a bit uncanny, but perhaps all good minds think alike (or we have a fly on the wall).

@24 I’m not sure that there are 20 web 2.0 companies with a business model in existence, so might want to skip that reqiurement

Does it just have to be new companies? How about a really old company with a really great new product? Or perhaps you need two shows — one on startups, the other with established companies but with innovation as their showcase.

Mike, just a matter of interest: wasn’t the reason you got irritated with TCUK because they criticised Le Web and announced a competing event at the same time?

If so, so what’s with ragging DEMO and launching your own competitor in the same post here?

As it goes, the event sounds very interesting indeed… I’m not simply stirring for the sake of it, but honestly interested how this sits with you.

Mike,

This sounds great and I am interested in participation.

ebiz Industries is ready to lauch a new site from the East Coast in a non-consumer space. Would this fit your expectations for consideration in your show?

Thanks,
Dan
Founder

@Bobbie Johnson - I could’nt help but notice that as well.

Since DEMO is going on, the timing could’nt have been an accident. So why would one willing become what they hate?

Great comments on this topic - I have a suggestion to democratize the invite process without taking away control from the TC team.

How about 15 of the 20 start-ups are selected by the committee, and 5 spots are selected by the TC readers. You guys pick the list of 10 or so choices and readers vote on which deserving startups gets to present.

This way the opinionated and diverse TC readership get their say and the interest and participation brings a new level of buzz to the conference.

BTY - our startup (promoterforce) would be very interested in presenting and the Fall time period aligns with our launch plan.

congrats mike… sounds like a great idea.

best of luck & looking forward to it,

- dave

@ Bojo: Interesting isn’t it? Hypocrisy in action!

What a great idea. Just came back from a conference which was the opposite. I paid an arm and a leg to present. Met no one.

sounds like a great idea…any plans comping to LONDON.

Please include Hunami in this list.

Mike,

Aren’t you being a BIT of a hypocrite with this whole announcing conferences at someone elses conference fiasco with TCUK?

Considering that Under the Radar (http://www.undertheradar.com/) have an event coming up March 23 that you’re moderating at, are you going to make you NEXT announcement about Techcrunch20 from their stage?

Under the Radar has been offering a very successful non-payola model for years. Almost exactly the same format as you’re proposing. A little hat tip to them for the inspiration would be noble. They offer a fantastic program as I’m sure you’ll agree.

These events are fantastic for the real innovators.

Posting ANON for fear of the Arrington deathray.

Great news, and don’t forget we need something like that in Europe too

Lots of IBDNetwork lovers in here. And I think they’re a fine organization with a solid reputation and Alison Murdoch really cares about the companies.

But face it, outside Silicon Valley, they do not have the clout that Tech Crunch can pull down worldwide. No offense to IBDNetwork but not many outside the bay area have head much about them and being there doesn’t get the same traction that being covered on TC does (even in their blog).

I think it’s somewhat comparing apples to oranges. IBDN’s under the radar series is closed, not hyped up a lot, doesn’t get massive coverage. However, it’s a GREAT place to be seen by real investors and local connections, and they make some serious deals. And certainly doesn’t cost as much as DEMO.

There are enough companies out there to help and these events serve different purposes.