There was LaunchRock, billing itself as the "easiest way to build hype around your start-up," according to the Startup Weekend Philadelphia website.
And WishGenies, which seeks to use crowdsourcing to help individuals come up with gift ideas for someone who doesn't share their interests. (What if the crowd suggests a tie or sweater?)
But the winner was an uber-geek idea called GitHacking, a tool aimed at software developers who use a collaboration platform called GitHub. Event organizer Brad Oyler said there was a lot of buzz online about GitHacking when it launched.
USA L.L.C.
The second announcement involving entrepreneurs came from the White House, which launched its "Startup America" initiative Monday.
Under it, the Small Business Administration will commit $2 billion over the next five years in two funds. Half of that amount will go toward private-sector funds that supply growth capital to companies in economically distressed areas or are involved in emerging industries, such as clean energy.
The other half would go into a fund to supply capital to companies in the early stages of development. The SBA would match dollar for dollar the private investment raised by early-stage seed funds.
New support for confer-
ences, mentorship programs, business incubators, and educational programs for young entrepreneurs were also part of a package that seems to reflect the presi-
dent's new kinder, gentler relationship with business.
DreamIt NYC
Finally,
DreamIt Ventures Inc., the Philadelphia-area enterprise that helps accelerate the development of start-ups during an intensive three-month program, announced its expansion into New York.
With that move, DreamIt will push its Philadelphia program from the sweltering summer to the bustling fall, according to managing partner Kerry Rupp. No dates have been set.
DreamIt and other accel-
erators, such as TechStars and Y Combinator, are popu-
lar with young entrepre-
