| Name |
Contact Info |
Question 1 |
Question 2 |
Question 3 |
| Efren Toscano |
@TechZulu, efrentoscano@techzulu.com |
One important aspect of the initial growth of the LA Tech community was the desire to succeed as a community. Everyone was willing to help eachother out to help grow the community. |
Getting the word out and documenting all that was happening here in LA. There are a lot of people tirelessly working their asses off to make sure we get noticed. |
Becoming profitable is key within the community to help grow the community. With the desire and passion I believe it could be replicated. |
| Linda Sherman |
@LindaSherman
See "links" on my blog
|
The growth of networking among tech community & cross-over with entertainment |
Just since fall 2008, I feel we reached a tipping point of vibrant LA based IRL networking events
My article on topic
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Continued IRL networking, conferences and on-line LA specific communities. All replicable. |
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Andrew Warner
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Independence - If there was any one person in charge, it would have stifled ideas.
Mutual-support - The BarCamp team, for example, kept promoting other events.
|
For me it's when people from outside LA came in. I know for some people it felt like "our turf" was invaded, but I thought it helped grow the environment. |
I think this community needs to help create cool shit and/or profitable businesses. Otherwise it'll be a hangout club. |
|
emad
|
emad.info |
A lot of people pitching in together to help get some attention down here and creating a bunch of events. The need was there but, thankfully, a few people stepped up and made it happen. Up until then, I had been watching what other cities were oing form the sidelines. |
I started realizing we had reach the tipping point when people outside of LA where recognizing what was going on in LA and reaching out to us and others...then, mainstream media in LA started taking notce too! |
We replicated what happened elsewhere. Other places can replicate us. All you need is a ready and willing community and at least 1 (preferably many) Andrew-types to make it happen. :-) |
| Chris Darbro |
@RockNRollGeek
http://www.barcampla.org
|
The Energy, The Buzz. A lot of people were hearing about LA Tech events through friends, co-workers, and being brought out by them, and got something new, interesting, refreshing, that I believe reinvigorated some spark in their respective tech positions/jobs. People became more proud to sport their profession on their sleeve, and go back to the office or school and tell others about the kick-ass time they had at this 'tech-event' the other night. |
Staying Fresh, Entertaining, and Current. Events where people arent just sipping drinks and socializing, but learning new things, trends, techniques, tools, and sharing this information in such a fun, casual, social environment, keeps things thriving. |
Variety, Spontaneity. Staying fresh. Keep the various pieces of the LA tech scene coming up with new events, fresh ideas and methods for sharing information with themselves, and the other areas of the community, so that things are always staying new and exciting, and not the same old thing each week/month/etc. |
| Doug Campbell |
@projectfresh
http://www.mindshare.la
|
'Centralizing' the community is key. By 'centralizing' I don't mean in terms of location, more in terms of energy. LA is obviously a massive city and contains 1000's of amazingly talented people spread across it. Bringing these people together is the challenge that any community, especially such a large one, faces. By creating groups and events that people can flock to, a natural network emerges. Familiarty of faces and inspiration to create other centralizing systems further propagates the wave of connections.
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When this occurance is combined with the fact that we're a naturally tech-inclined community, it creates the 'perfect [networking] storm': the digital networking tools augment the in-person networking, and the shear amount of focused and diverse events further work to enhance our community.
The tipping point for me was knowing that with minimal effort I could reach out to 100's, even 1000's of similarly minded people. Or people I needed to find to help me solve a problem.
|
The resulting force has a naturally sustaining effect. As more people learn about what is going on, more people want to get involved, whether this means helping out with existing events / groups or creating their own.
It's inherent human nature to want to be part of something bigger than yourself. So once you start to feel this effect, it becomes something you begin to crave more of.
The crucial questions for replication are:
- Is there a large enough pool in your community of talented and like-minded people?
- Can you, or someone you know, lead the charge with energy, positivity, diplomacy and dedication?
- Can you let others own a piece of the community you are building?
Your answer to all of these should be "yes".
It takes hard work - after all, you're doing to build a community; however, if it flourishes, the opportunities and social capital you amass will be immeasurable.
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| Robyn N. Cohen |
@missro
http://www.girlintech.net
robyn@girlsintech.net
|
I think it was the desire to put LA on the map as an important tech scene outside of San Francisco. I think the beginning of it (for me) was knowing that MySpace's headquarters were here in LA. Instead of the attitude for the Entertainment industry (well, if you want to be an actor, have to do it in LA) which I used to apply to tech (well if you want to be a successful tech co., have to do it in SF). Not true anymore.
Also, collaboration. People are much more willing to come together and work on something for a collective level of success.
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My hubby and I had moved out of LA mid-2006. In March '08 we started making plans to move back. While in town for a friend's wedding, we had attended I believe it was Twiistup 3 at Air-Conditioned and the MashMeet at the Rubicon Offices. That's when I felt things were really starting to blossom.
I think what helps it thrive is the fact that LA has all these industries such as Fashion and Entertainment that bring together many different 'types' of tech professionals.
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I believe what will help to sustain the community is everyone's individual success. I think if each tech company is successful/profitable it will not just sustain the community, but help with continued growth.
Can it be replicated? I would have to say no. It's a very unique community. It's a community where everyone knows...well, everyone. A lot of great friendships have been developed and we all want to see everyone succeed.
It will be interesting to see how it grows over the next 3-5 years.
I'm thrilled to be a part of the LA tech community. Onward and upward!
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