Curry 2.1 – Part 1
June 19, 2008 at 1:01 am
Tonight I braved rain and miserableness to attend the inaugural Curry 2.1. Am not sure if that’s what it’s going to end up being called, but it’s a Paul Walsh networking affair, a step forward from Curry 2.0, Jaipur, you know it’s going to be good, and I wasn’t disappointed. Thanks to sponsors Microsoft and BT.
This blog comes in two posts because the format of the night was that we went around the table (16 people) and after intros, we all got to shout out what subjects we’d like to discuss. The worthy ones got approx. 10 mins, and I’m delighted that my topic “Free” started off.
FREE
The reason I raised this is because I’m heading off to Reboot 10 next week and last year’s Reboot topic (Human) has been very much on my mind. I believe that we are in an era where humanity is OK in business. I rejoice in that and get a kick when financials and telcos include words like ‘energy’ and ‘spirit’ in their content! Human-ness and all that means is current. I am grateful to the people who put on Reboot 9 for helping to plant that in my consciousness.
I asked the group for their thoughts on FREE, the theme of this year’s Reboot:
Marcus Mac Innes of Pix.ie, photo sharing software (I’ve recently transferred my paid membership and longevity with Flickr) said:
It’s almost impossible to ask people to pay for a product or service they are accustomed to getting for free. You’ve got to get the right balance of free vs. paid from the start in order to maximise any future revenue opportunities.
Martha Rotter of Microsoft said:
Space isn’t the problem. It’s when you’ve got to deal with security breaches. etc
Conclusion: “free” is good. It’s not the problem. It’s when you’ve got too much free. When there’s always someone out there who’s going to offer more free. Then it’s goes beyond having value.
Discussion Topic 2 
Tech) People in Ireland are Shit
Paul Walsh made the point that it’s not companies that are shit in Ireland, but the people and the traditional track record. Much debate followed, including comments that Irish VC’s just don’t get it. But as Brian Caulfieldpointed out, it’s a two way street as far as slagging off VC’s goes – and in fairness, it’s not that easy to find a backable business in ireland.
Dylan Collins pointed out that it was a lack of good seed investment five years ago that leaves us in the situation we’re in today. Talk then turned to whether or not there is a case for raising capital off high net worths facing into the property downturn these days.
Conclusion: there is an opportunity to include high net worths/business angels in Ireland?
More on other topics tomorrow including: a) how to decipher my own writing on the side of a napkin b) how to quantify social networks c) hiring talent in Ireland today
Comments (3 responses)
- Hosting365 and BT were the sponsors
- I don’t think ‘people in Ireland are shit’ – It’s slightly out of context and a little strong. I said that if failure was to be attributed, it would have to be attributed to the people without track records. Or something like that anyway
For the record, I thanked the sponsors on the night and I’m 100% I got it right
Great to have you at the dinner!
Indeed Paul, you probably didn’t say something that strong. Maybe you said “fit” or “hit”, I just can’t be too sure of my notes!
In fact, my notes look like a drunken spider reeled across the page. Almost a week on, I can’t make any sense of them. So I have to break my promise to cover those other topics noted above.
If you really want to hear more about that kind of thing (why do I feel like Fr Ted when I say that?), then you might well consider joining Curry 2.1 or 2.0 or whatever it’s called. You may hear more about it. If you do, jump at it. That’s my recommendation. (winks)
Indeed Paul, you probably didn’t say something that strong. Maybe you said “fit” or “hit”, I just can’t be too sure of my notes!
In fact, my notes look like a drunken spider reeled across the page. Almost a week on, I can’t make any sense of them. So I have to break my promise to cover those other topics noted above.
Folks – if you really want to hear more about that kind of thing (why do I feel like Fr Ted when I say that?), then you might well consider joining Curry 2.1 or 2.0 or whatever it’s called. You may hear more about it. If you do, jump at it. That’s my recommendation. (winks)
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