jdbradford

Amazing.

I am so looking forward to this. There is so much potential in this market and smart people getting involved.

I truly believe that "hardware is the new black".

LMAO. If I crashed on the couch, it is because I thoroughly enjoy meeting and hanging out with smart startup founders and hanging out with friends.

I can reassure you that having just returned from staying at the Intercontinental in Moscow with GOAP - I am not having a rough time.

I love the ability to notify people that if they reduce the email length I am more likely to respond quickly. Awesome work. Keep coding.

I am looking forward to the next 3 months.

Hi guys. Lots of very interesting points.

ignite100 is essentially a private sector spin-out of the Difference Engine.

One of the key issues accelerator models have struggled with is what happens post programme. The additional funding allows teams to maintain momentum after the programme and create a runway to the next funding round.

Happy to take any questions here, or you can get me at jon at ignite100 dot com

Phil

I am humbled to think that we can compete with Paul and his investors (including their $150k). Seriously, we announced the deadline in mid November when we launched. PS if you know any YC applicants who would like to apply - send them my way.

Phil

All points well made and accepted.

I can assure you we are not a scam - I would hope that the inclusion of Cambridge University and NESTA would provide some credibility.

All of our investors are also included within the mentor list - but do not want to be specifically identified. Interesting our investors have much more to lose ($$$) than the mentors who are giving up their time.

All our mentors give up their time freely. We take a minimal stake to ensure sustainability - but the ultimate objective to help teams accelerate their businesses.

If you have any further questions, drop me a line at jon at springboard dot com.

For an example of the impact which the programme can have check out ScreenReach who took part in the Difference Engine a programme I have historically run.

http://eu.techcrunch.com/2011/01/27/screenreach-raises-50000...

Peter

To make the programme sustainable in the longer term, unfortunately it has been necessary to adopt a similar model to YC and TechStars. I am sure you agree that the provision of similar programmes should be encouraged.

Hi Peter

Good to speak again. Many points well made.

1. Springboard is funded by 9 angel investors and NESTA, all of whom have invested equal sums. All are very active investors and are seeking to find more deals to invest in. We believe through the mentors involved we cover all the key areas that a startup would need to consider. Where gaps exist we will active seek to plug these gaps.

2. Red Gate ran Springboard historically in a different format. Correct me if I am wrong - since you worked alongside the teams - but of the four teams involved - one received funding and two have gone on to YC. Under Difference Engine, 5 of the 9 teams have been funded, including a team who received angel funding and has gone to SV and one who has received £750k in funding.

3. All of the investors can be found within the mentor group, but they have for personal reasons not disclose their identity. Cumulatively, the investors have had exits in excess of several billion dollars.

4. I would not be so bold as to suggest we are superior to YC - the grand-daddy of accelerator programmes. The major issue in Europe is the lack of these resources. We are seeking to address a deficiency in the market and we have a proven track record.

5. Interestingly most of my mentors are massively busy and for them to take at least a full day out of their diary is a significant commitment for them. None of my mentors get paid and give freely of their time.

6. I personally don't think that 6% is a significant %. Do we believe that we can add at least 6% value to your business by taking part. Absolutely, many times over.

It would be good for you to clarify what you mean by dumb money - working alongside the programme mentors for the 13 weeks is quite the opposite - their insight, guidance, contacts and introductions is invaluable.

Happy to discuss this further offline, if you need further information. As you know - you can get me on jon at springboard dot com.

Not recent, but unloved!! :(

I really look forward to working some great teams over the next few months.

I helped to found the Difference Engine, a 13 week bootcamp programme, based in the North East of England. The first batch of 9 teams "graduated" in June 2011 - from which 5 teams have had follow on funding.

Following the success of the programme I was approached to help relaunch the Springboard.com programme based in Cambridge University - funded by the backing of a consortia of Angel Investors. We are in the middle of applications and will accept teams from anyone on the planet. We have received overwhelming support both from the Cambridge and London entrepreneurial community.

Based upon the success we have achieved before we are definitely aiming to get over 50% of our teams funded.

feelin the love. i feel very privileged to be working with some exceptionally talented and generous mentors. so looking forward to 2011.

Since the programme is open to anyone from anywhere we are attempting to raise the profile of the programme outside of the region - and social media etc is the obvious approach with limited resources and time.

In addition to a number of local events I have also attended around 10 different events across the UK and overseas over the last 3 weeks to raise the profile of the programme.

Your point is well made re BarCamps and OpenCoffee and it is my intention after the first programme to spend more facetime with interested participants - local suggestions would be welcome.

The selection process will include a variety of individuals including local VCs and entrepreneurs with "real world" experience.

Hi guys/gals

To address a few of the points raised

@jot we are working to a very strict budget; our marketing spend is <$10k - to try and raise awareness of a previously unknown initiative. The team at present involved managing the initiative is 2 people - and not by committee.

@jdietrich we are very serious about this project and this is not a showcase. This is about creating opportunities for early stage startups from anywhere. This initiative is important in creating deal flow for the new $200m suite of investment funds based in the North East of England - http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/jeremie/index.cfm

@swombat sorry to hear that you don't approve of our marketing approach. It was designed to raise awareness of The Difference Engine and have a bit of fun. If you would prefer us to be more serious please check out our main website thedifferenceengine.eu

@danw am sorry if you think we scammed you. The internal "code name" for the programme was "Why Aye" Combinator for a period - hence the domain YICombinator. As is pointed out "Why Aye" is a frequently used phase.

@freeradical we have kept our remit relatively wide at this early stage so that we do not exclude good businesses and teams. This is no different from YC, Techstars and Seedcamp

@jgrahamc I understand that there are "differences in opinion on who should be given the credit for designing Rocket" (Wikipedia)

More than happy to take questions @jd

Scoble has an interesting take on this - http://bit.ly/4oioQZ

"Several years ago Microsoft had a project code-named Chrome. It was supposed to be a multimedia browser. The project was killed a few weeks away from shipping."