Semantic Seed Program Overview
- 3. About GBI Global Business Incubation, Inc. (GBI), a US non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that promotes a unique "zero-time" business accelerator culture for start-up companies, entrepreneurs and small businesses in software technology (game development), multimedia, entertainment and other peripheral industries. GBI was founded in 1991 in partnership with Loyola Marymount University, College of Business Administration, as a spin-off of the CSBD Foundation. GBI, a non-profit organization consisting of colleges, universities, government, industry and community organizations, was originally established as a virtual network "partnership" dedicated to linking California businesses to emerging technology and effectively channeling it toward marketing and manufacturing opportunities.
- 4. Semantic Seed Program Overview The Semantic Seed program was established in 2008 by the founders of Urban Technology Ventures, and Break through Ventures after the company’s founder’s observations of first time entrepreneurs struggling to find funding from angel investors and venture capitalist to hatch ideas. Semantic Seed is a special kind of co working space and idea accelerator that cares more about funding “Good People” than your resume credentials and your business plan. The Labs mission is to become a catalyst for early stage companies to graduate into venture capital ready companies. Start-ups and entrepreneurs can capitalize on the experience, skills and networks that Semantic Seed can provide to streamline development and accelerate commercialization of ideas We help entrepreneurs go from the idea stage to a real company with a product or service generating revenue. To attract these young entrepreneurs, the team set up an advisory board “Think Tank” of mentor entrepreneurs with hands on operating experience. We will also partner with Universities, and enterprises to identify budding ideas.
- 5. Semantic Seed Co-Working Facility’s Co working is an emerging trend for a new pattern for working. Typically work-at-home professionals or independent contractors or people who travel frequently end up working in relative isolation. Co working is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space. Some co working spaces were developed by nomadic internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffee shops and cafes, or to isolation in independent or home offices. Business accelerators, business incubators and executive suites do not seem to fit into the co working model, because they often miss the social, collaborative, and informal aspects of the process, with management practices closer to that of a Cooperative, including a focus on community rather than profit. Many of the co working participants are also participants in Bar Camp and other related open source technology activities groups.
- 6. Semantic Seed Co-Working Facility’s San Jose , Facility 1, Focus: SAAS, Mobile, Media and Gaming (Fully Leased by San Jose City Incubators) Incubate Miami, Facility 2, Focus: Media, SAAS, Telecom (Opened September 1, 2009, 100% occupied) Sunnyvale, Facility 3, Focus: SAAS, Mobile, Media and Gaming (Opening Feb 1, 2011)
- 7. Semantic SeedMeet Ups, Camps, Weekly Events and Seminars for entrepreneurs and developers