Startups and Beer—inflection point in WR

Startups and Beer - June 2016 127

So I had some beers and great conversations with a thousand friends on Wednesday at Startups and Beer at the old Eatons space at King and Water in DTK. Ok, well that’s how many registered for this jam, and by the time I had to bail at 7pm for a Maker Expo planning meeting the place was packed and running through til 9pm. TL;DR: crackling energy, big success.

I try to pay attention to what’s happening around town and this felt like an inflection point, a good sign on the trail. Felt like critical mass achieved. Maybe it was because the sponsors (Sortable, Axonify, Magnet Forensics, Vidyard and Dejero) are all players I like. Maybe it had a little something to do with the great beers and cider from Descendants, Elora Brewing, Block3, AbeErb and KW Craft Cider. (Of course it did.) Maybe it was because this long-shuttered space in the heart of DTK was awakening in the capable hands of Perimeter Development. The dream of a possible grocery store danced in the heads of downtowners.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 245

A hard rain and gridlocked traffic did nothing to dampen spirits inside.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 228

I showed up early, as did Mayor Berry, chatting with Simon here.

Click through for a quasi-unreasonable number of photos…

Startups and Beer - June 2016 009

Just getting warmed up.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 010

Always a mystery as to who is in the Vidyard bot.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 011

Erik from Astrodog Media on scene for video.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 013

Games: good idea…

Startups and Beer - June 2016 022

until Joanna…

Startups and Beer - June 2016 027

does something. Jk.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 015

Matt wiring for sound.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 028

Mischievous distraction.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 033

The gate with Sam and Co.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 039

When I filled out the post-event survey I gave a high-five to whomever did logistics. Nametags are so simple and boost name retention and new connections by 37% [cite].

Startups and Beer - June 2016 042

Here’s another *excellent* sign on the trail: The Working Centre representin’ here in this tech crowd.  I’m *super*-happy to see this. Community Access Bikeshare, fair-trade roasted-on-Queen-Street coffee and lots more good at this table. My family signed up earlier this very week for the Hacienda Market Garden CSA program. Fresh veggies in DTK. Community Supported Agriculture FTW!

Startups and Beer - June 2016 048

It is so great to see the paper come down from these windows. There’s talk of these windows being extended up to the ceiling.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 045

Hey Steve Currie.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 051

People! I see Nabil.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 059

I’m going to mention The Working Centre at least a couple more times in this post. Because they are one of the best street-level players helping our in-need community members get a leg up.

Spot Josh here.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 062

Kirkup sighting!

Startups and Beer - June 2016 072

Simon, Jeff, Mike and Mike in a power chat.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 075

Ken talking with Craig.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 078

My pal Josh from the old days, hanging with the Axonify crew.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 087

Amaris sighting…

Startups and Beer - June 2016 083

Zoom in and she is talking with… ZOMG, it’s Peter the-most-awesome-AV-guy from my past life.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 090

Catharine has spotted me while checking out soaps from TWC. I also see Kristin over there.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 093

So photogenic. Perfect for the no-look hipshot.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 100

Erik and Matt. Quasi-meta (‘cause it’s video).

Startups and Beer - June 2016 094

“Intensity!”

Startups and Beer - June 2016 101

These guys are great. Matt is one of the hardest working networkers I know.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 113

People.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 104

People.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 116

People.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 129

Sam on the turntable.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 132

Startups and Beer - June 2016 131

This event was Sam-approved. Good tunes, my friend.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 135

Beer comes from here.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 136

The rare posed shot from me of Craig. Many thanks to Craig and Perimeter for buying this lot of photos to show prospective tenants. High five! Getting a photographer paid is like feeding a cat: you got a friend for life.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 141

Alex and Craig…

Startups and Beer - June 2016 146

two guys who love DTK.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 150

Block3 beer here.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 154

Carol representin’ with Axonify.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 161

Cider corner.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 163

Yup, still a little left in this one.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 164

Sam.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 167

Sam’s rig.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 170

Caption this photo.Startups and Beer - June 2016 171

Or this one.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 176

People just kept on coming in.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 180

I learned that one of my favourite lawyers, Jonathan, has left the firm and joined Vidyard.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 183

Startups and Beer - June 2016 188

Startups and Beer - June 2016 192

Startups and Beer - June 2016 190

One of my regular haunts in UTW.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 194

Fun fact: Vidyard is pretty much all moved into their totally wicked space at 8 Queen.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 201

Startups and Beer - June 2016 209

Shout to all my friends from the old BlackBerry Security days who are now at Magnet.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 215

Community Access Bikeshare: it’s not just for outside.

Startups and Beer - June 2016 238

You’re a good sport, Berry.

Only halfway through the party, I had to dash over to Descendants for a meeting of the Maker Expo Extraordinary Planners (yes, MEEPs). We’re bringing Maker Expo to you on September 10 on the next block (City Hall, y’all!) and this thing ain’t gonna plan itself. I want to see all your shiny faces there, so get it in yer calendar now.

I’m really excited about the potential for this space in the core. Getting all these great people in the room with beer is a recipe for endless possibilities.

At the corner of King and Water, this is Waterloo Region!

DW

This entry was posted in event and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.