Have you invented the next world-changing technology or created the next Google and need funding for your innovation? The answer may be just a few mouse-clicks away.
Blue Catalyst, Blue IQ Investment Holding's entrepreneurial and commercial innovation initiative, assists innovative entrepreneurs to access investment, mentorship and markets at no cost to entrepreneurs. Blue Catalyst is a network of mentors, advisers and financiers who engage with innovative entrepreneurs and help them take their smart ideas and innovations to market. Innovative entrepreneurs utilise the network of experts, investors and potential clients, as well as the Web 2.0 video-enabled portal, to start and advance the commercialisation of their “Smart Idea” based business ventures.
“We are the YouTube and the Facebook of innovative entrepreneurs and those who wish to assist and fund Smart Ideas to full commercial success,” explains Brian Carl Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Blue Catalyst. “We are looking for innovative, commercially viable, intellectual property-based business concepts in a variety of industries including information and communication technology, electronics, software, biotechnology, materials science, energy and other industries from innovative entrepreneurs that seek collaboration, partnerships, investment and markets.”
Since inception, Blue Catalyst Network members have been able to search and connect to one another using a social networking tool. The social networking tool is much like that used on Facebook or LinkedIn. Long before Facebook was made popular by users in the USA and around the world, the Blue Catalyst portal allowed Blue Catalyst Members to search profiles and connect to one another based on common interests or specific needs and wants, including technical expertise and financing. Currently, about 5 000 entrepreneurs have access to several hundred potential investors and nearly 1 000 experts, mentors and support organisations through the network.
“All an entrepreneur has to do is register on the portal. They may then log on and search for individual investors or post their Smart Idea opportunities in a number of ways, including using our video feature. Investors of all types, including angel investors and venture capitalists, monitor the portal seeking quality prospects for investing. We have had a number of funding successes ranging from R100 000 of angel investment in a newly-formed start-up to a recent venture capital placement of R7 million in an expanding biotech company,” says Brown.
“In addition to the social networking tool, entrepreneurs are now able to create and upload short video clips of their Smart Ideas. The uploaded videos, or 'elevator pitches', will bring life to an entrepreneur's innovative concepts and they revolutionise the way Smart Ideas are presented to the investment community. We'll even help make the video if assistance is required. And most importantly to cash strapped entrepreneurs, it's a free service.”
To view and upload videos on the Smart Stars video section of the Blue Catalyst Portal, first register at the Blue Catalyst Web site, http://www.bluecatalyst.co.za, and then log on to the Blue Catalyst Portal and choose the top line menu item Smart Stars. There are a number of uploaded videos and Blue Catalyst invites all innovative entrepreneurs to upload videos for their Smart Ideas. More information as well as tips and tricks for the use of videos can be obtained by contacting Blue Catalyst.
Likewise, to search for investors, experts or other members on the Blue Catalyst Network section of the Blue Catalyst Portal, first register at the Blue Catalyst Web site, http://www.bluecatalyst.co.za, and then log on to the Blue Catalyst Portal and choose the top line menu item, The Network. There are five thousand members that can be searched by name, industry, location, keywords and organisation name. Initial contact requests can be made through the Blue Catalyst Network; however, contact details of members remain private until both members agree to exchange information.
“In this way, we eliminate spam and protect investor, mentor and entrepreneur members from exposure to unwanted contact. The Blue Catalyst Portal is a secure https site and members' details are never shared, sold or made public. Members choose when and how to communicate with other members and with the portal itself,” clarifies Doug Vining, Chief Technology Officer of Blue Catalyst.
Blue Catalyst invites you to join the Blue Catalyst Network and complete your profile so that you will find opportunities and opportunities will find you. More information as well as advice and guidance for the use of the social networking and video tools can be obtained by contacting Blue Catalyst.
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Blue Catalyst
Blue Catalyst is a subsidiary of Blue IQ, the Gauteng provincial government's economic infrastructure development initiative, which is focused on advancing innovative entrepreneurs and furthering commercial opportunities throughout the region. By using an advanced Web 2.0, video-enabled Internet portal, as well as regular events, Blue Catalyst promotes innovation and links Smart Ideas to finance, business expertise and global markets at no charge to the entrepreneur. Further information can be obtained by visiting and registering on the initiative's Web site at: http://www.bluecatalyst.co.za or contacting the Blue Catalyst Chief Operating Officer (COO), Brian Carl Brown at brian@bcat.co.za.
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