There has been a huge showing of support and enthusiasm for creating a successful startup culture here in Albuquerque. The primary reason I made this blog is that I saw all these people contributing and making things happen and the excitement washed over me as well. I want to do whatever I can to help make Albuquerque a top place for startups.
Albuquerque as a ‘startup city’ is going to be judged based on how many startups are created and how many are successfully funded, but not everyone can create a company and even less can fund one. Here is a list of ideas I came up with about what we can all do to help.
Go to Tech Events
The easiest event to attend is 1 Million Cups. It happens every Wednesday and they have two local companies present. You get learn about them and how the community can help the company.
The Albuquerque Tech Fiesta happens in September and is packed with exciting events. TedX and the Mini Maker Faire usually bookend the week.
Attend a startup weekend, hackathon, or other pitch festival which provides an entire weekend of excitement (and dedication).
Keep an eye open for other events. There always seems to be something exciting happening, like the Hour of Code event, a TedX Salon or a new startup launching.
These events are better with more people and will continue to grow as interest increase. The best part is how much you will learn, the amazing people you will meet and the fun you will have.
Join a Local Club
There are a lot of tech an entrepreneur groups that have formed. QueLab, Hautepreneurs, ABQ Web Geeks, and Open Hack (which is looking for a new place to meet), are just a few. Some are free, some aren’t, but they won’t exist without people joining them.
Volunteer
I think every event and group above is volunteer run, so they of course need volunteers to run these programs. Shameless plug forthcoming – I am looking for volunteers to help setup a Coder Dojo in Albuquerque as well.
Use Local Products
Most people know about the shopping local and the small business campaigns and how they benefit the community more than shopping at a chain. However, I don’t think most of us think about that when it comes to a lot of the other products we use, particularly websites and apps.
For example, if you are setting up a business and need a POS System? Try Lavu. Want a dose of local news? Before checking out Google news or Buzzfeed, see what is on NewsCastic. If you are setting up an event and need ticketing see if HoldMyTicket works over one of the others.
Give Local Website and Apps a Try
Even if you don’t think you will use them give the products a try. In most cases they are free and simply using the app could help. That is one more unique impression on a website or one more download. They add up. Leave a review on an app store and it is even better.
Send feedback and provide constructive criticism. You get to be in a unique position to help them shape the product. New products always need beta tests, Plug.Solar is running a beta right now.
Talk about Startsups
Tell your friends of family about a startup product or job that might interest them. Spread the excitement and be constructive with criticism. Great things are happening here.