Enterprise 2.0: Launch Pad

I have been working with the folks at the Enterprise 2.0 conference on this summer’s E2 Launchpad. We are going with an ‘American Idol’ style approach this year, and opening up the launchpad to anyone with an idea, a mockup, or a product ready to go to market. We are relying on the ‘wisdom of the crowds’ to help us pick the most interesting and innovative product pitches from those submitted (after a bit of weeding out of any crazies).

Here’s my video, describing the basic thinking behind this:

This is from the Enterprise 2.0 blog, detailing how its going to be:

[from Welcome to the E2 Launch Pad]

The Enterprise 2.0 Launch Pad is a great opportunity for companies developing new products to compete for the chance to present them in front of the largest audience in the Enterprise 2.0 community.

Individuals and companies now have the chance to post their video pitches of the most interesting, desired, wild, crazy, and/or cool tools and technologies for consideration. Then, starting on May 5th, the community will be able to vote for the videos they think show the most promise.

After the first vote, the 8 companies with the most votes will be selected to submit a second, longer video. Voting will continue on the second round of pitches and the 8 will be reduced to a final 4.

The 4 finalists will present their ideas at the Enterprise 2.0 Conference on June 11th in Boston, where the audience will decide which one makes the final cut. The winning Launch Pad participant receives a free turnkey Pod in the 2009 Enterprise 2.0 Conference Demo Pavilion.

To see which company emerges victorious you should attend the Conference or Demo Pavilion, so register today. Watch this page for instructions on how you can post your video. In the meantime, add the schedule below to your calendar and keep up on who makes it and who doesn’t.

Launch Pad Submission and Voting Schedule:

May 2nd: First round video submissions due

May 5th: Begin first round vote

May 12th: End of first round vote & announce winners

May 19th: Second round video submissions due

May 19th: Begin second round vote

May 26th: End of second round vote & announce winners

June 11th: Round three on the main stage at the Enterprise 2.0 Conference

Contest Instructions

To Enter

1. Create a free account on this site.
2. Make a 1 minute (approx.) video of your application (preferably with voiceover describing it), or a video of yourself describing the application.
3. Upload the video to this site [at Enterprise 2.0 site] by May 2, 2008.

To Vote

1. You don’t need to log in to vote, but just one vote per person.
2. Click on videos to watch them.
3. Select the best applications by giving it a higher number of stars in the ratings block below the video.
4. The applications with the highest average vote will move onto the next round. The 4 finalists will be asked to appear on stage at the Enterprise 2.0 Conference.

This is going to be fun.