A first-timer at TEDx Madison by Kelsey Gockenbach

Only a few things are worth giving up a Saturday...in June...before it gets deliriously hot and humid. TEDx Madison is definitely one of those things.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the Bartell Theater was a palpable buzz. Everyone there was excited: for the speakers, and for the opportunity to be a part of TED, a name that has become synonymous with innovation and forward thinking. I was pretty sure I would end the day a better, more enlightened person than I was when I woke up.

There were a little over 100 attendees (TED only allows TEDx events to sell 100 tickets to keep the independently organized events intimate) in the Bartell theater, and unlike what you would usually expect at 9amon a Saturday, everyone tried to sit as close to the front as possible, engaged and ready.  

I won’t bother giving play-by-play recaps of each of the talks- I would never be able to do them justice. However, each talk will soon be up on YouTube for your viewing pleasure. I will say, though, that every.single.presentation was either thought provoking, taught me something new or energized me. Most often they did all three.

Although all of the talks were on vastly different subjects, from bikes as a tool for social change to what it means to be a hipster, there were certain themes that ran through the day. A few speakers even circled back to points made by the previous presenters. A move that showed it wasn’t only paying ticket-holders who were learning something new in that theater.

Both Becky Splitt of Study Blue and Elizabeth Katt-Reinders of the Clean Lakes Alliance made a call for cooperation and connections instead of competition. Becky advocated a “we vs. me” attitude, and the value of sharing knowledge as a tool for success in school. We learned that the one-person study carrels (read: cages) at the UW Madison Memorial Library are not only terrifying, but ineffective for students who should be working together instead of competing against each other.

Elizabeth Katt-Reinders had us re-examine how we define our allies, and that what at first may seem like a competing interest could actually be a connection you didn’t realize was there. Who knew your ice cream had so much in common with Lake Mendota?

Jordan Ellenberg, UW Mathematics Professor and author sang the praises of the phrase “I don't know,” and taught us that not only is uncertainty OK, that it is many times the only correct answer. While David Maraniss, Pulitzer prize winner and associate-editor at The Washington Post taught us how to find truth, and to accept the contradictions and uncertainties in all of us.

The other goal of TEDx is to create a dialogue among the attendees and speakers, to meet someone you wouldn’t have crossed paths with elsewhere, and to learn something new from a fellow audience member. There were plenty of opportunities to meet other attendees, as well as a structured speed networking exercise which consisted of about 25 minutes of 2 minute conversations as you moved down the line of people shaking hands and introducing yourself. It forced me to think of new ways to ask “So what do you do?” I briefly met other TEDx attendees who were involved with everything from psychology research at UW to Improv to the WI Dept. of Agriculture.

At the end of the day, we all came over to 100state for beers (it wouldn’t be a summer day in Wisconsin without a cold beer), cupcakes and a chance to chat with everyone and wind down. At this point, I think everyone was ready to relax in a more casual atmosphere. At one point, a group of nine got stuck in the infamous 100state elevator for an hour, but were greeted by a cheering crowd when they finally made it up to the fourth floor. They are now affectionately known as the E-9 team.

TED and their independently organized events, are not only about hearing brilliant individuals speak about their passions, but also to immerse yourself in an intimate intellectual community where everyone else shares the same motivation as you- an interest in new ideas, a desire to make their community a better place, and an eagerness to broaden their minds.

‘Til next year, TEDx Madison!

96square Reciprocal Membership

96square is a great coworking and community space in Milwaukee. We've worked with them in organizing a couple great MKE/Madison events over the past couple months. (Field trip #1, field trip #2) One of the outcomes of these events was an idea to let our members be their members and vice versa. So, that's happening. As a member of 100state, you're now welcome to use 96square if you're ever in Milwaukee. Just email them on your way over: 96square@startupmke.org

Submit your best business plan...

Guest Post from our Edgewood practicum team

The Edgewood team and Conley

Here's a summary of their analysis:
With a company who views its core value as community involvement, it was difficult to look at this company and show what it is all about. 100state is a small start up business located right of Madison’s Capital square. They add value to the Madison community by providing a co- working space, mentorship, and a collaborative community to add passion and support to the members. 100state supports entrepreneurial endeavors that are aligned with their key principles. 100state wants to grow as a business and become the premiere co-working space in Madison. 100state collaborated with a team of Edgewood College students to help 100state continue their ongoing journey. After all, 100state is only about 4 months old.

The team developed a plan to gather valuable data and make the necessary recommendations based on this data. The team of Edgewood College students conducted a market research project, including a survey, observations, and personal interviews with members of 100state. Each portion of the research added valuable data to help 100state better their experience along with each of their members’ experiences. The research draws attention to the people who are already members of the 100state team. 100state has around 64 members and has continued to grow steadily throughout the last couple of months. The teams’ first order of business was to create a survey for the members. Fifty percent of the members responded to the survey, which the team considered a success. The members really do care about their experiences at 100state and showed that by filling out the survey.

The team’s main finding for 100state can be used to market their company even better than before. There were 33 out of 64 members who filled out the survey. The research draws attention to 18 out of the 33 members own a business. This is important because 100state can use the number of members that own a business to market to a diverse set of groups by explaining that they not only have young entrepreneurs trying to make a name for themselves, but also more experienced business people running everyday operations.

Another finding from the survey and interviews is that members of 100state suggested that there should be a way to know what other members are doing and be a part of 100state even when they cannot use the space on a regular basis. Based on this, the team recommend that 100state create an online forum for people who would like to contribute ideas, get feedback, and add value to the Madison community. To do this, a suggestion for 100state is to have a small fee for non-members to be a part of the process, and have it free for members already to be a part of.

 In conclusion, 100state is a growing non-profit that has many opportunities to expand their company and improve their members’ experiences. 100state is a passionate company that is adding value to the Madison community through their hard work and mentorship.

A 100state Friday Night

It's wonderful to see the 100state community buzzing on a Friday evening. We have a great combination tonight of people who got 100state started, member regulars and even a few special guests.

Aaron Larner, a rockstar programmer and co-founder of 900dpi, is back in town from Austin for the week- and he was just commenting how he can feel a noticeable difference in the air in Madison. How he can feel things starting to acquire a critical mass in our local creative-entrepreneurial scene. And how he misses that, even in a city like Austin.

I agree with him. Every day now I feel an acceleration of the projects and businesses around, and notice more established stakeholders in Madison being willing to support our small-but-growing place in the local community.

That's what's going to help us have a global impact. So, here's to you, Madison- and everyone who's helped 100state become the beehive of activity it is on a Friday night. Have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers,

Mike