Booting up
Hi, welcome to Bootup Labs!
Who: Boris Mann and Danny Robinson
What: an incubator, a company that helps startups get started (for now, in the Vancouver area). We could say kind of like Y-Combinator or sort of like the Founders Fund, just to start getting your head into the right space. We’re not a fund, but we do want to help you quit your day job. The web, mobile, and casual gaming are three of the main areas we’ll be focusing on.
Where: 350 – 375 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada – right down in Gastown
When: now. This is it. We’re booting up. What’s amazing to us again was that picking the name was the hardest part. Lucky for us “bootup labs” was actually a Google Whack – that kind of sealed the deal. A few hours later, we’ve got Google Apps running everything from email to calendars, and this blog up and running in moments with WordPress.com. Now all we need is a place where we can crowd source a logo.
It feels like we’re getting started at exactly the right time. In just the last couple of weeks, we’ve noticed lots of relevant blog posts come bubbling up that are in line with our thinking. As the last year closed, Mark Evans figures we needs a Peter Thiel in Canada. David Crow batted that back, asking if money was really all we are lacking here in Canada.
David’s been doing lots of relevant blogging, like this one on seed stage financing in Canada – but that should come as no surprise: he and I often seem to share a brain, we just haven’t figured out which one is the evil twin yet. Oh yes, and you should definitely plan to go to the Founders and Funders dinner that David is organizing January 21st in Toronto.
We’ll be talking more about what we see as our value proposition to, well, founders and funders, in upcoming posts. We’re aiming to set up an environment where many more startup companies can flourish in Vancouver.
Welcome to Bootup Labs. Stop by our offices the next time you’re in town – we’d love to talk to you if you’re a founder, a funder, or want to get involved in some other way.
Congrats guys, really looking forward to seeing how this evolves.
It doesn’t seem that long ago you two were talking about this and now here your are, congrats! I can’t think of two people better suited to each others skill sets and core competencies to pull this off, watch the sparks fly! kick butt guys!
Congrats guys! Boris, you always cease to amaze me. Always something new and exciting! Looking forward to seeing what you guys boot up!
Hey Bryan. At least we have one thing in common; Boris always ceases to amaze me too
just kidding – I think we all know what you meant to say though. I’m very excited to be working with him on this project. I know it’s something Vancouver needs and is something Boris and I can do.
Love the name.
Great way to begin 2008.
Timing is great.
All the best.
Nice work, fellas. It’s amazing how fast you put things together, too!
Hi there,
Excited to hear you guys are bringing this to Vancouver, it’s about time. BTW, how does one pitch his company to be a part of Bootup. Is there a online submission process initially. I assume you don’t want too many to drop by office all day long.
Thanks,
Alex
Hi Alex — we’re not quite ready to start the full intake process quite yet, but you’re welcome to email info AT bootuplabs.com.
Fellows: Congrats on the new digs and name! You’re on the cusp of being in business.
Congrats on the move – much welcomed and needed if we’re going to get the start-up landscape in this country a jump start. If I can help in any way, let me know.
Mark
Very cool. I was wondering if “Champagne Cork Ventures” was going to make it, but no.
It would be cool to get a mini bio on your backgrounds / skillsets to see what you guys can offer.
Hi Boris, Congratulations on the new adventure. Hopefully the two Labs can get together and make some new discoveries! Catch you around soon enough.
Chris
Sitting in Edmonton I’m certainly not going to say that lack of “cash” is the problem, but when “haves” are rolling in it and vacancy rates are microscopic is isn’t likely that other than masochists would be interested in the
raw stark horrorchallenge of an IT startup.Talking / twittering with folk in the SF or Seattle area is like chatting with residents of Mount Olympus … it’s simply another world. BarCamps and such, co-working in every other coffee shop (exaggeration, of course), plus 60% of the world’s IT VC, all of that adds up.
If my stealth project (now going into it’s 4th year of coy silence) didn’t have roots reaching back into the 70s I would have given up entirely. Let’s just say it’s heartening to see activity west of TO. *wary glance at Calgary*
all the best for ’08
–bentrem
Congratulations!
Oh great, now I have to think of a start up that needs help getting started. Uh, uh…Hamsterster.com? Nope, too late.
In any case, congrats!
“We just haven’t figured out which one is the evil twin yet.”
Oh, like I could leave that one alone! You’re just baiting me now.
Congratulations on the new venture, Danny, even if you have to share it with Boris, who is evil.
Wait a minute. Vancouver? As in, Canada?
Coooool.
Congratulations guys. Those of us in tech startups from Calgary wish you all the best!
Congradulation!!!
All the best with the new venture
cheers – yaron
This one will be your BEST Danny
Good Luck
Mom
I’ve been looking for a place like YCombinator (Paul Graham) in Vancouver..and this might actually be it…I’m on planning stage of a startup and looking for local help. I hope you guys keep up with this awesome venture as I know you guys will do great..I know people in Canada are ready for startup north!