Accelerate Your Hardware Startup with LaunchHouse

launchhouse cleveland - hardware startup accelerator

Come one, come all — if your startup idea doesn’t involve just software, that is.

That’s the message from Cleveland area business accelerator LaunchHouse as it seeks 10 up and coming startups for a 16-week program kicking off Sept. 29, 2014.

Though the start of the program may be months off, the deadline for submissions isn’t. The accelerator says it must have applications from up and coming startups by July 12, 2014.

This is the first year LaunchHouse has moved its focus away from software and more towards hardware, manufacturing and maybe even robotics. LaunchHouse used to invest in software, said the accelerator’s managing partner and CEO Todd Goldstein in a phone conversation with Small Business Trends recently.

The move in a new direction is for two reasons essentially.

Simply, today every accelerator and incubator seems to focus on software, Goldstein said. By contrast, he says, when the accelerator kicks off its first “hardware only” accelerator session this fall, it will only be the ninth of its kind in the nation and the first in Ohio.

Another, reason, Goldstein said, is the unique business climate of the region. It’s an area known for manufacturing and advanced controls.  But, Goldstein said, “In Cleveland, there aren’t really that many software engineers and there aren’t really a lot of investors who understand software.”

Even though LaunchHouse is based in northern Ohio, Goldstein says the hardware startup accelerator program is open to businesses from anywhere. Last year, a company from as far away as China was part of the program.

While many software incubators tend to focus on younger entrepreneurs, Goldstein says LaunchHouse’s unique focus has it looking, in some cases, for more seasoned professionals, perhaps with years in a particular industry. Concepts could include anything from a manufacturing process to a piece of hardware tech like a wearable device.

LaunchHouse is also willing to look at projects in any stage of development. That includes anything from a drawing on a cocktail napkin to a finished product that a startup is hoping to scale to manufacturing.

About 30 finalists will be invited to a two-day session involving custom development projects, pitches to investors and meetings with experts.

launchhouse cleveland

Ten winning startups will receive $20,000 each from a total $200,000 grant. A partnership with NASA will give startups the unique opportunity to gain mentoring and support from the agency. Startups will share space in the 123,000 square foot Makers Alliance building equipped with 3D printing and other equipment .

Those interested in trying for the hardware startup accelerator program can apply through the organization’s application form or the LaunchHouse website.

Images: LaunchHouse

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11 Ways To Avoid Technical Glitches With Google Hangouts

glitches with google hangouts

It used to be the case that Skype was the defacto app, if you wanted to have group video chats. But ever since Google introduced Hangouts, they have been steadily chipping away at Skype’s dominance.

The only thing plaguing Hangouts seems to be the technical glitches that seem to befall users. So how can you avoid these glitches with Google Hangouts and have a trouble-free video chat?

Below are some tips to make your chat run more smoothly.

1. Arrive Early To Check Potential Problems

Arriving at the last minute and hoping for the best is risky. Ivana Taylor of DIY Marketing suggests turning up early to deal with potential issues. This can include unmuting yourself, something glaringly obvious but you’d be surprised at how often it happens. Also check your microphone and webcam to make sure you are wired for sound and picture.

In an interview with Small Business Trends, Taylor adds:

“…get into the hangout room about 30 minutes before your hangout on air is scheduled to go live and make sure you get your guests in there too. This helps you deal with the inevitable issues that can crop up – bad connections, cameras not working, etc.”

2. Test Your Internet Connection Speed

Sometimes, the Internet connection speed advertised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the speed you are actually getting are two vastly different things. So the next thing to try is to test out your current Internet speed to see if it is what you are paying for, or if it is running seriously under.

glitches with google hangouts

For this, you’ll need a tool like Speed Test, a Web based app that tests upload and download speeds.  Click the green “Begin Test” button and let the app do its thing.

Once it’s done, compare it against your ISP package to see if it checks out. If not, a call to your ISP might be in order. But before you do that, here’s something else you should think about.

3. Restart Your Modem and Router

To restart your modem and router, just pull the cable out of the back, wait a few seconds, then put it back in again.

This will make it reboot, and in most cases, the Internet should start to become a bit faster (unless there is another underlying problem, of course).

4. Shut Down All Unnecessary Software Programs and Browser Tabs

glitches with google hangouts

Unless you have an insane amount of RAM installed in your hard drive, your computer is not going to be able to handle everything at once. If you think you can get on Google  Hangouts while also downloading large files, running security checks, or running any other intensive programs on your computer in the background, think again.

When on Hangouts, it is best to shut down all these other programs.

This also applies to browser tabs too. If you like to have 50+ browser tabs open at the same time, you are definitely going to notice some lag in your Internet speeds. Shut down all but the necessary ones. Firefox and Chrome provide the ability to bookmark all the open tabs at once, so bookmark them into a temporary folder and shut them down until later.

5. Make Sure You Don’t Get Shut Out Of Your Own On-Air Hangout

There’s nothing worse than going to all the trouble of setting up an On-Air Hangout, only to be shut out with no way of getting back in!

Taylor suggests:

“The best thing to do is go to the Google Hangout tab in the main menu, schedule a hangout on-air, and remember to click “later.” Invite your circles or public, or whoever you want to “attend” (not “present”) — this is critical. When it’s time for the hangout, simply open the hangout and “invite” your guest – this is the secret to not being locked out of your own event.”

6. Keep Your Microphone From Getting Too Close To Your Mouth

When using an external microphone, another problem is getting the microphone too close to your mouth. Some might believe such positioning is necessary to be heard. But, in fact, it has the opposite effect, causing the voice to break up in a hail of static.

Instead, keep microphones at a good distance. If your microphone is working correctly, it will pick up your voice just fine, assuming you have the volume set correctly.

7. Nuke Any Background Noise

glitches with google hangouts

When participating in a Hangout, you will want to be heard by the other participants. But that won’t be possible if you have work colleagues or people in your home office talking away in the background.

When working from home, make sure the TV is off and there’s no music playing in the background. You’ll also want to watch for the sounds of dogs barking or children yelling.

Before the call, tell everyone to quiet down. Or move to another room and close the door. Make it clear you are not to be disturbed.

8. Disable Any Programs Which Might Be Using The Camera

If you try to enter a Hangout while a program such as Skype is running, your webcam may not work properly. This is because the webcam is programmed to work in Skype and not in Hangouts. So you might be left with nothing but a static profile photo where your video should be.

Before the Hangout begins, disable Skype. Then go to your Hangouts settings and make sure that the session will be using your webcam to capture your participation.

9. Don’t Have Too Many People On The Call

Google Hangouts allows up to 10 people to participate at any one time. But just because you can have that many people on a call doesn’t mean you have to. The more people who log in, the more strain you’re putting on the Hangout.

So only have the participants who truly have to be there. If 10 people turn up for the event but only 5 really need to be there, boot the other 5 out.

10. Use Google Chrome (But Not Canary)

There are lots of Internet browsers available, but when it comes to running Hangouts, the best browser to use is Google’s own Chrome. Hangouts runs faster and more smoothly on Chrome. Sure, Hangouts will work on the other browsers, but you won’t see the same speed that Chrome delivers.

That said, be careful not to use the Canary version of Chrome. Canary is a “bleeding edge” beta test version and is full of bugs and not ready for prime time. Instead use the stable release, and you shouldn’t have any problems.

11. Make Sure Your Battery is Charged and Your WiFi is Working

glitches with google hangouts

The ability to use Hangouts on your smartphone or tablet means you can have video chats “on-the-go”. But if this is what you want to do, make sure of two things. First, make sure your device is suitably charged. A lot of devices will lag if the battery is down to its last 10%.

Second, log in well in advance and check the WiFi connection to make sure that it is fast enough. WiFi is notoriously fickle, compared to an Ethernet cable, so don’t let a bad WiFi connection ruin your session.

Google Hangouts can be a great communications tool. But be sure you are prepared to avoid the downside of this new and sometimes unpredictable application.

For More Tips on Using Google Hangouts:

How to Use Google+ Hangouts for Business

Using Google Hangouts to Collaborate with Anyone, Anywhere on Any Device

There’s a Secret Weapon for Better Networking on Google Hangouts

Frustrated Photo via Shutterstock, Quiet Photo via Shutterstock, Headset Photo via Shutterstock

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A Unique Incubator Boosts Green Businesses

unique incubator

A new type of business incubator is currently working to improve both the economy and sustainability in the town of Davidson, North Carolina.

The Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability (PiES) is a business incubator that provides assistance and guidance to local entrepreneurs with a focus on recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable food and other qualified green businesses. Its overall mission is centered around three key elements: Incubation, education and networking.

PiES is a public-private partnership with the Davidson community. With help from regional partners, the organization provides assistance with business development and growth, technical assistance, funding and marketing. The organization also offers low-cost office space complete with furniture, meeting rooms, and more to qualified businesses.

The organization also hosts special programs like a monthly networking event for green businesses and a contest for local high school students. The Annual Green Idea Factory Competition gives local students the opportunity to apply the things they've learned in classes to ideas that could have real-world environmental implications.

Small businesses have utilized incubators similar to PiES for years. They can be instrumental in getting small companies through the tough first few years by assisting with things like funding, planning and office space.

The kind of assistance PiES is providing isn't new, but the focus on green business makes it unique. Sustainability is important not only to the environment but also to helping local economies. And the organization is taking advantage of a growing trend while also assisting others looking to do the same.

The number of green businesses in the marketplace is constantly growing. So it's a definite possibility that incubators like PiES could take off as well. It's certainly a concept that has done some good in Davidson, and has the potential to translate to other communities around the world.

The post A Unique Incubator Boosts Green Businesses appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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How to Market Your Business on Twitter

How to Market Your Business on Twitter

It may already be obvious that Twitter is an indispensable social platform for businesses. Of course, it has the ability to accommodate regular status updates that can be instantly broadcast to a list of followers. But it can also be used to reach out to customers, form trending conversations, directly answer customer inquiries, and further relationships with them and prospective clients.

Over the years, Small Business Trends has written a lot of articles on how to market your business on Twitter. Below is a handy list we’ve compiled of those resources to help your small business make the most out of your Twitter experience.

137 Tips to Market Your Business on Twitter

Who better to learn the best Twitter practices for your small business than from other small business owners already engaged on the site? We compiled this mega list of tips and practices for small business owners to help get you started on the social site. More tips help you gain more followers and actively engage your audience.  Read more…

80 Ways to Use Twitter as an SMB Owner

There are many ways that Twitter can benefit your small business. Here’s a list of 80 ways that a small business owner can take advantage of the social network to successfully market your business on Twitter. Some of these tips allow you to grow your business by expanding your audience. Other tips on this list can help you boost sales, too. Read more…

20 Reasons People Unfollow You On Twitter

If you’re too political, too unprofessional, or aren’t real, you’re likely to get get unfollowed on Twitter. To find out why people unfollow others on Twitter, we went right to the source and asked those who’ve decided that one person or business on the site needed to be removed their reasons for doing so. Read more…

10 Reasons to Boost Your Twitter Presence

It is no longer enough to simply have a Twitter account to market your business on Twitter. After all, an account with no engagement isn’t worth much and could actually hurt your brand. Here are 10 reasons you definitely want to boost your Twitter presence today. Read more…

5 Ways to Turn Up the Volume for Twitter

With so many people and brands shouting their messages on Twitter everyday, it is easy to get drowned out with all noise. Amid all the noise, there are tips to help your message get noticed by the people you need to read your updates. It is only a matter of knowing how to market your business on Twitter with more volume. Read more…

10 Twitter Blunders Businesses Should Avoid

Are you sure you’re using Twitter in the most effective way you can? Simple blunders can easily push your customers away and drive them to your competitors instead.

Some of these mistakes could seem harmless, like retweeting your own tweets or using too many #hashtags in your posts. See what else could be driving away your customers and hindering your efforts to market your business on Twitter successfully. Read more…

11 Tips for Using Images on Twitter

Twitter isn’t just about messages in fewer than 140 characters. Images are now hugely popular on Twitter too, and it’s important to learn how to use them properly as part of your social media mix to effectively market your business on Twitter . That’s why we have created this post with 11 tips that can help you maximize the use of images on Twitter.

Everything from bright colors in your photos to some engaging YouTube videos embedded in your Tweets can help you get more attention. Read more…

20 Ideas for Twitter Cover Images

Cover images can say a lot about your social account. We see the role they play on Facebook and Google Plus. Now it’s time to think about how you can use your Twitter cover image to boost your brand’s visibility. Here are 20 ideas to inspire you. Read more…

5 Tools to Research the Demographics of Your Twitter Followers

You’ve gotten a fair amount of followers for your business profile on Twitter but no one seems to be retweeting or interacting with your posts. Perhaps you don’t know your audience that well?

This list of tools helps to give you some insight into who is actually following you. These tools may be able to influence what you post and what type of posts generate the most interaction. Read more…

7 Free Tools to Find Twitter Influencers

Ultimately, Twitter is all about impact. In the end, the people who can fully utilize this social medium are the people who have some influence to begin with. How can you track these people? Here are seven free tools to make that easier. Read more…

Still Not Enough? Here’s Even More!

Stop Collecting And Start Engaging With Your Twitter Followers

How To Get Your Content Shared On Twitter

5 Twitter Do's and Don'ts That Highlight or Hinder You

Twitter Photo via Shutterstock

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This Entrepreneur is Reinventing Underwear for Teenage Girls

underwear for teenage girls

When there's a gap in the marketplace that affects females, there's almost always a female entrepreneur who steps in to solve the problem. So when a gap emerged in the marketplace for teenage girls – one of their own stepped up.

If you walk through the girls' section of most major retailers, you won't notice much of a variety in the undergarment department. Instead of well-fitting, cute and simple bras made for young girls, stores only supply padded, push-up, uncomfortable options. Most of them don't even fit correctly since they are just smaller versions of bras intended for women, not styles created specifically for girls.

That's what 17-year-old Megan Grassell noticed when she went bra shopping with her younger sister. None of the options were ideal for a young girl who wanted a simple design that is comfortable and fits properly.

So Grassell launched the Yellowberry Bra Company with the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign. The company sells bras created specifically for young girls who are still growing in both size and confidence. The company's five designs feature fun colors, lining but no padding, and no hooks or wires.

Grassell wanted to emphasize comfort and proper fit in an effort to provide some variation from the bras she found while shopping with her sister. She said on her Kickstarter page:

"I couldn't believe the bras that she was supposed to buy. The choices for her, and for all girls her age (the 11-15 age group) were simply appalling to me. They were all padded, push-up, and sexual. Not only that, they did not fit her body properly, which automatically made me wonder 'where were the young, cute, and realistic bras for girls?!' There were none! So, upon returning home I realized that I could do it; I could make those bras for girls."

Since she surpassed her original Kickstarter funding goal, Grassell is also working on a line of underwear bottoms aimed at the same age group. The bras are currently for sale, albeit for a healthy price tag. But supporting a young female entrepreneur who wants to help other young girls feel comfortable is sometimes worth paying a bit extra.

The post This Entrepreneur is Reinventing Underwear for Teenage Girls appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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Facebook acquires video ad company LiveRail

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Venture capitalist Draper wins U.S. bitcoin auction

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