The schools represent diverse communities and unique approaches to more effectively reaching students with Thinkfinity.org.  Together they embody exciting STEM projects that will help student achievement in these important areas.  A full list of Think Ahead with Thinkfinity winners and programs as well as a video of the awards ceremony can be found at www.verizon.com/ma.

Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation’s free, comprehensive Web site containing more than 55,000 educational resources. The Verizon Foundation has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with Lesley University to provide professional-development opportunities to teachers statewide to create a Massachusetts network of Thinkfinity trainers.  By the end of this year, over 4,000 teachers will be trained to use Thinkfinity in the classroom statewide through this partnership.  Since November 2007, Verizon Foundation has awarded over $500,000 to support the use of Thinkfinity in public schools across Massachusetts.

12×12, a new initiative formed to launch a new generation of technology entrepreneurs in Massachusetts, was announced today at The Nantucket Conference, an annual gathering of creative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, investors, technologists, and executives. In “12×12,” 12 of the state’s leading CEOs and 12 of its most high-profile venture capitalists are combining forces to create 12 exciting new ventures in the next year.

“The Route 128 days of ‘IT’ are long gone. We now have an incredibly diverse technology industry here in Massachusetts leading innovation in cutting-edge areas such as robotics, e-Health, videogames, IT security, information services, clean energy, social media, Internet infrastructure, Internet marketing, and many others. Great ideas generated by revolutionary entrepreneurs fueled this transformation. Our goal with “12×12” is to continue this transformation and growth of the tech industry,” said Michael Greeley during the announcement. He is founder and general partner at Flybridge Capital Partners and co-founder of “12×12.”

“12×12” will accelerate the idea-capital-entrepreneur match process to form the next generation of exciting, innovative companies here in Massachusetts and to help these businesses succeed through hands-on mentoring from CEOs who have already been very successful. In so doing, “12×12” will help launch the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Andy Ory, founder and CEO of Acme Packet and also co-founder of “12×12” said, “As an entrepreneur myself, I know how critical having the support of experienced mentors is to building and growing a business. Our ambition is to match 12 CEOs and 12 VCs with 12 next generation entrepreneurs to launch 12 new companies over the next year.”

The 12 participating CEOs are: Colin Angle, CEO, iRobot; Jim Baum, CEO, Netezza; Jeff Bennett, COO, NameMedia; Joe Chung, CEO, Allurent; Helen Greiner, CEO, CyPhy Works; Brian Halligan, CEO, HubSpot; Tim Healy, CEO, EnerNOC; Diane Hessan, CEO, Communispace; Scott Savitz, CEO, ShoeBuy.com; Brian Shin, CEO, Visible Measures; Ram Sudireddy, CEO, CHiL Semiconductor; and Michael Weintraub, CEO, Humedica.

The 12 VCs joining the CEOs in “12×12” are: Jon Auerbach, general partner, Charles River Ventures; Liam Donohue, general partner, .406 Ventures; Scott Friend, managing director, Bain Capital Ventures; Jamie Goldstein, general partner, North Bridge Venture Partners; Felda Hardymon, partner, Bessemer Venture Partners; Matt Harris, managing general partner, Village Ventures; Mike Hirshland, general partner, Polaris Venture Partners; Eric Hjerpe, partner, Kepha Partners; Bob Hower, general partner, Advanced Technology Ventures; Paul Maeder, general partner, Highland Capital Partners; Eric Paley, managing partner, Founder Collective; and Carl Stjernfeldt, general partner, Castile Ventures.

The idea to create “12×12” germinated during Greeley and Ory’s conversations within the Tech Hub Collaborative, an 18-member group of digital technology leaders from Massachusetts’ industry and academia, which evolved in response to Gov. Deval Patrick’s call for collaboration to enhance the competitiveness of the sector. The group works across the state’s digital industries – including information technology, wireless communications, social media, robotics, video games, and Internet infrastructure – to build strategies that enhance Massachusetts’ standing as a global tech hub.

“I am very excited about ‘12×12’,” said Desh Deshpande, chairman of the Sparta Group, who serves on the “12×12” Organizing Committee. “My own success as a serial entrepreneur was catalyzed by the incredible innovation ecosystem of Massachusetts. I am thrilled to support ‘12×12’ to launch the next generation of entrepreneurs. Working together like this is the only way to keep Massachusetts at the cutting edge of innovation.”

In addition to Deshpande and Co-founders Greeley and Ory, the “12×12” Organizing Committee includes: Jonathan Kraft, president of The Kraft Group; Paul Sagan, CEO of Akamai; and Steve Vinter, site director of Google. The Organizing Committee will oversee the group’s activities.

The “12×12” Organizing Committee and participating CEOs and VCs had their first meeting on January 26, 2010 and since then, have been communicating and gathering momentum to match ideas, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and VCs. They have planned regular meetings throughout the rest of the coming year, during which they will announce progress and continue building networks and mentorship in the entrepreneurial community.

The first “12×12” company, LighterLiving, was also announced today. LighterLiving is an online community, blog, and marketplace for holistic fitness and well-being founded by Pilates pioneer Marjolein Brugman, who has dedicated her career to helping others lead healthy lives. As part of the “12×12” program, Scott Savitz, founder and CEO of Shoebuy.com, will serve on LighterLiving’s board. Flybridge Capital Partners, Greeley’s firm, has provided $3 million in first-round financing.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to foster the spirit of innovation and help new companies succeed in a targeted way. And, for CEOs to give back to Massachusetts by helping launch the next generation of entrepreneurs and businesses right here in the tech hub,” Savitz said. How does the “12×12” initiative work?

• Participants create teams comprised of one CEO, one VC, and one “next generation” entrepreneur to launch a new company.
• CEOs will contribute their ideas, which could be the next great company, recognizing that many of the best ideas come from senior executives and ongoing exposure to the most innovative sectors of the Massachusetts tech hub.
• VCs will assist in recruitment, strategy, and procurement of limited first-round financing.
• Both CEOs and VCs will provide ongoing mentorship and actively engage with the entrepreneur in the formation of the new enterprise.

For more information about the 12×12 initiative, visit twelvebytwelve.org.

Weekly Events Update
29 March – 4 April 2010

Monday 29 March 2010

· Boston WordPress March Meetup
Description: A chance to hang out with Boston WordPress community
Location: Asgard Irish Pub and Restaurant

Time: 7:00PM – 10:30PM

Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/9mdYxA

Tuesday 30 March 2010

· MassChallenge’s UnPanel

Description: Your chance to hear from a number of seasoned entrepreneurs

Location: Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center

Time: 4:30PM – 8:00PM

Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/9fuEtg

Wednesday 31 March 2010

· MassTLC Annual Meeting

Description: From survival to growth

Location: Westin Waltham

Time: 8:30AM – 11:30AM

Cost: $100

url: http://bit.ly/bcreVZ

Thursday 1 April 2010

· Fresh Tilled Soil

Description: Helping entrepreneurs get web business ideas off the ground

Location: Waltham

Time: 10:00AM – 12:30AM

Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/6rJTDV

Saturday 3 April 2010

· Boston Mobile Camp 3
Description: Mobile industry unconference

Location: MIT E51 (Tang)

Time: All day

Cost: See Website

url: http://bit.ly/deuBZP

Weekly Events Update
22 -28 March 2010

Tuesday 23 March 2010

· Mobile Marketing Primer: Create Powerful Mobile Programs That Drive Revenue and Transform Customer Relations
Description: Learn how to use mobile marketing to acquire customers, increase sales, improve customer satisfaction
Location: Enterprise Center at Salem State College

Time: 8:30AM – 10:30AM

Cost: $10
url: http://bit.ly/auDKX6

· Time Management Skills For the Technology Savvy

Description: Making your job easier and more efficient

Location: Mullen – 40 Broad St, Boston MA

Time: 8:00AM – 10:00Am

Cost: Members, 25, Other: $50

url: http://bit.ly/c7WFXB

Wednesday 24 March 2010

· Tech Hub Foosball League

Description: Join Boston area start-ups, techies and strategist to share and network over a fun game of foosball

Location: Cambridge Innovation Center

Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/9GIUMD

· OpenCoffee Cambridge
Description: Weekly gathering of web entrepreneurs and VCs

Location: Andala Coffee Shop, Cambridge

Time: 8:30AM – 10:30AM
Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/cD6DSN

Friday 26-28 March 2010

· PAX East
Description: Three day festival for tabletop, videogame and PC gamers

Location: See website

Time: All day

Cost: See Website

url: http://bit.ly/14fgwG

Weekly Events Update
15 -21 March 2010

Tuesday 16 March 2010

· Leveraging New And Emerging Technologies to Enable Patient-Centered Primary Care
Description: A breakfast seminar to discuss ‘patient-centric’ systems
Location: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MA

Time: 8:0APM – 10:00AM

Cost: Free
url: http://bit.ly/bk13jz

Wednesday 17 March 2010

· OpenCoffee Cambridge
Description: Weekly gathering of web entrepreneurs and VCs

Location: Andala Coffee Shop, Cambridge

Time: 8:30AM – 10:30AM
Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/cD6DSN

Friday 19 March 2010

· Mass High Tech: Women To Watch 2010
Description: The 7^th annual event recognizing women in tech

Location: Cambridge, MA

Time: 7:30AM – 9:30AM

Cost: $85

url: http://bit.ly/c6t6Cv

· Enernet: Internet Lessons For Solving Energy
Description: Bobbie Metcalfe will be the main speaker for this event
Location: Autodesk
Time: 8:30AM – 10:00AM
Cost: Members: $40, Non-Members: $80

url: http://bit.ly/9iUgWl

Saturday 20 March –Sunday 21 March 2010

· IEEE Virtual Reality 2010

Description: International Conference on Virtual Reality

Time: 10:30AM – 5:00PM

Location: Westin, Waltham, MA

Cost: Please see website for registration fees

url: http://bit.ly/4eBtaU

Weekly Events Update

8 - 14 March 2010

Monday 8 March 2010

· Mobile Monday
Description: Forum for people interested in internet and mobile innovation

Location: Intercontinental Boston
Time: 7PM – 10PM

Cost: Free

url: http://bit.ly/cZ7D1c

Tuesday 9 March 2010

· IdeaStorm at MIT Sloan
Description: A fast paced lightly moderated brainstorm session
Location: Cambridge Innovation Center

Time: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Cost: Free
url: http://bit.ly/cBpbtY

Wednesday 10 March 2010

· Digital Governance from the Statehouse to the Whitehouse
Description: Seed funding models for launching sustainable businesses

Location: Littauer BLD, 79 JFK St

Time: 6PM-

url: http://bit.ly/Q2Zbh

· Accelerating start-up growth

Description: Entrepreneurs networking and discussion group

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

Location: MIT Strata Center (BLD 32), Kirsch Auditorium

url: http://bit.ly/bTEzak

Thursday 11 March 2010

· Tech Hub Foosball League Launch Event!
Description: Join area start-ups, and innovators to share and network over a game of foosball!
Location: Pinyadda Offices, 110 Chauncy St, Boston, MA, 02111

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00 PM
url: http://bit.ly/baBR9d

Think you have the next big idea? Need a little help getting started? Then join the world’s largest start-up competition. Prizes include access to workshops, mentors, executives, other team members, free resources such as office space and sources of funding.

Anyone can enter, with any idea, from anywhere in the world!

Visit http://www.masschallenge.org to sign up!

Weekly Events Update
1 - 7 March 2010

Monday 1 March 2010

· WebInno Boston
Description: Forum for people interested in internet and mobile innovation

Location: Royal Sonesta, Cambridge
Time: 6:30PM – 9PM

url: http://bit.ly/61cxlF

Tuesday 2 March 2010

· Girls in Tech
Description: Girls in Tech 2010 kick off meetup
Location: Vox Populi

Time: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
url: http://bit.ly/9djvdf

Wednesday 3 March 2010

· OpenCoffee Cambridge
Description: Weekly gathering of web entrepreneurs and VCs

Location: Andala Coffee Shop, Cambridge

Time: 8:30AM – 10:30AM

url: http://bit.ly/b64n

· Revolve Nation Boston

Description: Entrepreneurs networking and discussion group

Time: 6:00PM – 5:00PM

Location: Open to attendees

url: http://bit.ly/cmeovR

Thursday 4 March 2010

· Ignite Boston 7
Description: Innovation presentations
Location: Microsoft NERD

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00 PM

url: http://bit.ly/c4Rubz

Saturday 6 March 2010

· Gov 2.0 Camp New England
Description: Social media and a collaborative governent

Location: Cambridge, MA

Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM

url: http://bit.ly/ac0KYl

Verizon Announces Grants To Improve Student Achievement in STEM

Verizon will be awarding 15 grants of $10,000 each to Massachusetts public schools in an effort to boost student achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subject courses.

The grants will go towards training instructors to use, Thinkfinity.org, the Verizon Foundation’s high quality, free online teaching resource for K-12 coursework. Grants will be awarded through a Request for Proposal (RFP).

For more information about the RFP, please contact Sheila Poschman at mailto:Sheila.poschman@verizon.com