FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Irvine, CA – Techstar Startup Weekend, Irvine is excited to announce its participation in Irvine Tech Week. The event will take place on March 24-26, 2023 at the PeopleSpace, a 501 (c )(3) non profit organization.  It is aimed at bringing together entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and business experts to build and launch new startups in just 54 hours.

The event is being hosted by PeopleSpace in partnership with Techstars, a global startup accelerator, The City of Irvine, Irvine Company, FivePoint, Sunstone Management, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, UCI ANTrepreneur Center, OctaneOC, OC Startup Council, Okapi Ventures, and University Lab. 

Over the course of the weekend, participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas, form teams, and work with experienced mentors to develop their business plans, create a prototype, and present their final product to a panel of judges.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting Startup Weekend Irvine as part of Irvine Tech Week,” said Melinda Kim, executive director of PeopleSpace. “This is a great opportunity for anyone with an innovative idea to connect with like-minded individuals and turn their vision into a reality. We’re excited to see what kind of innovative and creative solutions will emerge from this event.”

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Startup Weekend Irvine is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable experience, make new connections, and get your startup off the ground.

To register for Startup Weekend Irvine, visit the event website at https://SWIRVINE2023.eventbrite.com. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early to secure your spot.

For media inquiries, please contact melinda@peoplespace.us.

About Startup Weekend Irvine:

Startup Weekend Irvine is an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and business experts to build and launch new startups in just 54 hours. The event is being hosted by PeopleSapce in partnership. For more information, visit https://SWIRVINE2023.eventbrite.com

About Irvine Tech Week:
Irvine Tech Week is a four-day event hosted by local VCs, Accelerators, Startups and supported by the City of Irvine to celebrate the growing Irvine ecosystem!  Irvine Tech Week will take place from March 22 through the 26th, with Techstar Startup Weekend happening from 24th – 26th. For more information, visit https://irvinetechweek.com.

City of Irvine To Participate in Tech Week set for March 22-26

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The City of Irvine will participate in its first-ever Tech Week(link is external) from March 22 through March 26. The event creates an environment where passionate and driven people with an idea can come together to learn, network, and expand by engaging with the local Irvine startup community. Tech Week is a global endeavor, and to date, the associated events have taken place in over 1,805 cities, spanning more than 160 countries. 

Tech Week events will include an Angel Investor Panel, face-to-face meetings with investors, Techstars Startup Weekend, and a wrap-up celebration at the Great Park Gallery. In addition, attendees can meet mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors to show them how to get their businesses off the ground. The events are intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun.

Tech Week is brought to you through a collaborative partnership that consists of the Irvine Company, FivePoint, Sunstone Management, PeopleSpace, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, UCI ANTrepreneur Center, OctaneOC, OC Startup Council, Okapi Ventures, and University Lab.

“Irvine Tech Week’s main objective is to give early-stage entrepreneurs a map of resources available to them in Irvine. This week gives entrepreneurs a chance to meet founders who’ve been there and done that, join a Startup Weekend, or have face-to-face time with local VCs and Angels,” said Melinda Kim, Executive Director of PeopleSpace. “It’s here to inspire and unlock the potential of our entrepreneurs.” PeopleSpace is a 501(C)(3) educational non-profit organization and one of the primary organizers of Irvine Tech Week.

“The City of Irvine is a great place for entrepreneurs and investors to create the future,” said Sunstone Management CEO John Keisler, “and events like this create community and connect people with the resources they need to make their hopes and dreams a reality.”

The event will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Irvine Civic Center, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, 92606. The kick-off event will include a reception, a fireside chat, and networking opportunities. For a list of events throughout the week and general information, visit irvinetechweek.com. 

See press release: https://www.cityofirvine.org/news-media/news-article/city-irvine-participate-tech-week-set-march-22-26

If you are coming to PeopleSpace, double check your address and make sure you’re going to 1691 Kettering St.. Here is why…

PeopleSpace Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has been in operation in Irvine Ca. since 2013. We are currently fighting for our trademark since another PeopleSpace Inc (registered in Delaware) decided to move in the same zip code (less than a mile away) in 2019!

So you must be asking… How is this possible?

Our mission has been to serve entrepreneurs with community and a place to work since 2013. For the past 9 years, we have evolved from helping local entrepreneurs to hosting an AI Program with International Exchange Students. Applied education has always been the forefront of our purpose.

In 2019, another PeopleSpace Inc opened up in Irvine under the same zip code, less than one mile away from us using capital P and S… just like us. I tried to contact the secretary of state inquiring about their registration in California but apparently, nobody cares. I also email the city since they should not have been granted a DBA in California… again no one responded.

Luckily, Knobbe Martens is so amazing to take us on as a client and has been fighting for us diligently and tirelessly the past 2 years! It’s unresolved at the moment due to their ample amount of funds and their ability to stall progress.

We are registered in California while they are registered in Delaware. It appears that they are doing business as Interior Office Solutions (IOS) in California but use the branding of PeopleSpace. Trademark law considered them as a different category since they “sell furniture” and we rent out workspace.

What a coincidence that they are able to ride on my trade mark and SEO to redirect traffic! They SELL furniture to workspace and we ARE a workspace. Clever right?

There’s so much confusion…

We currently receive multiple calls from their vendors, clients and potential employees daily.

I also get their mail as well!

Even Google at one point got us confused and did not understand why there’s two of us. Our listing and information got crossed!

This is so frustrating and they are just trying to stall until I disappear! They have underestimated the power of small businesses and our community!

Help support us and spread the word! Any advice on this is welcomed as well! Can they actually operate here in California when I’ve registered here since 2013? Contact me @ info@peoplespace.us if you have any suggestions!

Hope to see you all soon.

More from Melinda Pang Kim

Love podcasts or audiobooks? Learn on the go with our new app.Try Knowable

After 2 years of no traveling for students and staff, Korean students are able to come back to PeopleSpace for our Summer AI Training Program. On top of their projects, they will be going on adventures like camping, Disneyland and US travels! They’ll be arriving mid July so follow us to meet them all and follow them on their journey! We’ll be posting their adventures in our blog/newsletter and FB Page.

Hire Power Radio

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-88ut5-992342

Melinda Kim: Select Your Founding Team For Your Business Like You Would A Marriage. Only when your Values are Aligned Will it Stop the Breakup!

Founders need to build the cultural foundation before building the product! Building the right team is more important than just any team.

Today’s Quote:

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ― Helen Keller

Show highlights:

• The importance of taking the time to select the right team
• Recognizing the team challenges
• How to set the right foundation for building a great team

Challenges we see with teams:

• What you really need in a team…Taking anyone is not the right thing to do
• Hiring anyone or for skills dramatically increases the likelihood of failure.
• Founder need to develop their muscles to make smart hiring decisions
• The foundation- transparency & culture
• Purpose- What’s in it for me?
• How and who makes decisions?
• Most importantly, How does the team solve problems?
• Develop the EQ to have the difficult conversations

Framework for Building the Right Team from the Beginning:

• Establish mission, vision & values (as a team)
• Communication standards
• Foster transparency
• Business Model Canvas (product driven)
• Establish process
• Define who you are BEFORE you make your first hire
• Only hire people who mirror your core values and align with your vision
• Great things often come out of conflict

Takeaways:

• Culture first
• Transparency
• Hire people who will take you where you want to go

Melinda Kim is the Executive Director, co-founder of PeopleSpaceOC, an incubator and workspace located in Irvine, Ca. She is a proven executive/entrepreneur who facilitates collaboration and innovation between developers and business entrepreneurs from around the world.

Aside from her responsibilities, Melinda is also a Startup Weekend Facilitator and NASA Space Apps Lead. She specialize in Statistics Driven Product Analysis, Business Strategy, Growth, Community and Social impact.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-88ut5-992342