PeopleSpace

Tech Community in Orange County, CA

Techstar Startup Weekend Wraps Up Irvine Tech Week!

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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.

Irvine Tech Week Press Release

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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

PeopleSpace vs. PeopleSpace

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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.

PeopleSpace business listings

More from Melinda Pang Kim

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Korean Students are Back!

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Chung-Ang University Students are back for the Summer AI Training Program.

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.

Select Your Founding Team For Your Business Like You Would A Marriage

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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

Science of Serendipity

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Science of Serendipity

So what is the science of serendipity? It’s definitely NOT networking…

Don’t come to PeopleSpace because you want to network, come get shit done and possibly meet people smarter than you who also feel the same about you.

Through the last 5 years, PeopleSpace has been a space for many and for multiple of reasons. It’s a place where I’ve met like-minded individuals and people who think differently and bigger than me. Learning, growing and building to level up your own standard while challenging others. The serendipity here is being at the right place to have the chance to do the right things at the right time with the right people. It happens here! It happened for me! So I know it can happen to you.

So… Serendipity to us looks a lot like hard work + timing + right tools + right place. PeopleSpace can provide the place and some tools, but hard work is all you and timing is with the universe.

The Science of Serendipity turns out to be an actual topic for innovation… check out more here:

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Serendipity-Unlock-Promise-Innovation/dp/111847810X

https://www.pbs.org/video/art-science-of-serendipity-2viksq/

https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/serendipity

What are your thoughts??

Melinda

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Want to join us?

Speeding Up AI Development & Machine Learning

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Speeding Up AI Development and Machine Learning: FunPokes

PeopleSpace resident FunPokes develops fun mobile apps for consumers of all ages since 2007. They are the creators of Reddit Pics HD, Chat for Omegle, School of Magic 3, and many more. They now focus on machine learning and AI tools. 

Applications & Mobile Development

From School of Magic 3 to Chat for Strangers, FunPokes has created a variety of applications for consumers of all ages since their establishment in 2007. The young developing company created a series of games and apps for Facebook and eventually entered the industry of mobile development for Android and IOS. Assisted by a combination of luck, preparation and clever timing, the creators of this company gradually gained the success they possess today.

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FunPokes before…

FunPokes was initially devised to increase community interaction and provide some entertainment value as well. However, the creators oftentimes found themselves creating websites and apps that were simply too early for their time; for example, their innovative food website, biggestmenu.com (developed before FunPokes), was similar to a successful app founded soon after, Yelp.

…was different from FunPokes now.

Regardless, as time progressed, they decided to target a less fickle audience: the business sector.

FunPokes creates tools for people involved with machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Interestingly, the future of AI machines may include cancer detection as well as other skills like fraud detection. Unfortunately, building these data sets requires a significant amount of money and time. To minimize the time spent, FunPokes is working to build a tool that speeds up the process of developing algorithms and lets creators label their data.

How do they intend to help businesses?

Wherever machine learning can be applied, it can multiply the work that a human may be able to do. Similar to the industrial revolution, AI has the potential to maximize production and increase the speed of research and machinery.200x200bb For instance, a farmer who could feed one million may be able to feed 10 million thanks to an AI that manages the farms independently. A doctor who helped 100 patients may be able to help 1000 in the same amount of time because of an AI that can quickly detect infected cells and label the illness. Hopefully, FunPokes’ tool for businesses can aid in the future development of AI to this extent.

With positive influences and close proximity to successful people at PeopleSpace, the creators of FunPokes believe that they have learned a lot. The life experiences and new perspectives they have gained will be used to potentially change the future of AI for all of mankind.

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Want to learn more?
Visit FunPokes website

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Designing, Prototyping and Producing Innovations

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Designing, Prototyping and Producing Innovations: 3D Printing the ZeroTier Edge

Unilab Manufacturing is an eco-friendly 3D printing farm who helps their clients bridging the gap between prototype and mass production. Unilab Manufacturing designed and 3D printed the first ZeroTier’s hardware device, the ZeroTier Edge.

Making the ZeroTier Edge

Digital manufacturing company, Unilab Manufacturing, was a vital component of the creation of the ZeroTier Edge. Located in the PeopleSpace building, both companies collaborated to design and manufacture the newest ZeroTier hardware product.

unilab-mfg-blog-img1Unilab Manufacturing is centered on designing, prototyping and producing innovations through the use of 3D printing. Typically, to make a product like the Edge, one would need to use aluminum tooling, an expensive process to create prototypes. However, 3D printing ensured that metal tooling was unnecessary and in turn, costs were greatly reduced.

How were the models manufactured?

Over the course of 3 to 4 months, seven different variations of the design for the Edge were created. Initially, the ZeroTier team provided a concept which was digitally drawn by an industrial designer. Later, Unilab printed a physical prototype that was revised and recreated multiple times until the 3D printing was ready to commence.

unilab-mfg-blog-img2Why was 3D printing a good strategy?

Fortunately, what could have cost about $15,000 simply for tooling, only cost a few thousand for design while actual 3D printing only cost $5 per unit. Additionally, printing saved approximately 30 days of tooling.

By bypassing excessive spending of time and money, 3D printing continually satisfies the need for rapid development of plastic products.

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Want to learn more?
Visit Unilab Manufacturing website

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The Future of Network Virtualization

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The Future of Network Virtualization: ZeroTier introduces the ZeroTier Edge

PeopleSpace resident ZeroTier developed a open source network virtualization software that now has several years of operational history. They recently launched their first hardware device, putting the power of their software into a convenient package.

Launching the ZeroTier Edge

Toward the end of 2017, ZeroTier released a presale campaign for the ZeroTier Edge, a new hard drive holding network virtualization software. In other words, the innovation allows users to create virtual networks. Remarkably, with this network, any device can join and communicate directly with any other device.

zerotier-blog-img1 What makes the product different?

Compared to many enterprise networking softwares, ZeroTier One is incredibly open and more user-friendly. As a matter of fact, ZeroTier has focused greatly on increasing the efficiency of networking as a field, allowing them to be built more easily.

The model focuses on giving consumers a product closer to the Apple experience — instantly on and working — a feature uncommon in networking. Unfortunately, most networking products tend to be rather clunky and completely manually operated.

 What was the vision for the business side of the innovation?

According to founder and CEO of ZeroTier Adam Ierymenko, “It’s important to look at how to achieve the task and what it would cost to achieve it.” They wanted to create a product of reasonably high quality that could be achieved on a small budget.

What made their vision possible?

To do so, they purchased circuit boards made by a local company and used 3D printing to micro-manufacture the box that encases the boards. This strategy allowed them to prototype the ZeroTier Edge for a fraction of what it would’ve cost 10 years ago.

Importantly, they had to consider which approach would be the best in the market.
So they used Indiegogo…

The site handles payment transactions for users so that a payment website does not need to be built. Additionally, most of the customers on Indiegogo realize they’re buying primary developmental versions so they’re more sympathetic to the product not being perfect. Indeed, it proved to be a good platform to use for the very first release of the Edge.
The response on Indiegogo was surprisingly positive. They received more orders than the 300 they actually have in their office ready to ship!

zerotier-blog-img2How did they make their strategy the most efficient?

ZeroTier followed an entrepreneurship model that prioritized minimal risk. By incrementally using off-the-shelf items and on-demand manufacturing along with 3D printing, they were able to risk little capital and build as needed more economically. Thus, their strategy became a more viable option for a smaller company versus risking a lot of capital through injection molding.

In the long term, the ZeroTier team wants their software to give people control of their data and the electronic world more than they have today.

Furthermore, they want to make it easy enough so that ordinary people can use it too and not be completely dependent on 3rd party systems to get their work done. Hopefully, people can use products like the ZeroTier Edge to gain privacy, security and more control of the digital world.

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Want to learn more?
Visit ZeroTier website

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Crafting Youth to Be Creators

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Crafting Youth to Be Creators: Bit Scouts Coding School

PeopleSpace resident Code Campus, also known as Bit Scouts, is doing a great job making coding school and technology education easy and fun for young children – and ultimately having an impact on the community as a whole.

Coding & Computer Science for Kids

For over a year now, PeopleSpace has been fortunate enough to allot office space to the innovative company Code Campus. Also known as Bit Scouts, Code Campus specializes in bringing coding and computer science education to elementary and middle schools around Orange County. What originally began as a mere extracurricular activity has evolved into an organized set of after-school coding classes only a few years later.

How does it work?

The operation is fairly straightforward. Instructional staff hold 40 minute extracurricular lessons for students to engage with holistic introductory coding in a convenient after-school environment. After that, it’s simple. The students learn about coding and computer science.

bitscouts-blog-img1Why is it important to teach coding young children?

Already, we consistently see the newer generations growing up with technology just at their fingertips.

Children are learning to swipe on iPads or are using touch screens before they can even read or talk. If the youth are already interacting with technology, what is the harm in teaching them about what they’re using? In fact, this technology is only going to continue to develop and become more complex.

 

Instead of letting these students remain unknowing, Bit Scouts teaches them how to use technology and inspires them to learn more about creating and developing it on their own.

Students can educate others too

On a larger scale, by teaching kids, in turn, the students can use their knowledge about technology to also educate others. Whether it be parents, friends or any older people, these educated youth can teach those who may not be as interested yet may be consumers of technology.

bitscouts-blog-img2Making an impact does not come without challenges…

Of course, generating such a widespread impact does not come without difficulties. Depending on the district, administration and community, Bit Scouts has to consider many factors in order to set up their classes at various locations. Additionally, most instructors don’t have both computer science backgrounds and teaching experience; yet, the company helps them gain experience in whichever they may lack. Unexpected last minute schedule changes are also not unfamiliar to Code Campus. Nevertheless, they continue to work through dynamic problems and problem solve on the spot in order to benefit the company.

…but results are great.

Despite difficulties, the company has truly gained influence and has even been recognized by the Los Angeles Times. In the future, Code Campus hopes to work with schools during the school day so that all kids in the given classroom or grade level can have access to this education. In doing so, kids who may not have been interested or could not afford it before will be able to participate and expand their computer science knowledge.

Obviously, the times have changed. Now, it is time for kids to not just be consumers but to also be users and most importantly creators for the future of technology.

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Want to learn more? Thinking about bringing coding to your school?
Visit Bit Scouts website

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PeopleSpace 1691 Kettering St. Irvine, Ca. 92614
949-381-1570