February 15, 2015
Yesterday, i.e., Saturday, February 14th, 2015, we held the 14th session of AlligatorZone, featuring founders of startups ApolloVu and BioScanR. The AlligatorZone session was held at the Jan Kaminis Platt Library in South Tampa. In building out community programs such as AlligatorZone, consistency is important, so we try to stick with a schedule of holding these in a pattern of every 2nd Saturday. We do make exceptions to the rule for select reasons, but Valentine’s Day was not one of those. It was therefore, gratifying to see some parents show up with their kids despite it being held on a Saturday evening at 4 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Here’s another picture essay for those who missed this session.
ApolloVu co-founder Wallace Westall showed up early to get set up. We the startups founders who are presenting to race to get to the product display or demonstration as soon as possible. AlligatorZone audiences do not care much about slide-shows with a lot of words on them.
AlligatorZone sessions are free to the public, so it often starts with a smaller audience and then fills out eventually. When kids, and traffic and mini-vans are involved, there are always late-comers and no one minds.
In Tampa Bay, the library seating is a little more cozy and unlike a meeting room. Latecomers can easily slip in and get caught up. Even passersby linger around and are welcomed to join and participate in the AlligatorZone.
Wallace Westall got the audience excited about his product ApolloVu because it aims to change how we enjoy live concerts, but it wasn’t until he showed a demo version of a licensee company’s application of his software that the audience got really into it.
More questions and suggestions poured in.
ApolloVu co-founder Chris Brown who is a musician himself, chimed in.
Then the kids had more questions, and ideas…
One young member of the audience makes some brilliant points…
It was a lively community discussion as the ApolloVu founders wrapped up the session with a promise to stay back and answer more questions after the entire event was over.
Next up was Tracy Ingram, the founder of BioScanR which makes it easier for caregivers to monitor and understand a patient’s vitals, especially with regard to cardiac cases.
One of the kids in the audience introduced the presenter …
… and was indeed amused by the round of applause that followed.
It’s a simple touch that signals to the kids that they ‘own’ the proceedings. It emboldens them when they want to express any thoughts or ask any questions.
The ubiquitous slide show began, but Tracy had a story to tell …
Things changed when he pulled out a mobile phone and showed how his product is monitoring his heart and his vital signs.
He kept getting interrupted every time his vitals changed, and the kids absolutely loved it.
You may notice the atmosphere is very laid back. Discussions and questions get thrown back and forth even among members of the audience.
After the session is over, we like to capture videos of the presenters so we know how we may improve this program. Enjoy this video interview with Wallace Westall and Chris Brown the cofounders of ApolloVu (http://youtu.be/4a7whuEplXk)
Here’s another video interview with Tracy Ingram, the founder of BioScanR. (http://youtu.be/KCZry0_4j6E)
The session ended with the usual joyful gathering of the community, the kids and families and the startup founders included. This time the gathering did not end until the library officials alerted everyone that the library will close in 5 minutes. That happened last month at the Mountain View Public Library as well. It’s a good thing.
Hope to see you soon at another session of AlligatorZone. Check out the running calendar at http://AlligatorZone.eventbrite.com
Follow AlligatorZone on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/AlligatorZone. Join us for the next session of AlligatorZone. A running schedule and reservations are at AlligatorZone.eventbrite.com. AlligatorZone is one of several social-impact ventures being designed at SiliconGlades. If you know of startups that would make for interesting presenters to an audience of kids, teens and families, please send your suggestion to events [at] siliconglades [dot] com.
This report was posted by a volunteer from SiliconGlades, a design and innovation firm that creates, among other things, hyperlocal social impact programs such as AlligatorZone. In other words, SiliconGlades designs programs that bring communities together for a common uplifting purpose, right in your neighborhood.
