‘Open-mic nights’ for business ideas

Entrepreneurial types may already be familiar with Ideablob, the online community where big thinkers and small business owners can exchange feedback on their business ideas. Credit card issuer Advanta sponsors the site, which launched back in 2007, and now it’s adding live events billed as “open mic nights” for great ideas. Bloblive is a networking event that’s essentially intended to be a live version of Ideablob: Attendees air their business ideas in front of a live audience of fellow participants in exchange for advice, feedback and connections. The first Bloblive was held in Philadelphia last fall; since then, it has been expanded to Nashville, San Diego and Los Angeles as well. Events are held several times a month, with entry priced at USD 10; both venue and “brain food” are provided. Memberships are also available for USD 20 per month, providing free access to all local events as well as pitch coaching, members-only breakfasts and other benefits. Bloblive events are also streamed online; updates are broadcast on Twitter. Just because the economy is a shambles, that doesn’t mean the end of entrepreneurship—in fact, in many ways, it’s the ideal time to launch something new, as we’ve noted before. The swelling ranks of entrepreneurs, minipreneurs and sellsumers can use support both online and off—one to bring to (aspiring) entrepreneurs near you? (Related: Professional feedback, instant and peer-to-peer — Tech support for minipreneurs.)