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// Mass Innovation Nights Returns to NERD


June 17th, 2013 by Alexandra Sutter

Since 2009 Mass Innovation Nights (MIN) has served as a platform for local innovators to showcase their latest products. Held each month at various locations, MIN has helped launch more than 500 new products and has helped companies secure over $600 million in funding.

MIN51

Agency Spotter, a featured product, showcases their product

On the evening June 10, Microsoft New England welcomed the 51st MIN to the NERD center. During the first hour of the event, attendees networked with old friends and made new connections, while learning about ten featured products. Each of the ten companies headed a display table where they personally interacted with attendees, handed out free swag and product samples, and got the crowd buzzing about their products.

Prior to the event MIN followers voted online for the top four products they wanted to see presented on the big screen to the entire audience. MIN51’s lucky presenters included:

  • Equiso, a features-driven, streaming smart stick
  • FuzzyCover, a fun and fuzzy covering for your Apple products, notebooks, or e-readers
  • Mister Smarty Plants, a crowd-sourced plant identification website
  • Sookbox, a media server that collects all of your media and apps in one place
MIN51

FuzzyCover presents to the audience

Presenters engaged the crowd with their products, explaining what they do, how they are different from their competitors, and answering questions. Following the presentations, four crowd favorites (voted for via paper ballot by attendees during the event) were awarded Business ExtrAA® points by American Airlines, MIN’s newest sponsor. The lucky winners were Equiso, Mr. Smarty Plants, Delightfully, and TBI Strategies.

The next Mass Innovation Nights will be on July 10 at LogMeIn’s new Boston headquarters. Head to MIN’s website for more event details and to register.

// WomenLEAD Recognizes Jennifer Chayes


June 12th, 2013 by Alexandra Sutter

WomenLEAD, Inc., an organization dedicated to accelerating women’s advancement as leaders, has recognized Jennifer Chayes, Distinguished Scientist and Managing Director of Microsoft Research New England, as a “Woman Who Leads in Technology.”

Jennifer Chayes

Jennifer Chayes

A WomenLEAD blog post announcing the leadership award cites Jennifer’s outstanding professional accomplishments, including cutting-edge research on how the Internet works, author of 25 patents and more than 110 scientific papers, and the first woman to lead Microsoft’s research labs. The award also recognizes Jennifer’s deep commitment to serving as a role model and mentor to women (of all ages) in technology. For example, Jennifer works with DigiGirlz, a Microsoft initiative to encourage female high school students to consider careers in technology, and is on the WomenLEAD advisory board.

According to WomenLEAD’s CEO and Founder Ilene Fischer, “WomenLEAD is committed to honoring women that are in action making a difference for women and girls. It’s an honor to give this much deserved award to Jennifer Chayes.”

Jennifer Chayes is one of 30 recipients of the WomenLEAD award. Other award-winners include:  Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox; Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary to President Clinton, and; Deborah Dean, corporate vice president at Dassault Systemes. WomenLEAD is a Mass Challenge (the largest start-up incubator in the world) 2013 Finalist.

WomenLead Logo

// Microsoft Marches in Boston Pride Parade


June 10th, 2013 by Alexandra Sutter

The 43rd annual Boston Pride Parade, one of the largest in the country, wound its way through the streets of Boston on Saturday, June 8. Microsoft was among the more than 230 groups and 15,000 people that marched in the parade to show support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

Microsoft marchers group photo

Microsoft marchers pose for a group photo before the parade

Matt Feczko, Program Manager and head of Microsoft’s GLEAM (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Employees at Microsoft) organization, spearheaded Microsoft’s participation in the parade, organizing and leading more than 50 employees, friends, and family. Thanks to the planning of Christine Gannon, SMB Cloud Sales Manager and member of GLEAM, Microsoft walkers were decked out in pride swag (t-shirts, wristbands, flags, sunglasses, beach balls, and bags). The crowd welcomed the Microsoft marchers and was thrilled when swag was thrown their way.

Microsoft GLEAM members

Matt Feczko, Christine Gannon, and Dana Zircher lead the Microsoft group

Microsoft participates in the parade to support both the LGBT community and GLEAM, which promotes diversity and creates a feeling of connectedness and community among Microsoft employees. With the success of this year’s Pride Parade, Microsoft looks forward to marching with an even larger group next year. For more pictures, check out our Facebook page.

 

// “Get in the Game” for a Chance to Win


June 5th, 2013 by Alexandra Sutter

General Assembly, a network of campuses (one right here in Cambridge) that provide individuals with opportunities and education in business, technology, and design, is running a contest with such awesome prizes that we had to share. What are the prizes? General Assembly Logo

Two tickets to a Red Sox Game? Check.

Opportunity to meet Meghan Ryan, Boston Red Sox Social Media Manager? Check.

Personal tours of Boston’s top tech companies including our NERD Center, HubSpot, CoachUp, and Crimson Hexagon? Check.

A yearlong subscription to Front Row, General Assembly’s online class subscription service? Check.

This must-have prize pack will go to one lucky winner (and one guest) of General Assembly’s “Get in the Game” contest, which was designed to bring together two of Boston’s greatest assets: its sports teams and its tech community. We at Microsoft are proud to be a member of this innovative tech community and are excited to showcase our NERD Center to the winner.

Simply visit https://generalassemb.ly/win/get-in-the-game and enter your email address for a chance to win. Want to increase your odds of winning? Share the contest (using the unique URL provided when you enter) with your friends, and you will automatically be entered again. The contest runs June 3-15, and the winner will be announced on June 17th. In the meantime, tweet us about the contest (#getinthegame) and check out General Assembly’s Facebook page for the latest updates.  Good luck and Get in the Game!

Get in the Game Contest

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