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// Mass Innovation Nights Returns to NERD

Monday, June 17th, 2013

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.

// Microsoft Marches in Boston Pride Parade

Monday, June 10th, 2013

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

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

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

// Do It Your Damn Self!! Film Festival Comes to NERD

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

The NERD center was transformed into a theater on May 18th as the 16th annual Do It Your Damn Self!! (DIYDS!!) National Youth Video and Film Festival held its Premier Festival Screening.

DIYDS Panel

Winning filmmakers gather for a panel discussion

The Teen Media Program at the Community Art Center in Cambridge produces the festival, the longest running youth-oriented film festival in the country. The festival began locally as a way for teens to present their work to a large audience and connect with others over a shared interest. This year’s festival drew over 1,000 presenters and supporters to a variety of events throughout the city over four days. Microsoft New England served not only as a screening venue but also as a Producer’s Circle sponsor.

DIYDS Premier Festival Screening

Winning films are screened at the NERD center

From more than 200 film entries, DIYDS!! selected 15 winning reels that were presented at the Premier Festival Screening. Winners, from as close as Boston and as far away as Turkey and Portugal, showed a range of films from PSAs to documentaries and comedy sketches. After the screening the winners joined together for a panel discussion where they shared their experiences and commented on their goals as filmmakers. The night wrapped up with an after party featuring food, music, and dancing.

 

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