About Us

IdeaSphere Concept

Founded in 2002, IdeaSphere is based on the concept that companies don't run out of money - they run out of time. Emerging companies fail because they are not able to pull together the many aspects of a successful business (product development, sales, marketing, financing, human resources, etc.) fast enough.

That's where IdeaSphere comes in.

IdeaSphere uses a thorough screening process to select presenting companies, who come from many industries - such as database security to fast-food kiosks to light beer - but all have a viable business plan and management team. They are looking for assistance in a number of areas, not just financial.

At each monthly meeting, IdeaSphere members, provide the presenting companies with experience and counsel by serving as a hands-on 90-member board of advisors. Comprised of seasoned executives with broad experience, IdeaSphere members give something back by providing advice, counsel, contacts and time to help move these companies forward. IdeaSphere helps presenting companies with business plans, company presentations, and market strategy. Between the meetings, action teams form to provide member companies with more detailed help, to do some of the actual "heavy lifting" projects to help a company achieve dramatic forward progress, serving, for example, as an ad hoc marketing team. Some of the most valuable contributions from members have been key introductions to potential customers and partners.

Unlike VC meetings, in which companies typically learn only what's wrong with their business because VCs are focused on ROI of their potential investments, IdeaSphere meetings follow a positive process, and presenting companies benefit from an ongoing and supportive relationship. Instead of telling companies what's wrong, IdeaSphere members tell them how to fix it and in many cases provide counsel, introductions and connections that can move the company forward.

And unlike networking groups, IdeaSphere is not focused on each individual's job search, the condition of the job market and the latest techniques for searching for a job. IdeaSphere is based on a vision of successful executives giving something back - not helping oneself. IdeaSphere's program/meeting consists of substantive information about companies and a process to engage the members, who are now at the stage they can offer experience and counsel to encourage new entrepreneurs.

IdeaSphere provides a sense of community not only to the management of presenting companies - who often continue to attend meetings - but to the members themselves, many of whom arrive early or stay late. Significant effort goes into organizing and connecting members at the meetings to foster and encourage dialog and interaction among diverse groups who comprise IdeaSphere members. IdeaSphere has never paid any salary, draw, consulting fees or commission. Quite the contrary, it has required countless hours of volunteer effort. However, it is the love of entrepreneurship that clearly drives the organization. If IdeaSphere sought to monetize the efforts (in a short-term hourly context) of the value it brings to presenting companies, the fun would quickly go. IdeaSphere members are dreamers looking for long-term possibilities.