Toronto gets a new building by Will Alsop

I’m late to this, but if you haven’t heard already Toronto is getting a new design by the British architect Will Alsop. The building will be the flagship for the mammoth new film studio development being installed in the portlands – Filmport.

Most people in Toronto will know Alsop by his incredible (and incredibly controversial) Sharp Centre for Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design.

Although I’m by no means a raving Will Alsop fan I do really appreciate the amount of high profile commissioning going on in Toronto right now. Buildings like this pave the way for more innovative design in this city – something that benefits Toronto in many ways. There are the obvious pluses like increased tourism of course, but beyond that I think beautiful, challenging architecture creates a much more inspiring urban climate for citizens. When we are surrounded by buildings that challenge us I believe it becomes easier for us all to have thoughts and ideas beyond the ordinary and mediocre.

What a startup can get out of the Mesh conference

I’m sitting here this afternoon reflecting on the Mesh conference, which was finishing up this time last week. I had an unbelievably good time and got a lot out of the 2 days (and nights). In particular, our startup benefited a lot from Mesh.

If you are running a startup yourself, here is a short guide to what you can get out of Mesh next year:

1. Knowledge
This is an obvious one. Pick your sessions carefully and you’ll walk away with some valuable startup tips. In particular, look out for any workshops relating to the basics of setting up a business – funding, legal issues etc.

2. Contacts
Another obvious one. Mesh might be the biggest opportunity of the year for Canadian tech startups to find your next adviser, lawyer, partner, employee, landlord, client etc. Make sure you share cards/details and remember to be nice and email your new friends in the days following the event to say hi.

3. Energy and excitement
I find Mesh like a shot of adrenalin. I have so many inspiring conversations that I leave the conference FULL of passion for my business and for my life. This kind of excitement can fuel you for months.

4. Feedback
Mesh is full of smart and experienced tech minds. This is a great environment to quietly, and respectfully, pull someone aside and ask if they would like to see your prototype product. A quick demo is almost sure to get some constructive feedback that will help you improve whatever you are working on.

5. Media and promotion
Hundreds of blog posts are written before, during and following Mesh. Many people are genuinely interested in writing about new startups. If you seek these people out you might be lucky enough to grace the pages of some very well read blogs. There is also 15 Minutes of Fame – a great initiative to showcase Canadian startups.

6. Friends
Definitely the most important thing I got out of Mesh. I met some wonderful, smart, generous people this year, as I did last year. When you are getting a project off the ground having good friends is invaluable. Be friendly, approach people and make sure you buy a few rounds at the bar!

See you next year!

Photo: Rob Hyndman (Mathew Ingram talks with Michael Arrington at Mesh).

Community Spirit

(NOTE: This is an extra special guest post from my lovely wife, Rosalynn)

I have just got back from a small farmers market that started today in Trinity Bellwoods Park and I am really inspired. It was great to see local stalls set up and plenty of people wandering through to check it out. The strawberries looked delicious, cheese tasted beautiful and I think each Tuesday afternoon I will be going back to get some bread and weekly greens. It was a really cool feeling to know that this is taking place in our neighbourhood and that people are actually interested in it.

I arrived at 3pm to see the opening ceremony. Joe Pantalone, Deputy Mayor, was there to cut a strawberry – nice touch instead of an organic ribbon :). The crowd then mingled and made their purchases. I went back at 6:30pm to take some photos to find that it had been a great success… the meat was sold out, as was a lot of the other produce.

Thank you to Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park, the vendors and everyone else that helped make this possible.

See you next Tuesday.

Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market
Tuesdays 3pm to 7pm
June 5th to October 30th, 2007 (rain or shine)
North West end of the park, at Dundas W & Shaw