Boston #StartupPride: Schwag Swap @ Venture Cafe

Boston is in the midst of a Startup Revolution.  Through many great, new initiatives, we're re-building our ecosystem to be stronger, more connected and better integrated.  But we all know there is more to be done. For starters, we need to have more Startup Pride.

The Short of it:

1.  Bring 5 shirts from your company to the Venture Cafe.
2.  Swap those shirts with other startupers.
3.  Wear your sweet new shirts during Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 15-19th 
4.  Keep an eye out for others in Startup Schwag to make new connections all over the city!

Can't make it? Swap with your neighbors, friends, and co-workers...show your Startup Pride and still do step 3.

Tell your friends to come with you!  Use the hashtag #StartupPride when tweeting about the event! Questions? Check out our Schwag Swap FAQ or email Jason at Jason [at] greenhornconnect [dot] com.

Q: So how do we have more #StartupPride? 

A: Startup Schwag.

In that  (cough *the Valley* cough), schwag is a big part of startups.  Some of my favorite shirts come from Valley startups like 140 Proof and TaskRabbit.  They even have a website where you can order them: http://www.startupschwag.com/.  

People in  talk about the serendipity of running into startupers in the grocery store, the basketball courts and all over town.  There are more startupers around Boston than you think, but you might not recognize them. The best way to fix this serious problem is for all of us to start wearing startup schwag around town.

Q: But how do we get other startup's Schwag?

A: Schwag Swap.

We've teamed up with the Venture Cafe and Swap.com to hold a great event on Thursday, November 11th from 6pm to 8pm to allow you to swap your schwag with other startups.  Bring 5 shirts and trade with other startupers. Give them your pitch and make new evangelists to spread the word around town about your startup!  

Can't make it to the event? Swap with other startups in your office, coworking space or neighborhood!

Q: When should I wear the Schwag?

A: During Global Entrepreneurship Week November 15th thru 19th!

The main goal of the event is to show some serious #StartupPride in Boston during E-week.  Wear that schwag you've swapped with other startups all week (and VCs/investors…wear your portfolio!). Wear it everywhere you go. The point is to discover what other startupers go to your gym, live near you and take the T with you every day.  So, throw on that shirt and keep your eyes peeled for other startup schwag around the city!

Not cool enough to trade your schwag? It's ok, like the lame costume at the Halloween party, you're welcome to wear your schwag too!

About Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-22

“For one week, millions of young people around the world join a growing movement of entrepreneurial people, to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Countries across six continents come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. To think big. To turn their ideas into reality. To make their mark.” Learn more here.

About Greenhorn Connect, Event Partner

“Greenhorn Connect's mission is to help build connections within the Boston entrepreneur ecosystem through increased awareness of opportunities. The GreenhornConnect.com web portal connects Boston startups and enthusiasts with the many resources, events and jobs in the region as well as educational and informational content.” Learn more here.

About Swap.com, Event Partner

Simply put: We take the old stuff that's collecting dust around your home and we give it to someone else. In return, you get something of theirs. Swap.com is the eco-friendly way to share your items, try out new authors, musicians, films and games without the guilt of spending top dollar. When you share well, you swap well.” Learn more here.

About the VentureCafe, Event Host

The Venture Café, currently in its alpha stage, is in session each Thursday from 3-8pm. The cafe is aresource for the Boston entrepreneurial and innovation communities with the mission of creating fresh and useful conversations. As the Venture Cafe prepares to enter into its permanent home in Kendall Square, the founders project that the marriage of innovation and creativity with a European-style cafe space will facilitate collaboration and build a greater sense of community in Kendall Square. www.venturecafe.net

About Bostinnovation, Media Partner

BostInnovation aims to help startups in the area succeed by connecting local innovators and increasing communication around startup buzz