In keeping with the spirit of the course there’s a new show on HBO called Silicon Valley. A bit rude (as only HBO can be) but very funny. The show is all about a tech start-up who seem to pivot a lot. The scene in this week’s episode where various companies pitch their product is pretty funny.
Anyway here’s the episode guide and PiedPiper the guys website. Who knows you might find something there for your pitch 
“But it is safe to say, we intend to deploy an integrated, multi-platform functionality of all conceivable applications of the algorithm, that we hope will make the world a better place through compression services across diversified market segments.”
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRvqEjJ6yMU[/youtube]
Yes, indeed. “Pivot” is the key term to describe many start-up company efforts.
I laugh every time I see these guys. Having been a part of venture-funded start-up companies, I am very familiar with seeming idiocy of the pitch processes and associated activities to entice funders and board members to join the company. However, a great idea and its pitch, combined with a solid strategy, really helps move a company forward.
Thanks Kendra.
Thanks for this addition to our discussions!
This show is a sarcastic comedy expression of a deeper critical dialogue emerging about Silicon Valley and the bizarre startup world there. While Silicon Valley is the much-envied center of the digital startup universe, the criticism is that it represents an increasingly false and hypocritical innovation model.
Why? Because it is a broken market. The rant goes that all start-ups there are really just a way for a few giant companies to have their R&D done, essentially for nothing, by extremely bright and hard-working young people who never realize they have no independent will.
Is it true? If even partly so, Silicon Valley will inevitably lose its fertility, so all we need to do is sit back and watch.
If interested there’s a great small book out called No Exit by Gideon Lewis-Kraus which tracks the experience of a single startup.
Ha, this looks funny! Thanks for the link Kendra : )