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Anyone who’s been reading this blog for more than a few months knows I’m bullish on mobile social networking.

The space is wide open at this point - no one has created an application that has gotten enough traction to go mainstream. That’s partly because of tech limitations - browser based networks don’t leverage the power of the mobile device, and client based applications are blocked by service providers and handset limitations.

But it’s coming. A few years from now we’ll use our mobile devices to help us remember details of people we know, but not well. And it will help us meet new people for dating, business and friendship. Imagine walking into a meeting, classroom, party, bar, subway station, airplane, etc. and seeing profile information about other people in the area, depending on privacy settings. Picture, name, dating status, resume information, etc. The information that is available would be relevant to the setting - quick LinkedIn-type information for a business meeting v. Facebook dating status for a bar.

Read more . . .

Facebook Weekend BETA was very productive and a number of different teams made significant progress on their projects. All groups were able to access a Joyent Accelerator account with 12 months of free hosting for their Facebook Applications

• The Pet Food Testing team, including Refresh Partners, Ron Smith, and Lanny Geffen were able to establish their business goal, create the branding and logo and get a functional Facebook Application working. Their Facebook Application is live and you can use it: http://apps.facebook.com/petfood
• Martin West was able to form a great team around his collaborative educational Facebook application and they were able to complete the initial business case/plan, user scenarios, and build the base for their technology platform. They are moving full-steam ahead to try to turn this application into a business.
• The Tippsee team also made progress on their business plan and are moving into the market validation phase of their project. They’re still looking for developers to join the team, if anyone is interested.
• Liban Pan continued to refine and develop the ideveloper application, which provides developer support inside Facebook.
• Alex Sirota was able to refine his Healthbook concept and benefited from great feedback from a number of people who dropped by.

Finally, we also had a lot of interest and encouragement from the investor community including Keith Bates from Cinnabar Ventures, Bryan Watson from the National Angel Organization and Robert Koturbash from the Maple Leaf Angels.

We’re looking forward to working closely with these groups and the investor community to ensure their success. We already have an open invitation from the Maple Leaf Angels to allow one of the teams to pitch angels directly.

We’re looking forward to more great initiatives in 2008 around entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. Stay tuned!

A special personal thanks to Colin & Roy at Refresh Partners for their huge effort to make Facebook Weekend BETA the great fun and success that all of us there enjoyed.

For the moment:

• 1 application built and launched - The Pet Food Testing Project - http://apps.facebook.com/petfood/
• 3 other applications in progress
• no hydro interuption
• heating went off on Saturday morning and is still off
• flood in the basement of 171 Eastern
• some very tired but very happy developers, marketers, designers and business dudes.

Once we get through the floods and pestilence I will post some action photos and we will start telling the story of a great weekend with great people.

I appreciate everyone’s patience - it has been quite a ride!

Look forward to seeing everyone today.  3 projects making great progress so far.

Weather forecast: getting lighter this morning with dark periods towards the evening

We look forward to seeing everyone and having a great time.

So, here are the details:

Friday night and Saturday will still be held at our offices at 169 Eastern Ave.

Sunday, starting at 9:30 a.m., will see the group move to 409 Front St. E. (Front & Cherry St.) . It is on the 3rd floor - Units 300 & 301. Parking is available in the north lot and everyone is invited.

We look forward to seeing you!

89 members

37 confirmed they are coming for sure, certain, definitely

7 ideas (teams) posted so far

Still lots of time to post your idea or join a team.  We are expecting many more people to come and spend a few hours over the weekend helping and learning.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and having a fabulous time!

Many groups are still working on their idea and business plans. We will have business people available over the weekend to aid groups working on planning efforts. We expect that each team will be at a different level of readiness so the business people will be prepared to help people at whatever level they most need help with. Please feel free to use the weekend and the resources available as best you can to advance your project and/or your skills.

As result of the feedback so far, we have decided to post-pone the panel aspect of the event to early in 2008. We’ve great interest from the investment community and we want to make sure all budding companies are ready to benefit from the available wisdom.

We have also received a lot of questions from individuals who can’t make it to the whole weekend or haven’t yet joined a team. You are certainly welcome to stop by for a few hours and we’ll introduce you a team or teams where you can demonstrate or even stretch your skillset.

You’re all invited next Friday evening to the kick-off party at Innovation Toronto :

Facebook Weekend BETA Schedule:

Friday / Saturday Location: 169 Eastern Ave, Toronto, M5A 1H7

Friday, November 30 - 6 p.m. Introductions, Project Outlines, Team formation & Social
Saturday, December 1 - starting around 9 a.m. and going all day

Sunday Location: 409 Front St. Unit 300 & 301 (on top of the Canary Restaurant - north entrance - just around the corner from 169)

Sunday, December 2 - 9:30 a.m. until approximately 8 p.m.

Wrinklebook.Com

Pet Project(s)

Charity Link

Energy footprint challenge

FB Application - Educational Publishing Space

Healthbook: An FB app for Personal Health Information and Services

Currently, 68 people are ready to help make your idea a reality! Submit your idea now at:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6900744045