Kingston BETA This Thursday

Mike Johns is Jamaican. He is the Founder and President of Digital Mind State formerly known as UrbanWorld Wireless, the Los Angeles based company that bridged wireless technology and hip-hop culture will be the guest speaker in person at the next Kingston BETA, Thursday April 26th, 2012 6:30pm at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Who is Mike Johns?
Mike Johns is the driving force behind the Digital Mind State brand, responsible for planning, business development, marketing and the company expansion. A true liaison between urban youth culture and the mobile industry, Johns has been successful at building and maintaining profitable business relationship with some of the biggest company names in mobile industry including T-Mobile, Zed, Fun Mobility, Nokia, Microsoft, amongst others. Motivated byleveling the playing field of the “Digital Divide,” he’s been dubbed “ambassador” of the urban/hip-hop lifestyle segment as well he’s achieved numerous “first” in the mobile entertainment space.

UrbanWorld was a vision Johns had early in his career while working as Marketing Director for Larry Flynt’s Rap Page Magazine. In 2001, he turned his dream into reality, brokering the company’s mobile content provider deal with T-Mobile; partnerships with Infospace, Jamster, and AT&T (UrbanWorld’s voicetones have been featured in the top ten voicetone category on AT&T for three consecutive years). Capitol Records become the first record label to conduct mobile marketing with the “urban” audience, utilizing UrbanWorld’s mobile platform followed by such industry players as Def Jam, Vibe Magazine, Adidas and Fox Network. UrbanWorld Wireless has become a worldwide leader in the distribution of urban content, while earning praise from executives at ABC Radio, BBC Radio, XXL Magazine, and an endless list of partners, vendors and clients.

Mike Johns is Jamaican. He is the Founder and President of Digital Mind State formerly known as UrbanWorld Wireless, the Los Angeles based company that bridged wireless technology and hip-hop culture will be the guest speaker via Skype Video at the next Kingston BETA, Thursday April 26th, 2012 6:30pm at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Who is Mike Johns?
Mike Johns is the driving force behind the Digital Mind State brand, responsible for planning, business development, marketing and the company expansion. A true liaison between urban youth culture and the mobile industry, Johns has been successful at building and maintaining profitable business relationship with some of the biggest company names in mobile industry including T-Mobile, Zed, Fun Mobility, Nokia, Microsoft, amongst others. Motivated byleveling the playing field of the “Digital Divide,” he’s been dubbed “ambassador” of the urban/hip-hop lifestyle segment as well he’s achieved numerous “first” in the mobile entertainment space.

UrbanWorld was a vision Johns had early in his career while working as Marketing Director for Larry Flynt’s Rap Page Magazine. In 2001, he turned his dream into reality, brokering the company’s mobile content provider deal with T-Mobile; partnerships with Infospace, Jamster, and AT&T (UrbanWorld’s voicetones have been featured in the top ten voicetone category on AT&T for three consecutive years). Capitol Records become the first record label to conduct mobile marketing with the “urban” audience, utilizing UrbanWorld’s mobile platform followed by such industry players as Def Jam, Vibe Magazine, Adidas and Fox Network. UrbanWorld Wireless has become a worldwide leader in the distribution of urban content, while earning praise from executives at ABC Radio, BBC Radio, XXL Magazine, and an endless list of partners, vendors and clients.

With more than ten years in the industry and an unrivaled understanding of the global wireless ecosystem, Johns is creating a unique, digital entertainment experience for the youth and young adult market with the international distribution of top urban brands in music, video & film across new media platforms including Xbox Live, Playstation, mobile and digital television.

Prior to founding UrbanWorld Wireless and fresh out of college, Johns was Marketing Director for Larry Flynt owned Rap Page Magazine and was key in the marketing the Rap Page brand which quickly emerged as one of the world’s premier urban music magazine and website. By fostering relationship with artists & record label in addition to building strategic partnership with various consumer brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Johns was able to increase circulation and readership by 12%.

Prior to Rap Page Magazine, Johns worked for Fortune 500 Company, W.W Grainger moving from customer service representative to becoming account manager for Grainger’s largest client in Northern California- Pacific Gas & Electric. As manager of the $1.7 million account, Johns effectively trained more than 50 employees, lead focus groups on new product development and served as liaison between the needs of PG&E and the Grainger’s company mission. Mr. Johns began his career as Entertainment Director for University of Las Vegas responsible for booking talents; negotiate contracts, marketing and promotion of campus & city wide events including Jay-Z Hardknock Life Tour, UNLV’s annual Rebelpaloza Concert, celebrity basketball tournaments & college tailgate concert series.

Johns holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Sociology from Western Illinois University. Johns is a frequent speaker at industry events including CTIA, Mobile Marketing Forum, iHollywood Forum, Billboard, Multi-Cultural Media Expo, Showbiz Expo and a slew of music industry panels covering a wide range of topics such as on-deck and off-deck strategies, examining business models for mobile music, and how to market, promote & monetize with social network.

Mr. Johns began his career as Entertainment Director for University of Las Vegas responsible for booking talents; negotiate contracts, marketing and promotion of campus & city wide events.

Beyond education and professional experience, Johns’ passion and personality gives him a natural ability to reach young people on the streets of Crenshaw as well as the power brokers on Wall Street. It is a skill that has made his company a recognizable force in the wireless industry and the hip-hop world.

ABout Kingston BETA
Kingston Beta, our bimonthly Event staged in Jamaica, connected to the Caribbean and Diaspora – is a platform for startups, entrepreneurs, developers, designers and tech professionals – to learn, be inspired and network.

It’s become the hub for the movers and shakers in the Jamaican and Caribbean Tech Community. Over 40 events have been held, that over 2500 people attended and have seen over 80 Jamaican and Caribbean technology startups pitch their new businesses ideas. We’ve kicked off a tech entrepreneurship movement in Jamaica and growing across the Caribbean.

The next one is Thursday March 26th, 2012 at our home The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel starting with networking at 6:30pm. It’s $500 for regular peeps. $200 for college students with ID. This is the second of our 5 bi-monthly events that will end the year with Caribbean BETA- The annual Tech Entrepreneurship Conference in November. Our year long theme is “Startup Local, Think Global” . Each Kingston BETA event will have a guest speaker (local,regional and global)/panel, a BETA Pitch Contest and networking with the smartest minds in the industry.

Kingston BETA is part of a network of initiatives that includes SiliconCaribe.com, Caribbean BETA, the annual tech conference coming in November, StartupWeekendJamaica, and are all working on the same mission – to drive tech entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. We believe tech entrepreneurship can and will become a major driver of startup businesses, job creation and innovation.

Kingston BETA is staged by ConnectiMass.

Fellow Techies,

First, let me take this opportunity to wish you a fulfilling and wealth building 2012, even as we’re already over 30 days into it.

We’re happy to have ended 2011 on a high, with a successful series of bimonthly events with increased attendances, better startup ideas and a super successful tech entrepreneurship conference Caribbean BETA in November. So we’re excited about 2012 and the opportunities to further development of the culture of tech entrepreneurship and the success stories in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

To that end we will have 5 bimonthly events starting on Thursday February 23rd, 2012 and we will end the year with our annual tech entrepreneurship conference – Caribbean BETA during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.

This year, at every Kingston BETA event we will have a guest speaker ( local, regional, international), a BETA Pitch Competition which is about discovering the Caribbean’s most promising Tech Startups plus our usual power hours of networking over drinks and nibbles.

Additionally, our sister brand SiliconCaribe.com will be live tweeting every event to the world in addition to getting on
the fly interviews with you, as we move to put a face to the growing community and showcase who’s doing what.

We also welcome our new high energy team of volunteers lead by Kingston BETA event co-producer Dianne Harris who will help produce the events and keep the community connected. Further, starting with our first event, we will be asking you who will be attending Kingston BETA to pay US$5.00 (JA$500) per person per event at the door.

We know you consider Kingston BETA and the community you are part of, to be of great value…we’ve been happily collecting
and sharing the tweets, Facebook comments, emails and personal calls. It is a recognition that Kingston BETA is the platform for startups, entrepreneurs, developers, designers and tech professionals – to learn, be inspired and network.

We are building something significant and we ask that you continue to attend, come to pitch your big ideas, network with some of the smartest minds in the industry and share with others what you experience as together, we grow the Caribbean Tech Startup Scene.

See you at the next Kingston BETA!
Yours sincerely,

Ingrid Riley
Ceo Connectimass, Founder of Kingston BETA

Dianne Harris
Co-producer, Kingston BETA

Kingston BETA – To learn. Be Inspired. To Network
@kingstonbeta  | #kgnbeta

A ConnectiMass Event
www.ConnectiMass.com

Caribbean Startups

Kingston Beta, our bimonthly Event staged in Jamaica, connected to the Caribbean and Diaspora – is a platform for startups, entrepreneurs, developers, designers and tech professionals – to learn, be inspired and network.

It’s become the hub for the movers and shakers in the Jamaican and Caribbean Tech Community. Over 40 events have been held, that 2500 people attended and have seen over 70 Jamaican and Caribbean technology startups pitch their new businesses ideas.  We’ve kicked off a tech entrepreneurship movement in Jamaica and growing across the Caribbean.

In 2012, we will have 5 bi-monthly events and end the year with  Caribbean BETA- The annual Tech Entrepreneurship Conference. Our year long theme is “Startup Local, Think Global” . Each Kingston BETA event will have a guest speaker (local,regional and global), a BETA Pitch Contest and networking with the smartest minds in the industry.

The next one is Thursday February 23rd, 2012 at our home The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Kingston BETA is part of a network of initiatives that includes  SiliconCaribe.com, Caribbean BETA, the annual tech conference coming in November, StartupWeekendJamaica, and  are all working on the same mission – to drive tech entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. We believe tech entrepreneurship can and will become a major driver of startup businesses, job creation and innovation.

Start the brainstorming. Get to work on your prototypes. We’re having a startup contest for the Silicon Caribe’s Top Caribbean Startups to watch in 2012 list – we call it BETAPitch . Where anyone can come with their passion, powerpoints and cheering section to pitch their killer business idea. Five Caribbean Startups Confirmed so far. More

Who is a Tech Entrepreneur? Typically defined, a tech entrepreneur is a woman or man who applies their ideas using  technology. Over the years the technologies being used have primarily been the Internet and the mobile phone/device. So if you  surf online or use a mobile phone chances are you are using a product or service – such as an app, a website, a game, a social network created by a tech entrepreneur. More

Do you remember Flash and Dreamweaver? The keynote speaker will be Marc Canter, the founder of Macromedia, the graphics and web development software company that, relatively recently, was acquired by Adobe.  Although the purchase of Macromedia should have left Marc set for life, and able to sit on the beach all day drinking mai tais, he has a new passion: building digital cities. This 30 year software development guru and tech entrepreneur, is now the CEO of Digital City Mechanics.

Michelle Messina Silicon Valley comes to Jamaica

Also featured on the agenda will be Michelle Messina, Vice-President of International Business Development of the Silicon Valley-based Guidewire Group, which… provides startups, their supporters, and those who do business with them with the tools, data, networks and programs they need to discover, monitor, benchmark, compare, and promote early-stage companies…

These international guests will complement a powerful crop of young tech entrepreneurs from across the region who are making their mark at home and further afield.  For the most part, they will be sharing their experience, for example, how they became successful, along with discussing the various funding options that are available.

What is Caribbean BETA ?
It’s the first of its kind, one day  Tech Entrepreneurship conference that’s about driving startup businesses, jobs and innovation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. It will be on Friday, November 25th 2011 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. See Conference Agenda for details.

It’s about the business of spawning successful Caribbean Tech Startups.

It’s the event where the smartest Caribbean minds in technology around the world, come to show and tell what they’re doing to change the world, to learn from experts, be inspired and get connected to talent, funding and opportunities.

It brings together the industry pioneers and fresh faces, thought leaders and technology giants from Caribbean and around the world. The event will include inspiring keynotes and workshops, refreshing panels and a BETA PitchFest contest with focus on hot sectors like mobile/web apps, social networking, multimedia content and gaming.

Caribbean Beta.com

Registration for Caribbean BETA the first of its kind tech entrepreneurship conference is now open ONLINE.  We have early bird specials on and special rates for Students. Register now then pay at the door. It’s that simple. You cannot afford to miss this event.

It’s a one day  Tech Entrepreneurship conference that’s about driving startup businesses, jobs and innovation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. It will be on Friday, November 25th 2011 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

Caribbean BETA is the event where the smartest Caribbean minds in technology around the world, come to show and tell what they’re doing to change the world, to learn from experts, be inspired and get connected to talent, funding and opportunities.

It brings together the industry pioneers and fresh faces, thought leaders and technology giants from Caribbean and around the world. The event will include inspiring keynotes and workshops, refreshing panels and a BETA PitchFest contest with focus on hot sectors like mobile/web apps, social networking, multimedia content and gaming. Register Now

We're on a Mission

I’ve made it no secret that I’ve been on a mission. From the 1999 with the publication of Jamaica’s first Internet Guide, iGuide Jamaica, to the launching of this blog because my inbox got too heavy with information and many questions from people like you who wanted to know and to share what you were doing. I put my first tech company on ice to go work for a US-based dot com then called HomeView as its Chief Content Officer. What an experience that was.

The mission expanded in 2007 where we joined early the global movement to drive tech entrepreneurship and startups by launching the Kingston BETA event for the growing tech community to meetup regularly, network, pitch their big ideas, get feedback, connections and expertise.But honestly Kingston BETA came from my own selfish need to meet more people like me who were in the tech industry, thought we were alone with our ideas and were going crazy working in silos craving validation, connection, information and help.

Four years, over 40 events, 2000 attendees, 70 Caribbean Startups later…the community is growing, the ideas are getting better, the startups launching are happening faster, more are being successful. At the same time, some people still don’t get it, so they’ve never supported the mission, event and community (corporate or individual), that’s ok too.

Now,because of there are always fresh faces and yes in some respects to hammer home the mission in a bid to further inspire others, it has led me to start every Kingston BETA event with answering the question…What is Kingston BETA and why are we doing this. So below, is the what and why of Kingston BETA explained. You’ll get even a better understanding when you picture it also in the context of this quote from a man I’ve watched closely for years. “Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the engines that power our economies, create jobs, fuel growth and ultimately transform communities.” – Sir Richard Branson.

Why and What of Kingston BETA

It’s a bimonthly event that’s been developing the tech community in Jamaica and across the Caribbean for the last 4 years. We’re helping individuals with ideas , get connected to the people, information, funding and markets they need to launch successful startups, that create jobs, build lasting wealth for more people and unleash innovation to the world.

Our Mission is to drive tech entrepreneurship in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

We’re part of a global entrepreneurship movement, that recognised early that we now live and do business in the Digital Age. This requires us to think and do differently. Kingston BETA for the past 4 years has been leading in preparing Jamaica and the Caribbean for the future.

Kingston BETA is an initiative of my Jamaican-based startup ConnectiMass.

Join Us : http://www.Facebook.com/kingstonbeta

Follow Us: @kingstonbeta

Sponsor Us: Email Ingrid Riley ingrid@connectimass.com

Related Stories and Links

Why I started Kingston BETA

Kingston BETA, aims to encourage Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurship…look who and what happened at July’s event.

Why is Kingston BETA important to the Caribbean Tech Community? Listen to them tell you. ( Video)

Caribbean BETA the inaugural one day tech conference is on November 25th, 2011 in Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston Beta

With our sponsors: Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the next Kingston BETA will be on Thursday, September 29th, 2011, 6:30pm at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Jamaica.

GUEST SPEAKER ( By Skype Video)
Christopher Chaplin
Angel Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, Jamaican based in Philadelphia, USA
Topic: How to Know If your Big Idea is Viable!

STARTUPS PITCHING
So far we have 5 startups confirmed to pitch. If you want to Pitch your Big Idea or Business? Email ingrid@connectimass.com with details.

NETWORKING
The Event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, techies, developers, web designers, bloggers, tweeters – in the Caribbean Tech Community.

WHY KINGSTON BETA?

Kingston BETA is part of a network of initiatives that includes  SiliconCaribe.com, Caribbean BETA, the annual tech conference coming in November, StartupWeekendJamaica, and  are all working on the same mission – to encourage tech entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. We believe tech entrepreneurship can and will become a major driver of startup businesses, job creation and innovation in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.

To that end we hold Kingston BETA, a bimonthly meet up for the Jamaican and Caribbean Tech industry to pitch their startup ideas, learn, be inspired and network with like minds. In its four years, it has hosted over 2500 attendees and 70 Caribbean Startups.

Related Post

Kingston BETA, aims to encourage Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurship…look who and what happened at July’s event.