GREG WEINSTEIN EMAILS:

A belated greetings and hope that you can blog on this tomorrow or Thursday:

I’m working on a fascinating project for Agora Technologies, Inc. Agora Startup Idol is “American Idol” for high-tech start-ups, only completely online — everyone participates remotely. To be held in March, this event, using Agora’s patented Web 3.0 collaborative videoconferencing, will run like March Madness — beginning with 64 start-ups, with half dropping out each week after their pitches are judged, until a winner is crowned. We plan an “ESPN Sports Center” – style roundup show every week with expert commentators.

Contestants, judges, and viewers will all earn “gamification” points by participating, with prizes for the high scorers. We’ve created a web site for it — http://www.agorastartupidol.com — where start-up companies wishing to compete, as well as prospective viewers, can leave their e-mail address to be notified when the schedule is firmed up. If you scroll down on that page, there is a complete PowerPoint presentation about the contest. Also, at the bottom of your web browser window, a bar will appear that permits those with Facebook accounts to log in and immediately start earning game points, just for their interest in and sharing of this site.

I hope your readers will be interested in this idea — and that the directions in the above paragraph will help them start to participate right away!

Check it out.