Startup Drinks, Twestivals, Hacks/Hackers & More

There’s a nice variety of events happening on the Silicon Prairie this week. Things kick off tonight with Startup Drinks Des Moines and tomorrow there’s a Business Innovation Zone luncheon with Dwolla’s Ben Milne that should be a great startup event, as well. This week also sees the return of the annual Twestival, a global…

There’s a nice variety of events happening on the Silicon Prairie this week. Things kick off tonight with Startup Drinks Des Moines and tomorrow there’s a Business Innovation Zone luncheon with Dwolla‘s Ben Milne that should be a great startup event, as well. This week also sees the return of the annual Twestival, a global event which uses social media for social good. Hacks/Hackers, a new meetup group to Omaha bringing together developers and journalists, will have its second gathering on Thursday. For more events this week, see the full list below.

Details from the event websites are below followed by links to sites where you can learn more. Find more upcoming events on our event page, siliconprairienews.com/events, and submit an event for consideration to info@siliconprairienews.com.

Tuesday, Mar. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Startup Drinks

Des Moines – Tally’s (2712 Beaver Ave)

What Is Startup Drinks?

A simple concept: startup culture in cities around the world gathers around a bar to have a pint and discuss what they are working on, what they need help with and what they can do for each other.

Who Should Attend?

Existing or aspiring entrepreneurs of all types and ages

Learn more at dsmstartupdrinks.com

Wednesday, Mar. 23, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – BIZ’s Business Insights and Networking Luncheon: Cultivating a startup that attracts attention

Des Moines – Greater Des Moines Partnership (700 Locust Street, Suite 100)

Join Ben Milne, cofounder and CEO of Dwolla, a peer-to-peer payment platform, as he discusses a wide range of topics spanning the distance from Des Moines to the Midwest Silicon Prairie. He’ll share his experiences as a successful entrepreneur in Des Moines, what it’s like raising money in Des Moines, details about the Silicon Prairie and how to find funding there, what to expect when your start-up attracts attention, and more.

$12 admission fee (includes lunch)

Learn more at bizci.org

Thursday, Mar. 24, 7-9 a.m. – ACG Breakfast Meeting

Omaha – Happy Hollow Country Club (1701 S 105th Street)

Featured Presenter: Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.

Todd Becker serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. Todd has over 23 years of experience in commodity processing, physical trading and risk management in both agriculture commodities and energy. Todd has extensive international trading experience in agricultural markets as well. Prior to Mr. Becker’s appointment as President and CEO of Green Plains, Todd was Chief Executive Officer of VBV since May 2007. Mr. Becker was Executive Vice President of Sales and Trading at Global Ethanol from May 2006 to May 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Becker spent ten years with ConAgra Foods in various management positions including Vice President of International Marketing for ConAgra Trade Group and President of ConAgra Grain Canada. 

Learn more at acg.org/nebraska

Thursday, Mar. 24, 7-10 p.m. – Twestival Des Moines

Des Moines – Mars Cafe (2318 West University Avenue)

Supporting Eveyln Davis Early Learning Academy

Twestival (or Twitter Festival) uses social media for social good by connecting communities offline on a single day to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. Twestival is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative to date. Since 2009, volunteers have raised close to $1.2 million for 137 nonprofits. All local events are organized 100% by volunteers and 100% of all ticket sales and donations go direct to projects.

Learn more at desmoines.twestival.com

Thursday, Mar. 24, 5-9 p.m. – Twestival Omaha

Omaha – Sokol Auditorium (2234 South 13th Street)

Supporting Hear Nebraska

Twestival (or Twitter Festival) uses social media for social good by connecting communities offline on a single day to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. Twestival is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative to date. Since 2009, volunteers have raised close to $1.2 million for 137 nonprofits. All local events are organized 100% by volunteers and 100% of all ticket sales and donations go direct to projects.

Learn more at omaha.twestival.com

Thursday, Mar. 24, 6:30 p.m. – Hacks/Hackers: Lightning Talks

Omaha – Harper Center, Creighton University (2500 California Plaza)

Five minutes to share one thing. You can present about a practical trick. Or an idea. Or anything else you think needs to be shared. Have something you want to present? Put it in the comments. Otherwise, just drop by and check it out.

Learn more at meetup.com/hackshackersheartland

Saturday, Mar. 26 – EdCamp Omaha

Omaha – W H Thompson Alumni Center, University of Nebrsaka Omaha (6705 Dodge Street)

Learn more at edcampomaha.wikispaces.com

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