The Social Responsibility of Startups – A dinner with Tristan Pollock (500 Startups, Storefront, San Francisco).
Hi! I’m Tom Dawkins, the co-founder of this very website and passionate advocate for the role conscious companies can play in creating a better world. I’ve known Tristan Pollock for a long time, back from when he first founded SocialEarth in 2008, and he’s a fascinating serial entrepreneur with his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the startup scene from his vantage point as Entrepreneur-in-Residence of 500 Startups in San Francisco, the world’s most active seed fund and startup accelerator.
Tristan is passing through Sydney for just two nights so I couldn’t resist organising a dinner for some select company to get together and hear what Tristan has to say.
The dinner is taking place on Tuesday May 24 at the delicious Yulli’s restaurant in Surry Hills. There are only 40 tickets available to this exclusive event so don’t wait to get yours! You will be treated to a three-course banquette and to Tristan and I exploring in a “fireside chat” format the Social Responsibility of Startups. There will be a cash bar and plenty of time for networking.
Any funds raised from this event will go towards a book project I’m contributing to, "Future Makers". I am contributing a chapter along with Peter Williams, CEO of Deloitte Centre for the Edge, David Blake, co-founder Bioshares and others, with the book edited by Kath Walters, contributor to Business Review Weekly, Australian Financial Review, Boss, SmartCompany, Business Spectator and many others. More information about the book is below and you can order your copy along with your ticket via the rewards on the right.
This is going to be a lot of fun, so come along!
About Tristan Pollock
Tristan Pollock is an Entrepreneur in Residence and Venture Partner at 500 Startups, the world's most active seed fund and startup accelerator.
Tristan is also empowering the most creative people in the world as co-founder of Storefront. Hailed as 'Airbnb for Retail' by The New York Times, Storefront is backed by leading Silicon Valley investors, hip-hop artist Nas, author Gary Vaynerchuk, and former Lady Gaga manager Troy Carter.
His last company, SocialEarth, the Huffington Post for social entrepreneurship won multiple awards for impact journalism and was acquired by 3BL Media in 2012.
Tristan also was named to the 2015 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, exhibited his street art in a TEDx talk on creative cities, cameoed in NBC Universal's Bazillion Dollar Club, and crafted the most read email of all time reaching over 23 million Best Buy customers.
A Minnesota native from a family of makers, Tristan now lives and creates in San Francisco, California.
About me
Since I was 16 I’ve been exploring how technology and culture can be harnessed as tools to create a more democratic and participatory society.
My day job is as co-founder and CEO of this here crowdfunding platform StartSomeGood, leading our mission to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the social impact sector.
I previously founded Australian nonprofit Vibewire Youth Inc. in 2000 while I was at university, remaining CEO until 2008 and leading numerous successful projects including opening Australia’s first co-working space, sending youth reporters on the campaign trail during the 2004 and 2007 Federal elections and touring a film festival with Dendy.
From 2008-2012 I lived in the US where I was the first Social Media Director at Ashoka in Washington DC (when I first came across Tristan wearing his SocialEarth hat) and then Social Media Director for HopeLab in Silicon Valley.
I have spoken at numerous international conferences including SXSW, the World Summit on the Information Society, Connecting Up, SOCAP and FWD and worked with numerous organisations including National Geographic Films, The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, The Antarctic Oceans Alliance and the United Voice union.
Find out more or connect with me at www.tomdawkins.com.au.
About The Book
Cover mock-up only, names on cover not confirmed. See below for confirmed authors.
Future Makers in Digital Technology, edited by Kath Walters, will feature chapters contributed by 10 leaders in the digital technology field whose ideas and actions are shaping the future for all of us. I am very excited to be invited to participate and will be contributing a chapter on the emerging Purpose economy and why social media has reshaped marketing in favour of ethical companies.
Other contributors include:
Peter Williams, CEO, Deloitte Centre for the Edge
Pete is CEO of Deloitte Centre for the Edge Australia, a role that involves research into the big shifts that are changing our society and institutions, focused on how digital is driving change. Also a celebrated public speaker and private consultant through Rexster Consulting.
Susan Oliver, Investor and company director
Chair and non-executive director of listed, unlisted and mutual companies since 1996, including Transurban Group, MBF, Just Group, Programmed Group, Coffey International and Simonds Homes. Brings to these positions a strong understanding of IT, technical business knowledge, ebusiness and IT project governance.
David Blake, co-founder Bioshares
Co-founder and co-editor of Bioshares, an independent biotech, healthcare and pharmaceutical stock report, which has cemented a position as Australia's leading weekly source of biotech company analysis.
Joe Ward, Chair of cloud TV company, xTV
25 years in media and technology, 15 years as Founder & CEO. Formerly a network engineer in the 90's before founding xTV, Joe’s passions are:
- Emerging media, communication and learning technologies
- Real Time data services
- Capital efficient businesses
- Next generation media business models and engagement methods
