The Hatch Network Launch: The Hottest Invitation in Town

The R-word has Event Planners shaking in their Prada boots. Not only has attendance slumped but registration has turned into a logistical nightmare, as attendees wait until the last possible moment to sign up.

Unless you’re Hatch, that is.

The Hatch Network’s Launch event is coming up on May 5th — Cinco de Mayo — a day traditionally booked for Dos Equis and lime. And yet, weeks before the event, more than 150 women have already registered, eager to hear what Hatch Founders, Alison Covarrubias and Claire Fontana, have to say about their Business Education Network for Women Entrepreneurs.

So if you’re one of those event procrastinators, you’d better not chance it this time. Rumor has it that Claire is personally making each and every quesadilla. Who’d want to miss that?

Thinking about A Tech Incubator? Think Pink. Pink Garage Mentors.

February of 2009 sure doesn’t feel like a particularly auspicious time to launch a new business. In fact, it feels more like it’s time to hide, to hunker down and wait out the storm. Maybe tuck that great idea away for now. Or simply hang on to that job for dear life and slog through your day.

But at the risk of playing Pollyanna (does anyone know who that is anymore?), here are some positive factoids about successful businesses that got started during a downturn. From the legendary HP, which got its start in a Palo Alto garage with an investment of $538 at the end of the Great Depression, to Trader Joe’s, CNN, MTV and even Jim Henson’s Muppets, start-ups that run nimble and smart often have the edge in a down economy.

A recent article in Fast Company profiles three companies –Method, RF Micro, and Clif –that survived and thrived during times of economic uncertainty. Then there are more legends: GE started during the panic of 1873, Disney’s start was during the recession of 1923-24, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft during the recession of 1975.

So what do all these uplifting examples mean to you, other subjecting you to a hopelessly perky pep talk? (I’d mention Gidget but I’m already in trouble with Pollyanna.)

Forge on. Keep on keepin’ on. And if you’re a woman with a hot business idea or part of a women-led team, take advantage of a real opportunity to get experienced help from women who’ve been there, done that. That opportunity is called Pink Garage Mentors. We’re here to help you successfully apply for a tech incubator — often the first tangible step toward making your entrepreneurial vision come true.

Pink Garage Mentors are experienced founders, VCs and C level execs who will read your application pre submission, help you refine it, and provide virtual coaching to serious applicants. We will focus this month on TechStars and YCombinator applicants.

If you would like a mentor for your Summer 2009 TechStars and/or yCombinator application, email pinkgaragementors@gmail.com with a copy of your application and we will match you with a mentor.

Application deadlines are coming up fast: (So get in touch with us asap)

TechStars — Applications close March 21st.
YCombinator — Application deadline March 18th.