Collaboratively Innovating Oakland

INOAK Holds First Meet-Up
This past Thursday INOAK, a community of Oakland-grown tech companies, hosted their first mixer to encourage innovation, exchange best practices, and to network @ Levende East. http://www.levende.com/

You may know about Pandora, but does Skytide ring a bell? Well get ready because that's all about to change. INOAK was created by a handful of innovative new companies based in Oakland to inspire, encourage, and help build a strong tech business sector here in Oakland.

"Oakland is the center of The Bay Area and is a commuters dream.", says Chris Mottau of North Venture Partners http://www.northangels.com/ a angel investment group that helps tech companies gain a foothold in the marketplace. "The City of Oakland, the Community Benefits Districts (CBDs), and local business have been working over the past year to bring INOAK together", continues Chris. "This is truly a community collaboration and we are looking to get the word out."

Well you just did Chris!

The next Meet Up is August 19th in The Den @ The Fox and starts @ 5:00 PM . To learn more, visit INOAK http://www.inoak.org/ or visit their Facebook page.

So I roll out of the INOAK event right into...

The Summer Block Party That Lasts Until October
Akin to Oakland's tech community, Old Oakland has quietly and subtly become the hottest low-keyed neighborhood in Oakland. In an attempt to build neighborhood awareness; a newly formed business coalition is promoting what may be the most picturesque neighborhood in Oakland.

Thursday Night Live (TNL) is produced by The New Old Oakland Entertainment Group; a coalition of Old Oakland businesses formed with the purpose of bringing more people to the neighborhood. By partnering with the CBDs, Eastbay Express, Club One, and Yelp this team of “take charge of our own destiny” business owners refuses to wait around for opportunities to show up. In classic Oakland fashion, they have adopted a "smash and grab” entrepreneurial approach to growing their businesses.

“Residents from all over Oakland love Oakland’s potential,” says Tina Aiyer a member of The Group. “Every nationality is here partying together!” Furthermore, “Promoting social engagement through food, and music events that reflects the cultural diversity of our city is essential.”

Make the rounds and check out The Trappist http://www.thetrappist.com/ , Tamarindo http://www.tamarindoantojeria.com/ , B Restaurant http://www.boakland.com/ , Air Lounge, Blackbird Gallery, Levende East, and get some of Benny B’s Jerk Chicken Wings @Liege http://www.liegeoakland.com/ Hitting all the spots in one evening may be a bit much, but you can always map it out for next time.

Free salsa lessons, hot, hot music, good food, and great friends will keep this bi-monthly concert series running HOT through October. Now that’s a party!

The next TNL takes place August 5th and features Julio Bravo http://www.juliobravo.com/

Check out TNL and TheNew Old Oakland (not a typo) on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=76322072173&share_id=109014769146030&comments=1#!/thenewo

Oakland Stand Up!

Mr. Oakland