Twittering and Obama

I don’t like how i’m not blogging as much anymore… and the thing is, I still have plenty of thoughts, but just not enough time to put them together, research, and form a “good” blog.  But I kind of like having my blog as that outlet of longer stories.

But, for the many thought bubbles that come into my head, you can follow me on Twitter. at http://twitter.com/janeporter (this time I actually may stay on for more than one tweet!)

Ahh, my audience on this blog varies a lot (I know my mom will be like, you’re what?? where??) … so to explain twitter, it’s like micro-blogging – I do quick one sentence messages on this other site where you can follow me. Read here on wiki. Perhaps this is more for the geek readers, but no worries, I’ll still be blogging – and hopefully more so than I have been recently!

In other news… YEAH OBAMA!!!

I of course watched his inauguration and have to say that I feel like we will be turning a corner:)

Jay wanted me to comment on this and I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed in myself for not really understanding his underlying policies – I’ve joined the crowd of listening to his wondrous rhetoric.

So long as we don’t become blind to this though – Still need to keep a watchful eye of what’s really going on. Remember how Bush blinded everyone by fear? People could be in the position to be blinded again, this time by hope…. words need to be met with actions.

Transparency is key though and looks like he’s starting on the right path.

And let’s not forget that he’s still just a man… people make mistakes and he won’t change everyone’s lives. Watch South Park’s episode, aired the night he was elected for a hilarious take on this:)

But I think the dark cloud over the States has been lifted. No more will I feel compelled to say, while in public somewhere abroad…  “Well, in CANADA… or, as a CANADIAN”- god forbid anyone think that this North American accent came south of the border or else the inevitable -” what do you think of George Bush?” would arise.

All in all, the future of where the power lies in Nations will be interesting to watch.

Global Venture Lab

Wow, its been almost a month since my last post. How terrible.

That being said, its been an exciting month. I went home for Xmas, NYC for New Years, went back to Finland to change suitcases and then was off to India for a week. CRAZY.  I’ve had a different bed every night since Jan. 1st!  All of it was amazing, but I have to say that I’m happy to stay put for a little while…

I rarely discuss my work on this blog,but at this point in the game I think its due time.

Yes, I work at the University of Jyväskylä, but what I’m really working towards is building the Global Venture Lab (GVL) (read a bit more about it in my new About page), creating a university-based growth venture platform that brings students into the startup world, and entrepreneurs and experienced business people into the classroom.  But, it’s not just about making universities more entrepreneurial (that’s something that is occuring in many post-secondary institutions right now – incubators are everywhere).  We’re doing it globally.  The founders of the GVL are from JYU (my university),  UC Berkeley,  and the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur).  (I’ll try to explain it in pieces on this blog so as not to make this one massive post).

We just launched the Global Venture Lab Kharagpur last Thursday in India and, wow, what a reception! Our Finland team was warmly welcomed by IIT and all other officials and organizations that we met through our trip.

I have to say, I bought into this concept when I first heard about it from my boss, Prof. Marko Seppä, back in May when I joined the team. However, I’ve had my ups and downs while trying to wrap my head around this whole concept (it’s not a simple thing we’re creating… it can be pretty abstract – especially when it the beginning phases). But I have to say, that we’re really on to something here.  We presented the GVL to some pretty big players in India and they were thoroughly impressed with what we’re doing and I think there’s a bright future ahead of us.

So, that’s how life (and learning) goes sometimes. You don’t see the whole picture, and the beauty that’s in front of you until you step back and let others in.

As for India… ahh.. Incredible!ndia is right.  The people, the colours, the noise, everything.  It was driving to and from meetings (most snapshots from the car:( ) but I did get a chance to see some of the major attractions.

I’m happy to have made my first step out of the west, and most definitely not my last.

Just a few pics from the last couple weeks.