Lab42 is a new market research company incubated at Sandbox Industries. There are currently many research firms in the market today that provide reliable and accurate data. The problem is that these firms are too costly for many cash-conscience, startups and not-for-profit businesses. Lab42 addresses this problem by providing trustworthy data for only a fraction of what a market research study currently costs. Lab42’s unique position is based on its ability to leverage social media. With the various social media platforms that currently exist – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. – Lab42 is able to target specific demographics from a pool of millions of people quickly and easily.

www.Lab-42.com 

Check out a great new article on Excelerate Labs in the Chicago Sun-Times. Excelerate Labs is a 10-week program that jump starts new businesses taking them from just an idea to a great new company. Visit the link below to read what the Chicago Sun-Times had to say:


Excelerate Press


And if you're interested in Excelerate, visit their website at Excelerate Labs for more information. 

Congratulations to Coby Neuenschwander and the Readeo team for their launch today!  Readeo brings story time online with their BookChat™ where people can see, hear, read and interact with grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and others—just as you would if you were in the same room. Readeo allows families to connect and interact in a meaningful way—even when they may be far apart.  


Go to www.readeo.com  to sign up 50% off your first year subscription.  You can get an additional one-month free if you use the code “readeolaunch.” 

Sandbox Industries is proud to announce that Excelerate Labs is accepting applications for its Summer 2010 program. Excelerate is an intensive 10-week program where exciting new business ideas grow into the great companies of tomorrow.



If you're ready to take the leap, visit www.exceleratelabs.com 

The Chicago Sun-Times published an article on Orggit in its Saturday edition, featuring Orggit's Thania Panopoulos and user Liz Robinson.




To read the full article, click here. 

IBM today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Initiate Systems, a market leader in data integrity software for information sharing among healthcare and government organizations.



To read more on the acquisition, click here. 

Orggit.com recently contacted us to do a review of their site and services. While no one word or phrase can describe Orggit.com, the title can sum up it easily.
Click here to view full article. 

Sandbox and BCBSVP announce a $5 million investment in Bloom Health.
Click here to view full press release.  

Marbles: The Brain Store wants to thank all of its supporters this holiday season—what a great one! Buckyballs was one of the hottest items - check them out (link: http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/hot_holiday_toys/buckyballs_magnets/)! We look forward to more store openings in 2010.  

Marbles would like to say thank you being a valued customer! Join us for free gift wrapping, 15% off and refreshments on Tuesday, December 8th, 5 to 8 pm. Click here to view invitation!  

Last week, we featured two Chicago entrepreneurs who recently appeared on the ABC reality show "Shark Tank." The entrepreneurs, Adam McCombs and Brian Duggan of JumpForward, gave up half of their business in exchange for $600,000.


Previously, we’ve debated the merits of venture capital with entrepreneurs Jason Fried (37 Signals) and Genevieve Thiers (Sittercity.com). Today we look at the issue from the venture capitalist’s perspective. Nick Rosa is the managing director of Sandbox Industhttp://sandboxindustries.com/node/add/newsentryries, a Chicago business incubator that is expanding into venture capital. Crain’s contributor Steve Hendershot asks Mr. Rosa, former president and CEO of Nutrasweet Co., how he weighs business opportunities as a venture-capital investor. Click here to read whole article on Crain's 

We are looking for a Project Manager to join our incubation team. This is a great opportunity for someone who can successfully operate in a fast‐paced, entrepreneurial environment. For more information, please click on the below link.
Project Manager Job Description  

As part of its ongoing Entrepreneurs in Residence learning series, Sandbox hosted an Online Sales and Marketing Forum for associates and friends on August 11, 2009.
Sandbox Vice President Liz Myslik moderated a panel discussion featuring three prominent Chicago area internet marketing experts: Troy Henihoff , CEO of OneWed.com; Avery Cohen, Principal of Metrist Partners and Christopher Rollyson, Managing Director of Christopher Rollyson and Associates.
Each shared valuable insights gained from their experiences creating successful web-based companies, developing online analytics and planning systems, optimizing Web 2.0 technologies and implementing social networking to build buzz, maximize sales and increase consumer loyalty.
Topics discussed included: - identifying new ways to disrupt consumer behavior to engage and connect with them online - incorporating iteration and testing to correct messaging, positioning and value propositions and having flexibility to incorporate feedback - utilizing Google Analytics and other tracking systems to capture information - involving visitors in the process of product procurement to increase conversion and retaining them once they are customers - exploring monetization models and generating revenue growth through partners - deciding what you’re not going to do and committing to it  

Marbles: The Brain Store opened its third location at 4745 N. Lincoln Avenue, in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. A grand opening was held on August 12th, 2009.