ideaLaunch Blog

If You Build It, They Will Come
Dart Boston started connecting young entrepreneurs because it best fit with the founders’ clique of friends. “Everyone was working with start-ups in some way and we had all been connected with the start-up community…We all had our own network of people,” explained Jake. “It was all about bringing people we did know together and using Dart Boston to do that.”
The community harnesses the energy of Boston’s entrepreneurs to boost each Dart Boston member’s start-up with suggestions for improvement and promotion. “It is like a vertical blog, like a tech crunch,” said Cort. “We are all young and don’t have a lot of responsibility (and) we are willing to take more risk.”

But It Helps To Have Alcohol
So, how do they foster the community? “We have parties” said Cort, with a large, toothy grin and a wave at a jar labeled “Beer Fund.” Cort hosts a show every Thursday night called Pokin’ Holes, which focuses on a different start-up every week. Cort invites three Dart Boston members who specialize in areas in which the start-up could use some help. Then, Cort leads a brainstorm session centered on ideas for start-up success, followed by a trip to a bar. “After every Pokin’ Holes we have a wrap party which is open to the public,” said Cort. “Our goal is to be the hub and connect.”

It’s like a Frat Party…with Focus
Jake loves to see a start-up follow through with the suggestions. He said Office Lab’s Wayne Franklin took a suggestion when his company was the features Pokin’ Holes subject two months ago, and is currently looking at office space in Boston. Jake thinks the community, which grows as more young entrepreneurs hear about it through events and friends, is successful because it fosters a positive spirit and camaraderie in business. “There are such good content (and) rich conversations,” he said.

“Execute or be executed”
The biggest thing that Jake and Cort love to see is someone executing. “Just do it. Don’t think about it,” said Jake. “Take some steps and roll something out. You will figure it out along the way.”
“We are all about execution,” said Cort, “Execute or be executed.”