Had any great mobile App ideas lately? … haven’t we all!!!

This month (MoMoMelb on May 10th) we will explore ALL the things you need to know to develop, publish and promote your iPhone or iPad App so you can start depositing some dosh in your hot little pocket.

Announcing our presenters and panel of Mobile App developer experts for this cracker event …

jTribe

Armin Kroll and Daniel Bradby from jTribe develop custom iPhone, iPad and Android apps for  brands like DELL and Zendesk and have been working with the iPhone SDK from day one. They are ready to share the ins and outs of getting your iPhone or iPad App off the ground and lift the lid on some of the secrets and dark arts of dealing with Apple.

WSP Digital

Ashley Herring from WSP Digital will share some blue chip insights from their iPhone App development experiences with blue chip global clients. Ashley has some great case studies to share showing that innovative enterprises, entrepreneurs as well as big brands and their customers are ready to embrace the world of iPhone and iPad Mobile Apps … with one or both hands.

MoMo May will help answer your most important iPhone and iPad App development questions, including …

• What does it take to develop an App for the iPhone, or iPad?
• How different is it to develop for iPad?
• What skills are required to develop an App and what are the options?
• How do I go about marketing and maximising the downloads of my App?
• Are there any pitfalls to avoid?
• What are some of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY)  options and tools to get my App idea to market fast?
• What about developing for other mobile platforms? (To be covered in more detail another night )

Speaking of iPad, we will also take a pre-release look at the iPad on the night and show you the sexiest new portable device around.

We will also answer some of your essential iPad questions, such as …

• “Does it have a Mic” and will it handle Skype calls?
• What is the battery life like compared to an iPhone?
• How did MoMoMelb get its hands on a pre-release iPad and how can I get one sooner than late May?

… as well as …

• Introductions to the newest members of the MoMo Melbourne crew
• Summary of AdTech in Sydney last month
• Summary of SXSW in Austin Texas
• PLUS the latest Mobile News & the best Networking in the Mobile industry!

Make sure you put May 10th in your diary and please RSVP now on the link at the top of our MoMoMelb blog!!!

MoMo Event Time, Location & Directions:

Date: Monday 10th May
Time: 6:00pm (for a 6.30pm punctual start) – 8.00pm
Location: Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Cost: Free

We are excited to see you on Monday and ready to bring you all things mobile in 2010!

Cheerio from your new look MoMo Melbourne Team …

Ben Bickford, Zac Jacobs, Norbert Herrmann and Andrea Georgiou

A reminder that your next Mobile Monday Melbourne event is on Monday 10th August, and this month we’re pulling out all stops for a blockbuster special entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs edition to inspire you all!

This month, MoMo has a tremendous line up for you, including:

Two Celebrated Entrepreneurs and Inspiring Successes Go Mobile

Ross Hill, founder of Yabble – a user generated review site for cafés and restaurants, a recent Anthill 30 Under 30 winner, founder of The Hive entrepreneurs network, CoverHunt, and a part-time social media communications specialist for Deloitte Digital as well as involved with renting marketplace Rentoid. Ross certainly fits the entrepreneurial profile having kicked off his business career while at university and launching Yabble while still studying.

Michelle Matthews, founder and publisher of Deck of Secrets, eats, drinks and shops her way round the globe uncovering an array of fantastic often hidden venues for you to enjoy day and night. Deck of Secrets is a series which has been successfully rolled out internationally and is now available as a series of very handy and accessible iPhone apps, with 10 applications now available through Apple’s iTunes and App Store.

MoMo Student Entrepreneur MoMo’Jo – Four LIVE Student Mobile Pitches with LIVE Audience Voting Via SMS

If these fabulous speakers weren’t enough to inspire you, we’re also handing out over $2,000 in prizes to the winners of our student entrepreneurs –MoMo’Jo live mobile pitches.

The two winners will be selected by you, our audience on a very interactive night using SMS voting provided by SMSpoll.net, so don’t forget to charge and bring your mobile!

[Post Event Results] … and the two Business Angels prize winners as voted by the MoMo audience via SMS are:

NOTE New Location For MoMo Aug Event

This month, MoMo goes back to “Uni”, running our event in combination with Entrepreneur’s Week or “E-Week” at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with Agents of Change.

The event will be hosted in the Prince Philip Theatre in the Architecture Building at the University of Melbourne campus to cater for an expected large turn out. See the map below for directions, parking and transport options.

As usual, this event is free, but please note that this event will start promptly after 6:00pm going through to 8:30pm with networking and refreshments from 5:40pm in the foyer and after the event.

You will be pleased to know that there also will be finger food to keep you going thanks to our catering sponsors, MitchelLake.

More Event Details:

“Mobile Entrepreneurs Go Gastronomic … “

They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and perhaps the way to their stomach is through their mobile phone.

The August MoMo meeting kicks off with two Australian mobile entrepreneurs who have found their success in café reviews and city guides to reveal the best hidden bars and restaurants, not to mention the best places to shop.

Ross Hill

Ross is a perfect career role model for the students of Entrepreneurs Week since he isn’t that long out of University himself at the youthful age of 22, already with a record of many business achievements and awards. In fact, it was a $10,000 award from RMIT’s annual Business Plan Competition while still at University that has and will continue to fund the next stage of his mobile startup, Yabble. The mobile and online site allows users to create, contribute and consider reviews of cafes, bars and restaurants around Australia while on the go. Ross will share some of his plans and opportunities for other like minded entrepreneurs on the night.

Michelle Matthews

Michelle and her Deck of Secrets are a must have if you like to eat, drink or shop!!! After developing her successful series of Australian dining, bar and shopping guides, Michelle decided to take her successful publishing series beyond the portable pages of a “deck of cards”. In 2008 Michelle collaborated with iPhone Developer Shaun Ervine to create the Deck of Secrets iPhone application, recently featured in Apple’s TV commercials worldwide, and now offering ten downloadable apps in the iTunes store. Michelle may even have some give aways for our audience on the night!

MoMo Student Entrepreneur MoMo’jos – Four Students Pitch Their Mobile Concepts in 5 Minutes Each Competing For $2,000 in Prizes!

The second part of the August MoMo gets serious about using mobile for a path to business success and at the same time seriously interactive, with audience members voting via SMS for the best mobile concepts presented by students on the night.

These mobile pros-in-the-making will showcase how they’re using mobile to make everything from public transportation to medical reminders easier. The top two audience-chosen winners will receive fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsor Business Angels.

First prize is a Business Angel Full Service Listing valued at AU$1275 – This includes a listing on www.businessangels.com.au and includes personal matching by Christine Kaine using the in-house business angels database. Christine will then refer the entrepreneur to business angel investors who have an appropriate background, as well as the funds required in a personalised matching service.

Second prize is a Business Angel Basic Listing valued at AU$795 – This includes a listing on the Business Angels web site as well as a referral of the chosen student entrepreneur to relevant and interested business angel investors.

Student Pitches:

1. Transient - James Ramsay – An application that uses location features (e.g. GPS) of modern devices (e.g. iPhone) to provide improved arrival and departure information for public transport
2. Voice Box Mobile - Shiraj de Silva & Anand Vemuri – An integrated voice box technology into mobile phones to enhance voice-to-text capability and make texting safer and easier.
3. Nudge - Marita Cheng – An SMS or phone call reminder for patients taking prescription medication. Ordered and paid for through their pharmacy.
4. ChoreCop Mobile - Jaque Qian – An alert service and interactive tracker for households that helps to distribute the housework minus the nag.

If you miss any of the action, you can catch all of the MoMo presentation online courtesy of iPitch.

MoMo Event Time & Location

This special Entrepreneurs Week event will start promptly after 6:00pm going through to 8:30pm with networking and refreshments afterwards.

The location will be at the University of Melbourne campus in the Prince Philip Theatre in the Architecture Building.

If parking, please enter via Berkely St near corner of Grattan St at the cost of $5 flat rate.

If taking public transport, you can take any tram on Swanston or Elizabeth St towards Melbourne Uni and get off at the Grattan St stop and walk down until you reach the middle of Grattan.

Attached is the map which gives a detailed route to take.

Along the way there will also be several volunteers to direct you in case you get lost. However, if you do get completely lost then please call Grace Sia on 0439 870 308 and she will be able to assist you.

We look forward to seeing you next Monday on August 10th for our blockbuster MoMo Entrepreneur special!

Cheers from The Mobile Monday Melbourne Team

Antony, Ben, Emily & Justin

P.s. We are in the process of updating our website / blog in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for MoMo updates and event reminders via your mobile phone for coming events, thanks to our SMS and MMS sponsors, SMS Global.

Tourism Victoria is now working with MoMo to come up with a mobile specific scenario to challenge our invited panel of mobile specialists.  On the night you’ll hear from these specialists as they pitch their ideas and strategies to Tourism Victoria and YOU!   

Are you a mobile specialist?  Do you think you can pitch the best mobile strategy on the night?  We’re looking for mobile software developers, content creators, strategists and mobile advertisers to present their response to Tourism Victoria’s challenge.  Let us know if you’d like to be considered to present.

We can now confirm this special event will be held at the Sensis Theatrette at QV, thanks to our wonderful sponsors from AIMIA Victoria.   Watch this space for final details in the coming weeks.  

Seats are limited to this event, so please let us know in advance that you’ll be coming along.   In April MoMo Melbourne will be held on April 6th (the first Monday of April because of Easter in the following week).

Pre-registration for the April event is open now.  Final details will be up soon.

Mobile Monday Melbourne has partnered with AIMIA Victoria to bring you this very special April ‘MoMo’ event.  Presenters will be given two weeks to prepare a 5 minute pitch, selling a mobile strategy to a guest brand.  Presentations will be made live to the brand in front of an audience and everyone will have a chance to ask questions and get down to details.

Come along and learn what our local mobile industry has on offer right here and now. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in exploring the mobile channel to hear from & meet the important players in mobile.

Present your pitch at this special event!

If you think you can define a mobile strategy and impress not only our guest brand, but also our audience, contact us on momomelb@gmail.com and tell us about yourself or your business.   

Pre-registrations for this event are now open and more information will be available soon.   Please note numbers are limited so pre-register for this FREE event now and guarantee your place. 

But, do indeed claim the date in your diaries now for the April event to be held on April 6th (note: the first Monday of the month – just to keep you on your toes!). This informative and entertaining session with a Mobile Advertising angle is shaping up brilliantly and will certainly be one of our highlights for the year.

While free to attend (of course), numbers will be limited so we are asking for registrations this month. Event details will be up soon, but please feel free to pre-register for our April event now to guarantee your place.

Stay tuned for more information.

All the best,

The Mobile Monday Melbourne Team

For those who don’t know what Pitch Club is… Pitch Club is an event where entrepreneurs come to pitch their business ideas to potential investors, and investors come to find new ideas. These guys are back in their ‘State of Origin’ after six months touring the country and September 30th is promised to be bigger and better then ever.

So come join us for a great evening if you’re an:

- entrepreneur who wants help or investment in your business ideas
- service provider (maybe a web developer, lawyer, accountant… really anyone) who wants to work with some of Australia’s coolest entrepreneurs and investors
- investor (VC, Angel or the likes) looking for great new ideas to invest in; or
anybody who just wants and great night out.
For more info check out http://www.pitchclub.com.au/

If you haven’t attended one of these events before, here’s how it works

Before the night:

1. Register your attendance online as soon as possible.
2. Let them know if you want to pitch and seriously consider the pre-event pitching workshop (optional, but proven to deliver finalists and winners).
3. Attend the event and have an awesome time!

On the night:

ROUND 1: 10 pre-selected entrepreneurs are put into a boxing ring to pitch their business idea. They’ve got 90 seconds each to prove to you they should go to Round 2. When round 1 is finished, the audience culls the group to just 4 pitchers.
Round 2: The 4 chosen finalists pitch again with a little more time to get their idea across. We all get to grill the field and chose a winner.
Check out the website for more info, testimonials, past pitchers, press, pictures and trailer or to register http://www.pitchclub.com.au/

If you are flying in for the event, contact the organisers through the site for special accommodation deals they’ve arranged.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event and get your brand associated with a great entrepreneurial initiative, drop the guys a line through the site.

See ya there!

Ideas are everything, and the first sign of interest in an idea can be the tipping point that turns it into reality. For those of you with innovative ideas in mobile, Film Victoria are proud to offer their Digital Media Scoping program to assist you with very early stage development funding. But be quick, the deadline for applications is next Thursday 28th August!

Drop Brad Giblin a line (he’s a nice guy) on 9660 3200 or brad.giblin@film.vic.gov.au to discuss how Film Victoria can support your ideas.

Program link: http://film.vic.gov.au/www/html/718-digital-media-scoping.asp?intSiteID=1

This month’s Mobile Monday Melbourne event sees one of our local industry’s forefathers, m.Net’s Mr. Paul Daly, give us a sneak preview of the findings of the Export Navigator program (it’s being officially launched in Sydney next week). We are pleased to host Paul at our humble home from across the way from the City of Churches. (No Crow-Eater jokes, OK?).

Come and hear what became of the gallant crew of the good ship Export Navigator and their quest to establish a beachhead for Australian mobile content on foreign shores. Hear first hand of the war stories and the lessons learned along the way.

Export Navigator is a program developed by m.Net Corporation in collaboration with AIMIA, Kukan Studio and Yahoo!7 to address the barriers that have limited the success of Australian businesses looking to develop markets for mobile content.

To give us further insight from local perspectives, we welcome Firemint’s Development Director, Kynan Woodman. Obviously these guys have been building a strong international reputation now for many years, so it’ll be great for us to learn from Kynan how they got to where they are today and how they negotiated the turbulent seas of exporting.

… and if we ask Kynan very nicely, there’s a good chance we’ll get a live demo of the amazing iPhone racing game these funksters just pulled out of their hat!

From a Government perspective, we’ll have a representative of Multimedia Victoria who’ll talk us through the ways the state has supported the export of content and technology to this point and what opportunities lie ahead for creators of mobile content and/or applications in Victoria.

Justin will give you a wrap-up of the 2008 mega program and we’ll get someone up for 5mins to give us a quick run-down of who they are and what they do as part of our mo-mojo series.

So, all up, a massive line-up, but we’ll be sure to make plenty of opportunity for Q&A and networking.

See you Monday night the 1st of September at Horse Bazaar from 6pm.