One of my goals in attending Code Academy was to get more hands-on with PVPower and the execution of SolarBear. Not to be “the guy” executing the front end, but to be able to pitch in when needed and get my hands dirty. Well my first project is upon me, I’m working on coding up a generic design that we had created. This is a great way to learn… and get frustrated.
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I started Code Academy last week, not the traditional Ruby on Rails track that they offer, but the design track. On Monday nights we meet from 6-9PM to learn HTML and CSS. Then on Tuesday nights for another 3 hours we meet to dig deep into User Experience design. And after a week I’m a bit tired from the hectic schedule, but quite excited about what I’m learning.
So why am I doing this?
Well, for a couple of reasons. First, many moons ago I studied Management Information Systems (a mix of computer science light and business) in college and I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with not being hands-on in the world of programming and making things the last few years. This has grown to be more and more of a frustration as I’ve worked with the team in getting PVPower and SolarBear off the ground.
Second, I want to be able to make stuff. This is closely tied to #1, but a little different. I want to be able to make a prototype of our next marketing page, or interface design or even a one page website for my brother. Just something, I want to make something and this seemed like the next step.
So why Code Academy when there are so many books and online resources covering the same material? I’ve been excited about Code Academy since they launched a year ago, they seem to be executing very very well, with a high level of energy and authenticity, all things that are very important to me. Also, one of their mentors, Troy, is one of our mentors and biggest supporters through the years and I felt the need to further explore something he supports. I then attended their demo day a couple months ago and saw the energy and legitimacy of Code Academy first-hand.
I look forward to becoming much, much better at writing my own HTML and CSS and applying advanced UX design techniques to PVPower and SolarBear over the next 10 weeks.
Now off to do some homework before class…
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SolarBear has been in use by solar installers for over 3 months now, since early January and is getting great response from our customers. At PVPower we’re quite excited about this, and the work that lies ahead in building the platform that powers America’s independent solar installers. Check out the 2 minute demo below.
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PVPower pitching a few months ago at the Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago.
PV Power Pitches at the 2011 Clean Energy Challenge from Clean Energy Trust on Vimeo.
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Team PVPower took part in a great event this past Sunday to support Climate Cycle, an organization that raises money to help Chicagoland students execute sustainability projects.
Team PVPower at Climate Cycle
I’m happy to say that our team raised just under $3,000 for the kids! Awesome stuff, that we at PVPower, are quite passionate about – solar, sustainability and renewable energy. We also lucked out and had a beautifully sunny day to bike 20 miles of Chicago’s beautiful lakeshore.
Looking forward to next year!
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At PVPower we’re excited to announce the launch of our newest product, Soltastic! – group buying for solar installers. Our goal is to aggregate demand, create massive savings and pass those savings on to homeowners and installers so the overall cost of solar comes down.
Similar to popular group buying sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial, Soltastic! brings together buyers for a single, ridiculously cheap solar deal. Savings will be up to 70% on solar panels, inverters, racking and accessories. Once enough buyers are in the deal tips and everyone enjoys the savings.
Soltastic! Solar Deals Video from Soltastic Deals on Vimeo.
Manufacturers and suppliers are thrilled to have access to this often-elusive group of independent buyers and the installers love the idea of getting cheap solar panels by working together.
We’re reducing the cost of solar by cutting some fat out of the supply chain and helping solar installers work together to increase the speed of solar adoption in the U.S.
That’s Soltastic!
Soltastic! Sign Up Page
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Early last week our company PVPower presented in front of over 200 investors from throughout the country, along with friends and family at the House of Blues in Chicago. ‘Demo Day’ marked the conclusion of the Excelerate Labs 2010 summer start-up incubator program in Chicago. All of the companies knocked it out of the park with their presentations. The amount of preparation, focus and precision by the group was truly a pleasure to see unfold. The mentorship of Sam, Troy and Brian (Excelerate leads) was crucial to the show being deemed one of the best people have seen. I don’t think venue selection hurt either, you know what I mean if you’ve ever been to the intimate, yet slightly eerie House of Blues Chicago.
I was fortunate to present the PVPower demo/pitch for 10 minutes on stage last Tuesday. A very gracious introduction by Chuck Templeton only helped me as I took the stage. In preparation for and during this great day I learned a few things about how to pitch and position a company to a wide variety of investors and mentors. Here are a few of my personal insights:
1. Be Real – When presenting something that you know intimately, in a high-pressure situation, it isn’t the time to fake it. Be yourself. Use your style, your emotion and your words in describing the business, challenges and solutions. If you don’t do this you’re likely to fail.
2. Have Fun – We had a ton of fun putting this presentation together. Dan (my business partner) and I wore green PVPower shirts, obnoxiously orange Puma’s and one of our co-workers even dressed up in a Polar Bear costume to help launch our new SolarBear web application. SolarBear (the Polar Bear) was in the first balcony and I gave him a shout-out mid-presentation. Bringing a smile to everyone’s face, including mine – now that sure eases the pressure.
3. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. – This seems obvious, but true preparation takes weeks and requires guidance from a variety of people, co-workers and mentors much smarter and experienced than yourself. You don’t need to take all of their suggestions, but do look for trends and listen closely because these people know what they’re doing and likely have done so in the past.
4. Pretty Pictures – Nobody has ever said that there were too few bullets on a PowerPoint slide. People hate words, they like stories, and investors love numbers (as they should). Support the numbers with awesome, striking visuals that make the numbers memorable. This is how the audience will remember key points, and at the end of the day that’s what you’re going for, 2-3 hooks that the audience (in this case investors) remember about you and your company.
5. Simplify – Only talk about the headlines, the key points that are crucial to drive home. Use devises such as music, video and imagery to reinforce your points. We used an awesome video (below) created by our friend Matt over at Vidiseo to explain (in a very simple manner) the problem that our customers face. (video password is “solarbearvideo”)
PVPower SolarBear Intro from Nick Yecke on Vimeo.
More from TechCocktail – Excelerate Labs Demo Day
Full Excelerate Labs Demo Day Photostream over at Flickr
thanks for reading!
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Very cool, nice coverage on TechCrunch… the article highlights Excelerate Labs and our Summer 09 classmates.
Excerpt from the TechCrunch article…
We recently wrote about the launch of a Y Combinator and TechStars-like startup incubator in Chicago, Excelerate Labs.The program’s nine fledgling startups are set to graduate from the inaugural session of the incubator in a few weeks. Here’s a brief look at the startups that will be graduating from the incubator.
…
PVPower: The startup simplifies the installation of solar power projects by developing a productivity tools for solar installers. The web-based application allows any contractor or installer to source solar panels, learn the best practices for installation and more.
Read full TechCrunch Article on Excelerate Labs.
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My post on the3six5.com project from yesterday… cool project they have going on. Check it out….
Karma Police.
And I’m not thinking Radiohead here, more importantly life and USA soccer. To be perfectly clear I’m about as far from a soccer fan as you’ll find. Sure, I’ll watch a World Cup match or two if it’s convenient, but it has just never had the same place in my sporting ‘heart’ as football, hockey, basketball or baseball.
I digress. Karma Police showed up in a BIG BIG way for the US soccer team today. As I’m sure you’ve seen by now, Landon Donovan scored one of the biggest goals in US soccer history today with just 3 minutes and 15 seconds left in the match. And my take? Luck? Talent? Sheer will? No, team USA had it coming, this goal was inevitable.
Full, original post can be found at the3six5
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@yeckenr
