Why We Should Thank Microsoft NERD for Innovation Month

Innovation Month is in full swing.  There are hundreds of events and great crowds coming to the many events.  Thanks to Scott Kirsner's challenge, there's a healthy discussion on ways we can improve the innovation economy here and make our ecosystem stronger.  Amongst all this discussion of change, I'd like to recognize something that is working and is a pivotal part of our emerging "Startup Renassaince":  Microsoft NERD.  

Without the efforts of some of their employees and the many things they do as an organization, I don't think this month would be as big and our ecosystem would not be what it is now. For that reason, I'd like to remind us all what we might be taking for granted right now:

1) Location, Location, Location.

Been to an event lately? There's a good chance it was at Microsoft NERD.  No one comes close to hosting as many events in our ecosystem (just look at their list) and most importantly, the biggest events almost always seem to be at NERD (like most recently Angel BootCamp, Startup Weekend and TechStars Demo Day).  

The two things that I think we take for granted most is the convenience of the facility (right at Kendall Square) and that it's absolutely free to have your event there.  The location guarantees a good turnout for your event and being free means many events organized by community members sans deep pockets can still find a great place to do an event.

2) They're Boston's Startup Stimulus Package.

Quick: What do MITX, Greenhorn Connect, DartBoston, MassChallenge, Startup Weekend, the Career Combine, and Web Innovators Group all have in common? The answer is easy: Microsoft NERD has financially supported all of those organizations and events at some point in the last year. In addition to providing free space, they're opening their wallet to help fund these organizations and help make these events a success. No one comes close to funding as many events.  Take a hard look at the sponsors for an event in our ecosystem next time you're signing up for one and I bet you'll see Microsoft up there, even if the event won't be at NERD.

3) It's all about the people.

Do you know Gus Weber?  If you don't, you should. He's constantly out in the ecosystem helping make sure more events and startups succeed by helping put people in the right place and connecting groups to collaborate on big events. They've also got two other exceptionally active employees for the developer community in Chris Bowen and Abby Fichtner, who can also point you to great things like their free software program for startups.  I also run into other Microsoft employees at events from time to time, which you won't say about many other large companies in the area like Kendall Square neighbor, Google.  Every one of them genuinely cares and wants to help.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that Microsoft NERD has been instrumental in Greenhorn Connect's success: from sponsoring this website to providing great connections to supporting the Career Combine, they've always been there to lend a hand.

So in honor of innovation month, let's thank Microsoft NERD and their employees for what they've done to help catalyze this rennassaince.  If you're with me on this, give a tweet to thank them like this one:

Thanks @MSNewEngland for all you've done to help stimulate the Innovation Economy in Boston #NEInno 

How has Microsoft NERD impacted you or your startup?

Disclosure: per regulations, yes, Microsoft NERD has sponsored and otherwise supported Greenhorn Connect on multiple occasions. However, all thoughts expressed here are completely my own.