What’s Your Resolutions and Wishes for 2009? (9)
I wrote a post one year ago to sum up 2007; ending with the outlook for 2008.
2 years ago, there wasn’t any tech scene to speak of in Montréal, except from a few techies who’d connect at a place like Laïka and interact through blog posts.
How things have changed. There is now a strong technology community in Montréal, with a diversity of actors, community events, startups, places and new technologies coming up every month, up to the point where we hear about it in Radio-Canada now (shocking!)
Names like Felipe Coimbra, Austin Hill, Roberto Rocha, the Praized guys, Flow Ventures, StationC, Ben Yoskovitz, startupnorth or MontrealStartup comes to mind, and so many more, certainly too many to do a list here. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank each of you, thank you for making this a great city for technology, and thank you for your enthusiasm, innovation, relentless work, and entrepreneurship.
As 2009 comes, I have *absolutely no doubt* that Montréal will rock, and the tech scene will be stronger, more diverse, and with shining examples of entrepreneurs boldly succeeding.
If 2007 was the birth of the tech scene in Montréal, 2008 the development, I’d say then that 2009 would be the year where it will reach its full maturity.
In the case of Montréal Tech Watch, I don’t have also any doubt that 2009 will be a great year.
I see the end result, compared to last year: the blog posts at mtw, techentreprise, blitzweekend, events like startupdrinks, freehackers, without counting the hundreds of connections made between fellow techies. I sit back, thinking that all of this was done with nothing but lots of unvaluable collaboration with people I loved working with. Who knows what would it be like if I have spent more than the planned $0 annual budget and more than the average 10 or so hours each week spent in this.
Now, looking back, I’ve had a hectic schedule for the past months and I have idea what’s coming up, if I look ahead. But seeing the year-to-year result, it would be fair to say you will see the same level of innovation and the same sense of wonder.
Ok. The last expression was perhaps a bit too much. But that’s obligatory these days since many just think about the “economic recession”, which, to be honest with you, is the least of my worries, maybe at the same level of how many snow storms we will have this winter (which is a micro-second of thought each day)
I wish then that MontrealTechWatch (& Associates) will be as strong, innovative and as lively as the Montréal tech scene.
That’s my wish for MTW for 2009. I’d wish success for each of you for the upcoming year, but maybe you’ve got (bigger/other) plans. If you care to share with the community, leave your thought and resolutions below.
What’s do you foresee for you & your ventures for 2009?
Hey Heri, I wish you success in 2009. The Montreal Tech Community is what it is today in part thanks to you. I had it easy after all the hard work you and some of the others you mentioned did over the past couple of years. I’m glad to be a part of it now.
For me, in 2009 I plan to finish YowTRIP and see what happens, but also I want to get involved in other projects. On a personal level, I’m way past due a visit to Brazil, so I’ll do that at some point.
Good Luck to you all in 2009!
Hey Heri:
Always enjoy reading new technology articles on
Montreal Tech Watch.
In 2009, I hope to unveil my new project, a teleportation device, Oops sorry some parts won’t be manufactured in 2009.
OK, then I’ll work on a couple of Iphone Applications for 2009.
Robert :)
Robert, keep me up to date with the teleportation project. It would pair up well with my cloning device.
And looking forward for the iPhone application & Yowtrip
Hey Heri,
We have a lot to be proud of here as you have pointed out.
For 2009, my goal is simple: to kick ass every single day.
In this environment, you need to hussle, focus, roll up your sleeves and add value to your business every day.
So, for 2009, I’ll have my head down in the trenches doing my part to make Tungle very successful.
Mark
One additional comment Heri. You said:
“If 2007 was the birth of the tech scene in Montréal, 2008 the development, I’d say then that 2009 would be the year where it will reach its full maturity.”
I sincerely hope we are nowhere near maturity in our community for two reasons:
1.) Everything is cyclical. After maturity, decline can only follow.
2.) When I compare us to centres like Boston and the Valley it is clear that we have a lot of work to do.
So, I hope we are still at the beginning and nowhere near maturity.
Mark,
Oh well, I agree on the 2) point. As for the cyclical thing, I’m sure we would then be still “kicking ass” enough and smart enough so that decline won’t come. Other entrepreneurs and leaders will come up, new kind of events and organizations are going to be staged, in top of the existing tech scene.
2008 was a great year for the Montreal tech scene. With thanks to Heri and many others this past year, we’ve got an energetic local community that is making people take a close look over here.
Hey Heri, don’t forget to give yourself a big pat on the back. You do a kick-ass job of keeping the community informed and united.
It’s a big privilege for me to be part of such an effervescent period in this city. There’s amazing creativity and know-how around us, and I’m happy to support it.
Hey Heri,
Thanks for making the emphasise on success and innovation in your article.
My goal for (beginning of) 2009 is to release the best possible teleconsultation product out there.
I will be even more proud as this product is made in Montreal.
For that, we will need to kick ass every single day by innovating, networking and surpassing the expectations to make our ventures as successful as possible.
Good luck to Heri, Felipe, and Mark and all Montreal entrepreneurs. You guys deserve it!
Mehdi
Leave a Reply