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Hello friend --
 Bixel Exchange Startup LAunch #techSBDC hosts last coworking day of the year
On Nov. 2, Bixel Exchange’s Startup LAunch tech SBDC program hosted our last coworking day of the year at Phase Two in Culver City. The event was a huge success with more than 40 attendees. Six of our advisers, Sebastian de Vivo, Brett Heeger, Robin Lee, Isaac Chao, Shivani Honwad and Harout Nazerian, were on hand to meet with startups, and Director Kat Yalung spoke with 11 founders. Our monthly coworking day encourages startup founders to share knowledge, resources and support.
As part of our partnership with Phase Two, you are invited to check out the space on a free, two-day trial. From there, Bixel Exchange startups get one free month when they join Phase Two on a one-year agreement. Reach out to Elianne Rodriguez for any questions.
 Bixel Exchange partners with Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property (MIIP) to launch Hacking IP
Bixel Exchange is proud to be an event partner with MIIP for Hacking IP: Considerations for Startups and Entrepreneurs, a series focused on IP strategy in today’s digital economy. The first event kicked off the series on Oct. 24 at WeWork DTLA, and featured panelists Dana Nasser, Nathan Khalil, Benjamin Kuo, Thomas Peistrup and Carmen Palafox. See the photos. Learn more.
 Innovation & Technology Council explores digital divide
Last month, Bixel Exchange and the L.A. Area Chamber's Innovation & Technology Council held their last meeting of the year, dedicated to the discussion of the digital divide and ensuring digital inclusion for all. The discussion panelists included Peter Manzo, president and CEO of United Ways of California; Susan Walters, senior vice president of California Emerging Technology Fund; and Edmond Cheung, chief consultant of the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee, with Bixel Exchange President Sean Arian moderating the panel. Our experts gave a framework of what the digital divide looks like in the state and in Los Angeles, highlighted the work already underway to bridge this gap, and provided next steps in working together. See the photos.
 Startup LAunch joins 2018 LTX: Latinx in Tech Summit
Bixel Exchange and more than 300 attendees joined the LTX: Latinx in Tech Summit in Oakland on Nov. 1 and 2. The conference explored emerging tech, opportunities, and issues of access, advocacy and identity in the Latinx community. Four Startup LAunch companies were there helping to represent L.A. tech. Shout out to our amazing partner Kapor Center for hosting the event!
 Spotlight on … The Burg
After the turmoil of the 2016 presidential election, The Burg was created to tackle the issue of low voter turnout, especially at the local level. "How is it that we live in the 'connected' age, yet we've never been more disconnected in our cities?," says founder and CEO Matt Pell. The app funnels local information (local news, soapboxes, events, ballot information, etc.) and access to representatives and community organizations directly to the voters and residents of L.A. County. We sat down with Pell to learn about his experience working with Startup LAunch.
What are some of the hardest challenges you’ve encountered?
It is quite difficult to get people to believe that not only could this work, but that it could be a real business. The days of Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks asking people to vote in a video are over. They aren't inspiring. We must try a new recipe, and it's tough getting people to buy in to ours.
Lessons you've learned?
An undeniable, irrefutable amount of willpower and belief in the vision is crucial towards building something. It is nearly impossible to properly paint the picture of how hard it is to start something, and I highly advise anyone and everyone to emphasize the importance of your mental and physical health. It's a marathon, not a race.
Your favorite part of working with Bixel Exchange?
Bixel Exchange really helped us refine our problem, and let us take a step back and see The Burg from a bigger picture.
 Compete for up to $200,000 in angel investment for your startup!
Is your startup ready for investment? Bixel is working with USD and The Brink SBDC to launch the San Diego Angel Conference to bring high growth startups together with angel investors. The SDAC gives startups an opportunity to compete for $200,000 in angel investment and offers events to sharpen their investment potential through real time feedback from investors, intensive hands-on coaching from experts and best practices from leading entrepreneurs. Complete the pre-application for more information.
Until we sync again,
Bixel Exchange
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