This week saw the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco. It was a kind of technology conference, the 2.0 representing the (supposed) next stage in the Internet.
What it meant for Haas students was a chance to network, see where the industry's going, and find job and internship opportunities. What it meant for me was playing with some nice toys and getting a lot of free pens and t-shirts. And luckily I'm a friend of Amir, who with his business connections managed to get everyone free entry!
The place was certainly impressive, and walking into the hall I was immediately greeted with big signs proclaiming Microsoft's, ebay's, IBM's, etc. next big things. There were also several stands of smaller, start-up companies. Some of them even seemed to have good ideas!
But I was left wondering what these businesses actually do. No one makes anything, no one even sells anything, but everyone seemed happily confident that they'd turn a profit before the venture capital money runs out. I'll check the names on the t-shirts I got in 12 months and see how many are still in business...
The swish looking conference centre.
Everyone's here!
Well, I am, sort of.
Dana and Amir feign interest, while I take the free pen and run.
