Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Disrupting The World

         I am currently at Tech Crunch Disrupt with my company Farmigo. We are here competing against 29 other companies in their Start-Up Battlefield competition. It is a great opportunity for us as well as the other companies to let the technology world know who we are and what we are trying to accomplish. Farmigo was the second company to present in the competition yesterday. (Here is the link to Farmigo's presentation:  http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/12/farmigo-tapping-into-the-power-of-the-web-to-bring-you-fresh-veggies/ )
     When I told my four year old son that I had to go away for a few days to Start-Up Battlefield he immediately perked up at the mention of a battle and asked me what kind of battle it would be. He, of course was envisioning some awesome Super Hero battle with fire balls and flying machines. Something he has undoubtedly seen on TV and has obviously found pretty cool. Stop, hold your judgement of me, yes I let my kids watch too much TV and way to many shows with super heroes battling it out. Yes I know it's not good, no it probably won't change any time soon.You know what, my mom let me watch TV and by all accounts I came out passably OK.
    In any event, as you can imagine, this competition is not that kind of battle. In fact, it is a really cool conference. For me though, the coolest part is the response that we have received since our presentation. I have been manning the Farmigo booth, handing out organically grown apples provided by one of our local farms and hearing what people have to say about Farmigo. I have to tell you, it feels great. Countless people have come over to tell me what a great thing we are doing for the world. We have already had an amazing response to the challenge set forth to the audience by my CEO, Benzi Ronen, During his presentation Benzi challenged members of the audience to go out and become local heroes and create CSA groups (or pick-up sites) in their area. He has offered the first 100 people to successfully launch pick up sites, using the new Farmigo Marketplace, free produce paid for by Farmigo for one year. 
    You know what, I actually kind of feel like a hero today, maybe not the kind in a super suit that my son is talking about, but the kind who is part of something that is really making a difference in this world. It feels good to know that I am part of a movement to change the way we (by we I mean the world) eat. It feels wonderful to know that I am part of helping local businesses grow. I am proud of the fact that by growing local businesses I am helping to reduce pollution and hopefully global warming. It feels right. Maybe next time, when I tell my son that I am Super Mom it will not only be because I managed to carry him and his brother and sister through the world for another day but also because I am making a difference and hopefully helping to "disrupt the world".

*sign up to be a local hero at www.farmigo.com