Thursday night, around 50 local tech employees, startup founders and local entrepreneurs got together at our co-working space inside Hangout Hub on Chauncy Street in Boston for the first round of The Tech Hub Foosball League and watch DartBoston’s live taping of Pokin’ Holes, which is broadcast over the web weekly via YouStream.
The two-floor get-together, designed by coordinators at BostInno, Pinyadda and EchoDitto, was organized as part of a new movement in Boston to make sure tech professionals have more events that are less impersonal and stodgy and more casual and personal – events that are more cultural.
Employees and young founders from local tech companies like HubSpot, Shortbord, Starstreet Sports, Zazu, Antler Agency, Gemvara, Greenhorn Connect, and maybe a half-dozen others sent “teams” of foosball players to chill out and get to know one another. Even Creative Economy Council Director Jason Schupbach showed up to Tech Hub Foosball.
As predicted, foosball was the catalyst, but not the main dish.
Much of the crowd sat in the audience during Pokin’ Holes, which always brings an energetic young crowd with them, as their live show is fully portable. Likewise, many of the startupers associated with DartBoston mingled with the Tech Hub foosball teams and even joined in on the foosball, air hockey and Big Buck Hunter action.
News of the the Tech Hub Foosball League’s low-key tenor went as far as the State House:
“It’s nice to hear that these clusters of young entrepreneurs and industry professionals are getting together to talk about the things they’re working on in such a unique setting,” wrote Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki in an Email to BostInnovation Friday morning. “The fact that foosball teams from so many companies showed up is a testament to the fact that there truly is a culture of collaboration here in Massachusetts.”
Perhaps the biggest success of the evening was the fact that a number of recently hired tech employees turned out simply because they heard it was going to be a good time. I personally met a newbie from Akamai, who said he just came to hang out and didn’t know anyone else who was going.
BostInnovation cannot stress enough that this is exactly the kind of thing we need to make Boston more appealing to tech professionals and companies alike. We are a generation of transparency and a culture of “social professionals.” Because a foosball team can be comprised of as few as two people, we really feel this is the kind of thing that can galvanize the collaboration Bialecki mentioned.
Want to get involved? It’s not too late, and the weekly gatherings being hosted at various company locations over the next few weeks will be just as informal. Teams are not expected to attend EVERY gathering, but by forming a team now, you can set your company up to participate in the grand finale tournament happening at the end of April, where major prizes such as consulting, strategy sessions and other exciting stuff will be awarded.
Next Tech Hub Foosball Event:
Game 2: Thurs March 18th, EchoDitto Offices, 1 Davis Square, Somerville. 6pm – 9pm
To get involved, simply join the Facebook Group (and all you teams that are already participating need to get your team photos up!) or follow @TechHubFoos on Twitter. If you would like to host an event please contact Bonnie Shaw at bonnie@echoditto.com
Tags: Boston, dartboston, echoditto, pinyadda, tech hub foosball
