San Francisco - TechWeb (formerly CMP) and O'Reilly Media, Inc., co-producers of the annual Web 2.0 Summit, today announce the Launch Pad program, a unique public forum designed to uncover the most promising Web startups, is open for submissions. The theme for this fourth edition Launch Pad, Web Meets World, spotlights the industry's best startups that use the Web's culture to change the world. The Web 2.0 Summit takes place November 5-7, 2008 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Launch Pad's focus will be on startups in the fields of alternative energies, social entrepreneurialism, microfinance, developing economies, political action, renewable technologies, and other innovative areas. Web 2.0 Summit Launch Pad will provide Web 2.0 companies a chance to present in front of six leading venture capitalists from Internet and Green backgrounds, while receiving raw, real-time feedback from both judges and audience members.

"The conversation is no longer just about the Web, rather about the bigger social movements driving the Web's greatest solutions," said John Battelle, Web 2.0 Summit's Program Chair. "We've adjusted our Launch Pad to reflect the natural progression of the conversation and, most importantly, to present the Web's most promising innovations."

The Web 2.0 Launch Pad's judging panel of venture capitalists will sponsor the program, thus eliminating company participation fees. Any company in any stage of financing can compete for a slot on stage, whether or not they are launching a new company or product. Judges will select the finalists who will compete at the Web 2.0 Summit event and receive up to ten minutes on stage to present to the entire Web 2.0 Summit audience and the VC judging panel.

"We're honored to be a part of Web 2.0 Summit's Launch Pad: Web Meets World. It allows us the unique opportunity to learn about those Web companies working to improve the complex problems facing industries outside the Web- something invaluable for Panorama Capital,"said Chris Albinson of Panorama Capital. "Together with the Web 2.0 Summit's audience, we'll uncover those shining stars working to build a better future."

Submission deadline for Web 2.0 Summit Launch Pad is September 10, 2008. Final determination of the Launch Pad companies will be made by John Battelle, Web 2.0 Summit's Program Chair, in concert with VC judges including Chris Albinson of Panorama Capital, Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, and Mike Goguen of Sequoia Capital.

Web 2.0 Summit is produced by partners O'Reilly Media, Inc. and TechWeb and is moderated by John Battelle, Program Chair, and O'Reilly CEO Tim O'Reilly. Attendance is limited to maintain an intimate setting and foster dialog among participants. General attendee registration is by invitation only; requests for invitations are being accepted through mid-September. Media credentials will also be extended by invitation only.

Courtesy: O'Reilly Media, Inc., USA

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 19 July, 2008 2:12:59 PM IST #