Not familiar with OpenSesame, the eLearning marketplace startup that won the grand prize at OEN Angel Oregon back in March?

All the more reason to swing by their lunch and get the scoop on what they do, their startup experience so far, any open positions. You know the drill.

Even if you know what they do, why not enjoy a casual lunch and networking with some of your friends on a balmy July day, or hey, even meet some new folks.

One note, if you’re driving, use the Portland State Business Accelerator’s driving directions, not Google Maps, which apparently chooses a very roundabout route.

See you there.

Oh, and don’t forget to RSVP on Upcoming.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• July 27 hosted by OpenSesame

Skipping the boilerplate this time and wondering if anyone reads down here anymore.

I’m thinking lately that Lunch 2.0 has run its course. We’ve had a good 3.5 year run, with some awesome events and great hosts.

However, the crowds are definitely smaller and have been dwindling for a while, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, although part of the value of Lunch 2.0 is connecting people with companies and organizations here in town.

Demand for hosting has gone way down as well, not really sure why. So, it could be that Lunch 2.0 organically runs its course, unless someone wants to market it more actively than I do.

Thoughts? Find the comments here or hit me up directly.

You might remember OpenSesame from such honors as the grand prize at OEN Angel Oregon back in March.

What does OpenSesame do?

I’ll let Rick (@turoczy) explain:

The new venture—which combines talents from previous Portland startups like Eleven Wirelessand SplashCast—is very much an app store for corporate training videos. Allowing trainers from a wide variety of disciplines to get their content in front of corporations. And providing corporate HR departments with an API to hook the curriculum right into their existing training systems.

Ah eLearning, you’re probably familiar with those HR compliance courses you’re mandated to take every few years on sexual harassment, insider trading, privacy and security, etc., but there’s so much more out there from educators like Khan Academy and Capturator.

OpenSesame brings all that content together, connecting buyers and sellers in a marketplace.

Sound interesting? Good, RVSP and bring your questions with you. I hear they’re hiring too.

Hosts: OpenSesame

Where: 2828 SW Corbett Avenue, Portland, OR 97201

When: July 27, 2011 from 12 PM to 2 PM

RSVP on Upcoming

Update: I’m told Google Maps and GPS directions are a bit flakey for the address, especially if you’re coming from the West. So, for clarification, OpenSesame is in the Portland State Business Accelerator, which is at the intersection of SW Corbett and SW Meade. Need more help? Here are driving directions from the PSBA.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• July 27 hosted by OpenSesame

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

It must be the beautiful weather that’s distracting you or work or something else. No worries. That’s why a friendly reminder always precedes these events.

Consider yourself reminded.

This Lunch 2.0 is kind of a big deal because it’s about ping and pipe, a.k.a. the City’s Broadband Strategic Plan, which has been out in draft for a month and is waiting for your comments.

Why you? Presumably you live in Portland and have the internets. You probably have a viewpoint about whether internets should be provided by the City of Portland, how much it should cost, how fast it should be, what providers the City should contract, etc.

Well, you need to show up Wednesday and let Deputy Director Mary Beth Henry (@pdxcycle) and her colleagues know your well-formed opinions on the subject because otherwise, you may find yourself shaking your fist at the slow City internets in a couple years.

Oh, and there will be free eats and the usual elbow-rubbing networking too. So, if you like those things, you’ll be in luck.

So, don’t wait, head over and RSVP now.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• June 29, hosted by Office of Cable Communications & Franchise Management, Broadband Strategic Planning

Don’t worry, I have a couple in line for July. Watch this space for details.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

On June 29, the Office of Cable Communications & Franchise Management will join the Portland Development Commission and CivicApps as the third City organization to host a Lunch 2.0 and invite the community to an open dialog about City matters.

This one is close to all our hearts, citywide broadband access.

Connecting to Our Future is the result of City of Portland Resolution 36816 (PDF). Check out coverage by Rick (@turoczy) and Mike Rogoway (@rogoway) for background.

Since January, Deputy Director Mary Beth Henry (@pdxcycle) and her colleagues have been hard at work drafting the Broadband Strategic Plan, and it’s ready and waiting for your comments.

Seriously. Hit link above to read the draft plan and attend the Lunch 2.0 on June 29 to let Mary and team know what you think of their plan.

The lunch will be held in the Portland Building, the one guarded by Portlandia (the statue, not the show). Mary Beth will give a short presentation covering the broadband initiative in the Auditorium, then we’ll adjourn to Room C on the second floor for networking and further discussion.

Don’t miss this opportunity to let the City know what you think. I’m pretty sure we all support ubiquitous, affordable, robust broadband, but how the City accomplishes this effort is what’s up for discussion.

Thanks to Mary Beth and the City for offering us the chance to participate and have our voices heard.

Don’t wait to RSVP for this one. It looks to be a popular one. As usual, leave a comment when you RSVP if you’ll be wanting vegan/vegetarian fare.

Hosts: Office of Cable Communications & Franchise Management, Broadband Strategic Planning

Where: 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97204

When: June 29, 2011 from 12 PM to 2 PM

RSVP on Upcoming

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• June 29, hosted by Office of Cable Communications & Franchise Management, Broadband Strategic Planning

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

No worries, that’s why we’re here, to remind you about free lunch. Oh, and to inform you about startups, the local tech scene, etc. All that stuff too.

You may get a chance to check out Webtrends’ newest product Analytics 10, which unites all your social, mobile and web analytics into a single console.

And hey, if it’s sunny (a big if), you can hang out on their balcony too.

Bonus, it looks like they’re hiring too, in several areas, not just technical positions.

Sound good? Thought so.

Before you go, make sure to RSVP on Upcoming.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• May 11, hosted by Webtrends

Don’t worry, I have a hosted lined up for June, just haven’t found time to announce it yet. Watch this space for details.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

Not that a Lunch 2.0 needs one, but the occasion is the launch of their newest product, Analytics 10, a tool that unifies web, social and mobile analytics into a single package. Win.

They’ll have Analytics 10 available to test-drive, if you’re interested, but if you’re not, no worries, the usual free-form networking will be in full swing as well. Maybe if we’re lucky, the sun will make an appearance, so we can bask on the deck.

After co-hosting previous Lunch 2.0s with Open Source Bridge (@osbridge) in 2009 and Network Redux (@networkredux) last year, this will be WebTrends’ third time buying lunch for us, putting them in elite company with AboutUs (@aboutus) as the most generous Lunch 2.0 hosts.

You’ve probably been to WebTrends before for a user group meeting, a town hall or some other tech meetup; over the past couple years, they’ve become a great resource to the Portland community, opening their offices to many different geeky events.

So, thanks for that WebTrends, and thanks for keeping the Lunch 2.0 train rolling.

And it looks like they’re hiring too.

Don’t wait, hit the link to RSVP for yourself and any guests/coworkers/entourage members.

Hosts: WebTrends

Where: 851 SW 6th Avenue #1600, Portland, OR, 97204

When: May 11, 2011 from 12 PM to 2 PM

RSVP on Upcoming

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• May 11, hosted by WebTrends

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

Just wondering because there are only 34 RSVPs on Upcoming, and frankly, that seems a bit low for free lunch. I guess it must be because geeks wait until the absolute last minute to decide on stuff like this.

Emma is currently breaking in their new space on East Burnside; they’ve been hiring local people you might know, e.g. PostgreSQL maven Selena Decklemann (@selenamarie), and they want to get to know you over lunch.

Did I mention they’re also hiring?

Quick recap: free lunch, good conversation, possible jobs.

Remind me again why you haven’t replied yet? Remedy that now. See you Wednesday.

RSVP on Upcoming

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• March 9, hosted by Emma
• April 6, hosted by Small Society

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

If you read here, you’ll know that Portland has a burgeoning mobile development scene. You don’t have to read here to know that, but we do talk about it a lot.

Small Society was in on the ground floor of the mobile app explosion (insert hipster meme here), and founders Raven Zachary (@ravenme) and James Keller (@semaphoria) have built a extraordinary team of iOS developers who crank out magical apps for big and small brands alike.

And they’re hiring.

And they want to tell you all about it over lunch at their office.

Although Small Society builds iOS apps, they welcome those of you rocking a BlackBerry, WP 7, webOS or even a dumb or feature phone. I assume those of us carrying Android phones are also welcome.

That was joke.

So anyway, join the good people of Small Society for a rollicking good time and chat them up about everyone’s favorite geeky topic. That’s smartphones, if you’re skimming.

As always, please make sure to RSVP for yourself and any guests/coworkers/entourage members.

Hosts: Small Society

Where: 517 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 400, Portland, OR, 97204

When: April 6, 2011 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM

RSVP on Upcoming

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• March 9, hosted by Emma
• April 6, hosted by Small Society

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

Just wondering, since the RSVP list is pretty short right now. Maybe you missed the announcement, or you got busy and forgot. It happens.

Let’s not get into the whole, it’s too far debate. The OTBC can be reached by MAX and bus, and for many of you, it’s on the way home.

So, enough with the excuses.

As if you needed more motivation to attend a free happy hour, Steve Morris (@stevemorris) and friends at the OTBC will be happy to fill you in on their latest activities and perhaps introduce you around to the companies currently using their services or to alumni companies who’ve benefitted from the OTBC’s many services.

Plus, this is the first Lunch 2.0 that’s not really a lunch, and it’s in the ‘burbs. So, you can always lay claim to being there when the happy hour trend began, or something.

Anyway, RSVP now so they have enough drinks and food.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• February 23 happy hour, 4:30-7:30 PM, hosted by the OTBC
• March 9, hosted by Emma

Keep watching this space for an announcement for April and for something completely different coming from our neighbors to the North.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.

Not familiar with Emma? You might be familiar with their office on Burnside, which sports Emma’s purposefully human logo. Explanation:

It’s a nice and handy abbreviation of the phrase email marketing, but more importantly, it brings with it an inherent human quality.

Check out there meet Emma page, which features some awesome copy-writing:

We wanted to bring software to life, but not literally because the software might decide to begin lopping people’s heads off, or running out for sandwiches at extremely inopportune times.

Emma opened their Portland office in 2007 and has sponsored lots of events around town. Check out the Emma blog for more local flavor and more about what they do. Plus, they’re hiring in Portland, for at least one position.

And now, they want to get to know you personally and buy you lunch. Not a bad offer, eh?

Details:

Hosts: Emma

Where: 524 E Burnside St., Suite 510, Portland, Oregon 97214

When: March 9, 2011 from 12 PM to 2 PM

Hit the link to RSVP on Upcoming.

Upcoming Portland Lunch 2.0s

• February 23 happy hour, 4:30-7:30 PM, hosted by the OTBC
• March 9, hosted by Emma

If you’re interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a Lunch 2.0, drop a comment, hit me up on Twitter (@jkuramot), etc.

Want to know what’s involved? Check out the how-to primer.

Big thanks to all the hosts who have hosted or plan to host Lunch 2.0. As with the majority of the tech events in Portland, sponsors make them happen. So, we humbly thank you.