Greenhorn Weekly Countdown Jan 29 - February 4

Groundhog Day is upon us this week! Whether or not he decides if there's going to be more winter or an early spring, don't him stop you from getting your networking on. This week brings 21 networking events and office hourswith it. Read below for the ones you shouldn't miss!

/// Monday

Crowdsortium Boston II

Description: After a brief introduction from Professor at Northeastern Jeff Howe, who coined the term crowdsourcing as a Contributing Editor to Wired, a panel of chief community executives from leading crowdsourcing companies will discuss Community Management: Evolving From Mobs To Crowds To Communities and dive deeper into the keys to successfully employing a crowdsourcing model.
Time: Monday, Jan 30, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Place: Microsoft NERD

/// Tuesday

Startup America One Year Celebration with Tory Burch

Description: Startup Massachusetts invites you to join us for a celebration of entrepreneurship with Startup America Partnership Board Member and Entrepreneur,Tory Burch.The discussions at the event will circle around how the ecosystem can and should support the entrepreneurial community in and around Boston. 
Time: Tuesday, Jan 31, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Place: Northeastern University Raytheon Amphitheater 120 Forsyth Street Boston, MA 02115

/// Wednesday

OpenCoffee Cambridge Meetup

Description:  Fellow web entrepreneurs and VCs gather once a week in Boston to grab some coffee, free WiFi, and chat about what's new. Around the world, tech entrepreneurs and investors are meeting regularly to drink coffee, network and hopefully do deals. No more of the old-school "please send us your executive summary before we'll even talk to you". A place to find opportunities.
Time: Wednesday, Feb 8, 8:30am - 10:30am
Place: Voltage Coffee & Art 295 3rd Street Cambridge, MA 02139

Equity Compensation: Using stock and options to pay for services

Description: Entrepreneurial companies offer equity to employees as an important incentive.  In this program, Rick Lucash of McCarter & English will cover the key issues in designing and implementing an equity incentive program using stock options, restricted stock and other techniques.  

Topics will include:

• How to choose among options, restricted stock and other compensation.
• What are key elements for a successful program to attract, retain and motivate key talent?
• What are the typical amounts of equity for various types of founders, officers and employees?
• How does the IPO “window” affect plan design?
• What are the financial and tax considerations of equity compensation?

Time: Wednesday, Feb 1, 9:30am - 11:30am
Place: Cambridge Innovation Center One Broadway 5th Floor - Havana Training Room Cambridge, MA 02142

/// Thursday

Golden Seeds Boston Open Office Hours

Description: Golden Seeds Boston is offering monthly Open Office Hours for all entrepreneurs, from 9a to noon.  In February, we'll start with a one hour presentation and discussion of the most important legal decisions entrepreneurs need to make when they start their businesses, followed by 1/2 hour sessions with our members 10am – noon.  Our sponsor and host, Foley Hoag, will have an attorney available to answer legal questions as well.
Time: Thursday, Feb 2, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Place: Foley Hoag Emerging Enterprise Center 1000 Winter Street Waltham, MA

Boston Beta :: Startup Strategy Series

Description:  Funding the Next Big Thing @ MassChallenge Boston Beta will kick off the first event of its Startup Strategy Series on February 2, 2012 with a panel discussion focused on "Funding the Next Big Thing." Each of our speakers is an investor and has worked at or founded startups before arriving at their current position. 
Time: Thursday, Feb 2, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Place: Mass Challenge: One Marina Park Drive, 14th floor Boston, MA 02210 Using GPS: 55 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Cost: General, $10; Joint with Boston Beta Event, $25


/// Weekend Special

Boston Media Makers

Description: Boston Media Makers get together at Doyle’s in Jamaica Plain on the first Sunday of each month from 10 AM – Noon. We gather around a big table and answer the question, “What are you doing?” If you are interested in meeting people who are working with audio and video on the web, this is a great meeting to attend. We get podcasters, videobloggers, filmmakers, artists, writers, PR and social media people. Everyone is welcome. Sometimes we have a roundtable discussion after we hear from everyone, but there usually isn’t extra time. It’s fun. Contact Steve Garfield for more info.
Time: Sunday, Feb 5, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Place: Doyle’s Cafe 3484 Washington Street Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130


Event of the Week Sponsored by Microsoft NERD

Crowdsortium Boston II

Why? If you're curious about communities, this will be an interesting discussion from veterans in the industry including uTest and onForce.

Bonus *Student* Event of the Week