Update – my mistake. This from Launch Pad organizer (and she of the awesome teeth) Paige Finkelman:


 it’s called Launch Pad (two words), and we’re looking for ‘cloudy’ apps or services launched / announced between 1/1 and 12/31 in 2010. So this could be a look-under-the-kimono future tipoff, a new version, partnership, integration point or (even better) a startup first look.

In the past I’ve tended to be a bit skeptical of launchpads run at the same time as conferences – they tend to seem a little bit like a meat market where we all attendees get to inspect (and criticize) the goods at will and generally without any more than the most cursory of glimpses at the product. Having said that every now and then a launchpad really does turn up a great company (I first came across YouCalc at the Enterprise 2.0 lanuchpad in Boston last year).

This year, as part of the Cloud Connect conference, TechWeb will be running a launchpad for new applications to the Cloud Connect community. All developers, large and small, are invited to enter their applications or services – you do not need to be an exhibitor at the Connect Connect. Companies can just enter by filling out our application form, and then Tweeting their entry to the Cloud Connect Launch Pad Twitter handle.

I’ve been asked to be on the judging panel for the launchpad so this post is a shoutout to those who fit the criteria (see below) to jump in and enter. To be eligible, applications must be announced after January 1, 2010 with a release date before December 31, 2010.

Entries should target the Connect Connect market. Examples can include (but are not limited to) the following types of applications:

  • Cloud Clients (mobile, thin client, thick client)
  • Security-as-a-Service applications
  • Software-as-a-Service applications
  • Software + Services
  • Cloud Platforms
  • Cloud Infrastructure

Entrants have until January 25 to submit their Twitter pitches and quarter finalists will be chosen by February 3 to create three minute video presentations for public voting. The final four will then present at Cloud Connect in March.

Contest Rules are up in full on the site. So jump in and register then tweet @cloud_connect with your Twitter pitch along with the hash tag #cc_lp.

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Ben Kepes

Ben Kepes is a technology evangelist, an investor, a commentator and a business adviser. Ben covers the convergence of technology, mobile, ubiquity and agility, all enabled by the Cloud. His areas of interest extend to enterprise software, software integration, financial/accounting software, platforms and infrastructure as well as articulating technology simply for everyday users.

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