Founded in 2008, TalkAddict was created to connect various social networks and software applications to mobile users using the most common and fastest growing form of data transfer in the mobile world, text messaging. Michael uses the PIE as a home base and in Winter 2010 hired his first employee.
Writing Archive
Colin Mark Griffin, UCSC
After preparing a research analysis on ocean energy techniques, Colin’s work was parlayed by Professor Michael Issacson into a federal earmark proposal and he is now working directly with the School of Engineering to make the proposal a reality. He has also applied for the Capital Fellowship Program in Sacramento
Alexander Frangis, ScratchSpace Inc. / NextSpace
After interning as the NextSpace Operations intern in Fall 2009 and moving the facilities print sharing to Ubuntu as well as implementing an open source project management system, Alex was hired by ScratchSpace Inc. a local Linux and VoIP shop.
Michele Goldsworthy, Compete.com
Michele, after working as a PIE intern for the Department of Economic Development and Redevelopment, where she worked on website maintainence and programming secured a position doing WordPress and plugin programming
James Barsimantov, Ph.D., Ecoshift Consulting
James and his two cohosts are both involved in the SEED program at UCSC and have started an ecological consulting firm that is helping NASA and Joint Venture with lifecycle analysis of the NASA / Unimodal project called SkyTran. They use the PIE as a meeting space and resource. James also lectures at the University.
Aaron Greene, Ask Our Techs
Aaron’s business, which was formed as part of the UCSC business plan competition uses the PIE as it’s home base. A continuing concern, Ask Our Techs provides support for the New Tech Meetup and helped to coordinate the Green Business Camp in Fall 2009.
Ryan Dooley, Plantronics
Ryan Dooley is the first game design major to intern at Plantronics. His paid position, in industrial design under VP Darrin Caddes is imparting practical industry skills to his UCSC training.
Tina Nguyen, NOAA / Nova Partners
Tina was able to join Chris Thompson and Nova Partners in re-engineering a rainwater catchment system in preparation for the opening of the Marine Sanctuary Visitors Center at the Wharf. This is important research that will add to visitor’s enjoyment for years to come.
Michelle Yee, Market Motive
Michelle Yee became something of internet marketing experts as they helped produce the same marketing training videos used by UCSC PR team, and that are under consideration for UCSC extension training curriculum. Michelle was also able to have her art opening in the PIE space as well as display her work there from her art [...]
Mireya Arteaga, Ketera Inc.
Mireya, a continuing education student entered the PIE in her last quarter of UCSC. She secured and internship that has transitioned into full time work
Tim Thimmaiah, Ketera
Tim’s work as a paid intern at Ketera in Fall 2009 continued on in Winter 2009-10 and Ketera will bring him on full time upon graduation.
Eric Gonzalez, ClipSync
In Fall 2010, Eric was able to take his experience at NPI PR and running the UCSC Business Plan Competition and secure a position at Clipsync, a social steaming service with contracts with Showtime and epixHD. Clipsync used the PIE space as an office for six months before securing their own office at NextSpace
Dmitry Kogan, Shane & Peter
In Spring 2009, Dimitry interned with Shane&Peter Inc. developing the international branding for Freelance Camp, a one day unconference helping people quit working by themselves and start working for themselves. Dimitry took his work in international marketing and parlayed it into a post-graduation internship at Microsoft in Bangalore, India. In Winter 2010, he returned to [...]
Mark Walter Storer, Pergamum Systems
In Spring 2009, Mark’s company, Pergamum system was a four person team built out of PhD level research in storage systems at UCSC. Their efforts to secure finding for their archival “tome” system were unsuccessful. Two team members found work at a local gaming company. Mark moved to Boston and found a job with NetApp.
Mike Xu, Agency Santa Cruz
In Spring 2009, After interning with Sean Tario and Margaret Rosas, Mike Xu, and his business partners and fellow PIE students Artem Yermanov and Fan Xu developed “Agency Santa Cruz” a talent matching sevice for IT freelancers. The business is now based in NextSpace and continues to provide work for Fan and Mike.
Peter Ziegler, Kelly Bakery Race
In Spring 2009, Peter helped to coordinate a Fun Run in conjunction with the AMGEN Tour of California race. Attendance was strong.
Jarett Fishpaw, Pherica
In Spring 2009, Jarrett and his brother Jonathan spent two quarters in the PIE and UCSC Business Plan competition specing out their mechanical pillbox idea. They started a business called Pherica and have been developing the plan since.
Stephanie Meyering Testimonial
Through a variety of projects I have contributed to a website for the local public radio station KUSP. Specifically, I have been able to research, in-depth, the great impact and importance of different forms of media. Throughout my time at Quiddities I have conducted significant research on various types of online social media and how crucial they can be in the establishment and maintenance of a thriving online community. Additionally, I have been exposed to the highly relevant, crucially important nature of online presences in a modern business setting.
Richard O’Donnell Testimonial
The internship with Quiddities was fun and rewarding. Quiddities is an internet business strategy company. I was in charge of one of their many internet projects and was very involved for the first couple of weeks. During that time I learned a lot about how to run a small business and the kind of communication that needs to occur in such an environment. In the latter part of the internship, I found myself having more free time as I had run out of stuff to work on.
Dmitry Kogan Testimonial
I have had the pleasure to be involved with PPIE for two quarters. In Spring 2009, I have been working with Shane Pearlman in putting on a Freelance Camp in Santa Cruz. I have definitely learned many project management skills and learned the ins and out of how to put on a conference. This includes who to talk to, how to talk to people, where to find them, create a budget, find venues, research gift items, blogging and other various activities.