The whole "let's get a map of startups in Vancouver!" topic came up again.

Startup Genome (startupgenome.com) is the site that is dedicated to providing a backbone to power the capture of data around this in an #opendata way. That's solved.

Second is our own brand. I suggested WeAreYVR.ca for this, and github.com has open source code to power such a thing (with data pulled from SG).

Lastly, hardest overall, is to curate & keep such a listing up to date. Ray is making a pitch to get some funding for this, there are some curators listed for Vancouver (startupgenome.com) and we're happy to add more.

Want to sponsor WeAreYVR? Let myself or Ray know!

I got nothing valuable to add. You say (and I believe) there's two problems. Data structure/availability and curation. I have no interest in tackling either myself. Bang for buck ratio doesn't cut it.

Would it make more sense to use the PixelCrafters domain rather than WeAreYVR? PixelCrafters already has significant local awareness and pre-existing reasons for people to visit, and I think the domain name matches the purpose better too.

Or does VancouverStartups deserve its own domain? VancouverStartups.ca and .org are both available.

I see Pixel Crafters being a sponsor / supporter of this thing. It needs to be a brand that as many local orgs as possible can relate to.

I suggested WeAreYVR since I think @jjheaslip owns it, but maybe we can make vanmade / Made in Vancouver a revamp. (the issue there is no APIs, no open data, uneditable, etc. etc.)

A brand might be valuable, but I'm unenthusiastic about WeAreYVR (or PixelCrafters for that matter). Unfortunately I don't have a good suggestion at the moment.

If people are going to be paid to curate, what sort of person will that attract to the job? Is that the sort of person who will know how to do the job?

Is the idea only mapping or is showcasing companies and talent part of the idea you have? I'm imagining something along the lines of wearenytech.com when reading this discussion.

Thanks for including me. The way I see it, you guys have four options.

1. Do zero work and just use Startup Genome's Vancouver map at startupgenome.com. You all have full access to it.

2. Do close to zero work and simply embed the Startup Genome map on other websites. You could embed it on WeAreYVR and PixelCrafters. It would be the same map and the same data, so there's no reason why it can't be in both places. It would get more eyeballs and appear to be more of a community shared effort. More about embedding maps here: blog.startupgenome.com

3. Do a small amount of work and throw up a new version of Represent Map and turn on the Startup Genome sync that's baked into their code on their github rep. More about that here: blog.startupgenome.com/our-api-is-live-plus-integration-with-representmap/

4. Do more work and build something custom and integrate it with Startup Genome's API. So far 20 cities or so have done this.

All good options. Up to you guys how you want to balance branding, time commitment and ownership. When there is a disagreement amongst community leaders, option #2 is often a good solution.

I'll also add that curation of this data is not as much of a time commitment as you guys might think, especially if you share the work.

Agree that using Startup Genome, which already provides a solution to power this, is the way to go.

Re branding, I have a mild preference for something like MadeInVan or MadeInYVR, but really, I don't have strong feelings on it.

@cosmicblend I think lots more people focus could be layered on top of what is first a list of companies, the people that run them, etc. - that needs commitment, too, but much like we run Welcome Wagon on Pixel Crafters, totally doable by starting small.

Thanks Shane for chiming in. I'm thinking #3 the represent map + sync is great!

To anyone that wants to curate, just leave a comment and we can add you as a curator after you sign up on startupgenome.com.

Aside from "community pride" -- the brand / separate space is so we can attract sponsors to support funding for people that do community outreach / curation.

Ed - curation is mainly being interested and doing data cleanup & marketing.

For branding, I think we should have as few disparate brands as possible. Too many different "names" leads to confusion.

Also, Boris, it seems that when someone submits to the welcome wagon, their data be entered into the map as well, n'est pas?

I will help curate, but I don't have nearly the connections that others have, so I will need help receiving the data.

Just took a look at WeAreYVR. It seems that it is currently about individuals. Doesn't look like it supports companies at the moment, can that be adjusted (I don't know about the back end at all)?

I was thinking list.weareyvr.ca or similar OR replacing it completely (sg.com also lists people).

I'm throwing the word 'brand' around fast and loose. I'm sure Sam is cringing ;)

This project needs a name / identity that the wide community can get behind. Recycling Made In Van might be the easiest - I don't think @mtippett is that attached to his WordPress blog ;)

I think we have a direction, now we need action.

We need a volunteer to install & maintain represent map.

@bmann I'll muck around with setting it up on a vps server I have with network redux(looks pretty simple). I don't use that server often so I have no issue with it being held there.

That's great, Chet! I'm cool with helping to fund a box, but it would be great to just have it up and running to see what it looks like.

I'm not sure what is needed on the API side from StartupGenome.com, but I can help with that.

I've got it up, haven't configured much. I think all that is needed on the StartupGenome side is the API key.

Here's the link: evo.cosmicblend.ca

Chet - just create your account at startupgenome.com and I'll assign you an API key.

Thanks Shane, all set here's my account: startupgenome.com

I'll email it to you.

Got it, thanks

Sorry all I've been a little busy, I'll try and get some time on this today.