Award-winner Vivienne Ming (left), Chamber CEO Polly Armstrong, School Board President Judy Appel and former Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner at the Visionary Awards. Photo: Mark Coplan The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce named neuroscientist Vivienne Ming, co-founder of Socos, biochemist Jill Fuss, founder of CinderBio, and computer game pioneer Will Wright, founder of Stupid Fun Club, winners […]
Will Wright
Posted inBerkeleyside, Business, Video
In case you missed it: Startup Berkeley Forum highlights
Last month, Berkeleyside held its second Local Business Forum, concentrating on “Startup Berkeley” — the strengths and weaknesses of the city for startups. If you weren’t able to attend, or if you just want a quick refresher on the evening, we’ve condensed the two hours into a little more than six minutes of highlights (above). […]
Posted inBusiness
Startup Forum: What does it take to make it in Berkeley?
The evening’s second panel (from left to right): Qeyno Labs’ Kalimah Priforce, MOG’s David Hyman, June Taylor from The Still Room, Stupid Fun Club’s Will Wright and moderator Lance Knobel. All photos: Nancy Rubin The evening’s second panel (from left to right): Qeyno Labs’ Kalimah Priforce, MOG’s David Hyman, June Taylor from The Still Room, […]
Posted inBerkeleyside, Events
Startup Berkeley: does the past guide a city’s future?
Can Berkeley be part of the business innovation party? Photo: Tracey Taylor For several decades, Berkeley — and the East Bay more generally — has looked longingly at the vibrant enterprise and job creation on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. Why can’t Silicon Valley spread its secret sauce across the Bay? After all, […]
Posted inEvents
New arrival from Brooklyn joins Startup Berkeley panel
Kalimah Priforce moved his startup from Brooklyn to Berkeley Kalimah Priforce describes himself as “a madman on a mission”. Through his startup Qeyno Labs, Priforce works with local partners and schools to bring technology-enabled career discovery into under-served classrooms, using game-like rewards and mentorship from real-life professionals. Priforce will be joining the panel at Berkeleyside’s Local […]
Posted inEvents
Announcing: Berkeleyside Local Business Forum 2012 ‘Startup Berkeley’, Monday March 5, 7-9 pm
Creator of The Sims Will Wright founded his latest company, Stupid Fun Club, in Berkeley Berkeleyside is thrilled to announce that on Monday March 5th we will be hosting the Berkeleyside Local Business Forum 2012: Startup Berkeley. The Forum’s focus will be the strengths, and weaknesses, of the city of Berkeley for startups. What does it […]
Posted inFire
Will Wright: Inspired to make The Sims after losing a home
Will Wright: After losing his home in the Oakland-Berkeley firestorm, he created a video game centered on homes. Photo: Anya Zavarzina Editor’s note: This story was first published in 2011. We’re resharing it on Oct. 20, 2021, the 30th anniversary of the Oakland-Berkeley Firestorm. Will Wright’s home was one of the first to burn in […]