TechCrunch20 conference site launches… I have questions

The TechCrunch20 conference site launched today. I think what Michael is doing is a great idea… that is helping to get companies some grand exposure similar to my video startup idea (side note: submitting a video here might help you to tidy up your presentation for TC20.)

With 20 startups over 2 days assuming that the days will run 7 hours in length, thats 30 minutes each plus time for discussion and keynote presentations. In addition, they already have some big names on the confirmed industry list.

The pricing is reversed from many of these type of conferences. The startups pay nothing, but we pay $2,000 to $2,500. I think this is a HUGE amount of money for a 2 day infomercial. Personally I would have tried to recruit established companies to pay and then offer up the attendees free entrance as well. If they don't approve a press pass for me, unfortunately I won't be able to attend.

I am guessing the room will be full of VC firms who can drop this money without a second thought. There will be few independents that will be able to afford this. Heck, you can almost get a 17" macbook pro for this amount and just read about it online and watch the videos. :) I am sure Jeremiah and/or Justin will be recording the event live!

I would love to chat with Michael and Jason about their thoughts behind the pricing. I will ping Michael later this evening and report back. I can't attempt to reach Jason again as every attempt over the last year has gone unanswered except when he called me names for questioning why he spelled a name incorrectly.

They are opening the company applications to anywhere in the world but they want absolute exclusivity on first showings. I am sure hundreds of companies will apply because they will have a full room at the Palace Hotel of VC firms just waiting to help the ideas come to fruition. And that's a great thing. This should help those with limited resources get the word out.