Networking @ the Top of Se@ttle

When Chase Norlin came to Seattle from the Bay Area for a position with Corbis, he noticed a lack of networking opportunities. Missing all the schmoozing events he had attended back in the Bay Area, Norlin decided to act.

Last year, Norlin, along with the Columbia Tower Club, started Tech Views, an event that has become one of the most exclusive networking happenings in the region.

“Seattle had all these wonderful start-ups, lots of money flowing into the city, and lots of new things going on,” says Norlin. “But there was no event to capitalize on that, and put people together, and start-ups in front of investors.”

When he approached some of the people at his club, the exclusive Columbia Tower Club, they were immediately interested.

“They were very receptive to making the club more technology focused, so it was a real natural fit for them.”

After putting together a small group to organize the event, Tech Views was launched.

Since then, Tech Views has quickly gathered great support and following. “Tech Views is one of the best events in town,” says Tim Reha, Co-founder of InvestmentForum.org. “Its at the Top of the Tower Club and has very good deal flow, so the real players come out to play.”

The event brings together a select group of investors and tech industry players to network among themselves, and a number of selected start-ups, searching for capital.

The Tech Views committee will select between 10 and 15 start-ups to present at this summers event. Over 50 companies have requested to present.

Chase Norlin is not only the founder of Tech Views, but also the Chairman and co-founder of a company that secured funding through a Tech Views event.

Norlin’s company, ShareYourWorld.com, a digital media brokerage, was one of the presenters at the first event. The company, which had set up a booth at the event, received $100,000 in seed capital from an angel investor at Tech Views.

“It was that initial seed money that jump-started things for us,” says Norlin.

Although there will be some serious business going on, Norlin will be the first to tell you that the event itself is quite casual.

“It’s more of a social event,” says Norlin. “I always found that the best deals, whether it be investments or partnerships, came from a very relaxed casual, social setting.”

This Summer’s invitation-only event will take place on July 17 and will be held in the elegant surroundings of the Columbia Tower Club.