Austin… and world, we have arrived. We started out just over a year ago with the code name “Project Austin” with hopes of launching on Tech’s biggest stage, in the city where I went to school and one that I still have great love for. Our launch was even covered by Jon Swartz of  the USA Today, among others and CNN was on hand to cover the launch party!

The support has been amazing and it’s clear that Crowdtap is quickly becoming part of the future of marketing. We look forward to what the next year will bring. As we’ve been out explaining what we do the response has been terrific – people get it. They understand that brands want faster ways to connect with consumers. They want more meaningful interactions. They want to market with consumers, build advocacy and develop long term relationships with their biggest fans.

For those who missed it last night, Crowdtap launched in style @ The Belmont, one of the top venues in Austin. Nearly 2,000 people joined us throughout the night, including 800+ VIPs who kicked things off with us at a private VIP reception from 9-10. After that, the night got pretty crazy, dare we say legendary. Here’s a great montage that shows exactly what we’re talking about:

The party had a Crowdsourced theme with performances throughout the night that encouraged crowd participation.

This included:

• Crowdsourced music – on mobile devices, the crowd told one of NY’s Top DJs – DJ Vikas and their social networks what they wanted to hear
• Photoboof – attendees took photos which streamed real time to International VJ – VJ Culture to mix into the visuals as well as tweeted out
• Crowdsourced rap – we tapped up-and-coming rapper Hoodie Allen to perform at the party. This was not just another performance though, we had Hoodie create a rap based on quotes submitted from leading influencers in marketing, advertising and technology. We are talking Seth Godin,  Chris Brogan and Joseph Jaffe and David Meerman Scott among others. The rap premiered at the party, but you can check it out for yourself:

Additional entertainment included:

• Crowdsourced band – Moldover rocked the house along with guests he pulled up from the audience showing his genius in technology and music
• Tap dance flash mob – yup, out of no where a local Austin Tap Troop broke into a choreographed dance right in the middle of the crowd to everyone’s surprise. Check it out.
• Chocolate tap – guests enjoying chocolate flowing from a Crowdtap tap, making their own delicious desert creations


You can see a ton of photos from the party on Flickr. Check them out.

So, all in all we will say it was quite a night. We apologize to anyone who couldn’t get in and wish everyone could have experienced this night first hand, it is one we will never forget. For those of you that made it, check out your pictures here:

With that, we sadly leave Austin but look forward to all that is ahead and look forward to continuing all the amazing conversations we started down here.