By Tom Wright

Leading digital-entertainment innovators and entrepreneurs, and investors  network in Los Angeles

Hob-nobbing a specialty for PnP

HOLLYWOOD (Hollywood Today/RPRN) 7/31/2009 — On a scale of one-to-ten, this party had all the makings for the Hollywood Today top ten list. The Plug and Play event was exemplary.

On Wednesday night Plug and Play Tech Center, the leading Silicon Valley startup incubator, launched its Los Angeles counterpart —The TENTEN Center. The Launch Party, co-hosted by Sun, Microsoft, Twiistup, Mintz Levin, OTOY, VIVU, and Latham & Watkins was attended by leading digital-entertainment innovators and entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers, bankers, and other leading players behind Plug and Play Tech Center.

Inspired by the rise of online entertainment, the new Center bridges the gap between Hollywood’s top players and the technology firms that could optimize their digital transition, according to Plug and Play CEO Saeed Amidi.

“Entertainment is transforming to an all-digital, Internet-based experience with personalized channels such as MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook. Connecting innovative startups to venture capital funding and corporate partners is essential to close the divide between content and technology,” Amidi said.

“Techies provide personalized media to consumers, but haven’t always been able to connect with content owners. We are providing that connection to the studio heads with our new accelerator facilities,” according to Plug and Play’s Project Manager, Ben Flor. “And investors will have a one-stop shopping place.”

With the opening of TENTEN Wilshire, LA-based startups now have intimate access to the high-tech network and corporate and venture capital cash that their Silicon Valley counterparts have long enjoyed.

Like Plug and Play’s Northern California locations, TENTEN Wilshire is a hub for startups to collaborate, network, meet such potential corporate partners as Best Buy and Microsoft, and, ultimately, build relationships with top investors. Studios, networks and labels looking to profit from increased online presence can take advantage of and benefit from the team web experts, entrepreneurs, and investors, all housed by the Center.

Party guests had the look of a Hollywood casting call: upbeat, dressed to the nines, looking successful. The men were a cross between the young up and coming management style blended with the urban hip look. The women were all business, strong and equally matched for the game that was being played.

The Center is housed in a fitting building, with a rooftop view unlike any other. On par with some of the big Silicon Valley think tanks, the rooftop is surrounded by glass walls, with its own heated pool, Jacuzzi, and a full work out gym, all with a 360-degree vista of the skyline of downtown Los Angeles from the mountains to the sea.  On this night party guests were treated to a sunset.

This festive evening was no mere party, however. It was the gathering of top entertainment execs, next-big-thing startups, VCs, investors, and other power-players. Amidi, our host, said of the new Center “this is a new lifestyle solution for the professional wanting to LIVE, WORK AND PLAY no matter how long or short your stay.”

We should all hope to live, work and play like this.

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