On Tuesday, I spent the day spreading FeeFighters love and learning about other Midwest startups at Midventures LAUNCH, a midwest startup conference. Though I didn’t get to really listen to many of the great panelists who spoke throughout the day (I was parked at the FeeFighters table) I felt like there were a few central themes that came out of the conference:

1) It’s good to hang out.- Being revitalized by SxSw this year, I can personally attest to the level of energy and excitement present when likeminded startup people get together and rub noses. For those of us who live in areas where being part of a startup isn’t so common, it’s important to get that dose of affirmation that you’re not crazy and there are others like you out there. However, most of the time we get it vicariously through blogs, or very locally with small events. Having much of that passion right here in Chicago, the conference was double passionate and energetic–for startups but also for being a startup in Chicago. As I chatted with people who stopped by my table, almost everyone asked me that fateful question with a judgmental look…”Are you based in Chicago?” When I proudly announced the affirmative, rapport was once again established as I received a warm smile in return.

2) Chicago has self esteem issues.- Seriously. Why are we trying to be the next Silicon Valley? There are a wealth of startups in Chicago, and if instead of talking about how Chicago is not Silicon Valley we spent more energy building the resources to help Chicago entrepreneurs, I think amazing things will happen. Being part of the burgeoning startup community here in Chicago, I can personally attest to how passionate Chicago entrepreneurs are in helping each other. Though the ecosystem is still developing, we should make more of a ruckus about what’s going on. Someone on a panel made the point that we have one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs right here in Chicago, Eric Lefkofsky with Groupon. But not just Groupon…other companies such as Echo Global Logistics and InnerWorkings Inc, which you’ve never heard of, but are publicly traded! Why is there so little attention there? We should continue working together and helping Chicago entrepreneurs get the cushion of support they need so they have no need to look elsewhere. Then, we should blog about it, tweet about it, tell everyone we know, and get the media involved.

Conclusion: Chicago entrepreneurs should regularly meet to hang out, share ideas, and spread the wealth of knowledge they’ve acquired from meeting other Chicago entrepreneurs. Then, they and everyone they know should talk about it whenever and wherever they can.