<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"This post is part of Mashable's Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.  The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark.\nName: Sprouter\nQuick Pitch: Sprouter facilitates collaboration between entrepreneurs globally. Entrepreneurs can expand networks, discover events, start discussions, and follow topics relevant to their business.\tGenius Idea: Think Twitter for entrepreneurs. Instead of answering \"what are you doing?\" in 140 characters, users answer \"what are you working on?\" The idea is to connect entrepreneurs with each other based on similar interests and goals. Sprouter works very much like Twitter. You can share what you are working on or solicit feedback from others. You can search the site to find specific posts (spouts?) about a topic or to find people in your area.  Sprouter lets you follow users \u2014 just like Twitter \u2014 and send private messages as long as the user follows you back. You can also create Topics using hashtags, much like the long-established Twitter convention. Unlike Twitter, however, you can follow all mentions of a Topic.\nLike Twitter Lists, you can create filters in Sprouter for users that you follow if you want to separate them into categories.  Here's a video intro:\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\nThe one area where Sprouter breaks from the Twitter mold is with Events. You can create an event in Sprouter, have a designated page and tag related to the event and then create groups that discuss the event. We can see this as being very useful for users who want to organize local meet-ups.\nSprouter is an interesting idea, in that it is essentially a highly specialized version of an already existing service. We wish that there were ways to find out if your friends on other networks were also members of Sprouter \u2014 and it would be nice if there was any indication of mobile support. Part of what makes Twitter so great is that you can update and receive feedback using SMS or mobile apps.\nWe like the idea of having a specialized service for connecting entrepreneurs but as with any other service, its success will ultimately depend on how many users join and how much value can be created.\nSpark of Genius Series Sponsored by Microsoft BizSpark\nBizSpark is a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.\nEntrepreneurs can take advantage of the Azure Services platform for their website hosting and storage needs. Microsoft recently announced the \"new CloudApp()\" contest - use the Azure Services Platform for hosting your .NET or PHP app, and you could be the lucky winner of a USD 5000* (please see website for official rules and guidelines).\u201D"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2009/11/12/sprouter/>