Pet products not inspired by Pets.com!

Did you know that your dog or cat's skin could suffer from overexposure to sunlight? That is apparently what Bayer Pet Care wants you to think. In a country where the tan makes the man in the suit look even sharper, you can buy sunscreen for your cane or gatto. Luckily, mi gatti tan indoors. This picture was taken from a storefront in the "gheto novo" section of Venice in June, 2009 - the same piazza where you can buy this chess set.

Ferie Agosto

Most Italians take the entire month of August as holiday and leisure time. The Feriae Augusti dates back to at least 18 BC as a series of festivals and celebrations declared by the Roman emperor Augustus. Many businesses are closed during feire. Here in the Veneto dozens of manufacturers are able to accommodate this downtime through cooperation and by somehow avoiding bad agency behaviors. It's an interesting thought experiment to imagine how US firms would behave under similar cultural expectations...

America's Most Promising Social Entrepeneurs

This story in Business Week highlights 28 social entrepreneurs. You can vote through April 26 for your favorite entrepreneur. Read the full story here.

Perfect your pitch

Brad Feld offers eight mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid when pitching for capital.

Do you really need a business plan?

The experts aren't so sure--but entrepreneurs like the founders of Roaring lion energy drink say it's a must. here's how to know if writing a business plan is for you. Read more.

Starting a business during an economic downturn

Here are three recent articles on starting a business during a downturn. Thanks to Danny Smith for bringing these to my attention.

USA Today

BusinessWeek

TheStandard.com

Invention at Play

For those of you who might be visiting the DC area, be sure to visit the newly-renovated and opened National Museum of American History. The Lincoln Exhibition is great, but I really enjoyed the Innovation at Play exhibit on the first floor. It's interactive, very visual and tactile, and very imaginative.