Venture Friday happy hour as you know and love it is back for March. We’re looking to mix up the agenda in the foreseeable future, so be sure to come by this Friday if you like the two-presenter format, tasty finger-foods and cold beverages in the casual space of Red Nova Labs’ Discovery Lounge. (Conveniently scheduled before Big 12 games start at 6:30.)

Aaron Sloup from Lantern is back for a second presentation, and Venture Friday veteran Nate Allen, along with partner Wes Mikel, are showing off their newest venture called 4 First Names.

Part of the fun of Venture Friday is learning about startups and how they progress. Aaron was in full creation-mode when he first presented in November and we invited him back to show off what Lantern has become. Lantern is a way to find deals in your area (not just one to five per day, but dozens or hundreds at any time) and all deals are redeemable right away. Using an Andriod or iPhone app, users can save 50% to 100% without buying anything upfront. Merchants decide what deals to offer and control when they are available.

4 First Names was an idea born out of Startup Weekend last November (an event near-and-dear to the minds of many entrepreneurs). The concept sparked from the facts that most people are focused on collecting data, slightly fewer are focused on analyzing that data, and even fewer communicate that data. The 4 First Names fellas are focused on presenting data to an audience, using interactivity to engage people and 3D environments to make the data more intuitive. The Kauffman Foundation was their first client and the reason Nate and Wes have been able to move forward.

After the presentations, Venture Fridays group members might also want to prod Nate for details of what he has planned for Startup Weekend in April.

As always, doors open at 4 p.m., 10-minute presentations start around 5ish, and Red Nova Labs hosts get restless to clean up around 6:30 p.m. Be sure to RSVP.

Before I sign off, a quick update regarding April’s Venture Friday: The date has been moved from April 13th to April 20th to avoid a schedule conflict with Startup Weekend. That meetup will be the first Venture Friday hosted outside the Red Nova Labs building. We’re considering a “Speed Meeting” theme at Snow & Co, and space is limited. Be sure to RSVP early if you're interested.