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Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

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Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#1

Post by tamle »

Hi all,

I love tech. I love startups. I am not a tech person.

I'm pretty sure this has been asked many times on this board, and I've read humblemba's blog post about startups and MBAs, but I was wondering...

What sort of personal characteristics do tech people look for when approached by a non-tech person looking to start a company? Ultimately, and I know this changes per person, what can non-tech person do to make a tech person trust them?

Because really... that's what business is all about. In my eyes at least.

Thanks for your responses!

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#2

Post by leeHS »

Good questions! I'm actually a tech person who is interested in finding a non-tech person. Trust you? That's tough, because I don't know you yet. So for starter, what have you done? I'm a hacker, so I could give you my tech credentials. You're a hustler (I hope!), so show me your hustling credentials.

Then after that, it's really all about chemistry. Are we going to be able to count on each other when the shit hits the fan...for the 20th time? Because bottom line, if we hook up to pursue a startup, we'll be married.

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#3

Post by tamle »

leeHS wrote: post #2

Good questions! I'm actually a tech person who is interested in finding a non-tech person. Trust you? That's tough, because I don't know you yet. So for starter, what have you done? I'm a hacker, so I could give you my tech credentials. You're a hustler (I hope!), so show me your hustling credentials. Then after that, it's really all about chemistry. Are we going to be able to count on each other when the shit hits t…

Hmmm - so evidence of hustle (lots of evidence smart hustling of course) can help build trust? Or at least the start of it?

Thank you for this insight, it's much appreciated.

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#4

Post by evincarofautumn »

Here are a few things that come to mind if you want to start a company with me.

1. Your idea has to be solid. Not just something you're excited about, not just something I can get excited about, but something that's genuinely good. Something that no one has thought of before, or a new edge to a market that hasn't been nailed yet. If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us.

2. You have to have a good understanding of the technical challenges involved in making your idea a reality. You should have an idea of what needs to be done so that your hopes aren't completely dashed when I tell you the facts of what it will take.

3. You cannot undervalue your time, or my time. No matter what, I'm taking a risk by working with you. You have to convince me that it will be worth my while, and you know what? You probably have to make it actually worth my while.

4. You have to be willing to accept feedback. If you start with a complete vision of what your company and product are going to be, you will be sorely disappointed when that vision fails to materialise. By taking critique during the development of your idea, you will end up with something better even than the perfection you imagined.

Just my 2¢.

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#5

Post by tamle »

evincarofautumn wrote: post #4

Here are a few things that come to mind if you want to start a company with me. 1. Your idea has to be solid. Not just something you're excited about, not just something I can get excited about, but something that's genuinely good. Something that no one has thought of before, or a new edge to a market that hasn't been nailed yet. If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us. 2. You have to have a good…

1. "If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us." That makes so much sense, I can't believe I've never thought of it in that light before.

2. Agreed.

3. "You probably have to make it actually worth my while." - Specifically, is this money/equity? Or is there another dimension I'm overlooking?

4. If I'm understanding you correctly: you want to work with someone more passionate about figuring out how to solve problem X as opposed to someone who's passionate about using their proposed solution. Correct?

Thank you!

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#6

Post by Fliko »

tamle wrote: post #5
evincarofautumn wrote: post #4

Here are a few things that come to mind if you want to start a company with me. 1. Your idea has to be solid. Not just something you're excited about, not just something I can get excited about, but something that's genuinely good. Something that no one has thought of before, or a new edge to a market that hasn't been nailed yet. If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us. 2. You have to have a good…

1. "If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us." That makes so much sense, I can't believe I've never thought of it in that light before. 2. Agreed. 3. "You probably have to make it actually worth my while." - Specifically, is this money/equity? Or is there another dimension I'm overlooking? 4. If I'm understanding you correctly: you want to work with someone more passionate about figuring out how to…

For #4 I think he is saying that your end product may be different then what you envisioned it as, and as such you must be willing to let go of certain things and to adapt to what is needed. Of course with that said you also have to understand that not all changes are for the greater good, and it's a powerful ability to realize which is which with context.

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#7

Post by leeHS »

tamle wrote: post #3
leeHS wrote: post #2

Good questions! I'm actually a tech person who is interested in finding a non-tech person. Trust you? That's tough, because I don't know you yet. So for starter, what have you done? I'm a hacker, so I could give you my tech credentials. You're a hustler (I hope!), so show me your hustling credentials. Then after that, it's really all about chemistry. Are we going to be able to count on each other when the shit hits t…

Hmmm - so evidence of hustle (lots of evidence smart hustling of course) can help build trust? Or at least the start of it? Thank you for this insight, it's much appreciated.

If you're only talking about trust, then no. I've meet people with lots of hustle that I could never trust. I guess it's a package deal. I need to trust you, and know you have hustle.

The trust comes over time. But your past helps. What other partnerships have you been in? Can I talk to those individuals?

As for hustle...I should probably explain what I'm talking about. I'm an introverted techie who would rather be up till 2am coding than socializing. That's a great skill for building a product, but not so great when it comes to pushing it. So for me, hustle means that while I'm coding, you're out there building buzz and meeting potential customers and investors.

And finally, there might be trust, you might have hustle, but in the end maybe we just don't click.

Damn, it really is like a marriage eh?

So now I'm curious, who are you?

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#8

Post by evincarofautumn »

tamle wrote: post #5
evincarofautumn wrote: post #4

Here are a few things that come to mind if you want to start a company with me. 1. Your idea has to be solid. Not just something you're excited about, not just something I can get excited about, but something that's genuinely good. Something that no one has thought of before, or a new edge to a market that hasn't been nailed yet. If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us. 2. You have to have a good…

1. "If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us." That makes so much sense, I can't believe I've never thought of it in that light before. 2. Agreed. 3. "You probably have to make it actually worth my while." - Specifically, is this money/equity? Or is there another dimension I'm overlooking? 4. If I'm understanding you correctly: you want to work with someone more passionate about figuring out how to…

Money is important, but interesting challenges rank a little higher for me. If I'd be solving a really cool problem, I'd be willing to take a risk by accepting more in equity than cash. Fliko's comment covers #4.

Re: Ask HN: What interests tech people when talking to a non-tech person?

#9

Post by evincarofautumn »

Fliko wrote: post #6
tamle wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. "If I were an investor, I would have to want to invest in us." That makes so much sense, I can't believe I've never thought of it in that light before. 2. Agreed. 3. "You probably have to make it actually worth my while." - Specifically, is this money/equity? Or is there another dimension I'm overlooking? 4. If I'm understanding you correctly: you want to work with someone more passionate about figuring out how to…

For #4 I think he is saying that your end product may be different then what you envisioned it as, and as such you must be willing to let go of certain things and to adapt to what is needed. Of course with that said you also have to understand that not all changes are for the greater good, and it's a powerful ability to realize which is which with context.

Yeah, that's it. Well said.
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