Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#1

Post by rblion » Mon, Sep 27, 2010, 4:37 AM UTC

Both programs have high expectations, 'big league' connections, and amazing locations. I would like to know what the HN community thinks...

Also, if anyone has entered either in the past, can you please share any wisdom on how to a.) get in and b.) get the optimal learning experience?

I'm sure a lot of us are wondering the same thing as things are changing faster and faster and more of us are starting to believe we can make a valid contribution.

If you haven't decided to apply or not, just do it anyways for practice. What do you have to lose?

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#2

Post by flippyhead » Mon, Sep 27, 2010, 4:49 AM UTC

If you haven't, listen to this: http://techzinglive.com/?p=409

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#3

Post by rblion » Mon, Sep 27, 2010, 5:23 AM UTC

flippyhead wrote: post #2

If you haven't, listen to this: http://techzinglive.com/?p=409

thanks. she is a prodigy. best to learn from the best.

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#4

Post by LogicX » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 2:42 AM UTC

TechStars has a new feature at http://ask.techstars.org/ designed to answer a lot of these questions. I was involved in TechStars Boston '09 as a technical mentor and fell in love with the program. Joined with a company in TechStars Boston 2010 - and had an amazing experience!

With TechStars its all about the mentors: Learning from those who have come before you: Both through TechStars, business professionals, funded entrepreneurs, etc.

The connections you gain are for a lifetime!

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#5

Post by hiroprot » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:02 AM UTC

I went through the program in 2007 in Boulder (the first year they were offering it) with Brightkite.

I'd definitely recommend doing it, it's more than worth it. To answer your specific questions:

a) It's primarily about the team. Assemble a founding team that has a history/evidence of being able to execute. You can do that by either having an impressive resume, or (in my case back at the time) demoing software that you've written, even if it's not directly related to what you're applying with.

There are also a bunch of online resources that answer this question. A select few:

http://nattyzola.com/7-pieces-of-advice-to-techstar-applican...

http://www.seattle20.com/blog/Some-tips-for-applying-and-get...

http://www.nearlynicole.com/2010/05/tips-for-applying-to-tec...

b) This really depends on your experience, but in a nutshell, try to focus on learning the things you have little experience in. For example, if you are a great engineer, but know little about raising money, focus most of your time on that.

Also, my friend Jon from IntenseDebate (sold to Automattic) has some great advice here:

http://jonefox.com/blog/2008/06/08/tips-for-techstars-teams/

Hope this helps,

Martin

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#6

Post by henryci » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:05 AM UTC

I'm a TS Boston '09 grad. TS bills itself as a family or fraternity for entrepreneurs. Once you get through the program you have friends to relax with, colleagues to bounce ideas off, and mentors to guide you through the many stages of your career still ahead. Whenever I go to events around the country I always check the roster and hope some TS teams will be there so we can meet up. As TS has grown I've been able to do this more and more and I look forward to meeting some of the grads from the recent Seattle class.

To address your two questions more directly 1) This isn't a college application. Don't just apply and wait for a letter to come back to you. Get your application done early and send it in. Follow up with an email or two. Try and meet some mentors and get their feedback. Don't apply in a vacum! 2) Be open to feedback and work hard. Start now. Get your application done early and get feedback as quickly as you can. Basically, do more faster.

Hope this helps,

-- Henry

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#7

Post by gearboxian » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:08 AM UTC

I was interviewed by YC, DreamIt Ventures, and Techstars and ended up in Techstars Boulder. Can't say much about DreamIt but YC is all about your idea and a quantity of companies. Techstars is really about the team and quality.

As a suggestion to get in you just need a good idea and more importantly you need to work your ass off! Before I got in I cut my second job to part time, stopped going out, almost lost my girlfriend, etc because I was putting every second of my day into my company. Make sure the other members of your company do the same because it's all about the team.

As for the optimal learning experience... during the course of the program work out of the shared space and be there all day seven days a week. You'll have the advantage of bonding with the other teams and meeting random people that stop by. Also take advantage of all the sessions and meet as many people as you can. We probably had 100 meetings with different people over the summer and I counted only 3 that weren't useful for us.

Either program is great but if you have a choice I would hands down suggest focusing your energy on Techstars.

Good Lick!

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#8

Post by jeffpowers » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:17 AM UTC

We got into TechStars in Boulder in 08, but before that we were couped up in the upper west side trying to make it happen. Had there been a TechStars in NYC, we probably never would have relocated to Boulder. There's something to be said for the fact that the NYC community isn't as swamped with startups yet. That's not to say you'd be completely lost in the SF noise, though, because YC definitely helps with that.

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#9

Post by rblion » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:17 AM UTC

gearboxian wrote: post #7

I was interviewed by YC, DreamIt Ventures, and Techstars and ended up in Techstars Boulder. Can't say much about DreamIt but YC is all about your idea and a quantity of companies. Techstars is really about the team and quality. As a suggestion to get in you just need a good idea and more importantly you need to work your ass off! Before I got in I cut my second job to part time, stopped going out, almost lost my girl…

Thanks for the thorough advice. I dropped out, quit my job, and have been designing and building alone for a few months. I am evaluating a few friends to see if they are as devoted as I am or just looking for a cheap thrill/little fame. I don't see any other direction I want to take in my life besides this dream of mine. I will share it with HN community before applying for feedback.

I will apply to both and try out KickStarter as well. Diaspora got in somehow and went straight to the big leagues.

How is your startup doing now?

Re: Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

#10

Post by rblion » Tue, Sep 28, 2010, 3:20 AM UTC

hiroprot wrote: post #5

I went through the program in 2007 in Boulder (the first year they were offering it) with Brightkite. I'd definitely recommend doing it, it's more than worth it. To answer your specific questions: a) It's primarily about the team. Assemble a founding team that has a history/evidence of being able to execute. You can do that by either having an impressive resume, or (in my case back at the time) demoing software that…

It helps a lot. I definately feel a synergy with my co-founder and we both consider this startup a central part of our lives.

Thanks Martin