Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#1

Post by curiousyogurt » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:18 PM UTC

I was fortunate enough to get accepted to startup-school. I'll be coming on Thursday afternoon, leaving on Monday morning. I've got a couple of desktop product, and I'm seriously working towards my own web-based startup. My questions are:

(1) Besides myself, what should I bring to the conference itself? Will a laptop just be a burden because of lack of space?

(2) Besides a pretty great lineup of speakers, what else should I expect?

(3) Besides pg's essays, is there anything I can do to prep, to make the experience more valuable?

(4) This might seem strange, but I've been dreaming about coming to Silicon Valley ever since I was a kid. I've been to SF once (loved it), but didn't make it to SV. Anything I should not miss in SV while I'm there? I just looked, and it seems most of the Computer History Museum is closed for renovations.

(5) Any other suggestions as to how I can make the most out of the experience?

Thanks.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#2

Post by pg » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:39 PM UTC

1. A lot of people seem to bring laptops to take notes. I wouldn't though. I'd rather take just a few important notes on paper.

2. The other people there. You should introduce yourself to people. They also don't know anyone. Also, Airbnb's going to host an afterparty that I recommend to everyone. Those guys know how to throw a party.

3. Learn as much as you can about the backgrounds of the speakers.

4. I should write something about this.

5. If you are a hacker and would possibly consider going to work at a startup instead of starting your own, visit some startups while you're there. Startups are desperately eager to hire right now. They won't consider it an imposition at all if hackers want to visit them.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#3

Post by bkrausz » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:38 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #2

1. A lot of people seem to bring laptops to take notes. I wouldn't though. I'd rather take just a few important notes on paper. 2. The other people there. You should introduce yourself to people. They also don't know anyone. Also, Airbnb's going to host an afterparty that I recommend to everyone. Those guys know how to throw a party. 3. Learn as much as you can about the backgrounds of the speakers. 4. I should write…

Strongly agree with #5: hiring sucks for startups, we'd all love to meet some entusiastic candidates.

Shameless plug: GazeHawk is looking for our first hires. http://gazehawk.com/jobs/

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#4

Post by photon_off » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 7:26 PM UTC

bkrausz wrote: post #3

pg wrote: post #2

1. A lot of people seem to bring laptops to take notes. I wouldn't though. I'd rather take just a few important notes on paper. 2. The other people there. You should introduce yourself to people. They also don't know anyone. Also, Airbnb's going to host an afterparty that I recommend to everyone. Those guys know how to throw a party. 3. Learn as much as you can about the backgrounds of the speakers. 4. I should write…

Strongly agree with #5: hiring sucks for startups, we'd all love to meet some entusiastic candidates. Shameless plug: GazeHawk is looking for our first hires. http://gazehawk.com/jobs/

You should post in the new October who's hiring thread. I browsed a lot of it last night and would have remembered your job posting.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#5

Post by Mystalic » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 7:35 PM UTC

1) Something to take notes. It's like a lecture hall, so you'll have room if you really want a laptop. Don't get distracted though.

2) Many of the speakers hang out after their talks, so be sure to get some quality time and have a few questions for them.

3) Have questions ready.

4) If you can arrange tours of the major company HQs (Google, Facebook, etc.), do it.

5) Come find me at startup school. ;)

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#6

Post by sahillavingia » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 8:21 PM UTC

1) Come find me! I'd love to meet people just as much as you do, so feel free to come find me. My name's Sahil - I assume we'll all have name tags, not sure.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#7

Post by modoc » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:32 PM UTC

Having been, the big thing I feel I didn't do enough of was networking. I met a few folks, but really could have done much better at introducing myself to new people and maintaining the connection afterward. There are amazing people there, try to meet them all:)

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#8

Post by il » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 10:51 PM UTC

If anyone is in the Bay Area a day or two before Startup School, maybe we can do a pre Startup School meetup in San Francisco? That way the more introverted hackers will come to the event and see people they know.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#9

Post by iamelgringo » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 11:30 PM UTC

il wrote: post #8

If anyone is in the Bay Area a day or two before Startup School, maybe we can do a pre Startup School meetup in San Francisco? That way the more introverted hackers will come to the event and see people they know.

we're working on setting up a hackers and founders meetup the day before startup school. stay tuned.

Re: Ask YC: How do I make the most out of Startup-school?

#10

Post by anamax » Mon, Oct 04, 2010, 4:50 AM UTC

> (4) This might seem strange, but I've been dreaming about coming to Silicon Valley ever since I was a kid. I've been to SF once (loved it), but didn't make it to SV. Anything I should not miss in SV while I'm there? I just looked, and it seems most of the Computer History Museum is closed for renovations.

Go to Stanford and sit in on an interesting-to-you class. If it's a really small class, introduce yourself before to the instructor.

I recommend EE380, http://ee380.stanford.edu , if you can make it on a wednesday afternoon (because I help run it). There are dozens of comparable lecture series.