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TechStars, Lies & Videotape

melanie.io

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Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#81

Post by Jsllver »

d0mine wrote: post #56
mixmax wrote: post #18

Well, that's showbusiness for you. I have friends in media and showbusiness, so I've seen these things from behind the scenes, and have a good feel for the dynamics. Media is about getting customers just like any other company, and their product is stories. They try to make these stories as appealing as possible, just like any other company tries to make the product their customers want.Truth plays second fiddle to a…

I believed they were asking me because they were looking out for me. from the article > Oftentimes we think the media is engaged in a search for truth, justice and a real portrayal of how things work I'm astonished that there are people who can think that at any age. Kids are either too young even to understand the concepts involved or too old to believe in Santa Claus. It might be culture-dependent. Maybe I'm too na…

I think this is a credible statement given that fact that participants didn't sign up for a reality TV show -- they signed up for a start-up incubator!

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#82

Post by ysilver »

peteforde wrote: post #66

While I'm empathetic towards the founders who got the short sticks on this episode, I just watched episode three (having not been aware of the show before reading this post) and it was exactly what I'd expect a show like this to be. If an incubator gave me an ultimatum like "reality documentary or hit the curb" I'd run the other way as quickly as possible. Melanie might be strong and brilliant, but there's real live…

This isn't a fair criticism in my opinion. Anybody who has a camera in their face all day can be made to look stupid. That even goes for the most practiced politicians.

Even the best first time start-up CEO's require hundreds of run-throughs to get their story polished. TechStars exists in large part to give entrepreneurs this opportunity to practice.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#83

Post by MediaSquirrel »

pedalpete wrote: post #6

Do people here think TechStars is somewhat to blame in this? they are the ones who are running the incubator and hosting the companies. Why would they bring in this sort of outside factor into an already challenging environment. If they were unaware of how the show would turn out, I suspect all they needed to do was speak to reality tv producers (other than those who produced this show), and they would have been told…

TechStars benefits from the notoriety of the show, at the expense of the founders.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#84

Post by leemhoffman »

Hey we were in the TechStars NYC class and in the TV show (Veri). I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, but TechStars was the best thing to ever happen to us. We came in with a prototype and in three months had a product, traction, funding, and a great network of mentors to help us. We couldn't have done this without them. Regardless of how people feel about the idea of a TV show, I'm very grateful to TechStars for everything they've done and I think any TechStars CEO would say the same.

- Lee Hoffman (CEO, VERI)

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#85

Post by ohashi »

ysilver wrote: post #82
peteforde wrote: post #66

While I'm empathetic towards the founders who got the short sticks on this episode, I just watched episode three (having not been aware of the show before reading this post) and it was exactly what I'd expect a show like this to be. If an incubator gave me an ultimatum like "reality documentary or hit the curb" I'd run the other way as quickly as possible. Melanie might be strong and brilliant, but there's real live…

This isn't a fair criticism in my opinion. Anybody who has a camera in their face all day can be made to look stupid. That even goes for the most practiced politicians. Even the best first time start-up CEO's require hundreds of run-throughs to get their story polished. TechStars exists in large part to give entrepreneurs this opportunity to practice.

It just seems unfortunate that the practice which they are supposed to be doing is filmed, edited and put in front of people in perhaps the worst light possible to tell the story someone else wants to tell.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#86

Post by eavc »

ysilver wrote: post #82
peteforde wrote: post #66

While I'm empathetic towards the founders who got the short sticks on this episode, I just watched episode three (having not been aware of the show before reading this post) and it was exactly what I'd expect a show like this to be. If an incubator gave me an ultimatum like "reality documentary or hit the curb" I'd run the other way as quickly as possible. Melanie might be strong and brilliant, but there's real live…

This isn't a fair criticism in my opinion. Anybody who has a camera in their face all day can be made to look stupid. That even goes for the most practiced politicians. Even the best first time start-up CEO's require hundreds of run-throughs to get their story polished. TechStars exists in large part to give entrepreneurs this opportunity to practice.

With a commitment to deceptive editing, even award-winning films and famous, eloquent speeches can be made to seem stupid.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#87

Post by bomatson »

leemhoffman wrote: post #84

Hey we were in the TechStars NYC class and in the TV show (Veri). I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, but TechStars was the best thing to ever happen to us. We came in with a prototype and in three months had a product, traction, funding, and a great network of mentors to help us. We couldn't have done this without them. Regardless of how people feel about the idea of a TV show, I'm very grateful to TechSta…

Sounds like a press release from a corporate CEO.

Either way - Dope pivot w/ Veri, Lee

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#88

Post by softwaregravy »

We were in that class of TechStars (ThinkNear). Not featured in the show -- though in retrospect it makes sense given what they were going for. They had a lot of footage they left on the cutting room floor, and I guess we were just too heads down to be very interesting. My cofounder and I also get along quite well, so we had very little drama to bring to the table.

I recommend the TechStars program to anyone, without any reservation whatsoever. It was really awesome for us. We started basically at zero, along with Lee (Veri), and another team not featured (who's now FourSquareAndSevenYearsAgo). We came out much stronger at the end than we could have been without TechStars with an awesome network, some great mentors, and were able to raise a bit over $1.6. Tisch and Cohen are awesome.

Seriously, don't let the show sour you at all on the program. Some companies will have drama early on, and the show really played it up.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#89

Post by leemhoffman »

bomatson wrote: post #87
leemhoffman wrote: post #84

Hey we were in the TechStars NYC class and in the TV show (Veri). I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, but TechStars was the best thing to ever happen to us. We came in with a prototype and in three months had a product, traction, funding, and a great network of mentors to help us. We couldn't have done this without them. Regardless of how people feel about the idea of a TV show, I'm very grateful to TechSta…

Sounds like a press release from a corporate CEO. Either way - Dope pivot w/ Veri, Lee

Thanks Bobby (re: pivot), TechStars has been amazing for us, just thought people should know.

Re: TechStars, Lies & Videotape

#90

Post by shanedanger »

leemhoffman wrote: post #84

Hey we were in the TechStars NYC class and in the TV show (Veri). I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this, but TechStars was the best thing to ever happen to us. We came in with a prototype and in three months had a product, traction, funding, and a great network of mentors to help us. We couldn't have done this without them. Regardless of how people feel about the idea of a TV show, I'm very grateful to TechSta…

We're a TechStars NYC class this year (Contently), and the program has been an amazing experience. Harvard has good and bad students; YC turns out great companies and duds alike (though not very often, for sure!). I'm sad that Melanie had a bad experience, but TBH it wasn't for lack of support in the program, or for lack of amazing mentors and networking experiences.

Reality TV is a pretty bogus misrepresentation of actual reality, anyway. I'm glad they didn't film our class!

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