Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#1

Post by rtf » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 6:22 AM UTC

Some background: I graduated college a little over a year ago with an Economics BA. I have the start of a career in game development; I did level design and scripting on a work-for-hire console license, which went six months from contract to ship. (Not a sane schedule.) There was stress, long hours, a month of working weekends, but I'm fine now; and the game shipped.

Since then the company hasn't gotten new gigs to support its staffing, so they had to let me go. Both the founders said they'd have me back in a heartbeat; I can probably find a job in gaming again with some time. I'm also working on some open source game tech ( http://gamesc.sourceforge.net/ ) - If I had to point to one technical skill I'm best at, coding is probably it.

However, starting a startup intrigues me more than game projects, and this seems like the time to consider it seriously...but although I'm in the Bay Area, I don't have connections in the startup world, and I really want to tap into that experience. Also, being deeply into games, I'd like to stick to that topic for business ideas. I don't know if I could buy into any old web app. Working on any old game is better, but only a little bit. I'm really keen on finding something innovative to do in the sector(business-wise) and a team to do it with; something that's really disruptive. I think it's possible. But I don't think I can do it alone.

I guess my question would be: What would be the right steps to take, to meet the kinds of people I want to meet that would work together on this kind of startup? Staying in the industry might be the way to meet the people I need. But I'm not convinced it's the best, or the only option.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#2

Post by nuggien » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:21 AM UTC

I'd get another day job while I come up with an idea for a startup. Good ideas don't come by that easily.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#3

Post by immad » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:27 AM UTC

This post is a good start. Contact me, we might be able to work together. Or I will give you tips anyway.

My email is i.akhund (at) gmail (dot) com

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#4

Post by iamelgringo » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:35 AM UTC

I just got home from the Hackers and Founders Meetup 20 minutes ago. And, I started the group because I wanted the exact same thing: To hang out and talk with people who are serious about founding startups.

We get together in the Bay Area every two weeks to hang out, have a tasty beverage and talk about startups, the web, stuff we read on Hacker News, etc...

We've had between 20-30 attendee's the past few meetups, and people really seem to enjoy it.

Our next get-together is going to be a little different. The founders of Heysan and Snipd have agreed to give a presentation. So, there will be a 1-1/2 hour presentation and we'll be adjourning to the hotel bar after that for socializing.

Anyway, the address for the meetup is http://www.hackersandfounders.com

If you're interested, stop by or drop me a line. I'll buy you a drink.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#5

Post by hbien » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:40 AM UTC

Hey rtf, I'm in the Bay Area too. There are _tons_ of meet ups, hackfests, and user group meetings you can go to.

SupperHappyDevHouse is coming up this Saturday (Oct 3rd) and the Hackers & Founders meetup is Oct 16th.

Usually the goal of these meetings isn't to find another founder though, it's just to have fun by hanging out and sharing interesting ideas w/ like minded people.

I think it might be a good place to start though.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#6

Post by shawndrost » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:44 AM UTC

Start going to the local hacking/entrepreneurship/etc meetups, there're probably 4-6 per week in your area. meetup.org

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#7

Post by bootload » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:51 AM UTC

"... the game shipped ..."

Bummer. This highlights a problem making games. Revenue is project based and a bit like farming a crop. Miss the schedule, a hardware release, market and you don't get paid as much.

"... What would be the right steps to take, to meet the kinds of people I want to meet that would work together on this kind of startup? ... I'm in the Bay Area ..."

A job for "Gabriel Weinberg's" AskYC Archive ~ http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive look under Founders

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#8

Post by trevelyan » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:51 AM UTC

nuggien wrote: post #2

I'd get another day job while I come up with an idea for a startup. Good ideas don't come by that easily.

Why is this modded down? I agree.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#9

Post by jacobscott » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:56 AM UTC

iamelgringo wrote: post #4

I just got home from the Hackers and Founders Meetup 20 minutes ago. And, I started the group because I wanted the exact same thing: To hang out and talk with people who are serious about founding startups. We get together in the Bay Area every two weeks to hang out, have a tasty beverage and talk about startups, the web, stuff we read on Hacker News, etc... We've had between 20-30 attendee's the past few meetups, an…

Does anyone have a good writeup somewhere of all such (public) groups? I trust HN pointers/analysis over just searching meetup. I'm relatively new to the valley, it would be nice to figure out what part of the technology social network I fit best with.

Re: Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

#10

Post by alaskamiller » Thu, Oct 02, 2008, 7:57 AM UTC

Do you have money saved up? If so budget that to work on your ideas and network for 3 to 5 months. If not, get another job.

Networking in the valley is not that hard. You can establish a pretty decent network within just a few weeks. My email is alaska.miller@gmail.com, I'm in Cupertino, let's get in touch.