Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#21

Post by yannski » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:31 AM UTC

alexro wrote: post #14

In the UK there is no consent among the investors where the action should go. I was quite surprised to learn than basically every credible accelerator has it's own view of where my start-up should be based. Oxygen - Birmingham Ignite100 - New Castle Seedcamp - London I get their desire to improve local culture but hey this is just ridiculous to ask me to settle somewhere because you gave me some money. Also, start-up…

You should take a look at HackFWD http://hackfwd.com/

For them it doesn't matter where you are in Europe. However, their recruiting mechanism is referrer based.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#22

Post by bragh » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:34 AM UTC

zxcdw wrote: post #12

iconfinder wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"which no one studies in school" In Denmark we can select German classes in both elementary and high school.

Sure, here in Finland too, but who bothers at that age? Most people couldn't care less about "learning stuff that could be useful in future", and even less ever actually start thinking that taking optional classes could be benefitical. And even less of them think so at high school, let alone elementary school. So, in essence, no one studies German in school.

In Estonia, A-language is usually English and B-language mostly Russian. Partly because 'travel West, you speak English, travel East, you speak Russian' and many Russian-speaking people live in Estonia. For techies, English+Russian still is a much better combo because of all the literature available.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#23

Post by alexro » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:35 AM UTC

yannski wrote: post #21

alexro wrote: post #14

In the UK there is no consent among the investors where the action should go. I was quite surprised to learn than basically every credible accelerator has it's own view of where my start-up should be based. Oxygen - Birmingham Ignite100 - New Castle Seedcamp - London I get their desire to improve local culture but hey this is just ridiculous to ask me to settle somewhere because you gave me some money. Also, start-up…

You should take a look at HackFWD http://hackfwd.com/ For them it doesn't matter where you are in Europe. However, their recruiting mechanism is referrer based.

"HackFwd takes 27% equity in exchange ..."

And it's pre-seed money. Thanks but no thanks.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#24

Post by jerguismi » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:41 AM UTC

zxcdw wrote: post #12

iconfinder wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"which no one studies in school" In Denmark we can select German classes in both elementary and high school.

Sure, here in Finland too, but who bothers at that age? Most people couldn't care less about "learning stuff that could be useful in future", and even less ever actually start thinking that taking optional classes could be benefitical. And even less of them think so at high school, let alone elementary school. So, in essence, no one studies German in school.

wat?

I'm also from Finland and I used to study German at school, as did many others in my school. However it is hard language, and in Finland they mostly teach you writing/reading/grammar.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#25

Post by radicalcut » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:41 AM UTC

zxcdw wrote: post #12

iconfinder wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"which no one studies in school" In Denmark we can select German classes in both elementary and high school.

Sure, here in Finland too, but who bothers at that age? Most people couldn't care less about "learning stuff that could be useful in future", and even less ever actually start thinking that taking optional classes could be benefitical. And even less of them think so at high school, let alone elementary school. So, in essence, no one studies German in school.

When I was young my attitude was similar but in my elementary school and high school two foreign languages were mandatory (English, German or Fench) so I didn't have any other choice. I live in Czech Republic.

At that age I couldn't care less but now that I'm thinking of doing a PhD in Germany (from what I've heard a very affordable country with many great life science labs) I'm very glad that I remember at least basics even that I haven't actually spoken German for six years.

I think that learning two major foreign languages should be mandatory. Almost everybody can learn one language quite well after +/- 10 years during childhood and to learn at least basics from the second one should not be that much of a problem too.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#26

Post by jfaucett » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:43 AM UTC

wondering wrote: post #19

On the 'fake it,till you make it' path,Berlin seems to be right in the 'fake it' part.You guys write about low costs of living,however there are cheaper places in Eastern Europe with better tech talent availability overall.You mention the nightlife and a couple of the clubs are indeed world class,but I'd doubt it that you go there more than 5 times a year.The internet in Germany is borderline third world quality,in B…

You're missing some big points with Berlin. Where to begin... germany has a great social health care system, the economy is booming, it has a world class educational system, relatively crime and corruption free AND compared to what you get it is cheap (maybe not as cheap as Romania, but the benefits outway the costs). If you want to get talented developers germany has something to offer them and their families.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#27

Post by alexro » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:43 AM UTC

wondering wrote: post #19

On the 'fake it,till you make it' path,Berlin seems to be right in the 'fake it' part.You guys write about low costs of living,however there are cheaper places in Eastern Europe with better tech talent availability overall.You mention the nightlife and a couple of the clubs are indeed world class,but I'd doubt it that you go there more than 5 times a year.The internet in Germany is borderline third world quality,in B…

I think the selling point here is ability to find tech talent and meet investors and prospective customers. For the moment money are in the UK, but all things considered they can move to Germany. And the action will follow along.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#28

Post by kori23 » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:44 AM UTC

It all sounds interesting and I've been meaning to drop my corporate job for some time now. So is there a Berlin startup news site (preferably in English) so I could get a feel what kind of startups are there?

EDIT: http://siliconallee.com/ seems to be the thing I was looing for, anything else?

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#29

Post by sim0n » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:45 AM UTC

alexro wrote: post #14

In the UK there is no consent among the investors where the action should go. I was quite surprised to learn than basically every credible accelerator has it's own view of where my start-up should be based. Oxygen - Birmingham Ignite100 - New Castle Seedcamp - London I get their desire to improve local culture but hey this is just ridiculous to ask me to settle somewhere because you gave me some money. Also, start-up…

Almost all accelerators do this. YC strongly encourages you to live in the Valley.

Re: Is Berlin the new home for tech start-up business? [video]

#30

Post by mekwall » Sun, Jul 22, 2012, 10:48 AM UTC

cageface wrote: post #9

I enjoyed the time I spent in Berlin last year and I've considered going back there but this seems imprudent with the Euro on the verge of implosion.

I wouldn't worry too much about a crashing Euro. The exchange rates will most likely become more favourable for other currencies if that would happen. If you plan on staying there a longer period you might even see Germany reverting to Deutsche Mark, which should be even more favourable when exchanging back to your own currency once you leave considering that Germany itself has a very strong economy.