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Startup School 2014 applications are open

blog.ycombinator.com

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Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#11

Post by arjunnarayan »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

I say don't attend. Startup school is good, but the delta over watching the videos is not. In essence, the content is great, but there's nothing that the in-person event offers over the content itself.

I attended Startup School NYC, but would have got the same out of sitting down and watching the videos seriously. (The key is to actually do a serious viewing session instead of half heartedly watching them over microwaved lunches).

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#12

Post by HorizonXP »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

I'll be flying in from Toronto.

If you're going just for the talks, then I agree, just watch the videos. If you're going for the networking and/or to visit the area, then it's worthwhile.

I'm taking a week, maybe 2, to visit old friends, explore, and network. Maybe some work too.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#13

Post by necubi »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

I went last year, and had a great time. I didn't find the talks particularly useful (although they were often fun and I would call Chase Adam's Watsi talk legitimately inspiring), but I think the real value in an event like this is chatting with the other attendees.

Almost everybody I met was doing something interesting, and I had a bunch of great conversations about the realities of startups that weekend. It's a part of the reason that I left my job several months later and joined a small startup.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#14

Post by crazypyro »

arjunnarayan wrote: post #11
cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

I say don't attend. Startup school is good, but the delta over watching the videos is not. In essence, the content is great, but there's nothing that the in-person event offers over the content itself. I attended Startup School NYC, but would have got the same out of sitting down and watching the videos seriously. (The key is to actually do a serious viewing session instead of half heartedly watching them over microw…

I was under the impression that the networking aspect of Startup School is a major draw for a lot of people. Did you not find this to be the case?

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#15

Post by devinmontgomery »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

I think the best thing about it, more than being inspirational, is that it normalizes the idea of starting a startup - especially if you're from outside the valley.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#16

Post by timr »

crazypyro wrote: post #14
arjunnarayan wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I say don't attend. Startup school is good, but the delta over watching the videos is not. In essence, the content is great, but there's nothing that the in-person event offers over the content itself. I attended Startup School NYC, but would have got the same out of sitting down and watching the videos seriously. (The key is to actually do a serious viewing session instead of half heartedly watching them over microw…

I was under the impression that the networking aspect of Startup School is a major draw for a lot of people. Did you not find this to be the case?

Networking at a startup event is pretty hit and miss. Conference networking is that way in general, but there's even less coherence when the only thing bringing together the attendees is an interest in running a business.

If you ask me, the primary reason to attend startup school is that you'll see a lot of "famous" people who are just names to you, and you'll begin to realize that they're human. That's a worthwhile experience if you've never done it before, but I wouldn't go into the event with grander expectations.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#17

Post by alexyes »

crazypyro wrote: post #14
arjunnarayan wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I say don't attend. Startup school is good, but the delta over watching the videos is not. In essence, the content is great, but there's nothing that the in-person event offers over the content itself. I attended Startup School NYC, but would have got the same out of sitting down and watching the videos seriously. (The key is to actually do a serious viewing session instead of half heartedly watching them over microw…

I was under the impression that the networking aspect of Startup School is a major draw for a lot of people. Did you not find this to be the case?

Networking part can be very useful. It is up to you, of course.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#18

Post by DaniFong »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

Colin,

The energy is very good, and its very fun. I've learned much, been inspired to do more and better things, and some of the friendships I've made have been very deep, some of the connections very useful. If you've never been, it's very worth going.

Re: Startup School 2014 applications are open

#19

Post by patrickryan »

cperciva wrote: post #5

Polling the community: Should I attend? I've watched videos of past events, and they seem to follow the TED model of being amusing and inspirational but not particularly informative; I'm too cynical to be interested in "inspirational". On the other hand, I get the feeling that the hallway track might be good.

Yes, you should attend if you get accepted. Sure you can watch it online, but there's nothing like sitting in the audience, actually experiencing the talks, and meeting really smart people. During my first Startup School in 2009, I stayed with the founders of no-name startup (at that time) called Airbnb. It was super early days, and I remember walking into a loft where about 10-18 people were working. I met some really awesome friends during that trip. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made to this day.

I highly recommend attending if you get the chance. I've been twice and both times have been well worth it (I traveled from Texas both times).

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