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Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

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Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#21

Post by nchlswu »

psycho wrote: post #8

It's interesting how Alexis talks about the importance of the possibility to "stay home and do great things" for some people. Well, sounds right but isn't startup a thing that's all about change - including lifestyle? Isn't it possible to have some valuable insights when you leave your comfort zone and go some place you didn't know before? I'd rather advice Silicon Valley guys just try and leave their cozy warm place…

He's commenting more on the fact that SV seems to be the only place for startups to thrive. There's lots of opportunity at "home".

in a way, it's in line with your desire to advise SV guys to leave their cozy warm place. You may feel "safe" going to the valley, but you can (potentially) achieve just as much breaking ground in a different locale.

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#22

Post by yesimahuman »

prostoalex wrote: post #19
yesimahuman wrote: post #12

I've heard SV investors agree it makes sense for companies to stay near a top notch university no matter where it is, in order to hire and retain the best. It's the same talent that SV companies get anyways. Coupled with a lower cost of living and less poaching, it's kind of a win-win.

Most people in Waterloo dream of getting out of Waterloo.

I don't know anything about Waterloo, but many people in Madison, Wisconsin are passionate about staying here. Of course, there are many who want to leave, and I think recent grads are probably more likely to be in that group.

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#23

Post by srlake »

prostoalex wrote: post #19
yesimahuman wrote: post #12

I've heard SV investors agree it makes sense for companies to stay near a top notch university no matter where it is, in order to hire and retain the best. It's the same talent that SV companies get anyways. Coupled with a lower cost of living and less poaching, it's kind of a win-win.

Most people in Waterloo dream of getting out of Waterloo.

I don't

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#24

Post by jmj4 »

prostoalex wrote: post #19
yesimahuman wrote: post #12

I've heard SV investors agree it makes sense for companies to stay near a top notch university no matter where it is, in order to hire and retain the best. It's the same talent that SV companies get anyways. Coupled with a lower cost of living and less poaching, it's kind of a win-win.

Most people in Waterloo dream of getting out of Waterloo.

Being a Waterloo engineer, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Perhaps even more importantly, I'd say the top talent disproportionatly dreams of getting out of Waterloo. Most quality students want to get down to Cali.

I respect what Litt, Pebble, Bufferbox are trying to do, but I don't think young talent is the reason their doing it. I think that the cost of living, tax credits and familiarity are the reasons they're back in Waterloo.

All the power to me, but for me, California sunshine seems too good to pass up when there's three feet of snow on the ground in the middle of February.

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#25

Post by thearsenal »

prostoalex wrote: post #19
yesimahuman wrote: post #12

I've heard SV investors agree it makes sense for companies to stay near a top notch university no matter where it is, in order to hire and retain the best. It's the same talent that SV companies get anyways. Coupled with a lower cost of living and less poaching, it's kind of a win-win.

Most people in Waterloo dream of getting out of Waterloo.

I don't

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#26

Post by michaelrlitt »

jmj4 wrote: post #24
prostoalex wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people in Waterloo dream of getting out of Waterloo.

Being a Waterloo engineer, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Perhaps even more importantly, I'd say the top talent disproportionatly dreams of getting out of Waterloo. Most quality students want to get down to Cali. I respect what Litt, Pebble, Bufferbox are trying to do, but I don't think young talent is the reason their doing it. I think that the cost of living, tax credits and familiarity are the reasons they're b…

Everyone should experience Silicon Valley. Vidyard's investors and network of influence are SV based. I'll never negate that.

Reasons I'm in Waterloo = Availability of Talent, Retention of Talent, Cost of living, Quality of Life

We've never had an issue with young, technical talent and I firmly believe that we have the best. That's more that can be said for our Californa based batch-mates.

Some people like the snow ;).

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#28

Post by philip1209 »

kn0thing wrote: post #10
philip1209 wrote: post #9

I organized a talk by Ohanian at my university last week. His talk focused on entrepreneurship, and key points included that innovation can happen outside the valley, and that midwest startups are starving for engineers, so we shouldn't feel like we must flock to the valley to join a startup.

Woo! Full recap of Internet2012 Bus Tour here: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/reddit-hits-road-14444... And this: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/why-is-this-man-running-fo...

Hey! I know you! Thanks for the email this morning.

I forgot to mention that Innovation was misspelled on the poster you have been having everybody sign.

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#29

Post by jmj4 »

michaelrlitt wrote: post #26
jmj4 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being a Waterloo engineer, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Perhaps even more importantly, I'd say the top talent disproportionatly dreams of getting out of Waterloo. Most quality students want to get down to Cali. I respect what Litt, Pebble, Bufferbox are trying to do, but I don't think young talent is the reason their doing it. I think that the cost of living, tax credits and familiarity are the reasons they're b…

Everyone should experience Silicon Valley. Vidyard's investors and network of influence are SV based. I'll never negate that. Reasons I'm in Waterloo = Availability of Talent, Retention of Talent, Cost of living, Quality of Life We've never had an issue with young, technical talent and I firmly believe that we have the best. That's more that can be said for our Californa based batch-mates. Some people like the snow ;…

I'm just running off personal experience here (I've been through the Velocity Residence and Eng), but of the 10 smartest kids I know, all but one is in The Valley/Seattle. I think they plan to stay South after graduation.

Why do you think you can you get better talent? Less competition? People want to be closer to home? You can offer more in perks, salary, ect compared to local companies?

Ps. Sick boots in that lederhosen picture.

Re: Alexis Ohanian interviewed after talk at Waterloo

#30

Post by kn0thing »

philip1209 wrote: post #28
kn0thing wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Woo! Full recap of Internet2012 Bus Tour here: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/reddit-hits-road-14444... And this: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/why-is-this-man-running-fo...

Hey! I know you! Thanks for the email this morning. I forgot to mention that Innovation was misspelled on the poster you have been having everybody sign.

Whoa! Good catch. On the giant scroll?
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