Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#1

Post by pjmurray » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 1:03 AM UTC

Fortunately I was accepted for startup school. As I am based in Australia however it will not be a cheap/quick affair to attend so I am wanting to reassure myself that its a worthwhile expedition.

Can those who have been before enlighten me as to what I can expect and whether or not it is worth the trip (approx $3)?

My big fear is that I go to find the content is fairly general and a more encouragement/pep talk style rather than content-rich information that is useful to moving forward. No doubt it will be an awesome event but just a little more detail would help convince me to come! My only hesitation is I may be better saving it and coming over for SXSW instead... or maybe I should just do both. What would your preference between the two be?

Also if I do head over I will likely come for just over a week. Any other events on around that time or anyone keen to meet up would be great!

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#2

Post by aristus » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 1:33 AM UTC

I've been a few times. Do plan some days before and after, as the people you meet there are the big thing. Email me (in my profile) if you want to hang out!

You can decide if the talks themselves are worth it by watching the previous year's videos: http://www.justin.tv/a/startupschool

Most of the talks are brilliant.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#3

Post by il » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 1:43 AM UTC

I asked about this when the event was announced: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1618894 The general consensus seems to be that it's worth the trip.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#4

Post by timr » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 2:34 AM UTC

It's helpful to think of Startup School as a conference -- you don't really go for the talks, as much as the people you'll meet between sessions. If you come with that purpose in mind, the experience can be immensely valuable (My first SS was the reason I moved to San Francisco!)

That said, I've never been to SXSW, but my second-hand impression of the event is that it's less focused on startups and technology, and more generally about promotion, business development, schmoozing and...well, music. It's primarily a music/arts festival, with an "interactive" component tacked on. But it's also much longer, and will fill up more of a week's trip.

My advice is to remember that these are social events, and to choose appropriately based upon your interests. Like any other convention, the talks are just a reason to get people together.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#5

Post by danilocampos » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 2:57 AM UTC

I'm fortunate enough to be very local, as well as accepted, so I'm definitely coming. Still, any advice from those who attended in previous years would be great.

How do you make the most of the day?

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#6

Post by desigooner » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 3:02 AM UTC

aristus wrote: post #2

I've been a few times. Do plan some days before and after, as the people you meet there are the big thing. Email me (in my profile) if you want to hang out! You can decide if the talks themselves are worth it by watching the previous year's videos: http://www.justin.tv/a/startupschool Most of the talks are brilliant.

will it be online this year at any point of time?

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#7

Post by zackattack » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 3:07 AM UTC

last year paul said something very memorable... there is a long and storied history of people traveling long distances to obtain specific knowledge.

incidentally, i'm probably going.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#8

Post by apsurd » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 3:16 AM UTC

My big fear is that I go to find the content is fairly general and a more encouragement/pep talk style rather than content-rich information that is useful to moving forward.

Of course it's general information and a rah-rah-rah motivational pep-talk.

I went to startup school last year. I was trying not to fall asleep during the presentations.

Ok that sounds worse than it is, I was physically trying not to fall asleep because I was really super-tired from my 3 day extravaganza walking throughout all of San Francisco with my airbnb-mates.

The point is you go for the experience and the people, surely not the content. I'm not trying to take anything away from the speakers, they were great. But it's not like they are standing there giving you this secret information that nobody's every heard before. There are no secrets to success! (really)

Startup school is awesome (and super exhausting) because of all the smart and motivated people you meet. I met the who's who of YC startups, pretty cool! I also met PG and surprisingly he wasn't levitating around the room.

Startup school is also awesome because you get to play around in San Francisco.

Go for those 2 reasons.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#9

Post by davidedicillo » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 3:56 AM UTC

The best way to describe SXSW (interactive) is springbreak for geeks. Sadly, most of the people see the panels in the morning just as a place to consume their hangover.

And since Twitter really exploded at SXSW, every year a lot of startups go there hoping to be the next Twitter, so if you go be ready of being bombarded by pitches and stickers.

Re: Ask HN: How worthwhile is Startup School?

#10

Post by pg » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 9:06 AM UTC

While I hesitate to claim it would be worth the cost of flying from Australia, the talks are not generic pep-talks. We encourage the speakers to talk about their specific experiences.