One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
1–10 of 13 posts
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#2I understand the point that the writer makes but I don't understand the negativity of the point of view.
Yes, from what he writes, there are holes in the entrepreneurial environment in Ann Arbor. Members of that community must realize that or they wouldn't be bringing in people from outside.
What I don't get is how after accepting payment to be an asset in helping fill those holes he turns around and hits them with such a condescending post.
If you're being paid to be part of the solution then be part of the solution. If for no other reason then throwing your clients under the bus has a way of limiting future engagements.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#3I understand the point that the writer makes but I don't understand the negativity of the point of view. Yes, from what he writes, there are holes in the entrepreneurial environment in Ann Arbor. Members of that community must realize that or they wouldn't be bringing in people from outside. What I don't get is how after accepting payment to be an asset in helping fill those holes he turns around and hits them with s…
In what way was he condescending? To me it sounds like the area could use a higher quantity of and more experienced seed/venture funding.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#4I understand the point that the writer makes but I don't understand the negativity of the point of view. Yes, from what he writes, there are holes in the entrepreneurial environment in Ann Arbor. Members of that community must realize that or they wouldn't be bringing in people from outside. What I don't get is how after accepting payment to be an asset in helping fill those holes he turns around and hits them with s…
I didn't read it as condescending, but rather there is a lot of potential and here is what needs fixing.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#5The auto industry provides a further handicap to startups in Southeast Michigan. Former auto company staff are everywhere, so their fucked up culture seeps into every company and organization.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#6As someone that is very active in the tech community here in Ann Arbor, I can verify his claims. Ann Arbor (and south east Michigan as a whole) is not lacking in extremely talented programmers, engineers, researchers, and other potential startup candidates. Many of these people are incredibly passionate and knowledgable about their fields.
However-there is almost a complete lack of startup funding. If someone graduates from UofM and wants to launch a biomedical startup there is some money to be had, but if you want to launch the next hot computer startup you're out in the cold. There's next to no VC money and very little support for a just starting company. Ann Arbor SPARK is there to offer some support, but more certainly could be done.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#7The auto industry provides a further handicap to startups in Southeast Michigan. Former auto company staff are everywhere, so their fucked up culture seeps into every company and organization.
I can't really agree with you here. While there are many ex-Ford/GM/Chrsyler/Visteon/etc guys out and about, many of them are running their own quite successful businesses outside of the Big-3. I'm not saying they're all out of the auto business, but they're running their own small companies and generating serious revenue.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#8More comments: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2419884
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#9I would love to answer anyone's questions about what's happening around the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor, from a student's perspective!
I lead a project in MPowered, the student entrepreneurship org here at UM, I study CS in the College of Engineering, am a regular A2NewTech attendee, and am generally pretty familiar with the ecosystem here.
Re: One Hand Clapping -- Entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor, Michigan
#10I understand the point that the writer makes but I don't understand the negativity of the point of view. Yes, from what he writes, there are holes in the entrepreneurial environment in Ann Arbor. Members of that community must realize that or they wouldn't be bringing in people from outside. What I don't get is how after accepting payment to be an asset in helping fill those holes he turns around and hits them with s…
I heard Blank speak 3 times while he was in Ann Arbor and went to his office hours. Time and time again he made the point that the opportunity here is huge. I think he wants to make it clear that everything that is needed is here, except for risk capital. "Getting a few experienced super-angels and/or VC’s seeding 5-10 Lean Startup deals here a year, with a couple of Cleantech/energy deals as well, could kickstart the culture." There are a lot of active student startups[1], but more funding opportunities could provide a huge boost to the ecosystem here.