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I'm incredibly excited about this as a uni student in Sydney. I'm hopeful that by the time I graduate that the concept of the Silicon Beach will take off. The

by Smerity 16y ago

I'm incredibly excited about this as a uni student in Sydney. I'm hopeful that by the time I graduate that the concept of the Silicon Beach will take off. The University of Sydney have recently introduced a course focusing on Tech Venture Creation[1] and most of the people on that page are involved somehow (including Ryan from Omnisio, Bart from Tjoos and our lecturer Bill Bartee), so this isn't the only new action on the Sydney startup front. [1] - Tech Venture Creation course - http://techventurecreation.wordpress.com/ http://techventurecreation.wordpress.com/

megablast 16y ago
Why wait until you graduate? As a student you have loads of free time, and it will look great on your CV even if nothing comes of it.
- Smerity 16y ago
  I meant that I hope by the time that I graduate that the general startup atmosphere around Sydney and/or Australia has improved. One of the most common sentiments from the founders I've had the chance to talk to was that they said Australia isn't (even close to) the optimal place for a startup but they decided to stay here anyway for family/lifestyle/... reasons.
chrislloyd 16y ago
Leave Uni Smerity! Self fund and live the dream!
- bensand 16y ago
  yes, leave and live
- mahmud 16y ago
  Why? So he can take the startup gamble without nothing to fall back on? Heck, without a degree not even investors will look at him, unless he makes something in the top 1 percentile.
meric 16y ago
Hmm I am in Sydney university too but I haven't heard about that course... It should be promoted more! But then again, looking it up it only has 40 free spaces. :( As students I don't think there is much benefit in "getting funded", especially for those still living at home, and probably not even for a year after graduation. (I'm guessing I could live that long in my parent's house before they start charging rent.) You could even get a deferred student loan of $500 to $20,000 from NAB, with no repayments for up to 5 years * . (with a steep 15% interest) If you aren't unlucky you'd also be receiving student payments from centre link also. IMHO, university students don't need much funding from investors. The banks are willing to lend you money as long as they think you're will be able to get a 9 to 5 job when you graduate. Your parents can also provide you with free accommodation and dinners. I think it's a good idea to take advantage of this while we're still students. The only reason you'd apply for seed funding is the mentoring that you will get. * certain conditions apply.
- bensand 16y ago
  the interest is lower than that, but you have to pay back a loan. you don't need to pay back funding.
  - deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]
- Smerity 16y ago
  It's probably too late to do it this semester but certainly consider it for next year! The fact you're reading Hacker News automatically places you in the top 5 to 10 places in the course and in fact this year the class didn't get more than 40 students so there wasn't a great deal of fighting for your life. I'd also suggest you drop in on the lectures even if not enrolled - the guest presenters are really well known and offer incredibly valuable knowledge. If you want send me an email (-> see profile) - it's difficult to find these entrepreneurial types at Sydney Uni =]

by Smerity 16y ago

megablast 16y ago

Why wait until you graduate? As a student you have loads of free time, and it will look great on your CV even if nothing comes of it.

Smerity 16y ago
I meant that I hope by the time that I graduate that the general startup atmosphere around Sydney and/or Australia has improved. One of the most common sentiments from the founders I've had the chance to talk to was that they said Australia isn't (even close to) the optimal place for a startup but they decided to stay here anyway for family/lifestyle/... reasons.

chrislloyd 16y ago

Leave Uni Smerity! Self fund and live the dream!

bensand 16y ago
yes, leave and live
mahmud 16y ago
Why? So he can take the startup gamble without nothing to fall back on? Heck, without a degree not even investors will look at him, unless he makes something in the top 1 percentile.

meric 16y ago

Hmm I am in Sydney university too but I haven't heard about that course... It should be promoted more! But then again, looking it up it only has 40 free spaces. :( As students I don't think there is much benefit in "getting funded", especially for those still living at home, and probably not even for a year after graduation. (I'm guessing I could live that long in my parent's house before they start charging rent.) You could even get a deferred student loan of $500 to $20,000 from NAB, with no repayments for up to 5 years * . (with a steep 15% interest) If you aren't unlucky you'd also be receiving student payments from centre link also. IMHO, university students don't need much funding from investors. The banks are willing to lend you money as long as they think you're will be able to get a 9 to 5 job when you graduate. Your parents can also provide you with free accommodation and dinners. I think it's a good idea to take advantage of this while we're still students. The only reason you'd apply for seed funding is the mentoring that you will get. * certain conditions apply.

bensand 16y ago
the interest is lower than that, but you have to pay back a loan. you don't need to pay back funding.
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
Smerity 16y ago
It's probably too late to do it this semester but certainly consider it for next year! The fact you're reading Hacker News automatically places you in the top 5 to 10 places in the course and in fact this year the class didn't get more than 40 students so there wasn't a great deal of fighting for your life. I'd also suggest you drop in on the lectures even if not enrolled - the guest presenters are really well known and offer incredibly valuable knowledge. If you want send me an email (-> see profile) - it's difficult to find these entrepreneurial types at Sydney Uni =]