4 ms·

What's the best way to visit startups in the valley?

4 points by oldpond 16y ago

How does one connect with startups who are interested in hosting visitors for a quick tour?

CGherb256k 16y ago
I don't think start ups are too into visitor hours...
- kevinelliott 16y ago
  I don't agree. I see people on Facebook and Twitter visiting startups all the time (both tech celeb, and non-celeb types).
  - niico 16y ago
    Well, yeah.. celebs can pretty much crash anywhere and they will get in. A regular hacker wont be that lucky. I would recommend to email them suggesting a feature, write a couple codes of line and give it to them and tell them you are a great fan of the company and would love to get to meet them or just have a cup of coffee there. TIP: Dont go there empty handed.
gasull 16y ago
You have to go to the open events they organize, if they do.
limedaring 16y ago
Email and ask? If they're too busy, they'll tell you, but most startups that I know that have graduated to an office are fine if someone comes by during lunch to see the office/people.
niccolop 16y ago
email one of the founders, they'll normally be keen for a coffee, if you've got a legitimate reason to visit. A little product praise never hurts either :-)
staunch 16y ago
Try asking on Twitter @their_co and/or their founders.
oldpond 16y ago
My challenge right now is finding good talent for co-founders or developers. My post on Craigslist got zero response, and my post on eLance got only one response from a fellow down in Uruguay. I was at CAST 2010 this summer, and the buzz around the table led me to a small development company in Grand Rapids that hosted a bunch of us on a tour. It was great to learn about their business model and generate ideas. I've applied to founder school in January, and if accepted I am sure there will be lots of good advice to go around. But, I am leading a workshop at eBay in a couple of weeks and thought I could make good use of my free time down there and perhaps figure out how to solve my talent problem. Thanks for your advice and taking the time to respond.

4 points by oldpond 16y ago

How does one connect with startups who are interested in hosting visitors for a quick tour?

CGherb256k 16y ago

I don't think start ups are too into visitor hours...

kevinelliott 16y ago
I don't agree. I see people on Facebook and Twitter visiting startups all the time (both tech celeb, and non-celeb types).
- niico 16y ago
  Well, yeah.. celebs can pretty much crash anywhere and they will get in. A regular hacker wont be that lucky. I would recommend to email them suggesting a feature, write a couple codes of line and give it to them and tell them you are a great fan of the company and would love to get to meet them or just have a cup of coffee there. TIP: Dont go there empty handed.

gasull 16y ago

You have to go to the open events they organize, if they do.

limedaring 16y ago

Email and ask? If they're too busy, they'll tell you, but most startups that I know that have graduated to an office are fine if someone comes by during lunch to see the office/people.

niccolop 16y ago

email one of the founders, they'll normally be keen for a coffee, if you've got a legitimate reason to visit. A little product praise never hurts either :-)

staunch 16y ago

Try asking on Twitter @their_co and/or their founders.

oldpond 16y ago

My challenge right now is finding good talent for co-founders or developers. My post on Craigslist got zero response, and my post on eLance got only one response from a fellow down in Uruguay. I was at CAST 2010 this summer, and the buzz around the table led me to a small development company in Grand Rapids that hosted a bunch of us on a tour. It was great to learn about their business model and generate ideas. I've applied to founder school in January, and if accepted I am sure there will be lots of good advice to go around. But, I am leading a workshop at eBay in a couple of weeks and thought I could make good use of my free time down there and perhaps figure out how to solve my talent problem. Thanks for your advice and taking the time to respond.