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I've been a DreamIt (http://dreamitventures.com/ http://dreamitventures.com/) mentor for the last couple of years. On all measures, it is a top notch organizati

I've been a DreamIt (http://dreamitventures.com/ http://dreamitventures.com/) mentor for the last couple of years. On all measures, it is a top notch organization that I'm proud to continue to be involved with. They've had some great companies come out of it (SCAVNGR, SeatGeek, Postling, Notehall, etc.) and everyone I talk to (I've asked lots of people for candid responses) has said it was well worth it. Some things I like about the program that sets it apart IMHO: --mentors; they get 1-1 mentors for each team that really fit and work with the companies. --space; everyone works in the same big open space. --focus on business and strategy; they have a real focus on customer acquisition in addition to just hacking Of course the other stuff is good too, i.e. speakers, etc.

paul9290 16y ago
We http://Sleep.FM http://Sleep.FM - The Social Alarm Clock went through this program in Summer 2008. We enjoyed the speakers; knowledge gained in marketing & PR has proven invaluable(we were featured on various tech publications after the program). As well the stories of perseverance (CD NOW) were inspiring. Further the support and advice you receive from the core team as alum is strong and very helpful! Also, you are provided the opportunity to interview recent business college graduates and MBAs and bring them onto your team if a good fit is found. Some of DreamIt's most successful companies found some great people that has facilitated their successes!
toddspitz 16y ago
DreamIt 2010 graduate chiming in here. I have to agree that DreamIt was a fantastic experience. > 1-on-1 mentor system is great – nice and in-depth > communal space is great – led to more communication and collaboration than would have existed otherwise. > focus on business/strategy is great – they could develop this even more in future years, but they're starting w/ a great approach > speakers were good and always well balanced in their backgrounds & discussion topics. > pro-bono legal aid is top notch – we would have racked up thousands of dollars worth of legal fees spending so much time speaking and working with partners from such a great firm. Overall a great experience, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat if put back in time knowing what we know now. Also, I'm very glad to hear that they're coming to New York this summer! http://dreamitventures.com/ http://dreamitventures.com/
- jeffreyengler 16y ago
  Another thought from a DreamIt '10 grad: For me, the greatest part of DreamIt was the physical space. Founders + partners + mentors + speakers = immediate exposure to 100+ experts in everything from web development to sales, database management to pitching. It was great to share experiences and build camaraderie with a group of smart and talented new friends. Not picking up the phone or emailing, but turning around and bouncing ideas off the person at the table next to me -- totally awesome and super valuable. Highly recommended.
talsraviv 16y ago
+100 for Dreamit (C'08). The founders/investors are exactly the kind of people I didn't realize I needed as my mentors. Even though it was the first year, they had a long-term calm about them that kept me thinking constantly about what am I learning, what is the next iteration, instead of staring at bar graphs. Being 10 feet away from other teams was amazing - we had awesome frisbee games where some of our best ideas came from, and my most trusted startup-world connections have come from working in close proximity for three months.

paul9290 16y ago

We http://Sleep.FM http://Sleep.FM - The Social Alarm Clock went through this program in Summer 2008. We enjoyed the speakers; knowledge gained in marketing & PR has proven invaluable(we were featured on various tech publications after the program). As well the stories of perseverance (CD NOW) were inspiring. Further the support and advice you receive from the core team as alum is strong and very helpful! Also, you are provided the opportunity to interview recent business college graduates and MBAs and bring them onto your team if a good fit is found. Some of DreamIt's most successful companies found some great people that has facilitated their successes!

toddspitz 16y ago

DreamIt 2010 graduate chiming in here. I have to agree that DreamIt was a fantastic experience. > 1-on-1 mentor system is great – nice and in-depth > communal space is great – led to more communication and collaboration than would have existed otherwise. > focus on business/strategy is great – they could develop this even more in future years, but they're starting w/ a great approach > speakers were good and always well balanced in their backgrounds & discussion topics. > pro-bono legal aid is top notch – we would have racked up thousands of dollars worth of legal fees spending so much time speaking and working with partners from such a great firm. Overall a great experience, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat if put back in time knowing what we know now. Also, I'm very glad to hear that they're coming to New York this summer! http://dreamitventures.com/ http://dreamitventures.com/

jeffreyengler 16y ago
Another thought from a DreamIt '10 grad: For me, the greatest part of DreamIt was the physical space. Founders + partners + mentors + speakers = immediate exposure to 100+ experts in everything from web development to sales, database management to pitching. It was great to share experiences and build camaraderie with a group of smart and talented new friends. Not picking up the phone or emailing, but turning around and bouncing ideas off the person at the table next to me -- totally awesome and super valuable. Highly recommended.

talsraviv 16y ago

+100 for Dreamit (C'08). The founders/investors are exactly the kind of people I didn't realize I needed as my mentors. Even though it was the first year, they had a long-term calm about them that kept me thinking constantly about what am I learning, what is the next iteration, instead of staring at bar graphs. Being 10 feet away from other teams was amazing - we had awesome frisbee games where some of our best ideas came from, and my most trusted startup-world connections have come from working in close proximity for three months.