4 ms·
I wish I had had that opportunity back in 1985 when I founded my first one, but being outside of the Bay Area (as in 1500 miles away) there were basically no so
by coldcode 4y ago
I wish I had had that opportunity back in 1985 when I founded my first one, but being outside of the Bay Area (as in 1500 miles away) there were basically no software startups at all, and with no internet/web/ycombinator etc, no way to learn anything except by trying and failing. We did ship our product, do marketing, make some sales but not enough so we had to sell the product and close down. Today I know all things I did wrong but back then you were working in a world unlike today, and not even one person to ask as everyone starting software companies back then was just as clueless unless you were in a few places in the country. It's hard to explain to people today just how hard this was (for example I tried to borrow some money at a local bank to buy computers, and when told we were a software company, the loan officer assumed we were making ladies undergarments).
- veltas 4y agoWould be interested in a blog on this
- testmasterflex 4y agoThat bank quote is too funny! What was the product if one may ask?
- coldcode 4y agoA rather unique take on spreadsheets that would wind up influencing others to try experimentations on the spreadsheet idea, but all were ultimately killed by Excel, as what happened to us. Search "trapeze spreadsheet" on google if you care to know more.
- testmasterflex 4y agoVery cool, thanks for sharing!
- silentsea90 4y agoVery cool. I think one doesn't need to join a startup for such experience nowadays. Simply joining YC/XYZ accelerator might help get a structure around the million things that are now institutional knowledge so you can focus on what matters.