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Difference between Startup Weekend and a Startup

wkneepkens 13y ago
I’ve had similar experiences at two SW’s I attended: great excitement during the event, great people, etc. Yet the follow-up of actually going for it seems to be a different thing . I’ve had a discussion on the topic with Nick Stevens on the topic (actual # of startups being launched out of SW’s), who highlighted the mission of SW: “Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities.” They seem to succeed very well at that mission in any case!
- rdalens 13y ago
  Two times on the topic... sorry
Sieuwert 13y ago
Very insightful post. In my experience, the startup weekend teams are also too large: most startups have 2-4 founders, not more.
- partywithalocal 13y ago
  Cheers. That's a good point too. My SW team of 9 was good everyone contributed something over the weekend, but a lean team of 2-4 with the skills you really need to execute could probably do more
FollowSteph3 13y ago
Very well written. This is also a big reason why there are so many startups that don't last past 3 months. That to me is the threshold between fun and exiciting to actually getting to the real stuff. Much like working out at a gym for the first week or two and going crazy versus going to the gym on a regular basis and actually getting muscular.
- partywithalocal 13y ago
  Thanks! And very good point you make too, I'd agree that around 3 months is the time where you can either go for it or walk away, and most walk away I would guess.
dome82 13y ago
I think that I remember you from Startup Weekend London in Sept. 2011. It was one of the most interesting projects at that event. "With a few exceptions, most team members go back to their real lives, day jobs or studies the next day." That's what I've also noticed. I think that networking with like-minded people is one of the best part of Startup Weekend (and similar events).
- wkneepkens 13y ago
  Did it get you contacts that benefitted you at a later stage?
- JOfferijns 13y ago
  Definitely agree that networking is one of the best parts. I was at the same Startup Weekend the author of the post started Party With a Local at (swAMS '12) and one of the people I met there is now my co-founder! (and I recently had a reunion with my team)
- partywithalocal 13y ago
  Yes indeed, I was at SW London in 2011. What were you working on? Still working on it? I totally agree the networking is one of the best parts of SW, I've met some great people via it.
  - dome82 13y ago
    I was working on a site for foodies called Foodedoo and we did not continue after the weekend. It was my first Startup Weekend and I had a great experience anyway.

I’ve had similar experiences at two SW’s I attended: great excitement during the event, great people, etc. Yet the follow-up of actually going for it seems to be a different thing . I’ve had a discussion on the topic with Nick Stevens on the topic (actual # of startups being launched out of SW’s), who highlighted the mission of SW: “Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities.” They seem to succeed very well at that mission in any case!

rdalens 13y ago
Two times on the topic... sorry

Sieuwert 13y ago

Very insightful post. In my experience, the startup weekend teams are also too large: most startups have 2-4 founders, not more.

partywithalocal 13y ago
Cheers. That's a good point too. My SW team of 9 was good everyone contributed something over the weekend, but a lean team of 2-4 with the skills you really need to execute could probably do more

FollowSteph3 13y ago

Very well written. This is also a big reason why there are so many startups that don't last past 3 months. That to me is the threshold between fun and exiciting to actually getting to the real stuff. Much like working out at a gym for the first week or two and going crazy versus going to the gym on a regular basis and actually getting muscular.

partywithalocal 13y ago
Thanks! And very good point you make too, I'd agree that around 3 months is the time where you can either go for it or walk away, and most walk away I would guess.

dome82 13y ago

I think that I remember you from Startup Weekend London in Sept. 2011. It was one of the most interesting projects at that event. "With a few exceptions, most team members go back to their real lives, day jobs or studies the next day." That's what I've also noticed. I think that networking with like-minded people is one of the best part of Startup Weekend (and similar events).

wkneepkens 13y ago
Did it get you contacts that benefitted you at a later stage?
JOfferijns 13y ago
Definitely agree that networking is one of the best parts. I was at the same Startup Weekend the author of the post started Party With a Local at (swAMS '12) and one of the people I met there is now my co-founder! (and I recently had a reunion with my team)
partywithalocal 13y ago
Yes indeed, I was at SW London in 2011. What were you working on? Still working on it? I totally agree the networking is one of the best parts of SW, I've met some great people via it.
- dome82 13y ago
  I was working on a site for foodies called Foodedoo and we did not continue after the weekend. It was my first Startup Weekend and I had a great experience anyway.