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Analysis: How Far Do Projects Launched At Startup Weekends Travel? (Not Very Far)

17 points by terpua 17y ago

trapper 17y ago
It's obvious why: start ups are a marathon. I wonder how many iterations of user feedback it takes for successful companies to get their product right. I would wager at least 5.
wheels 17y ago
The "startup weekends" have always seemed like a good way to waste a weekend to me. Not to mention that it's the all too familiar dilution of the word "startup" where "website" would be more apt. At least if they were just called websites it wouldn't have the false air of them somehow being companies afterwards and it'd be easier for me to not be cynical of the time people spend on them.
jpcx01 17y ago
I cant imagine anyone would have thought a startup weekend project would succeed as a company. However, as the article notes, the benefits to the participants are obvious. Good connections and a little extra experience. I think trying to build a startup in one of these time limited events really helps speed up development on your other work. I know it has for me.
jbenz 17y ago
I think this article misses the point of Startup Weekend. I attended the one in Columbus and the main goal was to have some fun, meet new people, and build something cool (which was only briefly mentioned in the post). Frankly, I'm surprised and impressed that ANY of the websites from Startup Weekend are still operating. We should be congratulating those teams among the 10%.
jaxn 17y ago
I am involved in a project that started at Startup Weekend in Nashville, TN (that is not listed in that article). We are very active and fully expect to be profitable this year. It sounds like they missed a few other active projects as well.
- jaxn 17y ago
  If anyone is interested you can see our project at http://gpsassassins.com http://gpsassassins.com
patrickg-zill 17y ago
I was under the impression that the main reason for a startup weekend was to knock the moss off, and encourage people to actually DO something; that is, it is more like practice or a dress rehearsal.
- wheels 17y ago
  Practice and dress rehearsals are usually longer and more effort than the real thing so that you learn how to do it. This sounds more like going to one of those career day things where you watch people pretending it's one of their normal days.
vaksel 17y ago
Of course they don't go far, to succeed as a startup you need dedication, you need some skin in the game to keep on going, no matter what. If all you spent was a couple of hours on the project, you really have no motivation to help it suceed
dannyr 17y ago
I participated in the San Francisco edition. I had a great experience. I met several people who I still regularly hang out with and plan to collaborate with in the near future.

17 points by terpua 17y ago

It's obvious why: start ups are a marathon. I wonder how many iterations of user feedback it takes for successful companies to get their product right. I would wager at least 5.

wheels 17y ago

The "startup weekends" have always seemed like a good way to waste a weekend to me. Not to mention that it's the all too familiar dilution of the word "startup" where "website" would be more apt. At least if they were just called websites it wouldn't have the false air of them somehow being companies afterwards and it'd be easier for me to not be cynical of the time people spend on them.

jpcx01 17y ago

I cant imagine anyone would have thought a startup weekend project would succeed as a company. However, as the article notes, the benefits to the participants are obvious. Good connections and a little extra experience. I think trying to build a startup in one of these time limited events really helps speed up development on your other work. I know it has for me.

jbenz 17y ago

I think this article misses the point of Startup Weekend. I attended the one in Columbus and the main goal was to have some fun, meet new people, and build something cool (which was only briefly mentioned in the post). Frankly, I'm surprised and impressed that ANY of the websites from Startup Weekend are still operating. We should be congratulating those teams among the 10%.

jaxn 17y ago

I am involved in a project that started at Startup Weekend in Nashville, TN (that is not listed in that article). We are very active and fully expect to be profitable this year. It sounds like they missed a few other active projects as well.

jaxn 17y ago
If anyone is interested you can see our project at http://gpsassassins.com http://gpsassassins.com

patrickg-zill 17y ago

I was under the impression that the main reason for a startup weekend was to knock the moss off, and encourage people to actually DO something; that is, it is more like practice or a dress rehearsal.

wheels 17y ago
Practice and dress rehearsals are usually longer and more effort than the real thing so that you learn how to do it. This sounds more like going to one of those career day things where you watch people pretending it's one of their normal days.

vaksel 17y ago

Of course they don't go far, to succeed as a startup you need dedication, you need some skin in the game to keep on going, no matter what. If all you spent was a couple of hours on the project, you really have no motivation to help it suceed

dannyr 17y ago

I participated in the San Francisco edition. I had a great experience. I met several people who I still regularly hang out with and plan to collaborate with in the near future.