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It wasn't directed towards you in particular, I promise. It's just that since I moved to Europe, I've noticed an incredible difference in how many middle-manage

by solve 13y ago

It wasn't directed towards you in particular, I promise. It's just that since I moved to Europe, I've noticed an incredible difference in how many middle-manager types get funding from the accelerators here vs the US. In fact, here they strongly encourage former middle-managers to become founders. In US accelerators, often the whole founding team in engineers. In response to your article, maybe you might consider showing more of a love and understanding for technology? Perhaps even acknowledging that traditional business knowledge may be a hindrance to a startup, instead of a clear benefit? [1] [1] http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2012/01/the-management-team-while-building-product.html http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2012/01/the-management-team-while-bu...

jval 13y ago
Don't insult people and then deny that you've insulted them and attempt to back it up with a blog post that isn't an authority for what you just said. OP worked at Rocket Internet for 2 years. Say what you like about them, there is nothing 'traditional' or 'middle-manager' about a role like that. OP also has a PhD in genetics and an MBA, a not-too-dissimilar set of qualifications to US founders. You don't have to be a software engineer to have useful startup skills...
- solve 13y ago
  I am insulting Europe's tech business culture, yes, if that's what it takes for us to begin to discuss this topic. Coming from me, that's saying a lot, because I usually never find culture similarities that span the whole of Europe. Please don't take this as a personal insult towards anyone. The obsession with PHDs and higher level education.. great, another Euro-obsession. Look, I'm not saying that he can't be a great startup founder. I'm just offering a different perspective for how to present one's self to potential tech cofounders. Emphasizing "business skills" and higher level education is definitely not the best way.
Major_Grooves 13y ago
Oh believe me I have a strong love and appreciation for technology. In fact, I've always said that maybe I don't understand the tech, but I appreciate it. I've come from a company where the tech guys are treated like second-class citizens to the business guys. I want the opposite of that - somewhere where developers love to work (and share in the equity/options etc). I think your comment about middle-managers becoming CEOs is partly because we still have less tech startup culture here vs the US. Not so many Facebooks and Googles. Also places, like I mention, where business guys are valued too highly. I'd say my business knowledge is far from traditional: PhD Genetics, biotech consulting, database redevelopment and management, MBA, industrial-scale eCommerce incubator, entrepreneur. I agree with the AVC article. The team described there is my ideal team. I am in effect at the moment the Product Manager. In fact, the tech side of things in my startup have gone extremely well - it works well, the code is good, the product build speed has been good - mainly due to the good relationship between me and the contractor. The tech side of things is the least of my problems, but I still want a business partner because it is impossible for me to do everything on my own - it just makes sense that my business partner is also technical.

by solve 13y ago

jval 13y ago

Don't insult people and then deny that you've insulted them and attempt to back it up with a blog post that isn't an authority for what you just said. OP worked at Rocket Internet for 2 years. Say what you like about them, there is nothing 'traditional' or 'middle-manager' about a role like that. OP also has a PhD in genetics and an MBA, a not-too-dissimilar set of qualifications to US founders. You don't have to be a software engineer to have useful startup skills...

solve 13y ago
I am insulting Europe's tech business culture, yes, if that's what it takes for us to begin to discuss this topic. Coming from me, that's saying a lot, because I usually never find culture similarities that span the whole of Europe. Please don't take this as a personal insult towards anyone. The obsession with PHDs and higher level education.. great, another Euro-obsession. Look, I'm not saying that he can't be a great startup founder. I'm just offering a different perspective for how to present one's self to potential tech cofounders. Emphasizing "business skills" and higher level education is definitely not the best way.

Major_Grooves 13y ago

Oh believe me I have a strong love and appreciation for technology. In fact, I've always said that maybe I don't understand the tech, but I appreciate it. I've come from a company where the tech guys are treated like second-class citizens to the business guys. I want the opposite of that - somewhere where developers love to work (and share in the equity/options etc). I think your comment about middle-managers becoming CEOs is partly because we still have less tech startup culture here vs the US. Not so many Facebooks and Googles. Also places, like I mention, where business guys are valued too highly. I'd say my business knowledge is far from traditional: PhD Genetics, biotech consulting, database redevelopment and management, MBA, industrial-scale eCommerce incubator, entrepreneur. I agree with the AVC article. The team described there is my ideal team. I am in effect at the moment the Product Manager. In fact, the tech side of things in my startup have gone extremely well - it works well, the code is good, the product build speed has been good - mainly due to the good relationship between me and the contractor. The tech side of things is the least of my problems, but I still want a business partner because it is impossible for me to do everything on my own - it just makes sense that my business partner is also technical.