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I attended the "Startup Weekend" in Chicago last year. Theme was 'Startup for Education'. I met several mentors who have already traveled the startup path, and

I attended the "Startup Weekend" in Chicago last year. Theme was 'Startup for Education'. I met several mentors who have already traveled the startup path, and they guided us, and gave us their precious advice. These mentors are people who live, breathe and have experienced what you intend to do for next few years. Their 5 minutes with you is more worth than hours with your bar buddy or highschool friend as far as startup advice/direction is concerned. I partnered with a guy in that startup weekend who had this "idea" in his mind since few years. That guy has thought about this idea from every possible direction for months/years. But it was still childish. No where close to what VCs would love to see them pitched. No where close to what enterprise decision makers will buy. No where close to getting the user base for his B2B model. Then the meeting with Mentors happened. Idea went from primitive to slightly more focused. Another mentor shaped the idea from selling and making money perspective. Third mentor helped prepare the pitch and perspective on what VCs/Judges would question and how to address them. The idea went from unpolished to very fine sellable/workable idea which would make money in enterprise space if executed successfully. All that with just 15 minutes of time with each mentor. Its important to hang out with people who are way smarter than you and in the same space where you want to excel and these events provide you with that opportunity. As always overdoing anything is not fruitful.

caseysoftware 12y ago
I'd like to +1 the "Their 5 minutes with you is more worth than hours with your bar buddy" but you have to realize that with Startup Weekend* - unlike most of these startup event - there's a filter function. The organizers of SW have gone out and tried to recruit a set of people with different skills who have track records accomplishing things. * Disclosure: I've been an organizer for Startup Weekend Austin for the past few years and a mentor at those and many others.
- eriktrautman 12y ago
  You were actually the organizer of the startup weekend which got me launched into tech about 3 years ago. Thank you! Sometimes the value of the experience isn't even the direct interaction with mentors but putting yourself in an environment where you can see them operating and solving problems. It osmoses and leaves an impact.
  - caseysoftware 12y ago
    That's awesome and great to hear. I firmly believe that the weekend itself is just a vehicle, not the goal. I don't care of zero businesses or even ideas come out. At the end of it, you just spent 48+ hours with people who are passionate and willing to work hard to get something done. And even if you failed, you met some people, had a few meals, and lost a weekend.. not a job or livelihood.
tibbetts 12y ago
In chemistry they say "six months in the lab can save you two hours in the library." Learning from other people's mistakes, whether they are writing them down or recounting them in person, is super valuable.

caseysoftware 12y ago

I'd like to +1 the "Their 5 minutes with you is more worth than hours with your bar buddy" but you have to realize that with Startup Weekend* - unlike most of these startup event - there's a filter function. The organizers of SW have gone out and tried to recruit a set of people with different skills who have track records accomplishing things. * Disclosure: I've been an organizer for Startup Weekend Austin for the past few years and a mentor at those and many others.

eriktrautman 12y ago
You were actually the organizer of the startup weekend which got me launched into tech about 3 years ago. Thank you! Sometimes the value of the experience isn't even the direct interaction with mentors but putting yourself in an environment where you can see them operating and solving problems. It osmoses and leaves an impact.
- caseysoftware 12y ago
  That's awesome and great to hear. I firmly believe that the weekend itself is just a vehicle, not the goal. I don't care of zero businesses or even ideas come out. At the end of it, you just spent 48+ hours with people who are passionate and willing to work hard to get something done. And even if you failed, you met some people, had a few meals, and lost a weekend.. not a job or livelihood.

tibbetts 12y ago

In chemistry they say "six months in the lab can save you two hours in the library." Learning from other people's mistakes, whether they are writing them down or recounting them in person, is super valuable.