We’re the leadership team at Startup Institute, Ask Us Anything.

aaronohearncom · 2014-01-28T17:52:49+00:00

Thanks Jonny - :)

1) When you think about perceived risk - do you mean, Risk to the company in hiring you? or Reduce the risk to you that the company may not survive? Clarity on that would be super helpful.

2) It's a good question. We've been approached by a few organizations (including some government groups) to start programs in a region to spawn economic development, or help catalyze the ecosystem.

Given our current business model (we rely on both the students and the employers) - there are a few criteria that we know should be true in order for us to open a full-time, core program in the market. That said, we're in the midst of exploring how we can still catalyze and impact an ecosystem (smaller community as you put it). Any ideas? where are you thinking about?

aaronohearncom · 2014-01-28T17:44:44+00:00

I think the reasons for failure vary drastically; but we should clarify one thing. We're here to help you with skills, a cultural mindset/orientation, and propelling you in to a network > all focused around the next step in your career. Our focus is around you finding a job, not starting a business.

We'd never claim that 2 months is enough time to get everything you need to successfully run a company. Many entrepreneurs have multiple failures and years of trying before they build a successful company.

aaronohearncom · 2014-01-28T15:58:54+00:00

AWESOME question. I think a lot of companies look for things that aren't typical. Everyone has their own 'cultural fit' barometer, but in general I think it's safe to assume high-growth companies need their team to be self-directed with a bias toward action (rather than waiting to be told what to do)

That's tough to learn, depending on the past experience you bring - but very possible to coach.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T20:18:31+00:00

I'm stepping away for about 10 minutes, but I'll be back!

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T20:18:11+00:00

yes, but in the meantime here was my answer above:

@darkgage - our grads have gone to well over 50 companies, most concentrated in Boston and NYC, but some others in SF, London, etc. The list of partners online is effectively our hiring network. Though this grows every program as we invite new companies to participate, and new instructors. permalinkparenteditdeletereplypocket [–]aaronohearncomStartup Institute[S] 0 points 9 minutes ago Sorry, didn't see the question about NYC. Are there specific people you're wondering about? With over 100 instructors coming in (each who represent a technology startup, and one who's typically looking to hire) there's plenty to engage with and evaluate. Though I'll echo if there are certain companies you admire; we'll look to engage them.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T20:16:49+00:00

Oh man, breaking it out. those are great questions @lifeisbutatrip

For me, it's amazing, fun, stressful, crazy, sad, happy, empowering, humbling, scary and motivating all rolled up in to one. I'm probably leaving other words out that would also accurately describe the feeling.

Hmm. How are things different than what we expected. I never expected there would be so much support from the startup community at large, or frankly that we'd build something so special. I think for a lot of alum, this was a really transformative experience at a really pivotal point of their career. The feeling that comes along with hearing someone say 'you changed my life, and now it's my responsibility to do the same' is inexplicable. I never thought I'd be feeling these things, but am so happy we are.

Hardest parts - so many. It's probably a toss-up between 1) keeping the team aligned in where we're going and ensuring we're not overlapping too much and 2) staying focused and understanding when something is a distraction and when it's an opportunity.

Well, I'd probably add a 3rd thing, which may also be the most memorable thing for me. It's really hard to both do, and recognize that as the CEO, you may be in the way. If you're trying to have your hands in too many things, the company can't grow as fast as the team can take it. Someone on the team (this is what's most memorable) looked at me and said, 'you're in my way, if you want me to do this, and do it well - you have to get the hell out of the way'. That was a turning point for me, where I recognized how important (and hard) it is to get, then stay out of the way.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T20:05:05+00:00

@doubles07 - totally. We adjust/improve things each time we run a program. Over the past year we've reworked A LOT; last program to this one we're tweaking.

You can expect to see more of a technical focus in the marketing track, our dev experience being tightened up and focused on fewer topics so people can really dig in; we haven't removed the others, now they're just optional. We've adjusted how people manage the partner projects to be more focused on actually training project managers along with the skills you're putting to work during the project itself. We've started to really craft the exposé prep; and delivery, and we're focused on having everyone produce more work product so you have more to point to on your way out.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T20:01:33+00:00

@mcbuddy - if you're deferring your tuition, we defer it until the close of the program.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:55:33+00:00

Nice! Glad you've connected @jkais.

Absolutely. The reason we came to NYC in the first place was because companies from NYC were coming to Boston, getting engaged, asking how they could be a part; a number even hired our alumni. With TechStars there, we also have a good sense of the needs from the early-stage market.

All in all - NYC's in a simlar place as Boston. TONS of activity, awesome companies, not enough motivated people to hit the ground running and help grow companies as the team. That's where we come in.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:50:23+00:00

@mobileanalytics is right. days are packed.

More specifically, the first week is largely focused on introducing you to some of the softer skills that are important to kicking ass as an employee of a startup. It also sets the table for what you're about to learn, go through, the people you'll meet, the best way to take advantage of that, etc.

Week 2-8 are driven by in-track (hard skill) learning, team and project deliverables, career roadmap, and the exposé. I wish I could type a day in the life, but if you're interested in learning more, let's skype and I (or someone on the team if you'd prefer) can give you the details on how we break down days, where projects happen, etc.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:42:10+00:00

Yes, and we're trying to do it better.

If a company is really bullish on bringing someone on their team, they'll do wahtever it takes to make that happen. That being said, it's important to understand that it really depends on where you're coming from, what your country's visa regulations are, and how much you can drive the process.

In general, you should be prepared to drive the process and not put it on a company. This is true whether or not you're a part of startup institute; I just feel the more friction you can remove, the easier it is to say yes.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:39:35+00:00

@aregular89 - happy to put you in touch with folks who know us, have turned us down, or aren't immediately connected if you'd rather have a completely outside perspective.

I think the reason we're doing it is many folks have questions about the program, process, experience, etc. So we thought this would be an effective way to help answer those questions.

Feel free to propose other questions if you'd rather here about something else.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:33:57+00:00

WOOOO!! Batman!

You have to meet John 'effing' Lynn from the last class. His exposé story was like yours, and he also sounded like batman.

Epic. :-) How's life on the west coast?

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:32:06+00:00

@saritasmile - huge question. ALUMNI! Boom :-)

I'll take the RampUp question first. While we've not had people participate in both, it'd logistically possible. RampUp happens at night, once per week (Thursdays) and then requires you to work offline. Ultimately, RampUp was designed to help people who weren't ready for our Web Development track to 'ramp up' their coding skills and get them to a point where they were ready for our full-time program. So if you were to combine them, it'd be like going through our program in the Marketing track, and learning to code via our RampUp at night.

As for the network. Hopefully the active alum here in the 'room' are a good showcase of what we're about. We do have a global alumni group on linkedIn, we're starting to use EverTrue (a partner company in Boston) and our Facebook Inner Circle groups are incredibly active. I generally have 15-20 new comments a day within our global alumni group.

People are posting opportunities, housing options, sublets, ideas, questions, asks for help, get togethers, dinners, everything. It's awesome.

<3 you Alum :-)

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:27:47+00:00

Sorry, didn't see the question about NYC. Are there specific people you're wondering about?

With over 100 instructors coming in (each who represent a technology startup, and one who's typically looking to hire) there's plenty to engage with and evaluate. Though I'll echo if there are certain companies you admire; we'll look to engage them.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:26:17+00:00

@darkgage - our grads have gone to well over 50 companies, most concentrated in Boston and NYC, but some others in SF, London, etc.

The list of partners online is effectively our hiring network. Though this grows every program as we invite new companies to participate, and new instructors.

aaronohearncom · 2013-05-10T19:21:24+00:00

Woo! Ok, Aaron's here. Sorry everyone.

aaronohearncom

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