Difference between Startup Weekend and a Startup

[partywithalocal]

http://startupjuncture.com/2013/05/22/the-difference-between-startup-weekend-and-a-startup/

[dome82]

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).

[JOfferijns → dome82]

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 → dome82]

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 → partywithalocal]

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.

[wkneepkens → dome82]

Did it get you contacts that benefitted you at a later stage?

[wkneepkens]

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 → wkneepkens]

Two times on the topic... sorry

[FollowSteph3]

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 → FollowSteph3]

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.

[Sieuwert]

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

[partywithalocal → Sieuwert]

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