Anyone interested in forming a tech startup?

Count me interested. I've been wondering about how to get involved with something besides my day job, while having skills but lacking funds and ideas. Would love to participate in the discussions and figure out how I can contribute.

Questions upon questions. Are you focused on a software/IT business? Management experience involvement?

I'm always intrigued by brainstorming sessions.

The TiE Austin Funding Forum piqued my interest, and I submitted an executive summary of my business plan last week. TiE Austin has extended the submission deadline by 10 days, to Monday May 4. For plans to be considered, we need to join TiE ($100/year) by May 6.

For a minor investment in group membership, this looks like a great way to get coaching and introductions.

If anyone is interested in discussing ideas for an electric vehicle maker and rapid prototyping center, please let me know.

- John

I am interested.

Ricardo D. Sanchez
GDL Technologies
rsanchez@gdltec.net
http://www.gdltec.net

Hey Y'all,

If you are serious about starting a startup together, be aware that at Matt's event on Thursday we, Tech Ranch Austin http://www.techranchaustin.com are launching an employee to entrepreneur program that you might take advantage of.

We're working on getting local sponsorship of this program. We are expecting several teams on top of the teams that we already have in our innovator program at the Ranch to participate in the e2E program (employee to entrepreneur).

What I would specifically like to help you guys out on (if you are interested) is the sheer amount of scar tissue that I personally have for launching 7 startups on my own (investor backed and bootstrapped).

It is possible to launch a startup. In fact, if you have been laid off or fired (as I have been in the past, several times) this is one of the few ways out to creating the work that you want to do.

I will continue to review this thread - in case you guys have questions about what we are doing.

We're going to have a free introduction to the program (which will have valuable content, even if you don't decide to go through the program at 1:30 pm on Thursday, at the Door64 Event.

I will personally be available to talk with you in the back of the room about your startup. Come talk with me, for free, no commitment, about getting your business off the ground. I have the scar tissue to tell you exactly what I personally have seen in doing so.

Best of luck with your ventures,
Kevin

I'll be available right after the e2E session (and for the next hour afterwards)... so if you are interested in talking with me, I'll be available to talk with you about helping you build your startup.

I'm a local attorney who has worked with technical start-ups and would be interested in assisting with some of the legal matters concerned, as well as give any advice my firm might have in the area chosen. I'd like to join if you decide where to meet.

hey y'all,
yes, my biz partner and I will be presenting at 1:30 pm. I will make myself available right afterwards to talk with you.

For the person that was asking about my background, you can read about some of it at my linkedin profile. It has not been updated in a while, but here it is:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkoym

Also, you can read my blog here: http://kevinkoym.com/blog/ and http://kevinkoym.com/blog/about

I have had successes and failures in building startups. That being said, I started my first company in 1994, and have worked for myself on a number of founding teams since then.

Best of luck with the ventures that you create.

Kevin

Flightpath sounds perfect!
So.

FLIGHTPATH COFFEEHOUSE, 51st & Duval
3 pm Sunday 5/3

I'll have a sign.

Just a quick follow up to those we met at the Door64 event. We enjoyed speaking about the possibilities of entrepreneurship. If you didn't see the article about the event in Friday's Statesman, here is a link: http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/technology/05...

Following up on our presentation, we would like to invite you to attend an information session about Tech Ranch and our programs including the Employee to Entrepreneur Program.

Tech Ranch Information Session
Wednesday, May 6th
4:30pm - 6:30pm.
3925 W. Braker Lane. (MCC Building)

If you would like to read more about the program and sign up for it here: http://techranchaustin.com/?p=74. Our two classes in May are limited to 10 attendees each. Also, don't forget to use the Offer Code: Door64 to get a 10% discount.

If you have any further questions, please contact Jessica Linnemeyer: jessica@techranchaustin.com

Thanks!

Jonas, Kevin and Jess.
www.techranchaustin.com

There are many sacrifices ahead.

No, I am not well versed in IT and software, even though my Company's technologies both require sophisticated software to enable the systems. That doesn't negate my experiences as a technology entrepreneur and risk taker.

What do you think is the first sacrifice to be made (aside from the uncertainty of next week's paycheck)?

I would also be interested. Weeknights would be best. I have a heavy IT background including website development, software development, workflow management, hardware / software, support and operations. From executive level down (The definition of a startup how many hats can you wear) I have worked with several startups overtime and have free access to a great across the board workflow software to mange issues during all phase of a startup
David C
www.austinlivingonline.com

So far all we have is a bunch of folks who have identified themselves as being interested in a "tech start up". So good so far. But, we haven't been able to get enough interest for people to get together for a meeting. Why don't we try brainstorming right here for a while. If we come up with something more specific we should generate a bit more enthusiasm.

First question, what is the long term goal of the company? Is the plan to 1) build a company, sell it, and cash out? Or, is the plan to build a company, make a living off of it, and operate it for the rest of your life? The strategies are very different for each of those scenarios. Of course, no matter what the initial plan you might wind up with either outcome.

In either case, the end goal changes the range of products we might produce. If the goal is to be bought out by IBM you are going to go after a different product space than if your goal is to be bought out by AT&T or Verizon. Then again you are going to go a different direction if you want to remain independent forever.

Secondly, how do we want to make money? I'm really fond of the subscription model with small fees being collected monthly from a large number of people. The revenue model bounds the possible products.

How do you feel about having a place of business? Some people consider it a necessity, some feel it is superfluous. Those two kinds of people don't work that well together.

Are you OK with taking a percentage of profits or do you *need* a salary? If you really must have a salary you should drop out now because you are not suited to founding a company. The difference between a founder and an employee is, in my mind, pretty simple: The employee is able to pretend there is no risk so long as they get a regular pay check. The founder faces the risk every day and has to be able to do what ever is necessary to come up with that pay check or be willing to fire the employee.

That discussion leads to the question of what legal structure do you want for the company? Personally, I'd like to try something structured like a legal or accounting practice with partners and associates with pay based on a percentage of revenues.

Hopefully there is enough in this posting to get people discussing something more interesting than where to meet.

BTW, I'm a teacher with a background that ranges from search engines, to compilers, to the computer graphics industry, to video games, to strategic technology analysis at SBC (now known as AT&T).

Stonewolf

This my opinion, if you are interested in starting a company, you should be able to commit at least some time to meet and brainstorm about it... if you are too busy to schedule some time for this, you are probably too busy to start a company... please if anyone is truly interested in doing this let's set a time and place and meet not later than Friday. I am available to meet any day/time, I'll make it a priority to have time for this brainstorm meeting.

Ricardo D. Sanchez
GDL Technologies
rsanchez@gdltec.net
http://www.gdltec.net

Please see the continuation of this discussion on the thread "Startup gang - what day and time?".

Also, if you're among those interested, please go to http://www.doodle.com/k6mhzgchfwdepexr and indicate what days you'd be available to meet.
The hardest part of starting a revolution is getting it on everybody's calendar. :-)

Thanks!

KEM

Interested to see if the meeting took place. I would like to participate but seems like the first meeting may have been the biggest barrier. Can you guys post an update from your last get together?

Thanks
Abel

Abel Garcia
GTGweb Technical Solutions
www.gtgweb.com
blog.gtgweb.com

I could possibly join this effort.

I just joined Door64. I am currently in Seattle, WA but I am moving to Austin, TX around the start of July.

I have significant SW development experience (30+ years), especially with C++ and Java. And in the short term, at least, I have time to contribute and will consider "equity" compensation. I may be able to contribute remotely as well.

Please let me know the best way to proceed.

Barry Feigenbaum