Startup School 2019 Orientation

TL;DR

Startup School 2019 is a 10-week program aimed at helping founders improve their startup, understand investors' perspectives, and build a global community of founders.

Transcript

good morning founders welcome to startup school 2019 I'm gonna go over four things in this orientation I'm gonna introduce you to the syrup school team I'm gonna introduce you to your fellow classmate / founders I'm gonna explain how startup school works and then give you a tour of the software the events and the content that we're making for you f... Read More

Key Insights

• 👥 The Startup School team consists of YC partners, batch directors, software developers, and data analysts, all dedicated to supporting and improving the program.
• 📚 The curriculum is designed for all types of startups, whether they are pre-launch, have prototypes, or are already launched and looking to revisit first principles.
• 🌎 Startup School aims to build a global community of founders, with participants from over 140 countries around the world.
• 🚀 The program is flexible, allowing founders to work on their startups at their own pace, with a time commitment of approximately 2-3 hours per week.
• 💰 Graduates of Startup School have the opportunity to apply for a $15,000 equity-free grant and the chance to be considered for entry into Y Combinator's main program.
• 💻 The software platform includes features such as weekly updates, group sessions, lectures, meetups, a directory for finding other startups, forums for discussion, a resource library, and exclusive deals for participants.
• 📆 Key deadlines include weekly update submissions by Wednesday at 4 p.m. PT, group session matching on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PT, and application for the grant due on September 25th.
• 🤝 Startups are encouraged to connect with and support each other through the forums, meetups, and directory, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Startup School aim to help founders improve their startup ideas and pitches?

Startup School provides founders with a structured 10-week program that includes weekly updates, group sessions, video lectures, and resources to help them refine their startup ideas, understand investor perspectives, and develop a concise and clear pitch for their business.

Q: What resources and support are available to founders during Startup School?

Startup School participants have access to a team of YC partners, a batch director, software developer, and data analyst, along with a community of YC alumni and partners. They can attend video lectures, participate in group sessions, utilize the startup directory, engage in forums, access a library of resources, and receive exclusive deals for startup-related services.

Q: How can founders find potential co-founders or collaborators during Startup School?

The startup directory in the Startup School software allows participants to filter and search for other companies based on their name, description, vertical, and proximity. This can help founders find potential co-founders or collaborators working in similar areas of interest.

Q: What is the time commitment for participating in Startup School?

According to the program's requirements, founders should expect to spend about 2 to 3 hours per week on Startup School activities, including writing weekly updates, watching video lectures, participating in group sessions, and engaging in forums. The program aims to be manageable and leave founders with enough time to focus on their own startup work.

Q: How can founders graduate from Startup School and become eligible for the $15,000 grant?

To graduate from Startup School and become eligible for the grant, founders must submit eight out of the ten weekly updates and participate in eight out of the ten group sessions. Upon completion of the program, founders can apply for the grant by submitting a simple application. The deadline for the application is September 25th.

Q: How can founders benefit from participating in meetups and events organized by Startup School?

Startup School organizes meetups and events in different cities, giving founders the opportunity to meet other participants, YC partners, and YC alumni. These events provide a chance for founders to network, ask questions, and gain support from a community of like-minded individuals. Participating in these events can help founders feel supported and encouraged throughout their startup journey.

Q: What resources are available in the Startup School software's library?

The library in the Startup School software contains written content authored by YC partners, alumni, and experts. The articles are organized by topic and stage of the startup journey. Reading these resources can provide valuable insights, advice, and guidance for founders looking to improve their startup and develop a deeper understanding of various aspects of building a successful business.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Startup School team consists of YC partners, a batch director, software developer, and data analyst, along with YC alumni and partners who will provide lectures and support to participants.

• The goals of Startup School are to encourage founders to work on their startups, improve their pitch, and provide opportunities for growth and learning.

• The program involves weekly updates, group sessions, video lectures, meetups, forums, a startup directory, a library of resources, and exclusive deals for participants.