Ask HN: YC in SF or TechStars in NYC?

If you haven't, listen to this: http://techzinglive.com/?p=409

TechStars has a new feature at http://ask.techstars.org/ designed to answer a lot of these questions. I was involved in TechStars Boston '09 as a technical mentor and fell in love with the program. Joined with a company in TechStars Boston 2010 - and had an amazing experience!

With TechStars its all about the mentors: Learning from those who have come before you: Both through TechStars, business professionals, funded entrepreneurs, etc.

The connections you gain are for a lifetime!

I went through the program in 2007 in Boulder (the first year they were offering it) with Brightkite.

I'd definitely recommend doing it, it's more than worth it. To answer your specific questions:

a) It's primarily about the team. Assemble a founding team that has a history/evidence of being able to execute. You can do that by either having an impressive resume, or (in my case back at the time) demoing software that you've written, even if it's not directly related to what you're applying with.

There are also a bunch of online resources that answer this question. A select few:

http://nattyzola.com/7-pieces-of-advice-to-techstar-applican...

http://www.seattle20.com/blog/Some-tips-for-applying-and-get...

http://www.nearlynicole.com/2010/05/tips-for-applying-to-tec...

b) This really depends on your experience, but in a nutshell, try to focus on learning the things you have little experience in. For example, if you are a great engineer, but know little about raising money, focus most of your time on that.

Also, my friend Jon from IntenseDebate (sold to Automattic) has some great advice here:

http://jonefox.com/blog/2008/06/08/tips-for-techstars-teams/

Hope this helps,

Martin

I'm a TS Boston '09 grad. TS bills itself as a family or fraternity for entrepreneurs. Once you get through the program you have friends to relax with, colleagues to bounce ideas off, and mentors to guide you through the many stages of your career still ahead. Whenever I go to events around the country I always check the roster and hope some TS teams will be there so we can meet up. As TS has grown I've been able to do this more and more and I look forward to meeting some of the grads from the recent Seattle class.

To address your two questions more directly 1) This isn't a college application. Don't just apply and wait for a letter to come back to you. Get your application done early and send it in. Follow up with an email or two. Try and meet some mentors and get their feedback. Don't apply in a vacum! 2) Be open to feedback and work hard. Start now. Get your application done early and get feedback as quickly as you can. Basically, do more faster.

Hope this helps,

-- Henry

I was interviewed by YC, DreamIt Ventures, and Techstars and ended up in Techstars Boulder. Can't say much about DreamIt but YC is all about your idea and a quantity of companies. Techstars is really about the team and quality.

As a suggestion to get in you just need a good idea and more importantly you need to work your ass off! Before I got in I cut my second job to part time, stopped going out, almost lost my girlfriend, etc because I was putting every second of my day into my company. Make sure the other members of your company do the same because it's all about the team.

As for the optimal learning experience... during the course of the program work out of the shared space and be there all day seven days a week. You'll have the advantage of bonding with the other teams and meeting random people that stop by. Also take advantage of all the sessions and meet as many people as you can. We probably had 100 meetings with different people over the summer and I counted only 3 that weren't useful for us.

Either program is great but if you have a choice I would hands down suggest focusing your energy on Techstars.

Good Lick!

We got into TechStars in Boulder in 08, but before that we were couped up in the upper west side trying to make it happen. Had there been a TechStars in NYC, we probably never would have relocated to Boulder. There's something to be said for the fact that the NYC community isn't as swamped with startups yet. That's not to say you'd be completely lost in the SF noise, though, because YC definitely helps with that.

I think Henry nailed my experience thus far in the Seattle TechStars program. The activities, presentations, midnight oil burning drinking bin... I mean. It's been great growing my network of friends and colleagues, while receiving the highest level of input from some really high caliber individuals that genuinely want to support you in building a great company, a great product and knowing the handbook of how to get investment.

My answers to your specific questions are as follows: A) Giant Thinkwell made a video of us changing diapers and getting peed in the face, as well as sending Andy Sack ransom notes and cupcakes. That's out of context, but the point is, we let our personalities show through and allowed ourselves to have as much fun with it as we have with our product.

B) Understand that time is ticking and this opportunity will come to an end. Absorb and contribute to every possible presentation, meeting, pitch practice and social outing as you can. Know what your values and standards are for the company you want to build, but take heed to the advice being given and apply where you can.

Best of luck! If I could do it all over again, I'd absolutely shoot for NYC. David Tisch is geyser full of wisdom. RECORD EVERY MEETING AND CONVERSATION!

- Kyle

I was in TS Boston 2010 with Loudcaster.

You get in by applying. I would apply early and send TS regular updates regarding the progress of your project since applying.

I have my own opinions about which model is better, but if you are willing to move to be in a business acceleration program for three months, then you should apply to both.

I think I recall some TS staff suggesting people apply to both, otherwise you're limiting your options, and you're in a great spot if they both want you.

You'll get the optimal experience by dividing and conquering. You're supposed to come out of it with a better business sense and a product.

You need to find the right balance between product development and business development, and having the right partners is key to that.

Whoever is the CEO for all intents and purposes should probably go most of the sessions, but not the whole team. This can be a little tough if the CEO is also one of the coders, so it's extra handy if your partner is also a coder.

You should also be very proactive going through the mentor list and reaching out to mentors early.

Oh...and when you get accepted, grab your office early and get the one closest to the entrance because a lot of mentors will drop in the first couple weeks to meet everyone ;)

I was in TechStars class '07, with IntenseDebate. I really enjoyed the TechStars experience and have greatly leveraged from the network I was able to build.

Incubators are generally looking for good teams and less for the perfect business. It's a growing process finding the right thing for the team to do, but if the team works well, you have a much higher chance to create a good business. As for learning as much as possible - ask questions! Everybody is there to help, and even just touching base with your fellow "classmates" is very useful as it often helps you to avoid problems you might've run into otherwise.

Isaac Keyet

I was part of the TechStars 2010 Boulder class with Vacation Rental Partner. I've heard great things about YC, but do consider the fact that with the small size (~10) of each TechStars class your company gets a ton of one-on-one time with awesome mentors, including the director of the program. Your mentors really get to know you, your company, your space and can help with problems specific to your company.

Most of the points have already been echoed but I went through TS Boston 09' and couldn't have walked away with a better experience. I highly recommend applying!

I went through TechStars in 09. It was the single greatest accelerator for my company. We benefited from incredible mentorship and attention from the web's best and brightest. We would not be where we are today without TechStars.

We chose TechStars over YC because of the focus on mentorship. Both programs are fantastic and both will help you develop but do your research on the strengths of each so you know which will work best for you.

I encourage you to reach out to any of the TechStars founders and ask about their experiences first hand. All are happy and excited to share their experiences. You should do the same for YC.

The bottom line. Get into one of the two and kick a$$. Apply to both, do some research so you know what to expect and then make the decision.

A great bonus from TechStars NYC program this year: http://www.businessinsider.com/techstars-new-york-is-moving-...