10/27/2005

Notes from Startup School 2005

Here are a few nuggets from Robbie Allen's Startup School Notes regarding the presentation and Q&A session with Langley Steinert, Co-Founder, TripAdvisor:

"Lessons learned:

+Follow your passion...
+Do it for the right reason
Don't do it for money.
Do it because you have passion for the idea...
+Choose your Founders very carefully...
+Be very picky about your first 10 hires...
+Raise as little money as possible
+Don't get big fast – that's why most bubble companies crashed...
Chuckles when he sees press releases stating "I raised $20 million". It should have a subtitle: "I just gave up half my company."
+Explore Angel investors...
+Don't be afraid of change...
+Keep an eye on the exit signs...
Don't pass up a "reasonable" acquisition offer, might be your last..."