Andrew Hyde: Being Open and Honest About Startup Process
Mark Bao
· 1 month ago
This is a fantastic idea, Andrew! I feel a lot of times founders go through a startup launch walking in a dark room full of boxes while drunk, as it were. There isn't any set procedure (which is good for flexibility and bad because you don't know where you're making a mistake) and I think it would be extremely useful for the community to see how your launch goes—and learn from it!
Thank you, Andrew!
CarlNelson
· 1 month ago
I look forward to it Andrew. I always appreciate transparency in process and I know I would learn a lot just from watching you go through the process.
Plus, I like the idea.
thomasknoll
· 1 month ago
I would definitely applaud this decision. I am fortunate to participate in the lean-startup-circle which is alway generous in sharing these types of insights. When Aaron Patzer gave his behind the scenes look at the development of Mint.com it caused quite a stir, for good reason. When we share our experience the whole community benefits.
But, watching the progress from the beginning--as it happens--would be an amazing case study. And, if you need any help with customer development let me know. =)
I can't wait to hear more!
lauraglu
· 1 month ago
This sounds really fantastic. I'd love to see a start-up live blogged.
matt
· 1 month ago
Dude you are on a riff tonight... a great one!
Love the idea you put firth here. Fits the theme of TS and your mantra, makes for great feeback-loop, and really engages people in this sector and not (huge value there).
If the idea is still the same vein that Mark (above) and I heard you pitch us at Demo Day Boston, I'm all for it even more. Count me in for review/participatory process.
rande
· 1 month ago
It would be hard to beat being a part of a live project like this and watching as it grows and matures. It will be interesting to see how open a startup can be and how it compares to others that spend a long time in stealth mode. I am definitely interested in being along for the ride.
JohnAtkinson
· 1 month ago
Count me in - I would like to follow the project!
Brett Borders
· 1 month ago
I'd be interested in reading more because I have my own real, viable startup idea. Something I think will really make it, something i KNOW there is a burning need for. The mountain is tall, my income is modest, my time is limited... my work is demanding. .but I know I can do it!
brentspore
· 1 month ago
Sounds like Starving Designer but for startups... LOVE IT! kudos bro. Let me know how I can help along the way.
Ryan Howell
· 1 month ago
I think it's a GREAT idea. Let me know if I can help.
andrewhyde
· 1 month ago
Would love to chat, calling now :)
Yan
· 1 month ago
I have been learning a lot from web-designers like Andy Clarke who open up their design process and seek for feedbacks to further improve the design process. There are plenty of tiny details which are usually not obvious or not shown in most of the web-design tutorials especially for stuff like how they first setup their files, or how they mockup and plan the various comps.
This is usually not seen in startups. It would be good if we can get a peek behind the scene of the journey of the startup. I believe that there are a lot to learn, especially in the details and experiences. Looking forward to your journey sharing. =)
Aviraj Saluja
· 1 month ago
This sounds fantastic, Andrew. Count me in for the ride. Oh, and good luck!
ericaogrady
· 1 month ago
This reminds me a lot of BareNakedWebApp - the project that Ryan Carson did a few years ago - and I say go for it. With that in mind - I think I might still own the domain BareNakedStartup if you'd like to use if (of course I have to check and make sure I renewed it).
ZingerSteve
· 1 month ago
It not only sounds like something I want to follow, but something I'd want to do! I've been thinking that with my startup, I need to engage more with the customer community. Being more transparent about the process of building the service and company may be the ticket. I'm really interested in what you have to share.
anulman
· 1 month ago
You bet I'm interested in this. In fact, I'm doing the same thing! It'll be great to "compare notes."
(Though you're DEFINITELY more experienced than I...)
hkoren
· 1 month ago
It's a great idealistic principal, but has a bunch of devils in the details. Who owns it? How do you control for the quality of the participants? How do you assess the value contributed by each members participation? How open do you make it? Open Source? Who ultimately makes the decisions, is it a dictatorship or a democracy? Does its openness give you a competitive advantage or disadvantage? Do you open yourself to being copycatted? I can imagine a google wave pluggin designed to answer all these questions would be an open startup project in itself.
This would be great if you could do it. I just find at this point [doing a startup myself], that I do have competitors, [that have already launched], and I don't want to expose any secret sauce of mine... or my current pace/etc.
But I can't recall anyone publicly blogging about their excitements, fears, let downs, ups, etc... through an entire startup process. The best thing we have is the documentary 'startup.com', which was wonderful.... had all the juice you want in a story -- long hours, big wins, bankruptcy, long-time friendship jeopardized, etc.
Also, your business plan will likely change... you might change the main focus of your startup.. you may want to consider not using a public name for it, but rather "Project Hyde". That way, no one along the way puts a preconceived notion of what 'XYZ' is [or was], despite it changing throughout the months.
Private beta's seem to work well; to get some honest feedback, etc.
But I, as others, would love to read about the lessons and funding process, etc.
dar
· 1 month ago
Courageous if not fearless. Can't think of a more positive or trustworthy person to provide insight into the startup process. Your productivity will set an example. Upvote for .(dot)hyde. No one can copy it.
mattmazur
· 1 month ago
Andrew, this is a great idea. It would definitely help those of us who, like you, look at the cloudy slopes with excitement and wonder what lies ahead.
Go go go!
Jan Kabili
· 1 month ago
Absolutely terrific idea. Please do it.
alabut
· 1 month ago
I'd love to see it in action because I was considering doing the same thing for 14gears, especially if we go through the ycombinator session. I've often wondered about the nuts and bolts of the program and it doesn't have fancy video segments like techstars :)
We found out today that we made it to the interviews in a few weeks - wish us luck!
(apologies for the cross post)
billmcneely
· 1 month ago
Andrew,
Can the production crew of "The Founders" follow you along the way? Something similar to Startup.com?
Kay Hebbourn
· 1 month ago
Absolutely Brilliant a really good and honest account
Kay Hebbourn
· 1 month ago
Brilliant Read
Dan Moore
· 1 month ago
Hey,
Love the idea; but a bit worried that * the publicity might be a distraction from the work * 3-4 months wouldn't be long enough * your 'safety net' at TS at the end of 4 months might be detrimental
I'm not sure that you're setting yourself up for success, and from what I've seen, startups are too much work not to knock down every obstacle you can.
That said, I love the idea of following you through the ups and downs. As a bonus, this has 'book deal' written all over it, methinks.
Dan
Dan Moore
· 1 month ago
Hah!
I'm a bit of a tool--didn't realize how much startup experience you had. There go some of my reservations (the publicity is still relevant, but then, I guess that's the point).
Good luck to you.
chipd
· 1 month ago
Where do I sign up? :)
Paul Stamatiou
· 1 month ago
I'm looking forward to keeping up with your journey Andrew!
Brian
· 1 month ago
I say go for it! You have a lot of friends who are interested to hear, happy to provide input, and willing to help out in any way possible. Being open is the best way to connect with people and build that kind of micro-community.
Catherine Taylor
· 1 month ago
I'd love to follow along! :) And if there's anything back-end-y, database-y that needs a look, please ask.
All Comments
Thank you, Andrew!
Plus, I like the idea.
But, watching the progress from the beginning--as it happens--would be an amazing case study. And, if you need any help with customer development let me know. =)
I can't wait to hear more!
Love the idea you put firth here. Fits the theme of TS and your
mantra, makes for great feeback-loop, and really engages people in
this sector and not (huge value there).
If the idea is still the same vein that Mark (above) and I heard you
pitch us at Demo Day Boston, I'm all for it even more. Count me in for
review/participatory process.
This is usually not seen in startups. It would be good if we can get a peek behind the scene of the journey of the startup. I believe that there are a lot to learn, especially in the details and experiences. Looking forward to your journey sharing. =)
(Though you're DEFINITELY more experienced than I...)
How open do you make it? Open Source? Who ultimately makes the decisions, is it a dictatorship or a democracy? Does its openness give you a competitive advantage or disadvantage? Do you open yourself to being copycatted?
I can imagine a google wave pluggin designed to answer all these questions would be an open startup project in itself.
This would be great if you could do it. I just find at this point [doing a startup myself], that I do have competitors, [that have already launched], and I don't want to expose any secret sauce of mine... or my current pace/etc.
But I can't recall anyone publicly blogging about their excitements, fears, let downs, ups, etc... through an entire startup process. The best thing we have is the documentary 'startup.com', which was wonderful.... had all the juice you want in a story -- long hours, big wins, bankruptcy, long-time friendship jeopardized, etc.
Also, your business plan will likely change... you might change the main focus of your startup.. you may want to consider not using a public name for it, but rather "Project Hyde". That way, no one along the way puts a preconceived notion of what 'XYZ' is [or was], despite it changing throughout the months.
Private beta's seem to work well; to get some honest feedback, etc.
But I, as others, would love to read about the lessons and funding process, etc.
Go go go!
We found out today that we made it to the interviews in a few weeks - wish us luck!
(apologies for the cross post)
Can the production crew of "The Founders" follow you along the way? Something similar to Startup.com?
Love the idea; but a bit worried that
* the publicity might be a distraction from the work
* 3-4 months wouldn't be long enough
* your 'safety net' at TS at the end of 4 months might be detrimental
I'm not sure that you're setting yourself up for success, and from what I've seen, startups are too much work not to knock down every obstacle you can.
That said, I love the idea of following you through the ups and downs. As a bonus, this has 'book deal' written all over it, methinks.
Dan
I'm a bit of a tool--didn't realize how much startup experience you had. There go some of my reservations (the publicity is still relevant, but then, I guess that's the point).
Good luck to you.