#CUTC second keynote: Debow of Rypple on Startups

Daniel Debow of Rypple is speaking. Talking about startups.

First startup was Workbrain. Grew quickly since 2000, sold in 2007 for $227 million. Grew revenue by about $20 million US per year since 2001. Latest startup is Rypple, started about six months ago.

What type of startup? What are types? Usually brings up images of Zuckerberg and Facebook, Bill Gates and Microsoft, RIM.

Do it yourself. Do it in a garage. Or join a friend, find an experienced partner, work on small projects for local startups.

Join an early stage, fast growing company. (Ed: Do you join before or after funding? I misheard that part. I suspect after funding judging by bit on risk later on.) Small sampling: Learnhub, gigpark, freshbooks. Why? You’ll have a lot of impact. Every day in a startup is like a quarter in an established company. You have autonomy. Responsibility. Fast paced.

But aren’t startups risky? Not as much as you’d think. Startup does not mean work for free. What did you think was risky? Big companies like Microsoft, Lehman Brothers, AT&T, Nortel Networks laying off thousands of employees. There is no such thing as job security any more. And what about risk of a job where you’re not passionate about? That doesn’t let you be creative? That doesn’t let you have an impact? What’s the real risk in a startup? Not starvation, or homelessness, or becoming a social pariah. It will be valuable experience. You don’t have a family to feed (yet.) Don’t worry about trying and failing. The real risk for a startup: not trying. You don’t regret failures as much as not taking an opportunity.

Find the startups. Take it as seriously as coursework. Search online. Ceck out barcamp, democamp, startupindex, startupnorth, crunchbase. Maybe you don’t bring up your startup idea but you mingle. Don’t be limited by geography. Volunteer informally on small projects. Don’t be shy, at worst they say no.

To get the job, be yourself. Be excellent. Show you’re useful and they’ll find something for you. Get the interview basics right! Details, details, details! Work with other people in school, sports, bands, charities to show you play nice with others.

PS: Try out Rypple. Rather than copy out notes about what Rypple is, I refer you to their site and the killerstartups.com article on it.

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