Last month we wrote a quick post about Meebo CEO Seth Sternberg’s Techcrunch guest blog series on start-ups.
Yesterday, he came out with version 2.0, and Three Ships Media has followed suit with an update of our own.
In “Finding Your Co-Founders”, Sternberg describes the importance of a like-minded, complimentary nucleus of characters in start-up leadership teams. And one of the best ways to gather that core group is by leveraging school connections:
If you happen to be in school now, you’re in the most fertile place possible to meet your co-founders. Take advantage of it! How’d I meet Elaine and Sandy? Mutual friends from school. How about some other teams? Larry and Sergey from Google met at Stanford. So did Jerry and David from Yahoo!. The Plaxo founders also met in school, which is also where Mark from Facebook met his co-founders.
Logistically, Sternberg recommends joining (or starting) student groups with interests oriented around the type of company you’d like to get off the ground. This is one of the most efficient ways of networking to find the talent and genuine passion you need.
Of course for those post-grads among us, Seth recommends a different tact. Try:
1) utilizing existing friends to introduce you around similar industry spaces;
2) joining local organization;
3) getting involved in the local leisure scene to increase networking; or
4) teaming up with existing co-workers.
The larger lesson: state active and engaged.
Seth’s grand recommendation is that young entrepreneurs relocate to Silicon Valley. If you can do/afford the leap, it makes sense – it’s the action center, and a great networking arena. He’s of course overlooked the bustling hub of innovation that is Raleigh, NC – aka Three Ships Media HQ – but then again we’re pretty under-the-radar (think Silicon Valley circa 1979).
Overall, Seth’s post contains some great advice and encouraging words for those anxiety-plagued, would-be entrepreneurs out there seeking guidance on that step with towards building partnerships.
