Andrew Hyde lives in Boulder, Colorado and travels frequently.

To The TechStars Class of 09

It is raining outside.  It always seems to do this when the TechStars teams are trying to move into town.  Three years in a row.

The rain on the streetlights blinking red.  It is time to go home.  But I’m pumped.  This year has some amazing teams in both Boulder and Boston.

This is TechStars in Boulder, there is a magic in the air.

Overlooking Boulder

So to the teams:

  • Welcome
  • Appreciate the green you see on the hills.  The summer is hot here, and if you notice there are cactus on the hillsides.  It gets pretty hot here.
  • Take some time to thank who has helped you to get to where you are at now.
  • Get a bike.

    • Biking at Night

  • Write a note to yourself about what is going on in your life.
  • You are going to be overwhelmed by Boulder, especially the concentration of smart people and athletes.  It is ok.

    • Flatirons Photowalk Boulder Colorado

  • Boulder will humble you.
  • The mentors are amazing.  Appreciate them.
  • Find your coffeeshop in town.  Mine is Trident.  Others like The Cup.  You have 20 to choose from.  It is a great escape.

    • Trident Chai!

  • The tech community is really strong here.  Add to it.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of a lazy Saturday morning  bike ride to the farmers market.

    • Boulder New Tech Meetup TechStars Night

  • The easiest way to lose my respect is to use spec work.
  • Make sure to go to a show at Red Rocks.  And a Rockies game.  And get lost on a long run up to an unknown place.
  • Climb something.  Being at 12,000ft at 5am to watch the sunrise has a special place in my heart.

    • Boulder Field on Longs Peak

  • Have a company and/or personal blog.  Let everyone know about it.  Show off and get help with projects.
  • Never stop amazing yourselves.
  • Have fun.  Make some friends.  Build something you are proud of.

    • Boulder.me Locals Night

  • Demo day will be here before you know it.

    • TechStars Demo Day 2008

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9 responses to “To The TechStars Class of 09”

  1. josh Avatar
    josh

    well done. pretty much covers it all.

  2. cordor91 Avatar
    cordor91

    Great advice to the incoming TechStar companies!

    Boulder is an amazing place. It was nice spending a portion of my 2008 summer there!

    CU is one of the schools I will apply to next year.

  3. Grant Avatar
    Grant

    These photos rock!

    Oh, and welcome new TechStarsians. Get involved and you'll have a lot of fun.

  4. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Great post.

  5. Shawn Broderick Avatar
    Shawn Broderick

    Andrew is the zen master.

    Mere hours to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. jeffrey Avatar
    jeffrey

    As someone who lives in Boulder but is basically not interested in any of the outdoorsy things that it has to offer… let me be the first to extend my help for people who came to Boulder because of the program but may not want to spend their off-time getting lost in the woods. There's lots to do here (and close by) that is awesome, exciting and most-importantly… man made.

    Welcome new TechStars… I look forward to meeting you all!

  7. micah Avatar
    micah

    While I agree with both Andrew and Jeffrey regarding Boulder (which is the cool thing, right? As my favorite band, Digital Underground, always says “Do whatcha like, unless you like gang bangin'”.

    My biggest suggestion is to write down what you want to get out of Techstars, be it in Boulder or Boston, and periodically refer back to that document. Not getting what you want? Thats your fault. Its all there for the asking. Everything you want falling into place? Thats your fault, your expectations werent high enough. Demand the best out of the program, and allow the program to demand the best out of you.

    And if you dont screw up that basic dynamic, you just might join the 15+ teams with funding and a future.

    (call me if you need anything – 720-231-7120 or @micah)

  8. jeffrey Avatar
    jeffrey

    As someone who lives in Boulder but is basically not interested in any of the outdoorsy things that it has to offer… let me be the first to extend my help for people who came to Boulder because of the program but may not want to spend their off-time getting lost in the woods. There's lots to do here (and close by) that is awesome, exciting and most-importantly… man made.

    Welcome new TechStars… I look forward to meeting you all!

  9. micah Avatar
    micah

    While I agree with both Andrew and Jeffrey regarding Boulder (which is the cool thing, right? As my favorite band, Digital Underground, always says “Do whatcha like, unless you like gang bangin'”.

    My biggest suggestion is to write down what you want to get out of Techstars, be it in Boulder or Boston, and periodically refer back to that document. Not getting what you want? Thats your fault. Its all there for the asking. Everything you want falling into place? Thats your fault, your expectations werent high enough. Demand the best out of the program, and allow the program to demand the best out of you.

    And if you dont screw up that basic dynamic, you just might join the 15+ teams with funding and a future.

    (call me if you need anything – 720-231-7120 or @micah)

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