Comments on: Do you know of a "Founder's Forum" for startups?

Question: Do you know of a "Founder's Forum" for startups?

Occams Hammer — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:15:26 -0800

My wife and I are about to launch a new web startup. This is her second successful venture and I am moving from agency creative to join her. Throughout the process, there are many opportunities to reinvent the wheel and I would love to connect with other people that are putting their nest eggs on the line and taking the web 2.0 leap. I am looking for a "founders forum" for entrepreneurs. Does anyone know of a forum or community that is centered around the trials and tribulations of serious startups?

By: necessitas

necessitas — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:33:45 -0800

StartupNation

By: rmm

rmm — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:35:35 -0800

There are lots of entrepreneurial resources out there online - are you looking for real world meetups and groups? Also where are you located?

By: SpecialK

SpecialK — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:22:00 -0800

There were a lot of events for your type at SXSW. If you look through the panels and after-hours events, you'll find quite a few people to connect to and organizations that they're a part of.

By: zackola

zackola — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:40:48 -0800

http://startupping.com/ has some really good forums.

By: fizzix

fizzix — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:26:57 -0800

If you're aiming to connect with other web 2.0 entrepreneurs for advice and insight, forums aren't your only option (unless you live in a very rural area, perhaps).

If you're in a dense place like Southern Cal, Seattle, NYC; meetup.com may have existing groups for entrepreneurs or web2.0-related areas.

The county chamber of commerce may have an organization or could refer you to something that coordinates face to face contacts with fellow entrepreneurs (maybe too general for you if you're looking specifically for web2.0 entrepreneurs).

And Heck, maybe I'm being a bit naive here, but email a couple web2.0 (smaller ones, not facebook or something that large) entrepreneurs and ask them for any advice or to chat (in person, if they're local).

And of course, good luck.

By: croutonsupafreak

croutonsupafreak — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:03:36 -0800

Where are you ? There is a tech incubator outside Portland, Ore., and many other cities have them too.

By: MetaMonkey

MetaMonkey — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:31:11 -0800

Y Combinator startup news is like a reddit or digg for start-up (and web technology/programming) related links. Theres some interesting stuff you may find helpful, and there also seems to be a little community there.

By: Occams Hammer

Occams Hammer — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:49:19 -0800

I would love to go to meetings, but we are launching from Milwaukee, WI (not exactly the next startup hub) I should probably check Chicago meetings. Also, I like the idea of "cold calling" founders.

I am going to check out all the online resources now. Thanks!

By: jmnugent

jmnugent — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:26:11 -0800

http://nichegeek.com/
http://freelanceswitch.com/

I also just got done reading:

Mavericks at Work
Founders at Work

oh.. and Seth Godin's new book "Small is the new big" is really awesome.

Not exactly what you are asking for, but very insightful.

By: Occams Hammer

Occams Hammer — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:31:50 -0800

jmnugent - I have read all of the above and agree with you fully. Very inspiring. One of my first projects was featured in Seth Godin's Purple Cow.

I checked out freelanceswitch and thought it was only a resource to find freelancers (we are full up!) but the 101 essential resources are excellent!

By: Occams Hammer

Occams Hammer — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:00:47 -0800

specialK - I checked out the SXSW stuff and am really impreseed. I have looked into SXSW for the film festival (I came from the film industry) but the interactive stuff looks great. I have about 10 hours of podcasts to catch up on.