My experience at Startup School was a true epiphany, though not in the way most people would expect.

After hearing founder stories directly from people like Brian Chesky and Andrew Mason, and hearing what they tried and went through in the years before anyone heard of their "overnight" success, I finally understood that I'm truly not like them. Selling cereal to keep things running on a shoestring budget? I would have given up by then, as would have many rational people.

The experience helped me appreciate that the role I love, and have thrived in ever since, is in a small startup (but post-money) where the challenges are growth, innovation, and building a strong foundation for the future, both in terms of technology and people.

I highly recommend attending Startup School.

Something that might not be obvious to those who haven't been is that being in person at startup school is markedly different than just watching the talks online. Mainly that it's one of the few events where there is a critical mass of like minded people who are seriously looking to start companies. Perhaps it's because there is a common objective and a high caliber of participants, I always leave startup school energized and inspired.

You become the sum of the five closest people you spend the most time with so that makes sense.

Never heard that before... where is this from? Really interested.

It was said by Jim Rohn.

s/sum/average

I really do think that is true.

They say "apply for the audience, not the talks." Haven't had the opportunity to attend in the past, but would love to go and meet the awesome people attending!

I flew in to NYC for the startup school in June, and I have one minor gripe- none of the other attendees I talked to had started a business. They were all students, bankers or people considering taking the plunge. Granted, I only talked to perhaps 8 people. It would be interesting to know how the demographics differ between the NYC and CA events.

Are there stats on the acceptance rate for Startup School?

The list of speakers seems to be a bit less "star" studded than years past.

God damn it...sucks to live in Canada.

Why? I think Canadians can apply.

No...just the fact that these happenings always take place South of Border...and we are in the same timezone supposedly I'm living in "Canada's Silicon Valley"

Really wish Y-combinator would make presence here in Vancouver, BC