Jay's blog

What I love about the Startup game today

We've seen more passionate Startups destroy barriers with a 'no limits' outlook in the past 10 years than ever before. This has not only paved an inspirational foundation for many others, but it has helped to manage societal expectations of what is possible. Disruption is disruption, but it's better when an industry begs for it. The old school more willingly welcomes the new, and change occurs more rapidly. I like change.  

What I hate about the Startup game today

Is that it seems building a Startup or labeling yourself an entrepreneur has become enticing to many as a result of publicity and glamorization. "Hm, I see a lot of people joining or founding Startups. Looks cool. Should I do that, or should I work a 9-5?" At that point there's no decision to be made. If your passion hasn't jumped out and forced you down a path where you're not only happy to put everything on the line, but you feel morally and socially obligated, then stick to your day job. There are many nights where I go to bed and wake up on the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion, but for me there is no other option. I don't really care about the dabblers or 'wantrepreneurs'. It's not a problem if they waste their own time. The problem is they could be wasting the time of countless others. 

Agile Curricula

The workforce is changing and educational institutions must respond to a steady rise in entrepreneurship or risk obsolescence. However, they cannot approach this environment with traditional theory and test-oriented coursework.  I could argue theory fails all around but in the Startup world there is no question. It takes a dynamic form of education to augment the do or die environment in which many entrepreneurs will inevitably find themselves.

Enter the agile curricula with emphasis on experience, continuous feedback and adaptation. Like agile software development, the structure of any entrepreneurial course must anticipate and embrace change. Instructors should learn from their students, while shifting from a test-based to experience-based grading structure. Students may then reflect upon what they've learned through building pseudo-Startups, practicing lean methods and developing product prototypes. 

Ideally (and here's the big vision), such curricula are maintained by a common, cross-institutional community to reduce fragmentation and maintain relevancy. Individuals and institutions that wish to advance this effort should align rather than pursue similar yet separate paths. 

It shouldn't be over your head

If you as the potential customer fail to understand the problem a tech startup is solving, it's probably not your fault, it's theirs. Complexity can always be clarified by the abstract or relational explanation. Do them a favor and voice your confusion rather than smile and nod.