08 Nov What tech-startup-aholics have in common?

The main factor that made me select SFSU for my exchange program was my infinite curiosity for innovation and technology, but mostly the people behind it. As ridiculous as it may sound, I discovered the existence of Silicon Valley, tech-startups  about 2 years ago and I was probably one of the first undergraduate business student to get involved in the Start-up and tech ecosystem in Montreal. I ended up working for a tech startup almost by “mistake”. I joined a startup that was in Founderfuel, the main accelerator in Montreal, but I truly had no idea what I was getting into. I ended up working days and nights with an average sleep of 5 hours or less and … I was so passionate, I didn’t even care. All the energy I had was from the outstanding and visionary people I was meeting every day. I learnt so much from other entrepreneurs, angel investors, vc’s and working with lovely geeky nerds. I found such a high concentration of amazing people in the tech-startup ecosystem that I  had to come here and feel the vibe of a city that would be having that culture on a large scale.

My dream came true and life has been very good with me so far. For some reason (mostly my new friends from Burning Man) I always end-up in places and events crowded with some of the most brilliant brains of Silicon Valley. So, here are some of the things I realized about the greatest entrepreneurs and tech genius I have met so far;

1- They are so damn driven people that you don’t know if you should be inspired, intimidated or if they are just completely crazy.

2- You will find them in places you expect them the least and where they can get loose; for example in concert of the Dark Star Orchestra, cover band of Grateful Dead, the well known band on which many have experienced their first Acid trip…. I guess that where a lot of them found creativity in their earlier age.

3- They can tell right away if you are an authentic person or if you are just trying to play “The Game”… they know it… They’ve read it too.

4- First impression will last, but if you manage to get it right (be authentic, smart, sassy, driven and creative among other things), they can be very generous of their time and help you out.

5- Never pitch your startup to them the first time you meet them if it’s casual. They’ve heard it all and they are not at work. Just be friendly. They need more friends than anything else.

6- If you ever consider dating one of these guys, (few women too but still!), just keep in mind that they DO literally work 90 hrs a week.

7- A lot of them are drop outs but they are all outstandingly curious and self-educated in some ways.

8- They usually are ADHD or OCD or have some kind of asperger syndrome

9- Most have read “The Power of Now”, “The Singularity is Near”, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and they always have amazing stories to tell!

10- If you are a women… well unfortunately it’s a challenging men dominated world and you have to know/learn how to respond wisely… you’ll be tested over and over again.