Disclaimer: This page contains the information related to the proposed site and does not represent any actual implementation of the final product. While this site is catered to the Stanford community, it does not have any affliations with Stanford University at this moment.

Why is there a need for this site?

Most startups fail not because of lack of ideas, but because poor execution. More often than not, startups fail due to conflict of founders, or poor management of funds, not enough resources. This website helps to teach Stanford students from the basics and provides range of resources that startups can leverage on. In addition, Stanford has a very strong startup culture. With impressive history of startups, there are many resources in Stanford that students can make use of. But improper structure of resources and overlapping of clubs only make things extremely confusing for students.

Primary Audience

Stanford Students, alumni, and professors.

Secondarily Audience

Prospective students, VCs, other companies seeking talents.

Mission & Vision Statement

An organization that specifically helps Stanford students, or alumni in entrepreneurship. Promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in Stanford. Provides a pool of relevant resources for Stanford students who wish to bring their ideas further. Focused on educating, advice, and provides a network.

Short Term Expectations

Relative comprehensive guides structured accordingly to different level of competency. Certain degree of networking resources.

Long Term Expectations

An active networking site where students can share ideas and experiences, and seek advices. Build up a pool of comprehensive resources, including network of advisors, professors, VCs, alumni, and current students.

In 10 years

If internet grew from just static pages displaying only information to today, allowing us to buy things, interact, do banking online, then in 10 years time, startup culture could be very different. I see more collabration needed between companies to provide better competitive edge. It is also necessary to do the most in the minimal time, as such, a reliable network of resources and partners that we can rely on is extremely important.

Possible sources to serve and compliment your project?

What will your readers or customers expect?

Comprehensive information and resources on startups. Name suggest to readers to expect specific resources related to Stanford. Structure of site will consists of:

• News/Blogs (in 3 categories: Stanford, Silicon Valley, Biz and IT news in general)
• Events (in 2 categories: In Stanford, in nearby areas)
• Seek Advice Expert (forum like place)
• Startup School (guides based on levels, see below)
• Wiki (resources)
• Network (Current Students, Alumni, Professors, Clubs, VCs)

Key differentiation factors

• Provide guides on startup based on level of knowledge

• Most sites now provide information in a overwhelming form. It is difficult for anyone just thinking about startup to read all the unsorted information.
• E.g. a person starting up will need to know “how to get good VCs” more than “how to retain your employees”
• Possible 3 to 4 levels of differentiation in the site:
• Just Thinking – Provides general information about startup, why, some history, ideas, etc.
• I’m Ready – Provides information like finding VC, legal issues, etc
• 60 days have passed – Provides information like how to get more people, resolving possible issues that may arise
• 1 year and still growing – Provides information on larger issues

• Provide a network of resources build up by current students

• Current students who may have great ideas, and need to find a right person who they can work with
• Effectively trying to pull students together to have greater ideas
• E.g. I have some ideas of what I want to do, but it is difficult for me to link up with someone in Stanford now

• Provide a network of resources build up by alumni (grad students are in their own startup)

• Provides these alumni to a pool of potential people they can work with to expand their ideas (unlike a career fair where you employ people to work under you, this network is looking to work WITH current students in the stage of developing more ideas)
• Provides current students a channel to get advice from previous alumni

• Provide a network of resources build up by professors in Stanford

• Cater to students who have questions like “I have an idea in developing new user inputs for computer. Who can I approach for advice?”
• Provides students and alumni network of professional advice and resources available in Stanford including technological, business, legal, etc. advice areas

• Other resources

• E.g. I am looking for VC. Where in Stanford is a good starting point?
• IP issues with Stanford (e.g. if you invent something while in Stanford, does Stanford holds the right of invention? What if you used Stanford equipments in inventing something? Etc)