YC
Introduction at Startup School NY 2014
@ Y Combinator
06/20/14
Takeaways
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
This is the first Startup School in New York City, a place that has greatly influenced me.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
I hope everyone has a wonderful time here in New York, especially on this beautiful summer day.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
The first Startup School took place in Boston, and I was fortunate to participate in it with my co-founder, Steve Huffman, when we started Reddit.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
Back in 2005, Y Combinator was eager for people to attend the first Startup School, which aimed to provide early-stage founders with insights from their peers.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
We want to be surrounded by people who are actively doing startups, not just talking about them, so you're in a special audience right now.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
Look around you; everyone here is engaged in exciting projects and initiatives. Take advantage of the discussions during intermissions as much as the talks on stage.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
It's impressive that many of you chose to attend this event despite the ongoing World Cup.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
There are now 28 Y Combinator companies based in New York, which is exciting for the local startup ecosystem.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
These Y Combinator companies spent three months in Silicon Valley, leveraging the network before returning to New York to grow their businesses.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
Startup School is here in New York, and I hope the afternoon is valuable and entertaining for everyone.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
After visiting 80 universities across the country and Canada, I've seen that entrepreneurship is thriving among students who are eager to build and learn.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
Nine years ago, I would have valued the energy and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship that I see today among students.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
Some people in this audience will go on to do amazing, world-changing things, so be nice to everyone and seize this moment.
AO
Alexis Ohanian
06/20/14
@ Y Combinator
In the internet age, you don't need to open a factory to change the world; you just need to open a laptop.