Yes We Code Chat 35: Getting Into A Tech Startup Accelerator

Yes We Code Chat 35: Getting Into A Tech Startup Accelerator

by | Jan 29, 2016 | Blog

#YesWeCode Chat 35
Topic: An Inside Look At What It Takes To Get Into A Startup Accelerator
1/31/16 at 8pmCT
Special Guest: Janel Alexander from Power Moves Nola

Yes We Code Chat 35: How To Get Into A Startup Accelerator Program


So you’ve built your tech product, gotten it out there to customers and now you’re seeing some traction and your really want to scale and go big. Or maybe you just have an idea and your need the right people to help you understand what to do next and how to get to your MVP?

Throughout the world, startup accelerator programs are providing this kind of financial and mentorship support and seeing companies go from startup stage to sustainable growth. But, how do you get in to these programs? What’s the secret and what are they actually looking for?

This week, I want to help you answer some of these accelerator related questions and bring in some experts. We’ll talk to Power Moves, a minority-focused national accelerator and fellowship program based in New Orleans but with a presence in Detroit, Atlanta, Miami and more cities every year.

Sunday, January 31st at 8pm CT, we are speaking with Janelle Alexander from Power Moves about what her program looks for in startup founders and how you can use this information to help you the next time you’re applying. Power Moves helps high growth tech founders via a year long fellowship, initial funding, office space and mentorship.

Some of our talking points:

• What’s the most important criteria for accepting applicants? • What are some myths about accelerator programs and what it takes to get in? • How important is “traction” and how does Power Moves define that? • Why did you decide to expand nationally, and what cities are next on your list?

Looking forward to chatting with you Sunday, January 31st at 8 pm CT to talk about “Getting Into A Startup Accelerator: The Inside Scoop” with @PowerMovesNola on #YesWeCode!

Yes We Code Chat 34: How To Know If You Really Need A Mobile App

Yes We Code Chat 34: How To Know If You Really Need A Mobile App

by | Jan 2, 2016 | Blog

Sunday 1/3/16 at 8pmCT
Let’s connect on Twitter: @uchechi_writes

 

Happy New Year and welcome to 2016! The new year gets me thinking about how to take my tech startup to the next level, and for months we’ve been talking about creating a wedOcracy mobile app.

Since launching in 2013, we’ve relied on the web based application but we’re starting to ask ourselves some serious questions (again) about mobile now that we have some funds to start building.

I believe in mobile first, and it’s a great way to optimize the user experience on desktop or mobile devices. It’s easy to think a mobile app will solve all your startup setbacks and usability issues. But will it really?

As the owners of a web development company, we’ve consulted with startups who’ve come to us believing that their first and foremost need was a mobile app. As often as not we end up working with them to find solutions that bring in more customers, optimize their social media presence and help them grow their business without building the app just yet (and without spending that large amount of cash).

As a founder, you don’t often have the capital to build something only to realize it doesn’t serve your users down the line. Maximizing time and money are essential, and so is knowing when to build your mobile product and when to hold off until you’re ready.

Questions to think about:

  1. How do you know if your idea needs a mobile app?
  2. Have you built a startup mobile app before? What was the process like? Did you have the capital to do it?
  3. Did you wonder if building your startup mobile app was the best choice for your company and product?
  4. How did you know where to start?
  5. What lessons did you learn about mobile app development for your startup?
Yes We Code Chat 33: Your Tech Year In Review

Yes We Code Chat 33: Your Tech Year In Review

by | Dec 17, 2015 | Blog

It’s almost the end of the year, which means that the New Year is around the corner. Over the past year, I’ve hosted the #yeswecode chat and enjoyed learning from so many techies, both experts and newbies.

For the next #yeswecode chat, we’re going to talk about what the last year has been like in your world. What have been your successes? Failures? What lessons have you learned? What progress have you made?

Some questions to think about:

  1. What’s one thing you’ve achieved that you thought impossible a year ago?
  2. Did you achieve your tech goals? What were they?
  3. How were you able to achieve them?
  4. what were your setbacks? how did you overcome them
  5. What’s one thing you learned about yourself and/or your work in tech this year?
  6. What’s on your list for next year? Where do you see yourself by this time next year? What accomplishments do you hope to share with us?
  7. What should we as a community be thinking about for 2016? What should we be doing as a group?
Yes We Code Chat 32: Hybrid Entrepreneurship

Yes We Code Chat 32: Hybrid Entrepreneurship

by | Nov 20, 2015 | Blog

For entrepreneurs, hustling is a way of life. Some of us have gotten to the point in our careers where our side hustle has become our full time gig, while others are still holding down another job full time while working towards a bigger entrepreneurial goal.

Welcome to Hybrid-Entrepreneurship: it’s all about working a full time job while building a business part-time. The philosophy is that you’re going to leverage your job in a way that helps you in your business but will also help you at your job.

During the next #yeswecode chat, we’ll discuss hybrid-entrepreneurship and how to transition from your full time dreams to running and owning your own business.

Want to learn how to go from hybrid entreprenur to full time entrepreneur? Join #yeswecode 11/22

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Join us!

Some questions to think about:

  1. Is it worth our time to pursue hybrid entrepreneurship?
  2. What are the benefits/challenges?
  3. What are some alternatives?
  4. On Shark Tank they are fond of pointing out the diff between a real biz and a hobby. Responses?
  5. Has anyone here been successful at it? Pls share your success stories?
  6. How did you finally make the transition from hybrid entrepreneur to full time entrepreneur?
  7. What lessons have you learned along the way?
  8. What advice would you give to others who want to make their side hustle into their full time entrepreneurial gig?