How is the Startup Investor School structured and when does it take place?

The school follows a lecture and Q&A format, typically running from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM daily, with a short break around 10:50 AM. Today's session ends closer to 12:00 PM due to a late start.

How can online viewers participate in the Q&A?

Online viewers can ask questions by using the Twitter hashtag #YCsis. These questions will be taken into consideration by the instructors, time permitting.

Why is Y Combinator offering this Startup Investor School?

Y Combinator is offering the course for two main reasons: to support the startup ecosystem by fostering better angel and seed investors, and because more great investors benefit YC companies. They also believe it's a valuable opportunity for individuals to gain insight into the future.

What historical example illustrates the potential of venture investing?

George Daurio's seed investment of $70,000 in 1957 into Digital Equipment Corporation, which later turned into $35 million, is highlighted as a significant example of wealth creation and innovation kickstarted by early venture capital.

What topics will be covered during the four-day Startup Investor School?

The course will cover the fundamentals of startup investing, including questions of why, how, and which companies to invest in. It will also delve into the mechanics of investing, decision-making processes with founders, and future trends in startup investing. The final session will discuss the investor's role.

Key Moments

Geoff Ralston's Intro - Startup Investor School Day 1

Y Combinator

Science & Technology4 min read11 min video

Mar 6, 2018|36,052 views|220|6

YC Y Combinator Startup Investor School Geoff Ralston

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Y Combinator's Startup Investor School offers a 4-day course for new investors, but its first iteration has "kinks" including late starts and lukewarm coffee, highlighting the challenges of launching educational programs.

Key Insights

The Startup Investor School is a free, 4-day course designed to educate early-stage investors, covering fundamentals from instruments to startup evaluation.

Participants in the in-person course receive snacks and coffee, with classes starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. and concluding around 12:30 p.m. (except for the first day).

Accredited investors have a chance to be randomly selected for an in-person invite to YC's Winter 2018 Demo Day on March 19th and 20th.

The course structure includes lectures followed by Q&A sessions, with remote participants advised to use the hashtag #YCSIS on Twitter to ask questions.

The historical context of venture investing includes George Daurio's $70,000 seed investment in Digital Equipment Corporation in 1957, which returned $35 million.

The curriculum is structured to cover the fundamentals of startup investing over four days, beginning with 'why, how, and which companies' and progressing to decision-making and future trends.

Course overview and logistics

Geoff Ralston kicks off Y Combinator's first Startup Investor School, a free, 4-day course aimed at educating early-stage investors. The program is being delivered as a MOOC, with both an in-person component in Mountain View and a live stream. For those attending in person, doors open at 9:30 a.m., with snacks and coffee available, and classes are scheduled to begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. A brief 10-minute break is planned for 10:50 a.m., with sessions typically running until 12:30 p.m., though the first day concludes closer to noon due to a late start. The live stream can be accessed at investor.google.com, and a syllabus with relevant resources is available online. Ralston acknowledges that as this is the inaugural session, there might be "kinks" to iron out, referencing minor delays and the availability of "lukewarm coffee."

Interactive learning and remote participation

The course format combines lectures with dedicated Q&A sessions, encouraging participants to hold questions until the designated time unless instructors explicitly invite interruptions. For the online audience, questions can be submitted using the Twitter hashtag #YCSIS. Y Combinator aims to address as many questions as time permits, fostering a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between in-person and remote attendees. This structure ensures that a broad audience can engage with the material and instructors, regardless of their physical location.

Opportunities for accredited investors

A special incentive is offered to accredited investors attending the school: an invitation to YC's Winter 2018 Demo Days, scheduled for March 19th and 20th. This invitation allows them to watch the event online. Additionally, ten participants will be randomly selected to attend the Demo Day in person, providing a unique opportunity to witness promising startups present their ventures. This perk highlights YC's commitment to connecting investors with promising early-stage companies.

The significance of angel and seed investors

Ralston emphasizes the critical role of angel and seed investors in the startup ecosystem, describing them as the 'first money in' that enables companies to launch and grow. He notes that while venture investing has a long history, dating back to the mid-20th century, the modern Silicon Valley model has evolved significantly. A key historical example cited is George Daurio's $70,000 seed investment in Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957, which reportedly yielded a $35 million return. This foundational investment kick-started a significant wave of innovation and wealth creation, underscoring the profound impact early-stage investors can have.

Goals for attendees and the course

The primary goal of Startup Investor School is for participants to become 'better, smarter investors.' Y Combinator aims to provide insights drawn from experienced investors, both within YC and from external networks, who are volunteering their time and expertise. Ralston hopes that attendees will gain a deeper understanding of startup investing, which he frames as a window into the future and a way to participate in the innovations founders are creating. The course seeks to impart practical knowledge and strategic perspectives.

Building a lasting educational resource

Y Combinator intends to create a permanent repository of the Startup Investor School content, making it accessible for future use. They encourage continuous improvement by inviting feedback on what worked well, what could be clearer, and what topics might be missing. Participants can provide feedback through a survey at the end of the course or by emailing Ralston directly at jeff@ycombinator.com. Suggestions for additions to the online resources at investor.startupschool.org are also welcome via email to start-up-school@ycombinator.com.

Curriculum roadmap for the four days

The four-day curriculum, totaling approximately ten hours, is designed as an 'investing 101' covering the fundamentals of startup investing. Day one focuses on the foundational questions: 'why, how, and which companies.' Subsequent days will delve into the mechanics of startup investing, decision-making processes, interactions with entrepreneurs, and insights from seasoned investors. The course will conclude with a discussion on the evolving landscape of startup investing over the last decade and predictions for the future, as well as exploring the potential role of attendees as investors.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Startup Investor School Program Overview

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Attend prompty at 10:00 AM (except for today, which starts a bit late).

Hold questions for the Q&A session unless the instructor explicitly asks for questions during the talk.

Use the Twitter hashtag #YCsis to ask questions from the streaming audience.

Provide feedback via the end-of-class survey or by emailing jeff@ycombinator.com.

Submit suggestions for the online repository to startup-school@ycombinator.com.

Avoid This

Do not expect 10-minute breaks to be exactly 10 minutes; they tend to run longer.

Do not ask questions during the lecture unless specifically invited by the instructor.

Common Questions

Startup Investor School is a course, offered both online and in-person, designed to teach the fundamentals of startup investing. It covers the 'why,' 'how,' and 'which companies' to invest in, along with the mechanics and decision-making processes involved.