What's the best way to visit startups in the valley?

My challenge right now is finding good talent for co-founders or developers. My post on Craigslist got zero response, and my post on eLance got only one response from a fellow down in Uruguay.

I was at CAST 2010 this summer, and the buzz around the table led me to a small development company in Grand Rapids that hosted a bunch of us on a tour. It was great to learn about their business model and generate ideas.

I've applied to founder school in January, and if accepted I am sure there will be lots of good advice to go around. But, I am leading a workshop at eBay in a couple of weeks and thought I could make good use of my free time down there and perhaps figure out how to solve my talent problem.

Thanks for your advice and taking the time to respond.

Email and ask? If they're too busy, they'll tell you, but most startups that I know that have graduated to an office are fine if someone comes by during lunch to see the office/people.

You have to go to the open events they organize, if they do.

email one of the founders, they'll normally be keen for a coffee, if you've got a legitimate reason to visit. A little product praise never hurts either :-)

Try asking on Twitter @their_co and/or their founders.

I don't think start ups are too into visitor hours...