The DC Startup Community
proudlymadeindc.com
proudlymadeindc.com
I think it's helpful in these areas for startups to see who is around and create a community.
my info is steve [at] 1x57.com
Also, note that RTP Hackers & Founders has a meeting coming up this Friday in Raleigh.
My map: http://bit.ly/fO9gyL
We have 3 meetup pages, a Facebook page and a Google group listed. Anyone care to consolidate?
We're working on setting up a public website for Hackers and Founders Silicon Valley and link to all these meetup groups. If you guys can update your info, that would be awesome.
Update: I know it's off topic, but I started a separate discussion for other meetups around the globe here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2004370
The Facebook group and Google group still need updating.
I've been really struggling to find something for me in the DC area. I spent a few years at a contractor job... after trying, and failing to launch my own startup, I'm back with another contractor, and it just isn't for me.
I've been struggling with the desire to stay with family and my SO in the area, and the apparent need to move to CA if I really want to be part of the startup community. It's a really tough decision I've been trying to avoid making. I've tried looking on "conventional" job boards like Monster and on more niche ones like 37signals, and only got a few hits, none of which worked out.
Anything that gets me in touch with more startups, especially ones that are hiring, is gold.
Something I've been looking for but didn't see either on the site or the wiki was a list of local legal/accounting resources for startups. Can anyone recommend good DC people/firms that are familiar with the tech scene and can help with things like incorporating, trademark/IP issues, etc.?
Pillsbury is a good start, they are awesome. Email us at the main contact address (ambassadors@proudlymadeindc.com) and we'll refer you to some poeple
There is also a community-edited wiki that will be an ongoing resource and feeder system for the ProudlyMadeInDC.com site at http://dcstartupwiki.com. Please update this with any relevant info on companies, people, events, resources, etc.
If so, e-mail me - justin@clearspring.com
I'd recommend checking any/all of the groups and events listed in the Community Guide: http://proudlymadeindc.com/community-guide/
You might also want to check out some of the stuff at http://dcstartupwiki.com
ambassadors AT proudlymadeindc.com
It's basically creating and maintaining internal applications for a small-medium sized company. Some examples of the type of work are automating product ordering, automating sales lead generation, automating billing, and lots of web development too.
It's mostly in Python right now, but they just want a good person and are OK if he/she learns Python on the job.
Are you guys feeling the talent shortage reported in Silicon Valley and New York, or have you had little trouble hiring the right people?
One of the main advantages DC has is there is a huge supply of engineers and developers working for major defense and government contractors just waiting to be poached by a hot new startup.
Like it or not, many of the government contractors are in pretty stable multi-year contracts and are making north of 100-150k. Unless they have their finances in excellent condition, many of them can't afford to join a startup part time.
Though almost everyone is looking for side projects and something interesting to do in their spare time, so recruiting someone for 10-20 hrs/week is relatively easy.
3 morons can look more productive than 1 talented techie to someone that doesn't understand what any of them are doing
There is a whole bunch of technical talent there working for the government and military, but a lot are getting bored with the work. However, I didn't know the community was this organized, and it's good to see them trying to collectively make their names heard.
steve - http://1x57.com
thanks,