Fowndr: private network for startups, now live and handing out invites | Hacker News Reader

Fowndr: private network for startups, now live and handing out invites

fowndr.com

24 pointsstulogy18 comments

Good on you for getting things up and running.

But what's the use case?

Isn't there a danger of amateur entrepreneurs giving bad advice? Why wouldn't I use Sprouter.com? It's Quora for Entrepreneurs and they have some of the best web entrepreneurs on there waiting to answer questions.

Sorry if I'm seeming harsh. As an entrepreneur, I'd genuinely like to know how I can leverage this tool to my benefit, before I sign up.

Hiya, Yeah good question. Well the thing is why don't you use Sprouter? I don't think you can be a part of too many networks, the more the better. The thinking behind Fowndr is it's not so much about lots of 'sages' who know the answers helping people who don't know, rather lots of people who are all exploring the challenges as well as the fun aspects of running a startup, together. It's all about the community.

So the net benefit of me participating in this community is...? Making entrepreneurial friends?

I don't think you can be a part of too many networks

Sure you can.

The opportunity cost is being part of a network that you get more out of. Or building/maintaining your personal network. Or working on something productive.

Isn't Quora itself Answers for Entrepreneurs? How can anything but Quora itself be Quora for Entrepreneurs?

Quora isn't just for entrepreneurs... E.g. http://www.quora.com/Charlie-Sheen-Meltdown-February-March-2...

does it being an excellent resource for entrepreneurs and other people harm it?

Who does Sprouter have using it?

I didn't say it did...

Just looking on the http://sprouter.com/answers homepage, here's a taste...

Dan Martell - Flowtown, Aaron Patzer - Mint, Micah Baldwin - Graphic.ly, Mark Suster - GRP Partners

Just a bit of background info. Fowndr is a Forrst for startups, it's invite only and was featured on HN a week ago. You can read more on my blog: http://stugreen.com/blog/2011/03/introducing-fowndr

Also, StartupGuild.net. Over 300 members in 4 days. Hosted on Yammer. Growing.

Congratulations on the launch! I absolutely believe this will become an invaluable resource for startups. I think the nature of the network will entice people to share in ways they might not on HN, more in the natural way that is currently done in person or by email. I look forward to participating and learning from those going through the same issues.

I'm a part of this and love the concept.

I haven't been invited yet, but it sounds like Startup Square, which has already shut down..

What is a startup? Who qualifies for invites?

I think that anyone currently launching a company with a descent, fresh idea would qualify there.

OK, so once you have launched a company, and survived past those scary first couple years, you no longer qualify?

I ask because I founded a startup in '96, and we still try to "think like a startup". Just because we've been profitable for years doesn't mean we're done innovating.

At the moment, there is no fixed criteria really. If you are entrepreneurial and have started a company in the past I'd say you are welcome. If you have something to share that's going to be useful to other startups, you're welcome.

How about if you haven't done a startup, but are working on one more side projects with the potential to become actual startups. Something more than flipping Wordpress themes, more along the lines of the recently posted csspivot, gumroad, and others.

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