I also read about an interesting research result that spin-off companies from universities that support spin-offs (like UTwente in the Netherlands) do no better than spin-offs from universities that don’t (like our Universiteit Utrecht). It all seems to suggest that too much luxury isn’t beneficial to a startup.

It is refreshing to me to see that not everyone got things as wrong as Duncan. I am glad to see that you found value in the whole event and, even, perhaps, in my contributions.

On behalf of the VC community a point of clarification. When you say a VC is “someone with way too much money looking for even more money” it is important to understand that a VC usually is investing someone else’s money – a superannuation fund for example – to deliver a return to that someone else. It is not always, or even often, appropriate to look upon VCs as the source of the funds. They are men and women doing a job and one will get a much better response from them with that in mind than by approaching them with innate envy. Would you invest money you control in someone who treats you with contempt?

I certainly agree that the opportunity for an investor to be more involved earlier in the event might help everyone get more out of it – we’ll see what we can organise. Your link to the David Rose piece is spot on. David is a good guy whom I have had the pleasure of meeting several times and his message is very clear and to the point.

Not quite sure why you felt I was “not in familiar territory” but, I accept that it must have been my fault for not making myself clear and will endeavour to do better next time. I say that because I found it very familiar territory. I first organised a “boot camp” similar to this event in the 1980′s and have been involved in such activities to a greater or lesser extent ever since. Then again, I am no longer the guy on the keyboard cutting the code so perhaps I don’t make enough of an effort to bridge that gap so thank you, I will try harder in the future.

You are absolutely on the money to be looking at the culture gap issues. I lived in the Netherlands, Silicon Valley and elsewhere and that does teach one, if one is willing to learn, that culture gaps are not just between countries and ethnic groups but, also between other groupings of people. If we want something from someone else then it is up to us to understand the other person and approach them on their terms, not ours.

Wish you every success in your endeavours.
Regards,
Jordan

I have no intention of wearing a suit and telling lies; there are better ways to achieve what I want.

Also, I’m not looking for venture capital myself; I don’t need it (yet). I just want to make myself useful in the Melbourne “underground” tech community.

I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life wearing a suit, telling lies and getting rich as a side effect.