andrew.f.chen :: startup thoughts

Fred Wilson just wrote a blog post about The Academy for Software Engineering that is going to be built in Union Square. It’s an awesome project that is going to help lay the ground work for demonstrating the importance of teaching math/science/technology and computer programming and inspiring a future generation of technology leaders. This helps further complete the NYC’s investments in the educational ecosystem for technology (preceded by the Applied Sciences Engineering Campus - Cornell/Technion, and other high school technical programs).

In the comments, Fred mentions a requirement for all students to learn computer engineering languages, something that would be on par with the current importance of learning foreign languages. This makes complete sense to me. Learning computer programming as a language has traits nearly identical to learning spoken languages - it’s own grammatical structures, defined meanings to words, importance of immersion, indecipherable to non-speakers. Most importantely, knowing how to speak the languages of computers is essential to a new form of communication and building - that is companies, products, and tools that change how we interact and work with one another each and every day. Technology and computers are so ubiquitous in our daily lives that being able to understand coding language will not only present a clear advantage to those who understand, but, I would image, would be a complete requisite for learning and growing - like math, science and social studies.

I think this is where we’re headed (and should head) and am really proud that NYC, as a city and as a community, is making so much intentional progress in this way. So, thank you Fred Wilson, Brad Feld, Mayor Bloomberg and so many others for taking the charge in pushing forward science/tech/math education in NYC.

MBA@UNC just posted an interactive infographic on “Silicon Valley & Silicon Alley” and compares key opinions, metrics and trends between the two. More and more infographics like this are popping up as the debate intensifies. This one is particularly intersting given the interactive nature. See below for details.

From my perspective, it’s a fun debate but somewhat detracts from the more pertinent conversation which is around “competitive advantages” between the two and looking at a “dual-hub” innovation model in the US.

Speaking at Columbia Business School, I told the MBA class that “Silicon Valley builds technology, NYC (Silicon Alley) applies technology.” Given the density of industries hubs, consumers and population, NYC will always be a better place to disrupt industries. That’s why we see a strong hub of fashion, media, education and ecommerce startups here in NYC. This ongoing dichotomy may change in the long-term (we’ll see how the new Cornell/Technion Engineering Campus changes NYC in 5-20 years) but for now, it’s a positive back-and-forth that demonstrates the efficiency of how the overall US innovation/tech startup industry is evolving.

Via MBA@UNC: Online MBA

nycedc:

NYCEDC is submitting two panels to SXSW this year, and we need your help!

By hosting panels at SXSW Interactive, our goal is to spread the word about NYC’s booming tech startup scene and further brand the City as an innovative tech hub. NYC offers unparalleled tech companies, talent, and government resources, and we want to drive new people and startups to join us here in the Big Apple.

But in order to get two coveted spots at SXSW in March 2012, we need you, NYC tech enthusiasts, to help vote us to the top!

Log on to SXSW Interactive starting at 2 PM Central Time today to vote for our two proposed SXSW panels (you will have to create a free account to vote):

• Silicon Alley - The Startup Ecosystem that Never Sleeps (link to vote)
• Building the Innovation City - Lessons from NYC (link to vote)

Read on for panel descriptions and speakers. Help bring NYC to SXSW by casting your vote and sharing with others!

Tweet this: Vote for NYCEDC #SXSW panels on NYC’s startup scene and govt-driven innovation! http://bit.ly/q69j61 #PanelPicker 

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I’ve really been enjoying my time at the NYC TechCrunch Disrupt conference. It’s really a prime example of the burgeoning NYC Tech Scene. While a lot at #TCDisrupt has made me “ooh” and “ahh” I think nothing will top the impromptu poem created and recited by KPCB Partner, Bing Gordon, on stage. It is all about NYC Tech and the conference and could be our rallying song, given it’s references and comparisons to Silicon Valley, key startups and especially a shout out to Jay-Z. Silicon Valley ain’t got no Jay-Z. So, feel free to enjoy:

Chris Dixon apparently has a hunch
That it’s only Internet news if it’s in TechCrunch –
And you can verify this on Wikipedia:
Ashton Kutcher is the Charlie Rose of social media.

The meat-packing district is the new South of Market
So VCs are bringing cash there to park it.
If you make a name for yourself, you’ll get Klout perks
And John Borthwick has proven that Beta actually works.

Rent the Runway, Gilt and Etsy have the New York smarts
To redefine the way we all fill up our shopping carts –
And now even Stanford will put up with Silicon Valley censure
And open a campus to provide entrepreneurs for Union Square Ventures.

You can prove you’re hip enough, and that you’re there
Because Disrupt has a custom check-in on 4 Square
Even Michael Bloomberg has gotten into the act
To support Kristina Salen’s Quest to Learn so education can be hacked.

The Big Apple was overwhelming in 1973
When I arrived from Michigan, it was like OZ to me.
This is a paean to Manhattan, on an Arrington dare –
Because, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!

Note: from Wikipedia - A paean is a song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving. (yes, I had to look that up)

(Source: TechCrunch)