Denver Startup Week

This is what you missed out on if you weren't there.

1. People are solving phenomenal problems in the world.

   And we don't always get to hear about them - but there is just something about being in a room full people trying. People who care. People experimenting and failing and trying again. It is SO INSPIRING.

   
   

2. It's really tempting to get sucked into AI world.

   You feel like a superhero solving problems and building things and it's all happening so fast and makes you feel so brilliant. But sometimes we have to remember to put on work clothes and pay for parking and go be around other humans. Connect with them. Tell them what you're working on. Solve problems together. Make awkward small talk.

   
   

3. TechStars is freaking awesome

   I just picked up David Cohen's book , Chasing Unicorns, so get ready for a deep dive on that book. And go learn about TechStars. They are so cool. And It made me think of supporting startups as a form of philanthropy. Investing in people and communities to solve problems that are changing the world. As someone who has been a bit burnt out on nonprofits - investing in Startups feels like a great way to solve problems sustainably and bring wealth to historically under-represented communities.

   
   

4. How to be an Entrepreneur or Build a Startup?

   Just do it.

   Session after session - speakers told one story after another and the only common thread I heard? If you want to be an entrepeneur, just freaking be one. Just build it. No one cares if you fail. Just build the weird thing you're passionate about. Even if it doesn't make any money or doesn't IPO. Just build things that make the world better or help people or solve a problem.

   And KEEP GOING.

   It will fail. Things will suck. They will be so much harder than you thought. Just keep going.

   
   

5. Women are doing such cool things with AI right now.

   DEFINITELY make sure you join a group if you're messing around with AI or are in tech in any capacity. So many ideas and so much expertise! Women in Tech // Women in AI

   
   

6. Just do it.

One of the most inspiring sessions was with Hannah Siegertsz. In ONE 1-hour session she built a real SaaS product live in front of the room, blank screen to shipped. It was so freaking awesome. It was definitely the kick in the pants I needed to stop being so precious about my work and just hit publish and get it out there.