This is the second post in the Frequently-Asked Questions series. Be sure to also check out Visa Options for International Student Entrepreneurs.
Finding the right teammate is one of the most important steps in building a successful startup. To help students connect, the Entrepreneurial Institute recently hosted two Startup Team Hunt events on Oct. 20 and Nov. 3, engaging founders and builders across the Leslie eLab community and NYU Tandon — especially as many startups seek technical co-founders.
The event runs in two rounds. In the first, founders or anyone with an idea take the stage for 30 seconds to pitch their concept. In the second, participants looking to join a team pitch their skills and interests to the room.
Even if you’re not actively searching for a co-founder, these monthly Team Hunts are one of the best ways to practice articulating your problem statement — and to spark excitement within the NYU startup community.
When forming relationships, test your working dynamics before committing to co-founder status. Look for people who get energized by your vision and bring complementary strengths to the table. Start with a smaller project to see how you collaborate — especially if you’re teaming up with friends you’ve never worked with on a startup before. Programs like the Startup Bootcamp provide a low-risk environment to explore team compatibility.
“One of the most unexpected and rewarding outcomes of the Team Hunt was meeting a fellow NYU student who is now our lead engineer for Mentivista! We met when I was recruiting for a different venture and we clicked. I enjoyed working together so much that, later, I invited her to join Mentivista. The beauty of the Team Hunt is how it brings together students across NYU schools and programs to exchange ideas, inspire each other, and sometimes build something amazing together.”
— Anastasia Dor, Tisch Fellow and Founder of Mentivista
Other ways to meet a team member:
Entrepreneurs Network Slack: Join the Entrepreneurs Network Slack channel, which features a dedicated #findateammember thread — an easy way to connect with potential collaborators beyond scheduled events.
Every event is a networking event: Whether you’re attending Startup School, a Female Founders Lunch, or a pitch session, talk to the people sitting next to you. You never know who might become your next teammate at one of our upcoming events.
“Need It, Got It” wall: Located in the eLab, this wall helps match founders with talent. On the left, individuals post specific skills or roles they’re looking for; on the right, people list the skills they can offer.
Friends and Family: Teams come together in all forms — childhood best friends, siblings, parent-child duos, partners, and more — get creative! In order to benefit from the resources of the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute, only one founder from the team needs to be currently affiliated with NYU, the rest of the team can be non-NYU or an alumn.
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