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0 pointstptacek10y ago0 comments

After reading these, Founders Institute still seems like a _really_ bad deal.

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6 comments · 1 top-level

tomasien10y ago· 5 in thread

I'm surprised people don't talk about this and Draper University more. Draper University has some interesting things about it (room / board / meals in SV) and the fact that it is SPECIFICALLY billing itself as a University (which you'd expect to pay for), but Founder Institute has started billing itself as a "global ACCELERATOR" despite CHARGING $2k up front + $4500 + 3.5% on the backend. I know the 3.5% is technically shared by the founders as well but I'd love to know that breakdown.

I don't want to be overly negative on people trying new things in education, but the word "Accelerator" has a specific meaning to people now. Using it for something you charge the founders cash to be a part of is bad news to me. Never thoughts I'd be putting Draper U on the "positive" side of a comparison, but even at 5x the cost it feels a lot more up front and honest.

minimaxir10y ago

The funny thing about Draper University is that the reality show Startup U (http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/startup-u) was essentially intended to be an advertisement for Draper University (with a mix of Shark Tank thrown in)

I watched every episode. Startup U, if anything, served an anti-advertisement for Draper University. (Spoiler alert: the winner of the show was a 3D printing startup by a non-engineer who wanted to 3D print a house. All he was able to 3D print on-camera was a nonsolid pipe.)

overgard10y ago

Oh my god, this is like watching The Office, except without the punchlines. Tim Draper might as well be David Brent and Michael Scott rolled into one person. I'm only ten minutes in, but what I love about it so far is the narcissism: none of it is about like, business, it's about what owning a business says about them.

S4M10y ago

Damn, I have to be in the US to watch the videos :(

Oh well, guess I saved some times.

1 more reply

elmar10y ago

tomasien "SPECIFICALLY billing itself as a University"

Draper University - Silicon Valley's top entrepreneurship program and accelerator founded by Tim Draper. Startup bootcamp and crash course in business and entrepreneurship.

Is Draper University of Heroes a scam? https://www.quora.com/Is-Draper-University-of-Heroes-a-scam

tomasien10y ago

Oof yeah that's not good. I think this is one of those things where you need to draw REALLY clear lines.

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