CORNELL HACKS

Unconventional Startup Tactics in 5 Minute Lightning Stories

Nov 14, 5-6pm

Sage Hall, Room B10

Dan Storms & Ami Stuart

Why Cornell Hacks?

What’s a Hack?

Who am I?

A great shot of me micromanaging

8 Hacks

HACK #1

ProblemNeed money.

Typical SolutionRich uncle.

HACK #1Problem

Need money.

Typical Solution

Rich uncle.

Hack

Joe Yevoli helped fund RightPlay by renting his bed out on AirBnb and sleeping on his couch.

http://rightplay.com/

HACK #2

ProblemNeed attention.

Typical SolutionHire an expensive PR firm.

HACK #2Problem

Need attention.

Typical Solution

Hire an expensive PR firm.

Hack

Sphero recorded Obama playing with their toy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqT8U_kiYY8

http://www.gosphero.com/

HACK #3

ProblemNeed direction.

Typical SolutionWrite a business plan.

HACK #3Problem

Need direction.

Typical Solution

Write a business plan.

Hack

Behance got their first “users” by selling a physical notepad that helped creatives get more organized.

http://www.behance.net/

HACK #4

ProblemNeed money.

Typical SolutionEmail pitch deck to VCs.

HACK #4Problem

Need money.

Typical Solution

Email pitch deck to VCs.

Hack

Baydin landed $100k from Dave McClure by responding to this tweet:

http://baydin.com/blog/2010/10/the-100k-taxi-ride/

HACK #5

ProblemNeed to know your customers.

Typical SolutionNothing.

HACK #5Problem

Need to know your customers.

Typical Solution

Nothing.

Hack

Robin Yang started Enchanted Collar by going to pediatric clinics to talk with parents about financial literacy of their children.

http://enchantedcollar.com/

HACK #6

ProblemNeed money.

Typical SolutionMeet with 60-70 VCs.

HACK #6

Problem

Need money.

Typical Solution

Meet with 60-70 VCs.

Hack

Mac Bishop made a wool dress shirt. Then wore it for 100 days straight. Then raised $300k (10x his target) on Kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1868906/woolandprince-the-better-button-down-guaranteed

HACK #7

ProblemNeed employees.

Typical SolutionUse recruiters.

HACK #7

Problem

Need employees.

Typical Solution

Use recruiters.

Hack

Shelby hired Chris Kurdziel by having an active presence on Twitter. When Chris engaged with them, they learned of his passion for online video and wanted to meet him.

http://shelby.tv/

HACK #8

ProblemNeed customers.

Typical SolutionHire salespeople.

HACK #8

Problem

Need customers.

Typical Solution

Hire salespeople.

Hack

Red Rover got our first enterprise customer when the founder was brought in to talk to the HR team by his brother-in-law. He convinced them to launch something small, and hooked the CEO.

http://redroverhq.com/

Thanks!

Dan Storms

@startstorms

dan.storms@originate.com