I'm currently working at a venture capital firm (Venrock) on a small incubation team focused on consumer-based experiences for the web, mobile, and devices. We are continually working on new ideas; we toss out the ones that don't work (while of course learning from the experience) and pull together a team of entrepreneurs around the ones with promise.
Design is a key differentiator for all of our projects. There are 5 people on the incubation team: a product manager, a designer (me), and three developers. I think it says a lot about the vision behind this incubator that a designer occupies such key role on the team. I partner closely with the product manager to ensure that design is an integral the vision and business model of every single venture we take on. This is unique in the world of start-ups. Most start-ups don't invest much in the design until they've already gotten their Series A funding, hired a technical team, product, sales, marketing, etc. Our first seed-funded company hired a full-time designer as the 3rd employee—after the CEO and CTO—before they even pitched for their Series A funding. This is very early stage, indeed! The other advantage to joining a start-up from our incubation team is that you get ongoing support from me (and the whole incubation team) when needed. If you need someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to talk about overall design vision, or even just need some help with some tactical design work, we can help. If this sounds like the kind of environment you'd be passionate about working in, send me a note; I'd like to talk with you. ·Dave ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
