My 2016 Startup Bus Experience

More than 3 weeks ago, I was enjoying the festivities at a close friend’s wedding but subconsciously I was anxious about what I was embarking on the following day: Startup Bus America 2016.  Despite the fact that some people think that I am an extrovert, I was still somewhat terrified of hopping on a bus with twenty some odd people that I had never met.  I heard from many that Startup Bus would change my life but I didn’t quite believe anyone.  Now, after having experienced it and after having time to reflect, I can say that it definitely has.  I applied to participate on Startup Bus for a few reasons: 1.) I have always had many startup ideas and I wanted to throw some out to explore as startup opportunities in the intense Startup Bus environment; 2.) I wanted to see how well Northeast Ohio programs help prepare entrepreneurs in comparison with other regions; and 3.) I wanted to meet and work with a lot of really talented and cool busapreneurs, both past and present.  What I learned was refreshingly surprising.

First, I learned how crazy it is to propose an idea and attempt to build a business model and a product in just three short days and oh yeah, on a bus.  It was great to hear all of the different ideas that were pitched on the bus and see how the ideas, teams, and people grew throughout the process.  I enjoyed interacting with all the busapreneurs as we tried to form teams and decide on ideas to pursue.  Once I found a team, it took us quite some time to select an idea and a strategy to attack it.  However, this was all part of the fun.  We started with one idea and vetted it for a while and then bounced around a few others before ironically ending on one that was also pitched in the initial pitches.  Although I have participated in great hackathons in the past, like one recently put on by the University of Akron’s EXL Center, Startup Bus was much different because of the length, focus, and nationwide reach.  Since leaving the bus, some of our team has gone on to Silicon Valley temporarily to explore and spend a couple weeks in Startup House to continue working on the product.   

Second, I was enthused that the Startup Bus experience confirmed the positive impact of programs offered to many entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio but with greater intensity due to the time restrictions, competitive nature within each bus and between the bus, and other limited resources.  In particular, I have been involved with four organizations where I was able to see and feel the impact of their programming on some of our team’s decisions on the bus. 

I have been involved with the University of Akron and the University of Akron Research Foundation’s (“UARF”) National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program that focuses on customer discovery.  This was extremely helpful for Startup Bus because of the intense focus required on developing the product, customer traction or need, and pitch.  Through our customer discovery, the DashPilot found that there was a big need for a new device to alert drivers in older vehicles that they were becoming drowsy at the wheel. 

Additionally, due diligence and operations of an angel network and a small fund through the ARCHAngels and the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund (“NEOSVF”) helped prepare me for this amazing journey.  As a member of the ARCHAngels Deal Flow Committee and Vice President for the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund, I have reviewed hundreds of executive summaries and listened to hundreds of pitches.  Because of this, I felt adequately prepared to work with our team on our business and pitch.  These three organizations all participate in the Jumpstart Entrepreneurial Network. 

The Jumpstart Entrepreneurial Network has done a great job of putting together programs and resources for entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.  The network has produced a lot of great startups and continues to do so.  Having worked closely with many individuals from the collaborators, I can confirm after participating in Startup Bus that the preparation you receive in Northeast Ohio is second to none.  The Akron bus had three of the eight semifinalists and DashPilot finished second.  Our bus competed well against buses from other cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico and this was no surprise because of the mentorship of the bus conductors and the startup environment in Northeast Ohio. 

Third, I got to meet a lot of really talented and cool individuals.  It was remarkable to collaborate and work with people from all over Northeast Ohio.  There were people on the bus that were still pursuing their undergraduate degrees working alongside individuals who have worked in industry or innovation for many years and that held more senior level positions.  As we progressed across the country, we stopped at a variety of makerspaces, co-working offices, and innovation centers, including: Proto BuildBar, Nucleus Coshare, Techartista, University of Missouri’s Innovation Center, Hammerspace, Google Fiber, and the Boulder Theater for Boulder startup week.  It was seeing the progress made at each of these stops that made me realize how talented the individuals on the bus were.  In particular, I remember sitting in Hammerspace in Kansas City, feeling deflated and exhausted, and then witnessing one of our teams getting their prototype to work, which made everyone present feel great. 

This opportunity is truly one of a kind and I would recommend that anyone and everyone that has a startup idea and that can get on the bus, to do so.  It will change your life.  It changes the way I look at new opportunities and also how I operate on a daily basis.  We had ups and downs but we pressed on and persevered.  We learned how to develop a product and market strategy and then how to work together to achieve those goals.  We did this all while being on a bus with limited resources.  Each Startup Bus team from across the country should be proud of what they accomplished.  I look forward to hearing about each group’s successes and look forward to contributing to Startup Bus in whatever way I can in the future. 

I can’t thank the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Knight Foundation, the University of Akron EXL Center, Uber Developers, Cisco, and last but not least, Startup Bus, enough for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful event!  It was an amazing experience.  It is one that has led to new friends, colleagues, products, learnings, and it is one that I will remember for the rest of my life.  Thanks again!

Daniel J. Hampu, Esq., M.B.A.

@whosdanhampu