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Science Breaks Free – Startup Portrait #1: Microryza

37 points| Jackson-Solway | 12 years ago |medium.com

18 comments

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larrys|12 years ago

A good way to get publicity.

But it's obvious that the idea of using a residential apartment (won't even get into zoning etc.) and a living quarters that cramped isn't a long term solution to a business.

Nice gimmick but I would question if this were replicated 100 times how many setups like these would yield positive results as opposed to the obvious problems with living like this and working in close quarters.

Add: With respect to what I said about "long term" yes it's obvious that it's short term but it seems as if the hype makes it out to be a mid term solution

"The team claims the environment helps them make decisions fast, and I got the feeling they wouldn't have it any other way"

...rather than just a curiosity.

Jackson-Solway|12 years ago

The photographer here...

I completely agree it's not a long term solution, but I got the feeling from being with the team for two days that it might work in the mid term. The situation wouldn't be right for the vast majority of founders, but the team gets along better than any I've worked with.

The biggest downside is probably the impact on recruiting for senior employees, especially folks from academia. There might be bigger cultural issues with those types of people though.

chatman|12 years ago

Perhaps this is how Foxconn might be like for Chinese factory workers. Working in a shitty place, but working hard towards a better future.

rfnslyr|12 years ago

Working in a shitty place? That place looks awesome! I would love to work in a place like this.

auctiontheory|12 years ago

That's a large one-bedroom apartment.

ctvo|12 years ago

Can you turn this into a reality show? I'd watch.

Jackson-Solway|12 years ago

Photographer here again...

Haha—the idea has already come up!

Stills are a little easier though, and probably more importantly, they're way less intrusive than full-on filming. There's just something nerve-wracking about knowing everything you do is being recorded. I wouldn't want to subject a team to that.

I'll also note that we nailed down expectations right at the beginning for what was on and off the record. I have a bunch of much goofier pictures, for example, that won't be getting out ;)