Everything Your Startup Does And Does Not Need

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If you visit a startup using Microsoft products, talking on their own phone system, sitting in an office with central air conditioning, you're visiting a startup that's doing something wrong.

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That's according to Chris Dixon, an angel investor and co-founder of Hunch, who has typed up his list of what startups do and don't need.

Startups DO need nice sunny offices near public transportation. They DO NOT need a vacation policy or a COO.

If you're building your own startup, or you work at one, Chris's list is a fun read.

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DOES NEED: A sunny office helps keep life worth living

Smarkets tour

DOES NEED: Windows that open, so you can get some fresh air

window open
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DOES NEED: A democratically controlled music system will save you from an aural disaster

hall and oates

DOES NEED: Two forms of Internet access so you have a backup when things get heavy

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DOES NEED: Beer on Fridays

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DOES NEED: EVDO cards so you can work remotely

sprint evdo
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DOES NEED: Video game system, even if you never play it, is obligatory for a startup

Memeo tour

DOES NEED: A good coffee maker is needed to keep everyone chugging along

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Flickr
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DOES NEED: Proximity to public transportation makes everyone's life easier

subway-station-boxee

DOES NEED: Proximity to the park is a good idea too.

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DOES NEED: Heating that goes all night, so you stay warm while you sleep in the office

fireplace

DOES NEED: Healthcare plans for everyone, just in case one of your employees breaks a foot or something

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DOES NEED: Mac computers, with extra monitors

computer mac

DOES NEED: Plants just make the office feel nicer

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DOES NEED: Lots of in-person interaction makes life worth living

bug labs
Joel Shaughnessy for Business Insider

DOES NEED: GMail and Google Docs are a must so people can work together

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DOES NEED: Soft lighting, so you're not getting harshed

gawker office

OKAY! That's what you NEEDED. Now it's time for things you DON'T need.

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DOES NOT NEED: Fancy chairs. They are a waste of money, just get good enough chairs

aeron chairs

DOES NOT NEED: Expensive art on the walls

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DOES NOT NEED: A vacation policy. Let the employees decide.

Sarkozy on beach

DOES NOT NEED: A PR firm. Just blog and talk to people on your own. (And make something great.)

Texas Girl Cheerleader
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DOES NOT NEED: A dress code

suit

DOES NOT NEED: Private offices

bug labs office
Joel Shaughnessy for Business Insider
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DOES NOT NEED: Bureaucratic COOs and GMs

sheryl sandberg vogue
Vogue

DOES NOT NEED: Business cards. What waste of money!

Prudential Business Cards
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DOES NOT NEED: Microsoft products. Avoid them!

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DOES NOT NEED: Free lunch

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DOES NOT NEED: Central air conditioning

Zuckerberg Meltdown
All Things D

DOES NOT NEED: A doorman

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Dellspince/Flickr
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DOES NOT NEED: A Phone system. Just use your mobile phones

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DOES NOT NEED: A set time for people to be at the office each morning

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DOES NOT NEED: Meetings

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DOES NOT NEED: Carpeting.

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Here's more information for your startup

Charts from Entrepreneur's Census
Entrepreneur's census

The Startup Ecosystem – By The Charts >

Startups
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