I am hearing, but my wife is deaf (since birth), and she does fairly well with cochlear implants. Here are some comments I have as a connected outsider.
* Know your strengths and weaknesses. I see a lot of great ideas on this thread to help with communication in groups, with new people, etc. But the main point is to learn where your weaknesses are, and address them specifically. There is such great technology around today. Figure out what your specific problems are, and look for solutions. Sorenson video relay for calling, or the myriad of IM based ones. Google voice for voicemail transcription (not perfect, but usually very helpful, and better than it being unlistened to). Campfire or other IM's for project planning. Quick demos/demo video available on your smartphone or tablet (Picture/video worth 1k words right?) Technology should be your bread and butter, leverage it to help ease social pain points.
* Have a good co-founder. As PG states (http://www.paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html) you should almost always have another co-founder. If this person is hearing, great, they can more easily integrate in different social situations. If not, GOTO 1 (but also have the other benefits that PG lists).
* Have a great product, and believe in it. A good MvP should tell a lot more about your skills and vision than anything else.
* Put yourself out there. The easiest way to fail is to not try at all. Investors are looking for good products and teams. Being deaf doesn't interfere with that at all.
Comments
I am hearing, but my wife is deaf (since birth), and she does fairly well with cochlear implants. Here are some comments I have as a connected outsider.
* Know your strengths and weaknesses. I see a lot of great ideas on this thread to help with communication in groups, with new people, etc. But the main point is to learn where your weaknesses are, and address them specifically. There is such great technology around today. Figure out what your specific problems are, and look for solutions. Sorenson video relay for calling, or the myriad of IM based ones. Google voice for voicemail transcription (not perfect, but usually very helpful, and better than it being unlistened to). Campfire or other IM's for project planning. Quick demos/demo video available on your smartphone or tablet (Picture/video worth 1k words right?) Technology should be your bread and butter, leverage it to help ease social pain points.
* Have a good co-founder. As PG states (http://www.paulgraham.com/startupmistakes.html) you should almost always have another co-founder. If this person is hearing, great, they can more easily integrate in different social situations. If not, GOTO 1 (but also have the other benefits that PG lists).
* Have a great product, and believe in it. A good MvP should tell a lot more about your skills and vision than anything else.
* Put yourself out there. The easiest way to fail is to not try at all. Investors are looking for good products and teams. Being deaf doesn't interfere with that at all.