Times Online’s Silicon Valley at Oxford podcast is a must-listen for anybody who has an interest in or wants to create the next big thing on the web. We caught up with some of the most successful Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to find out what it takes to set up your own internet start-up company.

We interviewed Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedin, a business networking site, and Mike Malone, ABCNews.com's technology correspondent, to find out what it takes to get to the summit in Silicon Valley.

On the podcast, you will hear Chris Sacca, the head of special initiatives at Google, on the pitfalls of working on an international website, plus advice from top venture capitalists on when to start your company and how to get it financed.

Download the podcast here: Silicon Valley at Oxford

21st century entrepreneurs

Ahead of the final of Said Business School's 21st century challenge our correspondent talks to three of the contenders

BACKGROUND

• The big idea

• Money matters

• Do what you love

• Define your market

Related Internet Links

• Future of business podcasts

• Chris Sacca's blog

• Biz Stone's blog

Related Internet Links

• Reid Hoffman on LinkedIn

• Michael S Malone's column

Download notes: For PC users, right-click the link above, then select 'Save Target As' and download to the selected location on your computer. For Mac users, hold down Ctrl and click the link, then select 'Save Target As' and download to the selected Audio newspaper for a visual world location on your computer.

In addition to the podcast we have recorded two sessions from the annual Silicon Valley Comes to Oxford University Conference held at Said Business School that took place in November 2007.

In the first session, the opening plenary, the likes of Chris Sacca and Biz Stone of Twitter.com tell us about exciting new developments in their areas of expertise and about the best new websites and start-ups that they are investing in or have seen.

Opening plenary: Part 1

Opening plenary: Part 2

In the second session that we recorded, “The Next Big Thing”, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists discuss the hot new areas from which the next generation of start-ups in Silicon Valley. In particular, listen out for the section where the panellists are asked for their recommendations for the sites and enterprises that they feel have the “wow” factor.

The Next Big Thing: Part 1

The Next Big Thing: Part 2

Download notes: For PC users, right-click the links, then select 'Save Target As' and download to the selected location on your computer. For Mac users, hold down Ctrl and click the link, then select 'Save Target As' and download to the selected Audio newspaper for a visual world location on your computer.

To learn more about the event and watch live webstreams go to Said Business School's website

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