education Archives - Startup Economist

We Already Know How to Do This: Stop Reinventing Startup Development Organizations

Friday, 11 July 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Recently, someone asked me, “How do you make a training center for entrepreneurs to be self-sustaining and not just dependent on investors?” And I nearly threw a stapler. Not because the question isn’t valid, because it is, but because we’ve been answering it for decades. The model exists. It’s tested. It’s been done over and

Published in Economic Development, Startups

27 Comments

The End of Illusions: Why the Future of Freedom Lies in Innovation, Not Government Control

Saturday, 15 February 2025 by Paul O'Brien

U.S. Vice President Vance Signals that Politicians are Finally Understanding the Internet In an era where governments are increasingly positioning themselves as the guardians of truth, security, and economic stability, a stark reality is becoming impossible to ignore: they can’t actually do any of it. The illusion that central authorities can safeguard speech, protect intellectual

education europe germany innovation privacy public policy regulation security

Published in Economic Development, Startups

17 Comments

Today I’m Joining American YouthWorks’ Board as the Organization Expands to Transform More Young Lives

Monday, 04 March 2024 by Paul O'Brien

As a teenager, I had the pleasure and privilege of following in the footsteps of my father who, at the time serving through United Way, got me involved in Youth United Way. That experience left an indelible impression on me that no doubt shaped the passion I have today to evolve education; appreciating how so

education high school kids philanthropy training workforce development

Published in Surplus

28 Comments

Introducing Venture Capital to Kids

Wednesday, 13 November 2019 by Paul O'Brien

With three kids of my own (10, 12, and 14), and a lot of time spent in incubators and corporate innovation programs, I’m frequently wondering if and how we can’t better introduce our kids to entrepreneurship and prepare them for what’s involved in raising capital. Begging this question, How would you explain venture capital to

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Published in Startups

16 Comments

Education in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Thursday, 17 October 2019 by Paul O'Brien

Two VERY different things. Love this question, I mentor in our local High School program and with University incubators and accelerators. Our schools can do better, if we help them do so. Peter Drucker (economist notable in the 70s and 80s), “Only two things create value in business – Marketing and Innovation; and Marketing is the

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Published in Advertising, PR, Social Media, Startups

2 Comments

Does a University like Stanford Produce more Successful Startups? This Might be Why

Friday, 05 April 2019 by Paul O'Brien

Culture. It all, always, comes down to the culture of community. Why does Silicon Valley produce startups differently than elsewhere? Why does Hollywood have a style and way about their films that really isn’t replicated elsewhere? Why is Arizona State University a “party school” that produces highly social people? As entrepreneurs, we like to THINK

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Published in Insights / Research, Regional Development, Startups

16 Comments

From Automobile to Innovation – Stories of Entrepreneurship

Sunday, 13 January 2019 by Paul O'Brien

I didn’t grow up around incredible cars, nor in a family of enthusiasts, but a few of my earliest and fondest memories involve automobiles. The first was as a child, being driven to school by mom, when she shared a passing anecdote that she had always wanted to be a race car driver (that story

automobiles automotive autos education entrepreneurship history Industry innovation startups

Published in Industry, Startups

11 Comments