entrepreneurship Archives - Page 18 of 20

Startup Advisors vs. Mentors

Tuesday, 01 July 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Words tossed about so frequently in startup communities, it is easy to conclude they mean the same thing; that it doesn’t matter what such people are called, as long as you have some, you’re in good shape. But is that really so? Over the years, I’ve come to notice that startup communities collect mentors as though they are

Published in Startups

18 Comments

The Ancient Startup Communities of Greece and Rome

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Recently, I had the honor of addressing a group of investors from Shenzhen, China, exploring opportunities in Texas and asking the question, why? Why here? Why Texas? Why Austin? Fostered by DB Business Group (a multi-sector global business development group), and a program called Invest Austin, a veteran of Silicon Valley like myself can’t help

ancient austin communities culture economies entrepreneurship greece history industries philosophy rome silicon valley texas

Published in Austin, Industry, Startup Ecosystems, Startups

10 Comments

Why Do Startups Work in Silicon Valley?

Thursday, 27 March 2014 by Paul O'Brien

One of the most frequently asked questions of today’s startup economy, no? Invariably, we discuss capital, talent, and ambition, frustrated with our own communities’ lack thereof, perhaps. And yet, is that really what’s at the heart of making a startup community work? When you think about it, the access to and significance of capital available

capital culture entrepreneurship Industry innovation silicon valley talent

Published in Regional Development, Startups

15 Comments

The Single Most Important Trait that all Successful Business Owners Have

Thursday, 13 February 2014 by Paul O'Brien

Progress can only be made through unanswered questions. One can’t find success by doing the same thing everyone else does, or making the mistakes others have answered. In starting with unanswered questions, you must agree that some, perhaps many, of your hypothesis, will prove wrong. You will fail, you might succeed. The alternative is that

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Published in Startups

7 Comments

What It Takes To Raise Money

Wednesday, 09 October 2013 by Paul O'Brien

Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of hosting a topic of discussion during the first conference focused on the convergence of mobile, gaming, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. I started by remarking that the name of the conference, Captivate, could not have been more appropriately chosen by Jennifer Bullard and Suzanne Freyjadis as the very responsibility of

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Published in Startups

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Animating Your Startup

Monday, 30 September 2013 by Paul O'Brien

One of histories most influential entrepreneurs is a man who literally showed us that it’s possible to breath life into dead ideas. His story, told through a gripping biography written by Mary Shelley in 1818, woke the world up to the fact that it’s possible to animate even the most incredible innovations, to animate the

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Published in Startups

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The Measure of an Entrepreneur

Monday, 09 September 2013 by Paul O'Brien

The past week has been one unique in my life. I had the distinct pleasure of spending the better part of Friday, at the end of August, with an incredible friend and kindred spirit. We had a discussion so distinct that it will forever remain clear in my mind. We had a discussion about what

economic development entrepreneurship startup america startups talent venture capital

Published in Startups

6 Comments