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Might it be Said that the Purpose of an Entrepreneur is to Create Problems?

Tuesday, 18 September 2018 by
The Problem Solution Statement; a core tenet of Lean Startup and Customer Development.  A phrase that conveys to founders and investors alike that the purpose of a startup is to solve a problem; an idea that leads many to believe that a pitch should lay out how the problem is being solved. With most new
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When an Economy needs Co-Founders – And Seems to have a Tech Talent Gap

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 by
A characteristic of local economies that I never experienced much before leaving Palo Alto, California: “we can’t find co-founders!” Many know that I’ve spent half of my professional life in Silicon Valley and the other half in the new economy’s most appealing innovation region: Central Texas.  I’ve touched a few times on the stark differences
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Your Startup, a CMO, and that Elusive Question of Equity

Tuesday, 28 August 2018 by
First let’s establish as fact, a couple of assumptions.  This is a key role in your organization, at a distinct stage in a specific type of new company; and as a team member so critical, we need to be on the same page as to our context in working through this question. Early stage =
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The Cracks of an Entrepreneur

Friday, 24 August 2018 by
OnInnovation Interview: Elon Musk; Creative Commons license to use
In a New York Times interview with David Gelles, James B. Stewart, Jessica Silver-Greenberg, and Kate Kelly, the Times journalists noted that Elon Musk, “choked up multiple times, noting that he nearly missed his brother’s wedding this summer and spent his birthday holed up in Tesla’s offices as the company raced to meet elusive production targets on a crucial new
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What Does a CEO Actually Do?

Friday, 19 January 2018 by
Looking at it through the lens of a startup (small team), years ago I had a great discussion with a group of VCs that the ideal core leadership in a company is CEO, CMO, CTO (or, as appropriate to the type of business) Explaining further, we discussed first that the CMO’s job is to answer why, for whom, with
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How to Determine the Equity to Give Your Startup Team

Monday, 13 July 2015 by
The equity granted to your team speaks volumes more than merely being part of the compensation.   When building a committed, invested, passionate team, something which should be your paramount priority as a founder, nothing matters more than HOW you accomplish this. Is your team comprised of investors or employees? I want you to first
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How Do You Find and Engage Good Mentors?

Friday, 24 April 2015 by
Correct me if I’m wrong but you need a mentor that is passionate about your space, invested (personally not financially) in your vision and the opportunity, and all but on your team. The least effective mentors are those that are assigned by Universities or Incubators as though just anyone who knows more than you do will
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