Topics - Page 6 of 100

Innovation Isn’t Real Estate: Why Startup Hubs Waste Money

Thursday, 21 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Article HighlightsThe garage myth keeps fooling policymakersA graveyard of “innovation districts”When space actually mattersMIT already told us thisWhy local leaders keep funding spacesWhat Cities Should Fund Instead of Co-Working Spaces The garage myth keeps fooling policymakers Innovation is not a real estate play, and your innovation district is likely disappointing entrepreneurs. Yet cities, universities, and

Published in Economic Development, Startup Ecosystems

37 Comments

Predicting Startup Success with Personality Data

Tuesday, 19 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Article HighlightsEntrepreneurial DNA: The Science in Startup SuccessWhat the Research ShowsEntrepreneur DNA AssessmentThe Dimensions of Entrepreneurial DNAThe Four Entrepreneur TypesComparing MethodologiesFor Founders AND Investors Entrepreneurial DNA: The Science in Startup Success The mythology of entrepreneurship has always been convenient for investors and romantic for founders: anyone with grit, an idea, and caffeine can succeed. But

assessment cofounders dna founder myers-briggs personality

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

31 Comments

Bogotá, Colombia; Latin America’s Next Startup Ascent

Friday, 15 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Colombia has always been a country in motion; politically, culturally, and economically. But motion isn’t the same as progress, and progress isn’t guaranteed. For generations, Colombians have adapted to change not because they wanted to, but because they had to. It’s in this crucible of necessity that the country’s entrepreneurial spirit was forged and potential

bogota colombia economic development ecosystem startups

Published in Regional Development, Startup Ecosystems

11 Comments

Why and How a Venture Determines It Is “Uniquely Better”

Thursday, 14 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

In business strategy and marketing, “Uniquely Better” is more than a slogan, it’s the distillation of why a venture deserves to exist. The term sits alongside other well-known ideas such as competitive advantage, differentiation, and “moat,” but with a crucial twist: it forces you to define why customers should choose you over all other options.

competitive advantage distinction marketing moat product sales unique

Published in Insights / Research, Startups

7 Comments

Because Entrepreneurs are the Greatest Catalyst for Societal Change

Wednesday, 13 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

We’ve reached a tipping point. In a world awash in pitch decks, podcasted advice, and more bootstrapping encouragement than anyone asked for, the last thing we need is another startup program repeating what you can Google. If you read my work, you know that I have been pushing hard on challenges and gaps that still

about entrepreneurship founder insititute government relations policy public affairs startups

Published in Economic Development, Startups

60 Comments

Regional Collapse We Keep Pretending Isn’t Happening

Thursday, 07 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Something’s gone wrong in the way we structure governance; so wrong that it’s now normalized for elected leaders to turn to govern through coercion rather than consensus So wrong that the people who actually build and sustain the economy (workers, founders, educators, families) are often the last ones consulted about how that economy is governed.

economic development governance government politics public policy regulation

Published in Economic Development, Regional Development

28 Comments

Why Startups and Cities Fail Without a Clear Narrative: ACES for Ventures and Ecosystems

Wednesday, 06 August 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Most of you don’t fail because they lack a great product, brilliant founders, or access to capital. You fail because you haven’t worked out how to tell your story. You fail because your narrative doesn’t build trust, urgency, or credibility; three things that must happen before you ever get to the sale. This isn’t just

economic development ecosystems marketing narrative storytelling validation

Published in Startup Ecosystems, Startups

15 Comments