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Set Up Your AI Board of Advisors

Monday, 27 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Among the incubators in which I’m involved, and in conversations with founders, it’s evident that most need startup experienced advisors; the brightest of founders even asking for them in their ask at the end of a pitch (before asking for funding). Evident in 90% of startups is that they lack the CMO but don’t have

Published in Startups

13 Comments

Trump’s First Few Days for Independents

Thursday, 23 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

In the world of entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems, where disruption, innovation, and venture capital reign supreme, keeping an eye on public policy isn’t just smart — it’s essential. Government actions shape the macroeconomic environment, influence capital flows, and define the rules of the game for the next generation of innovators. With a new administration in

economic development entrepreneurship government innovation public policy startups venture capital

Published in AI, Economic Development

48 Comments

It’s All About Execution is Wrong

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

For decades, we’ve told founders that “execution is everything.” Entire conferences, books, and TED Talks have been built around this single mantra, as if startups succeed or fail on the same principles that determine whether a restaurant gets your order right. A quick Google Search (as long as we’re still doing those), shows us article

entrepreneurship execution marketing

Published in Startups

9 Comments

How Substack Quietly Emerged as the Empirical Thinker’s Social Network

Thursday, 16 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

It’s easy to miss a quiet revolution in a world dominated by the noisy chaos of Twitter threads, AI clickbait, and influencers slinging collagen gummies. But that’s exactly what Substack has pulled off, amidst the rise of AI content pushing audiences even more desperately in search of authenticity. What started as a niche newsletter platform

content journalism marketing media mediatech news Social Media

Published in Social Media

21 Comments

Building Cities Out of Song; the Creative Engine of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Tuesday, 14 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Music, a primary cultural cornerstone, plays a transformative role in fostering creativity, collaboration, and risk-taking — traits essential for entrepreneurship and innovation. A 2019 study by the World Economic Forum underscored the symbiotic relationship between the arts and innovation, emphasizing that creativity spurred by artistic engagement improves problem-solving and decision-making. Similarly, the National Endowment for

arts austin creative creativity detroit entrepreneurship innovation manchester music new york silicon valley texas

Published in Austin, Economic Development, Startups

34 Comments

Zagreb plus Istria: The Economic Development Plan for Croatia’s Future as a Global Hub of Innovation

Thursday, 09 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

As I walked the streets of Zagreb, Croatia, not long ago, I couldn’t help but remark that I had a feeling that I was experiencing, Austin, TX, years ago. From my time in Michigan, Phoenix, Silicon Valley, and now Austin, my community knows well that the work I do is designing startup ecosystems; working with

croatia economic development ecosystem entrepreneurship innovation istria zagreb

Published in Economic Development, Regional Development

8 Comments

How One of the Best Product Launches Ever Proves You Need Better Advisors

Wednesday, 08 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Be it a startup, a corporation, or even a public office, I would bet money before I’d invest in a startup that success hinges on the quality of its advisors. Advisors are not just voices in the background; they are formal participants in an organization’s structure, uniquely positioned to provide insights and strategic guidance that

advice advisors marketing mentors product launch

Published in Startups

11 Comments