Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Recently I wrote a post arguing to make the definition of a Startup more inclusive than that to which Silicon Valley, fueled by Venture Capital return profiles, would sometimes like to attach to the word. Most of what I think about startup communities came from mentorship by Brad Feld through hours of private discussion and debate.

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Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 6, 2020

Like the downturns in 2008 and 2001, this has been a very trying time for entrepreneurs running startups. Many entrepreneurs are reliant on outside funding, whether angel investors, venture capitalists or strategic investors , to keep the venture going. A startup is not a lone adventure. Remember that you are not alone.

peer-to-peer 321

peer-to-peer startup advice entrepreneurs 321

This is going to be BIG.

APRIL 23, 2012

I'm often the last one to leave an event, held back by the most persistant of entrepreneurs trying to squeeze as much advice as they can out of me. I have one failed attempt at a startup under my belt as a founder and I don't have any particularly usable skills that anyone would pay for like selling, designing, building, etc.

advice 412

advice startup VC strategy 412

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 2, 2014

Many startups these days are started by young, technical or product founders who are in the idealistic phase of their lives and careers. I call it “ the Co-Founder mythology ” and it’s persistent in our startup mythology. Trust me – ignore startup politics at your peril.

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Paul G. Silva

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

The Millau Viaduct , consistently ranked as one of the greatest engineering achievements of modern times This post is part of my ongoing series exploring lessons from Jim Collins’s book, BE 2.0 ” At the time, we were running a startup accelerator for 6 companies. Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0). Rethink It.

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Entrepreneurs' Organization

MARCH 17, 2021

In the book Alien Thinking , three innovation professors at IMD Business School argue that people who generate truly breakthrough ideas look at their world like aliens–outsiders unburdened by the assumptions, biases and conventional thinking that constrain imagination. Can you share those stories and the lessons for entrepreneurs?

entrepreneurs 236

entrepreneurs frameworks innovation pitching 236

American Entrepreneurship

JANUARY 5, 2025

Having the right business advisor can be a game-changer for an entrepreneur Starting and growing a business is a challenging and often lonely endeavor. Entrepreneurs are presented with both business and personal challenges as they travel their entrepreneurial journey. Accountability can be a powerful motivator.

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entrepreneurs mentorship entrepreneurship advice 98

Paul G. Silva

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

This post is part of my ongoing series exploring lessons from Jim Collinss book, BE 2.0 Culture is Strategy This post is part of my ongoing series exploring lessons from Jim Collins’s book, BE 2.0 It seemed logicalbetter matching would help entrepreneurs succeed, right? Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0). ” In BE 2.0,

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culture strategy entrepreneurship mentorship 130

American Entrepreneurship

JANUARY 14, 2025

Upon launching their startup, entrepreneurs soon learn that optimizing their valuable time is critical for meeting their business goals and moving their company forward. In the first days of their startup, the founder drives progress; at times, the challenges may be overwhelming.

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entrepreneurs strategy media entrepreneurship 98

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 25, 2013

She was everything I was looking for in an entrepreneur to back. Didn’t I make myself clear about celebrities & startups ? Turns out she’s done this startup thing before. And they’re both full time committed to their startup – Moonfrye. So, Mark, enough entrepreneur love. Kara as CEO.

startup 398

startup creativity advice entrepreneurs 398

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 14, 2023

Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur or a seasoned veteran, remember: Great leaders must be readers! Look no further than these top business book recommendations from 10 successful Australian entrepreneurs who are all active members of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). I credit this book a lot for my success.

entrepreneurship 204

entrepreneurship entrepreneurs leadership energy 204

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 17, 2012

But a couple of people replied with responses of such lack of comprehension that I thought it was worth expanding on for first-time entrepreneurs. Successful entrepreneurs achieve much through their personal leadership traits that inspire others to do great things with them – sure. Not possible. ” Or there was this one.

startup 363

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Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 3, 2013

Let me start by saying that Clayton is one of the most influential people on my thoughts about markets that led to both the concept behind my first startup and my main theses in investing. Startup Grind was a truly awesome conference and Derek the consumate host. Watch the 30-minute interview to hear why but summary notes below.

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education disruption entrepreneurship venture capital 403

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

I find it amusing when a journalist writes an article about a prominent startup (either privately held or preparing for an IPO) and decries that, “They’re not even profitable!” Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. If you don’t, somebody else WILL!”

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Paul G. Silva

JANUARY 21, 2025

This post is part of my ongoing series exploring lessons from Jim Collins’s book, BE 2.0 When I co-founded Valley Venture Mentors (VVM), we created this vision: “Catalyze entrepreneurs to change the economy of western Massachusetts.” Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0). What is Vision?

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Dream It

APRIL 23, 2019

As smart speaker platforms have matured, more entrepreneurs are leveraging the technology to benefit healthcare. Dozens of healthcare-focused voice tech startups have popped up in the last few years which are backed by top tier venture funds.

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hospitality startup health enablement 285

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 29, 2014

I had been thinking a lot about this recently because I’m often asked the question of “what I look for in an entrepreneur when I want to invest?” In fact, my salary never caught up with my pre startup salary across 2 companies and 8 years. So I did, in fact, invest in myself. They choose a different path. I often say.

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Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I’d like to explain as best I can my opinion on what is going on because most of what I hear from entrepreneurs is not only wrong but is reminiscent of what I heard in 1997-2000. ” “This will be great for VCs and bad for entrepreneurs.” What is the True Sentiment of VCs? ” “Sure, prices are dropping.

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Paul G. Silva

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

This post is part of my ongoing series exploring lessons from Jim Collins’s book, BE 2.0 How Iteration Transformed Valley Venture Mentors Before I co-founded Valley Venture Mentors (VVM) and for all of my time there, we experimented with different ways to connect startups with mentors. Startups pitched for 10 minutes each.

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Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Startups Are for Doers. Now, I’m pretty on the record that being an entrepreneur is about being great at The Do. But trust me when I say that my observations across many startups (and other companies, frankly) is that not enough time goes into thinking. Or quit their startup to do something different. See the world.

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creativity venture capital entrepreneurs board 400

This is going to be BIG.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

I met Brooke Shields a few times at the Union Square Hyatt where she was holed away writing her recent book. Investing in startups is hard and it's going to be hard for you, too. It's a ton of work that the rest of the startup world has joined a network to make a lot easier. Do you know who the worst people in the world are?

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investing investment startup angel investing 340

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. The starting point of product IS marketing, which is what a lot of young entrepreneurs that never studied business don’t realize. If you publish a book, how do you get on the NY Times best seller list? Simply write a great book?

peer-to-peer 379

peer-to-peer mix-use consulting advice 379

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MARCH 22, 2024

Guiding your startup to success demands much more than dreaming up a brilliant concept, launching a captivating social media campaign, and crossing your fingers that magic will happen. Today, we give away five of our books for free on our website, a practice that has been instrumental in building our brand and attracting clients.

startup 210

startup entrepreneurship mentorship entrepreneurs 210

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2013

The one word the best entrepreneurs never accept. I used to ask Deborah to book my travel plans in France and Germany were I went 1-2 times / month. There were online tools to book this stuff but the Internet booking sites were early. It’s a skill you’re going to need as an entrepreneur. Stay with me.

advice 416

advice entrepreneurs entrepreneurship leadership 416

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 17, 2011

When you hire somebody too early who has already “done it” you often find somebody that is less motivated in tough times, less willing to be scrappy (as many startups need to be), more “needy” and less mentally flexible / willing to change their way of thinking. This post originally ran on TechCrunch. We know the mantra: Team matters.

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Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

He had an idea for a startup that would help consumers better book service jobs and would take on Service Magic, which he believed had a business model that could be disrupted. In the same year they won Business Insider’s Startup competition. ” So Ethan went to work as a product manager at Google Video. Nice sweep!

disruption 359

disruption VC entrepreneurs strategy 359

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 10, 2024

This led to an invitation to attend an event with like-minded entrepreneurs who were getting together to learn, share, and help each other along the entrepreneurial journey. That was my introduction to what is now the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). Here are four ways being a member of EO has enhanced my life as an entrepreneur: 1.

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entrepreneurs health support communities 216

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 29, 2013

One of most fascinating & enjoyable books on the topic is Bill Bryson’s “ Made in America ,” which demystifies the origins of the English language and why Americans speak more traditional English than the English do. (I I know, I know … just read the book). Startup Advice' I welcome your accents.

innovation 391

innovation culture advice education 391

Revolution

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

A Glimpse Inside The Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places are Building the New American Dream Today, my second book, The Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places are Building the New American Dream , was released by Simon & Schuster?—?but

entrepreneurs 130

entrepreneurs entrepreneurial ecosystem communities startup ecosystem 130

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

It’s true that we also fund more mundane stuff like B2B software aimed at productivity improvements but we want some big bets in every fund where we feel we can contribute to “making our own little dent in the universe” as the saying goes – by backing ambitious entrepreneurs with that same goal. ” Enter Grove.

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Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 31, 2015

I believe many entrepreneurs have ADD. But overall I believe this leads to better entrepreneurship and why I believe so many entrepreneurs have ADD. The greatest book I’ve read on the topic. Every person who suspects they may have ADD should read this book. Amen’s book so I recommend it as your second book.

creativity 384

creativity consulting entrepreneurship energy 384

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 16, 2020

One person can’t shoulder all of these tasks and responsibilities successfully, which is why startup CEOs need to assemble strong leadership team that they can lean on during difficult times. Focus on hiring people who embody the following attributes—these are traits that can help carry any startup through a crisis: 1. Action-oriented.

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leadership collaboration incumbents entrepreneurship 264

Entrepreneur's Handbook

JUNE 2, 2022

If you don’t understand accounting, you won’t even know if your startup is succeeding or failing Continue reading on Entrepreneur's Handbook ».

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startup founder founder startup entrepreneurs 120

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 23, 2012

I have been close to the tech & startup sectors for more than 20 years and I can’t think of a period in which I felt more optimistic about the innovation and value creation I see in front of us. The number of startups being created has increased by an order of magnitude. Thank you, Aaron Sorkin! Today’s Normalization.

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venture capital capital ventures VC 347

A VC: Musings of a VC in NYC

JUNE 17, 2019

One of the many great things about vacations is reading books. Vacation is the one time that I can really prioritize reading books (as opposed to everything else I read). I just finished Scott Kupor ‘s Secrets Of Sand Hill Road , a book for entrepreneurs about rasing capital from venture firms.

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StartupNation

MARCH 30, 2021

The following is excerpted from the book “Why Startups Fail” by Tom Eisenmann. Dear Founder: Congratulations for taking the plunge—for committing to work full-time on that startup concept you’ve been pursuing. Believe me, managing a late-stage startup brings an entirely new set of thorny problems.

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founder startup entrepreneurs advice 144

500

MAY 8, 2020

500 Startups kicked off a new series called Innovation Coffee Breaks. Experts from leading companies, venture capital firms and startups join us every week to discuss how to innovate during this time of uncertainty.

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