Paul G. Silva

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Breaking the “Impossible” at VVM When I was at Valley Venture Mentors, we set this BHAG: “In ten years, catalyze entrepreneurs to change the economy of Western Massachusetts by generating $1 billion in cumulative revenue and investment.” ” At the time, we were running a startup accelerator for 6 companies.

innovation 130

innovation accelerator angel investing entrepreneurship 130

American Entrepreneurship

MARCH 21, 2025

Entrepreneurs and changemakers from across the country will gather in Dallas June 12-14, 2025, for the return of the Good Soil Forum, presented by Wells Fargo. Known for igniting purpose-driven business growth, this years event will feature none other than media icon, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey , who will join T.D.

entrepreneurs 77

entrepreneurs mentorship entrepreneurial ecosystem pitching 77

NZ Entrepreneur

JUNE 19, 2023

A new batch of enterprising New Zealanders are being given the opportunity to fast track their ventures from idea through to startup, thanks to an online education initiative backed by Callaghan Innovation and entrepreneur education platform Startup NZ. Dr Jenny Douché, Callaghan Innovation.

education 105

education entrepreneurs economic development startup 105

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

JUNE 7, 2019

As an independent woman with a go-getter attitude, she shared insights with us into her life as an entrepreneur and what it was like getting YHS off the ground, as well as her advice for other young entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Obstacles and Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur . You have to find balance.

entrepreneurs 214

entrepreneurs advice peer-to-peer sustainability 214

The Seraf Compass

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Have you ever been in a situation where you are negotiating an investment with an entrepreneur and you can’t agree on the pre-money valuation? Any early stage investor who makes more than one or two investments will certainly run into this issue.

capital 297

capital education entrepreneurs investing 297

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 18, 2021

Natasha recently shared how EO impacted her life and business : As an entrepreneur, having an impressive arsenal of tools to pull from at any moment can be the difference between success and failure. Education, powerful connections, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences are all keys to entrepreneurial success.

education 244

education peer-to-peer leadership entrepreneurs 244

Entrepreneurs' Organization

OCTOBER 15, 2024

That involves investing in training and education that emphasizes critical thinking, industry expertise, and communication. For more insights and inspiration from today’s leading entrepreneurs, check out EO on Inc. and more articles from the EO blog.

creativity 175

creativity innovation collaboration consulting 175

This is going to be BIG.

JUNE 23, 2014

When I turn down the opportunity to invest in a startup, I really turn it down. Sugarcoating isn''t helpful to entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are sending me back notes saying "They turned it down, but I''m not sure why." I try and say exactly what I don''t believe will happen, or why I don''t believe in what you''re doing.

pitching 351

pitching VC venture capital opportunity 351

This is going to be BIG.

OCTOBER 3, 2016

At least, that's how a lot of entrepreneurs feel. We're "kingmakers" whose investment has the "Midas Touch." Perhaps if we spend more time talking about board participation, counseling entrepreneurs on decisions, helping them solve problems and working hard to recruit people, the type of people who apply to the job might change.

VC 390

VC venture capital entrepreneurship advice 390

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JUNE 19, 2024

Yet, as most seasoned entrepreneurs will attest, the reality is far more complex and challenging, particularly when you decide to bootstrap your business. Instead, it began with 15 years of hands-on learning in capital markets, working closely with entrepreneurs, investors, and bankers. The early years were grueling.

financing 255

financing finance entrepreneurship mentorship 255

A VC: Musings of a VC in NYC

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

I was talking to a group of education entrepreneurs (on Zoom naturally) last week and was advocating for the “direct to learner” approach that defines our eduction investing strategy at USV. For the most part, we do not like to back companies that sell learning tools to educational institutions.

education 288

education strategy support entrepreneurs 288

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 18, 2014

In my Twitter bio is says that I’m “ looking to invest in passionate entrepreneurs ,” which almost sounds like I was just looking for a cliché soundbite to describe myself. Passion is also the featured heavily in nearly every presentation I give to entrepreneurs or on college campuses or in talks with MBA students.

startup 419

startup peer-to-peer entrepreneurs education 419

This is going to be BIG.

NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Tech entrepreneur mayor presides over NYC tech during an explosion in company creation, job growth and venture funding. Education initiatives did not create the community. City money didn''t spur on the massive venture capital investments that have been made by the private sector. I mean, it makes sense, right?

education 291

education venture capital communities ventures 291

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 8, 2014

Cincinnati, like many startup communities in the US over the past 5 years, has revitalized important regions in its urban core, created accelerators, built co-working facilities, pooled together angel capital, attracted VCs, involved educational institutions and solicited the help of important corporations in a more cohesive ecosystem.

startup 390

startup communities venture capital angel capital 390

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 9, 2014

I often talk about what I’m looking for when I meet with an entrepreneur. Above all else I’m looking for a genuine passion for what the entrepreneur is doing. You can sense when it is a “mission” for this entrepreneur to succeed and she will continue the journey even if success isn’t easy or immediate.

peer-to-peer 373

peer-to-peer VC pitching entrepreneurs 373

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 16, 2016

Computer Vison Startup Nanit If you follow me on Snapchat ( msuster ) you might already know that I’ve been looking at and investing in a number of companies in the computer vision space. Today I am so excited to announce our latest investment in the category —  Nanit  — which is a smart baby monitor.

investing 208

investing investment peer-to-peer real estate 208

This is going to be BIG.

DECEMBER 2, 2013

Coupled with education systems lacking for inspiration, anything that can create a spark in a child is in high demand. Scarcity + high demand = Happy VC all too willing to fund playful things and entrepreneurs ready to play. These companies are not only getting millions in VC investments, but huge revenues as well.

education 281

education venture capital VC board 281

Entrepreneurs' Organization

MARCH 22, 2018

Having someone you admire invest time and energy in your goals builds successful companies and careers. It’s what being an entrepreneur is about. I’ve made monthly peer-mentoring sessions of 10 to 12 other entrepreneurs an integral part of my ongoing education. Mentorship is one of the best gifts.

peer-to-peer 152

peer-to-peer mentorship entrepreneurs accelerator 152

Entrepreneurs' Organization

AUGUST 4, 2020

This article comes from the Melbourne chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. We asked members of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in Australia to explain how they use social media. Facebook ads remain our highest return on investment” 3. For Facebook, they invest by placing ads. “We

media 278

media education strategy communities 278

Entrepreneurs' Organization

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

Antonio Lennert , a member of EO Canada Bridge, is an entrepreneur, designer and community builder. He is the co-founder and CEO of Surf the Greats , Canada’s largest brand and community for surf education, adventure and lifestyle on the Great Lakes and beyond. He contemplated hanging up his wetsuit once again.

communities 236

communities education entrepreneurs collaboration 236

Smart Hustle Magazine

APRIL 1, 2021

NetSuite , a leading provider of business management software for growing businesses has named Ramon Ray, entrepreneur, best-selling author and founder of SmartHustle.com as its first Entrepreneur in Residence. . I am excited for this opportunity and honored to be the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence,” adds Ray.

entrepreneurs 114

entrepreneurs education opportunity energy 114

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

MARCH 18, 2020

The largest early-stage investor in the region, Ben Franklin provides investment capital and business support services to emerging tech-entrepreneurs and small manufacturers located in central and northern Pennsylvania. WE INVEST IN INNOVATION. www.cnp.benfranklin.org. www.xactmetal.com.

technology 125

technology investing investment startup 125

Smart Hustle Magazine

JUNE 4, 2021

Here’s a list of top sources for funding minority entrepreneurs. The NASE has been around since 1981, providing entrepreneurs and micro-businesses, including those by minority owners with access to grants and educational resources. It is a great resource for minority entrepreneurs with a more specific funding need.

entrepreneurs 131

entrepreneurs peer-to-peer collaboration communities 131

Entrepreneurs' Organization

AUGUST 12, 2019

For many established entrepreneurs, establishing a purpose and passion beyond business is a fulfilling way to truly make a mark. Ravi Machani , an EO member in Bangalore, India, is one entrepreneur who has done so admirably. The program forges strategic collaborations between startups and established entrepreneurs,” explains Ravi.

entrepreneurship 127

entrepreneurship investing investment real estate 127

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JANUARY 27, 2020

One way to do this is to give employees access to education and resources from competent organizations. Once educated on the possible tell-tale signs of mental illness, they will be able to reach out to colleagues in need or even recognize the need in themselves. In the workplace, those people are coworkers and the employer.

health 236

health support coworking education 236

Revolution

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

At first, we primarily played an advocacy and convening role, working with policymakers and administrations , organizing bus tours, and telling the stories of the entrepreneurs we met along the way. In the last decade, we’ve socialized several Rise of the Rest-isms to describe investments that check those boxes.

founder 246

founder transportation innovation education 246

Entrepreneurs' Organization

JULY 15, 2020

As entrepreneurs, we face challenges throughout our careers, but we don’t spend a lot of time planning what we’ll do during and after a global pandemic. Under these circumstances, entrepreneurs become focused, intentional and highly creative. Are your investments smart decisions? At the same time, educate nonstop.

opportunity 250

opportunity health education leadership 250

TechCrunch

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

VC has been invested over the past decade according to race, gender and educational background makes for grim reading — with all-ethnic teams and female entrepreneurs receiving just a fraction of available funding versus all-white teams and male founders. The picture is starkest for Black female entrepreneurs in the U.K.

founder 113

founder investing investment VC 113

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 7, 2015

” I found myself nodding through all of it with quotes like, “Seed investing is the status symbol of Silicon Valley,” said Sam Altman. One of my favorite entrepreneur-Twitterer weighed in, “You want to keep tapping into their collective intelligence so you keep saying ‘Thank you for the feedback’ and they keep sending it,” Ms.

startup 323

startup advice pitching VC 323

Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

MARCH 31, 2020

2018 YLAI fellow Kenishia Mais is the founder of ThrivingDollars , a financial education platform empowering young adults with the tools and resources they need to make smarter decisions, create their ideal financial lives, and gain the freedom to pursue more of what they love.

entrepreneurship 245

entrepreneurship financing finance education 245

Startup Grind

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

Many have tried to revolutionize education and failed. Education startups need science and research based evidence on their approach to learning and education. I would definitely recommend UCL educate program for that side. Historically, this is where EdTech entrepreneurs have failed.

education 196

education startup sustainability mix-use 196

David Teten VC

AUGUST 30, 2021

have created or supported funds to invest in local VC managers. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School. . all bear the marks of government investment. Instead, they should consider investing in VC funds which invest in their diaspora, and more generally, taking other moves to support their diaspora. .

investing 119

investing investment founder VC 119

Entrepreneurs' Organization

OCTOBER 26, 2022

Suddenly, I found myself in a period of my life that so many entrepreneurs know all too well after an exit: I felt unsure of my “place.”. I remember asking myself questions like: Am I still an entrepreneur? Like most entrepreneurs, I started as an underdog, and it remained a key part of company culture as we grew.

real estate 238

real estate creativity entrepreneurs culture 238

This is going to be BIG.

MARCH 6, 2017

I can't tell you how many times I've heard an entrepreneur make a generalization about VCs based on a few meetings that was completely wrong--and they were usually basing their statement off what the VC told them. Logic would dictate that you either don't invest at this stage, or you don't like the company, or you don't like the founder.

VC 243

VC education venture capital investing 243

TechCrunch

OCTOBER 7, 2021

But only a few players are taking advantage of the market, which can make a case as the next frontier for mobile money and investment apps in Africa. To that end, Ejara , a one-year-old company founded by Nelly Chatue-Diop, has raised $2 million to pioneer the usage of crypto and investment services in the region. ” .

investing 145

investing investment mix-use education 145

Entrepreneurs' Organization

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

There were mistakes along the way, such as investing in materials that didn’t meet our quality standards or underestimating the logistics of using sustainable alternatives. Invest in Education and Training Sustainability is an evolving field. Continuous education and training for your team are essential.

sustainability 221

sustainability culture education collaboration 221

Entrepreneurs' Organization

APRIL 2, 2021

Contributed By Susan Michel, EO New Jersey member and founder and CEO of Glen Eagle Advisors , which provides investment management and financial planning advice. Consider letting your child invest their money in the stock market: You can let them pick the stock the money is invested in.

education 196

education board finance financing 196