Ten Years Advising Tech Startups - Part 2 of 2 Part Series
I’ve been reflecting lately on my almost decade of experience working with tech entrepreneurs at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) in Atlanta, GA. ATDC is a start-up accelerator that helps Georgia technology entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies. As I step back more objectively from that experience, here are some key takeaways, continued from Part 1 on working with early stage tech entrepreneurs.
4. The most high potential entrepreneurs that I worked with were leaders and business builders first, entrepreneurs second. Folks like Andy Monin of Vendormate, Bart Foster of Solo-Health and Mike Van Bruinisse of Purewire (now VP Sales at acquiring company Barracuda Networks) were motivating leaders who knew how to articulate an exciting vision of the future. They also knew that their primary job was to attract and support very high calibre people to work with and for their companies. They invested in relationships, always taking time to let advisors and team members know that they were appreciated. Andy Monin was at every ATDC staff celebration that I can remember – amazing! This compares to the heads-down founder. This founder was frequently too busy to look up. They often failed to realize that people do business with people they like, not just with businesses that have smart people and cool products.
5. It was very rewarding to have an opportunity to rapidly accelerate a first-time entrepreneurs’ learning curve. I particularly enjoyed working with them on milestone-based planning, educating and preparing them to be successful in the unique, difficult world of raising angel & venture capital and supporting them with their missionary sales activities. Although all entrepreneurs have to go down their own learning curve, the smartest benefit greatly by surrounding themselves with coaches, mentors and savvy advisors. And the best pay close attention to the sage advice offered while still having the confidence to make their own calls when conflicting advice is offered.
6. It was truly a privilege working with such a dynamic, talented and motivated set of founders at ATDC over almost a decade. As I have continued interactions with the many dozens of entrepreneurs I met through the great ATDC entrepreneur community, I am very optimistic about the future of this great technology town. The best is yet to come. I look forward to many future interactions and collaborations with these leaders who will build the next great companies. I hope also to influence them to invest in their communities and run their companies purposely and responsibly.
Comments welcomed.
