Fred Wilson of Union Square Ventures at Techstars Patriot Boot Camp 2014
I had the opportunity to attend Techstars Patriot Boot Camp in New York City recently. It was an outstanding event and I can’t thank the Techstars team enough for putting it on. If you are a veteran who wants to build a technology company, I highly recommend you go. You just need an idea to get started. This podcast episode are my takeaways from the event. The highlights include:
- You have an incredible Veteran network, use it
- Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with “I’m a Veteran”
- People want to help – ask
- Build your company on a solid legal foundation early
- Avoid work with the government at all costs…really
- Hiring – you must be able to convince others to do what seems, at first, irrational when coming on board with you
- Get investors only after you have exhausted all other avenues of capital
- People who are already hacking a solution your problem are your best early adopters
- “Recruit disciples, not customers” -Dave Drach Techstars
- Leadership – “…you set the pace, you set the culture, you set the standard” – Brad Harrison Scout Ventures
- Service -“People say ‘thank you for your service’ as if you’re done. You’re not done; your service continues.” -Jon Robinson Kauffman Foundation
You can hear the interview below or on iTunes and Stitcher Radio, don’t forget to Subscribe to the weekly SITREP
[…] has been active in helping Veteran Entrepreneurs (He and I met at TechStars Patriot Boot Camp) and has always been open helping and connecting […]