Ethan Austin (Techstars) - Punched in the Face with a Problem, Analyzing Teams and EQ

Ethan Austin is the Managing Director of Techstars Western Union Accelerator. Techstars Western Union Accelerator is the premier program for global startups shaping the future of money movement.  Companies participating in the program gain direct access to the world's best fintech execs, founders and investors covering everything from customer development, global go-to-market strategy, access to capital and biz dev opportunities. You can currently apply Here to be part of their summer cohort. The application deadline is April 5th, 2020.

Previously, Ethan co-founded Giveforward, the world's first medical crowdfunding platform which was acquired by gofundme, and Deal Gooder, an E-commerce site where proceeds benefitted local non-profits and schools.

You can follow Ethan on Twitter @ethanaustin. To follow along behind the scenes of the show, you can follow @mikegelb and @consumervc.

One book that inspired Ethan professionally is Hug Your Customers by Jack Mitchell. One book that inspired Ethan personally is Arc of Justice by Kevin Boyle.

In this episode you will learn -

1. What attracted Ethan to entrepreneurship? Why he is mission-driven. How going through Techstars changed his life? How to analyze teams? The importance of distribution.
   
2. The requirements of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator. Some trends that Ethan is focused on in fintech? What is one company in your most recent cohort that you are excited about? What is one thing that you would change about venture capital?
   
3. What is one piece of advice that he has for founders?