This Week in Startups

Elizabeth Yin, Co-founder and General Partner of Hustle Fund, shares her innovative portfolio strategy focused on attracting first-time LPs and high-frequency investing. She discusses the complexities of fundraising in the current climate and how COVID-19 has shifted startup strategies. Elizabeth also dives into the challenge of maintaining pro-rata stakes as a smaller fund and what to look for when deciding to make follow-on investments. Plus, insights on the increasing ability of founders to influence investor decisions make this conversation one to remember!

Phil Libin, CEO of All Turtles and former Evernote leader, shares invaluable wisdom for early-stage founders. He discusses whether to rely on data or instincts when making decisions. The conversation shifts to the importance of globally relevant products and the challenges of localization. Libin also dives into the evolving landscape of remote work, emphasizing the need for balance between flexibility and community engagement. With insights on growth strategies and navigating funding, he offers a rich perspective for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dive into the world of angel investing with expert insights on sourcing deals and evaluating startups. Discover how to negotiate effectively and manage your investment portfolio. Learn about an initiative that combines angel investing with charity, offering a unique opportunity for accredited investors to make a difference. The interactive workshop format adds excitement to the educational journey, making it engaging for all participants.

Siobhan Dullea, CEO of MassChallenge, leads a nonprofit accelerator that uniquely supports startups without taking equity. She discusses the acceptance of hundreds of companies annually and what makes an application stand out. Dullea explains the intricacies of prize distribution and the sustainability of a nonprofit model in nurturing innovation. Furthermore, she shares insights on investor attitudes, particularly why East Coast investors favor intellectual property, and reflects on the transformation of accelerators in a post-COVID world.

Discover what founders and investors often miss in pitches and how to craft captivating cold emails. Dive into strategies for effective customer research and learn the key traits of successful founders. The impact of COVID-19 on deal flow sheds light on adapting in challenging times. Explore domain name hacks and the importance of a startup’s name in branding. Plus, insights on improving customer retention and the debate between freemium models versus limited-time offers!

Join Sandy Munro, an engineer and CEO of Munro & Associates, as he shares his insights on the electric vehicle revolution. He passionately discusses the Tesla Model Y, diving into its design and manufacturing costs. Munro recounts his journey from farm life to engineering leadership at Ford, influenced by Dr. Deming’s teachings. He compares Tesla’s advancements to competitors and reveals an impressive analysis of the BMW i3, teasing findings that bridge quality assessments between the Model 3 and Model Y.

Dan Pupius, CEO and co-founder of Range, dives into the world of remote team culture. With a background at Google and Medium, he shares insights on the crucial role of asynchronous communication and how to keep motivation high among team members. Dan discusses his experiences with Google+ and the lessons learned from its rise and fall, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety in remote work. He also explores frameworks like Holacracy and the future of hybrid work environments, all while weaving in thoughts on cultural influences from events like Burning Man.

Quincy Larson, founder of freeCodeCamp, shares insights from his exclusive AMA. He discusses the merits of hiring junior developers and the evolving project-based curriculum at freeCodeCamp. Larson addresses remote work challenges post-COVID and offers tips for excelling in virtual interviews. He also explores the balance between maintaining freeCodeCamp as a nonprofit while growing its media presence. Finally, he encourages contributions to open-source projects, emphasizing that beginners can start without being experts.

Cameron Teitelman, Founder and Chairman of StartX, shares insights on optimizing Stanford’s entrepreneurial landscape. He discusses the unique selection process for StartX founders, emphasizing traits like humility and effective communication. Cameron dives into why growth-stage founders join StartX and the importance of peer support in driving success. He also critiques traditional demo days and highlights the evolution towards virtual formats, stressing the power of storytelling in securing investor interest. Insightful and engaging, the conversation illuminates the future of entrepreneurship.

Delane Parnell, CEO and founder of PlayVS, shares his inspiring journey from the projects to securing nearly $100M for his esports platform. He discusses the unique business model behind PlayVS, partnerships that helped scale across U.S. high schools, and the importance of creating a safe environment for female gamers. Delane reflects on breaking into tech as an outsider, the significance of diversity in entrepreneurship, and his path from hustling in high school to building a company championing competitive gaming in education.