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Exit Interview: Lita Nelsen on MIT Tech Transfer, Startups & Culture

Xconomy

Lita Nelsen has seen it up close—and played a part in its evolution—from her studies there in the 1960s, to her business-school fellowship in the late 1970s, to her 30 years working in MIT’s Technology Licensing Office. Now, her career has come to a close. LN: Right, he came on a sabbatical year.

Startup 67
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Who Should you Hire at a Startup?

Both Sides of the Table

He’s joining you because your company offers him/her the hope of the big equity package but likely the step forward in his career that he’s been looking for. One of the things that I had done to help me gain access to senior people that I didn’t know was to bring on a senior guy from industry as a mentor.

Startup 327
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10 Entrepreneur Comments That Kill Investor Deals

Startup Professionals Musings

It’s always painful when a startup fails, but as a mentor to founders, I would hope that you can learn from these failings and not stumble on the same issues. Competing with IBM, Microsoft, and other large companies is a very difficult task. At the other extreme, too much confidence or arrogance can kill you just as fast.

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Ten Common Arrogance Traps for Startups to Avoid

Startup Professionals Musings

It’s always painful when a startup fails, but as a mentor to founders I would hope that you can learn from these failings and not stumble on the same issues: “Business plans are for dummies.” Another variation on this theme is the person who creates a “solution” from technology, and then makes up a “problem” that it will solve.

Startup 95
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Ten Quotes That Indicate Your Arrogance is Showing

Startup Professionals Musings

It’s always painful when a startup fails, but as a mentor to founders, I would hope that you can learn from these failings and not stumble on the same issues. Competing with IBM, Microsoft, and other large companies is a very difficult task. At the other extreme, too much confidence or arrogance can kill you just as fast.

Startup 98
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Ten Common Arrogance Traps for Startups

Startup Professionals Musings

It’s always painful when a startup fails, but as a mentor to founders I would hope that you can learn from these failings and not stumble on the same issues: “Business plans are for dummies.” Another variation on this theme is the person who creates a “solution” from technology, and then makes up a “problem” that it will solve.

Startup 52