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But what was interesting to me was that I found myself recommending that each of them should have a technicaladviser. This is exactly the kind of thing I'm doing as a Part-Time CTO or TechnicalAdvisor for startups. There are two kinds of advisors that are commonly needed. Strategic TechnicalAdvisor.
My role is to work as part of the team to (1) understand related technologies and technical opportunities, (2) understand and help drive alignment around a vision of where the business should go, and (3) mesh those together to help make disciplined, proactive technical decisions.
I’ve worked with 30+ early-stage companies in all sorts of capacities (and spoken to many, many more), so I thought it might be worthwhile trying to classify the various ways that I’ve engaged in different technology roles in startups. It depends on the business, people, technologies, etc. Each situation is just a bit different.
I have long advised startup companies that if you don’t control your messaging somebody else will and your potential customers will form impressions of you shaped by somebody else or by nobody at all. For 1991 I was very technical and also had a lot of practical business implementation experience in technology.
I've had several Startup CTO Consulting sessions recently where it became apparent that the Founder needed help with the business and product as much or more than the technology. Then we discussed how they could go about finding this startup business advisor. These are not mutually exclusive and good mentors and advisors get into both.
We caught up with Erik to hear more about MuckerLab, and its efforts to grow the Los Angeles technology ecosystem. The second piece, is we want to, more globally, drive the growth and evolution of the technology and startup ecosystem here in Los Angeles. Erik, thanks for the time. Everything they need to launch and grow their business.
Unfortunately, with limited resources, this isn’t possible, and it frustrates customers and the team. New entrepreneurs, especially technical ones, are excited by early adopters, and tend to focus on their feedback, which will always suggest more product features and options. Focus first on finding more of the right customers.
Most people totally advise against stealth. The biggest problem with over-stealthing yourself is that you cut off some of your most valuable resources in terms of testing your ideas, getting feedback from smart entrepreneurs & investors and helping you figure out the potential flaws in your approach. Be careful about this advice.
I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). They know that these entrepreneurs don’t have the skill or resources to defend themselves.
I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). They know that these entrepreneurs don’t have the skill or resources to defend themselves.
I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. Even after your application is accepted, the issuing process takes a lifetime in today’s technology (4-5 years). They know that these entrepreneurs don’t have the skill or resources to defend themselves.
Most of the entrepreneurs I advise today are ready to declare success when they get that first surge of traction with a real customer. The specialists to support these may speak different technical as well as communication languages, and be physically dispersed around the world.
The aim, according to the private college’s press release, is to provide “mentoring, advising and access to resources for up to 15 student- and community-run companies with a philanthropic twist.” Outlyer Technologies, and Your Village. The California Spirits Company. The Travel Experience Incubator.
I still generally advise software startups to file a patent as a barrier to entry from competitors and to increase their valuation by investors, but every entrepreneur needs to understand the tradeoffs. That’s more than a lifetime in today’s technology. Patent offices can’t keep up with software technology.
I made the jump myself from IBM several years ago, and now have a satisfying startup advising small businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs. Most technical people I know love to discuss and debate technology, but avoid business subjects, including finance and marketing, like the plague. Focus on customer value in every job.
With public interest in artificial intelligence technologies on the rise, five of the world’s largest corporations—vying against each other in so many spheres—are banding together to support research on the ethical and societal issues raised by machines with increasingly human-like capabilities.
There is a core that exists in human connectedness that no amount of technology can replace. I think this splits up critical resources and builds separate cultures in two locations. I often advise these CEOs to make the tough choices early in the company’s history – either move up North or build your tech team in LA.
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