Scaleup Valley

3 things CPOs always get wrong about innovation! I completely understand why CPOs are obsessed with innovation, and they have every right to! Innovation keeps products and services fresh, drives market expansion, and keeps customers engaged and delighted. However, not all innovation is good innovation. When approached incorrectly, it can shift from being a transformative force to a growth killer, killing progress instead of fueling it. Here are some key mistakes CPOs make when it comes to innovation—and how to avoid them! 1. Chasing Novelty Instead of Value Many CPOs fall into the trap of thinking innovation means building something entirely new. True innovation isn’t just about new features. it’s about solving real customer problems in better, faster, and more scalable ways. Fix it: Stop thinking about the next “Big Thing”, and focus instead on how to provide maximum value to your customers. 2. Ignoring Execution for Big Ideas A brilliant idea without flawless execution is just a wish. Too many CPOs focus on brainstorming big ideas but fail to align teams, prioritize effectively, and bring those ideas to life in a meaningful way. Fix it: Innovation is 80% execution, 20% ideation, focus less on how great your ideas are, and more on how to actually execute them. 3. Forgetting That Innovation is a Team Sport Product innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Without leadership, engineers, sales, and even customers, even the best product ideas will fail. Innovation needs cross-functional collaboration to succeed. Fix it: Always remember that for true innovation to happen, positive collaboration between stakeholders must take place first. What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to innovation?

Your Culture Can Make or Break Your Business! We’re living in strange times; some CEOs proudly boast about their “work culture,” while others have no real understanding of what that even means. But here’s the real question: What is company culture, and why does it matter for business growth? At its core, company culture is the shared values, goals, and vision that unite your team across all levels of leadership. Think of it as a group rhythm, a collective belief in what your company stands for, what you should focus on, and the objectives you’re all working to bring to life. Sounds simple, right? Yet, most companies get it wrong! Building a Strong Culture Is More Than Just Words It’s not just about having a nice-sounding mission statement or a list of core values—it’s about creating a cross-functional strategy that influences every aspect of your company. A strong company culture fuels business growth by: ?Aligning departments around a shared purpose ?Empowering team members to take ownership ?Creating cohesion and clarity in decision-making ?Inspiring loyalty, so employees feel like they’re part of something bigger than just a job The real magic happens when your employees care about your company’s success as much as you do, because for them, it’s not just work; it’s a mission they believe in and champion every day. ?? What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in cultivating company culture? Let’s discuss below! ??

In our latest episode, Mike Dias interviews the incredible Ida Tin, co-founder of Clue and founder of the FemTech Assembly. We dive deep into Ida's journey, from building a groundbreaking health app to challenging the norms of venture capital. Ida shares powerful insights on: ?? Leading with emotional intelligence ?? The importance of creating safe spaces for teams ?? Rethinking the power dynamics in VC ?? The future of FemTech and investing in women's health Listen now and be inspired! Link to Podcast in the first comment #femtech #leadership #entrepreneurship #vanguard #womenshealth #podcast #clue

The flow of capital is broken. It's inefficient, wasteful, and rife with gender bias. Women and underrepresented founders are disproportionately affected. It's time for transparency and a fairer system. Don't forget to listen to our new episode to learn more and demand change! #VCbias #DiversityinTech #FundingGap #Podcast

Your Company Has a Strategy. But Does It Have a Story? Scaling a company isn't just about numbers, targets, or OKRs. It's about?getting your entire team aligned around a vision that actually makes sense to them. At ScaleUp Valley, we’ve seen too many companies struggle because: ?? Leaders set ambitious goals but fail to align teams behind them. ?? Teams work hard, but their efforts don’t connect to long-term success. ?? CEOs have a vision, but that vision isn’t translating into day-to-day execution. That’s where?Strategic Narrative?comes in. ?? A?Strategic Narrative?bridges the gap between high-level goals and daily execution. It tells the story of where the company is going, why it matters, and how every team contributes. When done right, it: ? Creates alignment without micromanagement. ? Helps teams make decisions faster and with confidence. ? Turns employees into true ambassadors of your growth journey. In short—if you want predictable, repeatable, and profitable growth, your strategy needs a story. How do you ensure your team?gets?your vision and executes on it? Let’s discuss in the comments. ?? #ScalingUp #Leadership #Strategy #Growth

Is the VC-founder relationship truly equal? ?? In this episode, Ida Tin, shares her insightful perspective on the often-unequal power dynamic between VCs and founders. We explore whether the current system is truly sustainable. This is a conversation you won't want to miss. Don't forget to tune in for bold opinions and potential solutions! #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #powerdynamics #podcast

Is anger always destructive? Ida Tin, CEO of Clue, shares her powerful perspective on anger, challenging societal norms and exploring its potential as a catalyst for change. Stay tuned for the full podcast episode at the end of the month! #podcast #idatin #clue #womenshealth #challengingthenorm

Think scaling stops being tricky once you "make it big"? Think again. ?? As businesses grow, the challenges don’t disappear—they evolve. Rapid growth can expose operational inefficiencies and spark cultural clashes across departments. Suddenly, that light startup vibe is replaced by overwhelming workflows and mounting complexity. Midsize companies, in particular, face a unique yet expected challenges: ??Battling inertia: Big investments in "what’s always worked" often hinder adaptability. ??Resource strains: Growth stresses even the most polished systems. ??Customer retention risks: Smaller competitors thrive on agility—can you keep up? It’s time to debunk the myth. Growth is tough for every business—just in different ways. Understanding and tackling these evolving challenges head-on is what separates sustainable success from stagnation. Let’s explore how leaders can scale smarter. Share your thoughts below! ?? #ScalingUp #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #MidsizeCompanies #ScaleUpValley

Tired of overthinking every decision? ??? In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep with Eric Carrasquilla CEO at Vendavo to debunk the myth of "rushing" decisions. 1??Decisive action, even with adjustments, often trumps endless analysis. 2??Focus on key metrics that truly impact your bottom line. 3??Set achievable, 90-day goals for your leadership team to maximize productivity. Listen now on our website and Spotify! ?? Don't miss out on valuable insights from Eric Carrasquilla. ?? #leadership #decisionmaking #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #podcast

Stop guessing! Eric Carrasquilla, CEO at Vendavo, simplifies the path to business success by focusing on the key metrics that truly impact your bottom line. This month's podcast cuts through the noise. it's a must-listen for entrepreneurs facing tough decisions. Don't forget to tune in! New episode drops on the 23rd. #entrepreneurship #businessstrategy #podcast #growthhacking