Gigascale Capital的动态

DECODING 'FOUNDER MODE' AND 'MANAGER MODE' Over the last few weeks, Paul Graham's post has created many interesting discussions on this topic. When I reflected on his post, it threw a lot of interesting perspectives for me: - The first question I asked myself was, "What can we learn about this topic from companies out there?" Many of us tend to have recency bias. Can we look at companies founded long ago, and are there lessons to be learnt from there? Intel is a great example. Although it is going through difficult times today, it was an 800-pound gorilla not long ago. What can we learn from here? - Next, what skills and mental models should founders build in themselves as their companies scale? Microsoft is a good example here. Lastly, what attitude and skills do people who join these companies prepare themselves for, more than just the excitement of a startup or a rapidly growing/successful organisation, paying high salaries and having fancy designations? How should they put these skills to play to make the companies they join endure and stand the test of time? Satya Nadella, Andy Jassy N. Chandrasekaran are?great examples, taking off where the founders or promoters left off. You can read more about this at https://lnkd.in/drMky2Pt ContraMinds #founders #startup #culture #work #company #scale #growthmindset #foundermentality #books #mentalmodels

?????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ??, and the landscape of connections and innovations continues to expand. This week has been filled with inspiring encounters and meaningful exchanges that underscore the vibrancy of our startup ecosystem. ?? ?????? ???????????????????? ????????????????: - Jade Walters Walker of The Ninth Semester is exposing the world post grad and helping Gen Z college students position themselves to win their dream roles. - Oshawa Hunt of Hunt and Hire shines a spotlight on Austin’s dynamic business ecosystem, connecting talent to transformative opportunities. - Efraín Méndez of Score.ai (a fellow gener8tor alum) is democratizing the tech field with innovative AI solutions. ?? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ????????????: - Engaged with thought leaders at Forum Ventures shoutout to Maggie Bolt and Jonah Midanik. - Participated in Community Led Growth Office Hours with Jeanine Suah, gleaning insights into community-driven growth strategies. ?? ???? ?????? ?????????????????????? ??????????: - Initiated dialogues with potential CTO candidates, advancing our leadership team. - Progressed with V2 of our product development, excited about the enhancements we’re making. - Undertook the necessary, though daunting, task of revamping our pitch deck. - Sharpened our sales strategy, integrating new insights into our approach. Each meeting, each event, brings us closer to refining our mission and enhancing our impact. As we look to the week ahead, I’m energized by the potential of these new partnerships and the ongoing evolution of our product. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, it’s the connections we forge that transform our trajectories. ?? ??.??. ?????????? ???????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????. #StartupLife #Innovation #Networking #TechLeaders #BusinessGrowth #BuildinPublic

I had an employee once who didn't believe in our values... She was literally acting the opposite. When I approached her on it, it became clear she didn't understand what this particular value actually meant. And it wasn't just her.... A whole subset of the company was lost. How could this be? Well it turns out we were doing a really poor job of defining and educuating our newer employees on what we actually believed as a company. We assumed they understood, cause all the OG's did. But they did not. Not only that, they had literally created a different definition. Not good. So on that same day I started revisiting and defining our values again. I came up with this simple playbook that I've been following ever since. I hope you find it helpful... _____ ps. I created a community + accelerator for founders and CEOs a year ago. I'm very passionate about helping founders not falling into the same mistakes I did while building Classy. If you're looking to take your startup to the next level, let's chat. Shoot me a DM or fill out the link to apply (will drop in comments cause algo).

#SeattleSuccess #TechGiants #BusinessGrowth Have you ever wondered why Seattle seems to be a hotbed for so many successful companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Costco? ?? It’s pretty fascinating to think about, right? Here are a few thoughts on what makes this city such a powerhouse: Culture of Innovation: Seattle has long been a place where creativity thrives. With its vibrant tech scene and numerous universities, the city fosters a culture that encourages thinking outside the box. ??? Access to Talent: With top-notch universities and a steady influx of tech-savvy folks, companies here have access to a diverse pool of talent. This helps in driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness. ?????? Strong Entrepreneurial Spirit: There’s something about the Seattle vibe that promotes entrepreneurship. Startups can find plenty of support networks, funding opportunities, and resources to help them grow. ???? Strategic Location: Seattle’s position on the West Coast means it ... What Drives Seattle's Success in Producing Top Global Companies? Answers: https://lnkd.in/g6Mz8eZJ

Join me at 2pm today for a webinar on HR 101 for startups!

?? Founders beware: There’s plenty of bad VCs, and most funds underperform the S&P. Here’s 5 characteristics of a great VC: ? ? They come to board meetings prepped and help WAY beyond board meetings. ? ? They’re your first call when you get bad news. ? ? They care way more about helping you not die than your wins (b/c you don’t need them here). ? ? They invest because they believe they can materially shift the outcome. ? ? They have an "I work for you just as much as you work for me" mentality. ? -- ? Recently, I caught up with one of Chicago’s rising stars in VC, Sonia Sahney Nagar. Her career path is ??: ? Engineer ?? MBA ?? Wall Street ?? Amazon ?? Startup Founder & Seller ?? VC ? Sonia taught me a bunch about investing and startups. A few of my favorite takeaways: ? ?? Focus less on career path and more on quality of your work. A great career will follow. ? ?? Like the best startups, the best VCs have a clear, narrow ICP. Find those who have seen your story play out. ? ?? Fewer Midwest investors have made money as tech founders, making them more conservative than Coast investors. This has pros and cons. ? -- ?? moonwater[dot]studio/scale-mba (send #22) for my full interview

"Leadership is about empowering others to achieve more than they thought possible while staying true to your values and vision," says Rajan Anandan, the Managing Director of PeakXV Partners and Surge. Rajan obtained his degrees from MIT and Stanford. During his early years, education and resilience took center stage. He began at McKinsey & Co., gaining expertise in strategic problem-solving. At Microsoft, he revitalized the business, doubling its growth. Later, as Vice President and Managing Director of Google, he fostered digital transformation, enhancing internet accessibility and supporting small businesses and startups. Rajan Anandan faced challenges adapting to diverse markets and fostering innovation, yet his passion for technology and belief in entrepreneurship drove his success. His journey is one of determination, adaptability, and impact. #CCA #Core_cell #Monday_motivation

Can you really build a startup while keeping your full-time job???? In my experience, you can’t scale an entire company part-time, but you can absolutely research, test, and refine your product idea before diving in headfirst. In fact, it’s often the smarter way to go. Why leave a secure position—and risk both time and finances—if you haven’t validated your concept with real users? By talking to potential customers, challenging your assumptions, and tweaking your solution while you work, you keep your life in balance. And once you see genuine traction—whether it’s solid customer interest or potential investor commitments—you’ll know it’s time to make the leap. That’s exactly why I’m excited about our Concept Lab Program: it’s built for busy professionals who want a flexible, part-time way to launch a validated product. Check out the original post from Product Creative Lab, and feel free to message me if you have any questions—I’d love to chat! ??

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Concept Lab Program is Open for Enrollment! At?Product Creative Lab, we’re excited to introduce our?flexible, part-time?program designed to help you?design, create, and validate your own product?— without needing to quit your job or put your personal life on hold. What You’ll Get: ? Hands-on workshops?(10 in total) blending theory with real-world practice. ? Expert guidance?from founders and coaches who’ve done it all before. ? A?step-by-step roadmap?covering everything from idea generation to market validation. ? A?collaborative environment?full of like-minded innovators. Why Join? ? Make progress on your?entrepreneurial ambitions?while still managing work and life. ? Dive into?practical testing and validation?to ensure your product idea has real potential. ? Build a?supportive network?that lasts well beyond the program. The Next Cohort Starts in February 2025! If you’re ready to turn your ideas into a viable startup — or just want to test the waters and see if entrepreneurship is right for you —?this is your chance. Curious to Learn More? ? Comment below or send us a message to discuss how?The Concept Lab Program?can?accelerate your product journey.

?? The Humble Beginnings of Tech Giants: A Reminder of the Power of Early Belief Every great company has a story, and the tech titans we know today didn’t start with billion-dollar valuations or global campuses. They began with grit, belief, and often, modest initial investments. Here's a quick snapshot of how some of the most iconic companies got their start: Microsoft (1975): Bootstrapped by customers, founded by Bill Gates & Paul Allen in New Mexico. Apple (1977): Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, with a $250k investment from Mike Markkula. Amazon (1995): Jeff Bezos raised $250k from his parents, starting in a Washington garage. Netflix (1997): Co-founder Reed Hastings personally invested $2.5M in the company’s vision. Google (1998): Larry Page and Sergey Brin received a $100k check from Andy Bechtolsheim, even before incorporating. Facebook (2004): Peter Thiel's $500k investment turned a Harvard dorm idea into a global phenomenon. Tesla (2004): Founders Martin Eberhard & Marc Tarpenning began with friends, family, and personal funds. These stories remind us that while resources help, vision, persistence, and belief in a transformative idea are what truly set companies on their path to greatness. ?? Which of these stories inspires you the most? Share your thoughts below! #TechHistory #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #Innovation chatgpt edit for grammar and clarity