Navigating Entrepreneurship: Harold Smith III Shares Essential Lessons for Aspiring Virginia Tech Entrepreneurs

By: Sydney George, Monkton Marketing Intern

In late 2024, Harold Smith, Monkton's CEO and co-founder and a Virginia Tech grad, had the opportunity to speak to graduate electrical and computer engineering students at Virginia Tech’s Research Center in Arlington, Virginia. Addressing this group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Harold shared invaluable insights on overcoming startup challenges, discovering opportunities, and pushing beyond comfort zones to achieve success.

As a proud Hokie, this moment resonated deeply with Harold, allowing him to connect with individuals who are navigating the path he once walked. Harold was among the first computer science graduating class from Virginia Tech. After graduation, he gained experience as a defense contractor, where he absorbed essential lessons from corporate life that he later applied to establish his own company, Monkton.

Through his journey in starting and growing Monkton, Harold has distilled key entrepreneurial insights that have guided his success:

Find your purpose?

Helping others is at the core of Harold’s work. Harold is on a mission to use Cloud Native capabilities to deliver solutions at the speed of relevance for every customer, saving them money and bringing desired functionality to life faster.?He believes in creating solutions that empower organizations to get work done faster while prioritizing user experience. Harold urges all entrepreneurs to find a career that aligns with their purpose and passion.?

Ensure security and compliance

Security is critical in any industry. While the engineering field has learned valuable lessons from past mistakes, it's equally important to apply that same disciplined approach across all sectors. He is committed to ensuring security and compliance measures in every solution Monkton offers, effectively safeguarding sensitive user data and agency information.

Lean on strategic partnerships

Collaboration has been a cornerstone of Harold’s success. His experience working with over 40 partners on impactful projects such as LOGSTAT, PERSTAT, and MEDSTAT, underscores the power of strategic partnerships. These collaborations have led to significant achievements, including Monkton’s MATTER IDIQ. Harold encourages entrepreneurs to build meaningful connections and friendships, emphasizing that strong partnerships have been integral to his journey.?

Invest in yourself along the way

Harold believes that soft skills like reading and writing are crucial for thriving in any field—he doesn’t spend all day coding. He also reminds attendees that success in high-stress environments requires balance and the willingness to seek support when needed. By investing in personal development, individuals can achieve not only professional success but also holistic well-being.?

In sharing these insights, Harold inspires the next generation to forge their paths with purpose, resilience, and the knowledge to navigate entrepreneurial challenges.