Doubters, naysayers, unscrupulous investors, and competitors — entrepreneurs are used to battling all kinds of demons. But it’s the obstacles and enemies closest to you that blindside and derail your entrepreneurial success. They come in the form of a friendly co-worker or someone in a position of influence. While appearing…

Craig Newmark — Founder of Craigslist, Philanthropist Craig Newmark is the founder of Craigslist, the web-based platform that has fundamentally changed classified advertising. Since its founding in 1995, craigslist has become one of the world’s 10 most-visited English language web platforms. Today there are craigslist websites virtually everywhere and serving every continent on earth (except Antarctica).

Heidi Jannenga, DPT — co-founder of WebPT Dr. Jannenga is the co-founder of Phoenix-based WebPT, the leading software provider for electronic medical records and practice management for rehabilitation therapists. A sports physical therapist and clinic director when she co-founded WebPT in 2006, Dr. Jannenga served as chief operating officer until 2015, and then as the firm’s president…

Oh, those powerful, commanding leaders. You know the type: Baritone-voiced, stone-faced scowling — often Don Draper look-a-likes who just strolled in from Central Casting. Good looks, good hair and height. They have an aloof, authoritative and self assured demeanor giving off the illusion that they possess some innate power and wisdom. When they speak to…

Scott McNealy Co-Founder, Former Chairman of the Board, and CEO, Sun Microsystems, Inc. Co-Founder, and Board Member, Curriki — Our Children’s Future, Our Future Scott McNealy is an outspoken advocate for personal liberty, small government, and free-market competition. In 1982, he co-Founded Sun Microsystems and served as CEO and Chairman of the Board for 22 years. He piloted the company from startup to…

Geoff Ralston Entrepreneur, Investor & President at Y Combinator. Geoff has been president of Y Combinator since early 2019. He has been with YC for over ten years, joining Paul Graham as one of the first non-founder partners in 2011. Geoff has worked with hundreds of YC companies like Stripe, Gingko, Clever, Helion and Boom and has personally angel…

David Cohen Entrepreneur, Investor, and Founder and Chairman at Techstars. David Cohen is the Founder and Chairman at Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. David has been an entrepreneur and investor for his entire life. He has only had one job interview in his career, successfully got that job but then quit shortly thereafter to start his first…

Brad Feld Venture Capitalist, Startup Advocate, Author Brad Feld is a partner and co-founder of Foundry. He has been an early-stage investor and entrepreneur for over 35 years, since founding his first company, Feld Technologies, in college. Brad is also a co-founder of Techstars and, with his wife Amy Batchelor, runs the Anchor Point Foundation. Brad has…

Managing Director of Lauder Partners LLC — Gary Lauder Gary Lauder is the Managing Director of Lauder Partners LLC, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm investing in various realms of the technology field. He has been a venture capitalist since 1985, investing in over 150 private companies, and is an observer or member of about 7 of their boards…