Steve Blank Author, Professor, Innovator, Thought Leader Steve Blank is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford and co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. He has been described as the Father of Modern Entrepreneurship. Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement and the curriculums for the National Science Foundation Innovation…

No Pain No Problem — Products Providing Passion & Pleasure What’s your problem? “What’s the big problem you are solving?” It’s probably the most predictable question thrown at entrepreneurs during an investor pitch — repeated so often that it becomes comical and trite. Inevitably, some armchair entrepreneurship expert — posing as an investor, or a mentor or coach at an…

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…

And the 1 phrase you should say — Today’s startup entrepreneurs endure a more intensive kind of entrepreneurship. These are the one’s who are risking it all to build breakthrough products, with the potential to the change the world and improve the lives of millions. The pace, the stress, the uncertainty, and the existential isolation - despite having…

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…

Co-founder of BlogHer, The first social publishing platform for women creators. Co-Founder BrainTrust Founders Fund. — Lisa Stone Co-founder of BlogHer, The first social publishing platform for women creators. Co-Founder BrainTrust Founders Fund. Lisa Stone is a Silicon Valley builder — with multiple exits — turned investor. Lisa has raised $100MM+ in venture investment for companies she founded or helped lead, and built five consumer movements (25–127MM unique…

Founder, Executive Director Emeritus — Angel Capital Association — Marianne Hudson Founder, Executive Director Emeritus — Angel Capital Association Ms. Hudson leads the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the world’s leading professional and trade association focused on fueling the success of accredited angel investors and portfolio companies in high growth, early-stage ventures. ACA provides professional development, public policy advocacy and significant benefits…

Entrepreneurship Professor, Stanford University — Chuck Eesley Entrepreneurship Professor, Stanford University and Faculty Director Stanford Technology Ventures Program Chuck Eesley is an Associate Professor and W.M. Keck Foundation Faculty Scholar in the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. …