Think Like a Scientist: Smarter Decision-Making for Founders
In this episode of Startup Success, we welcome Arielle Lechner, Executive Coach and Founder of NewPo, to discuss the crucial role of decision-making and leadership in early-stage startups. Arielle, a mentor for TechStars and former startup operator, shares insights on how founders can move faster, avoid burnout, and create a thriving company culture.We dive into how founders can distinguish between upstream and downstream problems, the power of thinking like a scientist when iterating, and Arielle’s Lift and Thrust model for balancing team motivation and momentum.Tune in to learn how to:Stop wasting time on the wrong issues and focus on the upstream problemsCreate a culture that propels your team forward even in difficult timesMove away from the mindset and assumptions that limit your startup’s potential to scaleDon’t miss this episode packed with actionable takeaways on how to successfully navigate the hard decisions and complex challenges that come with leading a startup.----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! To learn more about NewPo visit https://www.newpo.io/
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23:35
Strategies for Startups Outside Silicon Valley
Finding startup success outside of Silicon Valley is possible – it just requires some ingenuity.We couldn’t think of anyone who knows more about this topic than Rick Turoczy.With three decades of experience supporting founders, Rick Turoczy, GM and Co-founder of PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment), is the ultimate connector and an expert at helping startups turn ideas into reality. In this episode, we sit down with Rick to explore how startups outside of the Bay Area can find support in their community and he gives us an inside look at the fundraising landscape beyond the Valley.We discuss:Creative fundraising strategies outside of Silicon ValleyTactics for leveraging local resources to help scale your startupHow to pick the right accelerator for your startupWhy the lack of easily accessible capital combined with the proliferation of AI could be a perfect storm for innovationIf you're a founder looking to find startup success in your own community, this episode is a must-listen!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn! To learn more about PIE visit https://www.piepdx.com/
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24:30
Q1 Snapshot: The Startup Ecosystem
Join us for a Q1 update! Kicking off 2025, many anticipated a return to the "good old days" of economic optimism, but the reality has been more complex. In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Steven Lord, Burkland’s COO, to get a pulse on the startup ecosystem and the broader economic landscape as Q1 comes to a close.We discuss:What’s going on with interest rates?Trends in startup valuations and venture capitalThe latest on inflation and the declining consumer confidence indexSteps founders can take now to be prepared for what’s next AI continues to dominate investment conversations, but we’re seeing a shift toward niche AI applications and industry-specific use cases. Meanwhile, economic uncertainty has created a turbulent environment for startups reliant on government grants and regulatory stability, leaving many clean energy, healthcare, and fintech founders in limbo.Tune in for a deep dive into the forces shaping startup success in 2025, and what founders, investors, and business leaders should watch for in the months ahead -- plus a quick PSA moment on protecting your startup against hackers!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!
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23:55
Data Privacy Considerations that Startups Can’t Ignore
In this episode of Startup Success, we explore the data privacy considerations that all founders need to address, not ignore, with Katharine Tomko, Partner at First Ascent Ventures. Katharine fully understands all the priorities and stresses founders face, so she lays out a clear roadmap for them with small, actionable steps they can take now that will help them down the road with privacy.With an intriguing background that spans from her first job as a parole officer to the early days of data protection programs at Facebook and now her work in venture capital, Katharine is a true authority on data privacy. She “gets” the mindset of founders and knows what they need to do today around privacy and data collection.Katharine offers perspective on:The big dangers of not prioritizing privacy in the AI eraWhy more is not better when it comes to collecting customer dataDoes data mapping solve privacy?What VCs can learn about a founder by how they manage privacyFounders and VCs – don’t miss this deep dive into a topic that’s becoming non-negotiable in the startup world!----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!
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24:06
Unlocking Growth: How Startups Can Optimize Pricing & Packaging
Pricing and packaging can make or break a startup, yet many founders struggle to get it right. In this episode of Startup Success, we sit down with Fynn Glover, Co-Founder and CEO of Schematic, to explore his journey from startup founder to pricing and packaging expert. Fynn shares lessons from his first startup—how a pivot led to an acquisition, the challenges of scaling, and what sparked his fascination with pricing.And we dive into:How to get a deep understanding of your market's willingness to payThe big upside of having pricing and packaging that can evolve as fast as your product roadmapWhy decoupling pricing from the engineering function allows for more creativity around monetization Whether you're starting a new venture or scaling a business, this episode offers valuable insights on monetization, customer pricing dynamics, and conquering common pricing challenges![01:42] Fynn’s First Startup, Pivot, and Acquisition[05:29] Founding Schematic[08:00] Challenges and Insights in Pricing and Packaging[10:00] Schematic's Approach and Early Success[17:17] Advice for Startup Founders----Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!
Sobre Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors
On Startup Success, we discuss what’s working right now for scaling founders and investors... You’ll hear interviews with founders and investors who have compelling stories to share, new trends, and conversations from thought leaders and experts who have walked the walk. Each episode will dig into a crucial area of startup success: finance, entrepreneurship, fundraising, hiring, marketing, sales, and operations to help your startup or portfolio company scale.
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