Throughout this series we’ve explored a wide range of entrepreneurial skills: pitching, sales, stakeholder management, and team building. But as a solo founder, I want to highlight another critical capability: resilience. Embracing uncertainty and overcoming personal barriers is a defining trait of successful founders. In this article, I share how I manage high-uncertainty situations and […]
Author: Emilio Garcia Padron
So far in this series, we’ve explored a wide range of startup fundamentals – from securing angel investment to cultivating leadership and building high-performing teams. These tools help founders maximise the potential of their seed funding, but this money will eventually run out. The critical question then becomes: how can you strategically position your project […]
In the previous article, we discussed the qualities that create strong team synergies and the attributes to look for when recruiting talent for a founding team. Now, let’s explore how a Winning Tribe can operate effectively and be led to success. A Story About Procrastination When I first became a team leader, I learned some […]
In the previous article, we discussed the three key ingredients of a winning tribe: exceptional people, strong team culture, and focused leadership. Over the past four years I have led multiple teams through various challenges, working with individuals who brought a wide range of attributes to the table. When recruiting the first group of founders, […]
We often think of entrepreneurs as lone geniuses, grinding away on breakthrough ideas. But there’s a reason why top accelerators like YC and EF rarely accept solo founders. A single person simply can’t wear all the hats a successful venture demands. Trying to go it alone risks burnout, dilutes your efforts, and blinds you to […]
So far, we have discussed: How to map your ecosystem’s network How to craft and deliver a compelling vision, and How to navigate the funding landscape for early-stage startups We often underestimate the role of support networks on the path towards success. Stakeholders aren’t just passive observers, they are the lifeblood of your project. They […]
Startups are complex ventures. They require technical solutions, research, innovation, and teamwork. Yet pitching a compelling vision only becomes a business when there is money behind it. While self-financing options such as personal loans or bootstrapping the business are available, they place the entire financial risk on the founder. For this reason, most entrepreneurs seek external […]
So far, we have discussed how to map your ecosystem’s network to identify and research key stakeholders, and how senior allies can help your ideas reach the right ears. The next step is ensuring you arrive at each meeting well prepared, so you don’t squander the unique opportunities ahead. It is not just about having […]
In the previous article, we discussed how to balance the dynamics between a young founder with a vision and a senior stakeholder. Now that we understand how to establish our vision, the next question becomes: who should you talk to first? Every university has a range of internal funding mechanisms across real estate, operations, and […]
I was recently invited to do a TEDx talk at Lancaster University where I shared my journey leading and creating community green spaces. After the conference, several excited attendees came over and asked me, “How did you do it?”. They wanted to know more about how I managed to secure support and £50k funding from […]
One of the biggest mistakes project managers and founders make is chasing every feature customers suggest. Customer understanding is key to good product design. We often rush out to gather feedback, returning with endless lists of “must-have” features. However, these features aren’t always what customers need — they’re just what they think they want. Acting […]
One of the hardest challenges I have faced is communicating a product vision to others. Without a common vision, you can never truly lead a team. I overcame this challenge by leaning on a framework introduced to me by a mentor—a tool that has unlocked numerous hackathon finals. There’s no better way to spend your […]