Product Thinking Episode 161: Nurturing a Successful Startup Accelerator with Paolo Lombardi, Founder of Techpeaks
Mar 6, 2024
Guest
Tom Eisenmann
Guest
Tanya Johnson
Guest
Stephanie Leue
Guest
Quincy Hunte
Guest
Paolo Lombardi
Guest
Melissa Perri
Guest
Leon Barnard
Guest
Ellen Chisa
Guest
Hubert Palan
Guest
Jason Fried
Guest
Blake Samic
Guest
Colin Anawaty
Exploring the unique aspects of TechPeaks startup accelerator, focusing on international entrepreneurs and collaboration. Paolo Lombardi shares insights on planning and deploying funds to early stage startups. Melissa describes her transformative experience in the program as a 'People accelerator.' The episode delves into the challenges and successes of building an international startup accelerator and nurturing successful startups through tailored programs.
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Episode notes
Leap From NYC To The Alps
- Melissa quit her New York product job to join Techpeaks and lived in the Alps for a year building startups.
- The program covered housing, stipend, and offered a €25,000 equity-free pitch prize, which she calls career-transforming.
Design For International Founders
- Techpeaks deliberately targeted international founders because digital startups must be born international to scale.
- The program accepted people without ideas and paired them with local tech and researchers to co-create startups.
Culture Clash Teaches Collaboration
- Melissa recounts frequent culture clashes in the cohort, including an argument about morning small talk norms.
- Diverse communication styles created friction but ultimately taught participants to collaborate across cultures.