Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders (ETL) Garrett Lord (Handshake) - The Network Effect
Jun 11, 2025
Garrett Lord, Co-founder and CEO of Handshake, shares his journey from a working-class background to creating a platform that connects students and alumni with employers. He discusses the challenges of gaining traction with universities and the importance of building relationships. Lord highlights the significance of personal stories in entrepreneurship, illustrating how they can inspire commitment. He also emphasizes maintaining a scrappy culture in established companies to ensure continued innovation and growth.
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Origin Story of Handshake
- Garrett Lord started Handshake after experiencing limited internship access at Michigan Tech and seeing Silicon Valley students' opportunities.
- His sister's struggle finding a job inspired him to democratize internship access for all students.
Hustle to Drive Network Access
- To launch a marketplace, focus first on the side with trusted network access; for Handshake, universities were key.
- Hustle relentlessly and build personal connections to overcome initial rejections and skepticism.
Network Effects from Elite Schools
- Securing top universities attracted major employers, creating a network effect that broadened opportunities for all schools.
- Recruiting footprints of big companies expanded to smaller schools through this connected ecosystem.