Follow the Gradient How to Build and Manage a Successful Startup Board with Nicole Herzog
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Mar 12, 2025 Nicole Herzog, co-founder of b2venture and Umantis, shares her extensive board experience, including her role at Sherpany. She discusses the common misconceptions founders have about their boards, emphasizing that they can be strategic assets rather than mere formalities. Herzog highlights the importance of choosing the right investors, the dynamics of effective board meetings, and how to restructure boards as startups grow. She also stresses collaboration between founders and board members to unlock insights and drive success.
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Founders' Misconceptions About Boards
- Founders often think reporting is just a formality and that boards don't understand their unique problems.
- Nicole Herzog realized that boards can grasp the overall health without knowing every detail.
Leverage Board for Strategy
- Use your board as a strategic sounding board, involving them early in strategy discussions.
- The board should alert founders to obstacles and provide support especially when not running smoothly.
Choose Investors Like Hiring
- Treat choosing VCs like hiring: prioritize chemistry over valuation by trusting your gut.
- Talk to other founders and portfolio companies to understand a VC's behavior before investing.