Masters of Scale

Rapid Response: Don’t be a unicorn, be a dragon, w/Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet

Nov 17, 2022

Maëlle Gavet, CEO of Techstars and a seasoned expert in early-stage investment, discusses the shift from chasing unicorn valuations to fostering resilient businesses, or 'dragons.' She emphasizes the importance of sustainable growth and mentorship in the entrepreneurial journey. Gavet shares insights on navigating pre-seed investments, balancing cost management with growth, and the unique challenges entrepreneurs face in times of crisis. Her perspective combines practical advice with a call for inclusivity in the startup landscape.

30:08

Episode guests

Maëlle Gavet

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

Navigating Pre-Seed Investing and Mentorship in the Innovation Economy

2min

Unicorns vs. Dragons: The Resilient Startup Mindset

9min

Navigating Crisis: Balancing Cost Management and Growth Opportunities

5min

Navigating Business in Crisis: Leadership and Adaptability

14min

Harnessing the Power of Peer Mentorship

3min

The tech industry and its investors have been captivated by the spell of the Unicorn for too long — and the ambitious goal of a billion-dollar valuation has done more harm than good. Instead, founders should aim to be resilient dragons. That's the view of Maëlle Gavet, who as CEO of early-stage investment business Techstars has unmatched insight into the hopes, dreams, and challenges of thousands of founders. Maëlle also shares her experience as a “Fixer and Scaler” and offers important lessons for all entrepreneurs, from pre-seed start-ups to corporate change agents.

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