Give First

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with organizational psychologist and bestselling author, Adam Grant, for a conversation about the power of generosity in business, leadership, and life.Brad and Adam trace the roots of give first and give and take, uncovering how their philosophies arrived at the same conclusion: that success isn’t about what you extract, but what you contribute.They explore why some givers thrive while others burn out, how smart generosity is often a sign of intelligence, and what it really takes to build cultures where people show up for each other. Adam also shares a how to confront takers, and maybe even convert them.Follow Brad Feld on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfeld/) and Twitter (https://x.com/bfeld?lang=en)Follow Adam Grant on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/AdamMGrant/) and X (https://x.com/adammgrant) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seth Godin shares invaluable insights on the complexities of leadership, emphasizing the perils of ego and founder mentality. He discusses the art of saying no as a vital skill for true impact. The conversation also touches on building for meaning rather than mere metrics, and the transformative power of integrity in leadership. Their reflections on personal connections highlight the significance of genuine interactions and setting boundaries. Ultimately, it's about prioritizing long-term values in a chaotic world.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, Brad Feld sits down with Ian Hathaway, co-author of The Startup Community Way, host of Outsider Inc., and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Far Out VC, to unpack what makes entrepreneurial ecosystems actually work.They revisit the early days of their collaboration, from Ian’s initial cold email and time in Boulder, to writing the book that reframed how founders, cities, and networks build momentum. They dive into the theory of complex adaptive systems, the power of feedback loops, and why startup success is anything but linear. Along the way, they reflect on Boulder’s influence, COVID’s inflection point, and how Techstars shaped Ian’s investing philosophy.Plus, Ian shares why he launched Outsider Inc., a podcast dedicated to founders breaking the mold, and how he’s helping push founder-friendly policies through the Center for American Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.If you’ve ever wondered how movements grow, how policy intersects with startups, or how to support founders outside the usual hotspots, this conversation delivers.Follow Ian Hathaway on LinkedInFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen and Brad Feld go deep with Lesa Mitchell on the 35-year evolution of the startup community movement. Recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, they reflect on the early days of entrepreneurship support—from the founding of EO and early angel networks to the ripple effects of the Kauffman Foundation.Together, they explore the rise of startup ecosystems, the shift from gatekeepers to networks, and how placing founders at the center reshaped everything. Brad shares pivotal moments from Boston to Boulder, Lisa brings insider context from Kauffman’s legacy, and David reflects on how it all led to Techstars. It's a look back,—and a look forward,—at the movement that transformed how startups start.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen and Brad Feld go deep with Lesa Mitchell on the 35-year evolution of the startup community movement. Recorded live at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, they reflect on the early days of entrepreneurship support—from the founding of EO and early angel networks to the ripple effects of the Kauffman Foundation.Together, they explore the rise of startup ecosystems, the shift from gatekeepers to networks, and how placing founders at the center reshaped everything. Brad shares pivotal moments from Boston to Boulder, Lisa brings insider context from Kauffman’s legacy, and David reflects on how it all led to Techstars. It's a look back,—and a look forward,—at the movement that transformed how startups start.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen sits down with Robert Wolfe, founder of Zeck and serial entrepreneur behind companies like Moosejaw and CrowdRise. Robert shares his transition from consumer brands to enterprise software—and how Zeck is modernizing how executive teams communicate, collaborate, and make decisions.They explore the inefficiencies of traditional board meetings, the role of design and clarity in leadership, and how humor and authenticity have shaped Robert’s approach to building companies. He also reflects on working with creative partners like Edward Norton and building products that scale across startups and large organizations alike.Follow David Cohen on LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Brad Feld on LinkedIn and TwitterListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad Feld makes a return, sharing his reasons for stepping away and the inspiration for his new book on mentorship. The discussion centers around the 'Give First' philosophy, emphasizing selfless support within the startup community. Personal anecdotes highlight the evolution of this idea and its impact on entrepreneurship today. The hosts express their renewed commitment to supporting founders and the joy of reconnecting with their passions in writing and mentorship. They celebrate the power of giving without expecting any immediate returns.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, host David Cohen is joined by Usman Gul, founder and CEO of Metal. Usman shares his entrepreneurial journey and how his company is revolutionizing the fundraising process for startups. Usman discusses his own experience raising capital, the challenges he encountered, and how Metal is simplifying and democratizing access to venture capital. With advanced investor intelligence and AI-driven tools, Metal is transforming the way founders identify and connect with the right investors. Tune in to hear how technology and entrepreneurship come together to make fundraising more efficient and accessible for all.Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohenListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, hosts David Cohen is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring astronaut and NASA engineer to leading a revolutionary Techstars-backed company.Ampaire is advancing hybrid electric aviation, aiming to cut aircraft fuel usage by 50-70%, addressing both environmental and economic issues in the aviation sector. Kevin discusses the concept of 'invariant milestones' for setting and achieving ambitious goals, the challenges of blending the automotive and aviation industries, and the importance of resilient, mission-driven leadership. The episode also covers Ampaire's fundraising journey, strategic decisions, and Kevin's commitment to the entrepreneurial community.Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohenListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen speaks with Marc Steren, Cofounder and Co-CEO of University Startups. The two discuss the entrepreneurial journey and the transformative impact of education. Marc offers insights into his 30-year entrepreneurial career, from pioneering mobile ticketing to selling his company in 2012, and transitioning to education as a professor at Georgetown University. He also recounts the unexpected success and eventual founding of University Startups, an AI-augmented curriculum designed to empower under-resourced students by providing pathways to higher education and career success through virtual generative AI counselors.The conversation covers the importance of being mission-focused for startup success, the value of running numerous small experiments, and the impact of having celebrity investors like Steven Spielberg and Michael Jordan. Cohen and Steren also take time to explore the challenges and opportunities within the current educational system, the need for reform, and the unique approach of University Startups in democratizing access to quality education.Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohenListen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.