Designing Successful Startups

SummaryDimitre shares his fascinating life journey, from growing up in Bulgaria and Nigeria to playing basketball in the United States and eventually founding Galena Hill. He discusses the pain points he experienced as a business owner and how it led him to develop an accounting intelligence system that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks. He also explains the shift towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation, with the city of Reno as a lighthouse customer. Dimitre highlights the potential market in other cities and the importance of strong recommendations and warm introductions. Dimitre discusses the application of document management workflow in various industries, not just government entities. He shares examples of startups and businesses that can benefit from this technology. Dimitre also talks about his investment strategy and the use of offshore software developers. The conversation concludes with a discussion on grit and its importance in startups and life.BioBorn in Bulgaria, he grew up across multiple countries including over a decade in rural Nigeria, Botswana, and South Africa. This diverse background instilled resilience and adaptability. In 1993, a basketball scholarship allowed him to relocate to the United States. His studies focused on quantitative business analysis, economic modeling, and finance.His private-sector career from 1998-2014 spanned automotive, travel, construction, manufacturing, and consulting. As a trader, operations manager, finance director and more, he led teams, drove change, and oversaw profitable exits. This applied his expertise in process automation and business intelligence.  Since 2014, his SaaS innovations include co-authoring blockchain patents for secure data handling and message certification. He created blockchain web apps for transparent public access. His models compared solar technologies for South African energy projects. He pioneered digital prototypes for accounting, document transmission, and medical consent.In 2018, he founded Galena Hill Inc. to provide affordable, scalable, eco-friendly digital solutions for small businesses and government. This merged his research with pragmatic solutions to foster sustainability.TakeawaysDimitre's life journey took him from Bulgaria to Nigeria to the United States, where he eventually founded Galena Hill.He developed an accounting intelligence system that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks to address the pain points he experienced as a business owner.Galena Hill has shifted its focus towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation.The city of Reno is a lighthouse customer for Galena Hill, and there is potential for market expansion to other cities.Strong recommendations and warm introductions from influential figures, such as the mayor of Reno, can help facilitate business opportunities. Document management workflow can be applied to various industries, not just government entities.Startups and businesses that deal with a lot of documents and need to guarantee their provenance can benefit from this technology.Dimitre's investment strategy has been private investment, and he has not approached VC firms.He uses offshore software developers, but emphasizes the importance of having a close relationship and ensuring the protection of intellectual property.Grit is essential in startups and life, and overcoming challenges and obstacles is a continuous process.Sound Bites"The market niche for Galena Hill: small to midsize business owners using QuickBooks.""The shift towards using blockchain technology for document management and automation.""What we have is extremely convenient in terms of being able to manage that information in a way that is shared in between a city employee or a government employee and a public viewer.""There are other organizations that deal with a lot of documents and have to guarantee the provenance of these documents.""The painful issue is really how to get your foot in the door and have at least some initial traction."LinksPlease leave us a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoDimitre's Galena Hill site: https://www.galenahill.com/The book Think Like a Startup Founder (early access): https://www.manning.com/books/think-like-a-startup-founderJothy’s site for speaking, podcasting, and ruminating: https://jothyrosenberg.comJothy’s non-profit foundation The Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.orgChapters00:00 Dimitre's Fascinating Life Journey11:19 Addressing Pain Points: Developing an Accounting Intelligence System 28:40 The Power of Recommendations: Leveraging Influential Figures35:04 Offshore Software Developers and Intellectual Property45:34 The Importance of Grit in Startups and Life

SummaryIn this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Jonathan Becher discuss various aspects of starting and running a company. They cover topics such as transitioning from theory to practice, the importance of customer-driven decision-making, the challenges of being a CEO, the significance of team building, and the role of strategic investors. They also emphasize the need for adaptability and retaining optionality in business. Jonathan Becher shares his experiences as an entrepreneur and executive, discussing topics such as board management, acquisitions, and the transition from tech to sports entertainment. He emphasizes the importance of smaller, trusted boards and the value of distribution in scaling a business. Jonathan also highlights the significance of time to value over time to market and the need to focus on the end users of a product. He concludes by promoting his blog and expressing his interest in discussing the concept of grit in a future episode.Jonathan BecherJonathan Becher is president of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, the parent organization for the San Jose Sharks, the San Jose Barracuda, three Sharks Ice recreational facilities, and the Sharks Foundation. A long-time Sharks fan and season ticket holder, Becher is responsible for the organization’s overall strategy with a particular focus on the end-to-end experience.Prior to joining Sharks Sports & Entertainment, Becher spent a decade at SAP in a variety of senior roles, including Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer. A three-time technology company CEO, Becher is an advisor to early-stage companies and is on the Board of multiple organizations. He is the author of the popular blog, Manage By Walking Around.Jonathan and Jothy met at Duke University when Jothy was a professor of computer science and Jonathan was a student. Jonathan got his Masters with Jothy and then they took off together for Silicon Valley and MasPar where they were the 12th and 13th team members. Four years later, the company changed its name to Neovista and Jonathan took over as its CEO.LinksPlease leave us a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoJonathan's blog: https://jonathanbecher.com/The book Think Like a Startup Founder (early access): https://www.manning.com/books/think-like-a-tech-founderJothy’s site for speaking, podcasting, and ruminating: https://jothyrosenberg.comJothy’s non-profit foundation The Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.orgTakeawaysTransitioning from theory to practice is a formative experience in one's careerCustomer-driven decision-making is crucial for building successful productsBeing a CEO involves team building and adaptabilityChoosing the right co-founder is essential for a successful partnershipStrategic investors can provide credibility and opportunities, but it's important to retain optionality Smaller, trusted boards are better than larger boards, regardless of whether they include observers.Distribution becomes more important than the product itself at scale.Focus on time to value rather than time to market, and prioritize the needs of end users.Sports entertainment franchises can leverage data to drive revenue and make informed business decisions.Jonathan Becher's blog, 'Management by Wandering Around,' offers insights into human behavior and lessons learned.Sound Bites"Transitioning from theory to practice taught me more about the realities of business than academia""Be prepared for your alpha or beta release to be the thing you're willing to walk away from""The person with the vision and the passion needs to be the leader""The more people on the board, the more advice I will get, the more introductions I'll have, the more money I can raise. It's almost the opposite.""I'm buying you or I'm putting 100 in engineers to put you out of business. Take your choice.""The best way to scale the pilot business was to sell to the SAP sales reps, not to the customers."Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background14:38 The Challenges of Being a CEO28:14 Choosing the Right Co-founder and Strategic Investors37:20 Distribution and Scaling48:36 Leveraging Data in Sports Entertainment

Rob Oshana's BioRob has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in Computer Science from Southern Methodist University. Rob is currently SVP Software and Security Group at Analog Devices in Austin, TX.Previously he was Vice President Software Engineering, Research and Development, Edge Processing, NXP Semiconductors where he managed a global team of SW engineers developing run time enablement/application software and tools for multiple business lines including Auto, Consumer, Media, IoT, Industrial, Networking, and mass market.Rob was chairman of the NXP Software Technology board; leading cross company efforts focused on software reuse, efficiency, collaboration, and cross business alignment for multiple SW business unitsRob has been on multiple university advisory boards and research boards.For over 25 years he has been Adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas, and Concordia UniversityHe has been an international speaker on topics related to SW engineering, IoT, embedded systems, multicore software, software testing and software quality. Rob has over 200 publications and presentations, and four books to his name.SummaryThis conversation discusses the collaboration between a startup and a big company in the semiconductor industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT) market. The conversation explores the benefits of hardware-software co-design, the importance of area and power reduction in semiconductor chips, and the challenges of the hardware IP licensing business model. It also discusses alternative business models and the importance of understanding timeframes and revenue in the semiconductor industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the timing and success of startups in the industry. In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Rob Oshana discuss various topics related to technology and innovation. They explore the future of RISC-V, the interest in startups, the challenges and opportunities for innovation in large companies, the importance of a culture of innovation, the role of QA in software quality, and the promotion of quality and innovation. They also touch on the impact of functional safety and AI in controlling sophisticated systems.TakeawaysCollaboration and commitment between startups and big companies can lead to successful partnerships and innovation.Hardware-software co-design is essential for optimizing performance, power consumption, and security in semiconductor chips.Understanding the economics of the semiconductor industry, including area and power reduction, is crucial for startups.Exploring alternative business models, such as Dolby's IP licensing model, can provide new opportunities for startups in the semiconductor industry. RISC-V is expected to continue to be successful and has become part of the natural discussion around ISA selections for different markets.Large companies can innovate at scale if they have the right culture, infrastructure, and support in place.QA is a critical discipline in software development, and companies should prioritize it to ensure high-quality software.Promoting a culture of innovation and creating opportunities for collaboration can drive innovation in both large companies and startups.Functional safety is crucial in industries where AI controls sophisticated systems.LinksRob's company: https://www.analog.com/en/index.htmlLink to Jothy's site: https://www.jothyrosenberg.com/Link to The Who Says I Can’t Foundation site: https://www.whosaysicant.org/Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoChapters00:00 Introduction and Meeting00:35 Introduction to RISC-V03:04 Working with a Big Company03:50 Internet of Things and Security04:20 Business Opportunities in IoT05:19 Lighthouse Customer Perspective06:21 Collaboration and Innovation07:29 Hardware-Software Co-design08:27 Commitment and Collaboration09:26 Importance of Area and Power Reduction10:14 Economics of Semiconductor Industry11:13 Software-First Approach to Security12:44 Hardware-Software Co-design Benefits13:31 Collaboration and Commitment14:24 Challenges of Business Model15:21 Hardware IP Licensing Model17:48 Alternative Business Models18:20 Understanding Timeframes and Revenue19:48 Differentiating and Creating Market Pull21:50 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches22:53 Examining Different Business Models24:21 Dolby's Business Model26:22 ARM's Partner Model27:45 Timing and Success of Startups28:15 The Future of RISC-V33:18 Interest in Startups35:18 Innovation in Large Companies37:31 Culture of Innovation39:27 QA and Software Quality46:07 Promoting Quality and Innovation50:23 Functional Safety and AI

SummaryJessi Roesch, founder of Downland, discusses her journey from banking to starting a climate-smart farming marketplace. She highlights the similarities between farming and startups, such as the need for resilience, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the pursuit of a legacy. Jessi also explains the concept of regenerative agriculture and its benefits for soil health and nutrient-dense food. She shares her experience with crowdfunding and invites listeners to participate in Downland's fundraising campaign on WeFunder.LinksPlease leave us a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoThe book Think Like a Startup Founder (early access): https://www.manning.com/books/think-like-a-tech-founderJothy’s site for speaking, podcasting, and ruminating: https://jothyrosenberg.comJothy’s non-profit foundation The Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.orgJessi’s current startup for helping regenerative farmers and ranchers: https://www.godownland.com/Jessi’s slot on the WeFunder platform where she is raising her first round: https://wefunder.com/downlandJessi’s bioJessi Roesch (rhymes with "fresh") has over a decade of experience driving transformation at startups, unicorns and enterprise companies. She is a Terra.do Climate Fellow, member of the Soil Health Committee at BCarbon, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Antler, a global venture firm, and 3x startup executive, having led her prior company to #10 in Financial Services on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list, which recognizes companies for high growth.Jessi is the founder and CEO of Downland, a startup that aims to remove barriers for a new generation of regenerative farmers and ranchersTakeawaysFarming and startups share similarities in terms of resilience, understanding customer needs, and pursuing a legacy.Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health and producing nutrient-dense food.Crowdfunding platforms like WeFunder provide opportunities for everyday people to invest in startups and support innovative solutions.The founder journey requires resilience, grit, and a willingness to embrace challenges and personal growth.Support DownlandFriends & insiders (that's you!) can invest in Downland via Wefunder before it opens to the public on May 1st. Early investors have access to preferred terms. Follow Downland on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Downland's newsletterLandowner Letter of Intent (LOI)**Landowners who may consider making their land available (in part or in whole) to a regenerative farming/ranching apprentice can share their interest using the form at this link. This is a non-binding letter of interest. The landowner will follow the link, enter their email address, then receive an email from DocuSign to complete the form. Think of this like a petition that Downland should exist and is helpful.For more info, visit Downland’s website.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Small Talk08:19 Taking Risks and Embracing Change16:30 Introduction to Downland and Regenerative Agriculture32:53 Crowdfunding and the Opportunity for Everyday Investors39:15 Investing in Downland and Supporting the Future of Food Systems46:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Founders

Guest Bio for Michael PetersenMichael Petersen is a distinguished Founder, Engineer, and CXO who is recognized as a visionary Global High-Tech Product and Marketing Executive. His expertise lies in turning innovative ideas into profitable ventures.Currently leading Raise a Hood, Petersen is spearheading the transformation of the automotive repair industry. His startup synergizes crowd-sourced insights, expert guidance, and machine learning to vastly improve vehicle maintenance for consumers and independent shops. A notable achievement is the creation of GUS, a patent-pending AI engine that blends traditional machine learning with the wisdom of veteran mechanics.Petersen’s impressive career trajectory includes influential roles at Ford Motor Company, Dell Computer, Motorola Solutions, and Zebra Technologies, contributing significantly to specifically in the field of engineering, product design, and product management. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, an MS in Automotive Engineering from Purdue, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.An individual of diverse interests, Petersen is passionate about teaching racing schools and adventure motorcycle riding. His active involvement in communities and non-profit organizations highlights his dynamic, all-encompassing approach to leadership and innovationSummaryIn this conversation, Michael Petersen discusses the motivation behind creating Raise A Hood, a platform that aims to improve the vehicle ownership experience. He highlights the challenges faced by average Americans who drive used vehicles and struggle with high maintenance and repair costs. Michael explains the need to connect customers with trustworthy repair shops and provide them with relevant information to make better decisions. He also shares insights into the funding process and the importance of grit and perseverance in building a successful startup. Overall, Michael's goal is to make vehicle ownership more affordable and convenient for everyone.TakeawaysThe majority of Americans drive used vehicles and face high maintenance and repair costs.There is a need to connect customers with trustworthy repair shops and provide them with relevant information.Building a startup in the automotive industry is a complex problem that requires a deep understanding of technology, engineering, and commercial leadership.Grit and perseverance are essential qualities for startup founders to overcome challenges and achieve success.LinksLink to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.comLink to Raise a Hood site: https://www.raiseahood.com/Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoChapters00:00 Introduction and Background00:45 The Problem with Vehicle Ownership07:09 Funding and Investment Rounds09:31 The Minimum Viable Product and B2B Strategy13:02 The Average Age of Cars and Market Size15:09 Company Size and Location16:20 Investor Landscape and Geo-Location40:20 Future Plans and Leadership42:28 Closing Remarks

Link to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.comLink to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.comThis episode of Adventures on the Can Do has as our guest Andrew SutherlandAndrew is a veteran of 6 startups, starting with his first after school job as a kid growing up in silicon valley.  He is a software engineer that has always worked close to hardware. Working on embedded systems, medical devices and then joining a succession of semiconductor startups where he  worked on both hardware verification and the software toolchains for novel silicon architectures. More recently he worked for a cryptocurrency startup managing the development of the smart contract compiler & runtime infrastructure.SummaryIn this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg and Andrew Sutherland discuss their experiences as startup founders and the lessons they have learned along the way. They cover topics such as the challenges of multiple founders, the importance of market fit, and the role of a founder in problem-solving. They also discuss the need for a diverse founding team and the importance of communication and collaboration. Overall, they emphasize the joy and fulfillment of being a founder, despite the risks and challenges involved.TakeawaysA successful founding team often consists of a technical founder and a business founder, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives.Founders should be willing to take on the biggest problems facing the company and work together to find solutions.Communication and collaboration are key to a successful founding team, and founders should be open to sharing responsibilities and seeking outside help when needed.Choosing the right co-founder is crucial, and founders should look for someone who complements their skills and shares their passion and vision.Founders should be mindful of their egos and be willing to let go and delegate as the company grows.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Location00:18 Startup Experience01:21 Early Startups03:43 Outcome at Ambric04:25 Transition to Bigger Companies05:50 Remote Work Experience06:17 Current Focus on Government Contracts14:17 Reflection on Startups15:20 Lessons Learned and Mistakes17:31 Founder Commitment and Long-Term Perspective19:23 Challenges of Multiple Founders21:13 Founder Intervention in Other Areas26:43 Founder Disruption and Toxic Attitudes29:47 Choosing a Good Co-Founder35:16 Founder's Role in Problem-Solving38:11 Founder Egos and Team Dynamics40:37 Taking a Break from Startups46:26 Advice for Founders

Link to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.comLink to The Who Says I Can't Foundation (non-profit): https://whosaysicant.orgLink to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.comThis episode of Adventures on the Can Do is about those earliest days of formation when you have a small group of founders who have an idea that you all are certain will change the world. To do that you need to form a company which is a legal entity and there are lots of regulations and legal matters you need to get right without fail. So you really do need an attorney helping you at the start. You don't need to have one as a full-time employee but you need to find one at a law firm who has done this before. Make sure things having to do with founders are carefully buttoned up to avoid animosity or worse later when maybe one decides to leave. To cover all of that Jothy has Gary Christelis as his guest who knows of what he speaks when it comes to what you need a lawyer for at that formation point.Gary Christelis has over 30 years experience with start-ups in both legal and business capacities. He currently leads the commercial contracts practice as Senior Counsel at Feinberg Hanson, LLP, a Boston, MA based boutique corporate law firm. Previously, he served in CEO, COO, and General Counsel roles with several high tech start-ups and emerging technology companies. He is also active in the Boston start-up community as an angel investor and has advisory roles with several high tech start-ups in New England and New York. Drawing on being on the frontlines with start-ups and high-tech companies, Gary brings a wealth of practical business and legal experience to a wide diversity of commercial and contractual issues confronting both early and later stage companies, particularly in the areas of technology licensing, development, distribution, and sales. Gary and Jothy were introduced by a mutual friend who is now his boss. Jothy hired him early on to be in-house counsel for Dover Microsystems.

Guest: Steve McCarthySteve McCarthy is an Emmy Award winning network TV news producer and documentary filmmaker. A former staff producer for 60 Minutes, Dateline and CNN, he formed McCarthy Productions, Inc in 2001 and produced projects for 60 Minutes, Dateline, Charlie Rose, MSNBC, PBS, BBC America, Reuters and others. In 2006 he directed an independent documentary film Finding Paddy, a documentary about 9/11 which aired in more than 20 countries. In 2016 he co-produced the documentary The One That Got Away which aired on PBS. In 2019 he co-directed and co-produced an HBO documentary about journalism through the life stories of Pete Hamill and Jimmy Breslin called Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists. (Winner 2019 National Emmy) In 2019 he also co-produced the documentary feature “Life with Layla” about a New Jersey family caught in the grips of the opioid epidemic. In 2022, he directed and co-produced Eva’s Promise, about a Holocaust survivor’s promise to her brother to share his art should he not survive the concentration camps. Eva’s Promise is being distributed on PBS stations in the spring of 2024 by American Public Television.McCarthy teaches documentary film and journalism at Montclair State University.Steve and Jothy met when Steve was the producer of a piece for the Today Show about Jonathan Alter’s dealing with a cancer diagnosis and deciding to join Jothy in doing the 192-mile Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon for the Data Farber Cancer Institute. They have been friends since then and decided to create a TV show based on the Who Says I Can’t concept which they filmed 3 full episodes of and tried to sell to the major networks. They did not bite and those three episodes live on on YouTube.In this conversation, Jothy Rosenberg interviews Steve, the founder of McCarthy Productions. They discuss Steve's love for the Grateful Dead, the positive atmosphere at Dead shows, and the involvement of Steve's children in the family business. They also talk about the production of Eva's Promise, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and the importance of authentic storytelling. The conversation touches on the difficulties of selling a show, the potential for reviving their previous show, and the significance of the Holocaust Museum. They also discuss the editing process and the importance of preparation in presentations and talks.Sound BitesChapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Background00:11 Steve's Love for the Grateful Dead01:16 McCarthy Productions as a Family Business03:22 The Production of Eva's Promise04:12 Doing Corporate Videos05:09 Passion for Journalism06:29 Journalism Trip to the Border08:01 Collaboration on Can Do Productions08:58 Participating in the Sports of the Show's Subjects09:07 The Fun and Challenges of Filming11:07 The Difficulty of Selling the Show17:40 The Importance of Authentic Storytelling19:55 The Potential for Reviving the Show23:44 The Story of Eva's Promise27:25 The Holocaust Museum and the Importance of Remembering31:05 The Editing ProcessLinksLink to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.comLink to Steve's McCarthy Productions site: https://www.facebook.com/mccarthyproductions/Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.com/AdventuresOnTheCanDoLink to Who Says I Can't TV channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WSICTV

Link to Jothy's site: http://jothyrosenberg.comLink to Lindy's Up in a Day site: https://upinaday.co/Link to Podchaser to leave a review: https://www.podchaser.comThis episode of Adventures on the Can Do has as our guest Lindy NowakLindy Nowak is the founder of Up in a Day, a company building professional websites for small businesses without the headache. After a corporate career as a creative director at renowned brands like Women's Health Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and L'Oréal in New York City, she pursued her entrepreneurial dream five years ago. Recognizing an unmet need, Lindy launched Up in a Day to help small businesses and solo entrepreneurs get professional websites built quickly creating a process that makes it effortless for busy people..TakeawaysIdentify a market need and create a productized service to meet that needSet short-term and long-term goals for business growthBuild a referral-based business through excellent service and customer satisfactionChoose the right platform and develop frameworks and processes to streamline operationsCultivate grit and resilience to overcome challenges and achieve successChapters00:00 Starting Up in a Day03:05 Meeting the Market Need08:22 Building a Sustainable Business09:26 Short-Term and Long-Term Goals11:21 Navigating Challenges and Slow Times12:40 Generating Leads and Referrals16:19 Choosing the Right Website Platform21:45 Proving the Success of the Business Model25:30 Grit and ResilienceSi5MIIjIlmLJuxG2LRNv