Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders (ETL)

Drew Endy is an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford University and a pioneer of synthetic biology. A co-founder of the BioBricks Foundation, Endy helped launch the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition to democratize biotechnology for student innovators worldwide. In this presentation, Endy gives a primer on synthetic biology and the obstacles it has encountered in the United States, shares where he hopes the field is going, and explains how aspiring entrepreneurs can adapt his framework to imagine their own futures.Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders and other eCorner content is produced by the Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP), the entrepreneurship center at the Stanford School of Engineering. STVP empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to become global citizens who create and scale responsible innovations.CONNECT WITH USYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ecorner  X: https://x.com/ECorner  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stanfordtechnologyventuresprogram/  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stanfordstvp.bsky.social  LEARN MORESTVP: https://stvp.stanford.edu/ eCorner by STVP: https://stvp.stanford.edu/ecorner Support our mission of providing students and educators around the world with free access to Stanford University’s network of entrepreneurial thought leaders: https://stvp.stanford.edu/giving-to-stvp/.

Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma, shares insights on building an AI-driven presentation tool that resonates with 50 million users. He discusses the importance of finding energizing projects and the challenges faced during Gamma's inception. Grant emphasizes evaluating co-founder fit, leveraging efficiency gains in markets, and the role of storytelling in outperforming competitors. He also explores the future of multimodal communication and the significance of passion and experimentation in sustaining startup success.

Tina Seelig, an educator and bestselling author at Stanford University, shares insights on creating luck and leveraging opportunities. She introduces the sailboat metaphor, illustrating how to navigate life's winds of fortune. Seelig emphasizes the importance of knowing your core values and storytelling in forging your identity. Her practical advice includes embracing experimentation, learning from failures, and the value of mentorship. With engaging anecdotes, she encourages listeners to view luck as a long-term game, underscoring the power of compassion and support.

Samir Vasavada, co-founder and CEO of Vise, shares his journey from teenage founder to leading an AI-driven asset management firm. He dives into the complexities of venture funding, revealing the lessons learned from hiring too soon. Vasavada emphasizes the importance of staying focused amidst trends and aligning company goals with strengths. He advocates for embracing mentorship and customer feedback while navigating the delicate balance between ambition and personal well-being in entrepreneurship.

Osi Imeokparia, CEO of Kode With Klossy, leads a non-profit dedicated to closing the tech gender gap, while Dani Lucas, a McKinsey & Company engagement manager, focuses on women’s workplace research. They discuss the crucial need for mentorship and systemic changes to support women’s advancement in tech. Their conversation covers empowering young women to code, addressing the 'broken rung' in career ladders, and strategies to bridge gender disparities in earnings and entrepreneurship, promoting an inclusive tech community.

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.

Vinay Hiremath, co-founder and former CTO of Loom, shares his riveting entrepreneurial journey from rural Illinois to creating a video messaging platform that soared to 30 million users before its acquisition by Atlassian. He candidly discusses the emotional toll of success, reflecting on mental health challenges and self-discovery during his post-acquisition phase. Vinay emphasizes the importance of positive self-talk, the tension between lucrative offers and personal freedom, and the need for authenticity amidst societal pressures.

Stanley Tang, Co-founder and chief product officer of DoorDash, dives into his entrepreneurial journey that began at Stanford. He reflects on the early chaotic days of the company, illustrating how pivotal moments shaped their commitment to customer service. Tang discusses navigating challenges, from fierce competition to financial crises, highlighting the adaptability required during the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and core values in scaling a once-unscalable idea into a thriving $75 billion business.

Bonny Simi, an Olympian and leading figure at Joby Aviation, discusses her remarkable journey from aviation to corporate leadership. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity, creativity, and daring to take risks. Simi shares how setting bold intentions and building transferable skills shaped her career. Her insights underscore that an entrepreneurial mindset can be applied to various life areas, advocating for resilience and embracing non-traditional paths. She encourages listeners to trust their journeys and take small, purposeful steps towards their dreams.

In this engaging conversation, Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass and Sa Dance Company, discusses the power of authenticity in leadership. She shares her journey of integrating her identity as a dancer with her business endeavors. Kadakia emphasizes the importance of aligning passion with purpose and making values-driven decisions. She also highlights the need for resilience in entrepreneurship and the role of community in fostering creativity. Her insights inspire listeners to stay true to themselves while navigating the challenges of building a meaningful venture.